Christmas Ornament Garland

It's that time of year again! All of the stores are taking down their Christmas merchandise and replacing it with Valentine's Day decor. The best part about all of this?? Everything 
Christmas goes on sale! You can buy items to decorate with next year for CHEAP!

For this simple project I spent a minimum of $10. If I had waited a couple weeks, I could have spent less than $5!

I originally saw this tutorial on Pinterest, and I fell in love with the simplicity immediately!

What you will need:
1. Ribbon
 2.2 packs of Ornaments ... You can use any ornaments you wish! I chose to use the small ornaments that come in 50 piece containers at Michaels!
3. Scissors

 **Warning: If you choose to use glitter ornaments, here is your warning: The glitter does come off! I used an upholstery attachment on my vacuum cleaner to get it up!**

That's right!! Only three materials needed!

My finished garland was about 3 feet! If you want it longer you will need more and longer ornaments.

Step 1: Cut your ribbon to your desired length!

 It would be beneficial to go ahead and cut it longer than you think you will need. You can always cut off the excess at the end, but it is a little more difficult to add more if you cut it too short.

Step 2. Tie one end of the ribbon to the ring on one ornament top.

 Be careful as the caps are fragile and easily pop off! However, there is no need to fret! Just push the two prongs together, push them back into the top of the ornaments and make sure they catch! If you happen to have a "problem ornament" (like I did) and it keeps popping off, add a little glue and let it dry.

Step 3: Begin stringing on the ornaments in any pattern that you desire.

 There is no right or wrong way! Just slide the loops around the ribbon!

Step 4: Tie the last ornament to the last end of the ribbon.

Step 5: Set it where you wish and enjoy! This craft is so simple and easy! It looks amazing on the top of a mantle or on the top of a bookshelf! Be creative!

 If you choose to complete this project please send me pictures! Also, comment below with any obstacles or tricks you came across. I would love to hear how you made this project your own!

Quilling: Poinsettia

I just began quilling...as in yesterday I went to my local craft store and bought a beginning quilling set. I thought I would attempt a poinsettia. It is Christmas time and it is a festive Christmas plant! Let's begin.

What You Will Need: 
- 7 strips of red quilling paper (6 in)
- 4 strips of green quilling paper (6 in)
- 3 strips of yellow quilling paper (2 in)
-Quilling needle
-Craft glue
-Cardstock/other material to use as the poinsettia's background
-Fine tip tweezers

TIP: When sizing your paper strips, do not cut them. Instead, tear them. This gives the coils an almost seamless finish.

PROCESS: 

1. Starting with your red strips, one at a time coil them loosely. If you have the Quilled Creations circle sizer it is circle size 5. Dip the tip of your quilling needle or a toothpick into glue and secure the end of coil.

**Repeat this for all green and red pieces.

2. In order to create the petals you have to create a marquise. To do this, pick up a coil and pinch two points at the same time.

**Repeat for all green and red.

3. To make the middle points for the flower, tightly coil a yellow strip and glue. Do not allow it to unwind.

**Repeat for all yellow.

4. After you have all of your pieces made, it is time to assemble. This is where your tweezers will come into play. Dip a piece into glue and place it on background. Continue assembling your poinsettia to your liking.

TIP: I squirt some glue onto a sticky note or scrap piece of paper and use it to dip my pieces in. Then I tap off the excess glue, put the piece on the background, and use the back end of the tweezers to lightly hold my piecein place for ten seconds.

5. Glue the yellow pieces to the top of your plant.

These flowers would look beautiful on a homemade Christmas card!

If you choose to complete this project please send me pictures! Also, comment below with any obstacles or tricks you came across. I would love to hear how you made this project your own!

DIY: Glitter Ornaments

I love to make these ornaments around Christmas time! They are quick and easy, not to mention INEXPENSIVE! The initial purchase is a little more than subsequent purchases, but WORTH IT!

WHAT YOU NEED: 

1. Clear ornaments

2. Glitter

3. Pledge Florence Care - Floor Shine

4. Something to cover your work station
****Not pictured: funnel or piece of paper turned into a funnel.

SET UP: 
-cover your area to keep it clean.

PROCESS: 
1. Take off the little cap on the ornament.
TIP: BE VERY CAREFUL as the cap is made of very flimsy material and easily bends! If it does get bent NO WORRIES! Just clip it back to the ornament and reshape.


2. Pour a small amount of the Pledge into the ornament.
TIP: A small amount goes a LONG way!

3. Spin the ornament around coating the inside with the pledge. Hold it up to a light and you will be able to easily see the dry spots of the ornament.

4. Turn the ornament upside down on top of the Pledge and let the excess run out.
TIP: Do nor skip this step! If you do it will make your glitter clump up in the end.

5. Place the funnel into the top of the ornament.

6. Pour in the glitter!!! Place your hand over the opening and shake the ornament. You may have to add glitter to the ornament to completely coat it.

7. Knock out the excess.

8. Replace the cap onto the ornament!

I used vinyl and my Cricut cutting machine to decorate the ornaments! You could also use puffy paints or paint pens! Be CREATIVE! I added ribbon to the top of the cap as well!

If you choose to complete this project please send me pictures! Also, comment below with any obstacles or tricks you came across. I would love to hear how you made this project your own!

Let's Get Down to Business

  I have always loved anything that expresses my creativity. When I was younger I loved the little craft sets that people gave me with the friendship bracelets, paint sets and other jewelry making pieces. Today, I am a soon-to-be college graduate, who is to be married in June and I don't have a ton of money. I love watching videos online and of course I love Pinterest. What crafty woman today doesn't find joy in scrolling through Pinterest hours on end?!

     I have vowed to myself that I will stop "trolling" through Pinterest and actually complete some projects that I find! From paper crafts to quilting I will attempt what I can. Throughout my projects I will keep you informed of the accomplishments, failures and obstacles I come across. I will give my personal tips and I hope to learn some from you as well! 

    Enough about me.....LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!