Inspire Me Heather: December 2010

project: lamps and lights

{are you enlightened?}

In using what you've got or what you can find for cheap transform the ugly into beautiful! Here are some fantastic posts on lamps and light makeovers:

Craft Gossip: 12 lamp makeovers and redos - a great collection of ideas

Crafty Nest: hemp string pendant lamps - a great tutorial

Retropolitan: shady lady -3 ways to dress or undress a shade

Freckled Laundry: DIY wire and crystal chandelier - whimsical and chic

The Painted Hive: from drab to fab - a stunning light transformation

Olive and Love: upside down table lamp pendants - with their how-to

The Hand Me Down House: Pottery Barn inspired chandelier - by using a vase!

project: book pages

{my Pottery Barn puffy stars using Meridian Roads tutorial}

There is something about using old book pages or vintage sheet music and transforming them into beautiful things. It can be as easy as Modge Podgeing items with paper - I've seen everything from starfish and little bird ornaments done that way and they look so sweet! Here are some great tutorials that may inspire you to make your own creations using book pages:

Craftberry Bush: fall in love with fall - how to make a pumpkin out of a paperback

New Nostalgia: paper romance - making a paper flower

Meridian Road: sheet music star garland - puffy stars made out of paper!

Living With Lindsay: Librarians, please revert your eyes - book pages wreath

Tales From An OC Cottage: a yuletide tute - sheet music bow tutorial

Miss Mustard Seed: sytycd - dresser covered in antique sheet music tutorial

project: Christmas trees

{a tree for our porch}

Miniature sized Christmas trees add the Holiday spirit to any room. These handmade trees look timeless and whimsical - get inspired by visiting these blogs for their tutorials:

Rhonna Designs: doily trees tutorial - beautiful and very easy to make

Shanty2Chic: ruffle Christmas trees - these are SO DANG cute

Madigan Made: milk glass Christmas trees - and a free printable

JAQS Studio: fabric trees - love the no sew idea

Creative Mommas: tissue Christmas trees - the tutorial

The Country Chic Cottage: burlap Christmas trees - simply adorable

Tattered and Timeless: a forest full of trees - 2 lovely ribbon trees

project: ornaments

{ready to hang on the tree}

Making your own Christmas tree ornaments is a great family activity and because they are homemade, you can personalize them to suit your style. Think about these fabulous ideas for your Holiday decorating:

Craftaholics Anonymous: paper lollipop ornament - tutorial

Beautiful Nest: for the birds - paper, book and doily ornament

The Crafting Chicks - juice top photo ornaments - adorable!!!!

Hartland Paper: ornaments on Studio 5 - downloadable instructions

Today's Fabulous Finds: printable paint stick ornaments - tutorial

Primp: bookpage ornament - loving it!!!

project: advent calenders

{Martha Stewart}

Wikipedia: An Advent calendar is a special calendar which is used to count or celebrate the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. Some calendars are strictly religious, whereas others are secular in content. Despite the name, most commercially available Advent calendars begin on December 1, regardless of when Advent begins, which can be as early as November 27 and as late as December 3.

The Crafting Chicks: Christmas countdown garland + free download - my favorite!

Just a Girl: Christmas Advent Jar - an apothecary jar with little sayings

Craft Gossip: 9 advent calendar ideas - with their links to the tutorials

The Long Thread: countdown calendar - a sewing version

Primp: advent tree - a Martha Stewart inspiration

project: holiday cards

{one of my Christmas cards}

What a busy time of the year! Here's some Bloggers who will help you get your Christmas cards out - just download their templates, insert your photo and personalize! Done.