Checkered Christmas Bells

 Look at the cuteness !!!!

Oh, my goodness, I'm excited about these!  

A few projects ago, I posted a striped Christmas Bell, and I just had to keep going with it since I found these checkered bells at 

Dollar Tree !! 

With the checker pattern already there and half done, this was a serious no brainer!

So, I started by cutting off the DT tag and bow that it came with.

I did no prep work on these, I just grabbed my Waverly Chalk paint and painted every other box white.  I chose to paint all of the "smooth" boxes and leave the ones which were more sparkly!

I did give it 2 coats of white.

Then, I began to make some bows.

Using my Deluxe EZ bow maker, I began with a 4" bow in a tartan plaid ribbon that I found at Dollar Tree, and then gradually got smaller (about 1\2 - 1in at a time) with each new ribbon I added.  3" for the striped ribbon, 2" solid red ribbon and about 2" for the black/white checkered ribbon which came from Hobby Lobby.

To make: leave a tail (as long you'd like), then form first loop to the left.  The bowmaker is marked with the measurements so that you can make them even.  As you go across to make your right loop, put the ribbon in between the dowels and twist your ribbon to make sure that your printed side is facing up.  Then, just leave a tail on the opposite side to balance it out. It should look like it does in the pictures, and I'm hoping that this is making sense!  If not, or if you have a question, come grab me on my Facebook page (click the little icon at the bottom of this or any post) and we'll sort it out!

After getting all layers on there, lift off of the EZ bow maker while pinching the layers in the center.  You'll want to wrap the center with a pipe cleaner to hold in place.  You could also wrap with some twine or whatever makes you happy, the important thing is that the center is cinched tightly so that the bow stays together!  You can fluff the bow out and be sure to dovetail the ends to give it that finished look!

Now, the embellishments!

This is always my favorite part!

Using some sprigs I had leftover from a garland I cut up (it came from Dollar Tree), I wrapped the greenery through the bell handle.  I did use a touch of hot glue (Gorilla brand glue sticks are amaaazing!  Just saying....lol), and once I glued the greenery, I just glued the finished bow to the top.

These glitter ornaments I got from the Dollar Tree also, and I just mixed my metals and did a singular silver and a singular gold, just to jazz it up !

And, that's it, guys!

This really went quick, I think it took me about an hour (not counting dry time), and they were ready to hang!  I did finish out with a piece of twine to hang them from, and I've gotta tell ya....hanging with the striped bell, they just make my heart smile!

Give this one a try, and change it up with whatever colors work for you!  I think I also saw these bells in silver, but don't hold me to that, just in case!  I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure!

And, if you do make these, please be sure you come back and share them with me!  I'd love to see what you do!

Thank you again for blessing me with your presence, and for sharing some time with me today!

Know that you are loved!!

With my heart,