Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Non Traditional Christmas Tree

Pinterest is sooo bad.  It shows you pretty things that you become obsessed with and must have!  Such is the case of this years Christmas "tree"
 Saw it on pinterest and showed it to husband.  Husband says he could make it and off to Lowes we go.  Husband spends several evenings in the barn in freezing weather to make and paint it.
 Set it up in living room.  Figure out the wiring.  Then the fun begins.  More trips to the barn to get Dept 56 houses and several hours later............
 I have been collecting these houses for years but displaying them has always been an issue.  They take up so much room.  The collection outgrew the 4 x 8 table I had been using a few years ago.  So the last few Christmas' they didn't get put out.  Made me sad.  But now I have this great 5 tiered tree to put them on with room for more!
 Used a package of batting and one of stuffing too.


 Santa is saved for the top.  Here he is with his reindeer taking off from the north pole.
I guess I would call this a pin win!
Thanks to husband.
Diana

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Want to Change the World?

I've got to tell you about a new way my family is celebrating this holiday season!

Each year we look for some way to bring the light of Christ into Christmas by finding a charity or cause that blesses others.  This year we are going to do a service advent calendar that my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has made available called.....

.LIGHTtheWORLD
Each day you can find an act of service for that day, starting December 1 (today) through December 25, and also watch a beautiful video available HERE.  You can print out the calendar if you want. The acts of service are based on Jesus Christ's teachings and example.  Today's challenge was

 JESUS LIFTED OTHERS' BURDENS AND SO CAN YOU
(I'll warn you the videos are very touching so have some tissues ready)  You are also given examples of things you could do or choose something you think of yourself.  Either way it is a great way to remind ourselves each day to follow our Savior's example and turn outward during this time when so much emphasis is placed on material things.  It doesn't have to be some huge thing that you do, just a little kindness that lets someone know they are a person of value.  I hope you join the millions of people that will be changing this world, one act of service at a time!

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Mirror Makeover For Christmas

Wanted to dress up our mantel mirror for Christmas with a little vinyl.
Used a Silhouette file from the Silhouette store.  Added a few extra stars.  Super simple but in keeping with my desire to keep Christ as the center of  Christmas.
Diana

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Tea Towels For Christmas

Getting a few of my Christmas gifts done ahead of time!  I machine embroidered and sewed up about 11 tea towels.
 I did a few with the french utensils and a few with the rooster.  The material is bought by the yard and cut into towels.  The printed tea towel were made from fabric I got on spoonflower during the fat quarter sale a few weeks ago.
 This is definitely my favorite!  Love the pretty silverware.
So pretty......Hope everyone loves these towels as much as I do.
Diana

Friday, November 20, 2015

Santa Bag Using My Silhouette

Been spending a lot of quality time with my Silhouette lately.  Today's project is a Santa bag for a young family at our church.
 I used heat transfer flocked vinyl from Silhouette and a cutting file from Fynes Designs.  She also has directions for a bag!  However, I used my own pattern because I wanted my bag to have a round bottom.
The file took forever to cut.  I used double cut and blade set at 4 which seemed to work well for this material and file.
Using my iron worked but it was more time consuming.  I did have a 12x12 tile under the fabric to help increase the heat from the back of the design too.
  
My bag is tied with a ribbon and is stuffed with a few goodies for there family.  Can't wait to give it to them.
Diana

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Update on Dr Who Tardis Ornaments

Had so much trouble getting the vinyl to lay smooth against the glass ornament.  Found out if you hit it with a blow dryer or heat gun the vinyl magically flattens and is totally smooth!  So cool.
Diana

Dr. Who Tardis Ornament

Not easy to put a flat vinyl design on a rounded surface.  Enough said.

