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 {Be Merry Wreath}

Without a doubt, it is finally Christmas at our house! The tree is up and decorated, gifts are wrapped and in there proper spot, poinsettias are adorning the plater box on the front porch and lastly the wreath is hung! I've had the supplies since before Thanksgiving, but with a hectic work schedule, I finally got around to completing it this weekend. I'm really happy with how it turned out too. All I had to do was spray paint a twig wreath found in any craft store and paint a "Be Merry" sign in this year's decor colors to complete it. Now that it is hung, I really feel in the spirit each day I come home after work. Plus it adds some personality to our holiday decor that couldn't be accomplished with a store bought version. Here's the step by step…

:: Supplies ::
Twig Wreath
Silver Spray Paint
Chip Board Sign
Craft Paint
Small Craft Paint Brush
Pencil
Tulle
1" Finishing Nails
Hammer

:: Directions ::
1. Spray twig wreath silver and allow to dry.
2. Paint chip board sign in your choice of base color. Let dry completely.
3. Using a pencil, lightly trace the phrase "Be Merry" onto the chip board. In the corner, lightly trace holly leaves and berries.
4. Paint over the phrase in the color of your choice. It may take a few coats to cover the pencil marks if you traced on the darker side. Paint holly leaves green and use the end of your paint brush to create the berries.
5. Let sign dry completely before turning face down. Hammer a finishing nails 2.5 inches from the top and 1 inch from each side leaving approximately 3/4 of the nail exposed. Cut a 2' piece of tulle, fold in half and tie each end of the tulle in a knot around the exposed part of the nail. Take a second piece of 2' tulle, fold it in half and string it through the sign, loop around the wreath and tie the end in a bow. Hang from a wreath hook on door.