Seasonal & Holiday Decorating

Handmade Holidays: Clay Critters

Published on December 12, 2011October 9, 2012 by Our Humble Abode12 Comments

We’ve been at it again. Making Christmas ornaments, that is. Jeesh, get your mind out of the gutter. Haha. This time, I’ve strayed away from glass balls and moved toward polymer clay. I had one package of white clay waiting to be used. Christmas is the perfect time, I guess. I don’t have a real tutorial for these because I was fiddling around while watching Bones one evening. By the way, is anyone else in love with Booth? Anyway, I crafted an owl and a penguin.

Then, while browsing Pinterest, I saw a cute polar bear ornament. Sadly, it had already sold and there wasn’t another like it. I decided to make something similar. Once I was happy with the little guy, I bent a piece of wire to make a loop and stuck it in. Following the instructions on the package, I baked the clay for about 45 minutes.

(I’ll explain the other items soon).

After the ornaments cooled, I started the fun part, painting. I gave the polar bear a coat of pearl white paint for a little shimmer. And here’s the crew now:

And on the tree:

Doesn’t the penguin look like Wheezy from Toy Story 2?

{image via}

All he needs is a red bow tie. But, the polar bear is my favorite, despite being wonky and lumpy.

Vincent and Everett love these guys, too. They pull them off the tree to carry around. All day.

After crafting a few critters, I moved on to feathers. Of course, I had more Pinspiration. I started by rolling the clay thinly on a piece of wax paper. This was so much easier than peeling it off the table. Then I cut a feather shape out of the clay and made a few smaller notches for texture. To make the center support, I rolled a piece of clay into a long, thin strip. After placing it on the feather, I smooshed it own a little and smoothed it out.

For even more texture, I drew lines with a lead-less pencil, poked a small hole near the top for hanging. To give the faux feathers a more realistic shape, I rolled pieces of aluminum foil and draped the clay over and baked along with the animals.

To finish everything off, I painted two layers of the same metallic pearl paint for extra shimma-shimma.

Total spent: $.98. And, these are my favorites. That wraps up all our hand-made ornaments. How about you? Have you been working on ornaments?

Handmade Holidays: Owls, Pine Cones, and Trees

Published on December 8, 2011October 9, 2012 by Our Humble Abode11 Comments

You guys, I wish I had some good kitchen progress to share today. But I don’t. Told you the drawers would make the progress train come to a screeching halt. I guess screeching halt isn’t quite correct because I have gotten both sides primed (can you say tedious, time-consuming, paint in the butt?) and I’ll work on painting this afternoon.

Just doesn’t seem post worthy now, does it? Instead, you get to see our Christmas-ified entertainment center. Here it is, complete with complimentary Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for your viewing pleasure. Tangent, why is it that only Daisy has a sultry voice while the rest of the gang have annoying, high-pitched voices?

We carried the ‘Winter Wonderland’ theme from the tree over to the entertainment center, too with plenty of trees, a few feathers, and woodland critters. See those little owls? They’re made from toilet paper tubes. I saw this cute idea for hanging owls on Pinterest to create our family, as owls.

The best part, they’re super easy to make and free! Just fold the tops over, paint, then use a Sharpie marker to draw in details. Vincent chose green for his owl and Everett requested yellow. Done!

Randomly placed around the entertainment center you’ll see pine cones. A few are plain, but using a little Elmer’s glue and glitter, others are covered in Christmas cheer.

Pine cones would be super easy to add to a tree, too, glittered or not. Just wrap some green wire around the base and then around the tree branch. Initially, this was my plan, but our tree already looked full.

Above the TP owls, we have another owl, a few feathers, and a ‘snow globe’.

Using an apothecary jar I already had, I made a snow globe. More Epsom salt as snow, a bottle brush tree from the doll house section at HoLo, and a bird from our terrarium.

In the center, I’ve continued the silhouette ornament family tradition, this time in a fun turquoise color. The reindeer candle holder was a dollar at Goodwill, the silver tree cost $7 at HoLo (after 50% off), and the brass owl was three bucks from a local thrift store.

For height, I wrapped a wire form from the Dollar Store in a blueish-green yarn and placed it on a small stump from our wood pile. That thing has come in handy on several occasions. I was going to use a styrofoam cone, but at $4.49 each, I ditched that idea. When did styrofoam become so expensive?!? Luckily, the Dollar Store had my back with garland wrapped wire forms.

