DIY: Handmade Rustic Christmas Garland

Recently, my sister, my mom and myself went on a pre-Christmas outing to a local nursery that fills their gift shop with all kinds of holiday finds, from ornaments to poinsettias, holiday dishes and decorations galore! Of course anytime I visit a venue like this I look around and see many decorations I would love to have in my home, but can I afford them all? No way!

The result of not being able to afford everything that I see, is this mantra “I can make that!” I have said this to my sister so many times it’s become a joke between us. She often says to me before we head out for a day of shopping in a small town “Please don’t tell me that you can make everything I see!” But then of course I have to say it even more just to make her laugh!

Truth be told though, there are quite a few things you will see for sale this holiday season that you can make yourself. The question is, do you want to? Do you have the time to do so and do you know how to accomplish the task?

That’s what I am here for, the know-how! This garland was inspired by our recent outing.  I saw some garland that was made out of wooden snowflakes, twine and rusty silver bells and said to myself, “This is truly something I can make at home very easily” and “why not share the steps with my faithful readers”.

The garland you see here can be modified to look however you feel would be best for your home, you can leave off any addition you see here that you feel doesn’t fit with your home or skill level.

Rustic Christmas Garland

Supplies:

Step One: Measure the area you want to hang your garland, then add 1 -2 feet depending on how much you want it to swoop when you hang it.

Step Two: Plan out the pattern and spacing of your garland. Layout your twine cut to the appropriate length. Then set your decorations (which ever you choose to use) out along the twine deciding on the spacing and pattern you think looks best.

Step Three: If using wood rounds you can paint them or draw on them. To produce what is seen above: Paint them with the chalk board paint, let dry and then decorate with the white gel pen. Drill holes in the wood rounds large enough to accommodate the twine.

Step Four: Starting at one end of the twine, following your pattern, tie your decorations onto the twine in the correct spacing as planned in step two.

Once you have done this for the length of your twine you are ready to hang it!

See how simple that was, all it took was a trip the craft store and some time at home planning the look of your garland. You have just created something that would sell for about forty-five dollars in a high end boutique.  These supplies are much more affordable and you also get the satisfaction of knowing you created it yourself.

This is my favorite time of year! Thanksgiving and Christmas! Keep your eyes open for more holiday tips and tricks to come!  I love decorating for these holidays and creating new decorations every year!

DIY Distressed Wood Sign

Hello my friends! Today I want to give you some steps to make your own pallet board distressed sign! You see them in all the home décor and craft stores. You look at them, you think about them, an then you say, “I could make that!” But do you ever take the time to do it? Well, I have finally done it and found it was a very simple process!

I recently decided that the light blue guest bathroom in my house should be decorated in a beach theme. Everything I have been seeing in the craft stores revolving around a beach theme contained colors that would blend perfectly in my bathroom and I love all the signs and sayings that go with the idea of the beach. But of course being a crafter, my first thoguht is “I can make that!” My first idea to begin my beach themed bathroom was to make a sign that says “Life is better in flip flops!” I love my flip flops. I am always sad when I have to put them away for the winter. So, this saying is perfect for me. I also love the rustic distressed pallet board signs you are seeing everywhere, so I decided to combine the two.

The following tutorial will guide you through all the steps to complete a distressed pallet board sign.

Supplies:

Step One: Find pallets pieces you want to use for your sign, decide how much space you need and find boards that fit your needs.

Step Two: Sand your boards to remove rough edges and surfaces. Until you like the feel of them.

Step Three: Paint the boards with your chosen colors of chalk paint and let dry completely.

Step Four: Sand again in random areas to remove some of the paint on the corners and the middle of the boards to give it the “distressed” feeling.

Step Five: Attached the boards to one another using small strips of wood and a small nail gun or wood glue. (I purchased mine at the craft store and cut to size)

Step Six: Using a color that will stand out on your background color, paint your words using an appropriate brush or paint pen. Another option at this point is to purchase a vinyl sticker from an online vendor that is customized to your needs instead of painting your words or embellishments. I used a paint pen for my wording and purchased my flip flop sticker from Stickers by Stephanie on Etsy (www.StickersbyStephanie.etsy.com), which made adding an embellishment to my sign very simple! Stephanie's vinyl sticker worked great and was easy to apply. I felt her prices were reasonable and that she had a good turn around time. I would definitely purchase from her again. I chose to cut my vinyl sticker into two pieces so that I was able to position it better and it made applying it much easier. Make sure when you apply your vinyl sticker that the area is clean and free of dust. This will allow the sticker to adhere better.

