Christmas Holidays Celebration Over and New Year 2020

Christmas Holidays Celebrations Soon Over New Year 2020 with LilacsNDreams. Welcome, and glad to have you stopping by for a visit.

All the preparations of shopping, wrapping, decorating, buying food, cooking, and etc. All the time, and preparations spent making it a joyous time. Then, like that it seems like it’s all done, and gone. Of course the proof for holiday celebrations lingers with all the cleaning, organizing, removing decorations, and so on. 

Daughter and family left on New Year’s Day, hubby left the next day, and son headed back to base on Saturday. Here I sit looking at the piles of decorations I’ve removed inside and from outside the home, trying to reorganize the house, and my energy levels are not very high right now...lol! I have a set of lights in the arch of the kitchen entry, and the tree to bring down. Things are almost back in order. How are all of you doing? Hope it’s a little better than me. 

Below is a picture of a quick wrapping I did of couple of gifts for our granddaughter. The joy of watching her face light up with activities, and her surprises is very fulfilling. 

Below are 2 pictures of a couple of items I sold from my Shoppe at Etsy too. The Vera Bradley purse was wrapped as a gift, and shipped to her. That was actually fun to do.

The Christmas Holiday season was very enjoyable with all of our family together to celebrate this time. Trying to finish with bagging everything, and getting it all put away. I am ready to do some crafting, taking some pictures, and to spend time with filling my Shoppe at Etsy with more things too.  Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays, and are recuperating from all of it. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and hope to see everyone again soon.

C

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday Sales and Events

The Thanksgiving Holiday is Over Now We Have Black Friday

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! How did Thanksgiving go for everyone? Did we survive the day? Hope everyone is doing well, the tummies have settled for those who had a big feast, and there were safe travels for those who drove some where.

Now we have Black Friday. How many of you participate with the madhouse shopping on this day? To this day I have never participated with a Black Friday event. I’ve always been content with the sales, and specials I find myself. If I do any shopping on this particular day I also do it online. 

As for my Thanksgiving Day? I was at home by myself for most of the day. Husband was able to come home tonight for a few days. Our daughter spent the day with her in-laws, and our son stayed on base. We will be celebrating our holiday together at Christmas time. Son will have leave, and is well deserving of it. It’s been about 3-4 years since he has been able to be home for this holiday. So, this will be the family special time to gather, and celebrate.

Below you will see a picture I am sharing. I spent all day putting lights on the Christmas tree, adding the ornaments to the tree, making little trees with tall candle stands, putting lights and ornaments on those, bringing out the Christmas towels with pot holders, Christmas hand towels for the bathroom, and don’t forget wonderful laundry and dishes had been done too. During my Christmas decorating I put together a wreath for our front door. I used 4 big plastic candy canes that are red, white, and green. I zip tied those together. I was then going to add a simple bow, and was thinking about something floral with it. I looked at the Christmas spray sitting there with a few pine cones, and some red berries. I noticed how it stretched a little bit, and thought about it hanging with the canes I had put together. I payed it along the canes, played with it a bit, and I started zip tying it all together. Added the bow to the top, added a zip tie to use as a hanger, and put it on the wreath holder on our front door. 

A thought that came to mind was I’m happy that I hung onto some things like I do, or pick things up along the way thinking I’ll eventually use it. Doing something like this is how things come together. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams today! Stop by anytime. Always welcome the visits, comments, and messages. Take care till the next time. Toodles . . . .

Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish. If I haven't mentioned it to you before I really enjoy spending time with crafting, homemade, DIY, repurposing, and all of that fun stuff! I like creating projects that I can sell, but right now I have been enjoying making things for the holidays with our home. Along with the fixer upper on our home I am enjoying time with making things for the holidays for Christmas! Come follow along with me while I share what I have done for y'all to view this week.

Again I was at the Dollar Tree store, and I had something in mind I was hoping to put together with a project. I don't have a quick access to craft stores like Hobby Lobby, and Michaels...unless I want to drive for it. So, for some things instead of ordering online, or traveling I have chosen to create them. It has been an issue to find a snowman hat, and the size that I need it for too. I figured it was time to create one myself. I was walking around the store, looking at things, and thinking, thinking a little more, and thinking about the snowman hat again. What could I possibly do to make this item, and to fit the bowl I needed it to be on. 

