Textured Star Ornaments

I love making quick and easy ornaments to help decorate the tree. My kids and I love stars, so I thought I'd make a handful of textured stars in white and glittery gold for the tree.

What you need:
1. Cardboard and Scissors
2. Paint and Paint Brush
3. Hot Glue Gun
4. Kraft Ribbon

What you do:

1. Cut out a bunch of stars from a piece of cardboard. I made one I liked, then I used it to trace the others.

2. Using a hot glue gun, glue strips of kraft ribbon to the front of the star, making sure that it extends past the edges of the star.

3. Let it dry. Flip over the star, and trim the edges of the kraft ribbon away.

4. Flip over the star, and decorate or paint as you desire.

I painted half of mine white. I used a dry brush technique, so that a little bit of the original color of the paper ribbon would show through. I also added a light coat of gold glitter paint to the white stars after the paint had dried. I painted the other half with a gold glitter acrylic paint. It looks great on top of the natural kraft color.

Glue strips of kraft ribbon to the backs of the stars. These look great on our Christmas tree, and I love the natural rustic look combined with the glittery gold.

Faith, Hope, and Love Ornaments

I am so excited to be a part of the 12 Days of Christmas series hosted by My Sister's Suitcase.

For my project, I wanted to make some ornaments inspired by the third day of Christmas, three french hens. Apparently, the tradition says that the song, the 12 Days of Christmas was a way to teach the faith when Catholics were being persecuted. Each of the different days represents something (this website has a list), and the three french hens represent FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE. I wanted to make monochromatic ornaments that were generally all white or all gold.

What you need:

1. Empty craft ornaments
2. Puffy paint (I used Tulip Metallic White)
3. White acrylic paint
4. Optional - glittery gold paint and a gold paint pen

What you do:

1. Use the puffy paint to write the words faith, hope, and love on the outside of your ornaments. Let this dry overnight.

2. To make the all white ones, pour some white paint into the ornament. Slowly twirl the ornament around until the entire inside is covered. Let the extra paint drip back out of the ornament. Continue to slowly turn the ornament as it dries, or the paint will all settle on one side.

3. To make the "dipped" ornament, pour white paint only into the bottom center of the ornament. Turn the ornament and let the paint spread around the bottom into whatever shape you want. Let it dry upright.

4. To make the all gold monochromatic ornament, use glittery gold paint to coat the inside of the ornament. Then use a gold paint pen to draw shapes on the outside of the ornament.

Another fun family idea, would be to have your family write words on little scraps of paper that signify faith, hope, and love to them. Then stick the papers into the ornaments.

Visit My Sister's Suitcase to follow along with the rest of the projects in this fun series, or check out them out below.

Geometric Christmas Bunting

I wanted to make a little Christmas bunting this year to drape across the tree, or to hang across a doorway. I was wanting to make a simple one with a modern look.

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Pumpkins and Spice and Everything Nice

I’m a huge coffee-lover. I love trying new flavors, and I look forward to waking up to a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Although I do sometimes enjoy getting coffee out and about, my favorite cup of coffee is one that I brew right at home, in one of my favorite mugs, with no sugar, just cream. My husband, Grant also loves coffee, and starts a pot for me in the mornings when he leaves early for work. It’s such a small thing, but a sweet way he shows me he loves me and is thinking about me. Since he especially enjoys iced coffee, I set some aside for him in the refrigerator with cream for him to enjoy when he gets home, and he too knows I was thinking about him.

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Holiday Gift Guide for Women

Over the next few days, I'll be sharing with you 4 holiday gift guides, inspired by my own family. One for women (inspired by me, a craft-loving mom of 2), one for men (inspired by my husband), one for preschoolers (inspired by my 3 year old son), and one for toddlers (inspired by my 2 year old daughter).

Have It. Love it.

1. Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Full-HD Movie Mode Digital SLR Camera - If you're looking to get a new camera, I would highly recommend this one. Even if you don't know how to use the manual functions (yet) this camera takes amazing pictures on auto. It's also set up so well that it's easy to learn much more on it. I use this camera to take ALL of the pictures on my site, and I have no real photography training.

2. Speedball Speedy Carve Stamp Making Kit - This would be a wonderful gift for a creative person in your life. With the materials included here, it's easy to design and make your own unique stamps. Also pair this with this wonderful book, Making an Impression: Designing & Creating Artful Stamps. .

 

3. Jewelry Basics Class In A Box Kit, Bright Glass - I don't have this exact set, but something similar. This is a fun idea for someone who might be interested in making their own jewelry.

4. Farouk CHI 1 Inch Ceramic Flat Hairstyling Iron - Whether you have straight hair or curly hair, this fantastic flat iron make your hair silky straight. Plus, it only costs $47.00 on Amazon, when the list price is $190.00! I have this flat iron, and have been using it for years. It's really amazing!

5. Elixir of Dreams Pillow Mist - I have the Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Lavender Vanilla Sleep Pillow Mist and I LOVE it. I spray it on my pillow at night and it helps me fall asleep.

Want it.

1. Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras - With this flash you can take better pictures in low lighting. Instead of the camera's built-in flash that points directly at the subject, leaving dark shadows behind them, you can point this flash up at the ceiling, so the light bounces around the room in a natural way. Ok... I REALLY want this :)

2. Real Simple 1 Year Subscription - Did you know you can order magazine subscriptions on Amazon? There are so many available and the deals are fantastic.

3. Hand Embroidered Table Runners from Bansari Designs, who offer exclusive and luxury decor for every occasion. There are so many beautiful choices in items from pillow covers to place mat sets. You can also read their wonderful story here. I especially love the light gold (pictured below), and snow white table runners.

4. Personalized Pie Dish- At Red Envelope, you can personalize pie dishes and other kitchenware. What a fun gift idea for someone in your life who loves to cook.

Shop Handmade. 

1. Wide Braided Suede Bracelets from White Finn Designs

2. Purple Ombre Dangle Earrings from White Finn Designs

3. Felt Owl Ornaments from House 129 - Christmas ornaments make such special and unique Christmas gifts, especially for someone who has everything. Plus, isn't this little owl ADORABLE!

4. Sled Ornament with Mini Boxwood Wreath from Uncommon Fabrics. I love the classic feel of childhood and winter that this ornament provokes.

5. Chevron Bead Bracelet from White Finn Designs

*This list does contain some affiliate links, such as Amazon Associates. All opinions and suggestions are 100% mine.

Reindeer Brown Paper Bag

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you how to make these woodland creature gift bags from brown paper lunch sacks. I also thought it would be cute to make a reindeer gift bag for Christmas.

What you need:
1. Brown paper lunch bags
2. Scrapbook paper and card stock
3. Scissors
4. Glue and/or tape (I used Elmer's dot runner)
5. A black or brown button
6. (Optional) hole punches

What you do:

1. Fold over and crease the top of your brown paper bag. Cut the front part into a triangle.

2. Use the scraps or a similarly colored card stock to cut out ears. Cut smaller pieces in a lighter color and glue them to the insides of the ears.

3. Cut out a long piece of scrapbook paper (I used a festive Christmas paper, but you could also use the same color as the inside of the ears and tail.).

4. Attach the long piece of paper to the bag, underneath the triangle face with double sided tape or Elmer's dot runner (I recently have become obsessed with this stuff!)

5. Cut out two antler shapes from a dark brown card stock. Attach them to the tops of the ears, as seen in the second picture above.

6. Flip the bag over, and attach each ear/antler piece to the back. Also cut out a cute little tail and attach it to the back.

7. Make your eyes. I used two sizes of circle punches and white card stock and black craft foam. Button eyes would also be cute. Attach the eyes and the button nose and you're done (Maybe use a red button for Rudolph).

