Remember my “Magical” Christmas Mantel post where I said I redid the mantel three times before I was happy with it? Well, it’s four times now. It’s a sickness. I can’t help myself. 😉 THIS is the final mantel.
The Bell Garland came from my friend CereusArt. Check out her Etsy shop for really cool coastal decor accessories and beach themed gifts!
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Today I have been getting out Christmas decorations while listening to Trans-Siberian orchestra (turned up quite loudly). It’s funny how something as simple and innocent as getting out boxes of garland and ornaments can leave ones house upside down! Did you know that even fake garland leaves needles in every nook and corner of your house. It’s true. Ask my vacuum.
Confession… I did my mantel three times. I liked it, then I had a different idea. I liked that, then I had a brain storm. It’s exhausting being around me. My husband goes to work just to get some rest. 😉
Anywhoo, here is the finished mantel… whatcha think?
The ornaments are strung together with fishing line.
Each string has 5 ornaments tied on. I used clear push pins to attach the strings to the top of the mantel backsplash. The ornaments look like they are floating in air!
When my daughter came home from school and saw the mantel, she said it looked “magical”. My job here is done. 🙂
I know it’s not Thanksgiving yet, but I’m already making/thinking Christmas decorations. Tis the Season ya know!
Making Christmas trees is one of the easiest projects to do. Last year I made these trees from Styrofoam and yarn.
This year I want to add some “natural” looking decorations. I had twine. I had Mod Podge. I did not have Styrofoam trees. Below you can see my “rough” tree form. I use plastic sheets I bought for some reason that is no longer in my memory. It’s the stuff used to make crafts with yarn and a needle. Anyway, I folded it in a cone shape and used duct tape to hold it together. Not pretty, but it worked.
My supplies. I had all these things already so technically, it was a “free” project. 😀
I started at the top of the cone, using a paperclip to keep the twine in place. (Yes, that is paint on my hand. Earlier that day I painted my parents garage.)
Still going. It really doesn’t take long at all. I wanted to keep the twine close together, but you can leave gaps if you prefer that look.
When I got to the end, I used another paperclip to hold the twine in place at the bottom.
I placed the tree on top of a glass to glue. That way I can spin the cone around without getting messy with glue.
Using a sponge brush, I “painted” the cone with Mod Podge.
I really put the glue on thick, then left it overnight to dry. Once try, I pried it away from the plastic cone form. And that’s it. I made another tree the same size, and one larger using a larger form.
They look great grouped together. There’s a lot you can add to these. Before the glue dries, you can add glitter or snow flakes. Glue small ornaments, buttons, or add ribbon. Options are endless.
The twine was purchased at Lowes awhile ago. I made these from the same spool and have oodles of twine left. Oooh the possibilities!
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A few posts ago, I put up some simple Christmas decoration ideas. One of them was this “Believe” sign. I had big plan to recreate it from scratch, but what do ya know… I came across it at Home Goods yesterday! And it was only $12.99! Even me, Miss DIY-er, knew it was well worth buying instead of making. It was the only one there, so it was just waiting for me. : )
I have started a little Christmas decorating, mostly with the things that are handmade. Some I had for years, others I made just recently. All are easy to do!
BELIEVE! (yes I do!)
These little birds I picked up at the Southern Christmas Show last week. They are sitting of books that I wrapped in holiday paper.
This pillow was fun to make. I’m addicted to making flowers! Pinterest gave me this idea.
Styrofoam balls wrapped in ribbon.
Styrofoam trees wrapped in yarn (red and green) and faux fur trim (white).
DIY-er: Someone who avidly practices the art of diy. Pronounced: Dee-eye-why-er
House of 34 