Taking my time, walking around the store, a few things coming to mind that maybe could work, and then there it was! Someone had dismissed a pen/pencil holder by placing it on the shelf where it didn't belong. I seen the holder, and started thinking could I possibly make this work? I grabbed the holder, and went over to their supply section looking for some sort of crafting paper that I could use. There it was a black piece of poster board, and under a dollar too! So with these 2 items, and along with a few other things I needed for other projects I went through check out, and headed home. Once I got home I placed the holder on the bowl I was going to use to make a snowman head. I pictured the black poster board around it, the rim I would make, and etc. Stared at it for a little bit, and it wasn't feeling right. Oh darn! Now what? So, I left it sitting there, and walked away from it for a few days. I would look at it in passing, and was hoping to be inspired with another idea of what to do. 

Needless to say it took a little bit, but I did come to an agreement of what to do with the pieces I wanted to make a snowman hat. I did get it all put together making the hat I was wanting. I did it simply, left the top of the hat open, added just a few embellishments on it, and the snowman hat is now a candy cane holder! I'm excited for our grand daughter to come visit, and see this on the table with different candy canes in it. Now she won't have to pull the tree apart getting the canes off of it. 

This picture is showing the pen/pencil holder along with the piece of black poster board I had gotten. You should be able to see that I did cut a corner of it to start the process of making this hat I want.

Here you can see that I did get this completed, and have added a box of candy canes...I know I will have to get more for this too. I wrapped around the holder, and I made a big circle to attach to the bottom of this hat. Once all of the board was cut, and glued I added a red ribbon around the bottom hat. I added a plane white ribbon making a bow. I added a couple of red ball berries, and a few florescent white balls on either side of the white bow. I also added just a few white snowflakes along the rim, and the hat. 

Another picture pretty much showing some of the same things that I explained above.This was a fun little DIY project with repurposing the holder that I used. 

Isn't Christmas crafting fun?! Something that will have a little more of a meaning to it because it was made by me. 

Thanks so much for spending time with me at LilacsNDreams! Enjoyed having you. Stop on by anytime, drop me a line, leave a comment, etc. Have a super week everyone! See y'all later. 

Christmas Handmade DIY Repurpose Home Decor

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Handmade DIY Repurpose Home Decor. Thanksgiving has passed, and I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving too. The belly has been filled, and the anticipation for the next holiday has expanded just a little bit more. I like many others are excited for the Christmas season.

Christmas is my favorite holiday to celebrate, share, and enjoy. It has much meaning for many people. It's a time of year that the weather changes, many festivities are scheduled to celebrate this holiday, and the mood changes a bit for many too. 

If I was doing my online sales...like I use to...I would be busy right now with that too. People buying for gift giving, and some are treating themselves to special gifts. Many are filling their homes with  decor for the season or just because, and many are also getting things together to craft with as well. 

I enjoy my vintage collectibles that I collect, or sometimes will sell too. I also enjoy decorating, and crafting some of the decorations that I find. Last week I showed you a glass vase I had decorated with different things. Since I shared that I have also added some white fairy lights to the arrangement. The soft glow of the light brings out some of the blue, and glitter a bit more too. 

This week I am going to share with you my latest project I have been working with. I'm almost done. I have enough to share one completed item, and to share some of the things being used for the second item too. I love the Dollar Tree Store. I can purchase many things there to add in with decorations, and to craft with too. For this project I bought some 8X10 picture frames. I already had the spray paint at home. I had some Christmas ribbon, I purchased some ornaments, and I found some Christmas gift tags from another store to use too. Step in a little closer to have a look at the pictures below showing my progress so far. 

I bought 2 of these 8X10 pictures frames that you see. 

I removed the plastic wrap, the glass, and the backing. Once that was done I spray painted both sides of this a white color. 

In this picture you can see 1 of the picture frames completed. After the paint had dried on the frame. I glued in the corner a blue glitter ribbon bow that I made. I made this one simple, and just added 2 different gift tags, and a snowflake letter clip to the bow. 

In this picture I am showing the complete picture frame again along with some extra items at the bottom of the frame. While the other frame is drying fully for me to work with I prepared a red ribbon to put on that one. The second picture frame is white also. Now, after I attach the bow I have some decisions to make about what else to decorate with. The ornament is a green, and silver bulb with a pine cone design on it. Next to that is another older ornament that has mini pine cones, a mini white lace doily behind that, and some red ribbon that has some old gold bells at the bottom of them. I'm also considering using some gift tags again. Not quite sure how it will turn out yet. Don't want to make it too heavy that it won't hang right either. 

