Dollar Tree Santa Makeover

 

Dollar Tree Santa Makeover with that 

Mackenzie Childs inspired touch!

How cute is he ?!

I'm so excited to share with you this Dollar Tree makeover!

I'm even going to show you (because I keep it "real" here!) the part which was a fail for me, and a do-over !

So, I'm sure, by now you guys have seen these adorable Santa signs at your local Dollar Tree. 

So cute, right ?!

Well, my first thought was to add that Mackenzie Childs touch and get him some "checks".  With a sharpie, I drew a horizontal line across the middle of his "fur" on the hat, and then added vertical lines to form the checks.  I also added 2 lines on the 'ball' of his cap.  Then, using Apple Barrel paint in black, I filled in every other space.

Once they were solid, I used Decoart Americana paints in Yellow Ochre and Hauser Medium Green and just "drug" each of them through the checks.  There is no rhyme or reason to this part.  Truly, just play and add as much or as little as you like !!! 

Ok, here comes the fail....hahaha......Once my checks were done, I thought I'd add some Yellow Ochre strips on his hate around the Ho Ho Ho. Ummmm....Ho Ho NO! lol 

I didn't like it and it needed to Go Go Go !

 

So, I painted over the stripes and letters with 2 coats of my Waverly Chalk paint in Crimson.  Already I'm happier!

Now, to fill in that hat!

I decided that a harlequin pattern in the Yellow Ochre might work, and I think it did!

Once that was dry, using the end of my brush, I did some dip dots in white on the corners of each diamond.

Ahhhh!  His cuteness is making me smile !!!

I decided he needed a bow, so, using my Deluxe EZ bow maker, I layered a plaid tartan ribbon I found at Dollar Tree, a striped ribbon, a solid red ribbon, and the harlequin ribbon all from Hobby Lobby.

Don't forget to dovetail those ends so that you have a clean, high-end looking finish to your bows.

To dovetail the ends, just fold the bottom edge over on itself, and cut in an upward angle towards the center.

Easy Peasy!

And, here he is completed!

I love how happy he looks, and the mixing and matching of the different colors and patterns.  It makes me so happy!

You could paint him in whatever colors you're decorating in! He'd look amazing in gold & white, or silver & gold....oh! a vintage light blue and pink !!  The possibilities are endless!

I really hope that you'll pick him up and give him a try.  

For $1, why not, right ??

You can make him whatever you want him to be!  

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below, or come find me on Facebook and shoot me a private message there!

Again, thank you for visiting and spending a small part of your day with me!  You have blessed me with your presence!

Remember that you are precious, you are loved and last but not least, KEEP creating !!

With my heart,

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,

DIY Mackenzie Child inspired half planters!

 

Yes, the MC obsession continues !!! lol

This is a quick and simple project that you can design to your own colors and decor, which are not only great for decor purposes but can also be functional and very handy !!

I made 4 total, 3 of which you see are on my cabinets above, and 1, I added magnets to and put on my refrigerator to hold pens & pencils! 

 

To get started, I use 2 of these .99 cent plastic planters.  These, I believe I got at Wal-Mart, but I think you can find them fairly easily at most home improvement stores, or even Dollar General!  I used 2, which when cut in half, gave me 4 halves total.  I used regular kitchen scissors to cut them, and they really cut quite easily!

Once they were cut in half, I gave each 2 coats of Kilz Chalk paint.  The chalk paint went on the plastic well, and I used 2 coats just for maximum coverage.  I did not worry about painting the inside, since I knew it wouldn't show.  The top band I painted a solid gold, using Folkart Metallic Pure Gold.  On the lower section, I then freehanded lines, and then alternated the black and white also with Folkart acrylic paints.  I then used the following colors to dry brush some streaks.

Colors used ( all Folkart/Americana brand acrylics):

Yellow Ochre
Hauser Medium Green
White
Black

The only different brand was the red, which was Waverly brand chalk paint in Crimson.
Once dry, I sealed them with 2 coats of Modge Podge.

After they were all dry, I traced and cut out the shape from cardboard.

After my cardboard was all cut out, I just hot glued them to the inside edge of the planter.

The ones which hang on the cabinets all have command strips so that they can be removed when I change my mind, which will happen! hahaha 

I'm always changing things up, so everything in my house is easily "undone" so to speak! 

The one which is on the refrigerator I just hot glued a magnet strip to, and voila!  

All done !!

As you can see, I put some greenery in the cabinet ones, and it's just some lamb's ear for a soft touch!

I'm pretty sure my husband is hoping my MC obsession will end soon, buuuuut.......it isn't looking good for that to happen !!! hahaha

These went together really quick and easy, and minus the drying time, probably only took an hour or so! If you decide to make some, please come back and show me what you've made!  I can't wait to see!!

Until next time,

Keep creating!

Love,

Gina

"Mack" the Snowman

 "Mack" my Mackenzie Child inspired Snowman!

Oh, my new favorite little guy!

Again, inspired by the brilliance of Mackenzie Childs, and all that which I can't afford...hahaha

So, this little guy I, unfortunately, cannot tell you where to purchase.  See, I found him at a thrift store! He was .35 cents and is paper mache.  The top half of him lifts off because he is a box !

Now, I'm sure you could find any snowman, paper mache or otherwise to paint, again, my posts are just here to give you ideas and to encourage you to just go for it !!

First, I gave him a coat of Kilz Chalk paint, and drew out his checkers. 

Next, I painted all of this checks, his hat and his scarf. I used a sponge dobber from Dollar Tree to do his gold polka dots.  His nose, I used a tiny styrofoam ball, and shaved down the sides to give it a gumdrop shape.  I then painted it orange, and dipped it in epsom salt (because I ran out of glitter...lol), but I wanted it to have that sugary look.  And, gave him a good coat of Modge Podge to seal him ! 

Then, I started gluing on the "bits & bobs" !

That part is always my favorite !! 

Completed Mack is ready to go !

Again, just use what you see to create your own! 

Your colors, your favorite little addons, and whatever else makes you happy !

Remember, it isn't so much "what" you create, but "THAT" you create !!

With my heart,

Gina