
It's always nice to have something pretty and inspiring on your desktop. It's like a piece of art decorating your desk.
Be Inspired! -Karol :0)



I also painted this star in nice spring/cottage colors last night. It was a deep rust color. Nester gives great tips on how to paint stars when you need a fresh touch of color. This star is hanging in my stairway now.Last week I decided to treat myself to a Christmas present and purchased a hand-knitted scarf. I have been eyeing these beautiful scarves by Davids Knits on Etsy for quite a while. The above scarf, Aqua Groovy Araucania Scarf, is the one I purchased. David purchases his yarn from the mountains of South America, specifically from a women's cooperative established to promote social and economic growth within their rural areas.
David's Etsy shop is very professional. He offers about 5 photos of each scarf so you get to see the detail. My scarf arrived quickly and beautifully packaged. I definitely recommend Davids Knits.
Lucky me, the weather has turned cold and I can enjoy for a few days anyway.
Be Inspired! -Karol :0)



This is just across the street.... Pretty Christmas tree.




Be Inspired. -Karol :0)
I am sure, like me, some of you are just beginning to wrap gifts. I received an email from My Home Ideas, part of Coastal Living, Cottage Living magazines. They offer this great Genius Gift Wrap Guide with some clever ways to give and package gifts. The photo above is just a bakery/pastry box filled with 6 inexpensive white votives (probably unscented) and a box of matches. Very simple, but so classy with the packaging. Please visit My Home Ideas and while you're there, look around, they have helpful tips on how to tie a bow, how to wrap a gift and so many other things.



Next is a Stunning Lighthouse! Complete with a cobblestone walkway. I want to live in this one, too.





This one was so cute, too. I love the pretzel stick fence. Sadie, this looks like your home!



Each year I buy a new ornament or two for the Christmas tree. This year I found these adorable pirate ornaments at a local beach antiques/gift shop called Scavengers. My Aunt was visiting here from Missouri and we stayed busy visiting antique/gift shops. I couldn't resist these cute ornaments. They are made with bells. How clever. My tree is FULL of variety.
Did you find some free pine branches? You could also make a nice table centerpiece, as I did above (click on picture for larger view). Same steps as wreaths, but use a smaller wreath form. You can make your centerpiece round or long, as I did. Then add a candle sconce in the center and a bow, if you wish.
Be Inspired! -Karol :0)
Today I made two fresh frazier fur and berry wreaths for my front doors. I love making these wreaths. It smells so good and they look gorgeous, too. Below I will show you how to make them and virtually for free!

Next, you will need pine branches. Just visit your local grocery store or home center where they are selling fresh Christmas trees. Some places use the cuttings to make their own wreaths and sell them, so your best bet really is a grocery store. My local Publix grocery store actually keeps all the cuttings in a box just for people like me who want to make a wreath. How nice! Be sure to get plenty so you will have a nice full, lush wreath. Take a black plastic bag to put them in. You don't want pine sap in your trunk or carpet.

If you are lucky enough to have some of these berry trees around, gather a big bunch of these beautiful berry branches. Unfortunately I don't have any of these trees in my own yard so I drove around and found some. They weren't "technically" in someones yard, just on the side of the road at the ditch. ;-)
See, I only took enough for my two wreaths. That's it.
Snip and gather a small bunch of pine branch tips as above. Start wrapping the floral wire just at the end of the branches. Next add a bunch of berries (if using berries) and wire them in place.
Almost there!....