I enjoy the Christmas season. I so enjoy adding touches to things I already have, or maybe restyling some things I find within the Dollar Tree, and Thrift Stores too. Sometimes it's a gift for someone else, and many times it's for my pleasure too.

Now to see what else I can get into for crafting with this wonderful holiday. I know some people are bahumbug with the season, but sometimes I feel like I come alive with some of my creative juices.

Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy your visits, and look forward to you dropping by again. Take care till the next time everyone. 

  

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to All

Happy Holidays and a Very Happy New Year to All!

This is to wish you all well, hope your holidays have been good to you, and wishing you all the best in the new year . . . . 2014! Enjoy all this time off from things with family, friends, relaxing, lounging, and taking a holiday break for just a bit. It's been a year, and soon will be to the end of 2013. 

Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmas Holidays, and here is to a wonderful New Year Everyone!!

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you all again soon. Take care ! ! !

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Holidays

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Holidays

Wow! Where is the time going because it sure seems to be rolling right along now, don't it? All worried about Christmas, food, gifts, wrapping, cards, and then to be reminded right after that is the new year already! I think after the Christmas celebrations I will be ready to celebrate bringing in the New Year. What about you?

Besides trying to do all of this for Christmas I am also downloading pictures, editing pictures, and trying to get some listings done for my shops as well too. Got some vintage collectibles, upcycled repurposed, wedding home decor, and things are being added to my shop at Etsy, working on Ecrater, and also putting things into Ebay too. Time of year for everything. Working on getting inventory down, making room, so after first of year I can get organized again. Then, starting working on some new pieces again too. Making my lists of things to fill up with again, and you know. All of that fun business stuff.  Oh, and a reminder if you see something you like, are interested in, contact Me. I would be happy to invoice you myself with Paypal.

Anyway, I do hope everyone is moving right along with all their festive holiday preparations. Will you be celebrating Christmas day, or will you be celebrating from that day till New Years eve maybe too. I always worry about people having a place to go during these holidays, if they have someone to share it with, and most of all hoping no one is alone during these times. 

Depending when you are doing your get togethers there is still time to shop, get things mailed, and as some will also explain to those receiving....it's on it's way. Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you all again soon. Take care, and have a Happy Day everyone!

Holidays Thanksgiving Christmas Are We There Yet

Holidays Thanksgiving Christmas, Are We There Yet?

Happy Holidays Everyone! How are we doing so far. Thanksgiving will be here in a couple of weeks, and it's about 5? weeks till Christmas, right? Where the heck is the time going, and it really is moving along at a quicker speed now too. 

Every year is different on how the Holidays are being treated, which one is getting more attention, and if we want to consider it all festive as it use to be, or just another day. I remember when I was younger (yes, I was there once) being excited for Thanksgiving, all the food, seeing family, spending time playing on the farm, seeing this grand parent & that one too. Then, there was Christmas to be all excited about as well. The trees, the lights, the festivities, the preparations, Santa, and searching for them hidden gifts parents would hide away from us. I actually liked winter, and the snow then too.

Now as each year goes past it seems like the holidays are not quite what they use to be. Some of the fun, and much of the meaning has been taken from it. I feel as though it is pushed upon us, and has become something more of a retail holiday than what the true meaning of it all is. A little bit each year seems to get lost with all the hustle of things. 

So, anyway, how do you celebrate and are you ready for all this? How do you celebrate Thanksgiving? Each year it seems to be the same thing, but this year we are working on maybe trying a few things just a little differently. You know, trying to add a little of the fun back into it all. Christmas will be more festive as our son will be home from army base for about a couple of weeks...unless he changes his mind. Be nice to have some company around the house again, and to be sharing all the fun stuff with family as well. Course we will be thinking of those who are no longer with us, and knowing that they too are celebrating right along with us as well. 

I have been blessed with a few sales the past week, and a half. I am thankful for this, and know that most of the items are being used for preparations in festivities for others as well. I just cannot believe how the time has flown, so much to do around here, and was curious how others were handling this as well. 

Thanks so much for sharing time with LilacsNDreams, and always happy to hear from all of you too. Take care, and drop by again soon. Have a Happy Day!

