A quick easy project that can go holiday or everyday…

I made this fun project a few years ago.

I wanted something sort of manly for my husband’s office, but something that also reflected the girl in me.

Hence, sparkle for me/deer for him.

I started by buying 9 black frames, some sparkle scrapbook paper, and a deer punch.(I got the punch after Christmas on clearance.)

You could also use a cricut or silhouette if you are lucky enough to have one of those. :(

I punched 9 deer out of sparkle paper, and put them in the center of the black sparkle paper that was cut to the size of the frames.

I cleaned the glass, and added the cute little print I just made.

Then I hung them close together in a 3x3 formation. 

By doing this, it made it look like one big accent for the wall instead of 9 separate accents.

I have loved the way this looks in Jonathan’s office.

I also think this could look Awesome for a holiday project.

I hope this inspires you to make and create this holiday season.

I shared the link to this talk earlier on this month, and I just know you would love this short clip all about being creative.

It puts into perspective what being creative really means, what it takes to be creative, and that any one can do it!

Create: {Adorable Christmas Houses}

I started collecting these adorable putz houses a few years ago.

I have been seriously obsessed with them.

I found some that I knew would look cute in Stella’s room, but I have struggled to collect enough for Tessa’s.

There are lots out there to buy online, but I like to buy things at a bargain.  I guess you could say that I had a hard time finding any at a bargain.

I decided to try making my own version.

It was such a fun project, that I thought I would share a quick tutorial with you.

Please do not judge that many of these photos are just the regular iphone pics, but they get the point across; and hopefully will help you create something of your own.

The first part of the project is bleaching and dying your bottle brush trees.  These can be found at Hobby Lobby or Michaels, and you can find a tutorial for that here.

While your trees are drying, you can begin your houses.

I found the houses at Hobby Lobby.  They were really inexpensive. They can be found down the chipboard isle.  There are 3 sizes.

The roofs come off, so you can work on them in two pieces.

I started by choosing the colors I wanted them to be, and spray painting them.

I painted all the roofs white, and the houses a color.

While the paint was still wet, I sprinkled them with fake snow and glitter.

(well, Stella sprinkled them with snow and glitter)

I found the bag of snow at Hobby Lobby. 

 

Once you add the snow and glitter, then it’s good to spray them with a clear spray paint.  This will hold the glitter and snow in place.

Once your houses are dry, it’s time to start putting the fun finishing touches on the houses.

I collected all the trinkets at Hobby Lobby or Michaels.  I found them near the Christmas village sections and the mini-tree sections.  There is so much to choose from, so just buy what you love and would want on your houses.

The first step is adding this fake snow paint to the roof of your houses.  This makes your roof look like it has real snow on it.  This can also be found at Hobby Lobby.  The jar looks like this:

You just use an old paint brush, and dab it on thick.

The next step is adding your now dry bottle brush trees to the houses.  I did this by pulling the base off.

Then using a nail I pushed a hole into the base of the house where I wanted the tree, and made a hole for the stem of the tree.

Make sure to decorate your trees first.

Then using hot glue on the stem, I shoved the trees in the holes I made.

Once you have your trees secure, then it’s time to decorate your houses.

I used this cute gold trim for the trees, and for the roof line.

I added this fun reindeer to the roof.

You can also make wreaths using chenille trim.

Get creative.

This is left up to your own creativity and devices.  I used other houses for inspiration. 

There is a lot of inspiration here.

I love how they all came together. I loved them so much I made some for my basement family room, and for Tessa’s room.

Once you get all your trinkets on, add some more snow paint to the base of trees and the bases of houses.

You could also use velum paper behind the windows if you wanted to fill that part of the house in.  I think I will do that for next year.

I really enjoyed putting some lights on the houses.  I used led lights that are connected with wire.  The only place I have found these is at Walmart.

I found the big star lights at the dollar store.

I have loved walking into all the rooms at night and seeing all the fun, glowing, putz houses.

I especially love seeing the ones that I made.

Often times, I find that creativity comes at a cost.

It’s hard to sit down and work on a project when you know that other things are going to suffer.

My house, my ability to shower and get ready, and just about every daily responsibility certainly fell apart the day that I put this project together, but it was worth it.

It is so important for me to let those creative juices out sometimes; even if I don’t get to shower.

I can put the pieces back together later, and then add my new project to the pretty little pieces of my life.

Take the time to create.

For more on the importance of creativity check out this little gem.

Holiday Decorating

Every year, I am amazed at how the holiday decorating comes together.

My house always looks different than it did the year before, and I am using the same ingredients.(for the most part)

I may have bought a few new things… shhhh.  Don’t tell.  I even made a few things, and can’t wait to share that with you.

I love documenting the changes from year to year.

I also love the feeling that holiday decorations add.

So here is the long, long, long, peak of what is going on in our house this year.

Porch:

Great room, Office and Entry:

Kitchen:

Basement Family Room:

Kids Rooms:

Thanks for Coming!!

Happy Decorating!!