HO..HO...HO.....

In the mood for more Christmas decoration ideas? Well, here are a few............I made them last year.....(no time to make more this year)....but they still look good.................

To make this stocking, I first created the form with chicken wire then cover it with paper mache. Once dried, I printed favorite images then cut them out (decoupage) and glued them on the paper mache. Next, I sprayed the finished decoupage with a light coat of clear varnish (to protect the paper) and, finally hot glued rhinestones to add sparkles. The trim is "sheet music" wrapping paper and some dangling thingies you can buy in little packages at the craft store.

             

                                    

For the fabric stockings: since I don't sew (really!) I hot glued the seams and trims.....so easy! (Even a caveman could do it........)

                           

   

             

The JOY word is made by gluing the letter to long wood skewers, painting them then "glittering" them with glitter to match the paint. They are stuck between the ornaments.

   

The plaster hand is wrapped in dime store "pearl" garlands glued to the arm. I hung little votives I had bought from Jo-Anne's craft. Makes a festive centerpiece.

      

         

  To make the paper cones below, scanned a favorite photo, print then twist the page to form a cone. Glue both side of the cone together where they meet in the back. Glue trim of choice around top and at bottom. To use for holding cookies or peppermint bark.Wrap the cookies, loosely, in cellophane and insert in cone. Makes a lovely gift for a Christmas open house.....................................................................................

          

.............but also works well for flowers. Insert a small, tall glass in the cone, add water and flowers.............................................................................................

                                 

Finally found use for my wire thingy..................................................................

     

NOW, LOOK CLOSELY BELOW...........................................

......at this lovely mercury ball.....

.....and this exquisite little person.......

....and this precious tiny flower...........

and these sweet little bags.....

THEY ARE ALL GIFTS FROM THE LOVELY CONSTANCE! The mercury ornament is a true antique and she made the little doll, flower and bags. How beautiful! THANK YOU CONSTANCE. I love them all.

But my luck didn't end there. I also received this most thoughtful gift from KATHRYN

           The sweet little angel is aptly name "The Angel of Writing." I can use all the help I can get. Especially right now. THANK YOU KATHRYN, your timing is perfect and the angel beautifully carved. Sure hope he/she will look over me.

And more yet!............................................Debbie-the-Darling made the prettiest Christmas "card".....it was filled with yummy peppermint chocolate. Unfortunately....I ate the whole thing before taking the picture.....I am such a little "cochon" (that would be French for pigglet.....)

      

...............and, she also made this sweet note book cover.....................

                     

THANK YOU DARLING DEBBIE..........We are waiting for you to start YOUR blog in 2008!

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...............and, would you believe, after all these gifts, I still managed to "gift" myself with this amaryllis.....................................

                                                

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Comments

[Joy]

Oh Fifi, I am always inspired and left in awe at how your creative mind works...amazing!

My favorite - the JOY centerpiece - and not for obvious reasons! lol

[Janet~Shabbyfufu]

Fifi.....you are truly the Queen of everything! These fabulously creative ideas of yours need to be put into a coffee table book! XO ~ Janet

[Natasha Burns]

Love the stockings you made! Wow they are so cute, the shape is so fun!
Aren't you a lucky girl with the beauties from gorgeous Constance, Kathryn and Debbie!
The amaryllis, is it a real one? It's so beautiful!

[Ele Erickson]

I just LOvE visiting you. The stocking are fantastic and I the paper mache one made out of chicken wire, AMAZING! Wonderful ideas. Thank you so much and have a wonderful Holiday season.

[Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio]

Fifi, I think you are one amazing woman! Your creativity knows no bounds! I love the glitzy stocking at the top of this post. It is just sooooo colorful. i don't sew either very well, so the hot glue stockings are a great tip.
Hugs,
Penny

[Tracie]

Dear Fifi~
Now I'm adding the photo cones with fresh flowers to my list of projects for this weekend too. You're keeping me quite busy with your wonderful ideas.

The gifts are beautiful, that sparkling mercury ball and writing angel (well everything) is just perfect. And Debbie, everything you've done has been so, so pretty! Blog? Come on, I'm starting one (slowly but surely...).

Everyone needs to gift themselves once in a while too Fifi with a beautiful amaryllis, it is the holiday season!
xoxo,
Tracie

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

I love all your ideas . You have so much inspiration ...
It is always such a pleasure to pass by

[Alexandra]

I am reminded how lovely Christmas ornaments can be in nontraditional containers.
Alexandra

[rochambeau]

Your stockings are sublime!
So happy to know you your mercury ball arrived in one piece! So many treasures to delight one Fabulous Fifi!
Hope you and your furry friends are enjoying the holidays. They must be very happy you're home!!!
xox
Constance

[karla nathan]

I was lucky enough to receive a gift from Debbie too, what a talented sweetie she is!

