Cinnamon Stick Star Ornament Tutorial

I am so excited to be participating in Christmas Craft Lightning, 15 Minute Crafts.

Be sure to pop over and check out all the posts here:

* THE COUNTRY CHIC COTTAGE (DIY, Home Decor, Crafts, Farmhouse) - The Country Chic Cottage is...
www.thecountrychiccottage.net

Today I am sharing this quick and easy Christmas Ornament.

Gather your supplies.

For me, this is not included in the 15 minutes and often takes longer than the actual craft does....

Arrange your cinnamon sticks into a star shape.

I tacked mine at the points with hot glue to hold in place.

Wrap each point with jute and tie it off with a knot.

I wrap and tie mine right from the jute spool and then I only have to trim a bit of the one end.

I used a bleached bottle brush type wreath for one star and a little handmade wreath for the other.

Trim your garland rope to make a wreath.

I had mine use two loops of garland with and inch overlap to wrap around.

Then just hot glue it to the star.

I used two pieces of jute to make a little bow as well and then glued that on.

Cut one more piece of jute to make a hanger loop and you are done.

I love the simplicity of this ornament.

You could make enough for everyone on your gift list in just an evening.

You can't go wrong with naturals for Christmas.

These would also make sweet gift toppers.

I think they would look especially nice on a package wrapped simply with brown kraft paper.

Or even on a brown paper bag folded over.

I actually bleached this wreath out this summer.

I had a pile of them I got on clearance last year after Christmas.

I removed the gold string and red bow and replaced it with a jute one.

I did notice the last time I was shopping at the craft store that you can buy them already bleached.

Some were even dyed a sweet pink.

I picked up a few little trees for an upcoming project.

I don't have my tree up yet, but I have been thinking about it....

Does that count?

Since I don't have my tree up yet, I used a tree outside for the photos....

Maybe this year I should decorate these outside trees...

There are actually about 6 of them...

Ummmm...

Probably not.

Thanks so much for stopping by...

Be sure to check out all the other quick Holiday Crafts:

* THE COUNTRY CHIC COTTAGE (DIY, Home Decor, Crafts, Farmhouse) - The Country Chic Cottage is...
www.thecountrychiccottage.net

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Mason Jar Monday #3... Burlap Roses Ornaments...

While I was in Michael's this summer I picked up a couple of rolls of burlap ribbon that were on sale.

I used it for the fair to wrap my frappachino bottles.

We like to use all the same jars so we can find our entries more easily.

After the fair, I took most of them off the bottles which left me with a bunch of burlap ribbon pieces 10-14 inches long.

I love to take materials from one project and use it for another....

so I made some Burlap Rose Christmas ornaments.

These have french page leaves.

I picked up some little french books at a local college book sale. 

They were already falling apart so no worries about using them for this project.

I wanted to share a quick way to make leaves with a circle punch.

Cut out your circles.

Then put your circle back in the punch.

You can see the leaf shape...

Cut them.

Turn your circle and cut some more.

I made simple twisted roses with the burlap and a hot glue gun.

I added a piece of jute twine as the hanger and two french page leaves to each rose.

I glued one to the lid of the jar which I had already painted with DecoArt Chalky Finish paints.

These will be so sweet on someone's Christmas tree.

They transcend all the seasons so they can be used anywhere, anytime.

Boy, I did not notice that little string tail.

Now it needs to be clipped...

These tuck sweetly into the jar.

I plan to make many more for my next two Christmas shows and a few for Etsy.

What a charming rustic gift for Mason Jar Monday.

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs...

Coffee Filter Trees

If you have been following my blog a little, I think you can tell that I like to recycle, up cycle and use materials in new ways.

One of my favorite materials to use is coffee filters.

They are inexpensive and very versatile. 

I have used them for many projects.

With Christmas around the corner, I wanted to share an easy project today.

Coffee Filter Trees!

These are a great project for a creative day with family or friends.

You will need:

Coffee Filters

RIT Dye

hot glue gun and glue sticks

a piece of wire

a cardboard cone 

and 2 stars (I used white tin)

First Dye your coffee filters.

You can follow directions here.

or find directions in my RIT Studio.

You can choose a traditional color like green.

You can leave them white.

Or you can come up with any color you like.

Here I have a green tree and a coffee dyed tree (as well as a little burlap tree).

I have actually made a dusty rose one as well.

I sold it at my fall show.

To make the tree, fold each coffee filter into fourths and twist the end.

I gave similar directions for my recycled sheet banner here.

I fold and twist my filters while watching tv.

Then I just start at the bottom of the cardboard cone and begin gluing the tips on.

I continue to add and fill in the cone until I get a few inches from the top.

When you get close to the top, stop to add the star.

Cut a piece of wire about 12 inches long.

Poke a hole in the top of the cone to be sure the wire will go through.

Now make a loop in the end of the wire.

 Feed the end of the wire up the inside of the cone by holding the loop on the inside.

Once the wire comes through the hole in the top, grasp it and pull it until it is the whole way out and the wire loop is just inside the top of the cone.

Trim the wire to be just a little shorter than your star.

Hot glue the stars on either side of the wire.

Then finish adding coffee filters until the tree is full.

Super Easy.

This is a great project to do with family or friends.

It is cheap for materials and everyone can do it.

Don't you love it when right as you take the photo, a bug lands on your project?!

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs...

Mason Jar Monday #2... A Warm and Cozy Gift....

It's Mason Jar Monday Again!

This week is not technically a mason jar so I hope you will forgive me.

Today's jar project uses a recycled pickle jar.

I love saving these after the pickles are gone.

They are tall and thinner than a gallon jar so they fit more places.

In this case, it is roomy enough to house the contents for this gift.

First I painted the lid with a coat of DecoArt Chalky Finish paint in Serene.

Then I made a pair of cozy mittens to give as a gift.

These wooly mittens were made from a thrift store sweater.

  I used the pattern and directions from Hobby Farm Home.

While the magazine is no longer in print, you can find the directions here.

The mittens can be whipped together in an evening.

They will make such a cozy gift for someone.

I did learn that you have to cut the pattern precisely. 

I had one piece that had a wonky side and when I sewed it together it got all goofy.

I ended up having to take it all apart, trim the wool and sew it again.

They are much better now.

Next, add your mittens and a few pouches of hot chocolate to the jar.

Screw the lid on.

Add a scarf.

I tried tying it a few different ways...

In a bow...

 Folded in half with both ends pulled through...

And my new favorite way to wear a scarf...

Folded in half with one end pulled through, twisted and then the other pulled through as well.

Now you have a perfect cozy gift for someone special.

Anyone who lives where it is cold would appreciate this warm and wooly treat.

Once the mittens and scarf are removed, the jar can be used any way they want.

This is a proud part of 99+ Handmade Gifts...

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.