DIY Twig and Branch Snowflakes for a Rustic Holiday

I love all different holiday ‘decor’ styles. Some days I wake up and want everything to be white. Other days, I want gold metallic to glisten the room and every so often, I want colors that are merry and bright. But, I always love a touch of country or mountain rustic.It’s warm and inviting…and reminds me of Christmas in Colorado, especially the mountains of Colorado.

I had a box of twigs and branches in the garage that were just waiting to be sculpted into something…and after a recent shopping trip to Pier 1, I was determined to create DIY snowflakes out of branches, just like their branch snowflake ornaments. It only took about 2 hours, and I saved $14 per snowflake.

You’ll Need:
Thin twigs or branches that can be easily broken with hands {about 20-30}.
Hot glue and glue gun
Red and white twine
Faux greenery and berries {I bought 3 small bunches of greenery for $1 each}

How To:
Find one straight and strong twig for your snowflake ‘base’ {I positioned it vertically on the table}.
Find another twig and ‘eye’ the length as you slant it sightly to the left from your ‘base’. Snap the twig in half, and glue each side to the sides of your ‘base stick’.
Continue to add more sticks around your ‘base’ to complete your snowflake – measure to make sure lengths are really close, snap and glue. You can design it as you like, even adding smaller twigs that branch out from the larger ones.
Once your snowflake is complete, use twine to wrap around each stick in the center, and tie a knot in the back. I did this so it looked more festive, and it covered the hot glue.
Pull apart your faux greenery and glue the pieces onto your snowflake.
You can either use the twine to create a ‘hanger’ to hang these as ornaments, or use Command velcro to adhere to the wall. I only use 4 small pieces of the Command adhesives, and cut them into small squares.

 

{images via Tutto Bella}

Snowman Soup Recipe and Gift made with Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows

With the snow falling and cold temps, it’s the time of year for snowmen and hot chocolate – and this DIY gift is the best combination of both. Call them ‘marshmallow snowmen’ or ‘snowman soup’ – either one works. This makes for such an adorable gift or party favor for friends, family or teachers this time of year.

You’ll Need:
small glass jars with lids
festive holiday socks
hot chocolate {individual packets}
bag of mashmallows
buttons for the eyes
orange crayons for the nose
hot glue gun
pom ribbon

How To:
Glue two buttons on the jar {where you want the eyes to be}.
Use a sharp knife to cut the tip off the orange crayon.
Hot glue the crayon in the center of the jar {where you want the nose to be}.
Fill the jar with one packet of hot chocolate mix.
Fill the remainder of the jar with marshmallows until it’s completely full.
Add the jar’s lid.
Add the sock {the top of the sock – where the elastic is}. If your sock is long like mine, just cut it to the length you want.
Use a piece of ribbon to tie around the middle of the sock, so the snowman’s hat is complete.
Print these tags, printed by Fleur de Lis, attach…and give away with a smile on your face! Seriously, you have to download the tags – the poem is so, so adorable!

{images via Tutto Bella}

holiday craft party ideas

Nothing sounds more fun to me than getting together with the ladies, sipping on some vino or bubbly, grubbing on a cheese plate and doing crafts! Seriously, my kind of party. Some talented bloggers recently hosted some fun parties we’re going to share with you today. Make a date, buy the supplies {don’t forget the wine} and have some DIY fun.

Mary Costa Photography, Mix & a-Mingle Holiday Craft Party by Studio DIY

Melanie, a really talented blogger behind You Are My Fave {from Colorado like us}, let us share her Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Party idea with us. So cute, and looks like a great time. For a full tutorial, please visit You Are My Fave. Photos by Nicole Coleman.

Gather some old books, visit a library $1 book sale and host a DIY party to create a Book Pages Tree like Organized Clutter did.

Sugar and Cloth made an adorable Color Block Ornament Garland at their holiday party. See how here.

Paper {whites} hosted a lovely Holiday Craft party for her book club and the festivities included a cookie exchange, champagne sipping and gift tag creativity. Look at the goody bags below {I want} and look at more details here.

{images via Mary Costa Photography, Organized Clutter, Sugar and Cloth, You are My Fave/Nicole Coleman, Paper {Whites}}

gift guide for the hostess

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know we have so much to be grateful for, so it was a special day for us to be with family and friends, and enjoy the love all around us. I was the one who cried {tears of joy} as I said what I was thankful for at the dinner table. I definitely got the ‘crying’ gene as we call it in my family – actually I think all 3 of us did – the gene that has us in tears for every toast and prayer at holidays and special events. It all started with grandma.

Now, we’re in Christmas mode. Hard to believe the jolly man comes down the chimney in about 3.5 weeks. Some of you may be shopping Black Friday deals today…wish I was doing a little retail therapy!

If your shopping today, or opt for a calmer day to shop, add some of our favorite hostess gifts below to your shopping list. It’s a nice gesture to bring a little something for the host/hostess – and he or she will be sure to enjoy any of these items.

Happy Shopping.

1. Cocktail Chatter Napkins, Anthropologie
2. Personalized Placemat, EInvite
3. Jar with Chalkboard Label {filled with cookies, of course}, Pier1
4. Santa Poo Pourri {spritz before you go, and no one will ever know – it totally works}, Amazon
5. Rosemary Tree, Terrain
6. Naughty and Nice Sock by Gumball Poodle, Urban General Store
7. Mr. and Mrs. Holiday Glasses, Furbish Studio
8. Holiday Basket with Mini Candles, Crate and Barrel
9.  Winter Wonderland dish towel, Anthropologie

{images via EInvite, AmazonPier 1Terrain, Urban General StoreFurbish Studio, Crate and BarrelAnthropologie}

tgif

TGIF y’all. Here’s some inspiration for your weekend.

1. Lauren Conrad’s new office space is so gorgeous, we had to share. If I had an office like this, I would never want to leave. Stunning! Thanks Domaine for sharing! You must see the rest of the gallery here.  

2. Jenna, owner and designer at Fleur de Lis, is one of the finalists in this year’s ICON Awards for best invitation. Take the time to vote for her so she can win People’s Choice. Click on Vote, Register and look under Best Invitation, and vote for blushing romance.

If you remember last year, we won best wedding…and we made the cover. Victorious!

3. I’m sick in bed, so my emotions are high, but this video made me bawl – I did what Oprah calls the ‘ugly cry’! Make sure you have a box of tissues close. Video by LaFrance Films.

4. This Sweet Potato Pie recipe from 4 Men and 1 Lady is so delicious. I didn’t have time to make it for Thanksgiving last year, so I made it a couple of days after, and devoured it! So yummy…and if you don’t like Sweet Potatoes, this may just change your mind. Try it this weekend or add it to your Thanksgiving menu.

{Bride’s Special Dance from LaFrance Films on VimeoDomaine, Confetti Magazine, Fleur de Lis}