Life as I know it... CRAZY!: Raffia

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Next Fall Installment: My "CRAZY FALL CHRISTMAS TREE"! SO! FALL FAB!

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

~Albert Camus

Fall is my FAVORITE time of year and I love decorating for the holidays! So here I am, continuing my 'Crazy Christmas Tree Around the Year" blog, for FALL! This tree reflects my love of fall, and my love of everything Fall represents!

I started with a trip to the Michaels, searching for 50% off items, to decorate my tree, and on the hunt for something to add that "CRAZY EXTRA SPARKLE"! I found fall floral picks, miniature gourds and pumpkins, and silk leaves. I located a pre-made wire bow, and picked up a bag of raffia for that 'extra' Fall touch... BUT! the "Extra Sparkle"? I knew I had to head to the Krylon Paint Aisle, and there it was!

http://www.krylon.com/products/glitter_blast/

Krylon Glitter Blast!!!!

This product is Fantastic! and I ended up using it on each item placed on the tree.

To start with, I laid newspaper down, and placed my gourds and picks on the paper... and then the glittering began! I was CRAZY THRILLED with the results! These cute, but plain tree decor items, took on a life of their own as I applied the glitter! What a FAB way to dress up the tree!

After the paint had dried, I attached raffia to the leaves and the gourds and pumpkins to attach them to the tree. I needed to punch holes in the silk leaves, and loop the raffia through to tie them on the tree. The gourds and pumpkins, I merely tied the raffia around the stems.

Naked Tree: check, "CRAZY SPARKLING" Decor: check, Raffia & Ribbon: check, Determination to Dazzle: OH YEAH!

I began by inserting the picks into the tree, spacing them around for a balanced look. I then started tying the silk leaves and pumpkins and gourds on to fill things out.

I then tied on raffia bows and added the bow on top for a well balanced Fall look!

I was SO PLEASED! with my Crazy Fall Christmas Tree, but knew I needed to add those 'little' extras to complete the look, so I added a candle, some Fimo Clay Creations that I have created, and another little 50% off pumpkin to complete the look under the tree!

I am SO CRAZY PLEASED with my FALL CHRISTMAS TREE... hope you enjoy it, and will find inspiration to keep YOUR Christmas Tree up YEAR AROUND!

I leave my Christmas Tree up year around, NOT because I am lazy, but because I LOVE Creatively Celebrating EACH and EVERY season in a special way! And there is NO better way to express your creativity, than by hanging your creations from the branches of a tree! Happy Fall, and Happy Creating!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

Living, Laughing and LOVING FALL,

Patti

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

My Crazy SUMMERY 'B'UTIFUL SEABREEZE Christmas Tree!

Yes I am continuing with my themed tree idea- leaving the Christmas tree up in hopes that can decorate it for each holiday or season. I loved my Easter tree, but alas, as I tend to procrastinate in putting my Christmas tree up, I did the same with my Easter tree. BUT, yesterday was a day of inspiration and I decided to decorate my tree to reflect several of my favorite things: the ocean, collecting shells, and the beautiful place in which I live. So after a quick trip to Michael’s (my fav place to shop), I was ready to go! P.S. Here in Pensacola, there are sites on the internet where you can print downloadable coupons- and you can use a coupon a day for the whole week if you like. Just type Michael’s daily coupon into your search engine and then look for the latest coupon.

If you would like to decorate with a Seaside theme here is what you will need~

· Your Christmas Tree of course
· A strand of WORKING lights… I did find these at Michael’s in the bridal aisle.
· Sand Dollars
· Star Fish
· A Box of “Ocean Breeze” Potpourri… or something like it- mine contained shells, and starfish and other lovely sea items, and they smelled divine
· A bag of Raffia
· Any personal seashells you have collected!
· A drill with a titanium bit
· Aileen’s Tacky Glue

To start with, I drilled holes in all of the shells and the ‘potpourri balls. You need a titanium bit to get through the shells, and for the most part I had great success without shattering but just one shell. Use a solid object under the shells to drill~ I used an old book. I did not drill the starfish, sand dollars, or pieces of driftwood.

I just tied them on with the raffia!

Using a strand of raffia, double it, and then slide the looped end through the hole, just enough so you can push the other end through the loop and pull it tight to make a hanger! Then tie with a bow on your tree…. SO EASY! Let the ends dangle so you have raffia covering your tree.

With the starfish, sand dollars, and drift wood, I just tied and knotted a piece of raffia around the object (the sand dollars have the little holes to make your loops~ just be gentle) and then tie onto the tree and make your bow! Again, SO EASY!

With the perfumed balls… I did have the hole that I drilled. I took a piece of raffia and doubled it, and tied a knot in the ‘doubled end’. I stuffed the knot into the drilled hole and then secured with glue. I allowed them to dry and then tied them onto the tree with the raffia and made another bow!

My topper was the left over raffia, which I allowed to dangle down the tree… so pretty. This tree looks “BEACHY BEAUTIFUL” and smells divine with the potpourri sea creations! I also love the many personal shells I hung, that I have collected over the years, and which bring back so many memories. I put some of my favorite shells I have collected at the base, and a sea scent diffuser, as well as pictures I have made using shells and starfish. (an cheap but great gift idea~ and another blog for another time!)

Now when I am teaching my violin lessons, I can take a quick peak at my tree, and think about my next trip to the beach which would be, let’s see, TOMORROW!