Trees that Sparkle: Day 6

I truly love the beach and am not really a mountains kind of girl, but when it comes to snowy mountain and glistening trees it’s another story.  There is something about the sparkling expanse of freshly fallen snow that takes my breath away.  I created these trees for my mantle but they would be perfect in a tablescape or as decor around the home.

The Supplies:
For the taller tree (on left): 14 inch cone, various sticks and branches, snow spray, white paint and fine glitter.  Not pictured: silver spray paint, clear spray sealer.
For the small tree (on right): 10.5 inch cone (shown with a coat of white paint), fine glitter, sponge brush and mod podge.

The Steps:
The Taller Tree:
Cut branches to about 2.5 inches long and paint the cone white.
Starting at the bottom, hot glue the sticks to the cone.
Move upwards as each row is complete.
Tip: at the top add in shorter pieces between the longer ones to fill it out.
Once the sticks are all glued on, coat the tree with silver spray paint making sure to cover the tops and bottoms of the sticks.  Allow to dry.
Working in sections, dust the tree with snow spray followed by a dusting of fine glitter.
When the tree is dry coat it with a clear sealer, I like Krylon Low Odor Finish.
Tip: white spray paint could also be used as the base coat.
The Small Tree:
I started by painting my cone with white paint (1-2 coats).
For the base coat of glitter I mixed the fine glitter with mod podge and painted it on.
When the tree is covered with the mod podge mixture I dusted it with more glitter.
Once dry, coat the tree again with the mod podge mixture and dusted it with glitter.
These trees look amazing on my mantle!
Don’t miss last Friday’s Hand-Painted Votives for Day 5.
Be sure to take a look at Day 6 from last year: Glass Gem Snowman Ornament

Hand-painted Metallic Votives: Day 5

I absolutely love candles, especially during the holidays!  Here is a simple way to enhance standard glass votive cups.

The Supplies:
From right: glass votive cups, paint brushes, metallic and glitter paint (I am loving the Martha Stewart brand) and rubbing alcohol.

The Steps:
Using a cotton ball or cloth wipe the outside of the votive cups with rubbing alcohol and let dry.  Paint votive cups using metallic paint.  I used tape to create stripes and painted polka dots and stars freehand.  Once the paint is dry paint over the metallic paint with a coordinating glitter paint (i.e. gold paint and gold glitter).  Allow to dry for 24-48 hours.
These are a perfect gift or addition to any holiday table or mantle.
Packaged as a set of 4:
Be sure to check out the Textured Sparkly Letters from yesterday and
Day 5 from last year: Snowman Jar Luminaries

Textured Sparkly Letters: Day 4

In my family one of our favorite words is “JOY”!  Every year I buy some sort of “Joy” for my mom (usually it is an ornament) to kick off the holiday season.  This year I decided to make her letters for the mantle.

The Supplies
1 sheet of metallic textured scrapbook paper, wood letters, metallic paint (I am loving the Martha Stewart brand), fine glitter and mod podge (not shown).

The Steps
1. Trace letter on the backside of the metallic textured scrapbook paper.
2. Cut out the letter and compare them to your wood letters, trim as needed.
3. Paint wood letters with metallic paint.  I chose a metallic champagne to match my creamy metallic textured paper.
4.  Attach the paper letters to the wood letters using adhesive (I used mod podge)
5. Coat the edges of the letters with a layer of mod podge and dust with glitter.
6. Coat the top of the letters with mod podge and dust with glitter.

Once the first coat of mod podge and glitter was dry I painted over the letters again with mod podge and dusted them with glitter to give extra sparkle.

The result is shimmering “JOY” for the mantle!  My mom loves it!

Check out yesterdays Popcorn Pail and last years Day 4: Metallic Manzanita Tree.

Red, White & Seasonal Greens: Real Wedding

A small waterfront chapel was the perfect setting for this intimate holiday wedding.

The Venue
Chapel on Echo Bay, Fox Island, WA
Inn at Gig Harbor, Gig Harbor, WA

The Photographer
Wallflower Photography
(all images below courtesy of Wallflower)

The Flowers & Design Elements
White Asiatic lilies, red roses, white ranunculus, white dendrobium orchids, stephanotis, red hypericum berries, sprigs of fir, fir garland and glittered pinecones.