These reindeer brown paper bags are simple to make and would be a fun activity to do with older kids. If your kids are a little too young for this project, like mine, then make these bags and use them to wrap presents for your kids, or even adults. They would also make cute party favors at a Christmas party.

This project was originally posted as a guest post at Design Dazzle. 

The Cure for the Common Monday #62

Happy Thanksgiving week!

I have two AMAZING giveaways going on right now.

1. Silhouette Cameo

2. Kiwi Crate

<a href="http://www.linesacross.com/search/label/the%20Cure%20for%20the%20Common%20Monday"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h379/linesacrossmyface/TheCure2.png" /></a>

Everyone is welcome to join this link party. Share something crafty or creative. Share a recipe or a household tip. There are three simple rules.

1. Follow Lines Across (I also will be sharing some of my favorites throughout the week through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest).
2. Post the Cure for the Common Monday button somewhere on your blog (or link back to Lines Across).
3. Visit and comment on at least one link for every post you share.

Silhouette Cameo Giveaway

It's time! This Silhouette Cameo could be YOURS! Your crafting possibilities are endless. Are you as excited as we are? We thought we'd provide you with links to some of our projects to create some excitement and get those creative juices flowing. If you don't win -- you could always ask Santa to bring you one for Christmas, right? May you find inspiration and excitement.

Now on to what you've all been waiting for! Please note that winning entries are verified. You must complete the required entry for other entries to be valid. GOOD LUCK! 

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Kiwi Crate Review and Giveaway

Today I'm happy to introduce you all to Kiwi Crate, a fantastic company that delivers monthly packages filled with crafts, activities, and science experiments for kids.

If you're like me (or my kids), then you love getting a package in the mail. It's so exciting to see your little green Kiwi Crate on your doorstep, and your kids will love that it's even addressed to them by name.

I was sent a preview of the December Antarctic crate to review with my kids. Now my son recently turned 3 and my daughter turns 2 next month. These crates are geared towards kids ages 3 - 7. What's great was that both of my kids had fun with the crate, even though they are on the younger side, but older kids will also enjoy the crafts and activities, and will be able to do more by themselves and get more out of it.

The first project we did were these aurora watercolor postcards. Basically, you use oil pastels to color streaks across the sky. Then you paint over the whole postcard with watercolors. Each project comes with a little booklet with instructions, ideas, and learning opportunities.

Another suggested activity that ended out being great for Lyla who is almost 2 were these postcards. You can draw shapes onto one of the blank postcards with Elmer's glue. Then let it dry, and let your little kids paint over the whole postcard, revealing your design. I also wiped over the glue with a damp paper towel after Lyla was done to make the white more pronounced.

The next activity we did was penguin bowling. My kids definitely needed a little help setting this up, but we had a lot of fun playing with it together. Benjamin helped me decorate the penguins with stickers and markers. He loves penguins and thought it was hilarious to knock them over with the balls. The crate comes with a scorecard with lots of ideas for setting up the penguins. However, my kids just wanted to knock them over and did not have the patience for the scorecards.

 We also used the fish ice cube tray to freeze some blue Gatorade. The kids really got a kick out of this.

Kiwi Crate also make a wonderful gift for a little one in your life, or for a family as a whole. I know I enjoyed doing the crafts and activities with my kids. If you don't want to subscribe, you can buy just one single box, like these festive holiday boxes: Crafty Christmas, Handmade Hanukkah, and Gifts Made by Me.

You can also buy mini craft boxes, like rockets (only $5 each) or wands ($6) and use them as stocking stuffers, party favors, or party activities.

Now, Kiwi Crate is giving away one crate of your choice: The December Antarctic Crate, Crafty Christmas, Handmade Hanukkah, or Gifts Made by Me. Enter using Rafflecopter below.

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*Disclosure: I was provided a sample Kiwi Crate to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.