Tip: When using a paint pen, depending on your colors you may have to go back over your wording several times until you think it is readable. My white paint pen was not showing up very well, so I continued to coat my letters until they stood out the way I wanted them too.

Step Seven: Attach your saw-tooth picture hanger to the back side and hang.

See its that easy! Seven simple steps and you have your own custom distressed pallet sign! Of course you could also just purchase one if you don't want to go to all that trouble. If so visit Lettera Nero Designs (www.LetteraNeroDesigns.etsy.com) or search on Etsy (www.etsy.com) to see some signs that are available.

Thank you for reading my blog and be sure to check out my Etsy store at www.bethannericksondesigns.etsy.com and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

DIY Budget Party Decorations

I know, I know, where has Beth's blog been! Well... life has been super busy the past few weeks and it just all caught up with me, but I am back in the game now!

A few weeks ago we celebrated a 16th Birthday, for my step-son Logan! Complete with family from all areas, party decorations, barbecued burgers and hot dogs and cheesecake with strawberry-rhubarb compote for a topping! I might have share the recipe with you because it was just so very good!

But on to the real reason for this blog, parties! They can cost a lot of money and you want your children to feel special, right? So you choose a color theme, you buy invitations, you start shopping for decorations, paper plates, plastic ware, cups, tablecloths, napkins. Then there is the food, snacks, desserts and drinks.

All of this can really start to add up. Did you know there is a way around this? It doesn't have to cost you a lot of money to throw the perfect birthday party for your child. Here are my tips on how to throw and affordable birthday party:

Tip one: Invitations

Start your parting planning with the perfect DIY invitation that matches your theme and set the tone for your party from the moment you start planning. Visit Beth Ann Erickson Designs or Blue House Collection to purchase wonderful print at home invitations.

Tip two: Buy items you can use for multiple parties

This past year I also planned the decorations for my sister's birthday party and some of the key items I used for that party were also used for my step-son's party. These things can include glass dishes/candle holders that can be used for a variety of things from candy, flowers or candles. These square candle holders pictured here have been used for flowers and candy and were purchased at the the local dollar store.

Also reusable are the plastic disposable table clothes that you can find at Walmar, the dollar store or Party City. Just wipe them down at the end of your party, fold and store for your next event. After about the second or third use I throw them away.

Tip three: The Dollar Store is your friend!

Maybe you have never been in your local dollar or discount store, but if you have the patience to sift through all the unwanted items, there are often treasures there that will work perfectly for throwing a party. Most recently I found my tablecloths, plastic wear, table decoration and napkins at the dollar store. One of my best finds was beer glasses for $1 each which I used as vase and candle holders. Which in the end only cost me around six dollars and some of those items can be reused in the future!

Tip four: DIY decorations

Do you have a computer and a printer? Yes, well then you have the ability to print your own decorations. Maybe your thinking “But I have no idea how to make decorations on my computer.” Well, I am here to tell you that you can! One of the most simple ways to do this if by searching online for royalty free images that you can print out that match the theme or color scheme of your party. The other option is to visit Etsy and search for printables that you can purchase and print out at home.

Visit Chalky Prints or Stockberry Studio to see what is available. These party sets might look complicated to use, but if you have a printer, scissors, colored ink and just some household supplies like twine, bamboo skewers, paper bags, glue and stapler these are really very easy to use. See the photos throughout this post for ideas on how to use printable party decorations.

Tip five: Add Color

There are also ways to add pops of color to your party without making your own decorations. You can purchase candy in coordinating colors. Jelly beans work great for this. You can take ribbon and wrap it around your water bottles, vases, or jars. Make juice or punch and wrap your gifts to match your color theme. Float candles in mason jars and add food coloring to the water.

Truth be told there are lots of ways to decorate for a party without spending a bundle! This is just the tip of the iceberg!

P.S. Here is the recipe for the Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote. Enjoy!

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

  1. In a saucepan, add in the strawberries, rhubarb and sugar. Mash the strawberries to get the juice flowing.
  2. Place over medium heat and let cook for about 17 - 20 minutes. Place in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight.

Recipe Credit: http://cookiedoughandovenmitt.com/strawberry-rhubarb-cheesecake

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