Holly Leaf Christmas Tree Skirt DIY

In keeping with my tradition of making a Christmas tree skirt every year, this year I was inspired by the tree skirt I found online at Pier1. 

I already had crushed velvet fabric (although not in the color pictured) I picked up last year to make velvet pumpkins.  That didn't happen so the fabric came in handy this year using it for my skirt. The tree skirt was quite easy to make and is really a no-sew except for the silver bells I tacked on the hollies. I chose to use wide metallic ribbon instead of fabric for the holly.  It was much cheaper and thicker than fabric and was available in the regular ribbon section at Hobby Lobby @50% off that day.


Materials used:

• 1 1/2 yds of crushed panne velvet (JoAnn)
• 2 rolls (18ft each) of 4" wide silver metallic ribbon (Hobby Lobby)
• 1 pkg Wonder-Under paper backed fusible web (JoAnn)
• Bells
• Holly pattern
• Scissors
• Iron

To get started,  I made a plain round skirt using the same easy and quick technique as before with my snowflake treeskirt  and my poinsettia treeskirt so I'm not going into any details here.

The  crushed velvet fabric doesn't fray so I didn't finish the back closing edges (keeping with the no-sew) and the round edges were covered and sealed by fusing on the holly leaves.

Next, I drew a very large holly leaf pattern on cardstock and cutout.  Then, I followed the directions for pressing wonder-under onto the ribbon, and after

drew 33 hollies on the paper backing. Each leaf was approximately 9 1/2 inches long and I was able to make 21 from a 18 feet roll of ribbon and 12 from the second roll.  

Once I had most of the hollies cut out from the first ribbon roll, I started ironing the leaves on the edge following the fusible web directions and the pattern of leaf placement of the skirt from Pier1. During the process of fusing the fabric onto the velvet, I added a line crease while the fabric was warm (using the back of an xacto knife) in the center of the leaf for a more dimensional look.  

(Sorry, it's been raining and gloomy for a few days so the coloring in the photos is a bit off)

And finally, I added three silver bells to the grouped leaves.

The skirt looks so glamorous at night under the lit white tree with the purple ornaments.

I can't decide which one I like the best of the three Christmas treeskirts I've made so far.   I do know Pier1 also has a matching mantel scarf - maybe I'll just start another tradition. Stay tuned!

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Linking To:  http://canarystreetcrafts.com/turn-shine-no-11/

Turn Dollar Store Buckets into a Christmas Wall Hanging In Less Than 10 Minutes

Transform dollar store buckets into a festive wall or door hanging in less than 10 minutes using two buckets, ribbon, faux evergreen, poinsettias flowers and bells.

Here how:

1.  Turn bucket bottoms up and punch holes in bottom (which is now top) using a large nail and or screw driver.

2.  Take a strip of ribbon, insert through top hole, into body of bucket and tie a double knot with a bit of the ribbon hanging.

 

3.  Tie bells onto portion of hanging ribbon on bottom.

4.  Place a small evergreen wreath (I used stems wired together to form wreath) on edge of bucket and decorate with holiday trim such as faux poinsettia stems and pinecones.

5.  Cover holes on top with an evergreen stem piece.

6.  Add the two decorative buckets together, leaving one ribbon longer than the other.

7. Gather ribbon at top into bow and add decorative trim.

 

 

How's that for a quick way to make a decorative holiday wall hanging!

 

 

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Holiday Crafting!

 

Dollar Store's Stacking Christmas Boxes Lighted Diorama

I love crafting with dollar store items. I found the cutest holiday boxes and thought how adorable they would be stacked on top of one another. And then, I decided to make the boxes into lighted dioramas using items from the dollar store.

Making dioramas is a wonderful way of creating holiday or themed scenes in a small space.
 

Here's how:

1.  I started with three graduated boxes and LED 10-light sets from the $ store.

2.  Then I cut out the front, leaving the tops on.

 

3.  Next, painted the red interiors white and then painted the sides of the boxes light blue. 

4.  Sprinkled white glitter on the wet paint for a sparkling snowy effect.

5.  Punched 10 random holes in the back using first, an exacto knife and then a small pair of scissors to enlarge the holes.

 

 

6.  Pushed lights into the back of the boxes and glued the battery packs to back.

7.  Added loose fake snowflakes on bottom and placed items around for a holiday-wintry scene.

 

 

 

 

What a fun way to display a holiday message.

 

 

These adorable lighted Christmas dioramas will add a holiday glow to any décor!

 

 

 

Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Holiday Crafting!

 

 

Rustic & Glammy Corrugated Snowflakes DIY

I love making snowflakes this time of year.  It's a craft that you can do during the winter months, not just at Christmas.  And you can make them out of lots of different types of materials. Twigs, hot glue, regular paper, cardstock, coffee filters, pipe cleaners, felt and other fabrics such as burlap.  You've seen the corrugated papers in the specialty paper section at your local craft stores - in the usual brown tone, glitter and even metallic.  But have you ever thought about using corrugated paper to make snowflakes? It's so easy and they look really pretty!

Here's how:

• I used 1 1/2 sheets of 12" x 12" corrugated paper
• Hot glue
• Paper cutter or scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Twine
• Triple Thick Embossing
• Glitter 

You will need to cut the following pieces from corrugated paper:   

                       1     - 12" x 6" pieces of corrugated paper
                       2     -   6" x 6"
                       4     -   4" x 3"   
                       16    -  2" x 3"
                       2      -  1" circles

Tightly roll your cut pieces with the ridges horizontal and hot glue the end.
(I had a piece of parchment paper on my work table and once I added the hot glue I pressed the rod down on the paper until cooled to prevent from burning my fingers). 

Next, I hot glued the 6" pieces to the 12" piece, pressing the rods firmly against each other until cool. And then glued each of the 4" rods in between.

 At first I glued a star-like pattern on the center where the rods met for stability, but after I glued the shorter rods on, I didn't like the way it looked and it also prevented me from wrapping the rods neatly with twine so I took them off.

 

 Glue your shorter rods on making sure you space them evenly and in the same direction. 

 

 I took some jute twine apart (very messy) and wrapped individual strands around each rod for a rustic look and stability and added a loop on one end for hanging and then glued round circles to the center, front and back.

 And finally, to give the snowflake a bit of sparkle, I painted Triple Thick embossing enamel onto the surface and sprinkle white glitter over it.

 

 Looks really pretty hanging.

 

 I also found metallic foil corrugated paper that made a cute "glammy" snowflake.

I added glitter balls on the ends and sprinkled glitter where the rods came together.

 

 As you can see the possibilities for designing and creating snowflakes using corrugated paper are unlimited.

 Have fun with making yours!

 Take a little time to enjoy

and

Happy Holiday Crafting!