DIY: Chalkboard Ornament

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year for pulling out the craft

box and keeping those hands busy. Handmade items can be either a

prized decoration for your home (and a wonderful conversation

starter) or a cherished gift for a loved one.  These chalkboard wood

slices might be my favourite project to date - they're rustic, simple,

and since they can be personalized they'll stand the test of time.

The fact that they're unbreakable is a plus too, if you have a

rambunctious kitten or a dog's wagging tail, then you'll enjoy

these wood ornaments. This project is a great one to do with

a friend or partner too - Paul and I had a blast making these!

Materials:

- Wood Slices (I have yet to buy some power tools so my mom cut

these. If you don't have access to a tree and power tools, I believe

craft stores, like Michael's, sells wood slices.)

- Chalkboard paint or spray

- Eye screws

-  Painter's or masking tape

-  Ribbon 

- Chalk 

Steps: 

1 Purchase wood slices or cut your own tree. My mom had some

trees in her yard she needed to remove. This year after Paul and I

take our tree down, we're going to cut that up into wood slices for

future DIY projects. As they say, waste not, want not. 

2 Tape sides of wood slices to stop paint from getting onto

the wood.

3  Spray/Paint wood slices. I had to do four coats, letting it dry

24 hours each time. Wood absorbs the paint more so than a wall

does; I only had to use two on my kitchen wall. 

4 Remove tape

5 Screw eye screw into the top

6 Add ribbon

7 Write whatever message you want - the best part! 

Industrial Leftovers

There are places forgotten; places ignored and left to deteriorate.

I am drawn to these places, like ants to a sugary confection

 melting on the hot pavement under the sun. 

There are no fellow walkers, no family pets to encounter,

only wild birds and the sound of the hard December ground

crunching beneath the weight of your step. 

It's here that the mind's imagination can run as wild and 

free as the northern wolf.  The grade school mantra who,

what, where, when, why, and how clouds the mind. 

It's as if I've discovered my own magical wardrobe

and have been transported to another world. I imagine

it is not industrial leftovers that I explore; it is where

once a lord and lady lived.

 I climb the rocks like a careless child.  The stone is cold 

and rough. From atop I am reminded of my youth, I'm

the king of the castle and you're a dirty rascal. 

I return home with muddy boots, rosy cheeks,

and tired legs. 

A wanderlust heart is never bored. The world

is my playground; waiting at my doorstep is 

adventure - I can hear it whisper my name.

Outfit:

DIY // Garland Crown

Thrifted // Cape

Thrifted // Jeans

Vintage // Boots

Vintage // Camera Bag

DIY: Mini Pine Cone Wreath Ornament

Here we are, another DIY as easy as the A-B-C's - not to mention

incredibly light on the wallet. So cheap you could collect sidewalk

change to pay for this project! The idea for this ornament came as

I was cutting the tops off pine cones for my wreaths and all these

little flakes fell off. Instead of throwing them away this is what I

did! Everything I used except for the glue was from the earth or

leftover bits, such as the cardboard and jute. If anyone knows of

an eco-friendly alternative for glue sticks, please share! So put

cheery Christmas music on, fill your glass with deliciously

creamy eggnog and go make some holiday crafts! 

Steps:

1 Take pine cone flakes off your collected pine cones.

Note: Try to take already fallen cones from several trees.

If they are damp and closed, just wait a couple of days,

they'll open up. 

2 Make wreath cut outs on cardboard or other non-flexible

material. Cut out. 

3 Glue pine cone flakes onto cut-out. 

4 Glue jute onto back. 

Easy-peasy!

A Holiday Tree from Evergreen Country

Although I'm attempting to decrease my material gratification, there

is no doubt I'm a sucker for anything else holiday related. I haven't

had a tree in about six or seven years, so this season I wanted to go

all out. Paul and I headed to a ma and pa Christmas tree farm for the

ultimate experience in picking our tree. The farm was located in an

area with thick forests that go on for miles and miles.  I'll cheerfully

admit I was as giddy as a child walking through the endless acres of

fluffy evergreens. I might also admit that I took no part in the actual

cutting of the tree...I'm not sure I would be a very good frontier

woman! I see a new holiday tradition in the making....

