Monday, November 18, 2024

Dollar Tree Snow Globes and Ornaments

 


I feel like I lost a month because I lost a month being able to be in my craft room because of my knee injury. So, it was great to spend some time in my craft room this weekend getting out my Christmas stash and having a chance to play. 

Over the Summer, I found these Disney, Pixar, and Sesame Street figurines at Dollar Tree. I knew from years past they made snow globe ornaments and was stalking them waiting for them to re-appear. 

Years ago, my Mom had given us a wonderful set of Disney ornaments. My main tree is more formal. Call it my Martha Stewart personality disorder. Even as a child, I had thoughts of the kind of tree I wanted when I had my own but when our son was born, I also wanted him to have a very kid-friendly tree. 

Mr. Chocolate and Son were in charge of this tree while I tended to my other three "frou-frou" trees with one stipulation: "Hands off our tree fancy pants". But kids grow up and he's lived on his own for a while and it's a conundrum. He doesn't put up a tree because of his dog who's a bundle of energy and while he was in grad school, his schedule allowed him to come home and trim the tree with Dad. For the last couple of years though, reality has set in and he won't always be able to do that. I FINALLY convinced them that I could honor the tradition of the tree but "spruce" (pun intended) it up a bit. I bought new lights and made a few ornaments to honor our continued love of Disney, Pixar, and Muppets. 

Supplies:

  • Mini Character Figurines
  • Snow Globe Ornaments
  • Hot Glue and Glue Gun
  • Epsom Salt
  • Coordinating Glitter,Sequins, Ribbon,Pipe Cleaners

These are super easy and fun to make.


Some of the figures sit on a base like Jack Jack here. Learn as you go. While it fit within the circumference of the lid (bottom) I realized after I glued it in that the lid didn't quite screw on correctly so I had to glue it in. The process for all of these is the same.

Make sure your figure will fit through the opening and the lid will close. Glue the figure either directly to the lid or as I'll show, to something to elevate it a little. Then, use a length of pipecleaner and hot glue around the top of the ornament. This will create a seal because otherwise the filler may spill out. What goes inside is up to your imagination!


I used epsom salt and various sequins along with other small things like pom poms as my filler. Once you've "sealed" the top of your ornament, load it up with your filler then screw on your lid with the figurine attached and you can be done now, or do as I did and wrap the base with coordinating ribbon,


Your only limit is your imagination. The hardest part is if you are looking for a specific character. No guarantees that every store has what you want but then you just go from store to store, right? 


Jack Jack is Mr. Chocolate's favorite character so I was ecstatic to find him. I'm still looking for Edna Mode! 



I mentioned above that some of the figures don't come with a base like Jack Jack did. These, I was able to elevate a little higher using some wood blocks (Dollar Tree) from my stash. I glued the block to the lid, then the figure to the block. Since these ornaments are tall, there's room.


I did this with Oscar and then followed the same steps using coordinating colors. 


But wait...there's more! Some of the figures are just too big for the ornament opening. Solution? The Snow Globes that they also sell at Dollar Tree!


Sully's arms were too wide for the ornament so I made him into a snow globe! Same overall process...fill with coordinating sequins and/or glitter and epsom salt and wrap with ribbon.



I threw some sparkly pom poms in here along with some sequin snowflakes.





I'm really happy with how easy and fun these were!








Thursday, November 14, 2024

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve all! We enjoyed spending last week with our son and getting to know his neighborhood, which is FILLED with lots of wonderful local shops. Picked up a handmade ornament for my Mom, some new Christmas items, ate some great food and just enjoyed being together.

Started working on some fun additions to "the boys" Christmas tree. Father and son have had a tradition of decorating their own tree since, while they love our big main tree, it's too formal and they've had one to make more fun. But our kids grow and live on their own, and even though we were fortunate to have him be able to come for Christmas all through undergrad and grad school, it's been more reality-based the past few years between COVID and work and I finally got permission to let me play with that tree. Next week I'll share a few of the new things I'm making for it which are fun, sentimental, and easy! 

Thanks for understanding about last week's party w/out features. For some reason I wasn't able to get picture links to work from our hotel. So let's take a look at some Fall and Christmas ideas from last week's party! 


