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a holiday wish
I just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for following along with me this year and for supporting my small creative business. I get to pursue my passion and create beautiful things and you have no idea how happy that makes me. I hope today you have time to relax and reflect and spend time with your family and friends. I hope there’s lots of warmth and joy surrounding you and a bright outlook as we head into the new year. Happy Holidays everyone!
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If you’ve seen my diy ornaments or caught last week’s post on how to make your own winter bouquet then you know I love a handmade holiday. In keeping with this theme, I hosted a holiday diy party for a few of my girlfriends. To generate project ideas, I created this pinboard and asked the girls to take a look. They chose the ornament wreath (I was secretly hoping for this one) and they turned out beautifully! I’ve really enjoyed seeing photos of their wreaths hanging in their homes!
We had a great time making these wreaths and here’s how you can make one too:
Begin by wrapping and gluing ribbon around the sytrofoam wreath. I found each guest needed almost an entire spool of ribbon to wrap their wreath. Then tie another piece of ribbon around the wreath for hanging. Glue the biggest ornaments on first in an even pattern around the outside of the wreath. I recommend organizing the ornaments around the wreath before gluing so you don’t have any gaps. Next glue the medium size ornaments around the inside of the wreath. Let glue dry. Begin layering all different sizes on top of the wreath – ornaments can be glued to each other or directly to the wreath, either method works. Lastly fill in all the extra spaces with the smallest ornaments.
For this project, I prefered using the round ornaments. However, it may be easier to fill in the gaps if you choose to use different shapes. Also, make sure you have plenty of ornaments and glue sticks – I used over a dozen glue sticks and over 50 ornaments for my wreath. You can always return any leftovers when you’re finished.
For the party I set up two tables – a crafting station and another area for snacks. The focus of this party was on crafting so I dedicated the whole dining room table for wreath making. I arranged enough chairs around it so my guests were comfortable while they worked. I piled the ornaments in clear bowls (grouping like sizes together) in the center of the table so they were visibile and accessibile for everyone.
Before the party, I stocked up on supplies. I borrowed hot glue guns and scissors so I had one per guest. Here’s a shopping list of items you can find at any craft store – hot glue guns, glue sticks, scissors, ribbon in several colors and patterns, styrofoam wreaths and ornaments in a variety of sizes and colors. Invite your friends over and start crafting!
a gift guide for the traveler
I’ve rounded up some of my favorite gift ideas for the jet-setters in your life. This little guide hardly does the world of traveling products and accessories justice but I’m excited to share of a few of my favorites and a few I hope to see under my own the tree this year.
1 travel guide with an insider’s feel – Field Guide 01 Nashville Tennessee from Wildsam Field Guides ($17) 2 fashionable footwear with a pop of color – cameron women’s sneaker from Country Road ($60) 3 a pack for your back in a coral grid print – Dusen Dusen grid backpack from Pour Porter ($88) 4 the ultimate guide to North America’s must sees – The New York Times 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA & Canada by Barbara Ireland from Amazon ($27) 5 looks like a case acts like a wallet – iPhone case from eyn ($30) 6 a modern wall clock inspired by the City of Light – Paris clock from iluxo ($40) 7 show your city some love – city neighborhood maps from These Are Things ($59) 8 keeping your shoes, delicates and dirties separate – travel laundry bag by La Cerise sur le Gateau from Vitrine ($20)
diy | paper ornaments
With all the traditional themes and earthy elements in my decor this year, I wanted to do something a little more colorful. So I settled on some simple handmade ornaments. You could put them on your tree or use them to decorate your gifts but I chose to hang them from some branches I spray painted white. I love how they’ve brighten up my space. Here’s how you can make your own:
how to make it:
Begin by choosing colors or patterns you love that fit in with your decor then with your stencil trace and cut out six 3 inch circles. Fold each circle in half, then using double sided tape or glue connect the flat side of one circle to the flat side of another until you have a sphere. Next cut a 5 inch piece of ribbon, thread the two ends through the center of the sphere making sure to leave a loop for hanging at the top and secure with glue. Attaching a wood bead or a sparkly pom pom or a jingle bell at the top would be a nice touch too!
a gift wrap guide
I’ve noticed each year gift wrapping gets a little more creative – bringing in new elements that make what’s around the gift just as special as what’s inside. I like to package each gift I’m giving with a little imagination. My wrapping essentials include kraft boxes and pretty paper, glassine bags and tiny envelopes, baker’s twine, washi tape, stamps and lots of ribbon – you can never have too many colors or patterns! I also like to decorate my gifts with unique items like jingle bells and buttons, glitter stickers, tinsel and metallic doillies. Here’s a little guide to help you wrap your gifts:
find these items: 1 hand painted wooden box by anamarko 2 floral Christmas gift tags made by Rifle Paper Co. from Amelia Presents 3 blush binding ribbon by Inspire Lovely 4 silver metallic dollies by INKKIT 5 kraft starburst seals by Knot & Bow 6 gray square envelopes by INKKIT 7 glittery mini wooden clothespins by Inspire Lovely 8 Merry Christmas card by Scout’s Honor Co.
