Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Gnome Wine Bottle Gift Wrap

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Welcome to the November Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop hosted by Alexandra @ EyeLoveKnots  If you aren't familiar with the Pinterest Challenge, it's a monthly event that challenges us to not just be pin hoarders, but to make it happen by creating a few of the pins we love! This month's challenge is Creative Gift Wrap!

Gnomes are so trendy and popular right now. You see them everywhere! And it's very fashionable to give wine as hostess gifts during any season but especially for the holidays. But who wants to show up with a plain wine bottle for a festive occasion?  Why not present something you've made that would be the talk of the party and a wonderful conversation piece just by combining the two trends -  by gifting a wrap a wine bottle as a gnome! 

A gnome wine bottle gift wrap is the perfect solution to a plain wine bottle gift and only takes about 10 minute to put together using a pair of socks. I was inspired to make one by this pin. It's a fun way to give two gifts in one - a pair of socks, one sock for the gnome hat while tucking the second sock into the sock hat for support, and of course, the wine!

Materials Needed:

·         Thick Christmas socks w/cuffs

·         A bottle of wine

·         DT Microfiber duster/mop pad

·         Round wood ball

·         Hot glue 

·         Scissors

·         Rubber band


1. Begin by cutting the backing of the microfiber pad (fur) to the width of your bottle, shaping into a beard with scissors.

2. Glue the fur to the bottle using a hot glue gun - holding it in place until glue dries.

3.  Stuff one sock with the other sock rolled up.


4.  Gather the tip of the stuffed sock and wrap a rubber band around the sock tip creating a ball. Adjust sock to shape and curve slightly at the top of the bottle.

5. Then pull the sock down over the neck of the wine bottle stopping at the beginning of the beard - making sure the heel is in the back.

6.  Glue wood ball onto the center of the fur for the nose. 

How cute is this! And created in ten minutes or less!

For more Pinterest inspired projects from this month's Pinterest Challenge hosts, check out the links below ↓

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Monday, November 8, 2021

Veneer Wood Edging Christmas Star

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 One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making new decorations each year. Don't you just love making your own crafts for Christmas!  I recently completed a round-up of ornaments I've made through the years that you can find here. And I love making all types of holiday decorations, too! 

Stars are very popular for most seasons and especially at Christmastime. And guess what?  I've got a unique DIY Christmas star that's amazingly easy to make and quite versatile - which fits in perfectly with this month's Blog Hop Challenge - Christmas Crafts - hosted by Beverly @Across the Blvd! 

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! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

You won't believe how simple it is to make using the following materials: 


Let's begin by measuring and cutting out ten veneer strips 10.5" long. You can make the star larger just by increasing the length of the strips.
Next, take one strip and cross the left end side over the right end side creating a loop. Cut the left side end at an angle matching the edge of the right strip, as pictured. Glue ends together creating a "V" shape using a quick grab glue such as RapidFuse.  I tried using hot glue, but it didn't stick well and melted the wrong side of the wood veneer which has glue embedded in it since it's a pre-glued iron on veneer edging.

This loop with be the first point of the star.
Then make four more just like the first one to create five points. Next, arrange the points into a star shape and glue together at the sides. Use clamps to hold in place until glue dries.
Glue together the remaining veneer strips for a second layer to add dimension and let dry. Then arrange one star on top of the other, staggering points between. Glue together where edges meet in the center.
Add a decorative embellishment to the center if you want.
Not sure where I'll be using this star for Christmas. But there're so many possibilities!

And the star reminds me of the mid-century modern design (1945-1969) or art retro look which is typically characterized by clean, simple lines. 
Don't you just love it!
          Attach, hang or use as a centerpiece for a stunning holiday display!
For more lovely handcrafted Christmas crafts, be sure to check out all of the links below:

Beverly Across the Blvd  Easy Dollar Tree Spoons Craft for Christmas 

Gail Purple Hues and Me Veneer Wood Edging Christmas Star

T'onna Sew Crafty Crochet Crochet Christmas Table Runner

Marci   Stone Cottage Adventures Re Vamping Old Ornaments for a New Theme 

Michele Coastal Bohemian Copper Pick Up Truck w/ Christmas tree

Allyson Southern Sunflowers Cheap and Easy Christmas Joy Craft

Julie Sum of Their Stories Upcycled Cotton Reel Table Place Setting

Vicky Vicky Myers Creations Christmas Star Craft

Terri Christmas Tree Lane Mason Jar Christmas Candles






Wednesday, November 3, 2021

My DIY Christmas Ornaments Round-Up

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This is a 2022 update from a previous post that includes my latest ornament creations.

