Crafts

Bird Seed Winter Wreath // Tutorial

22 · Jan 21, 2013 · 12 Comments

Bird Seed Winter Wreath // One of my favorite things to do since moving to Nebraska is watching the colorful birds outside my window. Las Vegas isn't really known has a habitat for pretty birds so I've missed them for several years. Here in Lincoln we have Blue Jays and every once in a while we even have a red Cardinal or two and I adore them! Over the Christmas break my girls and I were thinking of fun things to do and Hannah thought it would be fun to make some type of bird feeder for the birds during these cold months. I thought it would be fun to make a bird seed winter wreath.

Supplies Needed

Foam wreath form
Fabric strips
2-3 push pins
1 jar peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
Parchment paper
Bird seed mixture of your choice

Instructions

I happened to have a foam wreath form on hand so we decided to us it, but I was worried about the birds pecking at the styrofoam. We decided that we would wrap the wreath with strips of fabric to protect the birds.

The girls and I cut some scrap fabric into 2 1/2 to 3 inch wide strips and wrapped the wreath with them and secured the fabric with some push pins. Next we made a peanut butter and honey concoction. We took one small jar of honey and mixed it with about 1/2 a cup of honey.

The girls and I then place our wreath form on several pieces of parchment paper and started to cover the wreath with the peanut butter spread…

… and then the bird seed.

We found the parchment paper quite helpful when we were placing the bird seed on the sides of the wreath. Once we were finished we place the wreath outside in the cold garage to let it set a bit. Then after a couple of days we added a burlap bow and placed it out in our yard so that the birds could enjoy a little winter treat!

What are some fun winter activites that you like to do with your kiddos? We're actually having a ball living in a place with a real winter so we would LOVE some new ideas!

Santa Candy Jar with Styled by Tori Spelling

1 · Dec 17, 2012 · 1 Comment

Looking for a quick last minute Christmas goodie for your friends, neighbors or teachers… Here’s a cutie last minute gift a Santa Candy Jar, that’s high on wow with Styled by Tori Spelling and yet, super easy to make!

I’m always looking for fun and easy gifts for those special people in my life and this one is too cute. Here is what you need to make this fun candy jar…

Supply List

Large Mason jar
Krylon Cherry Red Gloss spray paint
1 1/2 inch black ribbon
Styled by Tori Glitz Pendant
White yarn
Clover Pom-Pom maker
Hot glue

Instructions

First thing you need to do is paint the lid of your jar with the Krylon Cherry Red Gloss…

I wrapped the jar in a plastic grocery sack and then screwed the lid on, right on top of the bag. It was perfect! Then I sprayed the lid with slow even strokes using my spray paint trigger. Let the lid dry for a few hours. It will be “dry” after about 10 minutes or so, but will need time to cure.

While you are waiting for the paint to dry, you can make the pom pom for the top of the lid. I used a few different types of white yarn and some Divine Twine bakers twine to tie it off for mine…

I used the handy Clover Pom-Pom maker to make the perfect pom for the top of Santa’s hat. If you haven’t used the Pom-Pom maker before you should check out this video on how to use them. They are fabulous!!

Next, I measured out my ribbon and and prepared my pendant…

If you want your pendant to lay totally flat, you will need to take some needle nose pliers and with a little muscle, break off the hook on the back of the pendant. Then use your hot glue gun to glue the ribbon onto the jar along with Santa’s belt buckle (the Styled by Tori Pendant.)

Now, all you have to do is top of the “hat” with the pom-pom. Tack it down with a little bit of hot glue and you are good to go. Fill the jar with some red candy and your Santa Candy Jar is good to go. Include a nice little note and your friends will adore you!

It’s so pretty, you may find that it stays out for display for the entire season!

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DIY Winter White Wreath Tutorial

129 · Dec 11, 2012 · 26 Comments

I just can’t help myself… I love this style of wreath. I love how full and rich it looks when finished. Thus far I’ve made two different versions, my Candy Corn Wreath and my Candy Cane Wreath from last year’s wreath tutorial.

This year I made a simple yet stunning Winter White Canvas Wreath that I can use throughout the year…

I love a good thick wreath full of rich colors and textures. I think they are always a fabulous winter statement piece for anything from a front door to a fun vignette like this one I created for Christmas this year.

