Decorating the mantel

<p>Hello everyone! How your week going? We’re supposed to get some nasty weather this weekend – ice and snow I think? And of course today it’s supposed to get up to 60. Such is the life of a Hoosier. </p> <p>I haven’t started decorating our fireplace mantel just yet for the holiday, but I’m planning on keeping it fairly simple this year. Simple for me still means LOTS of poufy greenery, but whatever. Simpl<em>er</em>. ;)</p> <p>I still say the mantel is one of the most difficult spaces to decorate – don’t you think? I think surfaces in general are hard – bookcases, sofa tables – those kinds of spots. That’s why when I figure out something I like on one of those areas I tend to leave it like that for eons. </p> <p>Over the years I’ve a method that works for me when it comes to decorating over the fireplace: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vNST3TDUeRc/Up9cpzzcygI/AAAAAAAAjQM/K5ktFjjKz0o/s1600-h/decorating-mantel%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to decorate a mantel" border="0" height="711" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ovNp4jIEaM0/Up9cq7b71AI/AAAAAAAAjQU/6SN7h_BLfTQ/decorating-mantel_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to decorate a mantel" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I’m sharing a few of my tips today over at True Value’s blog, <a href="http://www.startrightstarthere.com/BlogPostDetail.aspx?id=2641&blogid=193">Start Right Start Here</a>. (Unfortunately the link may not work for mobile users, they are addressing that now. Until then those of you using tablet or phone can see some of my tips on <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-decorate-your-mantel.html">this post</a> as well.) They may help as you tackle that space for the holidays and beyond. Hope you find them useful! </p> <p>I’m off to tackle more Christmas decor – now I’m inspired to work on the mantel! :) Have a great one! </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2"><em>I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments. </em></font></p>

Decorating the mantel

Hello everyone! How your week going? We’re supposed to get some nasty weather this weekend – ice and snow I think? And of course today it’s ...

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A quick and easy holiday project!

