Home Tour Tuesday---Trim the Tree and LOL Designs Giveaway

It's Tuesday and that can only mean one thing---it's Home Tour Tuesday with yours truly and the simply fabulous Miss Daphne from Flip Flop and Pearls! While we're both so excited to have y'all join us, after a few hiccups the last couple weeks, we felt it necessary to post a few helpful tips for those kind enough to join us for this week's tour!

{one} Visit the (2) hosts, Shannon @ The Webbisodes and Daphne @ Flip Flops & Pearls. And, if we're your cup of tea, then by all means, we'd appreciate a follow. 

{two} Include our HTT badge somewhere in your post.

{three} Link up with today's Home Tour Tuesday post. All unrelated links will be deleted!

{four} Then, let the Parade of Homes begin! Swing by and visit as many participating blogs as you'd like and if you see one you enjoy, be sure to leave them a comment or show some bloggy love with a follow.

{five} You don't have to write a thank you note, but be sure to extend a little down home hospitality to any new followers with a return visit and comment on their blog! After all, it's all about the little things!

{six}And last but certainly not least, "If you can't play like a classy gal, then for goodness sakes, get off the playground!"---{Isn't Daphne clever?!}

Gosh with all those rules and such for a second, I felt like I was back in the classroom. So on to something a whole lot more fun, this week's Home Tour topic--- Trim the Tree (Share 3 to 5 of your favorite Christmas ornaments, plus the story behind what makes them special).

But first, your daily Sweet Bean fix! Aren't these ginormous ornaments just so much fun?

{Our Family Room Tree}

Favorite ornament No. 1---Glass Flip Flop

If I were a shoe, I'd be a flip flop!

S i m p l e.

One glimpse into my closet (or at my feet 9 months out of the year), and you won't have to think long before making the connection as to why this Christmas inspired flip flop ornament ranks among my favorites. Let's just say if "life's a beach" I'm more than prepared for the journey!

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.---Leonardo DaVinci

Favorite ornament No. 2---Baby's First Christmas

This ornament is pretty self-explanatory---it represents our Sweet Bean's first Christmas.  God blessed us with our greatest gift to date, when He brought Gillian Grace into our lives some sixteen months ago. Any and everything that reminds me of our life's greatest joy can't help but be a favorite!

Favorite ornament No. 3---Handstitched Snowflake

Many years ago, (almost 20 to be exact) I cross-stitched this snowflake ornament for my grandmother, and every year thereafter, this hand-made ornament could always be found front and center on her Christmas tree. Since Mama Helen's passing, this ornament, with all it's memories, has made it full circle and is now back home with me.  And there isn't a year that passes that I don't stop and think of my grandmother as I hang this snowflake among the brightly colored ornaments and icicles on our family Christmas tree.

{The Dining Room Tree}
Our dining room tree is decorated completely in greens, reds, and golds.

Favorite ornament No. 1---Merry Christmas, Y'all!

I purchased this ornament from Ole Bay Mercantile in lovely Fairhope during our first ever Alabama Christmas. As you may have noticed, I have a slight affinity, okay obsession, with the word "y'all"! The second I spotted this ornament in the store, I knew it was meant for my tree!


Favorite ornament(s)---Waterford

 

After admiring Mom's tree for years, one Christmas several years ago, she began giving me a Waterford ornament each year as one of my presents! To date, I have over 100 of these beautiful Waterford ornaments, most of which have been gifts from family and friends! What can I say? I surround myself with people that have superb taste! {Wink, wink!}

{Sweet Bean's Tree}  
Since Gillian Grace was too young last year, her first Christmas, to really appreciate a tree, we waited until this year to purchase a tot-sized tree for her bedroom. From the second the tree went up, Bean has been captivated by its colorful lights and playful ornaments!

Favorite ornament No. 1---Elmo

It wouldn't be Bean's tree without ornaments of her favorite pal, Elmo, or Elbow as she so lovingly refers to him. Hob Lob (the latest nickname for Hobby Lobby making the rounds on the bloggy circuit) had several Sesame Street themed ornaments and we bought them all!

Favorite ornament(s)---Candy

 

Besides decorating with a few of  GG's favorite characters, I used a ton of ornaments from Target to finish off my sweet theme for the tree!

And just like with the other trees in our home, Sweet Bean's tree is topped with a handmade bow in coordinating colors.

Don't you just love Christmas? Okay, now let the Parade of Homes begin! Grab our badge and be sure to link up with your post for this week's Home Tour Tuesday. Daphne and I can't wait to see how you trim your tree!



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Now as though this post wasn't long enough, check out this fabulous giveaway from LOL Designs.


Giveaway Scoop

I think most everyone can agree that for as much fun as the Christmas season can be, it is also the busiest time of year! And while you don't need anything "more" to do, I know most of you have a few minutes to spare to find out about my newest giveaway from Jennifer at LOL Designs.

In her own words---
"LOL Designs is a lifetime result of being the Martha Stewart out of my 20 something girlfriends. I loved making things for friends and family and finally turned it into a business. My favorite things to do are make accessories and baby onesies. I love new challenges to anything you might want to make I'd love to make them for you. LOL Designs is really me in my craft room Laughing Out Loud at myself because I enjoy what I do and have lots of fun doing it."

Thanks to Jennifer, one Webbisodes reader will win a $20 gift certificate to her Etsy shop! And with so many wonderful items to choose from, from baby onesies to beautiful fabric flower necklaces, your only problem may be choosing how to spend your win!

The Scoop

{Please click here to enter this giveaway.  I am trying to keep all entries for this giveaway separate from comments left for Home Tour Tuesday.  I've created a post just for the LOL Giveaway entries. Comments left on this post will be deleted.  Thanks!}

Mandatory entry
{one} Visit LOL Designs and leave a comment here about your favorite item.

Extra entries
{two}  "Like" LOL Designs on Facebook
{three}  "Heart" LOL Designs on Etsy
{four} Post Jennifer's LOL Design logo on your sidebar with a link to this post. (5 entries)
{five} Blog, Tweet, or Post about this giveaway. (5 entries)
{six} Follow Webbisodes (or let me know if you already do)
{seven} Follow my design blog, Persnickety Pages {& More} (or let me know if you already do)

{Remember leave all entry comments here , not on this post, to be eligible for this giveaway.}

Good luck! Giveaway will end midnight on 12/19!