2011. . . . .an overview

The one thing that I love as a new year approaches are all the "top lists" of the past year....

There are the top 100 songs....

The top 10 most memorable moments....

Here at Thrifty Decorating, I thought that I would give you 
some of my top stats, too!

Here are the top 10 projects as clicked on by you.....

#10     DIY Painted Christmas Ornament

#9     Fall Wreath Ideas

#8     Desk Makeover

#7    The Easiest Sweet Rolls Ever!

#6     Cupboard Door Picture Holders

#5     Old Windows as Wall Decor

#4     Science in a Box

#3     Frame Your Bathroom Mirror

#2     A $3.00 Fall Wreath

and finally....the project that has been all over the world...

#1     Valentine's Rose Wreath

The top 5 visiting countries are...
1.  United States
2.  Canada
3. Australia
4.  Hungary
5.  United Kingdom




My top 3 referrers are...
1.  The Frugal Girls
2.  Facebook 
3.  Pinterest




Thank you all SO much for reading my blog.....I enjoy
each and every comment that you leave for me!


Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve Printables. . . .

Are you hosting a New Year's Eve Party??

This year we've invited friends and neighbors to ring in the new year.....we may

actually allow our children to stay up until midnight!

Here are some FREE printables to get your party started if you are hostessing this year!

{Love the Day}

{the TomKat Studio}

{Tip Junkie}

{ellinee}

{Pizzazzerie}

{anna and blue paperie}

For TONS of kid friendly ideas....check out Family Fun!

Which one would you choose??

Thrifty Thursday #40

My house is a COMPLETE wreck....I'm starting to twitch when I walk through it.....

I'm always ready to put our tree UP the day after Thanksgiving and then ready 

to take it DOWN the day after Christmas......How about you??

I've been working on a project involving my sewing machine.....(we've made nice with each other!).......and dropcloth.....I've tackled something that I swore that I would never try.....and it's WORKING!!!


I can't wait to show you what it is....

But for now.....I'll enlighten you with these features from this week's Thrifty Thursday .......

Ugly Duckling Transformations made these beautiful mason jar 

bouquets....they would look pretty even after the holidays!

Redo 101 whipped up this delicious looking salmon dip....

I am loving the faux mercury glass and Frou-FruGal made these

gorgeous ornaments from thrifted ornaments!

I absolutely adore these slipcovers (and the chairs & table!) from 

Pondered Primed Perfected.....gorgeous!!!

Simple Simon & Company designed this easy DIY apron....

made from a dishtowel!!

Here's one to pin for next year....Loopy Loop Creations made

this Christmas tree headband from buttons and felt.....

If you were featured this week, feel free to grab one of my buttons!

Here are some very simple suggestions for the party:

1. Please become a follower of Thrifty Decorating.

2. Be sure to link to your POST and not your blog.

3. Please copy and paste my link button somewhere in 

your post or blog so that others can link back.

After you've linked here, hop over and say "hi" 

to Johnnie at her Thrifty Thursday link party

at Saved by Love Creations!

You can also head over to visit Erika
at Thrifty and Fabulous and join
her Thrifty Thursday!

Packing up Christmas. . . .

I am never as organized in real life as I am in my head......

While in theory, I am organized....in practice it doesn't always work that way....

So imagine my surprise when I opened my Christmas bins and found this....

Last year, as I took my decorations down, I packed them into bags based upon 
their area of the house...I have NO recollection of doing this!

The mantle and all of its lights and accessories were put into a bag and so 
were my hallway decor and greens around the stairs......

Sometimes I surprise even myself!! 

This year I may even try labeling the bags.....we'll see if it actually happens!!


How long do you keep your decorations up?

Merry Christmas. . . .

Merry Christmas!!

Thrifty Thursday #39

I am so excited to share this week's features on  Thrifty Thursday .....I had extra time to go 
throughyour projects because I am officially on CHRISTMAS VACATION!!

Someone remind me next year that I want to take Friday's off from homeschooling during the

month of December......UGH!  It has been a grueling month!

I am hoping to make some of the projects featured this week on my break after Christmas.

I may even tackle painting my dining room again.....if I can pick a color!!

One of my favorite projects was from Art is Beauty.  
She made this beautiful homemade mercury glass....

You still have time to squeeze in some baking....A Step in the Journey 

made these adorable ornament cake balls...

Do you have little fingers that get cold easily?  How about these 
dog-shaped handwarmers from More Style Than Cash....

Do you still have gifts to wrap?  Design, Dining + Diapers 
shares how she "blinged" her gifts with Dollar Store purchases....

Vanessa's Values shared this super-creative way to decorate 

a glass jar with puffy paint!  I love this!

Finally, The REAL Housewives of Riverton designed 
this super chocolately candy cake...isn't it gorgeous!

And because it's CHRISTMAS VACATION....there are no rules for this week's link party!!




After you've linked here, hop over and say "hi" 

to Johnnie at her Thrifty Thursday link party

at Saved by Love Creations!

You can also head over to visit Erika
at Thrifty and Fabulous and join
her Thrifty Thursday!

Hot Chocolate Bar

My husband has an amazing job and works with a wonderful staff of people....

I look forward to every December when staff and spouses gather together with Jason and Jenny.

Jenny is a true Southern gal and knows how to host an awesome party!

This year she outdid herself with a hot chocolate bar....

Her whole party had a sheet music theme...

Jenny had all types of fun mix-ins to add to the hot chocolate....

Look carefully at the labels for the mix-ins......they've all been switched!

And that's why they're youth pastors!