Ornies aren't just for Christmas

I made these little treasures for my Mom this last year for her birthday & yes. . . . you also caught a glimpse of some at Christmas but how can you resist making these little beauties as 

a memento from a special vacation and then giving it to people you care about.

making ornies like these are not very difficult at all & you don't have to limit yourself to sand & shells. My rule of thumb is: if it fits, it works. 

And won't they look so good hanging in a bright sunny window ~ who knows hangining them in a kitchen window might make doing dishes slightly more bearable.

You can find plastic or glass ornaments{which is what I used} in the craft section at almost every store.

then you fill them with things that have some meaning.  In this case for me it was the sand & sea shells because my family spent an amazing week at a beach house in Florida.  It was such a relaxing vacation, not one of those runs around & play so hard you need a vacation from your vacation, vacations.

We also spent everyday shell hunting. . . . it was our "thing" & we all had a blast doing it.

 oh look at me daydreaming about vacation. . . back to the ornaments. . . 

once you fill your ornies, GLUE the cap on.  For ornaments with sand in them this is very important.  Even though I tried not to use too much sand {so you can always see the shells} it was still kind of heavy. . .so glue that top on, trust me you will feel better about it if you do.

some people would stop there or just add a small ribbon but that is just not in my nature.  Once you get to know me you will understand what I mean *ha

I had the most perfect glittery netting with matching grass &berries from an old Christmas decoration.  This went so perfect with a glammed up beach treasure.  It gave it some sparkle without making it too overdone. . .still light & airy.  

Now, aside from maybe attaching some filament line, that's it, that's all it takes.

for little money & practically no time at all, you have a very nice way to capture a memory & give a beautiful thoughtful gift any time of year. . . not just Christmas.

As you can see here, shell hunting was a non stop activity for all of us and it was serious business.

 

I think little guy was just waiting for them to roll up on the shore

We are so serious about our sea shell hunting that we are all going back again this year. . . . look out beach here we come ! !

Happy Creating

2 wreaths & a sled

Christmas may be over but I cant help sharing some of the goodies I made for our home

LAST Christmas (2010) The Mr. & I were grabbing some bagels at Panera Bread & I noticed a really cute wreath they had hanging up. It was right then that I decided I was going to make one for my mantle. I patiently waited until the after Christmas sale & got everything I needed at a super great price

I purchased a metal wreath frame & christmas picks, stems & a large plastic candy cane from Michaels & I got the ribbon from Sam's club.

making this wreath took about 2 hours because I attached ribbon loops with wire to the metal frame (my finger tips were a little sore after that) but it was so well worth it

I attached the floral picks & ornaments with wire as well.....I impressed myself because I did not use the glue gun for anything on this wreath.

There it is.....above the mantle on Christmas Eve. Looking at this every night made me so happy~just look at the pretty glow~ makes the heart warm & fuzzy

************

This coco colored glass ornament wreath was made with ornaments that I have saved year after year that were just taking up valuable storage space. I could never bare to part with them because the color is just so wonderful (especially on a tree with pearls). I haven't used these ornaments since I became a Mom & my kids handmade ornies became the highlight of my Christmas tree.

So this was the year I would make something with them to make them the star of their own show....so after seeing several wreaths like this on pinterest, I made my move.


I hot glued the tops to all of the balls & simply strung them on a wire coat hanger...that was it plain & simple. I used 60 in all & wished I had more. My original thought was that I would not use any ribbon BUT I had to make a bow to hide the fact that I didn't have enough to go all the way around. But all in all, I think it came out great & looked fabulous above my buffet where my faux chocolate Santa stands

***********
This was also the year I displayed MY childhood sled~that sled brings back all kinds of fun snowy memories! Even my sister said Man I remember that sled, that just put a smile on my face. There is nothing more comforting than being able to look at something you know brings back such fun memories of childhood

all I did was attach a centerpiece greenery to the front & add a leftover piece of ribbon & some plastic candy canes that I got on sale last year at Target...That was it, easy peasy



There you have it, the pieces I have been planning on putting together for at least a year...I think it was well worth the wait



until next time...Happy Creating

the things you can do with boxes & buckets

I have been MIA from my Blog BUT I was busy busy during the holiday season. I was more creative this holiday season than the last several put together!

I even customized some gift containers & boxes to specifically hold ornies that were made for my brother & sister in law & my sister & her husband.

And it was so much fun to do....especially since my youngest son was in on all the action.

I tried to take items that were headed to the trash or were just going to sit around here forever.

I used an old gift box from my Mary Kay Days & converted it to something worth keeping for quite sometime & I took a bubble gum tub & fancied it up in 2 ways to help store items for the holidays.

It amazes me what you can do with Mod Podge!!! It is my new best friend!

On the box I mod podged some cute Christmas wrapping paper on the bottom 1/2 & painted the top 1/2 with regular acrylic craft paint. I inserted ribbon on the sides to hold the top down

(& to make it look pretty)

On the 1st tub I mod podged the tub & placed Christmas wrapping paper around the tub & on the top lid. I then applied another layer of mod podge over the paper. I also added a flocked ribbon on the edge & a flocked "merry Christmas" cut out on the top

(but forgot to take a picture of it)

before

after

These were the cute beachy ornies packed inside for my sister in law. I made them with the sand & shells we found on our Family vacation In Navarre Florida

Next is the glitter bucket (I love how this turned out) especially since the bubble gum bucket has significance to my brother! he know s what I am talking about ;)

This was done by applying Mod Podge to the bucket & sprinkling the glitter on. once that seemed dry I added a layer of Mod Podge over the glitter very carefully!!!

Doesn't it look so pretty! and you surely wouldn't have to do this just for Christmas!

As you can see I added a ribbon with a small unbreakable light shaped ornament that I used as a gift tag~it makes it so festive & I have been doing this for years!

Here is what was locked away inside.....my son made this & I think he did a great job! This too also had sand & shells from out beach trip. So double meaning, not only did he hand paint it but he used the mementos from the trip! I love that he is so crafty just like me!

This is a little bit of what I have been up to lately & I have more to come.

Hope you enjoyed ~ Happy Creating!