Saturday, November 26, 2016

STARTING THE SEASON

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If I were to choose one item that was my single most favorite item to decorate with, it would be a garland. A lighted garland. Simpler the better. So versatile, it can go from mantle, to table, to counter, to over a door, to mirror to the top of an armoire. And it would look and feel different in each resting place. So with the holidays just around the corner, here are a few quick (have to love that) and simple garlands that can transform your home into a holiday haven in a blink of an eye. But don’t close your eyes for too long, there is so much to see and do. So start your holiday decorating with one or all these ideas and then let the season begin!

Glittering Birch Star Garland
This is what you will need-


Birch Sheets  Buy them here…Link
Star Template
Clear Drying Glue
Glitter
Pencil
Scissors
Bead Wire
Small Paint Brush
Awl
String Lights



Start by tracing ten 2” stars on the birch. I used my favorite star cookie cutter to use as a guide.




Cut out your stars.


Mark two dots on your star with your pencil.




Carefully make holes through the star with your awl.


Paint a line of glue along the edge of each star.





Sprinkle glitter onto the star, covering all the glue.


Let dry.

Cut your bead string 50" long.




With your bead string, thread the stars.


Tie a loop at both ends of the garland.


Hang garland and thread lights through the stars.


Waiting...

Mini House Garland

This is what your will need-


5 Mini House Ornaments  Buy similar item here...Link
Wood Cranberry Beads
6 Jingle Bells
Thin Rope
Cranberry Ribbon
White Spray Primer (or white matte spray paint)
Mini Lights
Tape Measure
Marker
Cup hooks


In a well ventilated space, lightly spray the jingle bells. Let Dry.


Give the bells a second light coat of paint and let dry.


Add three cup hooks under the mantle.


Cut a length of rope about 50” long. Tie a knot in the center of the string and loop it on the center hook.



Cut the twine on one mini house and tie to the middle hook.




On each end of the rope, wrap a small amount of clear tape to the end, and snip the end diagonally. This will help slide the beads and bells onto the rope smoothly.


Alternate three sets of bead-bell-bead on right and three sets of bead-bell-bead on left length of the rope.




Starting from the center house, space the houses approximately 7” apart. Two houses on the left and two houses on the right, between the sets of bead-bell-beads. Add a small dot on the rope, then tie the remaining four houses on each dot.

Trim off excess rope on ends.


Add mini lights to the garland, securing with the excess string on the mini houses. Trim the string.


Tie a beautiful bow at each end.


So adorable, you may want to make a few.

Brown Paper Packages Garland
This is what you will need-



10 Small Boxes
Craft Wrapping Paper
Ribbon
Twine
Mini Lights
Glue Gun and Glue (optional)


Wrap all your boxes with your craft paper.




Tie each box with ¼” ribbon and make a bow.


String packages onto 110" of twine.


If you are hanging this garland, add a drop of glue to the top of the packages under the bow to secure to the twine so the packages stay in place.

Tie a loop at each end of the twine to finish.





Add string lights and a pre-made felt garland and your table is ready.


Make these garlands your first decorations of the season. Simple and unique, anywhere you choose to place the Garlands... Christmas... First... Simple... Merry Merry.