Sky Lark House: Monthly Unboxing 1125

The purpose of the “Sky Lark House: Monthly Unboxing” post is to highlight some of the more popular posts shared during the previous month. We are unboxing all the DIYs, vintage items, antiques, furniture makeovers and crafts shared during the previous month. Basically, I am “unpacking” information shared within the last 30 or so days.

A quick note that this post includes affiliate links and if you purchase items from links provided in this post, I will receive a small commission, but at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I am presenting you with my own opinion and honest review of the information provided. If you want to read the entire disclosure statement, please click HERE. You can also read my privacy policy by clicking HERE.

I will also be sharing some posts, information and events from around the web that you may be interested in.

So, let’s get started!

Sky Lark House Monthly Unboxing

The Upstate Update

It’s the season of confusion. Some folks have already put up their Christmas tree. Others are still planning their Thanksgiving meal. We don’t know whether to shop for Christmas or groceries or both!

Collecting Vintage Putz Houses

This post about collecting vintage putz houses has all the tips and tricks for learning how to identify authentic pre-war putz houses. There are also some tips on collecting reproduction houses, making your own and repairing damaged houses.

How to Make a Garden Journal

For the last 5 years, I have kept a garden journal. My garden journal is not the tidy compilation of garden events that first comes to mind. In fact, it is stuffed to the brim with old seed packets, pressed flowers, bits of soil, and plant labels. Since my old garden journal was completely full, I had to make a new one.

Unique Thanksgiving Place Cards

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so I wanted to share an idea with you for making your guests feel welcome. Instead of using traditional place cards, we are using small birdhouses to create individual place settings. As an added bonus, at the end of the meal, your guests can take their birdhouse home and use it as a Christmas ornament. It’s a great way to bridge two major holidays – Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In related news

Here are some links and information I found for you from around the web. Since Christmas follows shortly on the heels of Thanksgiving, I am including some crafts too. Think of this as a list of “Thanksmas” ideas.

• This transformation of a 1970s kitchen into a cozy British style is impressive and inspiring. All the better because it was completed on a very small budget.
• Along the same lines the colors, textures and Norwegian style incorporated into this house makeover makes me want to embrace color a bit more.
• Here is a list of some hard and fast decorating rules to follow. There were some good reminders as well.
• Every year I love to make these marshmallow popcorn balls. If you want them to be extra soft, add a little bit of sweetened and condensed milk.
• CoCo offers some great advice in this post on a Thoughtful Thanksgiving.
• Here are 15 garlands for every room! So many good ideas!
• This easy and affordable feather tree DIY is one of my favorite projects.
• I love this post on making your own honeycomb ornaments.
• This DIY cookie cutter wreath is adorable and easy to assemble.

Shopping with Friends

As usual, I got together with some of my blogging friends and we are sharing some of our favorite online finds.

Anna from Sky Lark House

Did you know, all my favorite finds are on LTK? Even those items I shared previously.

Target has absolutely knocked it out of the park with their Thanksgiving and Christmas collaborations. Apparently, everyone is noticing because their inventory is ALREADY SELLING OUT. (What?). Here are some of my favorite finds but I can’t guarantee they will still be available.

• First, these holiday mugs are adorable and are a steal at $5 a piece. They have a wide array of designs including a:
  • Gingerbread Nutcracker
  • Gingerbread House
  • Polar Bear
  • Snowman
  • Penguin
• These twisted taper candles in Target’s collaboration with Studio McGee are elegant and timeless. They are only $12 for a pack of four and will sell out soon.
• I love these Hearth and Hand retro style bluetooth portable radios in green and white. They are perfect for listening to music outside on the patio by the fire pit.
• Finally, some items not from Target. Every year I like to add a few more authentic vintage Santa mugs to my collection. Here are a few I found on Etsy.
  • Napco Winking Santa
  • Holt Howard Miniature Santa Mugs
  • Set of 6 Vintage Santa Face Mugs
  • Set of 3 Vintage Santa Mugs

Cindy from Reinvented Delaware

Cindy has a fabulous blog where she shows you how to refurbish furniture, repurpose thrifted items and gives you ideas for your home decor.

Many grief counselors will say to avoid big decisions during the first year of someones grief journey. I whole heartedly believe that and I don’t plan on any big changes in my life until there has been more time for healing.

Yet I feel the need to make some minor changes. That includes a living room refresh. It can feel good to our soul to make some minor changes. It can feel refreshing. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m in the middle of a living room refresh. Some of the new pieces have arrived, some are on order and some I’m still shopping for.

