DIY Christmas Update!

I've started a little holiday DIY!  So here we go: 

Inspiration:
  Actuality:  
Super easy...and took about 2 seconds, including the fluffing of the bow.  Got 10 yards of red ribbon for $5 and the pinecone sticks for $.25 each at Michaels.  Easy, cheap, and festive...can't get much better than that!



Inspiration:                                                                             Actuality:

                  

 This project was a much bigger undertaking than I expected!  The tutorial I followed used a 6 inch wreath and about 2-3 boxes of tacks.  I used a 14 inch wreath and 9 whole boxes of tacks...and I could've used 1 more!  I got the styrofoam wreath at Michaels for about $5, then the dollar store has 300 tacks in a box for $1.  

I had to go back to the store a few times...for some reason i thought four boxes would be enough and it barely made it halfway!! 

      I had just finished the wreath and I was so excited to hang it, when I dropped it and it broke!! I was so tired and mad i just left it on the floor until the next afternoon. 

 I ducted taped it back together and while it doesn't look perfect, i fixed it pretty well. 

It was SO heavy (go pick up 2,700 tacks and you'll see what I mean), so I took a large ribbon (same ribbon on the chairs!!) and the only way I could figure out how to get it to stay was to nail it to the top of the door!  

Overall, I love it.  

Now we're onto glitter candles, body scrubs, picture frames, and a stocking hanger! 

DIY Christmas

I love love love Christmas.  and I LOVE decorating for it.  I did a little bit of decorating last year, but now that I'm officially in my own place, I plan to go all out.  I'm trying to resist as long as I can (I don't like Christmas that starts in October...or really November, but I don't think I can hold out for too much longer!  I'm living on a cute little budget right now, so I've been looking up a lot of DIY things (Pintrest anyone??). Maybe if I start crafting early, I'll get a little bit of it out of my system!! 

Here are some of my inspirations, complete with a whole bunch of links to tutorials!!

 

First: I found some adorable gift tag printables and I plan to use them on everything this year! This is one of them, how cute!

Second: I keep seeing glittery branches.  Super easy and super cheap!  I just need to find something cute to put them in before I start this one!  Here's one in a pitcher - but I can also cute a vase with ornaments, or a floor vase with just sparkly branches.  I think Christmas decorations NEED sparkle! 

Third: Cute Holiday Banner (tutorial anyone?).  I think this would look cute in those places that get overlooked or are kind of awkward to hang garlands and such on...I'm thinking that ugly blank wall behind my TV! 

Fourth: Again with the sparkly...glitter candles.  Candles that are sparkly or colored can sometimes get expensive, but finding some cheap white candles (or even maybe some red ones to mix in) and giving them some holiday glitz would make for an awesome centerpiece or add some holiday decor to the bathroom!

Fifth: When I saw this one, I was a little skeptical.  I still don't know how it might turn out, but I think it's a pretty cool idea.  Paper plate trees!  Super easy and the possibilities are endless! 

Sixth: What kind of DIY Christmas blog would this be if it didn't involve at least one homemade present?  I take a lot of pictures, so this would be super appropriate and easy to do.  Here's the lovely tutorial + other fun presents. 

Sidenote:  I have 11 tabs open at the moment looking at all my inpiration, and one of these sites has music and I can't figure out which one!  I really really really dislike it when people put music on their sites....

Seventh:  Since I'm decorating the whole apartment this year...chairs must be included too!  I have chairs like these (in brown), so some red ribbon and a pine cone or ornament would be super cute to dress them up! 

Eight:  If you stick to a color scheme at Christmas, this blog is decorating with RED!  In every room! Love it! 

P.S. Also just disovered that said blog was the offender in the music.  You have been warned. 

Nine: Lastly, I found a wonderful blog that helps remind what Christmas is all about.  This family did 25 days of Random Acts of Kindness.  Has some great ideas of things that seem so simple, like paying past due library fees, plugging meters, and bringing presents to the post office.  

So friends there is just a small taste of my Christmas obsession.  I already have two tubs of Christmas stuff, so I'll start then craft until my heart is content :)