Winter Decor: Woodland Wall Hanging

 

I love it when a plan I didn't have comes together. It came while tidying up my remaining Christmas crafting supplies and seeing how some things that weren't planned to go together, went together! It turned out to be a great stash-busting project too. 

Supplies: (All of which were in my stash!)

• Unfinished Wood Sign 
• Wood Slice  
• Half Ornament  
• Wood Stickers  
• Wood Snowman
• Mini Trees
• Faux Snow

The half ornament was leftover from another project that only needed the other half. Likewise, the rest of the items were from various projects. 

I used Folk Art Multi-Surface paint in Thicket, with a little Apple Barrel English Ivy to paint the base. I wasn't going for opaque coverage and liked the wood grain showing through. Likewise, the two colors of green were more natural to me since most evergreens have some variegation. 

I had one leftover snowflake sticker, which I applied to a leftover wood slice. I had some wood snowmen in my stash, along with some mini bottlebrush trees, and added those. 

Glued those in place with hot glue, and then added some faux snow to my half ornament, applied hot glue to its edges, then flipping my wood slice over, attached it to the ornament. 

I went around the outside with more hot glue, sprinkled more faux snow atop the glue around the dome, and then glued it to the center of my painted sign. Made a double loop bow with...you guessed it, leftover ribbon!

To finish, I laid out the wood stickers, then glued them in place. I re-attached the twine hanger I'd removed, and DONE!

Easy, peasy, stash busting pleasy! 

 

This week's BFF Open House Link Party continues here. 

Tonight marks the first night of Hanukkah and I always enjoy making cards for special friends. These may be my favorites yet!

Supplies:

• 110lb Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels) in Dark Royal Blue
• Coordinating Scrapbook Paper
• Gold Mirror Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
• Silver Glitter Cardstock 
• Menorah Cut Image (Cricut Design Space)
• Digital Cutting Machine (Cricut Maker)
• Coordinating Large Rhinestones (Dollar Tree)
• Foam Dots

My go-to card size is 5x7 so I cut the solid cardstock to 7x10 and scored in the middle. I had the foiled blue paper in my stash.  I found a beautiful Menorah image in Cricut Design Space. I deleted the flames because I knew I wanted to use abstract rhinestones (Dollar Tree) for the flames. In Cricut Design Space, I then created an offset for the Menorah which I cut from the gold mirror paper. 

I attached the silver glitter layer to the gold layer using foam dots, then embellished the "candles" with coordinating royal blue rhinestones. The abstract rhinestones just screamed flames to me and were the inspiration for this entire project!

The center candle of the Menorah is used to light the other candles, with the other candles being lit from left to right, one candle each night, so I chose one color for it, and used the two gold shades for the remaining flames. 

And there you go! 

Wishing all those celebrating LOVE, LIGHT, and crispy LATKES! 

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! Yikes, how is it almost the middle of December already?! Hanukkah snuck up on me and I was scrambling to get some things out the door this week since it starts on Sunday night. Wishing all celebrating the light and joy of the holiday. 

Our brains never stop, do they? Or is it just me?! Worked on even more additions to my decor this week. Every year, while decking my halls, I find things that need some TLC or can be repurposed etc. Likewise, things I may have picked up on a whim, but hadn't used yet. That's us, isn't it? Finding new uses for things we already have and incorporating new things in. 

This week I shared:

Winter Woodland Lighted Jar

Easy Glittered LED Candles

Repurposed Ornament Topiary

Now, let's take a look at some of the fabulous ideas you all shared last week! 

If you're hosting a Cookie Exchange, check out this lovely idea from Flour on My Face with these Printable Tags tied to a cookie cutter as a thank you for each guest! PERFECT! 

Tis the Season for all things Gingerbread and these mini "Fake Bake" Gingerbread Houses from Studio 27 by Jennifer Adams would make perfect additions to any tablescape or holiday decor! 

Mr. Chocolate no longer asks questions when he sees a can or bottle drying by the sink. Mr. Chocolate understands where it's going to end up. Steph Creates is a kindred spirit like that. Check out this ADORABLE Repurposed Candy Tin Ornament!