Bridal Bouquet
Cascading bouquet of white Asiatic lilies, red roses, white ranunculus, white dendrobium orchids, stephanotis and sprigs of fir.

Flower Girl Bouquet & Boutonnieres
Hand-tied flower girl bouquet of red roses, red hypericum berries and sprigs of fir.  The grooms boutonniere was white ranunculus with hypericum berries and fir while the ring bearers boutonniere was a single red rose with hypericum berries and fir.

Chapel Decor
Swags of douglas fir garland with white ranunculus, glittered pinecones and red satin ribbon decorated the aisle.  Ribbon banded pillar candles sat atop wrought iron candelabras white swags of fir, lilies, roses and berries adorned the front of the candelabras.

Congratulations to Chrissie & Austin!

To see more photos check out the blog post from Wallflower Photography.

Popcorn Pail: Day 3

Part of giving treats and goodies at the holidays is packaging them in cute fun ways.  Day 3 is all about the presentation!
Yesterday we made yummy Peppermint White Chocolate Popcorn and today we are going to package it!  These clear pails are found at craft stores or can be ordered online from various sources.

The Supplies:
Decorative paper (I raided my pile of holiday themed paper), a clear pail, adhesive and glitter tape…yes, I said glitter tape!  I found this fabulous product at my local craft store and I love that one of them is candy cane striped to match our popcorn!

The Steps:
1. I first cut lengths of my glitter tape, peeled off the backing and stuck it to the pail.  If you can’t find glitter tape, ribbon or paper will work you will just need to add adhesive.
2. I printed out a star graphic for my label.
3. Then I layered it on decorative paper and cut around it.
4. Attach the label to the pail with adhesive.
5. For the lid, trace the lid on the decorative paper and cut a circle slightly smaller.
6. I printed a smaller star for my gift tag on the top.  Attach both the circle and gift tag to the top of the lid with adhesive.
Fill it with Peppermint White Chocolate Popcorn and your gift is complete!

Peppermint White Chocolate Popcorn: Day 2

For those that know me well, you know that I LOVE peppermint and chocolate!  I am continually looking for new recipes and ideas involving these two wonderful flavors.  So for Day 2 I mixed up some yummy Peppermint White Chocolate Popcorn with a dark chocolate drizzle.

The Supplies:
1 bag white candy melts, 1/2 cup popcorn kernels (I like to air pop mine), 1/2-1 cup crushed peppermints or candy canes, 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips.

The Steps:
Pop the popcorn into a bowl and then transfer it by hand to a large mixing bowl, making sure to leave the un-popped kernels in the original bowl.
Melt the white candy melts according to the package directions.
Gently fold the melted candy into the popcorn.
Once the popcorn is evenly coated fold in the crushed peppermints.
Spread on  a parchment lined baking sheet.
Adding a dark chocolate drizzle is optional.  I like the look and flavor.  Melt dark chocolate morsels and drizzle it over the popcorn after it is on the parchment lined baking sheet.
Refrigerate until chocolate is set.
Break into pieces and serve or package as gifts.
Check out tomorrows post for a cute way to package this treat!

See yesterday’s post here –> Day 1: Hand-stamped Candles
Take a look at Day 2: Potted Lemon Cypress from last year!

Hand-Stamped Candles: Day 1

It is that time of the year where I will share some fun gift and decor ideas as well as a few recipes to try this holiday season.  Day 1 kicks off with a simple way to transform a
basic pillar candle.
Supplies Needed:
Clockwise from top: wax paper, pillar candles, ink pads (I used copper & black), embossing heat gun, white tissue paper and rubber stamps.

The Steps:
Cut a small piece of white tissue paper and carefully stamp your design on the tissue.
Trim closely around your design to remove excess paper.
Wrap the stamped tissue paper around the candle (design facing up) and then place wax paper on top, completely covering the tissue paper.
Using an embossing heat gun, very carefully heat the wax paper/tissue layer.  The edges of the tissue paper will disappear.  Remove the wax paper from the candle.

*Tip: when removing the wax paper work quickly from one side applying heat to the wax paper as you pull it away from the candle.  By applying heat to the wax paper when removing, the stamped design is left completely on the candle.  If the wax paper is not heated while being removed, some of the design may stay on the wax paper.
The Finished Product:
A great gift or addition to your holiday decor!

