Marbelized Christmas Ornaments

I'm having so much fun DIYing ornaments for my new King of Christmas Noble Fir. You can find the first DIY here. 

If you've followed me on Instagram  for any length of time then you know I have been on a marbleizing kick for a while. I marbleized some mini pumpkins last year and then marbleized all the pumpkins this year. I tried my hand at some Easter eggs last spring. I've had so many questions on IG about which technique I use so I decided Christmas ornaments would be next so I could show you how I marbleize.

Marbleizing Christmas ornaments is nothing new. I did this the first time a long, long time ago - I think it might have been a Martha Stewart craft years ago but there have been a lot of tutorials and methods around for ages. I'm going to share what works for me - I use spray paint. But you can also google it or check Pinterest and find a lot of methods and ideas to inspire you.

You will need: 

Spray paint. I use Rustoleum 2x (not sponsored but I wish they would send me a can of every color so I could go wild!) We do this outside on a plastic covered table.

Container for water. It will be covered in paint so use an old plastic container. It needs to be wide enough to get your item in with some space around it and deep enough that your item can be submerged without touching the bottom. Your water needs to be "room temp" not cold. Cold water will keep the paint from staying loose and smooth when you dip. Change your water in between colors and I think it helps to let the overspray on your container to dry before you spray a new color.

Plastic gloves and a spray paint mask if you choose.

Skewers to swirl the paint.

Ornaments. I think the marbleizing shows up best on white ornaments. You can use plastic or glass. You can find them at craft stores, Wal Mart, Target.

And you need a place for your ornaments to dry. I'll touch on that later.

Gather everything and get ready to get creative. This is not a precise process and every ornament turns out differently so just relax and experiment until you figure out what works for you.

Here's what you do:

Fill your container with water and choose your paint colors. 

I tend to use one dark color plus white but you can use any combo you want. Experimenting is what makes this fun. You'll want to have plenty of blank ornaments on hand.

Next you quickly spray your colors onto the surface of the water. I alternate color, white, color when I spray. You may need to spray one of the colors an extra time. You'll get a feel for how much you need and also depending on how much coverage you want on your ornament.

Use the skewer to swirl the paints together lightly so that they look like marble. 

Now you want to dip your ornament slowly into the bucket of water and paint. I like to twirl my ornament slowly as I dip it to get a little more "swirl" and it helps to cover the ornaments surface. You can see a video of these ornaments being dipped here.

You can also place a dowel stick or skewer into the ornament and secure it with painters tape. I planned to paint my ornament caps gold so I didn't mind if they got a little paint on them. If you want to preserve your ornament caps then just remove them and set aside until your ornament is dry and use the tape and stick method.

(Seen here: Rustoleum 2x Navy Blue)

If you use the method where your ornament is taped to the stick simply turn it upside down and place in a jar so the ornament can fully cure and the water droplets left on it will evaporate. If you use the method with the ornament cap left on you can simply use an ornament hanger to hang it up to dry. You can use a coat hanger to hang a few on but if you are like me and can't get stopped then string up a clothesline by your work table.

Once they have dried they are ready to enjoy. Add a ribbon and hang on the tree, pile in a bowl, use on top of a package, give them as neighbor gifts! Be sure to let me know if you create your own marbleized ornaments this year!

And be sure to check here on the blog and on IG because I have a couple more DIY ornaments to share. My new tree has the perfect shape for lots of ornaments!

(seen here: Rustoleum 2X Colonial Red)

Every ornament turns out a little different. This isn't a precise process. Relax and enjoy being creative.

My New Christmas Tree!!

I have admired King of Christmas trees for a long time. I even recommended one to my friend Julie last year and she loves hers. I love the open branches of the Noble Fir so when King of Christmas asked me to choose a tree I knew what I wanted without having to look! The box arrived quickly and I couldn't wait to see it. They come with a fabulous remote, gloves to wear while fluffing (and mine was so easy to fluff) and a bag for off season storage - no stuffing it back in a tattered box year after year!

I have several DIY ornaments planned for my tree which is going to be in my library this Christmas. In a blue and white chinoiserie planter! (Mine is thrifted but this one is similar.) So exciting. 

The first "layer" for my tree is the simplest DIY of all. I ordered these faux orange slices. In most instances I like to use "real" items but I'm a little funny about using food in ways that it can't be eaten later (you do you, but I've spent a lot of time with people who are food insecure so I chose faux for this.) Citrus is traditional in Christmas decor and I wanted to add orange slices to my tree. 

I used a very small drill bit to put a hole all the way through my orange slice.

I decided to glitter the sides of my slices for a little extra sparkle because I'm not going for a farmhouse or country look. You can definitely skip this step. I used Mod Podge and coarse crystal glitter that I already had (similar glitter) to "sugar" my orange slices.

After the glittered sides dried I used clear fishing line to create a hanging loop so the orange can easily hang in the open places between the branches. 

The space for ornaments and movement in the silhouette of the Noble Fir is the reason I chose this particular tree. I also went with a 6 foot tree so I could place it in a chinoiserie planter on a stand. 

The faux orange slices are the first layer on my tree. I have several more DIYs planned  (there is a little peek at the next one - any guesses??)s o be sure to follow along here on the blog and on my instagram!

Chinoiserie Tree for Fall

You may not remember my decoupage Christmas ornaments but they inspired the chinoiserie Easter tree which in turn has motivated me to create this fall version!

I'm not a big Halloween decorator - I'm more of a seasonal decorator using a lot of natural elements (I'm crazy for heirloom and mini pumpkins) more than themed items. That being said, I do have a collection of terra cotta pumpkins that I love to use all month long in October. (You'll be seeing those soon.)

But back to the chinoiserie fall tree. This is the easiest of projects and a lot of fun because you can get really creative with the papers and ribbons you choose. I wanted ornaments that mixed well with my "look" so chinoiserie it is! Making decoupage ornaments is so easy and fun that I decided to grab some fall shapes and see what I could come up. Be sure to watch this reel on Instagram to see more details. 

I used a couple of real branches for my Easter tree but I found this great faux branch tree at Goodwill a few months ago and I thought it would be perfect for my decoupage ornaments. For the fall tree I decided to paint it brown.

This is the same way that I made my chinoiserie and Audubon ornaments at Christmas time and the Easter Tree shapes as well.

Gather your supplies:

Flat wooden shapes from craft stores, Wal Mart or dollar stores. I found wooden shapes in pumpkins, leaves and acorns that are perfect for this project. Mine came for Dollar Tree and Amazon. 

Mod Podge (here's a funny about Mod Podge!)

A foam brush to apply Mod Podge. 

Gold spray paint (this is my favorite)

Sharp paper scissors (I use these  to be able to cute very crisp, detailed shapes. I've had my pair for years. Still sharp!)

Papers to decoupage onto your shapes. I used marbleized papers for the some of the shapes and chinoiserie papers for others. I like the mix. Marbleized papers can be found online and in the scrapbooking section of craft stores. The chinoiserie images were printed on copy paper. You can find copyright free images on museum websites. Just google it - "copyright free museum images" and the museum sites will pop up. Then just search the imagery you want- chinoiserie, florals, birds. It's easily available but it just takes a little bit of time. Print the images out and cut out your shapes. I cut my shapes slightly smaller than my wooden shape so that there is a border of gold around the edge.

Then follow the Mod Podge instructions to adhere your papers to your wooden shapes. After they are dry you can add ribbon to hang them on your tree. I put decorative papers on both sides because they can be seen from both sides on my tree. These also make great package toppers/name tags for gifts. If you are mailing packages they are pretty enough that you don't need a bow (which would be flattened anyway!)

The chinoiserie fall tree is a fun addition to our entryway. I used a lot of ornaments - I like it to be full. I plan to change the faux white pumpkins out with some colorful gourds and mini pumpkins in October but it's too warm/early where I live to get them. This chinoiserie fall tree can take us all the way through Thanksgiving decor wise. 

Be sure to let me know if you make one! Happy Fall.

One Simple Change - Family Room Update.

I recently changed the curtains in our family room and, wow, was I surprised at the difference changing one thing made. I chose Phyllis Panels in Slate from Decoberry for the family room.

Here's a little reminder of the before. 
  

We are really enjoying the change. More afters:

I posted on Instagram and someone commented that "curtains are like lipstick - the finishing touch." I was very happy with the white curtains and bamboo shades that I had hung when this room was refreshed for the One Room Challenge. But adding these slate blue panels from Decoberry made a big impact. 

After seeing the beautiful change in our family room I decided to hang the same Phyllis panels in our entry way but in jade green. The two rooms are open to each other and this is a great design trick to tie the rooms together but give them a separate look and personality as well. 

Before: I used inexpensive and unlined IKEA panels. The difference with the lined Decoberry panels is remarkable. 

Our entry way is windowless except for the door. Having curtains on the door gives me an opportunity to add fabric, color and pattern but these curtains are functional for us as well. The front of our house gets the hot, Deep South afternoon sun and it heats up the whole house and puts a strain on the AC. being able to pull the panels for a couple of hours in the late afternoon is a huge energy saver and affects our power usage and bill. It's a very old fashioned idea to have drapes over doors and predates central heat and air. In the winter I find pulling it on windy days helps with drafts and the heating bill too. I like the look but I also appreciate the conservation/economic aspect. 

After:

Decoberry kindly gifted the panels to me to try. I am honestly so impressed with the quality and the pricepoint. They sell their panels in pairs which I love. It is discouraging, for me anyway, to find a curtain I like online and then realize I need to double the price. Another thing that really impressed me is that they are so well packaged that there is barely a wrinkle when you unbox them and hang them. Less steaming makes me happy. I think we can all agree on that!

I've been scrolling their website to see what would look good in my library - so many choices!

What about you? Do you like colorful, patterned curtains? I'm definitely a fan after this experience!

Summer Flowers

Fresh flowers are one of the greatest joys of summer living - whether you can pick a complete arrangement from your yard or if you simply add a few picked beauties to your weekly store bought bouquets.

I'm sharing some of the flowers that have brightened up our spaces, inside and out, so far this summer. 

I added a few hosta leaves to this bright bouquet of store bought spray roses. Hostas are one of my favorite sources for greenery. I love the large leaves and I have solid and variegated plants to choose from.

All flowers from the yard - hydrangea, plumbago, angel wing begonia and hosta leaves.

Mollie had Trader Joe's peonies in July. They were fabulous and lasted forever!

Grocery store bouquets of alstromeria last forever too. This little bouquet was on the side table next to my "spot" in the family room. 

As far as I'm concerned it's hard to beat a bunch of free branches in a glass vase. You can go as large as you want! 

I cut lots of hydrangeas to bring inside when my bushes are in full bloom. I tuck them everywhere.

It's also fun to have a big vase full too!

I shared how we love to visit sunflower farms here and here.

It's so much fun to gather large bouquets to take home. 

What's your favorite summer flower?