OK so not enough said.  So hard.  Never again.  Hated every minute of it.
Diana

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Wintery Deer Pillow

I have been seeing Heat Transfer Vinyl projects all over the net and finally got enough courage to try one myself.  I don't have a heat press (hint, hint, Christmas is coming!) so I had to use an iron.  Apparently you shouldn't use a sheet of glass as a base....... crack!  But other than that small problem it wasn't so hard.
 I used a Silhouette file for the deer image and pretty blue flocked vinyl.  The silhouette cut it out like butter even though it was very intricate.  Then I used my iron at the hottest setting (less than 300 degrees).  I also used a Teflon sheet between the iron and vinyl.  Less than 1 minute of heavy pressure and the vinyl was stuck.  I am not sure if this pillow would stand up to a washing machine but since it is a pillow not a pillow cover it should not ever see the inside of a washer.
Here is a closer view.  This pillow is going to my youngest daughter who uses a lot of blues and grays in her decor.  Hope she likes it.
Diana

Saturday, November 22, 2014

20 Minute BurlapTree Skirt!

I am all about quick and easy projects.  Maybe it is because my skill levels can be sketchy or maybe it is because I don't have the attention span of a toddler.....whatever my issues are I love to do crafts don't take a whole lot of time or knowledge.  If you can relate,  here is a project you will love!

20 minutes to cut out, sew and display......how is that possible?  Burlap.  And did I mention this skirt is also inexpensive!  I picked up some Christmas style burlap from Walmart (checking out took more time than it did to sew.....or trying to find someone in the fabric section to cut for me).  I needed one and a third yards of fabric (1 1/3) for the skirt.  I bought more fabric for a few other projects I hope to get to later. 
  Next I cut out a 44 inch circle using a string and some chalk for marking.  Cut out a smaller 5 inch circle at the center.  Cut a split down the back from outer edge to inner circle.  You can see that step better in a later photo.
 Now here is the easy part.  Sew a zigzag stitch all around every cut edge.  I did a 1 inch seam allowance but you don't have to be too picky.  If you use thread that is the same color as your burlap you will hardly even see your stitches.
 Attach some ribbon to the back.  (You can see that I got real fancy and hemmed the back slit but you don't have to.  Just zigzag those edges too)  Now pull at the edges, unraveling the burlap up to your zigzag stitch.  Trim any long threads and you are done!

 Here is a picture of the skirt under the tree.  You can see that the skirt has enough body to lay nicely over the tree stand.  Love that it matches the burlap ribbon I am using this year.  And yes the tree looks a little bare......I am still in the process of decorating it and am waiting til the snow melts so I can get to the barn for the ornaments.  

I am going to use vintage ornaments with the burlap for a different look this year.  It is also my first time to use an artificial tree.  Got this lovely at my local craft store.  I miss the smell of pine but it was so much easier to set up and I am not afraid of it falling over in the middle of the night.
Don't ask.....
Diana

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Using Peppermint Spoons to Make a Mold

I found the cutest peppermint spoons (Wiltons) for hot chocolate a few days ago.  I bought two boxes, one to give to a friend and one for us!  They were sooooo cute I thought I would use one spoon to make a mold so I could enjoy even more spoons!  Chocolate spoons, hard candy spoons, the possibilities are almost endless. 
 I used a food safe molding compound, followed the directions and within a few minutes I was able to press the spoon into the putty.  Be sure and mold the putty on the detailed side of the spoon.
 I waited a half an hour (got busy with something else and forgot about the mold.....oops) and then easily got the spoon out.  Now I have a mold that I can use when I have a need for an edible spoon--yippee!
This is the putty I use!  It is so great I always have a bit of it on hand......call me crazy but I get a little anxious if I run out. 
Diana

Monday, December 16, 2013

Easy Turtles

These dark chocolate turtles couldn't be easier and are so delicious!
Start by laying out four pecan halves in a cross pattern on foil or wax paper.  Heat some caramel until it is soft enough to spoon but not so hot that it is pourable.  Spoon a tablespoon of soften caramel onto center of pecans.  The caramel should slowly flatten into a smooth mound.  I melted some Bada Bing Bada Boom brand dark chocolate in a double broiler.  Using a spoon plop some chocolate on top and spread to cover the caramel.  Sprinkle a little sea salt on warm chocolate and let set in refrigerator until firm.  Sweet and salty, creamy, crunchy and chewy----yum!
Diana