<p>OK, I feel SO behind this year with the Christmas decor! I mean we lose a week anyway, right? (Between Thanksgiving and Christmas?) And I usually have a decent start going before Thanksgiving. We got a couple trees up before our trip last week but not much else. </p> <p>I’m determined to get it done this week – I’m just going to enjoy it and take my time. Have you started? Finished? </p> <p>This is a fun little decor idea that I’ve shared before, but it has a Christmas twist and it’s SO easy I wanted to share it again. </p> <p>In the past couple of years I’ve fallen in love with holiday-themed pillows this time of year. I just think they’re a festive addition, and all you do is toss. Toss, toss! (Name that musical.) Throw one or two on a sofa or chair and the room instantly feels Christmasy. Try it. It works. </p> <p>Well the past couple of after Christmas sales I’ve picked up a few more placemats to make my favorite pillows EVER. Yes, placemats:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bxDEnc-BAA67yeUpP70r4dIh9mWcxihv2motU6jzFcx8WSEfX9RsR6LlhZhyZOgf4f-ROdWbJ_LEaYw4_Jdg4qiNSS87FlZS4CnlY7i44Wf1cnNuoPjUlVXAkGcltsj5M6aWbg_wniA/s1600-h/pillowplacemat2.jpg"><img alt="Placemats turned pillows" border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBjuzxGA7Q4IW44XmcYxf2dZYqorswkZyVbfxo94xL1glmHhL-KDfrmc5MF7TmlNa_MVxt5VKNVxWsUY0Boe1_1TKyTexsUj2u36aiQoFBZy-1EttZ4Fqadz8P7TlMNsL2HEmSKMSOfQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Placemats turned pillows" width="500" /></a></p> <p>If you’ve been around for awhile, yes – I’m making more of these. Yes, I’m obsessed. It’s SO stinkin easy people. Even if you don’t sew I promise you can do it. </p> <p>You need a placemat that’s double sided, so two pieces of fabric sewed together. A seam ripper makes easy work of making a hole in one side: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDHLLHdfVZLdSYiOvIuZ8N7oahbMzNkEgIbUsqTHESVeME3hfFxmlpu25Ro9883fkMDsO9-JsMwNRc06q3yRHhEckMRla0fddmw-r3T-vLfOQPUZOjF_faL9BzkqFN0tsbaXHv2crFpo/s1600-h/placematpillow22.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="Placemat pillows" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlYtoKlnBrSja1vzcSKkxNGlrvGBl9O9XmnBj9Vgi1OaIuMtnnpyiqzGhHA4KCS3w1RhCCWN9G3AVnorldlakZ7iiThDCY6Mxz9KBHov2YZSkrntBufO4Gqed73MvetP6PK5xJQHL1hs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Placemat pillows" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I usually open up about five or six inches, enough for me to comfortably get my hand inside to stuff it. </p> <p>I use this poly-fil stuff: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-1DwAeZAn6BZ9QuvgxaefN-yhTsR1Ly-YhyR8uFR1cFWoKrw4dy3VNXJLRWXeqqBHZCE1gKEuoC7JulWcU7uPN46PORpPZrQkzhKVWEmbSv5eZ1ZUCL9UfkVrhm3pCwJ3Eux9LVluIg/s1600-h/IMG_74093.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="DIY pillows" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYfyJJ-IKNUvh8Lbv-uzvrH_KkmVN_bK6LS4PhiWwyV0-a5k32q4uvVILy27PADWoAt0IDvOmO0tt6wgJxNaD24ol0oManpPsu66Ahrel8ieaLASd1t6XEItaJxpdKseEbCgj76k71fo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY pillows" width="400" /></a></p> <p>You just pull clumps out and stuff it in the placemat. I used to kind of fluff up the filler before I stuffed but I don’t anymore. It take less than five minutes to get it stuffed – just make sure you get some into the corners. </p> <p>I like them pretty fluffy so I use about 3/4 of that poly-fil on one. Then just sew up your hole:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXFxArTMfcqtBQYdEUMwKWeR_uGyJcXS-jhGr8-kTFyH0w7vXz0oTEu3rQV7Sg3HWIzYuK1Xbm7HS-vrU_uh7qV2zX4wZrULj3FzAnnScjrU0l3izNFs0dbOtoGZ_76saN2crkz34KEE/s1600-h/placematpillow32.jpg"><img