Dec 3, 2014 |
I love pine cones. They’re fresh, woodsy, and versatile. Most stores sell them in bags, or if you have neighbors with pine trees, you can ask them for the dropped cones.
Next to my Nutcracker Village, this is one of my favorite Christmas decorations.
A display of pine cones brings a touch of the outdoors inside, and adds a splash of color to any Christmas shelf.
Pine Cones in a Sleigh
This craft is extremely easy. You’ll need:
- A display container
- Pine cones
- Garland or other decorative filler
- Spray paint
- Newspaper (optional)
Start by selecting pine cones that are sized for your container. You can use a decorative item like a sleigh or basket, or you can paint a shoe box or other container.
If you’re using fresh pine cones, I recommend putting them upside down or sideways on a cookie sheet in the oven at 200 degrees for approximately twenty minutes. After removing from the oven, let cool then carefully tap them. This will remove any seeds and tiny bugs that might be hiding.
Once you have your cones selected, lay several them out on a newspaper or plastic sheet, and spray paint. Allow them to dry for at least 24 hours.
Depending on the size of your container, you may want to crumple some newspaper to put under the cones and garland. This will add height and dimension to your display.
Arrange the garland/filler and top with your painted and unpainted cones.
Display of Pine Cones in a Sleigh
You can add candy canes, jingle bells, winter flowers, or whatever holiday decor works best with your other decor.
The price will range, depending on your container, garland/filler selection, and how many cones you paint. Try different cone sizes. Sprinkle with holiday glitter. Top with a small Santa doll. Make it your own.
However you decorate this season, I wish you a Merry one!
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
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Dec 2, 2014 |
Sounds simple, right? But until two years ago, I didn’t know how beautiful such an idea could be.
Holiday Candles on the Mantle
The local dollar store or thrift store is a great source for inexpensive supplies.
- Votive glasses
- Decorative stones
- Platter or tray
- battery votive candles
I found this great candle, tray and stone set two years ago for $14. I just had to add the candles. Since then, I’ve seen similar product at dollar and thrift stores, but I prefer the great selection at craft stores. Choose your product with whatever color scheme you like. Pink glass on a long silver tray. White glass on a circular white plate. Red and green glass on a gold square. Place the battery candles into the votive glasses and arrange them on the tray with the decorative stone. Although the battery candles are a little expensive ($20 for twenty-four), they last quite a while and won’t scorch the glass.
Candles on the Mantle
It makes a great table-topper or mantle decoration.
Bedford Manor: Christmas on a Budget
They also make great hostess gifts, as you can easily put together your own with as little or as many candles as you want.
For a child’s craft, select clear or solid frosted votive glasses and help them apply Christmas stickers to the outside, then coat with a clear protective gloss or decoupage glue.
Happy Holidaying!
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
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Dec 1, 2014 |
A few weeks ago, Dot surprised me by crafting this wonderful piece.
Autumn Wreath by Dot
The colors are subtle yet attractive. It’s the perfect fit for our Italian Coffee House color scheme at Bedford Manor.
I haven’t crafted for quite some time. Around here, we’ve been deep cleaning and decorating and working and writing. Feeling very productive. But there’s something about crafting that soothes my soul.
And Dot knows it. So on Black Friday, she surprised me by taking me to Hobby Lobby with a $20 budget. At first, I didn’t know what to do. There are so many wonderful options! I did know, rather than buying decor, I wanted to make something.
Hobby Lobby is a great store. Each week they have a 40% off coupon which you can get by email or a smart phone app. And they always have amazing sales.
With less than $20 and thirty minutes, you can make your own wreath from start to finish.
You’ll need:
- a natural wreath
- two complimentary stems, flowers, or other flora
- embellishment
- hot glue gun with extra glue sticks
- heavy-duty scissors or wire cutters
Sort your crafting product and keep everything within easy reach.
Cardinal Wreath Ingredients
Ladybug Wreath Ingredients
If it’s important for the wreath to have a “top”, make sure you decide which part of the wreath that will be, then mark it so your work isn’t lopsided. I glued a penny to the back of my wreaths.
Penny on Wreath
Separate your stems as necessary. Most pull apart but some are wired and require cutting. You can also shape most to contour to the frame of the wreath.
Shapely Flora
Working with one flora at a time (the greens), carefully glue the end of the first stem then gently push it into the wreath. Work your way around the wreath until the full circle is lightly covered. Then take the second flora and glue them in place as well. You may need to re-glue some pieces as you go along. Finally, add your embellishments. Larger embellishments sometimes come on a twining stem, which is useful for wrapping around the flora to keep it in place.
When you’re finished, gently remove any residual strings of glue by pulling them off the wreath. If you like, string a long ribbon or hang with an over-the-door hanger. I left mine as is, to let the recipients decide how and where to best display their gift.
The end result is a craft that you’ve made yourself, and can customize for your home or someone else’s.
Cardinal Wreath
Ladybug Wreath
And now, finally, it’s beginning to look … well, you know.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
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Feb 5, 2013 |
Y’all know how I love Pinterest, right? I mean, every time I start a new board, you’re the first to know about it!