This wreath is super easy to make, it just takes a little time. Here is what you will need…

Supply List

Foam wreath form
16 inch floral wreath form
3 yards of winter white canvas or duck cloth
550 white head quilters pins
Cutting mat and rotary cutter

Instructions

Cut your canvas into 3 inch strips and wrap the wreath form with a few of the strips of fabric to cover the Styrofoam. Use some pins to pin the fabric down at the end.

Cut the remaining fabric into 3×3 inch squares. You don’t need to be super precise, this wreath is very forgiving. Fold a square in half and then half again and then pin to the wreath form.

You don’t need to make these little squares very precise either. Actually, the messier they are, the better the wreath will look.

Now… grab a Diet Coke and a good movie (I watched on of my favorites, White Christmas) and go to town…Continue to fill in the wreath, packing them pretty tight.

I really used every speck of the 3 yards of canvas for this wreath and it looks so rich and full, I ADORE it!!

Now, this wreath is a bit of an investment (I totally get that) So… I plan on creating fun ways to dress it up throughout the year to make the investment of time and materials worth it.

Here is what I did to accessorize it for Christmas…

I added a cute little house ornament from the Target holiday collection along with some vintage jingle bells that I found at Old Glory Antiques in Denver, and a little frosted berry sprig.

I pinned the bells to the back of the wreath, tucked the berries into the folds of fabric and set the house on the wreath.

This is perfect for indoors, If you were going to use the same accessories for outdoors, I would secure it a little better.

To hang the wreath, I use the little pocket created when wrapping the foam base with the fabric…

It actually works quite well with the stiff canvas fabric. Don’t worry about all the strings from the fabric. After a little bit of time and grooming they settle down and you don’t even see them.

This week I am giving away an elegant holiday décor kit from the Sterling Pear, that’s where I found those amazing stocking hangers from my faux mantle. Make sure you head over to enter the giveaway!!

I will also in a future post teach you guys how to make that fun Rudolph sign that I created using my favorite Rhonna Designs digital artwork!

That one is going to be really fun!! Some great Silhouette tips and tricks I can’t wait to share! So… Enough about me, what have you guys been working on? Any fun Holiday projects you’ve been working on? I would love to hear about them!

Christmas Cinnamon Garland

7 · Nov 27, 2012 · 20 Comments

A few years ago my husband and I had the opportunity to take our girls {the little guy wasn’t around then} to Germany and France for the month of December. We couldn’t have planned the timing any better. Christmas in Europe is something everyone should experience. Wishing that everyone could have the experience without the hefty fees involved, I thought I would create something that will help bring some of the German Christmas spirit into your home.

In the German Christmas markets they sell the most amazing gingerbread cookie creations and I’ve always found the designs so inspiring. I thought it would be fun to create a gingerbread cookie inspired garland to dress the home up for Christmas…

The fun thing about this garland is that it’s made out of the classic cinnamon and apple sauce mixture that just makes your home smell like heaven. Here is what you will need to make this garland for your home…

Supplies for the Cinnamon Garland

4 oz. cinnamon
3/4 cup apple sauce
drinking straw
Wilton snowflake cookie pan
chalk pencil (found in the art supply section)
baker’s twine
yarn

Instructions

In a bowl, mix the cinnamon and apple sauce into a dough like consistency. If it’s too thin add more cinnamon or vice versa.

Knead the dough together into a ball then pinch off small gumball size pieces and press them into the snowflake cookie pan.

Using a drinking straw, place holes into the cinnamon ornaments. One at the top if you want to use them to decorate the tree or gift box. Two holes if you would like to string them on a garland.

Place in a 350 degree oven for 2 hours or until completely dry. Keep and eye on them so they don’t burn.

Once they are completely dry, take the white chalk pencil and color in the raised snowflake designs. This idea was a happy accident when I was trying to figure out the best way to have the cookies look like they have been dusted with powdered sugar. The chalk works PERFECT!!

Next, all you need to do is string it onto the baker’s twine and yarn to make the garland. I used a red and white baker’s twine along with a solid red yarn for my garland, but you can use whatever you like.

Now you can use it to dress up your home for the holidays and not only will it look fantastic, it will make your home smell amazing!

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Supplies for the Cinnamon Garland

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