alt="placemat pillow" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesW5MgjWsq4LeI5c1IYEXRhexTBB0uspCsWZrBgGpKmcahyphenhypheneg_UyHll5asHNY7n2y_dauTrpe5nEGc1LUhj7zePRodol0LsadBkXzTCUX0GXC1fOjAYGyh1rZBAhdxpt-LPH7yX8E6i4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="placemat pillow" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Yes, I know – this involves a needle and thread. But I <strong>believe</strong> you can do this. :) It took me two minutes to whip that back together. It’s not perfect but I promise you no one will notice. </p> <p>When you’re done you have a super cute, <em>super</em> cheap accent pillow for the holidays:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkjLFnJ3LyCMz8M2CNyLAJTP1O51ALxAz8x2BMttu8Al0kzG0oBeCHX7ne5OnE9uLpieRl0p95P6dj0DvQ6VWSLl4cBuvLP7aerZWvj8iE4uQ-NMmujWal-m2n0LsGYo6lsfbamb2E_g/s1600-h/placematpillow42.jpg"><img alt="placemat turned pillow" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtb5Ya6VFg5R2sRKhm3ukF88M4hP3JrNIDPjQPfOK6IxSylyFbccYeTTnwq0tC3U1DBN-2FqUJI4wmBtF-0Bxtn6lzxbZmqHfjhSAeYpopdSpnncRIRlVwuRR-ZxIGM_Ag3UKEBzJHRk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="placemat turned pillow" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I have this whole process down to ten minutes now. :) </p> <p>My pillow form (aka placemat) was $2 on clearance after the holidays and my filler was $2 and some change (with a coupon). Less than $5 for a fun little splash of Christmas!: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7SAWdMTeLI9Iid2h3SL38OG4HkhvMedCbdvyNTf8aS4yht1Ao0RRV1qlkASHPW6yfTJOJZS0xEzwQr0eATQk-OyQ3ZdQFYuo46OpyZEoqk1roiJ2L04meheWvJNQNxD7F-Jxf5iqNbI/s1600-h/IMG_74162.jpg"><img alt="Christmas pillow from placemat" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnG0A-fQlNkQ86f6Zuf-Ot4W6OuBnR66EK_asa1oekimqewnyRjBSXxgr14d5KhAURt6hKPwB14nz96736-cUbpiBl1mea1AWHtQpSfqOu_pZVAW5dy_EuZiTHhJWMgnc4BLxuQnSvkU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Christmas pillow from placemat" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I think the selection of placemats and napkins is way cuter than most pillows I’ve seen. You can see <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/pottery-barn-pillows-on-cheap.html">here</a> how I’ve done this with Pottery Barn linens to make much cheaper versions of their pillows.</p> <p>And <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-home-at-christmas.html">last year</a> I used one of their placemats to knock off one of my favorite holiday pillows from Pottery Barn too: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYzukLk1cYvmxm3aOZThf6SDjDNe3wrtCLSuksZLPgfjocFGx4sr9WhW0-YIYOhyphenhyphen2tH82edJSOOKc-BZvDUphKheJ8is4pUcMJiM-2u7majfUJaf2QYcpGjcidoPztgFx8OTKLixVl3A/s1600-h/IMG_422433.jpg"><img alt="pottery barn pillow knock off" border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF1gQBZuANXqX0Zw2S_YQ7laN_OonbNK8cBlfB3w2qwsbL_VUXCcNft6BUkKq7Kj_A4JwoAPIYBUDxwoiWd2R7pwsdKWqPfg3gC9Lume6qyGnFpl4o7psfYef7udzsRLTwL7-lfnv31U/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="pottery barn pillow knock off" width="500" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>SO much cheaper! </p> <p>There you go – I may have a bit of a problem (I shop the linens section more than the pillow section), but it’s so much cheaper! Whoot! Have you tried this little trick? </p> <p>P.S. My friend Kari at Ucreate had me over at her place to share a Christmas ornament craft. See what I came up with <a href="http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2013/11/paper-poinsettia-ornaments-by-thrifty.html">here</a>! </p>

