Special Guest Blogger, Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey, Home Tour

Happy Holidays Everyone!
I hope you're enjoying this wonderful season!
I would like to thank Maria for having me as a guest on her inspirational blog today!

My name is Cheryl and my blog is called Sweet Young Journey.
I live in Santa Barbara with the love of my life and our two precious daughters.
I have a passion for interior design and photography!
My goal is to create beautiful and comfortable spaces in my home for my family and friends to enjoy.
Blogging has been a fabulous discovery for me, because I love sharing my design project from my life and home with others.
I would like to share with you a tour of our home during the holiday season.
I hope you find it bright and merry!

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

This recycled tin barn star was found at a local antique store. I used mason jars as candle holders to complement this look.

To add a little greenery, I tied snippets from the Christmas tree to the jars with Dutch butchers twine from Maria's store.

You'll see Maria's lovely red twine in several different looks in my home.

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

A simple branch was used to hang the burlap stockings above the fireplace.

A branch is an easy way to bring the outdoors inside.

Beneathe the stockings, I placed an old country stool casually covered with a small wool rug. I added some white lanterns, candles and some gathered pinecones to finish the look.

Every year, I buy fresh garland from my local home improvement center to make my own wreaths similar to the one hanging from the mantel.

These wreaths are an inexpensive way to fill your home with holiday fragrance, plus, I love the simplicity!

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

A shaggy wool rug, a pair of found tree stumps used as a coffee table and a reindeer made from canvas with real twigs for antlers give our living room a cozy winter feel.

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

I used inexpensive burlap to make a tree skirt and added some pretty white ruffles to coordinate with the stockings.I've also made a pennant banner out of grain sack material and butchers twine to use as garland for the Christmas tree.
It's really easy to do and requires no sewing, just a little bit of time.

I made a no-sew Christmas tree garland tutorial for you...

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

1. Trace a triangle with a stencil on desired fabric and cut out triangle shape. I used a cookie cutter for my stencil.

2. Using a hot glue gun add glue to the top of one side of the triangle

3. Use a tool (I used my scissors) to measure spaces in between triangles.

4. Add twine across the glued area

5. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

In my girls room I've added Maria's adorable little grain sack stockings, a Charlie Brown Christmas tree standing proudly in a galvanized bucket and paper stars made from old sheet music. A pair of angel's wings found at a local antique store lend to the room a heavenly touch.

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

A fluffly Santa teddy bear rests on an antique white chair. Adding a touch of whimsy is a little sign reminding the girls "better not pout."

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey



Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

On my dining table I used grain sack material as a runner and 3 lovely potted plants on top of white ironstone plates (or any casual white plate will do). For a bit of extra holiday cheer, I added these fun red patterned drinking glasses as well as Maria's little stockings to use as a pocket to hold a fork and knife.




Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

Guests enjoy having their own baguettes which I use as a name place holder by stamping their names on a card. A coordinated idea for napking rings is to cut out a 1 inch star from the grain sack fabric and glue it to an 8 inch piece of twin and wrap the twine around the rolled napkin and tie a basic bow or knot.

A rustic heart shape wreath simply hanging on my decorative door represents my feelings regarding the holiday season.

Styling and Photography by Cheryl of Sweet Young Journey

I hope you enjoyed the tour!
I'll soon be sharing a tutorial on my blog how to make the burlap tree skirt, wreaths out of garland and some handmade ornaments out of grain sacks.

Best wishes for a Happy Holiday and New Year!
Thank you once again Maria!

xo
Cheryl

Thank you Cheryl! I love the way you decorated your home for Christmas!
I love this post Cheryl did about turning apples into paint cups!
I hope you get a chance to visit Cheryl's blog.
Sweet Young Journey



I will be back on Friday with some Christmas decorating.
Take Care,
Maria