And I wanted to thank you for the fabulous work you did on Romantic Country this last issue. I picked up one last night at borders, and I don't know if you are the person who added the clever titles to my captions, but I loved them! Especially "Bath Baubles".

I was thrilled with the layout of my article and with the lovely periwinkle color that was used for the accents. I never would have thought of that color with the pictures, but it is perfect. Am I gushing? I just have never been as happy with one of my stories as this one.

thanks!!

[karla nathan]

I was lucky enough to receive a gift from Debbie too, what a talented sweetie she is!

And I wanted to thank you for the fabulous work you did on Romantic Country this last issue. I picked up one last night at borders, and I don't know if you are the person who added the clever titles to my captions, but I loved them! Especially "Bath Baubles".

I was thrilled with the layout of my article and with the lovely periwinkle color that was used for the accents. I never would have thought of that color with the pictures, but it is perfect. Am I gushing? I just have never been as happy with one of my stories as this one.

thanks!!

[Karoline]

Hi Fifi!
You have inspired me to go out this morning and purchase some glitter! Thanks for all the ideas! I gotta go make some cones to fill with homemade treats.
-Karoline

[Alison Gibbs]

Once more you are shaing your delightful home with us. Your paper mache stockings are beautiful. You come up with some wonderful ideas Fifi. Love the balls in the wire'thingy' It is alwasy fun to display things in different containers.

Alison

[Zazalée]

Tout est très beau, bravo !

[michelle]

Such sparkling pretties. Very inspiring and wonderful to look at!!
Looks even though you have a lot of work you manage to find some fun!
Michelle

[Catherine]

Hi fifi,

I love the stocking's...adorable!! And I love what you did with the plaster hand..:)
love all the ornaments & especially LOVE the mercury ball!! I have balls~ornaments in cloche's and bowls...its so much fun! Love your paper cones!! And your wirey thing is beautiful~especially filled with the pretty balls and ornaments!!
Happy Holiday's fifi!
Hug's,
Cat

[Diane]

Love the stockings and that Amaryllis is just gorgeous!
xoxo
Diane

[jamie]

Wow, The Stockings are simply Beautiful. I just Love coming here to see all the Gorgeous Goodies.

[Melinda]

I just love,love, love visiting your blog Fifi and seeing your AMAZING creations and photos...you are one inspirational woman!
Mel xxx

[Jan]

Hi Fifi,

I love your paper mache stocking. It's so unique!!

All your other ideas are great too! Your house must look so Christmasie with all your lovely things out!!

Hugs Jan

[Ann Christine Dennison]

I just love your stockings, especially the one with all the beads 'gemstones' on it!

[Country French Antiques]

You are just too much!
You must not ever sleep and be a ball of energy!
I love the stockings!
Thanks for sharing

[Sherri]

The Stockings are just gorgeous Fifi - I love those! BEAUTIFUL!!!
Hope you are doing well sweets!
xo Sherri

[Sara Duckett]

Everything is gorgeous and in keeping with true Fifi style! :)

[Barbara Jacksier]

Pretty, pretty, pretty! I needed a few minutes off from chores to play, so I stopped by.Bon Nuit.

[Angela (Cottage Magpie)]

It's all so lovely, and I can't wait to see Debbie's home in Romatic Country!! :-)

[Jo-Anne Coletti]

Hello angel face,
Wishing you the Happiest of holiday and a Happy New Year Fifi!
I love visiting your blog, its always fresh, shiny and fabulous...JUST LIKE YOU!
Love to you, Jo
xo

[cielo]

Lovely Christmas collection... as usual, your blog is a delight to see.

Enjoy the Season

Cielo

[ellen Crimi-Trent]

love all the stockings and such, just lots of great ideas and inspiration! I wish I had time to create such fun stuff!

[Pam Aries]

Dear Fifi! Merci for taking the time to show all the sweet , sugarplummy yumminess! The ideas are wonderful!

[Raised In Cotton]

Sweet Fifi~what beauty you bestow on us! I am sitting with my morning coffee just adoring your pictures~perfect!
Hugs:)
Carol

[Christine LeFever]

What a lovely post, Fifi! You are so delightful. I linger on every word and every image.

Merry Christmas!

Christine

[britt-sparkled vintage charm]

I just adore the stockings you made!!! So cute!! I don't sew either and I can't wait to try that idea!!I love the JOY idea too!!! soo cute!! everything is wonderful as always!!!
xo Britt

[Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage]

I love the stockings! They look fun!! And all the goodies that you received from your friends are just beautiful too! PS - I just received my Romantic Country Magazine! I love, love, love this magazine! I was so pleased to see Karla and Cathy there too! Isn't the blogging world a wonderful place to meet so many creative and inspiring ladies!
Barbara
Southern Lady's Vintage

[Jen R]

Love the cones. I don't know where you find the time! Stop by my blog tomorrow and visit, I'm on A cottage industry's virtual house tour.

[Barbara @ Southern Lady's Vintage]

Fabulous job Fifi!