Happy New Year! A Special Thank You

Thank you to...

The many subscribers and followers of WhisperWood Cottage!

I love having you visit me each post!!

Y'all leave the best comments! And some of you leave a lot, and I love it!!

Here are the current top commenters...

1. slommler
2. michelle
3. kara@elements-interiors.net
4. trash talk
5. Heaven's Walk
6. Kendra {House of Ficek}
7. The Starr Family
8. countrycharisma
9. amyd
10. Margo

I am also extremely grateful to WWC's Top Referrers for 2010...

1. Miss Mustard Seed
2. The Lettered Cottage
3. A Country Farmhouse
4. Between Naps on the Porch
5. Funky Junk Interiors
6. Margo's Junkin Journal
7. The Inspired Room
8. A Soft Place to Land
9. Frugal Farmhouse Design
10. It's the Little Things that Make a House a Home
11. Thrifty Decor Chick
12. A Beach Cottage
13. Beyond the Picket Fence
14. Nesting Place
15. Urban Farmgirl

A special shout out to my fellow Official DIY Gals...

1. Cheri@Its So Very Cheri
2. Roeshel@The DIY Show-off
3. Holly@504 Main
4. Jen@Tatertots & Jello

We have a whole new group of Resident Bloggers and DIY Dare Bloggers joining The DIY Club Team in 2011! It will be nothing short of DIY Club mania!!

I truly wish each and every one of you

an easy, breezy & inspired 2011!

My Favorite WhisperWood Cottage Projects of 2010

What I love about blogging is that it is the perfect way to record and remember the past! As I've been looking back over the posts of 2010, I was surprised by the number of projects, events, finds, and other craziness that was captured here on the blog. Here are 10 of my favorites that have helped make WhisperWood Cottage a home...

Simplifying




Guest Bedroom Makeover




Vintage Corner Hutches for the Dining Room

Fireplace Makeover

Salvaged Fireplace Mantel Turned Hat Rack

"Silence" Stenciled Wrapping Paper & How WhisperWood Cottage Got It's Name

All Aboard! Train Depot Chalkboard & Beach Cottage Cabinet




Getting Ready for Fall Outdoor Entertaining




Making History in the Master Bedroom




Autumn Golds in the Master Bedroom

I hope you've enjoyed the past year as much as I have! I look forward to sharing more projects, creativity, and WhisperWood Cottage style with you in 2011!

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Stars & Smiles: Thank You for a Great Year!

I've added some light to my vintage Christmas star!

MOVE THAT MOUSE!

For the photo below, move your mouse over the image to see it unlit and then lit!

(NOTE: If you are viewing this in a reader, you'll have to visit the post to view the effect.)

"If I could reach up...

...and hold a star for every time you've made me smile,...

...the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand." 

(author unknown)

Thank you, dear friends, for another year of smiles!

Amy

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Want to know how it was done? For the full tutorial, go to:

Amy's Lighted Vintage Star

Simplifying

I really feel the need to simplify things lately. My decor, my home, my life. It can easily become so overwhelming, can't it? As I am physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually clearing out the clutter and freshening my thoughts, words, and actions, I find that it is both a struggle and a joy.

I find that I have things that are just difficult to let go of even thought they are merely taking up space in my home, my mind, and my heart. They eat my time, energy, and creativity without giving anything back. Do you know what I am talking about? 

So, it's time to "make a round."

Clean out the cobwebs.

Shed light in dark, neglected corners.

Give it all a clean sweep.

And start anew.

Santa's Vintage Mail Bags are Packed!

Santa can't go wrong delivering gifts with these vintage U.S. mail bags and in his new sparkly duds! I met up with Santa last summer at a garage sale. Someone was passing up their past DIY effort for $1.

 I couldn't resist offering to give Santa a fashion makeover. With a fresh coat of white paint and some sparkly additions...

Santa went from red and tired to snow white and fabulous!

We added the perfect vintage accessories and he's ready for his Christmas Eve travels!

He's truly ready to shine this year! He's so bright, he might not even need Rudolph to guide the sleigh!

Word is that he's not even using a sleigh this year. Seriously! According to Junkologie, Santa's going for a more vintage industrial approach, and this is "How Junkin' Santa Delivers Gifts."

When Santa stops at your house, tell him I said hi!


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Want to make your own? For the full tutorial, go to:
Amy's Sparkly Santa featuring Mythic, Purdy, & PK Glitz

A Letter to Santa...

Santa Baby,

slip a sable under the tree, for me.

been an awful good girl, Santa Baby,

so hurry down the chimney tonight.

Dear Santa,

The indomitable Eartha Kitt could sing it like no other. But, Santa Baby, I don't recommend coming down our chimney. You might end up a little singed with the fire going non-stop and all. If you would text me when you're about 5 minutes away, I'll just meet you at the front door. Please just make sure it's not during the weather and that it's not too late...a girl likes her sleep, you know. :)

Furs aren't all that cool any more either, so please be a little more earth-conscious and animal-friendly if you are going to spoil me (which I'm sure you will). Since I don't bake, you won't get any cookies here, which I'm sure Mrs. Claus will be glad to hear. You know what the doctor said about your health! I'll be sure to put out some type of healthy snack...gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, and definitely organic!!

Love you lots, Santa Baby!! See you soon!

Amy

3 Simple Things that Bring me Holiday Smiles

The soft glow of the Christmas tree...

The cozy comfort of the chaise by the fire...

And Tanner in silhouette.

What is bringing you a smile this holiday season?

A Simple Christmas Tree...Christmas Song...Christmas Wish

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,

How lovely are your branches!

In beauty green will always grow

Through summer sun and winter snow.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

How lovely are your branches!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,

You are the tree most loved!

How often you give us delight

In brightly shining Christmas light!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,

You are the tree most loved!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,

Your beauty green will teach me

That hope and love will ever be

The way to joy and peace for me.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,

Your beauty green will teach me.

I've been listening to Christmas Carols non-stop for weeks now. At work, in the car, wherever I am! They just make me feel happy! The words, the music, the voices, the meaning...so so special!

It truly is the season for noticing and appreciating such simple things...music, nature, color...and the meaning behind all of it.

May the peace and meaning of the season find you wherever you may be...


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