Christmas decorations 2014

This year as part of my Christmas decorating I am (change that to was, you'll see) wanting to do a white and burlap theme for the fireplace mantel.  I had a stretched canvas in burlap so I took iron-on vinyl and used my Silhouette Cameo to make a vinyl Santa Claus 

It was my first time using iron-on vinyl on burlap and I think that all the holes and it not having something hard up against the back caused it to not achieve the desired temperature.  I used a piece of cloth over the vinyl like the instructions said (this time it was an old pillowcase) but as hot as I got it,  the vinyl wouldn't adhere.  I took the pillowcase off and ironed straight on the vinyl itself.  It worked but the high heat did cause some little puckering in the vinyl but not enough to ruin the project.  If I were to do this again I would iron on a flat piece of burlap and then attach it to my own frame or have something I could press against the back that would not be damaged by the heat while ironing. 

I decided to make my own wreath this year.  I love the tutorials on coffee filter wreaths so I thought I would try it out.  I have pool noodles I purchased at the dollar store but one in itself was not the size I wanted for above the fireplace.  One and a half seemed large enough so after cutting one,  you duct tape the ends together for the right size. 

Just in case any of the filters don't cover well enough I sprayed the whole wreath in paint just to cover the red noodle look. 

I really like this brushed metallic color of nickel,  I must find a way to incorporate it into more decorations. 

I ended up hanging the wreath on my kid's swing set and this way I could have more access to angles.  I sprayed it until I couldn't see anymore red.  

Then I started putting layer after layer of the coffee filters.  The white ones just have the outside edge painted,  giving them a little sparkle and color.  The dark ones are the sections of coffee filters that were on top so they got an all-over colored look.  I wanted the contrast.  It all started with this dang little cute owl. 

When I saw him I knew my burlap and white was now changing to his little brushed nickel and white.  He needs to be the star of this year's show.  I sprayed my paper mâché tree cones I got at Hobby Lobby and now I am trying to figure out how I am going to adorn them. 

 I am absolutely loving that Krylon spray so I will be going back for more. 

I decided to punch circles and shapes in white construction paper and add translucent glitter.  As you can see I am only partially done with the process.  It looks like I could have gotten away with only spraying the base,  next time I would do that.  Better safe then sorry though for doing it the first time. 

You can see my big wreath is coming along.  Due to a very bad back and small children,  I can only work on projects for a short burst and then I have to come back to them.  I am determined to get this done so I don't mind if I leave it on the wall unfinished until I get it all done.  We hosted Thanksgiving last year so I am not stressed that I need the house perfect before then,  I get to sit back and relax this year.  I do not recommend hosting the holidays AND DIY decorating unless you start super early *like July* because if you are a busy wife/mom like me then time flies quickly. 

I found these little candle holders at Hobby Libby in their 50% off Christmas collection.  They fit the color theme well so I decided to splurge.  I try to be as frugal as possible so a splurge is around $20 for all.  

This is the overall look I am going for above the mantle with hopefully some more candles in between.  The green fireplace screen is going to get sprayed the nickle color when I am done as well,  the light green was fun for summer but it clashes now with these new colors.  I want to get the big pack of Costco battery operated candles to go underneath the wreath.  Lots of fire right under a coffee filter wreath sounds like a fire hazard!  That will be another splurge for another week.  

I have also been busy building another custom headboard bench and I am still finishing my barrel drawers

You might ask,  why do you have so many projects going all at once?  The answer is:  each project is a different amount of time and stress on my back.  When I can't put anymore energy into one I can switch and move to another that requires a different muscle set.  This way I can keep my ADHD mind and achy body both engaged.   I usually have around 5 things I am working on at once and although that seems like crazy, messy, chaos to most.... To me it makes me feel alive and happy!  We also had our very first winner this week,  Miss Julie Doddridge and she won a mini hot cocoa bar. 

I am a little bit obsessed with hot chocolate and peppermint so I went with that theme.   Included is my 2 favorite kinds of hot cocoa Starbucks and Stephen's.  I have a canning jar of round peppermints and one of marshmallow's,  also a jar of candy canes.  Just for fun I added red and white paper straws and packed it with tissue paper in a half-sized crate from Michael's crafts.  It has been a fun week.   I am having another procedure on my back on Friday so today I am going to work double time in case I am laid up for awhile.  My back is a constant struggle from an auto accident I was in at 18 (wear your seatbelts kids,  I didn't).  That is it for what I am up to today,  happy week and happy crafting! 

Jannika Bench

Over this summer I was commissioned to make a bench for my friends daughter's birthday.  She wanted a hot pink headboard bench with zebra fabric for the seat.  This is the process:  first we had to sand off the chippy (probably lead) paint.  I did most of the sanding myself but when I got stuck I called in the big guns 😘 aka my husband,  Mr Incredible.  

After he worked his magic on the finishing touches it was time to design the back.  My friend wanted this bench to be unique and special so I designed a pattern so we could put her name on the bench. 

After getting approval for the design I cut it out in vinyl so I could use it as a reverse stencil.  

I painted the back part of the bench black and then when it had dried thoroughly,  I placed the vinyl lettering on top of the paint.  Next it was time to paint the whole bench hot pink.  

I painted the bench pink and then I aged and de-stressed it a little for contrast.  

Then I added the zebra fabric cushion I had made and it was complete.  A fun bench to match a great girl and her fun bedroom's decor.  

IKEA hack toddler bed into a bench

Today I started out with a "Kritter" IKEA bench my mom purchased for me at a second-hand store.  She thought I may be able to do something with it.  So here it is as it was. 

Nothing special or fancy but cute.  First I started by cutting the footboard in half.

I used my jigsaw and followed the line.  

I then used my Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes in the sides of the footboard on the inside of where the seat will be. 

After,  I measured some scrap 1x4's I had in my garage and I cut them with my miter saw and then drilled more pocket screws. 

After I attached the seat supports,  I used wood filler to fill in some of the holes that came with the bed and I also filled in the upper set of pocket screws because when the bench is done they would show. 

I then painted it ballet slipper pink with some homeade chalk paint.  

I used a piece of scrap MDF to make the seat for the bench.

I cut out a piece of foam and spray glued it to the MDF

Then I added another layer of spray glue on top of the foam and added a layer of soft batting to take away the square box shape of the foam on the top and front side of the foam (not the back or sides so it would still fit. 

Now it's staple time!  Yes,  I let my kids help me with most of my projects when I can.  My oldest is 8,  I call her "adventure baby" because she is always up for new challenges.  My baby 5,  is nicknamed "danger baby" because she is so full of curiosity and life and I usually find her doing something dangerous.   They love it and I love spending time with them, teaching them to use tools, and helping build their confidence. 

Seat cushion is done!  Now for the back of the little bench.  I really want to make it look like a vintage old lady settee. 

Now that the cushion is complete you can start to see the shap of how I want it.  

I next measured and cut fabric for the front panel and stapled it on.

After looking at it I definitely want to do some button tufts on the front so I carefully drilled three holes to put the buttons through later.

I cut fabric ovals and padded and stapled them on the arm rests to aid in the overall look of the sofa.  It looks pretty rough in the photos but when it's finished and trimmed with ribbon, it will clean up nicely.  

I used a button cover kit to make the 3 buttons for the back panel.

I then knotted and stapled the strings to the back.  The staples would not go into the sheep so I had to staple them to the wood in between them. 

I padded the back panel of the bench then placed fabric across the back. 

Now except a few touch ups the child bench is all done.  

Now it gets to wait until Christmas for my dear Niece's 5 year old daughter.