Party DIY {Colorful Christmas Ornaments}

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! It's so hard to believe that it's already here. But, before it's come and gone, I wanted to share one last holiday DIY with you. I've always been a big fan of handmade decorations, things that are different and have a story or meaning behind them. I like being able to say "Oh I made that!" when someone compliments the party or holiday decorations around my house. Christmas ornaments are no different. While I have my favorite ornaments that have been gifts from friends and family, the ones that really set my tree apart are the ones I made myself. This year's handmade ornaments are definitely the best so far. Who knew that a simple glass ball filled with colorful paint and decorated with a paint pen could make such a big impact? I definitely didn't! Trust me though, I will definitely be making more of these for next year's tree they turned out so good! Here's the step-by-step….

:: Supplies ::

Clear Glass Ornaments

Choice Color Acrylic Craft Paint (1 bottle coats approximately 4 ornaments)

Choice Color Fine Tip Paint Pen

:: Directions ::

1. Remove silver top from ornament and set aside.

2. Squirt approximately 1/4 bottle of craft paint into ornament. Turn ornament so that paint coats the inside. Return to ornament tray to let dry. Tip: Start by turning ornament upside down to drain any excess paint. Rotate every 15-20 minutes after that onto a different side so that paint does not drip and settle in one spot creating a spotty ornament. If the paint on the inside is not completely dry, over time all the paint will settle at the bottom leaving you with a half painted ornament if not rotated. I let mine dry approximately 2 hours. 

3. Place cap back on ornament. Using your paint pen, draw the design of your choice. 

    *To create the design I made use the following steps. 

         A. On the cap to your ornament, you will see slight indentations. Draw a line approximately half          way down the ornament from each of those indentations. 

         B. Connect each line at the top with a slightly curved line. When you look down on it, it should look like a flower. Repeat with a second slightly curved line approximately 1/4" down from the first. 

         C. Dot above each curved line with the tip of your paint pen. At the end of each straight line create an asterisk. 

I hope you have a crafty Christmas Eve!

Party DIY {Colorful Serving Spoons}

I posted earlier in the week about custom serve pieces and super fun Martha Stewart glass paint. Well, the custom serveware continues today. Why? Because custom is always (usually) better. These serving spoons were simple simple to make and will be a fun way to add flair to my average pieces. Customize colors and patterns for each occasion. Multi size stripes in multi colors for Cinco de Mayo, pastels for Mother's Day, red, white and blue for 4th of July, the possibilities are endless! Here's the how to...

:: Supplies ::
Silver Serving Utensils
Acrylic Paint
Painter's Tape
Paint Brush
Bull's Eye Shellac Clear Spray Paint (This brand is food safe!)

:: Directions ::
1. Tape off the base of the spoon to create a clean break while painting.
2. Paint handle of utensil in desired color. Let dry completely. Paint stripe or pattern in desired color and let dry. Remove tape.
3. Once paint is completely dry, spray with Bull's Eye Shellac. Let dry.

*Note: While Shellac will help with chipping, utensils should be hand washed.

Egg-cellent Style

I couldn't tell you the last time I busted out the hard boiled eggs and egg dye kit. It's been years since I got creative on the thin shell. But this past weekend, I caved. With eggs and dye in hand, I was determined to create some fun and unique Easter Egg designs. Dye wasn't the only thing I used though. Acrylic paint was the key to creating my different designs. It gave me the flexibility to make different eggs representing styles like abstract, nautical, and preppy. Here's the how to on creating each of these egg-cellent designs.

:: Supplies ::
Egg Dye Kit
Hard Boiled Eggs
Small Paint Brush
Acrylic Paint

:: Directions ::
1. Create dye according to box directions.
2. Place eggs in dye and let sit till desired color is reached.
3. Paint away!

A Crafted Holiday {Striped Tree Skirt}

The hunt for two things in my house has been a constant for years, the perfect stockings and the perfect tree skirt. While I'm still hunting for lovely and wonderful stockings, the search for the perfect tree skirt is no more! After getting tired of looking at every store year after year, I decided to make my own! Perfectly striped and painted blue, it fits perfectly underneath my tree and matches the rest of the house just splendidly. It is something I can keep for years to come and will surely impress friends and family alike. Here's how I did it...

:: Supplies ::
1.5 Yards Natural Canvas
Ruler
Pen
String
Scissors
Painter's Tape
Acrylic Paint Color of Choice
Sponge Brush
Liquid Stitch

:: Directions ::
1. Using your ruler, mark the center point of the canvas.
2. Cut a piece of string that will reach from the center of the canvas around the edge. Tie one end of the string to the pen and pin the other end in the center.
3. Keeping the string taught, draw and giant circle on the canvas.
4. Find a bowl the size of the opening on your stand and center it in the middle of the large circle.
5. Using your scissors, cut out the larger circle.
6. Draw and straight line from the smaller circle to the edge and cut along it.
7. Cut out the smaller circle.
8. Going around both the large and small circles, measure 1" off the edge and place marks 4" apart. At each mark, cut a .5" notch.
9. Along all edges, run liquid stitch and fold over tabs to finish edge.
10. Flip skirt over and place strips of painter's tape 3" apart. Paint with choice acrylic paint. Remove tape and let dry.
11. Wrap around base of tree and decorate!