~how to make new photos look old~

We have a collage wall behind our family room sofa that consists of vintage pictures of our neighborhood dating back to the 1930's. 

I recently had to add to the photo wall to accommodate our new larger sofa.

I didn't have any more old photos, but was able to turn new photos into older looking ones in a matter of minutes. Here is how you can do the same.

Here is the photo I am using as an example. It was taken at our lake when it froze over last year. I love it. The geese all lined up on the ice, so sweet.

The first step is to go to PicMonkey.

This screen will appear. Click on "edit a photo"

In the top left corner, click on "open new" and find your photo on your computer.

Double click on the photo you want to edit.

Next, click on the "wand" icon that I have circled on the left.

Scroll down until you see the black and white option and click on that and apply.

Now you can play with any of the other options to make your photo look old. 

In this photo I used the "yester-color" option and faded it till I got the look I wanted.

Then because I wanted it to match the other photos on my wall, I chose the "gritty" option next, again, fading it to about the middle.

 Finally, when you have the photo the way you like it, name it, and click save.

You can then export and print!

I will be showing you the finished wall shortly.

Here are a couple more I did:

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2017/11/how-to-make-new-photos-look-old.html

~our holiday Christmas card shoot~

Christmas cards are my thing. 

I think it started when my kids were old enough to actually sit still for photos. 

About that time I discovered all the amazing templates and designs for cards at Minted and it was all down hill from there.... 

Every year I get so excited to see the new designs come out and pick one that suits our family best. 

There are so many to choose from that I literally will be on their website for hours. 

Then I narrow it down to about 10 and have my family pick their favorites. 

This year was a little tougher to take photos because Savannah is away at college. 

So during a "family weekend" at her school, we stood out in the freezing cold, put the camera on a tripod and smiled away.

The backdrop was perfect for so many of their cards that it was hard to choose but we narrowed it down to this one and here it is!

It was literally just starting to snow and it was so cold, so we would take a couple pics, then run back to the car to warm up, then head back out.

Here's a few out takes just for the fun of it :)

My husband is probably telling me he can't feel his feet at this point.

Literally pulled over on the side of the road.

Sibling love.

Body heat for warmth.

But we actually got some good ones, and they've been ordered and are on their way, hooray!

This one made the back:

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2017/11/our-holiday-christmas-card-shoot.html

~Christmas Cookie Roundup~

I think everyone knows by now that I love to bake.

And Christmas cookies are no exception.

Today I am joining some of my favorite blogger friends to bring you a plethora of sugary goodness!

My recipe that I am sharing is coconut shortbread cookies, and they are so delicious!

Let cool on cookie sheet, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cooled.

Frost them 

{recipe to follow}

and sprinkle on coconut flakes.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 

For even more Christmas cookie recipes, please click on any of the links below.

Cranberry Orange Cookies by Ella Claire | Chocolate Shortbread Cookies by A Burst of Beautiful | Cinnamon Cookies by Zevy Joy | Gingerbread Houses by Miss Mustard Seed Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti by anderson + grant | Paleo Double Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies by Nesting with Grace | Chocolate Crinkles Cookies by So Much Better with Age | Cranberry Rosemary Butter Cookies by Nina Hendrick Design Co. Flourless Chocolate Chunk Cookies by City Farmhouse | Maple Sugar House Cookies by Finding Home Farms | Honey Nut Rugelach by Love Grows Wild | Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Cookies by Nest of Posies Mexican Spicy Chocolate Cookies by Maison de Pax | Coconut Sugar Cookies by My Sweet Savannah | Old Fashioned Gingerbread Cookies by House 214

A huge thanks to Kristen for always including me in these fun blog hops.

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2017/11/christmas-cookie-roundup.html

~Friday favorites~

Today is not only Friday, it's not only Friday favorites, but it's Savannah's 19th birthday and she's coming home from college today to spend her birthday weekend with us!

I just had to pick up another jute rug because my son spilled red gatorade on ours.
I think these rugs are staples in our home, good thing they are fairly inexpensive.
For future reference. who knows how to get red gatorade out of jute?

I also think I am going to get this coffee table for our living room. We have been coffee table less for a while and it is driving me crazy.
We will have to add casters or something to the bottom though because it sits really low.

I love these shelf brackets for open shelving in a kitchen or just about anywhere.
Very industrial chic.

The colors in this rug have me drooling. Might look good layered on the jute rug under the coffee table?

Who's thinking about Christmas shopping already?

I went to the mall yesterday, only to remember how much I loathe the mall, so I think I will be doing all my Christmas shopping online this year. 

