Tinsel wreath tutorial

So, if you read yesterday's post, you'll remember that I had a blank space on the wall above my mantle that desperately needed some shiny redness. Enter the tinsel wreath. This project is so simple and so fun and it involves sparkly tinsel, which I think we can all agree is a plus.



You will need a wreath form, tinsel, straight pins, and about 5 minutes of your time.



I got a wreath form made of straw instead of the standard foam. I have no idea why. I started to unwrap the plastic from it, but the straw began to litter the floor of the craft room like a barn, so I just kept the plastic on. It matters not since it will soon be covered in tinsel. However, do not get a wicker wreath form because your pins won't hold the tinsel to the wicker.

Start by securing one end of your tinsel to the wreath form with a straight pin. Then proceed to wrap the tinsel around the wreath form, stopping every few times to fluff up the tinsel and make sure your rows are tight enough. If they're loose, just scoot the rows of tinsel closer together. This project is very forgiving.



My first string of tinsel (15 feet) got me almost halfway around the wreath. When you finish a string, simply use a straight pin to secure both the end of the previous string and the beginning of the new string to the wreath form. Then continue winding.



When you finish, secure the final end of the string to the wreath form with a pin. I'm using a floral pin here because I didn't have the other kind. Man, I need a manicure.



Now stand back and admire your handiwork and think about where you will put it. Sparkly!



Adding some much-needed red to the fireplace. But there's still something missing.



Thankfully, I had a few feet of tinsel leftover. That does the trick.



Fun. Easy. Sparkly. A delight.

Crafty Tutorial: DIY notepads

Today was a gorgeous day, which was rather convenient since I was off of work. I went antiquing and took some photos and had some delicious Chinese food. I like to end a day like that with some crafty crafting.


If you know me, you may know that I love to make lists. Then I love to cross things off those lists. Gives me a thrill. So I go through a fair amount of notepads. Most notepads have annoying flowers all over them or something even worse like cats. Blargh. So I took matters into my own hands and made some delightful notepads of my own. You can too.

You will need:

Paper printed with list headings, clever quotes, etc. (I did about 75 sheets for each pad, which worked out nicely. I wouldn't go higher than that.)
A paper cutter of some sort (They're relatively inexpensive at any craft store.)
Bonding compound (Also available at craft stores or online. A bottle this size will last you a lifetime and probably make it into the will.)
A small paintbrush
Small paper clamps (Available at Staples or the like.)
80s music and maybe a snack or a drink


First, print your lists. I did this quick and easy by using Word, turning the paper to landscape orientation, and splitting it into three columns. Then I added fun headers in pleasing colors, which you can't really see since my photo is hideously blue. (I don't want to hear about it, James!)


You could use dramatic or historical quotes about remembering and organizing. (That Marcus Aurelius had a lot of interesting stuff to say.)


Or you could be more on the nose.


Or you could use a fun quote from one of the best television shows ever created, despite the fact that it was cruelly cancelled after only two seasons.


After you print your paper (50 to 75 sheets, I'd say), you need to cut it. This is the most tedious part of the process, made considerably less so if your parents got you a super awesome paper cutter for Christmas. You can also use the scrapbooking paper slicers sold at most craft stores, but you can't cut as many pages at a time with those. (This is where the 80s music and snack come in handy.)


When you've finished you'll have a nice, tidy pile of pages ready to be bound together. I trimmed my Natalie/Jeremy pile shorter because I want to carry that one in my purse.


Then you place a small clamp on either side of the pad, about a quarter of an inch from the top.


Now this part is fun. Slather the top with a generous amount of bonding compound. On one of the pads I added a cardboard backing with a bit of magnet so I can hang it on my fridge. I made sure to put a lot of compound on that one.


Also, should you happen to accidentally send your paintbrush hurtling through the air, splattering bonding compound on your shirt, pants, and floor, fear not. The compound cleans up very nicely off of cotton, corduroy, and hardwood floors.

Not that I did that. Twice.


Let them dry while you stand back to admire your handiwork.


Start making a list of stuff for your next project. Or grocery trip. I am totally out of milk.