12.10.2013

DIY Holiday Craft Decorations

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The holiday season has begun!  Two weekends ago, the tree in our house went up and the decorating projects went into full swing.  Having a new house, it made me want to change things up a bit.  I chose to stick with the color scheme in the dining room and living room; black, white, royal blue, and silver/chrome.  Here are some of my favorite projects that I completed this year.

Ornamental Tree Branches

To start the decorating, the mantel has been dressed up again similar to the way it was last year with a few chrome updates.  Its amazing the way a simple can of spray paint can make anything seem fresh and new. My frugalness couldn't let the can go unused.  In came the ornamental tree branches.

This is so simple and extremely inexpensive.  Just cut or collect a few twigs from a tree.  Because of the time of year, they will be leafless and bug free.  I chose small branches that stretched out in many different directions and could hold an ornament. 

Spray paint the tree branches with whatever spray paint color of your choice.  I used the chrome spray paint and some black that I had on hand.  I used gloves and held the twigs up to spray paint over a tarp. Don't lay them on the tarp to dry because they will smug.  I stuck them directly in the ground and they dried easily.  Just make sure you do this on a dry day with some sun to ensure they dry quickly.

Ornamental tree branches in vase

When dry, take the twigs and arrange them in a vase of your choice.  I had a chrome decorative vase that was purchased at TJ Maxx many years back.  Hang some colored ornaments from the colored tree twigs and voila, done.



JOY Letters

I keep seeing words spelled out on people’s mantels and fell in love.  Our mantel is not capable of being so decorative because of the gigantic television over the top.  That didn’t mean I couldn't make the letters for other locations. 

The letters are super cheap and sold at craft stores in various materials and sizes.   My letters are about 8” tall and made of a hard hallow paper.  While I was spraying my ornamental tree branches, I also sprayed the letters.  Wanting some diversity with the letters, the “J” and the “Y” were sprayed chrome and the “O”, black.  The “J” got a decorative wired bow and the “Y” was covered with a piece of clear plastic patterned paper. A few dots or glue and the clear paper stuck on the letter easily. 


No matter what color, word, or decoration; this is an easy sure to please project that will last you for many years to come.

DIY Outdoor Lighted Christmas Tree

Another easy DIY project, but this one is for outside. Tree lights and a tomato cage are all you need.  I wish I could say that I thought this up myself but the idea came from here.  Surprisingly, the local store still had tomato cages and in a variety of colors, so obviously I chose red.

I actually wrapped the cage in just the lights in the beginning, but made the decision to use garland and then wrap the lights.  Use some zip ties to hold the garland in place as well as keep the tops together.

The tops tend to look a bit unfinished so you can use anything you have that you might top a tree with. Just remember it goes outside and will need to handle the elements.  I used a bow made of wired ribbon that I had from previous years holiday décor. 

Peacock Feather Door Wreath

This beauty was done a few years back after my wedding.  I had tons of peacock feathers left over from my summer wedding and couldn’t just not use them.  Peacock feathers have the most beautiful colors in them and should be displayed for all to see.

First, spray paint a foam wreath base with a color similar to the feathers; such as a dark gray.  Next, use a glue gun to attach the feathers from their quill or rachis (main shaft).  Make sure they all go in the same direction and layered so you can see the eye of each feather.  There is not a need to cover the back, but go into the inside and far enough of the back so there aren’t any blank spots.

Peacock feather door wreath
I love this wreathe so much that I just ordered more feathers to make a second matching one for the second door in my main entrance.  Please don’t purchase the feathers from a craft store.  They are insanely expensive and only come in small quantities.  Amazon sells them in large quantities for a fraction of the price.  Just be aware, if you don't buy using the prime shipping option, you’ll have to wait at least over a week and a half for them to ship to you. You can buy a set of 25 peacock feathers at amazon for $14

I definitely had done tons more projects for holiday décor, but these were for sure my top choices to share with you.  What kinds of holiday projects did you do this year?

<3 mk





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