Gather Supplies Wreath Blank Mesh Ribbon, 4 to 5 inches wide Contrasting ribbon, 1 inch wide Large Bow Large embellishment (or coordinating collection of smaller embellishments) Colored Balls in different sizes -- limit to two colors, but can use several different finishes Small zip ties, green or black Scissors Do a Rough Layout Plan where bow should be placed Determine where largest embellishment should go Plan where next largest embellishments should go -- should be an odd number and somewhat evenly spaced Plan how largest ribbon will lead the eye around the wreath -- zig zag, straight, loops Fasten elements securely Begin with the largest elements and fasten securely When you have fastened the elements planned in the rough layout, ... [Read More]
Christmas decorations
How to make a large, lighted outdoor wreath
Christmas time in a new house totally different from the last abode. How to decorate for Christmas? We were spoiled with our 10 minute exterior decorating. Ease of installation in potentially frigid air was at the top of our list. Weather is a huge factor and everything has to be able to withstand wind and snow. Our something new needed to be simple enough that it could be done in an afternoon without breaking the budget. Yet large enough that it would make an impact on its own. That large triangle at the front of the house – yes, the one over the garage door – was calling out for something. That space needed: A wreath, of course. The previous owners, who built the house, planned ahead with outlets under the eaves. The wreath could be lighted very easily. There was even a hook at just ... [Read More]
Holiday Door Swag in 10 minutes
I was astonished at how quickly this holiday door swag went together! It took me longer to choose the colors and coordinate them with the other holiday outdoor decor, than it did to make the door swag! I laid them on the work surface and in ten minutes the finished swag was hanging on the door! You will need three large stems -- two are fluffy and one is decorative. You will also need a fluffy bow. I usually make mine but this lime green bow was 50% off AND a coupon, too. My original thought was to place the Merry Christmas under the bow. Instead it got it's own clear Command Hook on the door because the swag was too bulky with the words in place. (Yes, the green ball is broken on one of the stems in the photo. It was minding its own business in the trunk on the way home. ... [Read More]
Christmas at the Front Door
The front porch is all decked out in its Christmas finery.Some new, some old. A bit of tradition, a bit of contemporary neon. A Christmas Welcome. Snowflakes are the theme this year. Traditional. In glittery red and gold. Not so traditional. Add the lime green bow and swirls on the snowflake decked packages. Definitely not traditional! But that’s good! And at night they really glow. Excuse me a moment. I have to go tuck that electrical plug back out of sight. The little red cardinal cheeps cheerfully whenever anyone walks by. I like it. Even if someone found it a little unnerving to have a bird chirping at night when they rang the doorbell. We had a good laugh. Maybe that’s why I like it! I made a new garland this year. It didn’t take a lot of time ... [Read More]
Christmas Wishes
Usually our Christmas tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving and comes down the first week in January. I love to have it up as long as possible, to sit at night and enjoy the colorful lights with a cup of hot chocolate when the house is quiet and the day is winding down. Since we were gone for almost three weeks in December, the tree was late in going up this year. I once had a collection of angels that numbered outrageously high -- so many that the individual ones lost their meaning. So I got rid of most of them, saving only the special ones. This year I decided to decorate the tree with the largest angels. I was thinking big angels would fill the tree quickly -- well, not exactly. There were lots of small spots on the tree that needed to be filled with smaller angels and ... [Read More]
How to Make a Christmas Garland in Six Easy Steps
Garlands are so versatile for Christmas decorating! They can lay across a flat surface, like a mantel, hang from a railing, swoop around door frames, window or mirrors -- and more. The best part is: Garlands don't have to be disassembled for storage. Next year, open the storage container and there is a glorious ready made decoration just waiting to bring you cheer! Step 1 -- Choose the foundation Choose size and type of garland you want. This one is eight foot long, quite full and is frosted. If your garland is not prelit, and you want lights, work the string of lights into the branches. Make sure the plug in will end up on the correct end for where you plan to use the garland! Put most of the lights in toward the center of the garland and just a few on the tips. Step 2 -- ... [Read More]
