Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY, Holidays!, Home Decor

Put a little Bur in your Lap.

DIY Burlap Christmas Tree SkirtTis the season. The season for burning your fingertips on hot glue, slicing your finger on a scissors, and taking over the living room floor with crafts. It’s also the season of giving. So I’m going to give you this tutorial. Which I got from someone else. I like to re-gift.

I saw several burlap tree skirts on Pinterest this year, and I instantly fell in love. Originally I was going to purchase one; who has the time for a five hour project right before Christmas? But after counting my nickels and dimes, I could not come up with the money to afford one. So instead, I did what any DIYer would do. I got down to business.

I found this online tutorial, saw the words “Hot Glue” and knew it was for me. I went to the store, purchased my burlap and felt, and got to work. Five hours later…  UghThis is me after only three rows. My back was killing me, my legs hurt, and my fingers were burning from the hot glue. Was it worth it? Totally.DIY Burlap Christmas Tree SkirtWhen I finished, I loved it so much that I went back to the store, bought more burlap, and made a second one. These things are gorgeous. Maybe I’ll make a few more when I can feel my fingers again. Then again, maybe not.

Apparently I’m not the only one in my family that found the time to DIY this holiday season. I’d like to introduce you to my cousin Mindy, from Green Bay, Wisconsin. She made one of her own tree skirts before I even got started on mine. I asked her if she’d give you a little detail into how she did hers, since it’s a little different.  So without further ado…

DIY Burlap Christmas Tree SkirtI am an avid “pinner” and when I found this gem of a tutorial, I thought this could either be amazing or an epic Pinterest fail.  I seem to have a lot of Pinterest fails under my belt, so much to my surprise–this project turned out awesome and very simple to complete! I bought a plain felt tree skirt at Target for $5 and then went scavenging through the clearance section at Hobby Lobby for burlap material.  To my surprise they make burlap ribbon- with wires!  The wires made it super easy to mold each row prior to going in with the glue gun, so no need to pin down the rows as you go or cut strips of fabric.  How much easier could this get?! 

-MindyDIY Burlap Christmas Tree Skirt

Side Note: If you’re like me (the pre-skirt me) and you don’t have five hours to spend DIYing, you should consider purchasing one from this Etsy shop. I love supporting other people’s craft businesses, and if you can afford one, it is definitely worth every penny. Or quarter. Or lots of dollars.

Holidays!, Lifestyle

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Santa Claus is Coming to Town Free PrintableIt’s almost here! The time of year when that creepy old fat man sneaks into your house and eats all of your cookies. Last year he drank all of our beer too. At least that’s what my husband told me. And although I don’t always believe him, he wouldn’t lie to me around Christmas. Reuben is watching.

Back before I found Santa’s wrapping paper in our gift closet (my mom tried to tell me she wrapped Santa’s gift for him), and I still believed in that creepy old man, I had one of the best Christmas’ of my life. At least until this year. I plan on completely immersing myself on the beach in Mexico to celebrate all that is holy (i.e. tequila, Coronas, Mexican street tacos, and the waves crashing on the shore). And before you go getting all crazy on me, I will try to make it to a Spanish speaking church on Christmas Eve, to hear all about the miracle of Christmas. Even if I can’t understand them. That’s some serious dedication.

Last year for Christmas I wanted to give my mom something special. Because she already has my love, I was stumped. Since she “loves” my writing, I went straight from the heart with this little poem about my most memorable Christmas ever. She loved it. I know this because  she still had it this year when I asked for a copy. That’s pretty unusual. The following is a true story:

The Most Memorable Christmas

On the night before Christmas, and all through the house,
you could probably hear the whining of little ol’ myself.
All the stockings were hung on the fireplace just so,
and a small little girl just couldn’t let go.
Going to sleep would mean a long night ahead,
and no child wants to spend Christmas Eve in bed!
Every little girl knows Santa will come,
if she just listens to her daddy and mom.
So off I went into a bed tucked with care,
lying awake and listening for Santa I dared!