Do It Yourself Gift Wrapping Creative Ideas

Do It Yourself Gift Wrapping Creative Ideas. 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Christmas almost here, got all the gifts you want to buy, and now the part of gift wrapping. Do you like to gift wrap? If so, do you buy your own rolls of paper to use? There are some pretty papers out there to choose from, but once in a while they all start to look alike don't you think? This time of year we sometimes like to put our own personal touches to the gifts as well too. So, why not be creative with your gift wrapping, and make it fun too. 

Below you will see examples of some gifts done in a creative way. These ideas hopefully will also help you to maybe think of other ideas not mentioned here as well. I found this list with Country Living. 

Mix Tape by using some festive masking tape, or consider some washi tape too. Alternate the tapes horizontally, vertically, and so on. As in this picture the tape mimiced the ribbon used. The snowflake was fashioned from some frayed candy cane colored paper straws. Neat huh? This comes from Joy D. Cho

Box O' Joy can be just as fun as the gift inside too. Use subdued tones, maybe some fun prints, polka dots, and etc. Buy boxes already decorated, or maybe decorate some of your own with scrapbook paper, material, an old shirt, maps, and etc to create your decorative boxes. These are from Paper-Source.com 

 Use an adorable musical theme. This is done with some repurposed Jingle Bells sheet music to give this some festive cheer. Enlarge music on copier, and then print it onto thick paper. Use a satin bow of course, and the jingle bells provides the finishing touches. Comes from Grapevine Invitations

Another creative idea is to use ready to wear. Put some new life into a thrift store shirt you found, add a brooch to the package. Not only is this an adorable idea which gives a person more gifts when unwrapped with the brooch, and the shirt, but this also makes it eco-friendly too. This came from Jenn Playford


These are all wonderful ideas shared by others, and there is still so much more out there to consider using as well. Many many ways to have fun wrapping those gifts for under the tree. Use craft paper, yarn, ribbon, buttons, tissue paper, use wall paper samples to maybe make some letters, old maps, magazine pages, fabric, etc. 

For gift tags you could also have fun creating too. Consider using a twig, ornament, glitter buckles, buttons, playing cards, etc. Make some pretty velvet flowers, or paper flowers to add another touch as well. 

So, do you like gift wrapping, or are you bored with it? I would suggest you consider making it fun to wrap by using some fun things from around the home, and giving your gifts a special little touch of their own from you. Fun, creative, and special.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams today. Take care, wishing you all a wonderful holiday, and see you again soon.  

                          Wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS ! !

Christmas Decorating With Lights Trees and Fun

Blue Christmas Tree, White Lights in Kitchen Bay Window

White Christmas Tree, and 3 lighted gifts all on floor in this picture. Since this picture I have moved the white tree up onto the end table next to it at left, have the tall glass vase holders with pink, white, and silver bulbs in them on each side of the tree. In front of tree is a glass candle holder with christmas print on it, and sitting on each side of that candle holder is a red rocker ornament that says Grandma with a pillow, and a green rocker ornament that says Grandpa. Picture below this is without the flash showing the lighted gifts again.                                                                                                  

White Christmas tree on other end table in living room with different pink ornaments hanging on it, and colored lights as well. 

Same White Christmas tree from above, but tried it without the flash this time. Sorry, got a bit blurry, and my editing could not fix all of it.   


This next picture is of our living room with the garland and lights in the archway, and showing the white trees with the flash on the camera. Our home is small, and after 4-1/2 yrs I am still adjusting with it. Only time I have hesitations is with decorating because I like to decorate for the holidays:)                

Here is a picture of the front of the house facing the road. You can see the small white tree lit in the window. On front of porch is a green wreath with red lights, and then green lights put around the porch rail. In the corner is standing Santa Claus. He use to move, sing, dance, but our grand daughter has worn him out...LOL:)

Coming from the front porch is our longer porch on the side of the house. In the window...which is our dining room is a wreath with lights. In the kitchen bay window is the blue christmas tree, and the porch rail has colored lights going along them.

Here is more of a close up of some of the longer porch with the colored lights on the porch rails, lighted wreath in the window, and again the christmas tree in the kitchen bay window.

Christmas Decorating With Lights, Trees, and Fun. 
I am one who enjoys Christmas, and all the decorations with it too. This year I still do not have as much done as I normally woud do, but was able to get some of it done to make it festive for company soon to be here. I generally have different blow ups that are in the yard, lighted moving reigndeer, and etc. For the first time I was doing this by myself too. Excuse the messes in the picture showing the living room. Whew! Had lights all strayed out testing them, moving things around to make room, and also trying to work on a few pieces that will be offered in my shops for sale too.