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! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

It's that time of year when we're  thinking about or actually decorating our Christmas trees and making ornaments for them. I love making handcrafted ornaments and created a  round-up of some of the ornaments I've made from years past. Thirty-six of them, in fact!

Here, you will find fabulous handmade ornament tutorials - everything you need to create the most beautiful, one of a kind, unique ornaments for your tree! So get ready to transform your Christmas tree with these impressive ornament creations!

Check out my awesome ornament tutorials by clicking the titles below from the four groups:

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Easy DIY Polka Dotted Purple Pumpkin

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When it comes to polka dots, it's always a favorite design to use from fashion to home decor! It's such a versatile pattern seen just about anywhere and in any season. Polka dots can add an exciting touch and spectacular accent to any design making them perfect for decorating pumpkins too! Did you know that there is a highly sought after Japanese pop artist - Yayoi Kusama - well known for her obsession with polka dots and pumpkins in her works, like this one pictured?

And you know what? During this time of year, we've become obsessed with decorating pumpkins! I love polka dots too, but have difficulty creating them with a paint brush. I can't paint a lick! Lol! But you won't believe how easy it can be to add polka dots to a pumpkin using - have you guessed it yet?  Circle stickers! Yes, circle stickers!

Take this pretty purple painted pumpkin:
And start adding white circle stickers!
Randomly, of course! Making this as easy as possible!
Until you're satisfied with the look! But of course you'll satisfied! It only took five minutes to complete! But wait .   .   .
I have to put a bow on it!
What a fabulous look! 

If you're interested in how I made the other two pumpkins, check them out here and here!

Happy Crafting!

Thursday, October 21, 2021

DIY Sparkling Beads and Pearls Pumpkin

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Don't you just love looking online for inspiration these days! Who doesn't enjoy creating a good hack! I love looking at upscale sites to see what my next project might be.  - take a look at this pumpkin I found at Z Galleria.  
It's topped with mounds of glitter, pearls, beads, sequins and glittery leaves! How cool is that! And everybody loves decorating pumpkins! I'm partial to making the fancy kind like I did here, here and here. All glitz and glamour! 

But I've never done one with beads and pearls. Until I saw the one at Z Galleria!  And I have lots of faux pearls and beads in my stash, too!  Perfect for this months' Creative Craft Hop, hosted by Sara @Birdz of a Feather! 
If you're coming over from Sara's wasn't her Crochet Plant Hanger fabulous!
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! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

Materials Needed:
Let's begin by painting the entire pumpkin including the stem, white using chalk paint.
Next, apply mod podge along the top and sides in a drip pattern.
Sprinkle lots of glitter over the mod podge .  .  .
and let dry.
Next,  put a mixture of beads, pearls and mod podge in a bowl and stir together. 
And spread the mixture all around the top and sides of the pumpkin. Let dry.
Add additional pearls and beads around the stem and pumpkin where needed using hot glue. be sure to use different sizes of faux pearls and crystals for dimension.

Doesn't this pumpkin look chic and lovely!
Cut out a free online copy of a pumpkin leaf template and lay it on top of a strip of wired ribbon.  
Cut out the ribbon leaf and remove the side wire ribbon hems to glue on around the leaf. Then attach stem wire to the center of the leaf with glue. Use the round handle of a utensil .  .  .
to curl the stem wire .  .  .
for a decorative effect.
Attach leaves and curled stem wire near pumpkin stem with hot glue.





Next up is Rachelle @My Hubbard Home, sharing her gorgeous Fall Leaf Jar Candle Holder!

Be sure to have fun and get inspired with all of the wonderful creations offered this month by clicking on the links below!