Christmas Tutorial: How I Wrap My Tree In Ribbons

Hello Friends~ ~ ~

I know it's a bit late for this year.  Most of you have your tree up for this season.

I wanted to share with you how I wrap my Christmas tree in ribbon.

I really love the look it creates.

 

 

I start with a sheer ribbon that has been cut in different length pieces. The way I came up with this technique is that many years ago I was recycling ribbon that had already been cut into pieces when I decided to wrap my tree with it.

This is how I put the first piece on the tree.

It is a short piece maybe 2 feet long.

I use the shortest pieces at the top.

I didn't start at the top because I always fill the top of the tree with silver stars and snowy branches.  You can start at the tippy top if you like.

About 3-4 inches from the end secure the ribbon with a wire to the selected branch.

I like the ends to poke out here and there.

 

As you are twisting the ribbon and working it into the tree put a piece of wire around the ribbon to gather it and twist the wire around just the perfect branch.   You will know it when you get to it.

When the tree is filled you won't notice the wires.

See, don't just wrap the tree but twist the ribbon and sort of fit it into the branches so that it doesn't just sit on the ends of the branches.

Be sure to work at a downward angle.

I would probably just lift this piece as it is laying and drape it over the branches and wire it to secure.

Work the ribbon behind a few of the branches continuing to twist it and wire it to get the look you want.  It's best not to unwind more ribbon than you can manage. . . . .

 

But sometimes as I am fastening a wire this happens.

Then I re-roll the end shorter so that I can manage it better.

Ahh, much better.

Love that little twist in this ribbon.

 

Just keep going and wrapping,  Round and round.

 

I don't usually begin another piece at the end of the last piece.

 

 

Looks much better with all the other trims on the tree but this is how mine looked with just the ribbon on it and a couple of swirly, glittery things on it.

 

 

Here she is all decked out for the holidays.

First time I have ever had a red and white tree.

I kind of like it.

The colors last year were all silver and white, pretty too.

 

If you have a moment I would appreciate it if you stopped by my New ebay shop.

I am so excited to finally get it up and running.  I am just beginning so please stop by often to see what I have for you.  It is:

 

PLEASANT VALLEY ANTIQUES

 

This link above will take you to my shop blog.

Please follow me.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by I appreciate each one of you.

More of my Christmas House Tour to follow.

 

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

 

I am linking with these gals.  Stop over and see them too.

 

My Romantic Home

 

Between Naps On The Porch

 

French Country Cottage

 

Beth's Tips and Tutorials

 

 

Run. . . .Don't Walk To This China Sale !

If you have a Lenox China Outlet Store near you and you love their Butlers Pantry pattern as much as I do.  Git over there right now girls.

 Yesterday while stopping at the outlet stores I spied a big white tent in the Lenox outlet parking lot.
Now in my mind a tent means Huge savings and I was not disappointed.  I wasn't shopping for china but I have been drooling over this pattern for years.

The tent held great little accent pieces but inside the store was the sale of a lifetime.
All the irregulars were on sale and on top of that another 25% off.  I got 10 dinner plates and 10 Trattoria Accent plates for a bit more then the price of 2 (yes that's right 2) Full Price dinner plates!

I was thunder struck.  I would have bought more but I got the last ones in the dinner plates.  Now there are many other plates in this pattern that coordinate to make a lovely table.  Some have embossed fruit on the borders and some a flower pattern, some are sweet little dots.  Wish they would have had more of the tiny dots.  I would have got them too.

I got what I wanted and am doing a happy dance in the dining room.  Just wanted to let you all know and share the Joy.

As a side note I decorated the plate with Zucchini bread I made from a Betty Crocker recipe that we love.

The little piggy butter dish is from Pottery Barn.

She looks nice with the Butlers Pantry china and the little cream bottle I got antiquing last weekend.

Oh, Did I tell you we have a new kitten?  Can you tell by this picture?  She is into everything.  Loves to play with the silk flowers.  Her name is Jasmine because she is pretty as a flower.

I found her wandering around the back yard near the woods a few months ago.  She was so tiny she fit in the palm of my one hand.  She is growing so quickly and bringing Joy to our lives.  Love kittens.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to let me know if you get to the china sale.

Make it a great day!

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~

Great Lighted Pumpkin Decor

Seems that many of you already have your Autumn Décor finished. 

I love seeing what you have done.
Last week it was in the 80's here and I was loving it

This week the temp is in the 70's.  A bit cooler but still not Fall to me. 

