Decorating on a Shoestring, Part Two

Welcome back to Christmas Decorating on a Shoestring at Southern Exposure. If you missed the first post, check it out HERE. We have two more rooms to go!

This is the Corn Crib. The photo above reminds us that small pieces of vintage luggage or a trunk can be filled with lights and greens to make a lovely decorating statement. And the one below I thought this one was good for outdoors, especially for those of us in heavy-winter states -- stack three pots and fill them with rock salt. Embellish with lights (corded or tea lights). You can use it all winter when you get some snow and ice.

This was another fun one -- put your used wine corks to work by inserting a skewer. You can use them to label cheeses on a cheese tray or for many other purposes.

I wish I'd photographed the rake that have been cut off mid-handle. It's triangle shape looked like a tree and on it were hung small ornaments. It would be perfect in a country kitchen/home setting or even on the outside of a potting shed (should you be so lucky to have one!)

A few other ideas from the Corn Crib: Use stick-on gems to bling up your wine glasses for New Year's -- they come off easily; use strips of lace, burlap or fabric as a swag (I wasn't sure about this at first but the more I looked at it I saw the potential -- I might add a little something like a vintage holiday medallion graphic at the knot on the top.)

And if you're having your guests put their coats on your bed, "welcome" them with lighted stars or another piece.

lf you collect lace rounds, try showing them off in embroidery hoops. I think these are a little large for the size of the tree but you get the idea -- and note the mirror and how it adds to the light of the room.

Then it was on to the Main House. The owners of Southern Exposure live here and for about four weeks, they have to keep the downstairs of the house ready for guests to walk through! (Molly asked if there was a kitchen upstairs. Nope. They just have to be neat!)

If you have a piano, rolled up Christmas music or music cut into strips and added to a vase can highlight the music of the season.

The Music Room also found us looking out the windows with lighted snowflakes found at goodwill and large glass vases filled with red balls and battery candles.

The Parlor included featured a child's chair filled with gifts, moss topiaries (you can stick them into an old flower pot that is painted), and greens tucked behind mirrors and pictures.

I loved the dining room! I just wanted to sit down and dine here everyday with its cozy fireplace! Candles were placed in wineglasses, a tea service filled with florals, and a table that had seasonal dishes and glasses from the Dollar Tree.

I loved the silverware in the small stockings, which could be party take-aways.

Lighting your china cabinet can shed new light on beautiful things. Add an ornament or greenery and it's even more festive.

And then there was the kitchen. I could live there, too. I don't think I'll be putting greenery in my kitchen sink but I loved the idea of filling the trifle bowl with oranges.

I'm going to give this a try too -- hanging greens from the top of the cupboards with wire and anchoring them inside with tape. I loved this look. Note the little bells on the cabinet doors, too.

If a cookie cutter tree doesn't do it for you, maybe this cute one with decorated spoons would look cute in your kitchen. You probably have the spoons already!

Scott also offered some good tips for outside. I don't have pics of those but a few of the ideas included turning a large piece of tumbleweed into a snowman with a scarf, bits for the eyes and a hat. I know this is hard to visualize but for my Western friends, you might get it! Fill an urn with Red Twig dogwood or spray other branches red or white. Tie up that old sled with ribbon. If you have minnow buckets at hand, they make a great luminary. Try using an obelisk or one of those wire frames you can find at Hobby Lobby for the garden and hang a birdseed bell in it. (Molly said she might try that one for her porch!)

And, if you have garden statuary, don't forget to light it.

We went home loaded with great ideas -- far more than I was able to share here. And we arrived home to this...

... Grandpa Rick lost Carson's pacifier (well, we think Carson lost it but it's not to be found yet!) and somehow he managed to get him to sleep without!

Hopefully you've found an idea or two in these posts that you can take into the season! Let the merriment begin!

Linking to: Share Your Style   Share Your Cup  Pink Saturday   / Happy Holidays 2019 Party