Wrapping the form was super easy, but I had to deal with the lack of a bottom. So, I cut a circle from a pizza box and quickly wired it to the bottom.

Over to the right we have more bottle brush trees, pine cones, a 99 cent ceramic origami crane chopstick rest from World Market, and a framed reindeer silhouette.

The reindeer was super easy to make. I made a silhouette in Photoshop, printed it on plain paper, cut it out, traced it to a sheet of glitter foam, cut that out and taped it to a sheet of card stock. Here’s a template to make your own.

Another apothecary jar filled with sequin ball ornaments, a pine cone, and more trees, including one from Pier 1 last Christmas round out the entertainment center display.

And, our Christmas tree is finally ready for the grand reveal.

Vincent insisted on hanging his V on the bottom, even though it didn’t fit our theme. And, here’s a glimpse of a few ornaments we’re sharing on Monday.

Like last year, we’ve hung our stockings from the plate rack.

We’ve got monograms again, too; ornaments from HoLo for $.50 each.

I planned to paint designs, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Maybe I’ll swap out the plain ribbon for something with more color.

We’re officially ready for Christmas. How about you? Are you ready? What areas do you decorate? Just a tree? The mantle? Or are you mantle-less like we are?

P.S. We’re ready for 2012. Are you? Prepare with our new custom silhouette 11 inch by 14 inch wall calendar.

When 2013 rolls around, cut the silhouette design off to frame for years to come.

Handmade Holidays: Snowflakes and Berries

Published on December 5, 2011October 9, 2012 by Our Humble Abode13 Comments

We’ve made a few more Christmas ornaments, so we decided to share with you. The first idea was inspired by this from Pinterest. Basically, you print a template, place wax paper over, then trace with puff paints and put the design on a canvas. We followed most of the steps, with the exception of the canvas. I started by drawing snowflake designs in Photoshop. Then, I printed the design and placed wax paper over.

Using a 99 cent tube of paint, I traced over each snowflake.

After letting the paint dry for 24 hours, I carefully peeled the designs off, leaving this:

Which hung nicely and held it’s shape well.

However, not all of the designs held their shape. Womp, womp.

Turns out, the thicker designs worked better. To hang on the tree, just add a ribbon or wire hanger and you’re done. But, if your designs are too thin and floppy, don’t worry, we have a solution. Carefully roll the design and place in a clear glass ball. Use a pencil to flatten the design, then hang on the tree to enjoy. I hate when I think I have a brilliant idea and it turns out to be a flop. In this case, I think it worked out well.

And here’s a glimpse from the under side.

If you want to make your own puff paint snowflakes, here’s a printable template. Oh, and you see those red berries? Those were super simple. Start with a floral pick from the craft store. I got mine from HoLo for 75 cents. You’ll also need scissors or wire cutters and extra wire.

Then, cut the berries off the main stem, as close to the base as possible.

Group two to five berries and wrap the ends together. Cut a two-inch piece of wire and wrap that around the berries.

Attach to your tree by wrapping the added wire around a branch.

Then you’re done! Oh, I tweaked a few of the Epsom salt filled balls, too. While puttering around HoLo, I wandered into the doll house section. That’s a bad thing for someone addicted to miniature things like I am. But, I walked away with only one package of 12 birds for $1.50 (thanks to 50% off doll house supplies). Everett also grabbed a package of birds and threw a fit when we I took them away at the check out counter. No, we didn’t buy them. When we got home, I plopped a few birds in the snow globes.

I think they’re cute, and still easily changed out next year. I’ve got a few more decorations to share next week, too.

Anyone else inspired by ornament ideas from Pinterest? What are your favorites? Please share links, too.

Handmade Holidays: Glass Ball Ornaments

Published on November 28, 2011October 9, 2012 by Our Humble Abode19 Comments

Christmas is only 27 days away, so we thought it would be fun to share our handmade ornaments. I decided on a ‘Winter Wonderland’ theme this year. So snow, snowflakes, trees, pine cones, feathers, reindeer, birds, owls, and polar bears were the main focus. Some are super simple, others are a little more complex, but all are cheap. I thought we should start with the easiest ones.

To start, find clear glass (or plastic) ball ornaments. HoLo (Hobby Lobby) sells a twelve pack for $7.99, but Christmas stuff was 50% off making the balls four bucks. While at HoLo, I bought a package of brown and teal feathers, also half off, costing $1.00.

I bought the feathers for the teal colored ones, so I pulled those out.

Then, it’s as simple as removing the cap, tossing a few feathers inside, replacing the cover and hanging on the tree. Ben said these are his favorite. I kind of agree, but I still have a few more ideas so we’ll see.

I bought the iridescent balls, but I think I’d buy plain glass ones for the feathers if I could do it again. The coating makes it difficult to see the feathers clearly.

After making six feather ornaments, I made six snow filled balls. Instead of spending money on fake snow, I poured a little Epsom salt inside.

For the snow ornaments, I think the iridescent finish is fabulous.

Once you’ve filled the ornaments, hang those suckers on the tree, too and admire the sparkle. Yes, I am a raccoon. I like shiny things, so Christmas is the best time to appreciate all things sparkly.

If you’re looking to keep your Christmas decorations cheap, these are perfect for you. I spent $4 on the glass balls and another dollar on the feathers for a total of five bucks for twelve ornaments. Each ball cost $.41 cents. Score.

The boys and I put up the Christmas tree this weekend while Ben installed our upper cabinets. We still have ornaments to make, so here’s a fun bokeh picture of the tree.

What did you do this weekend? Set up your Christmas tree? Did you make ornaments? Do some Black Friday shopping?

A Boatload of Thanks

Published on November 21, 2011October 9, 2012 by Our Humble Abode14 Comments

With Thanksgiving three days away, we thought it was time to share a simple table setting. Several weeks ago, while at a thrift store, I found a beautiful gold ringed glass and pitcher set. My sister and I both wanted it, so she took four of the six glasses and the pitcher. Those two glasses I got sparked this place setting. Not one to like warm colors like red, I decided on a color scheme of blue and gold.

While at HoLo (Hobby Lobby), I spied bandannas for 99 cents each. I bought one in an aqua color to see if it washed well. If it did, I thought it would make a perfect napkin. Luckily, after one wash cycle, it softened enough.

Then I started thinking about seating cards. I didn’t want to do the same turkey idea we did last year and I wanted something multi purpose. Something sparked. A vessel to hold bread. Like a boat! Yes, that’s just what I needed. Only I didn’t want it to scream, “I’m a boat!” Incorporating leaves seemed like a perfect sail. That’s what I did. See, a little bread boat.

To make each boat, I cut each sheet of 25 cent felt in half, then folded that half in half.

I pinned the short ends to keep things in place and folded it in half width wise. With sharp scissors, I cut an angle through all four layers, wider part at the top.

Blanket stitch (or whatever hand stitch you prefer) the short ends. Now it’s time to make the mast and sail. Start by printing this template on colored card stock.

I found the easiest way to make the leaves even was to print half of the design, fold it over, then cut each leaf. Don’t worry about being too precise with cutting on the line. When you’re done cutting, flip the leaf so the printed part is on the inside. Repeat until you’ve finished cutting two leaves per place card. Then, cut a bamboo skewer to about 5 or six inches long and wire each guest’s name on a leaf.

Spread a little glue stick over the inside of each leaf, including a little in the middle.

Fold the leaf over and press firmly.

Repeat with the named leaf.

Poke the stick into a roll. Pop the roll in the felt boat and you’re done.

Here’s another cheap and festive idea. Pour dried beans or peas in a small juice glass, toss in a tea light and you’ve got a cute candle holder.

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, you’re probably stressed enough worrying about the food. Keep the centerpiece simple by corralling various candles. Keep it cohesive with similar colors. I even added a small brass owl for fun.

If you’re anything like I am, you’re unreasonably attracted to miniature dishes. Put these to good use when hosting a large dinner group. Fill with butter or even salt and pepper to cut waiting and passing.

Usually we don’t use table cloths. Two crazy boys + table-cloth + tons of dishes = pile of food and broken plates on the floor. No, it’s never actually happened, but I can see it. This year, we’re having more people than we have in the past and our table doesn’t expand. Which means we’ll have to use a folding table for extra seating. Therefore, we’ll need a table-cloth to cover the ugly table. I found this shower curtain on clearance for $3.74 at Target and thought it would be a perfect table-cloth.

How about a budget breakdown?

Tablecloth: $3.74

Bandanna napkins: $.99 each

Felt boat place cards: $.15 each

We already had the gold charger, white plates, glasses, salt and pepper shakers, leaf dishes for butter, and candle holders. Oh, here’s a thrifty tip. If you’re looking for cheap chargers, check out the dollar store. I saw some there a month or so ago.