Just under the wire...

I found an idea about 3 months ago.  A snowman ornament using fingerprints.  What a great (and easy) idea.  Surely that can't take too long to put together.  I must have all the supplies already, right?  Well, I had most of the supplies and came by the background piece at ACMoore pretty easily (if you discount the 20 minutes I spent traversing the store looking for a canvas substitute).  Time, on the other hand (no pun intended), was a supply that I had run short on. 

So, just under the wire, this ornament made it on to our Christmas tree last evening.  I followed this tutorial except that I used Aleene's Tacky Glue to glue the ribbon to the back and then I covered the entire front and back with Mod Podge.  Oh, and I put a piece of scrapbook paper on the back to make it pretty and provide a nice surface to write the details (not pictured, sorry).

Not the greatest photo but the colors are actually pretty true to life.

Total cost:  $0.87 for the small wood piece used for the background.  

All the other supplies I had on hand (acrylic craft paint, sharpies, brushes, Mod Podge, glue, scrapbook paper and ribbon).

And while what I have pictured is a tree ornament, I have plans to make the same (w/o the background color) on some colored cardstock to make postcards to mail out this winter.

Linked here:  Not Just a Housewife, Blue Cricket Design, It's Overflowing

Decking the halls

As each year passes I seem to be coming later and later to the holiday game.  My shopping is done but I just keep dragging my feet when it comes to decorating.  Once it's done, I love it and wonder why I was hemming and hawing so much.


For the last few years I've said that I wanted I decorated the side porch. At the end of each Christmas season I kick myself for not doing it.  This year I finally did it.  Not the tree I was originally thinking but I like this all the same.  I may need to add a bit more to it....let's see how much energy I have (and funds and supplies) once the inside is finished.

Before

After

TOTAL COST:
Wreath:  Totally from materials I had on hand - all were gifts.  Well, except for the 3 flowers which were left over from the porch garland.
Porch Garland, lights and flowers:  All from ACMoore and cost ~$30.00

Happy Holidays!

Linked here:  Singing 3 Little Birds; Keeping it Simple; A World of Crafts!; Today's Creative Blog; Sugar Bee crafts; Not Just a Housewife; The Blackberry Vine; The Thrifty Home; Delightful Order; Somewhat Simple