{scissor variations}

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{no.49} interlude

 

merry + happy {to you}

 

 
 

 
 

tacky wrapping

 

perfect tiny boxes.

 

if you don't have tiny boxes on hand, a quick trip to the grocery store to purchase a package of small matches (these are very cheap) and you're set to go.

 

simply trace around the box (using the largest side as your template) onto decorative paper, cut out  + glue. tuck your small treasures inside.

 

faux-talian thumbtack mini DIY can be found here

 

holiday packaging {vintage bakeware}

 

i am loving-the-holiday-grey color scheme this year + vintage bakeware fits right in with its silvery, tarnished finish.

the perfect vessel for stacking cookies, rolled confections, dense quick breads--you can't beat them for pretty presentation.

 

i think there is still time to find a few gems at the thrift store --

some of these i just found a few days ago. for pennies.

 

if you like the patterned ones--look for the brand name "Ovenex"--they made wonderful pie pans and cake pans too, as well as the tart tins (muffins weren't such a big thing at that time).

the stacked square tins on the right hold those prepackaged "Delacre" cookies---i find these at the thrift store all of the time for 25 cents. or at my thrift store you get a free tin when you buy something, so i always choose these for their simple shape.

 

+ just for good measure add vintage tin ice cream spoons as "toppers" tied onto your jam + curd jars

--so pretty + reusable.

gift packaging as its best.

 

felt shingle tree...have you made one?

 

 

i posted the felt shingle tree tutorial back in 2009 + am happy to see that some of you have taken the time to create one for yourself.

 

i would love to see yours if you have made one--just leave a comment with a link to your finished tree--so I can take a look and post your comment for everyone else to see too.

 

here are some i have spied on the internets in the last little while: 

love the topper portion + colors

+ here's a lovely slender one in traditional green

 

 + a special thank you to Parents magazine who contacted me in the Fall + recently featured my tree in their top 100 Holiday round up.

 

Ez's Lovely Gift Toppers (cast your vote!)

 

{Photo + Project Copyright Ez Pudewa + Creature Comforts 2011}

 

The Crafts Dept is running a little contest--4 bloggers/designers were asked to submit a holiday gft wrapping project for their challenge contest.

 

They are all lovely in their own right of course, i mean these are all well known crafty DIY folk--and i would definitely try a few of them.

however i do have a particular fondess for Ez's project because:

1. it is lovely.
2. the supplies many of us would have in our craft stash (glitter, a clothespin, some glue + a do-hickey)--I could make this TODAY without having to run to a craft store!
3. easy for children to make as well--perfect for a group project in a classroom. set up a glitter station and you're practically good to go!
4. these could be added to gifts but also clipped to a tree or used as advent clips--i love variations when it comes to craft projects.

 

 

Ez has been kind enough to blog about Papier Valise and also invited me to participate in her 2010 issue of Gifted magazine--which was an honor for me.  some of those projects i have shared with you these past weeks: wreath redux. tea ball twine holders + the tin shadow box ornament.

 

Ez is kind and supportive of our wonderful DIY community and i would love it if you would join me in casting a vote of approval Ez's way--here is where you can vote!

 

 

 

winter blues

 

 

 

 

DIY: after + before

 after:

 

before:

i found some specialty house boxes at the bargain shop ranging in price from $1.25-$2.00 each.

with a bit of paint, tacky glue, mica flakes + sequins i soon had a complete neighborhood reno underway. i loved that i could customize them in any color--i am really loving grey this holiday season. a lot. i definitely need to paint more grey ones.

 

 my taste leans toward simple shapes and colors. and that is the beauty of this project, you can make it your own.

i plan on doing a few more white ones and doing the roof tops with the mica flakes. they are my favorite.

i am going to fill some with homemade caramels + sponge toffee for gift giving.

so, if you have a cardboard or pressboard box that you're not so fond of, think about changing it up with a bit of paint--easy peasy transformation.

 

{no.4} holiday craft project past: more pins than patience

 

decorative sequin balls

 

 

skip the traditional "adding a seed bead" before threading your pin through both the bead + the sequin.

it will save you a lot of time. and a lot of patience.

 

notes:  i have had my sequin balls for many years and no pins have fallen out. ever. i wrap them in old tissue paper and tuck them into the holiday decoration box and they fair just fine.

you can make a collection of these in an evening when you eliminate that tiny step of trying to thread the bead onto the pin as well---it also makes your sequin balls much lighter if you are hanging them.

original craft post here--with additional information