• The first new piece I started shopping for was a new sofa. My sofa has been in our home for 15 years and I bought it used! I found the perfect sofa at our local furniture shop and it is custom made. I was able to find some similar sofas online to share with you. It has a tufted back and three cushions. The style is called Chesterfield but it also hints towards traditional. You’ll see several other options in the images below if you are in need of a new sofa.
• New chairs were next on the shopping list. I found the perfect pair of chairs to go with the new sofa over on Wayfair. I ordered them on a Friday night at 4pm and they were here Saturday morning at 10:30am! Not even 24 hours later! They come in lots of colors. I chose navy and white. I’m still on the hunt for two more chairs.
• A new rug was a must. I knew I wanted a rug with blue tones and neutrals. I found one at our local Carpet Mart. It’s a discount carpet and rug store in Delaware. I found several similar rugs online for you to check out. You will also see them in the images below. Click the images to shop!
• Pillows and curtains were next. I’m excited to get these gorgeous oatmeal colored, linen look curtain panels. They will be here any day. I found some pillow covers while out thrifting recently. Since I can’t link the exact ones, I found some similar pillows online. Here are my favorite alternative down inserts. Once you use them, you will never look back!

Lora from Lora Bloomquist

If you love vintage and antique items, Lora Bloomquist has some inspiration for you. Her blog is full of ideas for repurposing and reusing these items.

• Last year paper trees were all the rage at Christmas. In fact, they sold out quickly and I was late to the game. Luckily, the variety has increased this year, and they’re a great inexpensive decor item to add for fun (and they fold down for storage;) You can find a wide variety of paper trees HERE. The online selection is much better than in store.
• Now is the time to start paperwhites and amaryllis for the holidays. I grew some last year for the first time and enjoyed them so much. And they’re so easy! Find a wide variety of colors HERE.
• This year I want to plant the bulbs in fun containers. I’ve been crushing on vintage tins with graphics and designs lately. I picked up these fun green and white ones at an estate sale. Vintage tins in Christmas colors or with winter scenes are fun to tuck here and there into your decor. (especially if they inspire memories) Find vintage food tins HERE.
• I love Ruth Chou Simmons books. They are filled with her gorgeous flowery watercolor art. Her latest Way of the Wildflower book contains gospel meditations for peace over anxiety. I love seeing her books on my coffee table, and they make great gifts, too. Find Ruth’s books HERE.
• Polishing old metal is not usually a thing for me, because I love vintage patina. But recently I tried a couple new products and realized my old metal pieces look rather nice when polished up! Think it will be more fun to decorate with these pieces for the holidays now. I linked to the polishing products in my Vintage Reviver’s Favorites page, HERE.
• I haven’t pulled out the Christmas bins from the attic yet, but I popped this pretty cedar tree in my cart yesterday. Love that it’s in a basket already. Think I will be using this all winter long. Love that it’s got the lights on it already and can be put up in 10 minutes. For a more realistic look, give each branch a little bend so it’s not factory straight. Find the cedar tree HERE. (tip: I think their evergreen products are the best value. I picked up a couple realistic looking sprays, too. But get them quick; they sell out)

Lynn from Living Large in a Small House

On her blog, Lynn shares all the things that make a house a home. She has DIYs, recipes, home decor ideas, gardening suggestions and more. Lynn will join us next month!

South House Designs

Diane from South House Designs has a wide array of DIYs and projects for your home. She also shares information about entertaining, recipes, and outdoor living. She is known for her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Here are Diane’s favorite finds.

Let’s talk about quick, easy transitioning decor between the holidays!

• First up are these wall vases I posted last week and have been blowing up! They bring the bit of greenery we all want in a room, even if you have a black thumb — clippings + water and you’re done. But fall can include short branches of colorful leaves or dried grasses and hydrangeas blooms. After the turkey, I’ll be adding fir sprigs and maybe some fresh holly. Here I share my tips for a crazy easy installation.
• The turkey leftovers are in the fridge, now it’s time to convert the kitchen to holiday wonderland. No easier way than with these peppermint knob covers! Hang a small wreath or a charming gingham bow on cabinet doors and you’re set!
• Do you have a large picture window, sliding glass door or a glass storm door? These gorgeous window clings are another easy, budget-friendly way to decorate for the season. Plus they’re easy on floorspace and storage space. Studio apartment, college dorm room, hospital or care facility?
• I have a lovely tree from my mother, but like so many artificial trees the lights have gone bad. You too? These are the lights I bought last year and they are crazy wonderful!!! They make all the difference in the world. And all the twinkling options with a timer and even a dimmer. Outdoor and indoor! You will LOVE them!!!

In Closing . . .

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and a festive start to the Christmas season.

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