Decorating Ideas for a Charming Country-Style Christmas...

Hi Friends ~ Thanks for visiting during this merry and full time of year! Perhaps you need some last-minute decorating ideas, or maybe you just need to relax and let your mind wander for a few minutes... Either way, I'm glad you stopped by!

I love this hand-made merry & bright sign I found at a little co-op in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho last year. This picture was taken last year, but I used the sign again in our dining room this year. The log candle holders provide an outdoors-inspired winter feeling. 

A Barn Thanksgiving Setting...

Happy November! (How did that happen?! Wasn't it just summer?) 

I hope you've been enjoying the beautiful fall colors, and that you're looking forward to the holiday season!

This past weekend, we enjoyed an early Thanksgiving-style family dinner in the barn. And while I can't share all the sweet "people photos" quite yet, I thought it would be fun to show you the setting... 

Fall Farmhouse Porch

Hi friends! Welcome to our fall front porch. If you can see past the pumpkins, leaves, cornstalks and mums, you may notice something different... We used to have a green front door, but after five years, I was ready for a change. The exterior of our farmhouse is a medium gray color, with white trim. I debated between painting the door black, or going with a weathered, raw wood finish for the door. I decided on wood, and am pleased with the result! (I'll share more on that process below.)

DIY Hops Wreath {Fall at the Farmhouse}

Hi friends! I hope your week is going well. Is it starting to feel like fall where you live? 

It has definitely turned the corner here in the Pacific Northwest... The leaves are starting to change colors, it has cooled off, and the rain has started to pay us a visit again (but thankfully it's broken up by sunshine too!). Pumpkins and sunflowers are growing in the garden, and we're headed to a football game this Friday night. Fall is in the air!

It's the time of year when hops vines are covering our gates and trellis'. I love the look of the hops flowers with all their texture... They remind me of a soft, green whimsical pinecone. Today I decided to make a hops wreath and wanted to share with you this very simple DIY.

Christmas at our Little Farmstead {2017 Roundup}

We are now into the December 20's... Ready or not, here Christmas comes! This time of year can be such a mixture of emotions. (And I think I may have had them all within the last 72 hours. Ha!) But I hope that what we hold on to most during this season (and beyond) is the joy and hope of Christmas. 

Below, I've rounded up this year's Christmas and winter posts from our home and shop space. Just click on the link or picture to see the whole post. Thank you for sharing in this season with us. I hope you and your families have a very blessed Christmas! 

A Natural (and easy!) Christmas Wreath DIY and Porch...

If you're looking for an easy, affordable and unique winter wreath, this one's for you.

Here's what you'll need:

- Grapevine wreath (I used a 22")

- Greenery (pine, eucalyptus, or whatever catches your eye)

- Berries and twigs (optional)

DIY Gift Ideas... {Farmhouse Inspired}

Hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving! Are you braving the crowds, or keeping it cozy at home this weekend? Today, I thought I'd share a roundup of some farmhouse-inspired DIY projects that would make great gifts. 

These posts were written over the past few years. Though there is a range in the quality of photos, depending on when the post was written, I still enjoy the finished product and hope you will too! 

Just click on the images or links below for instructions...

The Easiest and Fastest DIY Pom Pom Wreath! {Farmhouse Christmas Decor}

A few years ago, I made a pom pom wreath, using the hand-made pom poms that you create by wrapping yarn round and round, cutting the loops, and trimming. It was beautiful! But it also took quite some time to make.

So this year, I thought I'd share a pom pom wreath that is quick, easy, and affordable to make...

Farmhouse Living: Let's Head Outdoors

Hi Friends,

I hope you're enjoying the weekend! We just returned from a week in California and Oregon. It was such a fun time, kicking off summer together as a family. And now, it feels so good to be home!

While I unpack and get the laundry started, I thought I'd share some recent pictures from around our little farmstead...

Before our hops was in bloom, I used a strand of faux greenery to freshen up the grapevine wreath on the weathered chicken coop door. I love how it stays green. ;)  

Fun Friday Farmhouse Finds!

Happy Friday everyone!

Just popping in today to share some fun farmhouse finds that have me swooning... 

~ An Easy Hops Farmhouse Wreath for Fall ~

 This post contains affiliate links.

I've been eyeing our hops flowers, with their whimsical cone shapes, wondering how I could use them to decorate this fall. 

I decided on making a wreath for our rustic chicken coop. Nothing too tailored, but rather true to this plant's free spirit...

3 Farmhouse DIY Projects (When Skies are Gray)

These are the days in Seattle when we have to dig deeper to keep our spirits up. 

The skies are gray. 

Dark gray. 

The rain is not letting up. 

The anticipation of Christmas is either over, 
or 346 days out... depending on how you look at it.

In case you're experiencing a touch of the winter blues, or cabin fever, I thought I'd share a few (totally doable) DIY projects that will add some charm to your winter (or any season really) nest. Just click on the link below each picture for instructions...

Vintage Inspired Sign

Simple Boxwood Wreaths {DIY}

There's something about these delicate boxwood wreaths that makes me dream of a Scandinavian Christmas. 

Maybe they remind me of the wreaths that are worn on Saint Lucia Day in Sweden... 