Charleston Crafted shared a DIY Pumpkin Vase using a carveable pumpkin which you should be able to pick up for a steal right now since Fall stuff is heavily discounted. Great for your own centerpiece or host/hostess gift! 

Master Pieces of My Life has a BRILLIANT Dollar Tree Hack to make this Sherpa Pumpkin! Seriously...BRILLIANT! 



Printables remain the easiest high-impact decor item and Hunny I'm Home DIY has a pair of Thankful Printables available, FREE to download. Print. Frame. Done! 


Finally, if you're working on Christmas projects, these Wood Christmas Stars from Steph Creates are a must to check out! 

Thanks to all who linked up and can't wait to see what you've been up to this week! 







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Thursday, November 7, 2024

BFF Open House




Happy Friday Eve all! As mentioned last week, we're visiting our son this week. The wifi is being weird and spotty, so this week it's all links and no features. 


Hope you're all hanging in! 








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Thursday, October 31, 2024

BFF Open House

 


EEK! Happy Halloween and Diwali All! You know what this means? Full on to the holiday season with Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas coming fast. 

Hopefully this is my last knee update. Got the stitches out last week and while my knee still looks like a Halloween prop, the care team says it looks good so we'll go with that. Most importantly, it didn't wreck a planned trip to visit our son next week. After that I can't wait to get working on Christmas projects. Found this year's card papers at Michaels so I'm ready to get started. THANK YOU for all of your healing comments and thoughts. 

Let's take a look at some of the fun things to maybe pin for next year's Halloween festivities (with everything deeply discounted, buy some things ahead for next year) and some for Thanksgiving. 


Studio 27 by Jennifer Adams shared these fun Framed Skeletons. Perfect to pick some up on sale to play with next year. 

Creatively Beth shared this fab Dollar Tree Canvas Jack O'Lantern. Could just skip the face and perfect for the rest of the Fall season. 


Bluesky At Home shared this Stenciled Fall / Thanksgiving Sign. Make another one for Winter!



Finally, how cute are these Pumpkin Spice Oreo Truffles from Flour On My Face? Put one at each place setting for your Thanksgiving table or box them up as a host/hostess gift! 

Thank you to everyone who linked up. To everyone celebrating, have a safe and happy Halloween! 











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Thursday, October 24, 2024

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve and one week until Halloween! What's really scary is it's also TWO MONTHS until Christmas Eve. EEK!

Ended up not getting my sutures out last week so hopefully, when I go back today...


Let's take a look at some Halloween themed projects there's still time left to do or certainly to pin for next year!



Master Pieces of My Life shared this FABULOUS and Elegant Creepy Candle Sconce


My Thrift Store Addiction shared a wonderful way to incorporate pieces on hand into seasonal decor with these DIY Jadeite Jack O'Lanterns

Steph Creates shared this cute Hey Boo Door Sign. This would be perfect to personalize with names too!



Finally, this No Bake Spiderweb Cheesecake from Rose Bakes is perfect for Halloween! 

Thanks to all who linked up and can't wait to see what you've got in store this week! 














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Thursday, October 17, 2024

BFF Open House

 


EEK! We're halfway to Halloween! Hopefully by the time this party opens I will have this infernal immobilizer off of my knee and can sit back at my desk and work on more than Procreate. Like so many of us, I am better at taking care of others than being sidelined myself and this not being able to get up and go is a real challenge for me. BUT, I'm ever thankful to have an attentive husband, caring Mom and friends! 

I shared another Fall Themed Printable here the theme of which is "change is beautiful" something that is often hard for me! 

OK let's take a look at some of the ideas from last week's party to consider yet for Spooky Season and Fall! 



Hunny I'm Home DIY shared this AWESOME Skull Vase made from a simple Dollar Tree skull!


Charleston Crafted shared a creative way to use Candy Corn in decor with this stunning Fall Vase.


Crazy Little Love Birds shared a wonderfully fun and GREEN craft with these Recycled Cardboard Halloween Bookmarks. Fun and functional! 


"Black Velvet" seems to be a trend this year so these Witches Brew Cupcakes from 3 Boys and a Dog are perfect! 



Thanks to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what's in store this week! 







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