Outfit:

Thrifted // Beanie

Thrifted // Scarf

Thrifted // Sweater

Thrifted // Jeans

Vintage // Boots

DIY Pine Cone Wreath

My home just doesn't feel festive without a wreath - or three. 

Whether hanging on the door as an invitation or on the wall as an

art piece, wreaths are classic. They're a perfect addition to your

holiday decor since they can be personalized to the nines and are

very easy on the wallet (unless you choose otherwise that is). I also

find making holiday crafts puts me in the mood. Although, the

glass of delicious cold eggnog on the table and the Christmas

movie playing on the TV might have something to do with it! 

Materials:

Pine cones

Glue gun 

Glue sticks 

Cardboard

Scissors 

Ribbon

Steps:

1. Collect a whole bunch of pine cones.

2.  On cardboard, or another semi-flexible

material, draw a circle. I used bowls of

various shapes. 

3. Cut out the circles. To cut out the middle,

fold the circle in half. 

4. I used only the tips of the pine cones, that

way the wreaths are more flat. This is optional.

If you do cut them, save the ends and pieces

that fall off, I have for you a tree ornament

that will use all those bits up! 

5. Glue the pine cones facing upright onto the

cardboard. 

6. Hang with ribbon. This is also optional. 

And voila! That's it. Pretty simple and very

inexpensive. I'm not sure how the pine cones

will hold up, if at all, this is the first one I've

made. My goal this Christmas is to make my

own things as much as possible, to refrain from

buying things made in say China or Vietnam.

Sorry, China and Vietnam, no offence meant

by calling you out there. I just think I ought

to support my own country; you know,

promote industry at home. I know - who

invited Debbie Downer? It's not so much a

pain for me as it is a way to test my creativity.

And I'll stop now. I have a bunch of DIY 

ornaments coming up in the next few weeks

so stay tuned!

A Tassel of a Different Nature

I always wondered what the holidays would be like without the

biting cold and inviting fluffy snow. After this year , I don't think

I will be wondering anymore. I'm not sure how Californians do

it! I want to wear overzealous Christmas ensembles and Nordic

sweaters, but without snow and with temperatures sitting at a

mild plus thirteen, it just feels odd. It all feels odd. Paul and I

have plans for a Christmas Tree Farm excursion - if we keep on

waiting for snow we might not have a tree until it's too late!

Because it was pleasantly warm today I walked past my

sweaters this morning and left the mittens at home. I was

also given a chance to wear my new (but someone's old)

dress. It feels as if I've wrapped my body in a blanket and

I love the tassels that sway in the wind - it also happens to

be an invitation for the cat to play.  

Outfit:

Thrifted // Dress

Roots // Scarf

DIY // Necklace

Gift // Bracelet from Saudia 

Arabia

Vintage // Boots

The Girl in the Long Red Skirt

 Although there's no snow on the ground, the holidays are in full

swing at our household! My hands have been busy making 

decorations, winter-themed items have taken over our shelves

and walls, and our calender is marked with holiday events. 

Acquire memories, not things is our motto this holiday season.

The focus shall not be on money spent and luxurious gifts, but

rather our time and energy will be devoted to occasions and

events.  A few evenings ago my family and I went and saw A

Christmas Carol, a popular classic tale - it was the perfect way

to kick-start the holidays. What could be sweeter than the song

Christmas Bells being performed live? Yes, I'm feeling quite

festive this year - hence the red and white ensemble with

gold touches. Be prepared to be bombarded with Christmas-y

outfits and pictures. You have been forewarned....

Outfit:

Thrifted // Owl Necklace

DIY // Bead Necklace

Thrifted // Top

Thrifted // Skirt (Made in Canada)

Gifted Gold Bracelet from Saudi 

Arabia

Old Navy // Flats