As I think I may have mentioned, my sister and I are off visiting our mom this week (she lives just outside Las Vegas).  Mom’s birthday is on Halloween!  So we thought it would be nice to fly out and spend her birthday with her.

Initially we were just going to hang out at her house, but then we decided to take a road trip to Zion National Park.

It’s only a little over two hours away by car and we’ve never been.  So why not?

While I’m off enjoying some hiking in Zion, and soaking up some sunshine in Vegas, it is rapidly moving from fall into winter back home.  My biggest complaint about fall is that it’s always too short.  The forecast this week at home calls for highs in the 30’s, and the possibility of snow on Tuesday.  Ahhhh, trick or treating in the snow, how fun.

Since fall is over and winter is here, I thought you all might appreciate a little inspiration to kick off your holiday crafting season.

So, let me direct you to the right hand side of the page (if you’re reading this on a computer screen) just below the search box, but above the thumbnail photos, you’ll find the word ‘sorted.’ with a box below it where you can select a category.  Scroll through to ‘happy holidays.’ and click on it.

This will bring up all of my holiday related posts.

You may have to skip one or two posts about painted pumpkins, or a Valentine’s Day toolbox, but for the most part this category is filled with Christmas decor ideas.

Just start scrolling to find inspiration for stenciling Christmas stockings.

Or making your own Christmas gift wrap, either with paint and stencils …

or with stamps …

You can get inspired to dress up a pair of ice skates …

and you’ll find lots of ideas for stenciling a sled.

Or stenciling a wooden box for your Christmas tree.

You could always choose to add an I.O.D. paint inlay to your crate instead.

I’ve got a few ideas for adding a winter vignette to a lantern.

And loads of ideas for turning cast off cupboard doors (find some at your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore) into pegboard signs.

And of course, you could always turn a headboard or foot board into Christmas decor as well.

And don’t forget those kid sized chairs!

They are perfect for the addition of a stencil, transfer or paint inlay!

As are little stools.

It’s always fun to dress up an old kid sized snow shovel too.

Now, just to help you out a bit and encourage you to get in the mood for Christmas, I thought I’d give away some of my favorite paint.  Almost every painted project I’ve shown here was painted in Dixie Belle’s Drop Cloth, Caviar, Honky Tonk Red and/or Evergreen.

So here’s a chance for one lucky winner to try out all four colors!  I’m also including the Country Living Christmas Spectacular which has 136 ideas for a festive season.  OK, the truth is I purchased this magazine for myself only to find out that all of the articles inside were also included in their Christmas at Home book, which I also have.  So I’m passing the magazine on as part of this giveaway.  It really does have some great ideas inside though!

The rules for today’s giveaway:  Simply leave a comment on this blog post (and please forgive me if I don’t respond while I’m out of town, but know that I read and appreciate all of them).

Your comment must be left on this blog post, not on Facebook or Instagram.  You are not required to follow my blog, or follow my Facebook or Instagram accounts, although it would be awesome if you did!

I will randomly draw the name of a winner for today’s prize from all of the comments left on this post by Sunday, November 5, 2023 at the stroke of midnight (U.S. Central time).

The fine print: no purchase necessary, you must be 18 years of age or older to win, void where prohibited by law, the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning, approximate retail value of prize is $160, if the prize is not claimed by Friday, November 10, 2023 another name will be drawn at random to win, blah, blah, blah.