I saw this massive lamp at Pottery Barn~Merry Christmas to me?

This is a great boxwood wreath.

It is on my to do list today to get 3 more of these chairs for our dining room. They are on closeout so I better act fast. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! See you next week for some fun holiday decorating!

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2017/11/friday-favorites_10.html

~Hearth & Hand now at Target~

Have you checked out the new Chip and Joanna collection called Hearth & Hand at Target?

Things are selling out rather quickly and I am not surprised.

Perfect timing for their launch, with the holidays coming and all.

Here are a few things that caught my eye and may make a debut in my own home.

I just ordered new stocking from Minted and these Hearth & Hand stocking holders will be a perfect fit for them! They are clean and modern and still have that rustic feel.

This stoneware pitcher would be great filled with eucalyptus or holly berries during the holidays.

This little guy is pretty cute.

I love a good candle and this one would look great just about anywhere.

This bowl would be stunning on a kitchen counter filled with clementines or pomegranates.

Can you tell I am loving the neutrals?

I am also loving all the plaids, like this great apron.

And this pillow:

I think they are going to do insanely well at Target!

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2017/11/hearth-hand-now-at-target.html

~Oh come let us adore Him~{free printable}

My friend Kristen at Ella Claire Inspired always puts on the funnest blog hops, and this one is no exception. I mean, who doesn't love free printable images to spice up your holiday decor?

Whether you are into reds and greens, neutrals, or bright colors, this printable I created should go with them all.

It can be suited to different rooms in your home too. I put ours in our dining room with a bowl of pomegranates and some cedar I clipped off a tree in the yard.

If you would like to use this image for your own home, simply right click on it, copy and paste it to a word document, and print to your size. For reference mine is a 8x10.

I've always loved using music sheets in holiday decor.

How about some more freebies?

Click below to see all the fabulous free printable images for the holiday season!

O Holy Night by Ella Claire | Winter Botanical Gallery Wall Print Set by Bless'er House | Christmas Wrapping Paper by Craftberry Bush | Repeat the Sounding Joy by Nest of Posies | Christmas Star Garland by A Burst of Beautiful Watercolor Wrapping Bow by Zevy Joy | Merry & Bright by Live Laugh Rowe | Joyeux Noel by So Much Better with Age | Snowflake Christmas Tags by Happy Happy Nester | Santa Ornament Gift Tag by anderson + grant Lovely, Glorious, Beautiful Christmas by Making Home Base | Oh Come Let Us Adore Him by My Sweet Savannah | Peace on Earth by Maison de Pax | Holly Jolly by Shades of Blue Interiors | Christmas Gift Tags by Taryn Whitaker Love is What's in the Room with You by In My Own Style | Winter Favorites Watercolor by Finding Silver Pennies | Merry Christmas Gift Tags by Refresh Restyle | The Nutcracker Printable by My Someday in May | Oh Come Let Us Adore Him Watercolour by The Happy Housie Christmas Cards by TIDBITS | Snowman Snacks Tags by Just Destiny | North Pole Cookie Co. by Clean and Scentsible | Nutcracker Watercolor Series by Nina Hendrick Design Co. | Watercolor Christmas Wreath Gift Tags by Home Stories A to Z Bread Wrapper by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | Christmas Coloring Fun Page for Kids Table by Unskinny Boppy

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2017/11/oh-come-let-us-adore-himfree-printable.html

~my favorite fabrics for pillows~

I have a growing collection of fabric samples and there is some I really really want to order to make pillows. Here are some of my favorite fabrics for pillows, and where you can buy them!

Celerie Kemble Betwixt in black/ivory.

Pillows can be found here.

Chiang mai dragon in china blue.

Pillow can be found here.

I like this in all the color ways, but especially teal.

Pillows can be found here.

Lee Jofa Groundworks hutch.

Pillows can be found here.

Bengal Bazaar by Kelly Wearstler.

Pillows can be found here.

Schumacher Queen Of Spain in orange.

Pillows can be found here.

Schumacher studio bon in red fuzz.

Pillows can be found here.

Schumacher Iconic Leopard.

Pillows can be found here.

And the last one is Lee Jofa Indian Zag in Indigo.

Pillows can be found here.

I love how dramatically a room can change just by switching up the pillows. Whether it is a bedroom, a living room or family room, or if you are just decorating around the holidays, pillows can make such a difference for little money!

Also today starts our "seasons of home" tours, and although I couldn't get my act in gear to share today, please take a look at the other blogs participating in todays holiday kitchen tours!

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2017/11/my-favorite-fabrics-for-pillows.html