Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Decorative Cord and Mesh Placemat

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Would you believe that I discovered my next project from a Facebook Reel! In case you don't know, Facebook Reels are short videos designed for inspiring and showcasing creative projects in a fast-paced tutorial usually done in 60-90+ seconds like the one pictured below:         
I was really impressed with the design and I don't think I had seen anything like it before. I clicked on the reel to try to find out what the technique was called. But unfortunately, all it said was DIY table mats ideas. I also looked on Pinterest and saw lots examples of the technique - but still no real title for the "how to" design. Most were in foreign languages. So I'm going to share my interpretation of what I gathered with the title "Decorative Cord and Mesh Placemat." If you happen to know exactly what this technique is call, please let me know.

Hello and Welcome to this month's Creative Craft Hop co-hosted by Donna @Modern on  Monticello and Sara @Birdz of a Feather  who take turns every other month! The lovely and talented Donna is our host for this month! And if you're visiting from Donna's blog, wasn't her decorative pillows gorgeous! She  gets very creative with her Cricut!


What's so unusual about this project is the design of the placemat and how to create it. This technique starts with a beautiful, decorative design or template. And from there, among other things, cording is added to the design for an impressive appearance! Then it's all cut out for an awe-inspiring look that's quite eye-catching! The handmade placemat is perfect for joyous table settings, everyday dinner decor, home makeovers and unique DIY home decor! So here's how to turn ordinary items like window mesh and cord into wow-worthy table pieces that look expensive but aren’t!

Materials:

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! Plus Google Adsense provides a platform for me to monetize my content by hosting ads from Google's network of advertisers. The money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!


How To:
Start with a design you like. I can't draw a lick so I had to rely on one from the internet. I didn't want to use a design from someone else's project so I looked online in free clipart websites that I frequent to find one I liked and came up with this design to download, enlarge and print out:

 Unfortunately, the printout from my printer wasn't large enough for a placemat. Some who made this type of placemat suggested dividing the design into four equal parts, enlarging each part and printing them out separately. Then taping the pieces together to form the size wanted. Lazy me didn't want to do that so I took my design to a nearby Office Depot and had them enlarge and print it out for me. It costs $2.15 to get a 20"x18" print out of the design. In hindsight, I should have gotten a larger print since the 20"x18" was the size of the paper and not the size of the design. I didn't realize that until I picked it up. The design size still worked but I do wish it would have been a bit bigger. Lesson learned!

Next, lay a sheet of parchment paper on top of the design and tape together. You may need to tape an additional piece of parchment paper together for full coverage. Do this so the glue won't seep through the mesh and destroy the design paper when removing it.


Then place the mesh over the parchment paper and tape all the pieces down around the borders to secure.

Select an area where you want to start and add a short line of glue over the design and .  .  .
place the cord down on top of the glue to begin.
Continue adding glue, a small amount at a time so the hot glue won't dry out before adding the cord. Use straight pins to secure cord in place while drying.
Try not to cut the cord until you are finish gluing down the entire design.
It was fun to watch how the cord design came together .  .  .
a little bit at a time, until .  .  .
it's almost done!
Depending on the time of day and lighting, the color of the purple cord and mesh looks different in the pictures.
Just a few more decorative curves and .  .  .

you're done gluing on the cord!
Once you're finish with adding the cord and the glue is dry, gently remove the placemat design (mesh+cording) from the parchment paper and .  .  .

begin cutting out the design.
How cool and amazing does this look! Do you see why I love this technique so much?

Then enjoy .  .  .
using your decorative cord and mesh placemat with various items and .  .  .

places around your home!
It's always fun to try new projects and I hope you're inspired to try this one!

Up next is Sara, one of our fabulous host and very creative crafter @Birdz of a Feather  sharing her stunning Eyeglass Holder!

And be sure to check out all of our super talented bloggers and their amazing creations listed below:











Saturday, January 24, 2026

Upcycled Star Cluster Wreath

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Hello and welcome to our first "Do It Over Designers" Blog Hop of the new year! The "Do It Over Designers" is a group of creative bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/ DIY, hosted by  Anne @The Apple Street Cottage. It happens the 4th Saturday of every other month and it's all about taking something old and/or unused and 'doing it over' into something new. But this month Ann decided to have a theme of Out of the Recycle Bin for us to create anything from the recycle bin!


