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Sunday, November 30, 2014

Thanksgiving 2014 Highlights

beautiful ironstone platter, the altered past blog
My sweet sister-in-law, Barb, that always makes sure to capture our events.  She's an amazing photographer and the photos in this post were graciously supplied by her!


Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Can you believe how quickly the holidays pass?  We had a great day with family and friends.

the altered past blog


One thing I learned through all of the plans and preparations...it doesn't have to be perfect in order for everyone to have a good time.  The day should be about enjoying time together.

the altered past blog

the altered past blog


I did lots of planning and cleaning, yet after it was all over I noticed dusty areas that had been missed, clutter that hadn't been put away, decorations that didn't get put out.  Did it matter?  Not one bit.

the altered past blog

the altered past blog


the altered past blog


Actually, of the 30 something guests that we had, I think all but 4 entered through my laundry room door.  Hadn't planned for that but it didn't change a thing.  I want guests to feel comfortable in my home.  Take a nap on the couch.  Get something from the fridge if they need it.  See that I have missed some dust and a couple of cobwebs,

Time spent together should be just that...enjoying your time together, having fun, catching up on each other lives.  Who wants to do that in a home that feels like a sterile museum.  (Phfft!  My home will never be described as sterile with us and our 3 dogs living here.  And the only reference to museum may be to say it's a museum of thrift store and yard sale finds, lol!  That's funny but so true.)


the altered past blog

the altered past blog

the altered past blog

the altered past blog
The tryptophan was kicking in!
the altered past blog

the altered past blog




antique frame, photo board, the altered past blog
Antique frame and chicken wire used to display photos of family members.  They were encouraged to take any of the photos they wanted.



the altered past blog,
One of my lovely clean up helpers sporting her matching apron and gloves.  You can read about making those in this post:  Hostess Gift


the altered past blog

the altered past blog
Playing Giant Jenga in the garage since it was so chilly and windy outside


the altered past blog
And, of course, the skeet shooting tradition.  (Sorry for the blurry photo.  This was a snapshot from a video.)


If you ask my husband, he'd tell you I've come a long way in learning how to host without stressing about perfection.  I also enjoy the time with guests more now as well.  Much of my inspiration for stress-free entertaining comes from the Nester's book, The Nesting Place.  Myquillyn, the Nester, has been one of my favorite bloggers for a long time.  She has a gorgeous home, imperfections and all.  You can find her book here The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful.  (Put it on your Christmas list.  You won't be disappointed!  You will enjoy entertaining guests like never before.)

Since I live about 3 hours from my family, we alternate the holidays between my family and my husband's.  Thanksgiving was celebrated with my in-laws this year.  They are just half of the wonderful people I'm blessed to call "family."  Christmas will be spent with the other half, my mom and siblings.  I'll be sharing our time together later in December.

One more family I'm thankful for is the family of blog readers...you!  I really appreciate your taking time from your day to visit my blog.

God bless!
Angie

PS:  Be sure to check back tomorrow!  We begin our week of Christmas Blog Tours!


(Affiliate link used for The Nesting Place)

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Giving Thanks

thanksgiving scripture, the altered past blog

Happy Thanksgiving readers!  I am thankful for so many things in my life and you are one of them.  I hope you will be enjoying today with your loved ones.  I'm posting just a few photos from around the house.  

I'll be back on Friday with some highlights from our Thanksgiving Day and with news of our upcoming Christmas Blog Tour.

God bless!
Angie

  

thanksgiving scripture, the altered past

thanksgiving vignette decor

antique frame with family pictures

best way to display family pictures with antique frame

beautiful display on french bottle drying rack for fall


hostess gifts for thankgiving

pumpkins displayed in calf muzzle

thanksgiving scripture, flowers in vintage thermos, the altered past

Monday, November 24, 2014

Gumball Machine Snow Globe


thealteredpast.blogspot.com


You guys, is this not the cutest thing?  A gumball machine snow globe.  I'm telling you...RUN!  Do not walk...to your nearest thrift store, discount store, antique mall, somewhere that you can find a gumball machine to make this project.  It is so easy.

I saw this idea on Pinterest after I found my gumball machine at the thrift store a while back.  I was searching for a project that I could use it for when I came across the idea.  There are a few versions of gumball machine snow globes but I liked the miniature trees and deer theme the best.

Here's how I did it.  It's super easy.

thealteredpast.blogspot.com

Begin with one gumball machine ;)

thealteredpast.blogspot.com

Remove the top and then remove the nut (shown) so that you can remove the gray plastic ring.  This will make it easier to add things to the globe.

thealteredpast.blogspot.com

See what a nice big opening you have now :)

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Since I was going to be adding the fake snow, I didn't want too much of it to fall down into the mechanism so I added a white paper towel to block the opening.  

thealteredpast.blogspot.com

Headups...I thought fake snow was pretty common but I checked Walmart, Dollar General, and the Dollar Tree before giving up (and wasting more gas).  I searched online to see if Michaels or Hobby Lobby carried it.  I did find it at Hobby Lobby.  
You could also use Epsom Salt which is fairly easy to find.


thealteredpast.blogspot.com

You can add any number of things to your globe.  I chose to add a couple of tiny trees and a moose? deer?  Not exactly sure which but he's definitely cute.  I hot glued the bottoms of each to hold them in place.  And the top of the tall tree?  Not a problem, the gumball machine top has a dome shape so it fit perfectly.  Once your items are in, sprinkle in the snow and add the plastic ring and top back on. It's done!

thealteredpast.blogspot.com

thealteredpast.blogspot.com

handmade holidays

handmade holiday christmas

the altered past

thealteredpast.blogspot.com handmade christmas holiday

thealteredpast.blogspot.com, handmade christmas holiday


If you've been reading The Altered Past for a while, you know I love different versions of snow globes.  Most recently, I made a snow globe picture.  You can read that post here.

thealteredpast.blogspot.com handmade christmas holiday

And, a couple of years ago, I made these Anthropologie inspired mason jar snow globes.  You can read that post here.

thealteredpast.blogspot.com, mason jar, snow globe, handmade christmas

thealteredpast.blogspot.com, handmade christmas, mason jar

Just think of the possibilities...from mason jar, salt shaker, gumball machine, and shadow frame.  What will you make one from?  I'd love to hear!!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

Monday, November 17, 2014

Chalkboard Family Tree


Remember the chalkboard I made from the old window frame I received from my father-in-law?  


Yeah!  That one.  If you missed the post, you can read about it here:  CHALKBOARD.  I erased the calendar for now and added this, just in time for my in-laws that will be visiting for Thanksgiving.


This is the family tree for my husband's side of the family.  We will be hosting them for Thanksgiving and I thought adding the tree would be a special way of honoring his parents, siblings, and their families.  

The chalkboard is attached to the window frame with a few simple screws so removing it to change the message was super quick.  Having the chalkboard off of the frame makes it much easier to erase and draw on.  Drawing around all of those panes would be...a pain, lol.  Ok, that was corny.



I began by sketching out a simple tree...large tree since this is a big chalkboard and the tree needed five branches.


After the tree was drawn, I began adding the names of each family that branches off of my parents-in-law, Peggy and Emmett.  (Notice the cute heart with P + E!)






I think they'll like it.  What do you think?  Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  It's TEN days away!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie






I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY
STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING