Believe Sign {Mini Tutorial}

Mr. Woodsy's company closes every year during the last two weeks of the year. This past year he was more bored than ever! So bored, that he finally tried out his scroll saw that he got Christmas of 2009! He asked me to print out a font (CACpinafore) and phrase that I liked, and he would give his scroll saw a try! 

He basically cut out the white paper and pressed firmly with a pencil to outline the black lines so that it would transfer onto some scrap pine that he had laying around in the garage! *I'm sure there is a better way to do this, so if anyone has any tips... please feel free to share!

He cut the pieces out in sections although on his second time around at the sign he was able to make it all one piece! 

After he cut out the wood he then glued all the pieces together. Then he gave it a quick sand; however, after it was painted you could see where it was glued. Anyone have any good tricks with this as well? 

He mounted the "Believe" onto a scrap piece of wood, so it would be able to stand on its own. 

We both agreed to give it a nice coat of spray paint, so I picked out a metallic silver spray paint. 

He then sprayed a few coats of the silver spray paint. 

Here is the finished product on my shelf with other Christmas decorations. The Christmas decorations are now down, but the Believe sign is staying up year round. I'm not sure if I'm not feeling the silver either... might paint it white or green. What do you think?

Tissue Paper Tree

We hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday! I wanted to post about this tree prior to Christmas, but we just got too busy! I saw these amazing tissue paper tree's earlier this month on Spunky Junk {go to there tutorial for more details} and I instantly knew I wanted to make at least one tissue paper tree. I actually wanted to make a variety of tree's but like most projects... time got the best of me! Remember, how I hosted my third craft lunch at work the other week? Well this was the project I started working on... little did I realize that I was taking on a gigantic project!

Here was what I started with... a ton of tissue paper squares. At the time I took the picture I wasn't sure which cone I would go with... of course me not realizing how large of an undertaking this was I went with the largest cone I had!

Here is the first row of tissue papers glued!

This was after an hour of folding/hot glueing... 

A close up of my hours worth of work! 

Me concentrating on the hot glueing/placing of the tissue paper. 

After 5 of the longest hours of my life my tree was finally complete! Yes, 5 hours. Most craft blogs won't tell you how tedious the project was! Needless, to say I finished this 2 days before Christmas and did not work on any other cone tree's!

Christmas Craft Lunch; Styrofoam Ornaments

Last week a few of the girls and I at the office decided to have another craft lunch. So far we've had two and they both were a big hit. We typically choose an easy project that doesn't require too many supplies and something that could be completed within an hour! We choose to make the infamous cone tree's scene here and here, but no one was able to find cones (except me).... so the two other girls who participated decided to make ornaments instead! {My cone tree post will be available soon!}

Kristi made a poinsettia ornament.

Krisit bought a few stems of poinsettia's and then cut them. She used hot glue to apply them and stuck the sharp end into the styrofoam ball. 

Here is a picture of her finished product minus the ribbon to hold the ornament.

Kristi also choose to make a second ornament.

She used glitter poms to make a bright and cheery decoration for her tree.

She used hot glue to apply all the glitter poms. 

Here is the almost finished product!

Sarah used scraps of fabric, cut them in squares and made a beautiful fabric ornament!

Sarah dabbed some hot glue on the styrofoam ball. 

She placed a square of fabric on the styrofoam ball and then with using a pair of scissors pushed the square of fabric into the styrofoam ball. 

Then she would fluff or move the brown fabric around before the glue dried. She repeated this until the entire ball was covered with the brown fabric. 

Here is her finished product!

Sarah also started a second ornament while at lunch.

She applied the remnant brown fabric scraps to a styrofoam ball and then hot glued wooden beads to make a pattern. 

Christmas Magnets {Mini Tutorial} + Giveaway

Remember, a few months back when I posted about the skeleton magnets I made? They were such a huge hit and yet so simple to make! I decided I would make some Christmas magnets. I decided to try and make them a little different this time since I received some very valuable feedback from a 10 year old who made them. Because of her fabulous feedback I felt the need to revamp my tutorial instructions! 

Supplies needed:

-glass stones (large bag for $1 at the dollar store)

-magnets (18 round magnetic buttons w/ adhesive backing for $2 at walmart)

-Christmas scrapbook paper 

-foam brush (used) 

- Paper Mod Podge ($10)

-scissors

 The 10 year old suggested I apply mod podge directly on to the paper and stone--then press the stone on to the paper, let it semi-dry and then begin to cut out. I tried this method this time around and it was ten times faster! This is the way to go! 

You'll want to apply a dab of Mod Podge on to the paper area of your choice. Then lightly coat the back of the glass stone. Place the glass stone on the paper and push down firmly, so that all the excess mod podge goes to the outside of the paper (look at the front of the stone you'll see the glue move to the outside). Once the glue is semi-dried start cutting around the paper. You will most likely get some Mod Podge on your scissors. Don't fret--just wash it off as soon as you are done working on the project!  Place a little bit of Mod Podge on your finger and pat the glue around the edge of the paper. Repeat this step until all of your stones are complete. Once they have dried {about 30 minutes} you can place your magnetic button on the back of the paper stone!

Here is what I like to call my Winter Wonderland magnet set.

Here is my Santa magnet set!

Here are all three sets together; 

Winter Wonderland, Ho Ho Ho, and Santa magnet sets! 

I'm feeling very generous today, and would like to giveaway one set of Christmas magnets! 

Just tell me which set is your favorite by leaving a comment below. One entry per follower (you must be a follower of the blog to participate). I will draw one person at random to win the set of there choice.  Contest ends on Sunday, December 5th at 11:59 pm. Winner will be announced Monday, December 6th.  

This giveaway is now CLOSED.

Disclaimer: I classified this as a $1 project because you won't use all the materials purchased. Since the $1 bag of glass stones contained about 50 stones: the cost per stone is 2 cents. You are only using but maybe a teaspoon of mod podge. The foam brush is one that I reuse time and time again. I already owned the scrapbook paper. 18 magnets come in a pack for $2, so that breaks down to .11 cents per magnet backing. Depending on how many magnets you make will depend on how much your project will cost.