Galvanized Christmas Tree Collar

I’ve been eyeing galvanized tree collars online for a while, actually a few years.  There are several beautiful sources out there to purchase - boy howdy are they pricey!   Thank goodness for Pinterest and a handy husband to help me out!

We started by measuring the base of our tree.  This is a very important step that you really need to do as there are several different sizes of galvanized buckets and tubs out there.  Step #2 was a quick trip to the farm and home store in the livestock feeding and watering section and purchased this tub for the whopping price of $17.99. 

 

It’s a 10.5 gallon tub – 20” across at the top and 10.5” tall.   It’s the perfect size for our tree. 

 

Once home, I hubby used a jigsaw to cut out the bottom.  Being the bad blogger, I didn’t get photos of this step.   I can tell you that he drilled a starter hole and used two blades to complete the task.   When the tub was bottomless he used a hammer and smoothed out the rough edges so the fur babies and I don’t somehow manage to maim ourselves.

 

Since we have an artificial tree this year, we put the tree stand in place, then the collar and then inserted the tree into the stand.  Here’s our result:

 

There are several tutorials out on the internet on how to age galvanized metal, but I am okay with how this looks so I didn’t do any aging to the tub.  You could also add burlap ribbon, vinyl cutouts or even paint the collar – the options are endless!

 

 

 

 

A Red Christmas

Every year I try to do a color theme for our Christmas decorations.  I've done blue for the last several years - this year I decided to go red.  Red and white lights, the lath ornaments we made the other day, and red and silver ornaments.  I even purchased a new tree skirt to go match. 

I was inspired by this pin on Pinterest to make these cute Santa hats.  I think they turned out great. 

 

LATH CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

Several summers ago, my mom had to renovate her living room - I had her save me some lath from the demo to use for crafts.  Now several years later, I finally have.  I found a couple of pins over on Pinterest and decided this would be our family Christmas ornaments/crafts for this year.  We do ornaments every year -  usually the weekend after Thanksgiving. 

I made several

The husband made three

And the kids each made a few also.

 Not a bad way to spend several hours with the family.

Black Market 24/7

In my recent adventures to try to look better on a daily basis and feel a bit better about myself, I've purchases some mid to high end makeup.  Earlier I showed you all the foundation I have started using - Urban Decay.  I went a little deeper into the Urban Decay line and decided I needed some better eyeliners. Usually I only use liquid liners since I have the dreaded hooded eyelids but i decided to give the 24/7 liners a try. 

I was told these were waterproof and that they wouldn't "travel" on my eyelids.  No truer statement has ever been said.  I've been wearing these eyeliners for several weeks and I adore them.  They stay put.  The colors are great - West - a not too dark but not too light brown, Desperation - a gorgeous gray, Apathy - an olive mossy mix and Black Market -  a medium black are the ones I love.  I don't care for the Riot, I plum/purple or Ink, a deep blue.  So worth the money

Makeup Upgrade

I've been using low-end cosmetics for most of my makeup wearing life.  Recently I decided that I needed to up my game a bit and upgrade to something better.  I went from Almay and Revlon to this:

Yep - I bit the bullet and invested in some Urban Decay.  Less than one hour at Ulta and several dollars later - I was out the door.  I'd never done a makeover at one of these stores before but I wanted to have the foundation be the correct color for my skin tone.  She checked three different colors before matching me to #3.  A little primer, an extraordinary small amount of foundation and a great brush - and she transformed me.  A little blush and bronzer and I was sold.  I purchased the primer, foundation and good karma blending brush; along with some hair products and nail polish. 

 Needless to say, I am in love with this new foundation routine I have going on.  I know it sounds crazy but I was apprehensive about the new look - but I feel like I look better.  Money well spent if you ask me.  

**I've had a few readers comment that I've been gone for a while and a couple even asked if everything is okay? I was burned out on blogging for a while and was getting ready to start up again in May.  I even did a quick post on May 27.   Later that week, my father-in-law was diagnosed with brain cancer.  He passed on August 14.  Now you know why I've been gone this year, I hope to get back in the swing of things soon.

The Grease Can

I get lectured on occasion by the hubby if any grease at all happens to do down the drain.  I try really hard to not let this happen and I reuse tin cans.  It’s just not very pretty to have this sitting out on my sink.

My remedy:  scrapbook paper and a little tape.  I simply cut the scrapbook paper to size and tape it to the can. 

This looks so much better and it take about 2 minutes.  Very little effort or cost so I don't feel bad about tossing it when it's time.

 

This Year's Plants

My wonderful mother was here for the weekend and she and I hit the greenhouses – if you are in SE Kansas and want quality plants, I highly recommend TLC Greenhouse at LaHarpe and Arnold Greenhouse just west of LeRoy.  Their prices are a little higher than you’ll pay at Wally World but the plants are so much nicer – healthier. 

I seldom have a solid plan when I head to the greenhouses.  I just pick and choose as I go and although it does take a while for me to decide – I usually come up with some unique combinations.   

Here’s what I did in planters for the front of the house.

A rusty bottom bucket with holes had found new life on the front deck.

And this old stand washtub was just begging for plants

Sweet potato vines, vinca, Swedish Ivy - I can hardly wait for these to take off

I have one barrel that gets exactly zero direct sunlight - begoinas always do very well here.  

And the back yard . . . . .

 

Bright pink geraniums in an old strainer basket

More pink in one of my old washtubs with some brides veil trailing over the sides

Some pretty purple in an old graniteware pot on the patio table

And my favorite this year - more pink with wandering jew, airplane plants and asparagus fern.

linking with:  The Charm of Home, The Shabby Nest