A must-watch for me every year since childhood is, "Miracle on 34th Street" (the original, in black and white).  Kris Kringle is explaining the idea of imagination to Susan, the skeptical little girl in the movie. He tells her: "...this is the Imagination. And once you get there you can do almost anything you want"

This project made me think of that.  From Pettikoat Junction, Simple Christmas Decor Made With Electrical Tape. 

Finally, the Girl Scouts could learn something from The Kitchen Is My Playground and release a holiday Thin Mint collection. But even better, check out these Homemade Chocolate Covered Thin Mints! 

I can't wait to see what goodness you've all been up to this week! Party On!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Holiday Decor: Repurposed Ornament Topiary

 

Leftovers aren't just for the refrigerator! In this case, these were leftovers from other projects because they were capless. Either broken or missing caps. They were headed for either the thrift store (because one Maker's trash is another Maker's treasure) and then...my brain had a moment. 

 Supplies:

• Small Wood Box (Dollar Tree)
• Bamboo Skewer
• Evergreen Pipe Cleaner
• Leftover Ornaments
• Leftover River
• Letover Embellishments
• Double Sided Tape, Hot Glue

I gathered what I thought I was going to use. Used some, replaced some with other options. But used the main things. 

I had one of those small square boxes Dollar Tree always has in my stash. I also had some leftover black velvet ribbon bows, so I undid one, smoothed it out, applied strips of double-sided tape all around the edges, and then attached the ribbon as shown. 

The ribbon was wider than the box so I made slits in the corners, applied more DS tape inside, folded the ribbon over and inside, and done! I chose to keep it simple but you could paint the top of the box in a coordinating color to your ornaments, or Mod Podge some scrap paper on top. Whatever you choose! 

I used my glue gun to create a hole in the opposite side of the ornaments, glued the first ornament to the top of the box, then threaded a bamboo skewer (with a dab of glue at the bottom to secure) then threaded the rest of the ornaments as shown.  

I cut an evergreen pipe cleaner down to fit around the bottom and glued down with hot glue. I also let glue drip down the sides of each ornament like melting ice, and painted it white once it set.

Tied some ribbon in between each ornament, and then used up some bottle brush trees and wood snowmen leftover from other projects. 

TIP: Those picks we use to weed vinyl? Work great to remove pesky hot glue threads like the one I missed in this pic. 

Simple. Quick. Repurposed!

Sharing At:

Creatively Crafty Linky Party #279

Sundays on Silverado #279

Holiday Decor: Easy Glittered Centerpiece Candles

 

I wanted my holiday centerpiece to be both simple and glam. When we lived in the PNW, I loved the abundance of evergreens just outside my door, so I tried to capture that with this centerpiece. Once again, used a pool noodle as the base and a faux evergreen garland I cut down to sections. But the stars are these two simple but glam candles I made. 

Supplies:

• LED Pillar Candles (Dollar Tree)
• Elmer's Clear Glue
• Glitter Mix (I made my own)

Dollar Tree always stocks these in the candle aisle. When lit, the "flame" looks like this: 

The biggest decision to make is what color(s) you want your glitter to be! I wanted a neutral icy look so I gathered my glitters that met that definition and played. 

I did this like I cook. A little of this, some of that, more of this etc. You can also mix glitter types. I used some tinsel, regular, chunky...

The iridescent chunky glitter reflects off the silver, giving it an ethereal glow. 

I debated what kind of glue I should use...hot glue, Mod Podge...went with Elmer's Clear! It's fluid and I was going for melting icy wax.

It also wouldn't set as quickly as hot glue so I could get all of the glue on before glittering. 

Then, just sprinkly your glitter mix! Since this glue is fluid, some will continue to drip and carry the glitter with it which just enhances the dripped look. 

NOTE: These little lidded Condiment Cups from DT are a great way to store your glitter mixes. 

Once you're happy with the glitter, let dry until ready to use. 

I picked up a couple of clear glass candleholders from guess where for my centerpiece and these sit atop them. 

I love looking at this at night. The glitter picks up the glow of the fairy lights. It's a real "All is calm, all is bright" feeling. 

Sharing At: 

Welcome to Vintage Charm Party #519!

Creatively Crafty Linky Party #279

Sundays on Silverado #279