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Tiny Advent Calendar

I needed to make a simple Advent Calendar for my son's boys and looked online for a cute little kit to put together.   Most of them needed to be assembled and knowing my woodworking skills I decided those were not for me.  I got this little kit at my local craft store and it was perfect for a quick and easy project.  It doesn't need to be put together, just decorated.  You can find it online here.
Here are a few hints to make your project go smoothly.  The boxes and frame are made out of cardboard (now don't read that as flimsy, it is quite sturdy) and have a shiny paper coating.  Glue is going to have a hard time creating a permanent bond.  Instead, use permanent red adhesive tape that you find at your craft store in the scrap booking section.  Now for the paper I used regular weight not cardstock but I don't think it matters much, I just found more patterns to choose from in the lighter paper.  To get the notch at the top just use a hole punch and it will be perfect.  Once your paper in on, sand the edges lightly and ink a bit too.  The kit comes with the number stickers!   Seriously, this couldn't be easier!  I think it is more fun to have the numbers count down to Christmas instead of counting the "Days of Christmas".  Just my preference.  This Advent Calendar is small and colorful and the drawers can hold a few chocolate kisses....... 
And it will fit in a box for mailing to those grandkids........  Just be sure and include the treats or you will be in trouble.
Diana

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Tiny Tart Pan Ornaments

  I can't believe the countdown has begun for Christmas already!
 I want my tree to have more white on it this year so I made 36 of these lovely ornaments over the last day or two.  I used simple mini tart pans (available here).  I gave them a light spray of white paint.  Using a tiny drill bit I put a small hole at the top of each pan.  A simple o ring went in each hole for easy hanging.
 Then I punch out circles and scallops from old book pages.  These were glued on the inside of the pans.
 Next came out my jar of old buttons and bottle caps.  I gave the caps a spray of bronze paint and then combined buttons, caps and tiny gems into pleasing groups.  They were then glued here and there.  A bit of glitter pen on the edges of the paper.....then a quick blast of glitter spray. 
 Finally I hot glued small bows at the top of each ornament.  So pretty.
Don't worry about everything being perfect.  These are so much more interesting if the tin shows through.  Think vintage and shabby.......  Now they will look so nice on the tree, mixed in with all our other ornaments.  Yeah!
Diana

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Christmas Handout

Just thought I would show a couple of small gift ideas that are great for children (think church or school).  This first one is a printable download from Laurie Furnell and it is free!  Instead of a knitted hat I did ear mufsf using pipe cleaners and pom poms.  We actually made kits for the kids at church to put these together for themselves!
Below is another handout I made for children at another church group.  Because I wanted these children to receive something more spiritual, I machine embroidered candy cane holders.  Each one took 15 minutes to make so be sure you give yourself enough time.  Since I made 28 it took 7 hours, but I broke it up over several days.  The download for this project was Embroidery Garden's Yahoo group and is free too! 
Both handouts went over very well but then who doesn't like the gift of candy!!!!
Diana

Peppermint Marshmallow Candy

Do you have time to make one more candy in time for Christmas?  I hope you do cuz these peppermint marshmallows covered in chocolate are to die for!!!!!!If you have never eaten a home made marshmallow you have been missing one of the best tasting treats on the planet.  So don't cheat and use store bought marshmallows.  You will be sad if you do......  I use a recipe from Martha (notice the first name basis, all be it one way, we are on).
After letting it set over night, I turned it out on a cornstarch and powdered sugar covered board.
Using a knife sprayed with Pam, I cut the marshmallows into about one inch squares.  Don't be too OCD about this, it is just candy not rocket science.
Then I melted some white chocolate from Chocoley which is a dream to work with.  No clumping, smooth and creamy without any wax added!  And it tastes delicious.
Each mashmallow is dipped in the white chocolate and allowed to dry with dipped side up.
After the white chocolate is set up, melt milk chocolate, also from Chocoley, and dip the other side of the marshmallow.  Be sure that none of the marshmallow is left without chocolate (either white or milk).
See what I mean about not worrying if the pieces aren't exactly the same size. 
Now just pipe some melted dark chocolate across the tops.  Now aren't you glad you made these!!!!  Diana