Sunday, December 13, 2015

Christmas Mantle : Black and White Tree Makeover


I made over my mantle decorations this year, going with a black , white and gold theme w/ accents of red. 


Waste not want not so I try to repurpose pieces I already have which is what I did with these black and white felt trees. They used to be these from a few years ago: 

Tinsel Tree With Topper

which were fun and I still liked them but was tired of them. 


I'd pinned the tinsel to the tree ( see thinking ahead to when I might want to rip them apart!) so removing it was easy. I created a pattern for my felt freehand on a piece of scrap paper and then cut out a bunch of shapes in black and white felt. I started off counting them. That ended quickly. 


These trees are a little more permanent since I hot glued the felt pieces to the styrofoam cone.  Working from the bottom up, glue one color around the cone then offset your pieces and glue the next color around the cone. Continue until your cone is covered. 


Slightly more work than the tinsel trees but only slightly. 


They fit right in on my mantle with a black and white Father Christmas I painted years ago, and my mantle focal of a chalkboard sign I also  made this year. 


The chalkboard sign was made from a pre-cut piece of plywood from Home Depot, painted with chalkboard paint  and bordered with gold glitter paint ( Martha Stewart). 


The right side of the mantle contains a large vase filled with pinecones I've picked up on walks, birch and glittered branches left over from my Thanksgiving mantle and filled in with silver and gold balls. 

Vintage bottle brush and live  mini cedar trees in antique cordial glasses finish out the mantle along with collectible ornaments. 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

BFF Open House Link Party #235


Happy Friday Eve all. I guarantee no one is more excited than I am because I get my best Christmas present tomorrow when Grad School Boy comes home!!!  Mr. Chocolate and I are so excited. 

The days are ticking away and here are some features from last week's party: 


Brenda from Much More Creative shared her gorgeous Christmas chalkboard. Beautiful! 


Brenda's chalkboard would go well with this re-purposed sheet music wreath from Lynda Creates


Artsy Va Va is back with a wonderful vintage ornament. These would make special gifts. 


This week's chocolate feature is a Red Velvet White Chocolate Trifle from Andrea at Living on Cloud Nine. Isn't this festive and perfect for Christmas? 


   
   






Thursday, December 3, 2015

BFF Open House Link Party # 234 Happy December


Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. To those celebrating Hanukkah this weekend, Happy Hanukkah and have a latke for me! Crunch time is on us so here are some ideas from the week before last's party! 


Not only is this a cute project, but the story that  goes with it is hilarious and is something I can imagine a bunch of us crafty peeps hearing from our friends. You need to visit Artsy Va Va to find out the details of both. 



Charm Bracelet Diva shared a brilliant idea using Dollar Store Christmas bags to create fantastic wall art! Genius! 



These Pom Pom Pinecone ornaments from One Little Project are too cute and a great project to have little elves help with. 

Speaking of ornaments, how about this woodsy one from Much More Creative


She also made another version: 


Now onto this week's party! 

   
   







Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thursday, November 19, 2015

BFF Open House #233

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday eve all. Can you believe Thanksgiving is one week from today? I really can't. The windy weather here in the PNW is definitely reminding me that it's November. 

Here are a few features from last week's party!


Let's start with this festive necklace from Rena a Jewelry Making Journal. Perfect to add to your hostess outfit, make as a gift for your hostess or for Hanukkah or Christmas. 


These DIY Apple Tealight Candles would be perfect to add to a Thanksgiving table. The aptly name DIY Homegirl shows you how. 


I love this paper Indian Corn project from the guys at Crafty Lumberjacks. You could do all kinds of colors or monochromatic ... so many possibilities! 



Looking ahead to Christmas , here's a great idea from Heather at Woods of Bell Trees that is a gift that keeps on giving and is good for the environment. Christmas Tree in a Mug! ( HINT: place your seedling in a plastic cup then put it in the mug so the mug is safe to drink from ). 

For a chocolate feature this week, I'm sharing what I'm planning on making as a neighbor gift. From Joan at Chocolate Chocolate and More , Chocolate Pumpkin Pound Cake 


Now onto this week's party! 

   
   


Thursday, November 12, 2015

BFF Open House #232

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday Eve all and can you believe that it's TWO WEEKS until Thanksgiving? Seriously how did that happen? On the one hand I'm excited because while Grad School Boy won't be home for T-Day it means it won't be much longer after that he'll be home for a while. On the other hand it's TWO WEEKS and then time picks up even more speed. 

One of those crazy weeks so we'll go right to the party and I'll do expanded features next week OK? Have a wonderful weekend all! 

   
   

Thursday, November 5, 2015

BFF Open House #231

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday eve! Hope you all had a fabulous Halloween. I can't believe we're headed towards Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas so quickly. I was in Michaels on Halloween and there was hardly any Fall stuff in sight. This week's features are a combination of holiday goodness. 


This is a two-fer. Pin this fun bracelet for next year's Halloween or as you'll see over at ArtsyVaVa's blog, you can make for other seasons or no seasons at all and make as a holiday gift. 


Here's another idea that is perfect as is but also adaptable for gift giving ( I'm thinking how cute would these be for the little one's to make for grandparents!)  Visit The Practical Mom blog for the details. 


Doreen from Altered Artworks has a wonderful thrifted project that's perfect for a Fall Front Porch. 


Christmas will be here before we know it so if you want to get ahead of things and make some Christmas cards, visit Paper Seedlings for this fun quilted card. 


OK now on to this week's party !