When my friends were discussing doing a Christmas in July, I have to admit I panicked a little. I had no idea what I was going to do, because I don’t think of myself as being crafty.
Before I get to my project, I wanted to tell you a little bit about the ranch. Come on, and pull up a chair on the back porch.
Or we could hang out on the front porch.
This spring when the bluebonnets were in full bloom, this was my view when I had my morning cup of tea. I love it when the bluebonnets are blooming. It’s a magical few weeks.
Cedar Hill Ranch is a 30 acre ranch in the heart of Texas. It’s what I call “Texas Living with a French accent.” Dinner on my back porch with my friends and family is really a picture of what life is here is all about.
I had some ideas of what I could do for this project, but they required my sewing machine that was in the shop. Since then I have received news that it will cost $200 to repair it, so I’m shopping for a new one. So what to do… I pulled everything (and I do mean everything) craft-related out of every drawer in the house, and laid it all out. After surveying my materials, I came up with the idea of making Christmas cones that could double as place cards.
The first thing I did was to use my script stamp to add French script to my card stock. (Honestly I can’t read this, so it could be in French, English or Spanish and I wouldn’t know. I’m calling it French, but really I’m not sure what it is.)
Next, I formed the cardstock into a cone shape and used tape to keep it in place.
I thought I would try adding a little je ne sais quoi to the cones. I used a Martha Stewart snowflake paper punch to make some paper snowflakes, and added them around the outside of the cone.
I think solid green paper might have worked better, but I didn’t have solid green, so I used what I had. I added a twine bow to the top of the cone.
I also used these card stock tags from Pick your Plum for the placecards, using just the first initial of each guest’s name. I also cut a little piece of snowflake trim to top off my cone. Later, these cones can be hung on the tree using the twine bow at the top.
I filled the cones with tiny, little pinecones. Okay, pinecones don’t come this small, they are actually from Hemlocks in North Carolina. I grab these from the ground each year when we go there. I also used vintage sheet music from my FIL’s collection to go under the saucers. These are church hymns, and the date of publication was 1926.
Here’s a view of the table with my new Christmas cones.
I used my Lenox Wheat dishes for this table. These dishes were my MIL’s and she always talked in reverential tones when discussing how special these dishes were. I wondered when we would ever have an occasion special enough for her to use them. Sadly the answer was “never.”
She kept these stored away for that special occasion that never came. I’m sure she did use them at least once when she was yonger, but in the 30 years that I knew her, they stayed snugly stored in one of her china cabinets.
This turned out to be fun! Thanks for joining our Christmas in July party.
What a great post and tutorial.
Such an easy project and does look great. Thanks
Hi Anita! Now you’re branded as a crafty gal! This is gorgeous and so creative. I’ll be back tomorrow to link up for Christmas in July!
Be a sweetie,
shelia 😉
how beautiful! I love your script cones with the snowflakes!! Your home and property are just gorgeous!!
thanks for sharing Anita!
xox
Anita, I’m so glad you went along with the group on this one. I love this project! This is actually one I will make. I already have the script stamp. 😉 These cones will be perfect for a little party favor and would be great for any holiday.
Your table setting is gorgeous. I bet your MIL is smiling down on this table, perhaps wishing she had used those “special” dishes more often. The exquisite linens offer a lovely background to the creamy white and gold of the china.
I’ll be back tomorrow morning to link up some Christmas tablescapes. See you then, cowgirl!
Anita,
Oh, dear, dear friend…I could never in my wildest dreams think of you as a “Texas Scrooge”! Your crafting French Scones are maginificent! Thank you for sharing your lovely heirloom linens, china and collectables with all of us! Have a blessed week!
Fondly,
Pat
Great project! I am also having a Christmas in July celebration over at my Christmas Blog, A Debbie-Dabble Christmas. If you would like me to link up this post to the celebration, I would be thrilled to. Amanda has her post linked up. Just give my Celebration of Christmas in July a shout out is all I ask..
Hugs,
Deb
Hi Anita, I just hopped over from Confessions of a Plate Addict. So happy to have found you. I love your cute cones. I especially love your back and front porch. Your view of the Bluebonnets is breathtaking. Thanks so much for sharing a bit of Texas. I am now a new follower. I plan on linking up a vintage Santa I just bought tomorrow with the party.
Hugs,
Jann
Oh I forgot to tell you that I recently purchased a set of those wheat dishes at a thrift store for $30. A few missing, but still a nice set. Can’t wait to use them.
Hugs,
Jann
Your cones are cute-love the snowflakes and the table turned out beautiful! What a nice tribute to your Mother-in-Law:@)
Ah ha ha ha ha ha…. Texas Scrooge.
~Bliss~
Hi Anita,
Though your project is fun, my favorite part of this post is your mean mom and cool kids line. You crack me up! 🙂
-Revi
I love how you came up with the idea using the chicken wire as a stand. The cones bring a real homey feel. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Make it a great day!
Meegan
I just love your photos of the ranch! You make me laugh at the Cowgirl Grinch! I would have panicked at Christmas in July too! Your cones are lovely! This is such a cute favor to take home for the tree! Thanks for the tutorial!
Anita, this is just beautiful! I truly love it and I’ll be sure to remember it for this winter! You did great. 🙂
great creative thinking on the chicken wire!
You go girl!
Yep, I agree with the others and am glad you went for the party! These cones are great!
I could so relate about being the mean mom who tells the cool kids they are being too loud. Sad but that resonates with me a little too much as I get older. Ha! Well, turns out, you have latent crafty tendencies. Looks like the cool kids have their work cut out for them keeping up with the woman of the ranch. (which by the way is breathtaking. How wonderful to live in such a setting!) Thanks for your fun comment at Quirky Vistas about my garage sale logic! I appreciate you taking the time to stop over.
Liz
Thanks so much for participating in the Celebration of Christmas in July over at A Debbie-Dabble Christmas!
It was such fun, wasn’t it?
I will be leaving the links on my Side Bar until October.
Hopefully, next year I will be organized enough to do a Christmas in July Linky Party!
Thanks again!
Hugs,
Debbie