Life at a "Swell's" pace

12 days of Christmas pinspiration (day 10)

Day 10:

Snowman Gift Tags
from: Better Homes and Gardens

What you'll need:

1. Brown Paper Sack

2. Three Cotton Balls

3. Small Twigs

4. Hot Glue

5. Scissors

6. Black Marker

7. Hole Punch

8. Raffia or Twine

Cut tags from the brown paper sack and punch a hole in the top. Hot glue the cotton balls, one on top of the other, in the shape of a snowman. Attach tiny twigs for the arms and draw on a small black hat. Attach some twine to the top and add to your holiday packages this year.

Be sure and visit Better Home and Gardens to get other great ideas for tags to add to your Christmas packages this year.

12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration (day 10) 2012

Follow the 12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration (day one-day 10) here.

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12 days of Christmas pinspiration (day nine)

Day Nine:

Dipped Pine Cone Wreath
from: Style at Home

What you'll need:

1. Brown spray paint
2. 16" Styrofoam wreath
3. Wire
4. 50 large-sized pine cones
5. 100 medium-sized pine cones
6. 30 mini pine cones
7. Latex paint
8. Rod
9. Paint tray
10. Glue gun
11. Ribbon
Spray paint the Styrofoam wreath and let fully dry. Using a piece of wire secured to the base of the pine cone, dip directly into the paint can. Once completely covered, attach the other end of the wire to a rod and let drip dry into a paint tray. Repeat this process with a selection of different-sized pine cones. Let fully dry. (Note: When pine cones get wet, they have a tendency to close up, so you may need more than you think.)

Using a glue gun, adhere the unpainted large- and medium-sized pine cones to three- quarters of the wreath, holding each in place until the glue hardens. Use the small pine cones to fill in any gaps. Finish with the painted pine cones using the same method described above. Hang in a spot indoors with a pretty ribbon.

Be sure and visit Style at Home to get other great DIY ideas to brighten your home this season.

12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration (day nine) 2012

Follow the 12 days of Christmas pinspiration (day one-day nine) here.

Follow Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson @ SNS's board 12 Days of Pinspiration (SNS) on Pinterest.

12 days of Christmas pinspiration (day eight)

Day Eight:

Candy Cane Wreaths
from: Frosting and a Smile

What you'll need:

1. Candy Canes

2. Baking Sheet

3. Parchment Paper

Place the parchment paper on the bottom of the cookie sheet and lay the candy canes on the parchment paper. Make sure the canes aren't touching each other and bake in a 250 degree oven for about 4-6 minutes.

Once the canes come out of the oven, allow to cool for about 30 seconds. Taking each candy cane, bend into a circle, attaching the next circle to the one before it. Make a long chain and add to your Christmas tree or garland. The candy canes can also be shaped into other designs, similar to the ones on Artful Parent.

Be sure and visit Frosting and a Smile to see other great DIY projects to add to your holiday decor this year. And be sure and visit Artful Parent for tips and tricks to other DIY activities to do with your kids.

12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration (day eight) 2012

Follow the 12 days of Christmas Pinspiration (day one-day eight) here.

Follow Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson @ SNS's board 12 Days of Pinspiration (SNS) on Pinterest.

12 days of Christmas pinspiration (day seven)

Day Seven:

DIY Rustic Pine Christmas Trees
from: Liz Marie Blog

What you'll need:

1. Three Styrofoam Cones

2. Small Bag of Pine Pieces (similar to these)

3. Hot Glue

Sort the pine pieces by size and work with the same size, if possible. Hot glue on the pine pieces starting at the bottom working your way up the cone to completely the project. You can be as symmetrical or as unique as you choose. Finish the top of the trees with a small piece to have it come to a point.

Be sure and visit Liz Marie Blog to see what other great projects she comes up with. Such a fun and talented woman.

Follow the 12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration (day one through day seven) here.

12 Days of Christmas Pinpiration (day seven) 2012

Follow Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson @ SNS's board 12 Days of Pinspiration (SNS) on Pinterest.

Five on Friday: Spark of Loves this Week (and winner of the Girls' Life Giveaway)

Another Friday, yippee! Can you believe that Christmas is only five days away? Where in the world did the year go. I am super excited about this year though because my son will be celebrating his tenth Christmas. How exciting is that? He is such a cool little dude! I can't wait for him to see what Santa has left for him this year under our tree.

But before I rush Christmas, it's still Friday, December 20 and here are my Five on Friday.

1. These Chocolates.

Because they came from the local candy man and they are delicious.

2. This Christmas Card.

Because it was the first one of the season and it came all the way from New Zealand from a special friend.

3. These Fruit Leathers.

Because we made them and they were absolutely delicious!

4. This DIY Box.

Because it came from Darby Smart and it made my day!

And the winner of the Darby Smart and Girls' Life Honor Giveaway......

Congratulations Ashley E.! I will contact you via email with details!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5. This Bed Foundation.

Because it is finally one that is working with our tiny loft-type bedroom upstairs. More on this later.

If you want to learn tips on living in a small space, check out Reading My Tea Leaves: Life in a Tiny Apartment.

Other places I've been this week:

12 days of Christmas pinspiration (day six)

Day Six:

Seed Bead Ornaments
from South North South

What you'll need:

1,000+ glass seed beads of different colors.
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Hemp Twine, or wire...00
Star design cut-out or plastic made ornament.

Using a plastic ornament design, or hot-gluing your own design freehand, start by using one straight line at a time. Draw a line of hot glue along the ornament then top with seed beads in the color of your choice. Keep working around the ornament until you complete the entire piece. You want to work with one line at a time, so that the glue won't dry before you add the seed beads. Allow the ornament to dry completely and dust off any loose seed beads. Attach some twine and hang.

Be sure and check out the 12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration- Day One through Day Six right here on South North South.

12 Days of Christmas Pinspiration (day six) 2012

Follow Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson @ SNS's board 12 Days of Pinspiration (SNS) on Pinterest.