It's that time of year...

Isn't it funny that the thing I stress most about during the holidays isn't gift giving or having enough money for gift giving...

IT'S MY WINDOW DISPLAY!

Oops, sorry for yelling...

But the stress I'm feeling is funny because it's totally unnecessary. Yes my apartment building holds this contest with a nice cash prize... but the truth is, I could win with half the effort I've been putting into it. Three winners are selected and none of my neighbors do much to try and win... There is no competition.

I guess the only competition is between me and myself. I feel this need to top myself each year. Well last year, I went a little too over the top. I'm really proud of the display I made, but there is a point when too much effort becomes a waste of time.

Last years display... Gah! So much unnecessary detail!

So this year I decided that topping myself wasn't important. It would just keep getting out of control. So last week I came up with my idea and I went for it! And the stress didn't outweigh the fun, which is how it should be.

I need a photo from street level... It looks even better from down there! And I love how the decorations I put up a couple weeks ago ties in with the display. So now that I'm finished decorating my windows I feel like I can finally relax and enjoy the holiday season!!

Merry Xmas everyone!

fall window decorations

I've been waiting for awhile now to do something pretty with these fabric leaves that you may have seen in my fall craft supply post. I bought them a couple of years ago on clearance after the fall season was over. I didn't have any plans for them so they just sat with my craft supplies.

I thought about using the leaves to make a wreath but I really liked the idea of hanging them like they were fluttering down from a tree. Something you don't see too often downtown.

Last year I doctored them up with some glitter and strung them together with yarn. I hung some from this lamp...


... and some in the windows.

This year I hung them all in the windows. What I came up with is still simple but a little more intricate than last year.



I started by crocheting three chains of dark brown yarn in varying lengths for each window. I crocheted them on a metal ring for easy hanging.

 

Then I cut some dark brown ribbon and melted the edges to prevent fraying.

 

Pinching the melted edges together made it easier to string the leaves on. Which is what I did next.

Once I had all the leaves strung up I tied the ribbons to the crochet chains. And I was done!

 To finish I moved them up to the top part of the windows.

Now I'm constantly reminded that it's fall. Marvelous!