I’m DONE!!! Well we still need to put up the tree but, we’re waiting for Florida to arrive so we can do the tree all together. I’m sure, like most of you, I have dusted and swept and vacuumed, and dusted and swept and vacuumed some more. I have polished and sanded, and glued, and picked and wired. I haven’t made a cookie, bought too many gifts or wrapped a package. I plan to enjoy these last two weeks before Christmas, and not put too much pressure on myself. We’ll see how that plays out for me.

I thought I would share the bedroom. I haven’t done much but, tried to create a bit of the holiday in there. The room got a boost last year when I found this fun quilt for the bed. Well, it found me. I actually got in the car and drove away and got a couple of miles, turned the car around and headed back to Pottery Barn and scooped it up. It is still available and you can find it here.

It is primitive, and easy and I just fell in love. I didn’t go with the matching pillow shams. Making shams is easy and fun. I had some rough linen in my stash, as it turned out it was the perfect accent to the quilt adding another texture to the mix.

This year I felt like the shams needed something extra. (Of course I did!). Last year due to time restraints I didn’t trim them out. This year they just felt bare. Hobby Lobby had frayed velvet ribbon in the fabric department and the green was a perfect match for the quilt. Not wanting to haul the sewing machine out again this was an easy no sew addition you can do to just about anything. Double stick tape, and some twisting and turning helped to elevate these very simple shams with a short pleated ruffle.

I started by pressing the shams since they had been in storage. Laying them flat on the ironing board I measured 2 1/4″ in from the sewn edge and placed my double stick tape down. I then burnished the paper top, with a bone folder, to make sure I had good adhesion. I followed this process on all 4 sides.

Next I just unfurled the roll of ribbon. Draped it over my neck so I could pull it easily, and keep it out of the way while I was sticking it. When I got to the corner I turned the ribbon to create a miter. I put a small triangular piece on top of the velveteen to secure the miter. Followed that procedure all the way around the sham. That’s it, I was done. It added so much to these rustic simple shams. Maybe next year I’ll get around to monograming those shams!!!

Yeah, I finally got around to pulling those nasty threads showing on the ruffle!

Of course we had to add the stinking Gnome pillow that I appliquéd last year. I can’t tell you how much fun I had making this. I was laughing at myself with every stitch. I couldn’t believe I was creating something so kitchy. Sure was fun though and it still makes me smile.

On the table this year I just added that same red plaid that I used in the kitchen. I had enough left over for a raw edge table square.

I added a beloved wreath that I created from shedding greens last year. Stuck a red bow on it and called it a day!

My feather tree ended up in here as well. I don’t know what it is about this crazy little spindly tree but, I just love it. I placed it in an octagonal box with some pinecones and greens.

The tree is adorned with a few Radko gem ornaments and hand made felt ornaments, as well as a few wooden German ornaments that my sister used as package toppers on our gifts years ago. My grandmothers brass colored candle holders, and two plastic twirly ornaments that were on my grandparents tree. The Christmas bell from The Polar Express Adventure that we took the grand boys on a few years ago. Nothing but sentiment on this tree. Nothing but fond memories of people, that mean the most to me.

But most important is the paper chain made by my granddaughter and me when she was 3. That little girl has just presented us with our first great grandchild. I hope the paper chain holds up for another 20-30 years.

And that’s it. Just a few simple additions to create a bit of festive cheer in our bedroom. I don’t remove pictures or even accessories. I didn’t change curtains, or dust ruffle. I just made a few additions and I go forth with great confidence and tell myself yup it works!!! You be the judge.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley