Monday, December 6, 2010

Ye Ol’ Christmas Craft

I’ve done a couple of guests posts recently, and since it gets dark around 2:00 here, I don’t have good pictures to show you of a new project. Perhaps you’ll be kind enough to let me show you these instead?

Up first? A little bird’s nest ornament. Original? Perhaps not. Difficult? Not. at. all. Cute? Uh, yeah!

birds nest ornament

The ingredients for this little ornament are as simple as it gets.

  • Bird nests (Hobby Lobby-$2.00 for two)
  • Small craft feathers in a bag  (J0 Anns)
  • Plastic eggs (same section at Hob Lob as the nests ($1.99)
  • Some craft moss
  • Glue—can be hot glue, craft glue, etc.
  • Cardstock

IMG_4754

Once you gather your supplies, you just garnish the nest to look the way you want. I used E6000 glue simply because it was closest to me. I imagine hot glue would have worked perfectly.

ornament tutorial

I lined the nest with some glue and smooshed (very technical word) the moss into the nest.

nest tutorial

I then put a dab of glue onto the backs of the eggs and placed them in a huddle. I didn’t glue the feathers because they stayed in the moss beautifully. However, I would recommend it—especially if you plan on giving it as a gift or as an adornment (I like that word) on a present.

IMG_4910

Because I’m a horrible tutorializer, I didn’t take pictures of this next part. I took some ivory cardstock and printed out various sizes and fonts of the word I wanted on my banner. Once I made the selection, I used my paper cutter to cut a long strip along the paper. I folded the ends back, cut the corners, and glued it to the wreath. That’s it!

peace banner

Creasing the banner back adds some dimension to it and helps it stand out from the nest just enough. It’s difficult to tell in the picture, but I touched some white glitter to the eggs for a little sparkle. It’s perfection!

bird nest ornament

Even my new little reindeer likes it. He says it hurts his neck, but I told him to suck it up in the spirit of Christmas.

glittered reindeer

Up next? A little diddy for my kids. They have a bright tree in the front room, so I thought I’d make them some decorations for the walls, as well. I thought for sure I’d break out into hives with all the colors going on in this, but I am happy to report I survived.

retro christmas tree

Three goals needed to be met for this project.

  1. It had to be very inexpensive
  2. It had to be colorful
  3. It had to be something my kids could help me with—even if they chose not to

I started out with a framed picture that I already had. I turned the picture over and spray painted the back side of it white. Yes. I spray painted the cardboard. Remember goal #1?    

The beads were purchased at Michaels for a few dollars, and I outlined the tree on the cardboard to the size I wanted. I would like to say I chose a retro-style tree because I like the look of it, but really it’s because it was the easiest to draw.

christmas tree tutorial

Unfortunately, I completely forgot to get a picture of the next part. I took a sponge brush covered with some craft glue to the inside of the outline and applied it. Once I had the glue all over the tree area, I dumped the beads onto it. Easy enough, right? 

IMG_5014

The “trunk” of the tree needed to be a different texture (in my opinion), so I used some glittered scrapbooking paper. I cut it with my cutter and glued it on.

beaded retro tree

I won’t lie. There were moments when I wanted to take some explosives to this project. As soon as I thought it was done, a bead would fall off. My advice? Use some super adhesive (I used E6000) for those stubborn sections that just don’t want to adhere. 

retro christmas tree

Thanks to Jamielyn and Stephanie Lynn (hey..sensing a theme here!) for letting me post on your blogs! It was fun!

13 comments:

jules said...

That little next is super cute....

DIYbyDesign said...

I love the bird nests and the tree projects. I especially love that blue birdcage. I have admired it for a while on your blog. I'm a follower of your blog and have you listed on my blog on my daily reads list. I'd love if you would consider following me back. Thanks.

Tricia said...

Oh I love that bird's nest. I have a tall birdcage and that would look so cute on it. Best wishes :)

Just Dandy Blog said...

WOW! Love the crafts! I want to make them!
xo,
http://www.justdandy.org/

Melanie said...

You are so talented and I don't know when you find time to teach school, blog, parent, make crafts....you are superwoman.

Tiffany said...

i am really luving the simplicity of the tree, easy and i have the goods in stock, ha!

Dani said...

I don't know, I think the bird's nest is fairly original as a Christmas decoration. Practically avante-garde next to blow up Santa.

And the tree is beautiful, worth the headache.
Thanks for sharing!
fadingmarginsofdani.blogspot.com

Megan // Honey We're Home said...

The colors on that tree are so vibrant and gorgeous. And congrats on being Early to Kate's party:)

party supplies said...

I was really understand to your blog and more informative also great article for the readers and all of us for the future .

Kelli W said...

I love the nest haning on the birdhouse! So cute! And the kids' tree is adorable!

Sandy Ang said...

Your cage nest and reindeer is so subtly beautiful ! Love the muted colours and the wonderful textures. Thanks for the inspiraiton.

Barb said...

How ingenious. You never cease to amaze me sweetheart. How lovely...Bet the kids loved the tree. So colorful for their tree room. I am totally in love with the bird nests. Easy and lovely. Love your blog.

Mom

Lila said...

Way fun! I think I have some beads that I could do that tree with. I love a good project, especially a crafty one!
xoxo
Lila Ferraro

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