My little Halloween witch was calling so I unpacked her and got busy.

 Then these came in the mail.  Oh Joy!  My lighted wax pumpkins I ordered from QVC.
Do you Q?  I love staying home and doing my shopping at QVC.  They have such unique items.
(They are not paying me for this I am just sharing them because I love them)

 

The pumpkins came in a set of 4.  I'll share the item # so you can easily find them if you like them too.  (#H200893)  These are called the Toile set.  There were two other designs but this one is sweet.  What do you think?

 

I mixed them up with other décor I had from years ago.

 Some silk leaves, Indian corn and little white pumpkins I got at the roadside stand and a few brown books to add height.

 

 Each pumpkin has two AA batteries and a timer.  Each night they come on automatically at the same time and stay lit for 4 hours.

 Our house is a Bi-level and the railing usually installed by the contractor in the entrance way steps was replaced by a half wall that I just love to decorate for all the seasons.  It is in the living room and is also seen in the foyer.

It is almost like decorating a mantle. . .long and narrow.  I kept it simple because we have a new little kitten.  If you  have a kitten you know what I am talking about.  Everything is fair game as a toy!
Anyone know what I have to do to make my picture size larger?  I can't seem to locate where to change it.  

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  I love reading your comments.

Make it a Great day.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

How Many China Cabinets? Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Tutorial

 How many do you have?

This was my first. 

There is a matching buffet across the room.

Got more dishes? 

You know what that's like, right?

Need another cabinet.

Love the curve across the front of this one.

This is the one I am working on right now.

Pink inside!

Annie Sloans Old White and Scandanavian Pink mixed with old white inside.

This is my newest love! 

 What a treasure.

Love the chicken wire on the side doors.

Also nice that it comes in two pieces.

Makes it much easier to move.

OK, Back to the one I am working on right now.
Notice the difference in the color on the top and the bottom

This is a better shot.  The piece has already been waxed with ASCP Clear wax and left to dry, then buffed.   On the left I applied ASCP Dark wax lightly, with a brush and rubbed it off quickly.  On the right I have not used the dark wax yet.  The way I do it the wax just darkens the paint slightly.  Some gals use lots of wax and get an even darker finish.  All I want to do is darken it slightly.

You can see here that I mixed probably 1/3 cup of Clear wax with 1/2 tsp. of dark wax to get this color.  I never use the dark wax without mixing it first with clear.  It is just too dark for my taste.

I ever so slightly dip my waxing brush in in the dark mix.  Just a tiny bit on the tip of the brush.  Then I sort of dry brush it with the grain across the surface of the piece.

With a clean rag I wipe the dark wax off.

In the crevices on the right you can see bits of the dark wax.

This foot has not been waxed yet but above it has.

This is just the technique I use to get the finish I want for my pieces.

Here she is all finished.  She will sit for 24 hours then I will buff her and fill her with dishes!
She is sitting on the big wall in the sunroom.  This room is becoming an extension of my kitchen.
Wait till you see what I do with this room.

This is another pic of the top with the dark wax and the bottom still to do.

I remember before I started using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I was scared to start for fear of messing up a piece of furniture.  After a bit you get fearless, so don't delay, jump right in you will love the results.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Party Links

Romantic Home

Between Naps On The Porch

Stone Gable

Savvy Southern Style

Share The Love Wednesday

Feathered Nest Friday

Shades Of Amber

Large Embossed Metal Box?

 Hello Friends,
I went antiquing with my friend Joy on Thursday and this is one of the treasures I came home with.

 

 It's a large embossed box.  It is 20 X 13 X 16" deep.  It has a wonderful cottage on the top.  In the right hand corner it says "Ann Annaways Cottage.  Guess I'll have to do a little google research and see what I can find.

The ends are just hammered metal.  Nothing fancy.

It is very clean on the inside.  I wonder if it had a specific purpose or if it was just for decoration and storage.

It has a little chain on one corner so the lid stays opened.

 The back.

The front has an English street scene.  There is a pub on the left with a sign handing out front.

Sweet!

In my mind I am seeing it painted Annie Sloan Old White then rubbed with a little dark wax to bring out the pictures.  Then maybe a little rub of gold.  Any other suggestions?  I would love to hear your ideas.   What would you do with it?

Thanks for stopping by

~ ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~ ~ 

 

 

I am linking to these parties this week:

 

Romantic Home

 

Between Naps On The Porch

 

Funky Junk Interiors

 

French Country Cottage

 

My 1929 Charmer