No-Sew Deer Antlers Napkin Ring

For crafters, it's never too early to start making Christmas projects.  Right now, the stores are stocked to the brim with holiday assortments and I'm slowly making my way around to see the fabulous displays and to find out what's trendy and inspiring before things get too picked over!
On a recent trip to Pier1, I found the cutest antler napkin rings made out of burlap and pom poms. 

Pier1 source

The antlers were stitched together but instantly I knew I could make one using fabric glue.  Check out how I did it!

Gather :

Antler template

Burlap ribbon - 2.5" wide

Fabric-Tac fabric glue

Poly-fil

Pom pom

Cabone wood 2" rings

Twine

Scissors

Hot glue gun

Skewer stick/clips

First, I googled antlers to find a pattern I could use.  I made adjustments to one that I liked and drew the following.  You can Copy and paste to Word or right click to save picture as, if you like. 

Next, I printed and cut out the pattern and used it to cut the antlers out of burlap ribbon.

Then, line up the way you want the antlers to look and carefully add Fabri-Tac fabric glue around the edges on one side. Leave the bottom clear of glue so you can stuff it. The glue can be a bit stringy and you might need to use the pointed tip of a skewer stick to keep it on edge. *Do not put glue anywhere else except on the edges. 

Press the top pattern to the glue side, first on the edges, laying it down carefully. Press down and around the edges making sure to seal. Allow to dry completely before stuffing.

 Next, after drying, insert the flat end of a skewer stick inside to make sure the antlers are open completely and then stuff with poly-fil.  Use the flat end of a skewer to push the filling into the round areas, being extremely careful not to open any edges. (like I did) If you open any edges, push in the filling, add more glue and use a clip to seal until dry. 

Once stuffed, clean up any excess glue and seal the ends with fabric glue.

I already had cabone wood rings from another project but you can find them at Walmart (5 for $1.54).

I wrapped twine around the wood ring, sealing the ends on with hot glue. 

Then, I hot glued the ends of the antlers onto the twine wrapped ring.

 And finally, glued on the pom pom in the center of the antlers for an adorable holiday napkin ring!

 Imagine your holiday table adorned with these cuties!

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Dollar Tree Mesh Tube Christmas Trees

OMG!  Imagine my surprise when I saw packages of mesh tubing, silver bells and chenille stems at Dollar Tree. I always had in mind to see how mesh tubing would work on cone shaped trees but didn't want to buy more of anything mesh since I had plenty of the regular kind and had really fallen out of interest in using it. But for a dollar, how could I go wrong.  And then I saw regular little bells - in packages of 50 and 25, depending on the size.  Wow, bells are not cheap in craft stores! And hanging next to them - glitter chenille stems!  Say what you want about the Dollar Tree but it's becoming my go to store for lots of craft items!

And I don't think you can make an easier holiday project using these items. here's how:

First, roll poster board (also from Dollar Tree) into a cone .  .  .

cutting off excess (side and bottom) to even out and taping side edges.

Secure end of mesh tube on bottom edge with hot glue, and begin twirling tube around cone, pushing the mesh tube down as you wrap.  Hot glue tube in place every few wraps.  *Mesh tube has a pattern of its' own so be sure to let the tube "relax" to its shape as you are wrapping the cone without stretching it.

You can tighten the top area when reaching and glue in place to finish.

I painted the next cone silver since you might be able to see between the tubing and wrapped it the same way.

Once the cone is wrapped with the mesh tubing, take a chenille stem and fold it into six points to make a star.  I know, a star has five points but you need an extra one to glue onto the top of the cone.

Pinch together each point and begin shaping chenille around to form a star.

Once you have the star shape, wrap the last two chenille pieces together to form a straight side. Make another, and glue the two together at the points for a fuller look.

Hot glue stars on top of the cones.

For the green tube tree, string bells on a string and .  .  .

wrapped them around the cone by tacking the ends on using a needle and thread.

Not bad for a few dollars!

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Holiday Crafting!