Gnome for Christmas

 I admit, I was really drawn to the gnome theme this year for Christmas.  Not only did I make them for my ornament exchange, but I decorated with them around my house, too.  Here you can see a couple of them on the mantle and fireplace.  I added gnomes to the tree, as well.

Here are a couple that I put out in the hallway when you first come in the front door.  They are everywhere, tucked here and there all around the house.  I found the larger ones at my favorite store, Marshalls Home Goods.  

I decided not to use red and dark green for my Christmas colors this year.  I added gold and silver to my tree and got some cute little houses at Target in the Dollar section.  I even found some cute fabric to use as runners in my stash with some soft pastel Christmas images on it.  I even made some pink hearts for the table and to hang on the tree from my sweater stash!  I love making things from used sweaters.  :)

I had to look around for a bit to find pink wrapping paper but eventually found some that I thought would work from Walmart.  I made homemade tags to match, too.  Here's a photo of Ginger guarding the presents.  She didn't like me putting them under the tree because that's where she likes to sit!  

What colors or theme did you decorate with this year?  I like to pick a theme and carry it through my house.  It's one way that I like to be creative during the holidays.  :)

Quilted Snowman

Last year around the holidays I purchased the pattern to make this quilted snowman wall hanging.  And this is one for the record book- I actually finished it before Christmas THIS year!  Ha ha!  Sometimes it takes me a long time to get around to making and finishing up my projects!

The snowman is made from charm squares, 5" squares.  Most of them are cut in half, thus all of the rectagnles.  I got this bundle of fabrics from ebay last year as a gift to myself.  I just love how it came out!

I found some cute black buttons and a carrot-shaped button at Joann's to decorate his face.  I added some yo-yo's on his belly and placed the scarf on after I was finished.  You can't tell from the photo, but the scarf is 3-D. 

This snowman is hanging on the wall ready to greet all of my family and friends who come over for the holidays!  What special handmade item do you have hanging up in your home for the holidays?