When I awoke, my mother was whispering in my ear,
“Wake up Shauna Rae, it’s Santa Claus, he’s here!”
I leaned my ear as far as it would go,
and heard Santa’s sleigh bells on the roof in the snow.
Mom suggested we get up and sneak,
down the stairs to get a quick peek!
I crawled out of bed sure to not make a sound,
peering around corners for Santa to be found.
We snuck down the stairs one at a time,
rounded the bend and found the destination prime.
Behind the old radiator we hid,
and after a few moments Santa came, he sure did!
There he was, unloading the gifts,
with a big read sack over his back he did lift.
My mom and I could not believe our eyes, it couldn’t possibly be true!
Santa was right there, and with quite a lot to do!
He took out the presents and gifts galore,
and didn’t seem to be heading for the door.
But just then, a sudden surprise,
my mom had to sneeze, and it sure caused a rise!
Santa darted his gaze right at our spot,
try as he may he could not hide his shock!
He grabbed his red bag and jumped off the floor,
and sure enough, headed for the door.
Mom had scared away our magical guest,
but from that moment on, I knew I was blessed.
For not just any kid gets to see great ol’ St. Nick,
but me and my mom were the ones he did pick!

The night wasn’t over, not by a long shot.
What child can sleep after seeing Santa on the spot?
So mom and I crept back upstairs and then down,
into the kitchen to tell our story around.
Dad and Grandma were still wide awake,
so we all shared some ice cream and laughed for a break.
Then back into bed for little ol’ me,
so I could wake up and run down to the tree!
There were lots of toys under the tree that year,
Barbies, dolls, crafts, nothing to fear.
But by far the greatest gift I was given that day,
Was this story from little ol’ Green Bay.

Let it Snow Free Printable

 
DIY, Holidays!

Reuben’s Special Award

Elf on the ShelfReuben has officially graced us with his presence. And with his presence comes his Special Award. Apparently he’s really good at the crossword puzzle in the local newspaper. They sent him this hideous leg lamp for completing them.

Reuben is one of our favorite times of the year. If “Reuben” can be considered a favorite time of the year. I can’t imagine what Reuben would ever do if we decided to procreate. Reuben would clearly be disappointed. He would have to clean up his act a little bit.

I won’t bore you all with day to day Reuben postings, but instead I’ll post them in groups of four to my Instagram account and my Pinterest board. Follow them if you’d like some Reuben inspiration. Be warned: he’s sassy.

DIY, Holidays!

The Stockings Were Hung…

Happy St. Nick DayAlrighty ladies and gentlemen. Since I told you that you could share the holidays you celebrate in December with me, I thought I’d be fair and tell you all about the second best holiday in December. No, not boxing day. But could someone remind my husband that Boxing Day is an official holiday and I’d really like a new Michael Kors watch.  Or a new piece of jewelry. Okay I’ll take a $10 Chipotle gift card.

The holiday I’m actually referring to is St. Nick Day! If you’re one of the lucky people that hail from a small area in Wisconsin, you may already know about this official unofficial holiday. If you’re not, you probably enjoyed your winter holidays without trudging uphill, in ten feet of snow, both ways, without snow boots, on your way to school. Because that’s what Wisconsinites do. And you better believe if we ever procreate I will tell my children all about the hardships I endured. The hardest thing they’ll have to do is sit in traffic on the 280 when it’s sprinkling in the winter. Spoiled brats.

Okay back to the point. St. Nicolas’ Day is December 6th (he visits during the night on December 5th). Traditionally, children in Europe would put their wooden shoes either in front of their chimneys or outside of their front door. The next morning they would find sweets, toys, or fruit inside. Fruit was a big treat for them, being that there was ten feet of snow outside (just like my childhood in Wisconsin, without the wooden shoes). The German, Polish, and Belgian Catholics are mostly responsible for keeping this tradition alive, which makes it more understandable that it’s celebrated in Northeastern Wisconsin. There’s a Catholic church on every corner. I praise these people who passed this tradition down, because I get more presents. Earlier than Christmas. Win win.

So let me spell it out for you: St. Nick Day is essentially the same as getting presents in your stocking on Christmas morning, only instead, fast forward three weeks. I love it. Another holiday to celebrate? I’m all over it.Stocking Stuffer IdeasI always fill Brendan’s stocking with a bunch of crap he probably doesn’t want or need. It’s harder for me, because he doesn’t eat desserts. No cookies, no candy, no sugar. Depressing. Since my husband is no fun, here are a few ideas for your man:

Nuts
Fruit (go full tradition)
Protein Bars
Candy
Cookies
Playing Cards
Mini Alcohol Bottles
Anything from The Dollar Tree
$10 Chipotle Gift Card (so he can regift it to you on Boxing Day)

The idea is to not spend much money. An average stocking is less than $10 (which is why I love the Dollar Spot @ Target). Or maybe that’s just because this tradition hails from Wisconsin, and let’s be honest, Wisconsinites tend to be cheap. Or is it just my family? Have I been ripped off this entire time? 😉