Take a look at last years Day 1: Vine Wrapped Candle Holder.

Glittered Spiderwebs

I am always looking for craft ideas to do with  my nieces and nephew when they come over.  This particular project took place during my nephews nap (glitter and an 18 month old do not go well together).  I found the idea on Pinterest and quickly pinned it to my “Halloween” board.  It is one of  the ideas in the Better Homes & Gardens “Boo-tiful Home Ideas” article online.  In the article, the glittered spiderweb was used as table decor, I thought it would be fun to hang them on my front door for a bit of added glam!

I already decked out my entry with curly willow (stuck in flower pots), fake spiderweb and sparkly spiders.  I have more glittered webs drying but here is the start.

The Supplies:

White paper, bold marker, wax paper, white glue and glitter (I prefer fine glitter).

The Steps:

I started by drawing a web on white paper with my marker (this is a great way to help younger kids make the web).  Place a sheet of wax paper over the web drawing and trace the web with white glue.  Tip: make the spokes of the web a bit thicker as support.  Sprinkle with glitter.

My nieces loved mixing the colors like I did above.  Their webs are in the photo below.

Once the webs are completely dry (it may take 1-2 days) carefully pull the web from the wax paper.  Tip: loosen each spoke of the web and continue to move around the web pulling a little up at a time instead of pulling from just one side.

I attached them to my door with a little wire hanging from the top of the door.  adhesive dashes or other removable adhesive would work as well.  I would love to cover the whole door with this glam glitter webs…just a few more to go!

The glittered webs are the perfect finishing touch to my entry display!

Bouquet Inspiration

I finished up our 5 week series on tabletop inspiration from the Chambers Bay Wedding Showcase and now I want to share a few bouquets I created for that event this past April.

Bouquet 1:
A hand-tied bouquet of double purple tulips, cool water roses, white with green parrot tulips and wispy agonis foliage.  I wrapped the bouquet with lavender satin ribbon and accented it with bling band.  It was designed to complement the centerpiece from our
Purple, Lavender & Bling: Tabletop Inspiration design.

Bouquet 2:
A classic rose bouquet with cream garden roses and pink quicksand roses.  Hand-tied and wrapped with ivory satin ribbon.  This bouquet is complimentary to the
Champagne, Antique Pink & Apricot: Tabletop Inspiration post.

Bouquet 3:
Created to complement the Pewter, Lime & Butter: Tabletop Inspiration centerpiece, this bouquet consists of white hydrangea, pale yellow stock, white freesia, green viburnum and scented geranium leaves.  Hand-tied and wrapped
with pewter satin ribbon

Bouquet 4:
This hand-tied bouquet is a bright pop of color and was designed to complement the Fuchsia, Golden Yellow & Apple Green: Tabletop Inspiration centerpiece.  Fuchsia gerbera daisies stand out against a backdrop of white hydrangea, white freesia and yellow spray roses.  A yellow satin ribbon wrap completes the look!

Bouquet 5 & 6:
The following bouquets weren’t created to compliment a particular table design.  The first is a hand-tied bouquet of deep red peonies (my favorite), pale pink tulips and agonis.  The second is a bouquet I created for another event but I love it and wanted to share it here.  The bouquet is white hydrangea, green viburnum, white freesia, quicksand roses and scented geranium leaves.

Do you have a favorite bouquet from the ones above?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Fuchsia, Golden Yellow & Apple Green: Tabletop Inspiration

It is here…week 5 of our Tabletop Inspiration series from the Chambers Bay Wedding Showcase held at Chambers Bay Golf Course this past spring.  Many thanks to Wallflower Photography for the fantastic images and to American Party Place for all the linens!

Week 5

The Colors:
Fuchsia, Golden Yellow, Apple Green and White.

The Flowers:
White Hydrangea, Fuchsia Gerbera Daisies, Yellow Spray Roses and White Freesia.

  

The centerpiece of white hydrangea, fuchsia gerbera daisies, yellow spray roses and white freesia pops against the apple green pin-tuck linen.  Fuchsia napkins and chair ties complete the look.

Such a fresh burst of color!  Check out weeks 1-4 of our Tabletop Inspiration Series:

Purple, Lavender & Bling
Turquoise, Poppy, Black & White
Champagne, Antique Pink & Apricot
Pewter, Lime & Butter