Free Craft Friday -- The No Mantel Solution

I wasn't going to post a Free Craft Friday today.  But would it really make since to post a craft for Christmas after Christmas?  So I give you my "we don't have a mantel or fireplace" solution.  I saw the idea of using a curtain rod with stocking hangers on Pinterest but we don't have a mantel or shelf in our home to put our stocking hangers on so I decided to try something different.

I dug out a curtain rod that I never used and picked up some removable adhesive hooks from the store.  I realize these aren't the best looking hooks (I wasn't sure it would work) but I would definitely put in a few more dollars for the nicer looking ones if I did this again.  Hopefully you can look past the tacky appearance to see an idea that could work for you if you don't have a mantel or fireplace.  Our stockings were hanging off of a floor lamp prior to this so this is a definite improvement.  I hung this over our staircase by the front door but any wall would work.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

*once again N2C Original means I didn't find the idea (at least not exact with this one) on another site to credit them.

Free Craft Friday -- Holiday Snow Tree

This is a craft idea that came to me while scanning pinterest.com (what craft nerd isn't inspired there?)  Anyway I saw a recipe for shaving cream snow paint and thought of my unfinished Scrapbook Paper Tree and a new idea was born:

Holiday Snow Tree

Materials:
-tree branches (Free...I stole them off our maple tree this time)
-foam shaving cream (Free...I stole this from my husband; $1 if you buy it)
-Elmer's glue ($0.25 on after-school clearance at Walmart)
-paint brush
-mini ornaments ($3.50 on sale at Michaels)
-vase (Free or hit up your local thrift store for a cheapy)

Step 1.  Arrange your tree branches.  I arranged them and then tied them together below the vase line with some yarn (you don't have to do this).

Step 2.  Mix together equal parts foam shaving cream and Elmers glue.

Step 3.  "Paint" your tree with "snow".  Keep in mind the way that snow would naturally be found on a tree (forks in branches and trunk, top edges, knots in the branch, etc).  I liked getting somewhat large globs of "snow" on my brush and dragging in along the branch where I wanted it to rest.  Also painting "snow" between the joining forks in the branch.

Step 4. Allow to dry overnight so the snow hardens up somewhat.  Then decorate with miniature or small ornaments.

*Notion2Craft original means I didn't find this project elsewhere...although I wouldn't dare say it's never been done before*

Holiday Traditions

What holiday traditions do you have?  I think part of the reason the holidays come to mean so much to people is due to the traditions that run in their family.  Some traditions run deeper than others and some are just little fledglings waiting to see if they'll take off.

I have recently heard of making Holiday Pillowcases from MADE and another friend who makes pillow cases reversible (not sure if they are holiday).  I am liking the idea of both of these and thinking very a little ahead of myself to make these for family members and my girls (probably next year...the plate is pretty full right now).  Or maybe birthday pillowcases...that could be fun!  Hmmmmm...

Anyway....back to the point of Holiday Traditions.  I would love to hear what people do for the holidays to make them memorable, to make them fun and to make them theirs.

Traditions we are planning to pick up or continue:  pajamas for Christmas Eve, reading The Night Before Christmas, doing an angel tree project and/or donating toys to goodwill, making lots of delicious goodies (I might share some of the not-so-secret recipes with you).  It isn't a very original list so far but give it time and it will grow.

Free Craft Friday -- Paint Splatter Ornaments

Materials:

-clear ornaments ($3 estimate; Michaels with 40% coupon)

-acrylic paint ($1 a bottle)

-paint thinner

                                    

Step 1.  Put a couple drops of you first color into the ornament.  Add just a small amount (drops) of paint thinner into the ornament.  You might need to use a tooth pick or other stick to mix the two a little.  Hold a gloved (or sandwich bagged) finger over the open end of the ornament and shake like crazy.

Step 2.  Put a couple drops of your second color and paint thinner into the ornament.  Shake like crazy yet again.

Step 3.  Once you have achieved your desired look leave the ornament cap off and allow the ornaments to air out overnight (outside wouldn't be a bad idea).  Place the caps on after airing out and bingo bango you have an awesome ornament. 

*varying your paint and paint thinner combination will affect results...have fun and experiment.  The red/white one had a little more paint thinner and the green/red one had less.*

                                   
*another set we made that year (I don't like these as much).  Paint the outside with Christmas scenery or whatever pleases you and then add miniature items inside the ornament*

- I consider this a kid-friendly craft when properly supervised by adults due to paint thinner being involved.

-We made these a few years ago so pricing is estimated.  Notion 2 Craft original means I didn't find this idea on another blog...I'm sure it's not that original though ;) 

First Christmas Crafting

We are nerds.  Okay well I'm a craft nerd.  It is our twins first Christmas and I'm having fun with little crafts and wrapping up pajamas for Christmas Eve (a simple but not exactly original tradition that we are carrying on from my family).  I also wanted to pick out the ever popular Baby's First Christmas ornament for them but never really found one I loved.  Then I saw these and thought they would be fun to make and also for us and them to remember how small they were (plus they were cheaper).

*who knows maybe I'll still find the classic ornament I love too.