Friday, December 9, 2016

Holiday Foodie Friends


Jazz up your holiday parties and dinners with some of these place and food markers.

Deflecto has the supplies you need to create these little character nameplates and food markers.  Here is some inspiration to sweeten up your holiday entertaining!


Refer to the photo given below.  The sign danglers are used for the arms and the legs.  Punch out ovals as shown below and layer.  The head is a small candle light but can be replaced with a paper face.
I cut the pieces of magnetic craft sheet to fit on the flat part of the angled sign holder.  After adhering the white side to the sign holder; the magnet grip was used to seat the versagrip magnetic base.  A cookie created from die cuts was placed in the angled sign holder.  The clip will be used to insert a paper sign identifying the food that is being served at the buffet. 
Pictured below are the snowman and gingerbread nameplate holders.  I printed out a name and cut it to fit as shown.  


I hope you got some inspiration here today and enjoy a blessed Christmas and New Year!

Take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and;

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn




Monday, December 5, 2016

etchall'd Mirror Wall Hanging for Christmas

Years ago I discovered a wonderful etching product called 
etchall (R).  I had a space I needed to fill with a Christmas
decoration and decided to create my own. 
I gathered some materials and went to work!

To complete this project you will need:

etchall (R) products:  etching creme, squeegee, detail pick, etchmask    Link:  http://etchall.com/
craft mirrors:  three 6" high oval
wide burlap ribbon:  one yard, 3-1/2" wide
red burlap
fusible web
pencil
sheer ribbon:  one yard, 1-1/4" wide
1/8" red ribbon
jingle bells:  one 1-1/2", six 3/4"
Christmas spray pik
electronic die cutting machine:  Cut out 3" high letters spelling JOY
scissors
glue gun and glue sticks
tacky glue
paper towels

Instructions:

1.  If you have never used etchall (R)  products; then begin by watching this video.  Barbee will describe how to get started in her video.  http://etchall.com/getting-started/

2.  Cut out your letters from the etchall (R) etchmask.  Set aside.

3.  Clean the mirrors and dry thoroughly.  Remove the release paper from one letter. The letters I cut out had small circles cut within each letter.  I used the etchall pick tool to remove the tiny circles.  Remove the release paper from one letter.  Center the letter on a mirror and adhere.  Use the squeegee tool to remove any air bubbles.  Repeat for each letter.


4.  Follow the instructions given on the etchall(R) creme bottle and thoroughly cover the surface of each mirror with the creme.  Apply a thick layer; gently smoothing over the top with the squeegee tool.  *Note:  The creme has turned a dark shade of brown because it has been re-used several times.  This color does not change the effectiveness of the creme.  You will return the creme to the jar when you are done for another use!


5.  Let the etchall creme do it's thing.  It will take about 15 minutes.  When the time is up' scrape the creme back into the bottle for a later use, then rinse the mirrors, removing any residue.  Remove the etchmask and rinse again.  Dry thoroughly using a soft cloth.

6.  Burlap borders:  Apply fusible web to the back of a 14" square of red burlap; following the manufacturers directions.  Turn the burlap so the release paper is facing up and trace around each mirror leaving about a 1//2" space between each tracing.  Cut out around one oval leaving a 1/4" border.  Repeat for each burlap oval.

6.  Cut the piece of burlap ribbon.  Cut a V in the bottom end.  Fold under the top edge  and glue; making a 1" casing for the ribbon hanger.  Thread ribbon through the casing and tie the ends together making a hanger.

7. Glue the bells and Christmas picks to the top of the ribbon. Center and adhere the mirrors to the ribbon as shown. Thread the 1/8" ribbon tails through each bell, tying a knot after it to secure.  The picture below shows the wall hanging before the Christmas sprays were glued to the top.


8.  The photo below is about how your wall hanging should look when it is finished.  Personalize the wall hanging to match your own decor.  It is hanging in my "country room" with lots of traditional Christmas colors.  I have two more rooms I decorate with romantic country and elegance.  I would use different colors for those rooms.

I hope you have gotten some inspiration here today.  Be sure to visit the etchall (R) website to check out a plethora of awesome products.   I have only shown a few here today.

Make sure to enjoy the small blessings along the way and
Live Life with a Flourish!

Cheers!

Marilyn





Bring Joy with this decorated stacking storage container!

JOY TO THE WORLD!  Christmas is just around the corner and it is time to start thinking about the gifts we want to give and how we want to decorate.  I think everyone loves snowmen and Joy letters make gift giving fast and easy!  Everyone loves a message of JOY and you can bring others joy with the quick and easy design I am showing here today.


Materials:

defecto:  Interlocking storage organizer  #20101CR; sign danglers #20014CR
1-1/2" embroidered letters:  J O Y      Link:  http://joysa.com/
defecto:  Interlocking storage organizer; sign dangler
rick rack:  1/2" red
ribbon:  5/8" black & silver; 12"
candle light:  Snowman
adhesives
scissors
candy or gift to place in the container



Instructions:

1.  Remove release paper from the back of each letter and adhere to the canister as shown; one letter to each compartment.

2. Adhere a piece of ric-rac to the top of each compartment; not interfering with the lock.  Line up the seams in the back.

3.  Bend the sign dangler accordion fashion or as you would a fan.  Remove the release paper from each end.  Adhere one end to the top of the lid.  Adhere the candle light snowman to the opposite end.  This may take some extra adhesive to hold the light in place.

4.  Fill the canister with candies or other surprises for the recipient.  Finish with a bow under the chin!


EnJOY the coming holidays!  A gift from the heart is always a pleasure for the giver and the receiver.

Merry Christmas and may you have a very happy New Year!