Recycling Old Ornaments - DIY Ornament Christmas Tree

I like to get new colored ornaments every year for our Christmas tree. An easy way to reuse ornaments is to make a DIY ornament Christmas tree. All you need is a hot glue gun, ornaments and spray paint.

Pick out ornaments that are the same size.

Hot glue them into circles

Build your tree up, use one less ornament for each tier. 

If you are not happy with the colors, you can spray paint your tree to coordinate with your current decor.

Enjoy!

Last Minute Thanksgiving Decor - Center Piece

It is important to keep you centerpieces low so that guests can see each other. I like to use items that can be eaten after the holiday. I bought a few acorn squash and a pound of mixed nuts at the grocery store. Make sure you use unscented candles for centerpieces. Scented candles may take away from your delicious meal!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last Minute Thanksgiving Decor - Thankful Tree

This is the perfect way to get your guests to contribute to your Thanksgiving decor. As your guests arrive, ask them to write what they are thankful for on a ready made tag. Then have them hang their tag on your tree. This tree would look great on a buffet table where guests can read all the tags as they wait for their food.

This tree is made with store bought branches but you can find your own branches in your backyard. I always have a can of spray paint hanging around, you can spray the branches to coordinate with your home decor.

Happy thanksgiving!

Me on Chet Chat October 2013

Halloween Decorations

DIY Halloween Window Silhouettes

This is a great way to creep out your neighbors and trick-or-treaters this Halloween. All you need for this project is black card stock, a pencil, scissors and tape.

Lay your card stock on the floor and have a friend lay on top so that you can trace them. Make sure to make nails longer. You can also add horns and long ears to your silhouette. 

Cut out your silhouette and stick them to your windows with clear tape. 

This one is in my bedroom and always creeps me out!

Enjoy!

Flower Pot Pumpkin

I love this pumpkin because you can decorate with it for Halloween, as well as Thanksgiving. You can make it into a table center piece or have it on your front porch. All you have to do is cut a hole in the top and clean out the insides. The better you clean it out, the longer it will last. Then you can pop a plant into it. I used mums because they are inexpensive and they bring in a lot of color. 

Enjoy!

Silhouette Pumpkins

I love these pumpkins because they show a different way that you can decorate a pumpkin besides the traditional carving. I also like that they last longer because you don't cut into them. You can make a whole new design for Thanksgiving. Follow the instructions below to make your own Silhouette Pumpkins!

What you will need:

• Black card stock
• Scissors
• Glitter glue
• Scrap booking squares  

Cut out some Halloween shapes from black card stock. Then used glitter glue to highlight some areas. 

Wipe off your pumpkin with a damp cloth to remove excess dirt and stick your shapes on. I used these adhesive scrap booking squares that I found at the craft store. I like them because they will make your silhouettes stand out and look more 3D

Enjoy!

Paint and Beaded Pumpkins

These pumpkins are a great example of how you can take dollar store merchandise and turn them into cute accessories for your coffee table or book shelf. I also love them because they will last throughout the season. Follow the instructions below to make your own.

Paint your pumpkin, I used black and bronze acrylic paint. A useful tip is to use push pins on the bottom so that the paint doesn't touch anything as it dries.

Paint faux leaves to match your pumpkin.  

Then you can embellish them with sequins and beads. I used clear drying glue to make them stick.

You can even make a black and gold pumpkin to support Saints football! 

 Enjoy!

DIY Wood Block Christmas Cards

I know it's early for Christmas cards, but you could use the same technique to make Halloween, Mother's Day, Thank you cards etc...  I like these cards because all you have to do is create one block design, which can be used over and over again with different colors. 

This is the kit I bought at a local arts and crafts store

Create your design on a piece of tracing paper

Transfer your image onto the wood block. If you are creating numbers or letters, make sure to transfer them reversed. That way, they will be the right way round when you print them

Carefully carve your design. I made an intricate design so it took a while. 

Once your design is all carved out, you can start printing!

Lay your block down so that the design is facing upwards. 

Lightly dab acrylic paints onto your block

Use enough paint to cover the block, but make sure not to get paint in the crevices

. 

Place a piece of card stock over the wet paint and use a roller to transfer the paint.

Let the paint dry. You can even use you block print on fabrics and walls. 

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Enjoy!

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