Or maybe it's their understated, almost minimalist size that gives these wreaths a Nordic feel... 

Whatever it is, we're enjoying their fresh, lightweight look in our kitchen this Christmas season!

DIY Winter Wreath {Farmhouse Christmas}

Simple has captured my heart lately... with a bent towards minimalism. (Though I am a far cry from a minimalist! Our closets, drawers and barn are nodding their heads. Thanks for selling me out guys.)

I recently came across some grapevine wreaths stored in our garage. (Case in point. Also, I use the term "stored" loosely.) It occurred to me that using greenery from our yard (plus some dried eucalyptus) could make a more simple and unique wreath than the store-bought ones we typically use during the Christmas season.

A Farmhouse Fall Hydrangea Wreath (DIY) ...

I considered making a cute acorn wreath for our front door this fall. But, there's something about the fullness and faded charm of a hydrangea wreath that I couldn't pass up! In case you're interested in making one, you only need three things...

1. Dried hydrangeas (see the best ways to dry them here!)

2. A straw wreath form 

3. Greenery pins 

Using your greenery pins, pin the hydrangea stems - one at a time - onto your straw wreath form. Continue until you have the desired fullness and/or until the straw wreath form is no longer visible.

This is the quickest and easiest wreath I've made. I also think it may be the prettiest. 

It costs about $8 to make (for the wreath form and pins). Can you imagine what you'd pay for a large wreath like this at a florist or gift shop?!

Last year, I also made a hydrangea wreath, but added antlers. See it here.

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you are having a wonderful day...

Xo

Sharing with:
Cozy Little House
The Scoop
Savvy Southern Style

Home Decor DIY Projects ~ Farmhouse Style!

 Whether you're a first time visitor or regular commenter here on Little Farmstead, I'm so glad you're here! It's been a joy to build friendships, share ideas and gain inspiration from each other. 

As I've mentioned, our blog recently reached the one year milestone and I want to thank you so much for reading!

 Today, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the DIY projects featured during these first 12 months...

Beneath each photo is a link to the DIY instructional post... 

Cable Knit Sweater Mason Jars

Customized Candles

Shabby Chic Year-Round Wreath

DIY Charming Winter Wreath

Fabric Garland

A Vintage Inspired Sign

Vintage Cookie Tin Cake Centerpiece

Easy Spring DIY ~ Mini Wood Rounds

White Barnyard Animal Candleholders

Are you currently working on any decor or home improvement projects? 

I've been working on a couple that I can't wait to share with you soon!

Have a wonderful day!

xo

Sharing with:

Cozy Little House
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Savvy Southern Style
Share Your Style
French Country Cottage

DIY ~ A Charming Winter Wreath

I've never seen a cozier wreath... 

though I'm thinking it's probably torture for our cats! ;)

I saw the inspiration here via Pinterest. I love all the texture 

and warmth the wreath adds to an after-Christmas, but still winter, porch.

 I chose grey, white and two shades of sand-colored yarn. 

I used a straw wreath because that's what I had on-hand. 
A styrofoam wreath would also work.

I wrapped the wreath in burlap for a more finished-looking base.

Then I began winding yarn around varying sizes of styrofoam balls. This took forever awhile. This is one of those projects that is great to do while doing something else. Our youngest son loves me to watch him play basketball on an inside hoop upstairs. He was all too happy to have me sit on the bed with my basket of yarn and styrofoam balls while I cheered on his "team." :)

I attached the yarn-wrapped balls to the wreath using as many U-pins (found in the floral department of craft stores) as I had. For the remaining balls, I simply used my hot glue gun to glue them in place. It's best to attach the larger balls first and then fill in gaps with the smaller ones.

And that's pretty much it! To me, this is the perfect January - February wreath!

I've found lots of great new inspiration on Pinterest. I'd love it if you joined me here!

Have a great day friends...

xo

Sharing with:
From My Front Porch To Yours
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home
Thoughts From Alice

{A Sampling} 2014 DIY Projects

As 2014 wraps up, I just want to ThAnK YoU for being here! 

Blogging is new to me this year... I started blogging in April. And, as is often the case when we're starting something new, I wasn't always sure whether or not this blogging thing would "take" or if I could fit it into our busy family schedule.

You, reading along, have encouraged me to continue. It's been a blessing for me to get to know bits of your stories. I'm so appreciative for this creative outlet in my life. To share the joy of "nesting" with you is a gift to me.

Thank you, friends.

Here are a few of the projects I enjoyed working on 
this year, in the order they are shown above:

DIY Shabby Year-Round Wreath

White Barnyard Animal Candle Holders

Fabric Garland DIY

Vintage Cookie Tin Cake Centerpieces

New Year's Decorating {Clock Mantel}

Cable Knit Sweater Mason Jars

The Best and Easiest Ways to Dry Hydrangeas

Country Chic Chair Swag

Nesting Boxes Advent

Thank you for being a "part of the start" of Little Farmstead! 

I'm excited for the new year.

See you soon!

xo

For more DIY inspiration, visit Homesthetics: 111 World's Most Loved DIY Projects

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Cozy Little House
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Home Remedies RX
French Country Cottage