'Tis the Season! DIY Christmas!

So... I decorated for Christmas this past weekend. I have NEVER decorated this early, but there's just something about this year that I HAD to decorate early! Maybe it's because last Christmas was just not great and I was pretty much numb to my entire situation last December, so I wanted to make sure to have a good season this year!

I have a couple DIY projects/gifts that are easy on the wallet and fool proof! 

 The NOEL sign- looks like wood, right? Wrong! I decided to try to use the paper mache letters you can get for less than $2 at any craft store. I wasn't going to paint them, but what I had in mind didn't look right with the color they came. So I took some paint I had- off white color- and painted them. It really only took one coat of paint. The cool part was that I used a paint brush, and the paint strokes make the sign look like wood. After the paint dried, I took some sandpaper and decided to rough up the edges a bit. I was really happy with the result! Looks like wood, but was under $5 to make! (because of course I used coupons)

So I had seen things like this on Pinterest and wasn't sure if it would really work. I questioned if the Sharpie would actually stick to the ceramic, and if it would wash off after a couple washes. I got a couple mugs like this from the Dollar Tree. I figured if it didn't work, I only spent a dollar on it. I made a special one for Bill in a care package, and I put the state of Florida with a heart where we are located. Once I was happy with the design, I put it in a cold oven at 350 for 30 minutes and let it cool down in there, too. Ta Da! A customized mug all for $1!! I tested it and washed it a couple times, and it seemed to stay on there, so I'll see if it really does after a few uses!

I love all things burlap and rustic holidays! If you see my kitchen, it's very rustic looking with my Christmas decor, so I like to keep the theme going throughout the house. I made the wreath from an idea I saw on Pinterest. I bought the burlap ribbon a while ago intending to make a Fall wreath, but that never happened because I made something else I liked using fabric I already had in the house. I'm glad I saved it, because I was able to make these two great additions to my Christmas decorations! The Noel lettering I did using a sharpie and tracing letters I printed. I searched for just the right font and size, and had a great wreath in less than 15 minutes! I used twine to tie the edges and then tie it to the grapevine wreath. After I did that, I still had some burlap ribbon, so I decided to make a card holder! I found those super cute, red clothespins in the Target $1 section- don't you love it!- and knew the perfect thing to do with them! I think the cards will look great and I will be able to see them throughout the season!

Happy Decorating!!