Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Couple of Holiday Decor Ideas


It has been mild and raining; hardly the weather to start getting into the holiday spirit, but I have begun to pull out a few holiday decorations anyway.


It is always nice to do something a little different every year. I found these chandelier crystals at a flea market and thought that they might add a little sparkle to my standard arrangement of branches.


I was able to find a couple of shapes for a bargain price. To hang them I simply used the original wire.



I was rather sorry after the fact that I did not fill the glass jar with some white navy beans to make it a little easier to arrange the branches and hold them in place. It might be a good idea if you want to try a similar arrangement. 

I added a few glittery snowflakes, tied a ribbon on the vase, added a few sprigs of greenery and my arrangement of branches were done.


In the kitchen, I have tree with homemade gingerbread man. Unlike baked goodies, this gingerbread will last forever because they are made of wood. I can pull them out and use them next year as well.


To make them for yourself, pick up some wooden shapes at the craft store. (If you can't find the gingerbread men, try stars or any other cookie-like shape). 

Apply several coats of wood stain with a brush. (I used Minwax 'Puritan Pine' Stain for my cookies.) Wipe away any excess stain with a dry cloth.

Allow the stain to set and dry as per the manufacturers recommendations.

Then with a fine brush and some white acrylic paint, create the "icing" by painting fine line around the perimeter of the cookie. Add a smile, some eyes and a bow-tie.

I did not add a top coat of varnish, preferring instead a flat finish. If you prefer to varnish your project, apply a coat of which ever varnish the wood stain manufacturer recommends.


Today I will link this post to Tuesdays Around the World. On Wednesday, I will link to The Happy Homemaker's Post of the Month Club. Please click either of the links to see other interesting and beautiful blog posts.

24 comments:

  1. I love craft projects and homemade ornaments! I fill my Christmas vases with some Epsom salt to make it look like snow, particularly since we rarely have snow but I like the idea of using white beans too! Thanks for all the tips!

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  2. Great ideas! I just happen to have some crystals tucked away in a drawer! Also, I really love how you've used the little tins and boxes with ribbon...definitely pinching that idea! Your comment about trying to get excited about decorating in warm weather made me laugh. Welcome to my world!!

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  3. Thanks for the comments everyone. Karin, I love the idea of using Epsom salt to simulate snow! I will try that next year.

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  4. The crystals work well on the branches, I think I will be pinching that idea too. I like the everlasting gingerbread men, they look good on the tree.

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  5. Jennifer, you have gorgeous holiday arrangements here, much prettier than anything store bought. The gingerbread men are so cute, and much nicer than cookies since your work will last for years.

    Love the idea of hanging chandelier crystals to the twig arrangement. I just got done spray-painting some dried flowers and I think your idea would set off my arrangement, too!

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  6. Such beautiful ideas Jennifer. I love the crystals on the twigs and the burlap wrap at the bottom of the tree. So pretty.

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  7. What a beautiful seasondecoration you are showing. Over here the weather is not cold at all. Not the temparture for this time of the year. I have not the idea that we are close to christmas.
    gr. Marijke

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  8. I really do love your decorations! Such charm and not at all over the top or tacky. The boxed glass baubles remind me very much of ones my Mum had when we were children. Your gingerbread men are ever so cute and the crystal adorned twigs steal the show for me.

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  9. I love the simplicity of the crystal and branch arrangement! Did you spray the branches?

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  10. Great ideas Jennifer! I like the one about the navy beans to hold the branches and those gingerbread boys are wonderful. I made homeade gingerbread boys for all the children in my neighborhood many years ago, dressed them with frosting and put their names on them. Oh, to only have this kind of energy now!

    I went to a workshop at a nursery where they used little plastic crystals on birch branches in outside containers. I think your glass ones are so classy looking.

    Eileen

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  11. So sweet! Puts me in the decorating mood. Haven't had a chance to start yet! :) Soon I hope!

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  12. Fantastic decor. Love the little boxes and tins tied with satin ribbon. What a pretty touch for the kitchen...

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  13. Beautiful! You have given me the gift of spirit.

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  14. Cute ideas. I actually have some of those chandelier parts- now I have something to do with them. They were too pretty to throw away. I love decorating for Christmas and the kitties love climbing up the tree and knocking down the ornaments... luckily Sophie is a little too big to get too far up but Ellie is still going at it. Too fun.

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  15. Love the crystals in the twigs. I will have to keep my eye out for some while flee market hopping.

    Visiting from POTM club Happy Homemaker UK

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  16. Nice find on those crystals. They look great with the twigs. Your little ginger guys are cute too.

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  17. You just ooze creativity. Love all of your Christmas decor ideas!

    Thank you for linking up to Post Of The Month Club. It is great to have you there ;) XOLaura

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  18. Love your twig and crystal arrangement! The gingerbread men are so clever--I've made real gingerbread men for ornaments before, but as you say, they don't last. This is a great idea!

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  19. Okay, off to the dollar store I go to get some glitter paint. Your twigs are fabulous and I happen to have a bag full of old crystals hiding away in a back room somewhere.... Thanks for the inspiration.

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  20. I love your crystals, you can't beat a bit of bling! Your gingerbread men are great too! Enjoy your weekend, love Linda x

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  21. What an inspiring post! I love the crystals and the gingerbread men.. I think I'm going to need to get a bit more creative in my holiday decorating after seeing these photos.. :)

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  22. Thanks everyone for your comments. I put my branches and crystals in the dining room and they look just great against the red walls. Sissy, I did not spray the branches. I find affordable glitter branches are easy to find and so I go with the ready-made ones. Happy decorating everyone!

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