A few months ago I started Pinning Mason Jars. How to decorate them. What to do with them. Things to put in them. I’m in Mason Jar Nirvana!
My first post was my Feta Tomato Spinach Salad in a Jar. Remember this lovely, delectable delight?
Thanks to Pinterest and other Blogs I follow, I found some delightful easy crafts. This weekend I tried my hand at making my own kind of kitchen air freshener.
In less than five minutes from start to finish, this craft was completed.
First, gather the necessary materials: Mason Jar, scrapbook paper (or any decorative paper), pen, scissors, small nail, and soft mat/cloth.
Materials
On a flat surface, trace around the lid. It’s okay to keep the paper face up so you can see where you’re placing your circle.
Positioning the Lid
Tracing the Circle
Next, cut the circle out. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The edges will be hidden under the rim.
Put your scrapbook circle on the soft mat and using the small nail, carefully punch holes through the paper. Get creative, make designs! Punch enough holes to allow air flow. If necessary, use a bigger nail.
Hole Punching
Fill your jar with your favorite aromatic blend, cover with paper and rim.
My kitchen now smells like fresh ground coffee even when the Keurig isn’t brewing!
Fresh Ground Aroma
Experiment with your favorite fragrances: fresh-cut herbs. Potpourri. Leftover candle wax. Essential oils. Whatever scent makes you smile… smell and smell again.
How sweet is that?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 27, 2012 |
KLUTZ Review
“Mom. We haven’t watched TV at all tonight.”
How great a statement is that?
Dot and I spent the evening crafting with our Klutz books. Earlier, she and her friend Megan reviewed MINI CAPSTERS JEWELRY for me.
Mini Capsters Jewelry
We’re a crafty bunch.
KLUTZ donated four of their craft books for our review; and they’re just waiting for one lucky reader to win a set all their own!
KLUTZ Assortment
MINI CAPSTERS JEWELRY, FASHION FORMS, WICKED COOL FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS, and BEADED BANDS.
Here’s what we loved about the KLUTZ books:
- They’re fun. Not in an oh-what-a-nice-way-to-spend-a-few-minutes way. But in an oh-my-gosh-this-is-so-much-interactive-fun-look-how-creative-we-are way.
- The guidebooks are just that: Guides. You can totally change up the colors and mix designs. Whichever book you’re working with, your project is Your Own.
- They’re all inclusive. Nearly everything you need (except scissors and maybe a little extra glue) is included. The products store neatly within the covers.
- The variety of projects is astonishing. We’ve had KLUTZ books for making Fairy Dolls, Nail Art, and an assortment of jewelry making.
- The directions for each project and book are detailed, illustrated, and very easy to follow. There’s no confusion as to what this means or how that reads. It’s very easy, which makes for a much more enjoyable crafting experience.
- If you run out of supplies, you can either visit your local craft store or order extra supplies from Klutz online.
Here’s what we didn’t like:
- The included products don’t always come in our favorite colors. The Beaded Bands that I worked with was limited to blues, browns, and oranges. I’ve never been a big fan of blue but I have to admit, I’m quite happy with the finished product.
- With Fashion Forms, the paper was double-sided. Which means you have to decide which pattern or color you’d like to use. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s both and there’s not enough to make two complete outfits with one sheet of paper.
- Some of the books and projects are more suited to smaller, pre-teen fingers. My adult fingers didn’t always cooperate when threading tiny beads.
- With some projects, the work seemed a bit tedious. Dot wasn’t thrilled with all the tracing and cutting she needed to do in order to complete one Fashion Form. But once she got the hang of it and saw her first finished project, it was worth the effort.
Having said all that, the Fun definitely wins out, no matter which KLUTZ book you’re crafting with. And since a picture’s worth a thousand words, here’s our Statement for KLUTZ:
MINI CAPSTERS: Choosing a Size
MINI CAPSTERS: Pages of Designs
MINI CAPSTERS: Finished Projects
WICKED COOL FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS: Unique Techniques
WICKED COOL FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS: Baubles and Beads and Charms; Oh My!
FASHION FORMS: Templates
FASHION FORMS: First Project
FASHION FORMS: Pretty Papers
FASHION FORMS: Final Runway
BEADED BANDS: Small Beads. Big Effect.
BEADED BANDS: Finished Project
We each had our own favorite KLUTZ book. Mine was the Beaded Bands. I’m already thinking of different color combinations and bracelet styles to keep making these for Dot and myself. Dot’s always been interested in fashion, so the FASHION FORMS is her pick. With a little bit of scrapbook paper and craft-store embellishments, she’ll have plenty of runway-ready projects.
Want to share the fun with some girls on your Christmas list? Or maybe you need a little creative vacation of your own. Puh-leese. Would I even post this if there wasn’t a way for you to win it? You can always count on me!
Just follow the links in the Rafflecopter entry form below. Just like KLUTZ, it’s just that easy!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
