12 Advent Calendar Ideas for Craft this Christmas!

6:24 PM | Labels: , , , , , ,

Advent Calendar is THE way for count down until Christmas! There are some terrific ideas in this post for crafting your very own Advent Calendar. I love the little surprises tucked for every day, it makes waiting for Christmas so much more fun and exciting.

Easy Advent Calendar craft. Tiny gift bags and scrap booking supplies is all you need to make this modern elegant table centerpiece/decoration.


Love this adorable birdhouse Advent Calendar. I would be thriller every morning just pulling out the little cubbies :)


Cute, inexpensive and clever craft idea! Stash your surprises in this matchbox Christmas Tree. Let each kid make their own unique one :)


Beautiful uber stylish! Pick an ornament each day till Christmas to decorate your tree. You can even hang jewelry and mementos.


Repurpose a ladder into an Advent Calendar. Sew little bags and tie them with ribbons for a clever crafty Advent Calendar idea.


The simplicity of picking a present each day is so fun. Don't mark the day, enjoy the random draw each morning!


Advent Calendar cube cubby. This is a perfect way to decorate mantel for Christmas. Little reminders of the season and holiday cheer!


Great way to decorate small space. Tie a ribbon and hang vintage cards spelling 'CHRISTMAS' and matching decorations. Love how it ends with the Christmas tree right below.


This is my favourite, a beautiful Advent Calendar made of felt and gingham stars! Easy sew for someone crafty or just use 'no-stitch' fabric glue.


Easy Advent Calendar idea,ready in no time! Small cloth bags, ribbon and tack pins is all you need. Put it up on a wall or board. Cheat: Use glue instead of stitch and pop a bead to sinch the ribbon.


Wool and felt are the perfect fabric for winter. These felt mittens strung together is an awesome idea! You could even make some out of old sweaters or single/out-grown gloves. Shabby chic!


Paste a paper cut out Christmas tree on a door or wall. Use lots of sticky glue dots (removable) and pop the gifts on it. Instant colorful and fun Advent Calendar!


Can't wait till Christmas! Having an Advent Calendar will surely make the wait a little more bearable :) Enjoy every day of December with a little surprise for you loved ones, kids specially love Advent Calendar! Enjoy the Holiday season everyone!!

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Posted by Mr Black

Rosemary Tree Maintenance Tips

7:59 AM | Labels: ,



Those petite rosemary Christmas trees you see at the home improvement store, in the market and at your local nursery are charming to look at, but can be a bear to maintain.

Rosemary Tree Maintenance

Because they look and smell so wonderful, they're almost irresistible. If you just have to adopt one of these seasonal beauties, make sure to take a look at the tips below.

Rosemary Tree Care

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Posted by Mr Black

Winter Urns, a tutorial

9:08 PM |

Computer issues and a tight schedule have kept me from the computer of late. Hoping this tutorial is not too late for some of you.........but then again, the design principles shown here could also be employed for interior arrangements set into floral foam. Well, enough "disclosures", let's move onto the the creation of a traditional winter arrangement
My favorite is the spruce tree toppers. They add the element of height and bulk
Inserted straight up, a cluster adds an instant base

Dogwood sticks; red, yellow, etc. continues the element of verticality

Additionally set in an upright fashion
As we move on the best advice I can impart is, use a variety of evergreen forms and textures. For example if all evergreen bundles chosen have a similar needle, say all small like the spruce, nothing would "pop". A great choice here is the long needle of white pine to contrast with the short needle of the spruce.
Beginning at mid-level onto the bottom, insert at a 90 to 45 degree angle as you begin to fill these lower gaps 
(all creations will have a Dr. Seuss look mid-point, don't worry!)
LOVE coned cedar! Another texture, form (droopy) and the addition of mini cones
All inserted at the rim of the urn as a "spiller"
A few set at a 90 degree angle to bring the coned ends higher towards eye level
Whopper cones, the "jeffrey" cones.

My "have to haves", red berries and in this case, hard plastic red berries for season long impact. Actually, many seasons...... Try to avoid styrofoam, they burst and will look like popcorn mid winter. The real winterberries soon turn black and drop


Real alder cones on faux stems. Why faux stems? To hold the clusters of diminutive pinecones. Another benefit of faux is the pliable stems

Boxwood. A great mid filler and another contrasting texture


Always stepping back, I will tend to add more of the previously used until satisfied. Does this help? Don't be timid, and have fun!

General Tips;
1) buy twice as much as you think you will need
2) think "filler", "thriller" and "spiller"
3) Use opposing textures
4) When complete, mist with water and then an anti-dessicant, such as 'wilt-pruf', it holds in moisture and adds double the lifespan of your creation

I would love to see your efforts, send me photos

Debra




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Posted by Mr Black

20 Creative Gift-wrapping Ideas for Christmas!

8:20 PM | Labels: , , , , ,

Christmas celebrations include buying gifts for loved ones!! It is sweeter when not just the gift but even the wrapping is beautiful and creative. Imagine wowing them with unique wrapping ideas, those which will make them appreciate the gift even before they open it!

I love creative ways to decorate and recycle. These craft ideas for gift wrapping will surely inspire you. I would rather stay away from plastic wrapping which get torn away in no time and are impossible to recycle. Add a personal touch to gifts this holiday!

 
Use vintage paper coasters, old holiday cards and craft ribbons for these delightful gift wrapping. The sprig of green adds gorgeous contrast!


What a great way to decorate humble brown bags as fantastic gift bags. Use buttons, wool, strips of craft paper left overs with a pinch of creativity.


Eco-friendly and perfect for Christmas! Love the cute pine cones and pine leaves, tied with some twine. Cottage chic and so elegant.


Use printed decorated tins that can be reused for storage. Perfect for cookies, or small gifts and gorgeous result with little effort. Look for miniature baubles and old Christmas light bulbs to use as accent.


Are you a proud owner of crazy bunch of buttons? Great way to reuse and decorate in a jiffy. Don't have buttons..punch out round colorful circles and use to similar effect.


Brown paper is a classy, inexpensive alternative. Make them unique by adding embellishments. Use stamps, like snowflakes to create designs. Kids will love to help out!


Another impressive gift wrapping idea. Punch holes to make a delicate lacey ribbon out of paper. Use the colorful punched out 'circles' as confetti gift decoration.


Leftover yarn to tie a gift box, and gorgeous pom poms as accents.


How cute is this vintage cookie cutter tag/embellishment! It can be stored away for use later.


Vintage Christmas lights arranged as bow. Amazing way to upcycle a busted string of lights.


Use newspaper, comic book pages or magazine center folds to wrap small gifts. Use ribbons in gorgeous bright hues to add the pop of color.


If your kids love to cut out paper figures this might be a lovely gift wrapping idea. Draw/print-Snip-Stick!


Punched out paper snowflakes on a string to tie around a gift. Use paper punches to create delicate doilies, or make paper snowflakes to add as embellishments.


Tutorial to make an embellishment out of newspaper or craft paper. It would look so cool made in colorful paper. Good craft idea for a dull winter day.


Sponge paint triangular trees in red. Decorate these Christmas trees with tiny pom poms and ribbons. Another idea would be to use 'used' dryer sheets dyed red for a lovely texture. Love!!


Kids and preschoolers craft idea. Cut out the Christmas Tree landscape and let them punch holes. Easy diy !


Each of these tags are elegant and eclectic at the same time. Good way to add the extra jazz.


This whole bunch of curled newspaper is so stylish! Easy craft idea for unique gift wrapping.


Use 'Gift-tag' stamp the year round!! Easy, fun way to accessories. Love the candy cane detail.



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