I often look online at upscale stores to see what's new and exciting and to get ideas! I love looking at the Terrain site (an offshoot of Anthropologie) where it is deeply rooted in nature, offering inspired seasonal solutions for creative living. That being said, I came across this Aged Iron Star Wreath there and really got inspired to make something similar!


Imagine transforming discarded materials like soda cans and an old clothes hanger into stars on a round wire base to achieve an upcycled star cluster wreath!  This DIY upcycle project not only allows you to repurpose old materials you may already have but also provides an opportunity to unleash your creativity and add a personal touch to your decor. You won't believe how easy it is to transform an old coat hanger and soda cans into a beautiful wreath that will become a focal point in your home. One that offers a year round appeal - versatile for lots of looks! From rustic, modern and farmhouse for an instant show stopping look! Perfect anytime when you want a decoration that's the "star" attraction! Bringing a festive, whimsical vibe to your home that shines year round! 

Materials Used:

  • Wire coat hanger
  • Nylon Jaw Pliers
  • Wire Cutters (heavy duty)
  • Stock pot
  • Clothes pins for clamping
  • Hot glue/Quick Hold glue
  • Soda Cans
  • Craft/X-acto knife
  • Gloves
  • Old craft scissors
  • Star pattern/card stock/pencil
  • Sponge brush
  • Metallic silver paint
  • Ribbon strip or cording for hanging
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! Plus Google Adsense provides a platform for me to monetize my content by hosting ads from Google's network of advertisers. The money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

How To:

Step One:  How to Make a Wreath Frame from a Wire Coat Hanger

First, untwist the neck portion of the hanger hook to open the hanger.
Then use your hands and a nylon jaw pliers to straighten the wire around as much as possible.
Cut off the curly section of the neck portion using heavy duty wire cutters.

 Once you've straighten the wire out as much as possible, wrap the wire around a stock pot - one pot large or small enough for the hanger wire to fit and bend into a circle.  Use clothespins to clamp and hold the wire around the pot into a circular shape to make the wreath form.

Secure the wire ends together .  .  .
First adding hot glue for a temporary seal then .  .  .
seal with Quick Hold (from the makers of E6000) for a super strong bond and faster set time. Let dry!
Step Two:  While the glue is drying on the wire ring, gather your clean, rinsed out, dry soda cans to make the Stars! 
Using a craft or x-acto knife, make a slice near the slanted rim of the soda can big enough for a scissor blade. Then, using craft or old scissors, cut around top to remove.
*CAUTION:  Be very careful handling the sharp edges of cut cans. You may want to wear gloves for this!
 Once the top is removed, cut through the length of the can to .  .  .
remove the remaining end. Finish sides by cutting off any slivers or jagged edges.
Smooth out the curve of the can by rolling on the edge of a table or countertop. 

I found two different star patterns online and printed them out on cardstock to trace the outline of the larger star template first and then the smaller star (not shown) with a pencil .  .  .                                   

to cut out.

Once all the stars are cut out, sponge paint the front side (wording) of the cut-out stars with a metallic silver color. The silver paint creates a "wow factor" by reflecting light, which can simulate a star's sparkle or add brilliance to a room that makes the wreath stand out!
You may need a couple of coats to cover the print.

The metallic silver paint matches the inside color of the cans - so no need to paint that side - only if you want to!


Once you have all the stars painted, it's time to glue them onto the round coat hanger base - attaching the larger stars first .  .  .





 then smaller ones, layering them to create a celestial cluster!


And finally, add a sparkling ribbon to tie on at the spot where the wire wreath comes together to hang!


I hope you love how this upcycled star cluster wreath adds a festive and personal touch to decor whether it's on the door, wall, mantel or anywhere in your home!

Before you leave, don't forget this is a blog hop and all of the designers have some amazing Out of the Recycle Bin projects to share with you.

Be sure to visit all of this month's creative projects by the 
 "Do It Over Designers"  listed below: