christmastime outside & DIY banner (master"PIECES" of my LIFE)

i'm happy to be sharing this post @ jennifer rizzo's holiday house walk. so much inspiration and holiday cheer to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

i finally finished feathering our nest outside to welcome the christmas festivities.

it starts at the curb on our mailbox with some extra tree trimmings, a pinecone bell, some gold pinecone decorations & burlap ribbon.

as you walk down our walkway towards the front door the greenery, pinecone, baubles & burlap theme continues.

remember the burlap | pinecone swags i added to our sconces for the fall season? you can read about it here. i added the greenery & mercury glass ornament to the swags.

the swags are complimented with the silver bells i got years ago at target, which i embellished with some tinsel to give them a more vintage feel.

between the sconces | swags i hung my semi dyi banner on the window , which reads {merry & bright}.

it's a burlap banner with chalkboard panels. you can see how to make it at the end of this post.

on & next to the church pew under the window sit | hang some baskets also filled with greenery, pinecones & mercury glass ornamnets.

i love the mix of bling with rustic.

this hanging white metal basket from southern living at home is so versatile and has seen many looks.

as you get to the front door you're greeted with the oversived mercury balls sitting on wreaths on our cast iron urns flanked by the parkhill lanterns.

and hanging on the other side is the bird cage i altered a few years ago.

it's hard to see. it's hard to photograph. but i painted the birdacage & added a faux mini tree w/ a couple of clip on glass feathered birds.

the tag reads (joyeux noel} & it's hung with a tasseled ribbon.

i moved mr.reindeer over by the garage. so he's front & center.

i love him! one of those purchases i will never regret.

i understand it might not be for everyone, but it's TOTALLY for me. {love}

it's all done...except the front door wreath...coming soon...just couldn't get it all done.

so about that diy banner.

so i bought this burlap banner earlier this year when our local hobby lobby opened up. i was so excited since i had heard about HL online but had never been in one in real life. anyway this banner was super reasonably priced to begin with but i got it at 50% off for a few $$.

it has 12 burlap penants and i wracked my brain about what i could write on it so it would have multipurpose. i almost- almost decided on {welcome}...

until i decided to layer a chalkboard layer on top of the burlap that i could write & erase. i cut 12 cardboard penants slighty smaller than the burlap & painted three coats of chalkboard paint.

i used 3 black brads to attach the cardboard pennants to the burlap at each corner. remember to condition your chalkboard surface by rubbing a chalk sideways all over and then wiping clean before using. then the possibilities are endless.

i used a stencil to write my {merry & bright} message which i had on hand. you can find them at any office supply store or even hardware stores. can't wait to use it throughout the year with different inspiration.