Mackenzie Childs inspired Christmas Bell

Hello, lovebugs & Angel faces !!!!

Well, cleaning and reorganizing the studio took me so much longer than I planned, but I'm happy to report that it is finished, and I can get back to crafting !!!
First to share is this Dollar Tree plastic bell, which, could NOT be easier, and literally took about 20 minutes !! You're going to love how easy this is !!!

Here is the bell after cutting off the "wirey" bow and stars that it comes with.
I did ZERO prep on this !  None! lol

I used DecoArt American color - Yellow Ochre 

and a #4 short round paintbrush, and I painted the shinier lines.  

It did take 2 coats, but they dried really fast!
Big project, done !!!! hahaha

Lastly, I hot glued on a bow and some Dollar Tree ornaments and hung it up!

Although, I will say that before I pack it up at the end of the season, I will be adding a coat of Modge Podge to seal it. 

Why didn't I do it before I hung it up, you ask ?
No clue.  I was just excited !! 

Don't be afraid to change up the colors for your decor !! 

 It truly was super quick and super easy, and 
I'd LOVE to see what you do with it !!!

Until next time, keep creating and sharing your gift with the world!

love,
Gina

 

 I'll be back ! 

Just in case anyone is wondering....hahaha.....I had to take some time to reorganize my studio!

This has been a ridiculously huge task that has taken almost 2 weeks, minus a few days to contend with a migraine.  Just know that the studio is done, and now, I can get back to crafting !

I have a couple more Dollar Tree makeovers coming up.....stay tuned !!!

Keep crafting!

Love,

Gina 

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

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

Mackenzie Child inspired 
Snowman candlesticks! 

I can't even stand the cuteness here !! hahaha

My hardcore Mackenzie Child crush continues! 

So, I found these wooden spindles at a thrift store for .50 each!

I loved them, but I've had them a while because I couldn't figure out what to do with them until now! I also had these terracotta dishes in my stash, and decided they would become the base for the candlesticks!

I gave the spindles and the dishes a coat of basic black acrylic paint. I tend to use Folkart brand acrylic paints, simply because I love their color selection, the richness of the colors the coverage, and the affordability! 

They're just great, and no, they don't pay me to say that! hahaha 

Next, they got their stripes, checks and polka dots.

Once they were dried, I hot glued them together!

I also used the styrofoam balls as the heads, but I shaved a little off the top so that the hat (an ornament from Dollar Tree) would sit flat on top, and then I shave just a tiny bit off the bottom so they would sit nicely on the spindle.

Then, I just started gluing things on !!

The hats are ornaments from the Dollar Tree.

The bows on the hats are ribbon from my stash.

Their noses and the little bobbles hanging down are mini ornaments

 also from the Dollar Tree.

Lastly, I painted on the eyes, and I did them square so they look a little more like coal.

I hope you enjoy them and that you'll be inspired to make some too!

Keep creating!

With my heart,

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

 Mackenzie Child inspired Truck and Snowman !

I love all things Mackenzie Child! 

I might actually need an intervention ! haha

However, sadly their amaaaazing craftsmanship and beautiful creations are beyond the reach of my wallet!  So, I let them inspire me in my own creations!

Below, in the first image, are the snowman and truck hangars from the Dollar Tree!

I removed their tags and jute ties.

In the next picture, you'll see they have their white basecoat of Kilz chalkpaint.

Unfortunately, (and I promise to do better with future projects, I forgot to take more pics.  

I got way too wrapped up in painting them, and truly, just forgot!

So, let me walk you through it !

After their basecoat, I drew the boxes on both the truck and the snowman's hat.

Then, I lined the snowman's scarf and hat trim.

The red on both pieces are done with Waverly Chalk paint in Crimson.

The gold outlines you see are actually Tulip brand dimensional fabric paint - 

The rest are just "bits & bobs" that I had lying around and hot glued on.

Although, after the truck was done, I decided it needed a "bed rail".  I cut down and stained popsicle sticks and then just lined them up and hot glued them to the tree. 

Guys, you don't have to do all that I did !  I post just so you can maybe get an idea!

Do you !!!  Paint them whatever color YOU love!

Do what makes you smile !!

It isn't so much important "what" you do, just "THAT" you do !!!

With my heart,

Gina