Celebrate autumn - How to make easily make a colorful fall pumpkin topiary

 

Learn how to make this colorful fall pumpkin topiary with this quick and easy DIY.  

 

Pumpkins are everywhere right now.  If you want to pumpkin spice up your décor follow this easy tutorial to create this super easy pumpkin topiary.  Check out the dollar stores for stacking pumpkins, grab some supplies, and let’s get started!

 

Materials:

 

Spray primer

 

Stackable pumpkins

 

Acrylic paints in a choice of colors

 

Small Paintbrush

 

Misc. fall florals and berries

 

3 yards of 1 ½’ wide green ribbon (I used double side greens)

 

Green Ribbon bow

 

Glue gun and glue sticks

 

 

Instructions:

 

First, spray all your pumpkins with a coat of primer and let dry.  (You should do this outside or in a well-ventilated area)

 

Next, decide what colors you would like your pumpkins.  You can paint them solid or paint a pattern.  Anything goes.  I decided to paint one orange, one cream, and the top one brownish red. Apply one coat and let dry, then apply the second coat and let dry completely.

 

Make a bow for the top of the pumpkin.  To make a super easy and beautiful bow try using the Bowdabra bow maker.  It’s like having an extra hand.

 

While your pumpkins are drying, you can make your bow.  

 

Finally, snap the pumpkins together. I like to secure it even better by adding a bit of hot glue. Now, using the hot glue attach foliage, florals, leaves, and berries all around the bottom edge of the biggest pumpkin.  Continue adding florals all around where the second pumpkin attaches to the first one.  

 

Tie the green bow to the stem of the top pumpkin and add some leaves in between the bow. You have a gorgeous pumpkin topiary to display indoors or on a front porch in an urn.

 

Note:  You can go one step further by wrapping around some twinkly lights and hiding the battery pack under the largest pumpkin

 

 

How to easily wood burn the cutest snowman gift tag

 Grab some bark wooden rounds and you can make the most adorable snowman gift tag.  You only need a woodturning tool (available at all craft stores and online) and some watercolor pencils.  Add to your gifts for an extra ornament gift on the gift.

How to wood burn the cutest snowman gift tag

Materials:

Woodburning tool

Wooden rounds with bark

Watercolor colored pencils

Fine sandpaper

Pencil

Rubbing alcohol

Small paintbrush

Instructions:

First, sand the fronts of your wooden rounds to smooth out any rough spots. Now, draw the snowman in pencil on the front of the round. Use the examples given, but you can always add some extra additions to your snowman to personalize. Ex: Nurses cap, etc.

Begin burning your tag

Next, heat up your woodburning tool.  Be extra careful since these tools get extremely hot. Carefully trace the lines on your snowman with the woodturner.  

When you have finished it is time to color in the parts you want to accentuate. Color the scarf, hat, etc. with the watercolor pencil of choice.

Now, using the alcohol and the small paintbrush brush the color to blend.  The alcohol makes the color sink into the wood itself.

To finish write to and from on the opposite side of the tag and use the woodturning tool to outline it.

Add the string for the tag (They are usually included with the wood rounds)

Four ideas for equestrian short stirrup horse show hair bows

 Although there still may be some remnants of snow on the ground, spring is almost here. And with spring comes outdoor sports and horse shows.  Don't spend a ton of money on horse show bows for your little ones.  You can easily make them quickly and easily.  The following tutorials guide you through the easy steps.

Four ideas for horse show bows

Short stirrup hair bow #1

Locket horse show hair bow

Patriotic Horse show hair  bow

Blue ribbon leadline horse show hair bows

How to make an elegant, beaded, ornament hangers from a paper clip

 

If you’ve got a container full of paper clips you have the start of easy beaded ornament hangers. You can use the large ones for heavy-weight ornaments and the regular ones for lighter-weight ornaments. The touch of beads adds an elegant touch and is super easy to make.

 

Materials:

 

Paper clips, colors, silver, gold whichever you have on hand

Round nose pliers 

Clear and sparkle beads

 

Instructions:

 

First, straighten out the paper clip using the pliers.  Try and get it as straight as you can.

 

Next, using the pliers curl one end of the straightened paper clip.  Then, thread on three beads, and bend the wire to the right.

 

Now, curl the other end.  It is much easier with regular paper clips than the larger ones. Work on it till the curl looks right.

 

Attach your ornament to one curled end and then, hang it on the tree.  

 

 

 

 

How to make a super easy dollar Christmas stocking extra special

 

I always fill stockings for my adult children. The problem is that when they go back to their homes, they take the Christmas stocking with them. So, the following year, I must come up with another generic stocking to fill.  Since, the cost of the contents is usually pricey, the stocking must be reasonable, but attractive.  I got this simple felt stocking for a dollar, but I wasn’t happy with the way they looked.  So, I created a felt mosaic buffalo plaid embellishment.  It is so easy that you could even do this with young children.

 

Materials:

 

Inexpensive felt stockings

Red felt

Burgundy felt

Black felt

Fabric glue

Cardboard to insert into the stocking while you add your felt squares.

 

Instructions:

Gather your supplies.

 

First, cut a piece of cardboard the width of the stocking and insert it into it.  This will help with stability while you add the your felt squares to your Chiristmas stocking.

  

Now, cut ½” x ½” squares from the red, burgundy and black felt.  Next plan out how the squares will be positioned on your stocking.

 

Now begin to glue each square on the stocking working horizonally.

  

 

Row 1:  black, burgundy, black, continue this pattern to the end

 

Row 1: burgundy, red, burgundy, continue this pattern to the end.

