#429...my twelve days of plaid

To make this holiday season a little more festive for myself, I pulled out all of my plaid digs and made an effort to wear one piece of plaid in the twelve days leading up to Christmas.

#428...sweater vest turned evergreen

I've had this thrifted cashmere sweater vest for a couple years. 

I think I may have wore it once....but it is pretty snug. It is so soft though that I've not been able to part with it. When I saw this knitted tree by lucky boy sunday, I decided to turn the sweater vest into a stuffed, soft evergreen of my own. 

Merry! Merry!

#427...pom-pom jewelry for deer

Last year, I made this pom-pom garland for my rosemary tree.

This year, I lent my pom-pom garland to my sister Sarah, and she used it to adorn "deer" her apartment pet. Sarah rescued deer from a local thrift store. (I think deer should wear the pom-poms year round)

#426...fall in houston

Houston is not known for brilliant fall leaves. Most things here turn from green to mucky yellow-brown and that's all we get for fall color. This week, I spied a tiny bit of pretty color on my street.

#425...candy cane yarn

I started wrapping my gifts, trying to use this spool of tangled candy cane striped yarn that I got at the thrift store for.50 cents. 

#424...holiday mantelscape

A few years ago, I made these birch bottles from bark I collected in New Hampshire. This year, I used the bottles  atop my mantel. The bottles hold spray painted branches from my yard and a few vintage, thrifted ornaments.

I also made Tyler and I new stockings from some black and white southwest inspired upholstery fabric.

#423...bedroom lack shelves

I was taking a few pictures to show a client the floating wall shelves in my bedroom, and I realized that it has been since my 2008 Design*Sponge sneak peek since I have photographed that wall of my room. The shelves are the Ikea Lack, which I mounted, caulked and painted in an oil paint to match the wall color of my room. (Sea Haze by Benjamin Moore). The display on my shelves has changed over the years. I used to just use the shelves to display pictures and knick-knacks, but now they have become more functional and less decorative, as I use them to house some of my photo shoe boxes.

2008

2011

2008...see the shelves in the mirror reflection

2011

#422...holiday rider

My nieces are coming for Christmas, and since this is Lyla's first Christmas...and first trip to Texas, I made her a cowgirl inspired stocking to hang up for Santa.

The fabric is called "holiday rider" by Alexander Henry. It was printed in 1997. I've be waiting a long time to use this fabric.

I also made some festive pillows for my brother and sister-in-law in Portland, OR

#421...bar stool reno

I recently made new slipcovers for my client Sara's bar stools, which previously wore this brown paisley chenille fabric. 

before

This is a shot of how I begin to make the pieces of the slipcover. I was going to document the process, but then forgot to take pictures beyond this initial step.

The chairs got covered in a light turquoise upholstery and I added a linen center stripe to the chair backs, for some contrast and personality.

after

#420...sarah's room

I've previously posted about my sister Sarah's 1950's apartment here (bathroom) and here (kitchen). Today, I have some shots of her bedroom to share. The apartment is light, airy and has really lovely old floors, so it was easy to turn it into a pretty, welcoming room.

#419...dear santa

I was talking with a friend yesterday, and could not think of anything that I wanted for Christmas.....but then later I remembered some things I've been eyeing. This list is indulgent....but it's my blog, and it's the holidays, and that's what they are all about....right? Just kidding.

This doll....(yes, I'm a grown-up and I like knitted dolls)

this gold flatware

this bench

this dish towel

these moccasins

this ring

this book

these airplants

this newberry winner...(I collect them)