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,

DIY Santa Ornament !

 Cute and quick little paper mache Santa !!

Another quick and easy project!
Aside from dry time, this ornament went together in about an hour!
Below, you will see the paper mache ornament I purchased at Hobby Lobby!
Their Christmas stuff is 50% off right now, so I paid .50 cents for it!
To make the template, I laid a piece of paper on top of one of the sections of the ornament and I traced the shape.  I then used the template to cut out pieces from this REALLY cute Santa & retro sheet music scrapbook paper, both of which I also found at Hobby Lobby and they were 4/$1.00 !

Then, it became a matter of decoupaging them on!  A nice coat of Modge Podge (original matte formula) to lay the pieces down, and then once dry, I did 2 coats on top to seal and protect them!  When it comes to decoupage, I tend to not stray from my tried and true Modge Podge!  

I need consistently great results, and MP delivers every time!

Now, you can use any bits & bobs you have on hand to decorate them!

I had this garland in my stash, and this "bling" from Dollar General I used to "outline" each section of the ornament.  Throw in some bells on top, and a tiny tassel on the bottom, and I'm calling it done!

And, again, here it is complete!

This truly was simple, and you can do it!

Don't ever be afraid to try something new!  Crafting is trial and error!  It's a wonderful way to experiment and "play"! 

If it doesn't work, just take it apart and redo it!  

I pray that you'll enjoy doing some of these projects and thank you for spending some time with me !  I'm grateful for each and every one of you !

Until next time,

Keep Crafting!

Love, 
Gina