Christmas is not far off now. About 14 days away now. I am not done with things yet, quite a bit more to do, mostly getting ready for company to be here for a couple of days. Daughter, and grand baby will be visiting from out of state for about 3-4 days, son will be home from army basic training for couple of weeks, and the joy of people coming and going as they please, and get around. Christmas day will just be a lounging time for us as we are doing things a few days prior to that with all the schedules of everyone. Daughter, and grand baby will be leaving back home on that day. So, enjoying all that we can, while we can.

Thanks so much for sharing your time at LilacsNDreams today. Hope everyone is ready for this festive holiday, and able to do all that you are wanting to do. Take care everyone. Enjoy, have fun, be merry, and see you all again soon! Have a wonderful week, and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL ! !

More DIY Christmas Trees For Holidays and Festivities

Cupcake Liner Christmas Trees

The Yarn Christmas Tree

Christmas Candy Christmas Trees

Fabric Covered Poster Board Christmas Trees





More DIY Christmas Trees For Holidays and Festivities to see, decorate, make, and what fun!

Welcome back to LilacsNDreams everyone, and hope your week is going well for you this far. Christmas, Holidays, decorations, glitter, lights, and Christmas Trees! They are adorable for all shapes, and sizes. Some store boughten ones are gorgeous, and some of those that are crafted are gorgeous too. Such creativity, and what fun it is!:) So, thought I would share a few more of the crafted trees that I found when doing my post on Monday. Can never share enough ideas, thoughts, and creations right? I enjoy seeing what others do, and it sometimes will help my creative juices to get moving a bit too. 

I have started decorating at home. Small trees everywhere this year. Making room for people that will be here, those coming and going, and so on. I have a small white one on an end table, I have a blue one in our kitchen bay window, I have another white tree I need to decide what to do with it. Of course there are lights on the trees too! I have put out our lighted gifts that we have, have a garland with the light in it to hang in the big doorway to the living room tomorrow. I have a string of green lights I am testing, and found the problem to fix. I also have an idea for our big wreath that usually hangs outside. Since the house has new siding, new wood, and etc I do not feel like damaging anything to hang right now. So, I have come up with another idea that I think will work, and hopefully it is descent enough out tomorrow or Thursday to allow me to do this.

Hope ya'll enjoyed the pictures shared with you. Don't forget you can click on the titles to the pictures, and you should be able to visit where they came from as well. Some great stuff out there, and enjoy reading about it everyone. Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams today. Take care, and see you again soon!

P.S. Don't forget to visit my LilacsNDreams Shoppe page too. See pictures for items being offered, links to see more pictures, details, and etc. Thanks again everyone!:)

Thanksgiving Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Thanksgiving Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and hope everyone had a great weekend! Things are moving faster, and this week is already Thanksgiving. Where did November go to? So many things to do, shopping to be done, food preparations to be making for Thanksgiving, etc. Not only Thanksgiving this week, but to also start preparing for Christmas which will quickly be here too. 

Not only is everyone getting ready for Thanksgiving with Family, Friends, or however it is being spent, but there is also Black Friday to consider right after this. In fact, not even the next day, but some start things at midnight, and I heard of 1 place that was doing something at 8 p.m. Thursday night too. How fun, and exciting. Yet, it is also sad too. We push the holidays, gotten caught up with the rush of things that we have forgotten to truly acknowledge the holidays we are celebrating. 

So, how many have plans for Black Friday? Whether you do sales online, or you are attending the sales yourself, it is a big day. The rush of people going into stores, some will be at the stores extremely early to wait for them to open, things will get hectic, and yes people will also be pushing & shoving to get some where. You will see some rude people during this time too. After we have Black Friday then there will be Cyber Monday too. I know there are people who do online sales that are also gearing up for this event as well. Pictures, listings, tagging, titles, keywords, and etc. All the preparations being made during this time for these events. 

How many will be attending different stores on these events? If you are selling online, or have a physical store are you prepared for them as well? You know I have never participated with a Black Friday yet, and not quite sure if I will be doing it yet this year either. Hope everyone is getting prepared for those times, but also don't forget to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with others too. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone. Have a wonderful day, and a beautiful week! Take care, and see you again soon.