A quick and easy holiday project!

OK, I feel SO behind this year with the Christmas decor! I mean we lose a week anyway, right? (Between Thanksgiving and Christmas?) And I us...

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December before and after!

<p>Hi there! Welcome back! :) </p> <p>I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday week! We had a blast – we took off for a quick trip to Disney early last week. I fell in love with it hard <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-new-love.html">earlier this year</a> and wanted to go back to see it decked out for the holidays. It was incredible! The only bad part was getting food poisoning from a waffle on Monday and the Bub and I being out of commission all day Tuesday. Being sick at Disney pretty much sucks. </p> <p>The kiddo didn’t eat nearly as much of it as I did so he was over it pretty fast. It took me till Saturday to feel 100 percent again. Even so, we had a GREAT week and I am so thankful. </p> <p>OK, it’s the start of the month and that means another before and after party – are you ready? I picked out just a few of the incredible projects you all linked up last month to share today. </p> <p>I adore Jennifer’s pick of wallpaper for <a href="http://www.ramblingrenovators.ca/2013/11/before-after-modern-vintage-bathroom.html">her basement bathroom</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZIq9yNk_IZKl1dULi7FzoPUFiLZPC9nYJ9zm90Wai5UDFaHOB13k9ZBrH-ZuwEauwC0ID3-gzOWShXVp5PRCT8fJy9h_9WSocXCBBHF-urNp_1Wa05ZKTowfbmBuSYD1eHzGZiBr-Sc/s1600-h/basement_bathroom21%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="black and white star wallpaper" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6L_GoNDeC_n6xgVqCHfbLTPrNSDL-MiuhEPuSFNGJGcnv6wx_r66Lk_i9eVmkE4SF2dQWE95-DSZe2Lb637KrNRKtRCyrW_T-vLhBFxr8fsGc1lQA_QfWGohBKkcCeR-IPcgIo9Sg8mE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="black and white star wallpaper" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Heck, I love all of it! But I love that she was daring with the wallpaper – it paid off. </p> <p>Anita is a brave soul -- she <a href="http://anita-faraboverubies.blogspot.com/2013/10/spray-painted-stone-countertop.html">spray painted her countertops</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3ArW_c66xHd9ydNwiG91Z3WTKEqwQNt22iP4XaILqgFF3Oxj6ub8doGNEziIOE0p1lcrGlhcAQ5yj2TkghSotYXC0Yg7GlOVakbQYQkKozKDriEH0G0zqaBTdsjsw1XtOW38uiaysdM/s1600-h/bar7%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painting countertops" border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcyW88A19ac2T68WOjHYihX0qfOue756abH7BuJzY7AV9rQfE8K4O8n9-vTWFzeq3or4aRp8fMinn-ggLTu6xMjnpH8yq24k0te_aUPg17XRLiifS-4BBNDzAnO1_tmIb1G6XHhT5G6U/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="painting countertops" width="500" /></a></p> <p>They turned out SO good! They look like a solid surface material now, so crazy. </p> <p>There were so many great kitchen posts! I couldn’t believe the difference taking down some cabinets made in <a href="http://www.andthen-shesnapped.com/2013/11/kitchen-before-and-after.html">Rachel’s kitchen</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-74_wX76qh1U/Upyd0DM29KI/AAAAAAAAjK0/gJ1XdfpIL5Q/s1600-h/11%25252004%25252013_046_web%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="taking down cabinets in kitchen" border="0" height="331" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aHtu42_CV44/Upyd1LyMo2I/AAAAAAAAjK8/lK85ZYmNDUU/11%25252004%25252013_046_web_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="taking down cabinets in kitchen" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It was pretty before anyway, but this change made it so open and airy. </p> <p>Liz’s <a href="http://designingdomesticity.blogspot.com/2013/10/sayonara-forest-green-tile-kitchen.html">before and after</a> is so dramatic, you have to go see how it looked to fully grasp the change: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrm550h5j5oQBtSBYQnEHluLEHtfu13BR3plvwxuO5E5qlqZXdVgcT7Re3oWhUma45U-7DkDjvVDPQ9j14ZT0CtIUr4aIonySFRLbOWHl1CTbhIFMuEUjJXiampSJnKL_EoyZ-XbJnwWQ/s1600-h/new%252520kitchen%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white kitchen blue island" border="0" height="698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7t9Wj1Hnkjvjv07Zwy1C3zgKUpO6KSaXtqXGjYI3A3u7W_TNYdO7QRTihyGErCZ_0LIdelgj11mma5B4-QJx9_HTflP465vJ44oii_YPILNhYxTBeUUWcsj4A6ym_nmLtJm8GE5y0ig/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="white kitchen blue island" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Paint my peeps – it will rock your world. :) </p> <p>This beautiful space at <a href="http://domesticcharm.com/2013/05/29/keeping-roombefore-after/">Domestic Charm</a> was transformed with paint too: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KEexfTLNZY8/Upyd3h6T6DI/AAAAAAAAjLU/HeVMOsVCQK0/s1600-h/img_4278%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painting built ins" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6hEBCGow-QQ/Upyd4TMXgJI/AAAAAAAAjLc/rFEcVeF0zyo/img_4278_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="painting built ins" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I especially love how you don’t even notice the TV – she painted the backs of the built ins a dark color and now it disappears! Brilliant. </p> <p>Kristen is renting and did a lovely job decorating <a href="http://sophiasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/10/budget-bedroom-makeover-for-rental-home.html">her daughter's room</a> without doing anything permanent:  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKmnyltS7BkXSUwYxT9PGqC5kHSoN8v4gbqGmVVEKzecM8Wqpcrbvzl4pFW_vaRtL29x155SgqOZ_CrmV0rzIKo8cNetZH8TRQ86RfySGKAh_rmjYWdw8zr4vuc77PSZt_AnVuN19XJE/s1600-h/Curtains%252520around%252520bed%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="decorating rental" border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqp-6v3J1w7ejR6OWEafI9Cah_TMh7r8IKx0sNB2rXXvNWZl9Q9hiaq1ri0NaF5TVvL_GZ0Nw2lW0fhxiWvLIRCz9Ce06N6K2m9H38jepR4X-nW3M2jI9uuzL6bF8kI3AaI1aWJ0HsE88/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="decorating rental" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I love how that wood wall looks behind the bed! </p> <p>And finally Amy painted some <a href="http://eatsleepdecorate.blogspot.com/2013/10/bold-stripes-in-our-entryway.html">stripes in her entryway</a> and I love the contrast: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FDmueIJEOR8/Upyd7L0roYI/AAAAAAAAjL0/8OaBz7wJghQ/s1600-h/Hallway11%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to paint stripes" border="0" height="640" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m2RZ1Z5J9Hc/Upyd8L_UG8I/AAAAAAAAjL8/Wng_B9FLe9I/Hallway11_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="how to paint stripes" width="427" /></a></p> <p>Stripes are a classic and these are so well done! </p> <p>Well you wowed me again everybody! I wish I could share them all. If you missed any of the projects you can check them out <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/11/november-before-and-after.html">here</a>. </p> <p>It’s time to link up your latest before and afters! I can’t wait to see what Christmas decor you’ve been up to! (Hint <em>hint</em>.) ;) If you’d like to be considered for the recap next month I would love a link back or you can use my button in your post:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px" align="center"><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7326" height="225" src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif" title="beforeAndAfterButton_thumb[1]" width="146" /></a></div> <pre style="border-bottom: #cccccc 1px solid; text-align: left; border-left: #cccccc 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; margin: auto; padding-left: 10px; width: 90%; padding-right: 10px; display: block; white-space: pre-wrap; background: #f0f0f0; height: 45px; color: #777777; font-size: 90%; overflow: auto; border-top: #cccccc 1px solid; border-right: #cccccc 1px solid; padding-top: 10px"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/" title="TDC Before and After" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif" alt="TDC Before and After" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre><br /><br /><p>Now link it up!:</p><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=347116"></script><!-- end InLinkz script -->

December before and after!

Hi there! Welcome back! :) I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday week! We had a blast – we took off for a quick trip to Disney e...

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