 

Repeat row 1 and 1 till you have made your felt mosaic buffalo plaid as wide as you want on your stocking. Optionally add some extra trim to the top of the stocking.

 

Let dry completely.  You will have a faux felt mosaic buffalo plaid Christmas stocking.

Don't stop here though.  You could also glue different ribbons on the cuff of the stocking for a very attractive look.  Add trims, cabochons, beads, or bells for a myriad of variations.  

How to make a super easy glow in the dark pet bow

 

You can make an adorable glow in the dark pet bow that is easily attached to the pet’s collar.  Simple attaching a covered hair elastic in a figure 8 position on the back allows easy on and off.  There are lots of glow in the dark ribbons, especially in the fall for Halloween.  The one I used only needs to be under a light for 20 minutes and it will glow for approximately 8 hours.  

How to make a super easy glow in the dark pet bow

 

Materials:

 

• Glow in the dark ribbon I used 7/8” wide
• Covered hair elastic
• Mini Bowdabra
• Bowdabra bow wire
• Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks.
• Iron and ironing board (optional)

 

Instructions:

 

First, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire.  Then, fold it in half and insert it into the Bowdabra.  You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other side.  This will serve as your slipknot. Tuck the ends under to stay out of the way while you are making your bow.

 

Next, cut a 36-inch piece of ribbon of your choice.

 

Next, lay the ribbon into the Bowdabra right side down.  Then, bring the other side over making a loop.  Twist so that the right side is facing up and make a matching loop.  Continue twisting and making loops until you have four loops on each side.  

 

Now, scrunch everything down with the Bowdabra wand.  Then, insert the loose wires through the loop and pull tight while the bow is still in the Bowdabra. Remove the bow from the Bowdabra, separate the ends, turn to the back, and tie a knot.  Tie a double knot for extra security. Clip the wire ends.  Adjust and arrange the loops of the bow.

 

Using, a hot glue gun, twist the elastic hair tie into a figure 8 shape and glue to the back of the bow.  This will allow the collar to slip through both loops of figure 8 elastic, attaching the bow. 

 

Cut a two-inch piece of matching ribbon.  Fold it in half lengthwise.  Using the glue gun, start from the back and glue the 2-inch folded ribbon to cover the bow going over the already attached elastic.

 

Feed your collar through both loops of the elastic.  

 

 

 

Check out five of the easiest patriotic crafts

If you are looking for easy patriotic crafts, look no further.  These 5 simple crafts will make the holiday a bit more fun. There is something for everyone, wearables, kid's crafts, and family crafts.  So let's get started!

First, make a long stem duct tape patriotic rose. It's so easy and quick to make and looks great on a July 4^th table or in a vase for any event.  You can make it easy! 

 

Long stem duct tape rose DIY

For the next easy craft, get the kids involved.  Crafting as a family is a fun and rewarding activity. These napkin butterflies are a quick and inexpensive craft and will look great in so many ways.  You can attach them to a bamboo stick, hair clip, and more.  The kids will have a blast making these fun butterflies!

 

Napkin butterfly DIY

 

 

And for something a bit more elegant, why not make these patriotic tassel earrings.  Jewelry making is not as hard as you might think.  These earrings will be sure to get a lot of compliments so let’s get going and don’t forget to make a few for gifts too!

Adorable patriotic tassel earrings

 

Our next craft is a cute wearable mini patriotic hat.  Simply attach it with some hair clips and you can be decked out for the party!

Wearable patriotic hat

 

Finally, If you are getting your house decorated for July 4^th, then you really need something to greet your guests.  The next project is a patriotic wreath.  Simple and so much fun to put together!

Easy 1-2-3 patriotic wreath

 That's all for today, come back for more fun DIY projects, and remember to make it easy!

 

How to use a holiday napkin to make amazing seasonal glass décor

 Did you know that ModPodge comes in a dishwasher safe formula?  And did you also know that you can use a holiday napkin to make amazing seasonal glass décor?  All sorts of holiday napkins are readily available at craft and party stores throughout the holiday seasons.  I found the most beautiful fall leaves accented with gold that is perfect for Thanksgiving.  

 

You can also use Christmas, New Year’s, Patriotic, Easter, and more napkins when they are available.  And if you use ModPodge dishwasher safe you can put your glassware on the top shelf of the dishwasher or hand wash as needed.  

 

Note: please be advised that Plaid Enterprises, Inc. has compensated Make it easy crafts by furnishing Plaid product at no charge in connection with this post.

 

Materials:

 

Glassware, plates, wine or beverage glasses, canning jars, etc.

Napkins in desired prints

Gold leaf pen

alcohol

ModPodge dishwasher safe formula

Small paintbrush

 

Instructions:

 

First, choose your napkin.  Then, separate the layers of the napkin so that you are only using the printed piece. 

Next, choose your clear glass item.  For plates and dishes make sure the right side of the napkin is showing through the glass, so you will have to apply the ModPodge to the wrong side of the napkin.  If using beverage or wine glasses, apply the napkin right side up on the outside of the glass, but about an inch or so from the rim so that your lips will only touch the glass when using.

 

Now, measure and cut the right size for the area you are covering with the napkin.  Then, using the small paintbrush, liberally apply some ModPodge to the surface.  Immediately place the prepared napkin piece.

 

Next, brush a coat of ModPodge on the napkin.  Wrinkles are fine and give the piece added texture. Let it dry for a couple hours and then apply two more coats of the ModPodge as necessary.  Let dry completely.  It will be dishwasher safe or you can hand wash after it cures for about 28 days.