10 Holiday Blogger Projects We Love

Set the tone for the holidays with a welcoming hand-lettered display. Kelly Rinzema (thelilypadcottage.com) added pine branches and berries to her antique water skis. The sign to the left is made from purchased boards that were stained dark walnut. Kelly painted the message and sanded the board to give the piece a weathered, aged feel.

Use Kraft paper bags and number stamps to create a unique Advent calendar. Tracey Leber (frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com) and her husband filled the bags with notes and small treats for their children. "It was a big hit with the kids," Tracey says. She used red ribbon and twine to hang the completed bags on a vintage ladder. 

Have an old flannel shirt lying around? Transform it into a festive holiday pillow-without a single stitch. Kim and Scott (yellowbrickhome.com) made this pillow in under an hour using iron-on hem tape and an extra-large flannel button-up they picked up at a thrift store for $1. 

Turn nature's gifts into Christmastime art. Michelle Lepak (dandelionpatina.com) used different size pieces of driftwood to produce a creative twist on a Christmas tree. Collecting treasures along Lake Michigan's shoreline is a favorite summer pastime for Michelle and her family. Their finds-beach glass, driftwood and shells-take front stage in Michelle's holiday mantel display.

Ready your home for holiday gatherings with a hot chocolate bar cart. Erin Souder (houseofearnest.com) included a carafe of hot water, mugs with premeasured scoops of hot chocolate, a bowl of large marshmallows and peppermint stir sticks. She says "similar colors, themes, and accessories will make the whole thing come together beautifully!" For adult guests, Erin added Bailey's and Kahlua to the bottom shelf.

These fun holiday party invitations double as note holders once their original purpose is served. Nicole Balch (makingitlovely.com) bought wood slices from Etsy for her invitations. She painted the slices with gold, pearl gold and white acrylic paint, using painter's tape to ensure straight lines. A glued-on mini clothespin holds the invitation in place. 

Antique Christmas ornaments and a reclaimed church window make a beautifully coordinated holiday hall display. Maria Marcusse (rustyhinge.blogspot.com) likes to put vintage treasures around her northern Michigan home at Christmastime. "The antique window came from my rural country church where I was baptized and married. It is a keepsake for sure!" Maria says. For this display, she tucked a few round glass bulbs from the World War II Era into the greenery on the tabletop and stacked vintage boxes below.

Add greenery around your home for holiday warmth and cheer. A few pine branches can go a long way. Courtney Browning (12thandwhite.com) put some of her favorite Christmas decorations, along with artificial greens, on a built-in shelf in her living room.

Craft your own holiday pillows this year. Use round foam brushes to stamp on the dots and a stencil to make a perfect "Noel." Sarah Langtry (justthebeesknees.com) used metallic paint-in gold, silver and bronze-mixed with fabric medium to make her pillows. Plus, no sewing necessary! Sarah purchased pillow covers with a hint of gold shimmer from a local crafts store for the project. 

Chipboard letters and indoor Christmas lights make your mantel shine. Laura Gummerman (abeautifulmess.com) started with a 50x24-inch wood board and four 2x1-inch wood planks for her sign. She covered chipboard letters with Mod Podge and loose gold glitter, glued them to the wood, then drilled small holes in the letters and poked a light through each hole.