"Believe" Shadow Box - Christmas Decor

The holidays are upon us!  I have had a shadowbox frame in my stash for a long time  I decided to take it out and turn it into some Christmas decor this year.  The project I came up with is very quick and easy and looks magical!  Read on to see just what I did.....

You will need:

Styletechcraft Vinyl:  Polished Metal, Red

Transfer paper

Weeding tool

Shadow box: 8" x 10"; (I painted mine black)

Sisal trees

Memory paper and embellishments

Glitter:  white

Glue

Paper trimmer

Die-cut machine

Directions:

1.  Take the shadow box apart.  Make sure the glass is clean.  Paint the frame if desired.

2.  Cut the memory paper to fit in the back of the shadowbox frame.  Adhere.

3.  Glue the sisal trees to the bottom of the shadow box.  Sprinkle generously with glitter.  Remove most of the excess, but leave some for effect. Adhere the wreath and small embellishments to the memory paper.

4.  Cut out the word Believe on the die-cut machine.  I set the size at 1" which is the height.  Apply the transfer paper and pick out the part of the design you won't be using.  This is called "weeding".

Adhere the sentiment to the inner frame as shown. Remove the transfer paper.

5.  Replace all of the layers of the frame.  Box, inner frame, glass and top frame.  Now it is ready to show off!

Thank you for taking time for the blog today.  I hope you are inspired to go forth and create your own special holiday decor!

Make sure to take the time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive complimentary product in exchange

for my creativity on this blog.

Snowman Factory with Deflecto Stackable Caddy Organizer

December Greetings Friends!  As I write this blog, I am looking around at my stacks and piles of Christmas decorations as I finish up some projects and look forward to decorating the house.  Deflecto has come up with a Stackable Caddy storage system that is a favorite of everyone!  The caddys are made to Stack'N Go with a Caddy Wheel Base.  You can pile on as many as you desire for convenient storage.

I decided to dedicate one of my caddy's to a festive storage for the snowman ornaments I make for the holidays.  I put the foam balls, paints, paintbrushes and accessories in the storage bins for convenience when I work on this project. 

Read on, and I will tell you about how I decorated the caddy!

You will need:

Deflecto:  Stackable Caddy Organizer #29003CR

Paints:  Metallic Gold Acrylics    (Designer note:  Spray paint works great too)

Sponge:  I used a sea sponge

Paintbrushes

Vinyl with adhesive:  Metallic Gold and Clear Glitter

Die-cut machine

Water Bucket

Paper Plates

Paper Towels

Scissors

Paper Trimmer

Instructions:

1.  Remove all of the clear bins from the caddy.

2.  Pour out some paint on a paper plate.  Wet the sponge and squeeze out all of the moisture.  Use a pouncing motion to apply paint to the sponge and repeat that motion as you apply the paint to the caddy.  After applying a coat of paint to the caddy, apply a second coat where needed.  **  If you want a quicker way to do this......a metallic spray paint made for plastic will work great!

3.  The caddy should look about like this when you are finished painting.

4.  Stars:  Cut 1", 3/4" and 1/2" stars from the vinyl using the die-cut machine.  Start with about 20 of each size.  Peel off the release paper of one star and adhere to one bin.  Repeat; randomly placing the stars until you are happy with the way the bins look.  

5.  Cut 6 vinyl  rectangles at 2" x 2-1/2" using the paper trimmer.  Round off the corners with the scissors.  Remove the release paper from one rectangle, position and adhere to one of the indention's on the top of a bin.  Smooth out all of the air bubbles.  If you get a stubborn air bubble; use a pin to release any trapped air.  Smooth.  Repeat and finish the other indentations.  Below is a photo of how they should look when you are finished.

Below are a couple more photos of how my caddy looks now.  I love it and I am looking forward to finishing my snowman ornaments.  I will be adding some hangers and embellishments to make them look cozy and ready for the tree.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  I hope you got some inspiration here today and have a wonderful Christmas season!

Cheers!

Marilyn

Decorate a Christmas serving plate and candle holder with Tape Technologies

Need some quick and easy ideas for the Holidays?  With the help of Tape Technologies vinyl I have created some Christmas decor that I am proud to show off!  Read on and I will tell you how I did it!

I purchased an inexpensive ivy bowl and picked up the platter at a second-hand store.  

You will also need:

Tape Technologies vinyl:  Red and Green Polished Metal (Styletechcraft)

9" square opalescent plate with hobnail type trim  (or other similar find!)

Ivy bowl

Tea light'

Paper Trimmer

Die Cut machine

Instructions:

Clean and dry the glass thoroughly.

Cut 1/2" strips from the red vinyl with the paper trimmer.  Cut 1/2" increments from the 1/2" x 12" strip.  Set the 1/2" squares aside.

Remove the release paper from the back of one square.  Center and adhere to one corner of the platter. Repeat on the opposite side. Adhere a square next to the first square and repeat on each side; working towards the middle.  Repeat for the other 3 sides.

The plate should look like the photo below when you are finished.

Cut out holly leaves and berries using the die-cut machine.  If you don't have a die-cut machine, trace the pattern on the wrong side of the vinyl (on the release paper) and cut out. Remove the release paper, arrange and adhere the vinyl to the surface removing any air bubbles.  Place the tea light in the ivy bowl to finish.  You can further embellish the ivy bowl with a pretty bow around the neck if you like!

Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  Feel free to leave any questions or comments in the comment box below.  I like hearing from you!

Make sure to enjoy the small blessings along the way and,

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

*Note: You can find the Tape Technologies vinyl on Amazon under the name Styletechcrafts.

Enjoy!

I receive complimentary product

in exchange for my creativity on this blog.

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!