Ornaments of Christmas past....

I have a friend (thanks Melissa Fossat) that introduced me to the idea of an Ornament and Cookie party!  The party was so much fun that I stole the idea and started doing one of my own.  The idea is the invite 12 people total to the party and have each of them bring 12 ornaments and 24 cookies.  The ornaments are usually something homemade and the same with the cookies.  You bring the ornaments and cookies and swap them with each other so you end up with 12 ornaments and 24 cookies - one from each of the people attending and one of your own.  This is my third or fourth year hosting the party and it is one party that my sisters ask if I plan on hosting again every year.  It is going to be a tradition for a long time.  So I thought I would post ornaments that I have made from the parties in Christmas past. 

Ornament #1:  2x4 Christmas Tree

First I cut some scrap 2x4s into triangles using the chop/miter saw.  It is the same technique used in the 2x4 candy corn post.  Then I painted them green and splattered some white onto them to frost them a bit.  Then I distressed the edges.  Next, I drilled a hole in the top of the tree to put the ribbon through to hang on the tree.  Last I put a roofing nail in the bottom for the trunk and tied a Christmas ribbon on the trunk.  Here is the finished project:



Ornament #2:  Silver snowflake

This was the easiest of the 3 to make.  It involved going to the craft store and finding some snowflakes that were already cut out and spray painting them silver.  Then I added a Christmas ribbon so they could hang on the tree.  Easy as pie!  I don't know why they have that saying - I don't find making pie that easy- anyway...  Here is the finished project:

Ornament #3:  Fabric Candy canes

This was a time consuming ornament because of the sewing.  Everytime I sew I usually take twice as long as someone else because I usually have the re-thread the machine - kids help me un-thread it ;), and I usually have to pick some stitches out because I am that good.  So I found 4 different fabrics that I thought looked good together and kind of christmasy and sewed a long line of them together.  I then used a template (this one was a cookie cutter) and cut out the ornaments.  I cut out another fabric for the back and started sewing.  I used a zigzag stitch of these so I would not have to turn them and stuffed the candy cane when I got to the top.  At the top I also added a ribbon to (you guessed it!) hang from the tree.  Here is the finished project:

I loved how these 3 ornaments turned out and I hope that when I come up with another idea for this year's party I can share it with you.  Here is some creative vibes to you this season and I hope I get some too.  Enjoy!



  



Candy Monogram on a Frame

Candy Monogram!

So I am loving the candy wreaths, presents, etc out in the blog world and so I knew that I wanted to make something using candy this year for a decoration.  What is cheaper right than running down to the dollar store and buying a package of peppermint candy?  This project used around a package and a half so the kiddos were happy because they got some candy out of the deal too.  Here is the supply list for this project:

Piece of cardboard (size depends on the size of the letter you make)
Frame
Spray paint or anyother kind of paint
Candy
Ribbon

I started out by freehanding the letter G to the piece of cardboard - that is why it is not perfect but oh well, I will tell myself that it adds to the charm ;).  Then I spray painted the cardboard letter lightly so the cardboard would not show through in between the candy.  Next, I hot glued the candy onto the cardboard letter.  Then I added a bow to the letter, and last I attached to a frame that I had.  I love the silver frame and how it accentuates the silver in the bow.  That is all!  I can't decide if I want to hang it on the wall or if I want it in the plate holder.  I am showing it in the plate holder. 

Cheap (total cost of $3 for me since I had the frame, cardboard, and spray paint on hand)
&
Easy!

Let me know what you think!  I love to get your comments! 

Burlap & Sweater Trees!

So I had 3 of the stryofoam cones left and I was thinking about what I wanted to do with them.  I saw an old sweater and an idea was born.  I love how the old sweaters can be upcycled into pillows, etc so I wanted to use it for a tree.  I wanted to do it in a group of three because that is a good number and so I needed to come up with another idea to cover the tree with.  So I came across an idea for printing on burlap and there was the other covering!  Here are the supplies that I needed for this project:

3 Styrofoam cones
burlap
old sweater
paper or felt for the pattern
stamp
ink
hot glue gun

I first traced a pattern using a piece of felt that I had and marked it to make a rough pattern for the trees.  I then cut out 3 of the patterns- 2 burlap and 1 using the sweater.

I then printed on the burlap using the stamp and ink making a pattern.  I did this on both of the burlap pieces.  I also had 3 snowflakes to use at the top of each tree and inked the edges of these also.

Using the hot glue gun, I glued the burlap onto 2 of the cones.  I then glued the snowflakes on the top.

For the sweater tree, I ended up sewing it on the top and sides so it would slide onto the cone.  Then glued the snowflake onto the top.  Here are the finished trees.   These are going to look great on a table or the fireplace mantle...I think. :)

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.....

Winter Wonderland Wreath!

With the arrival of snow in my neck of the woods it reminded me of Christmas but I knew that even though the stores are gearing up for Christmas it is a little early for me.  So I wanted to make a craft that could go through Christmas and be something that is not overly Christmasy (if that is a word).  This craft will work because it isn't over the top Christmas but says snow and winter to me.  I started with these supplies:

Cheap picture frame (without glass and backing)
Grapevine to make the wreath
wooden snowflakes
ribbon (red and gold tulle)
bells *which I found at the dollar store in a pack of 9

I started by forming a wreath using the grapevine to fit into the picture frame.  I used twine to hold the top in place and hot glued it at the top and bottom to the frame. 

Next, I tied the bells with the twine to the wreath using different lengths to add interest.  I then added some ribbons to the top of the bell.
Lastly, I painted the wooden snowflakes and hot glued them to the wreath.  I also added some of the honeycomb (brown color) of paint to the frame to distress it and make it look a little more interesting to me and added a burlap bow!

That's it!  Here is a picture of the Winter Wonderland wreath on my wall.  I love how it turned out and I might have to make some more to sell.  What do you think?

Enjoy your crafting!



Monster of a birthday!

So my baby boy turned one over the weekend so I was busy planning a party.  I love it when they turn one and they tear into the cake or get freaked out by it.  I was in the hospital last Halloween so this year I wanted to get into the spirit by throwing my baby boy a party with a Halloween theme.  What is more Halloween than Monsters?  Besides, He is my little monster!  So I used some ideas for decorations from other websites (pinterest is going to be the death of me) and his party was born. 

First, I started with the decorations!  I followed the idea of my mummy wrapped candy bar and wrapped a vase like it so It looked like a mummy.  Then I used some toliet paper rolls and with some scrap paper and googley eyes some monsters were born.  Last for the decorations that I want to show you was a mason jar that I wrapped in string and spray painted black with some halloween ribbon the tops.  This was also a idea from pinterest.  Check them out:

Next came the cake!  I let the kids pick out what their cake is going to be and then I attempt to make it.  Since my baby is only one then I make a small cake just for them and cupcakes for everyone else.  Going with the theme of monsters I created simple cupcakes with a royal icing decoration from the Ace of Cakes guy.  Sorry, I can't remember his name but they were darling and so much saved work for me.  The cake I made using a round metal bowl and then piped stars on it to give the monster a fur-like texture.  I added a marshmallow with a black dot using food coloring for the one eye and licorice for the mouth.  My husband told me to put the teeth with a space between them because our cutie has the same space in between his front teeth, this was marshmallow also.  The horns and arms were made by melting chocolate and piping it onto wax paper and then freezing it.  I then just put them in the cake.  Here are the cupcakes and cake:

 

He totally enjoyed the cake even after a scare with trying to grab the candle when it was lit.  I love their messy faces!  Hope you enjoyed your Halloween weekend and you had a 'monster' of a time.  Corny I know!