Christmas Decor - Inside and Out

As in previous years, I took a walk out to the woods at the back of our property last weekend to gather branches to make a decorative planter for the front door.

I was lucky this year to find four different types of evergreen trees, along with dogwood, birch, and pine cones. I dragged my haul back to the house and laid it out in the basement to dry for a day.

The planter I use is already 3/4 full of soil as there are live plants in it during the rest of the year. I put scrap 1x6 pieces over the dirt to get a level surface and then added 3 florist foam bricks on top to anchor the branches.

My method is to start with birch along the back, then pine branches fanned out in front of them. I position cedar along the front edge as it drapes down nicely. I then randomly fill in the open space using all four of the different types. Finally I add in the decorations. This year I chose baubles and faux iced berries that I purchased during a Christmas open house at Bradford Greenhouses. I also added in dogwood branches for colour (love how it turns bright red in the winter!) and white poinsettia flowers.

On the door, instead of a wreath, I hung a rustic window frame that I also purchased at the open house. It has a metal wreath and stylized reindeer in the center. I added a big red bow to make it pop.

Inside, we have several areas of the house with vignettes. Our stocking wall is getting very full - with two new dogs this year we now have 6 stockings! Above the stockings is the Merry Christmas sign I made with my Silhouette cutter and scrap wood.

I would love to show off our tree, but it's been through an ordeal this year. The little dogs won't leave it alone so it's been stripped of ornaments along the bottom, and has been relegated to the dining room where it's safer. Maybe next year...

4x4 Wooden Candle Holders

I still had some 4x4 posts left over after making the wooden snowmen, so I kept on going. You can never have too many candles, am I right? These wooden candle holders let you switch out between tea lights and LED flameless lights any time you want.

Start with pieces of 4x4 post - any length you like. You can go small, medium, and large, or all the same height - the sky's the limit. I just eyeballed the post and cut it into three approximately equal lengths. One piece is slightly longer than the other two, which I think looks better than all exactly the same.

I stained all four sides and the top of each with Minwax stain in Jacobean, and then wiped flat white paint right over the stain using a clean cloth. The paint was applied unevenly - intentionally - so that it looks aged and a bit like old barn wood. In some places the stain even shows through.

To drill the insert for the light, I had Tom use his hole saw set. The hole saw only cuts around the outside of the circle, so this method involves using a series of progressively smaller hole saw bits and then finishing with a spade bit. The other option is using a Forstner bit, which I don’t have (but I’d like to!) This bit has several angled blades and drills out the entire hole at once. The hole saw is slower, but it is easier to control.

Once the hole was drilled, I rubbed the interior with stain and paint like the sides. I then wrapped jute twine around the candle holder three times and tied it in a bow. Over the bow I glued a slice of tree branch and a bit of potpourri.

Pretty little things, aren’t they?

Merry Christmas Stenciled Wall Sign (Silhouette/Cricut)

More holiday decorations today. After slacking off the last couple of years, I vowed that this year I would complete all of the crafty projects I have saved up.

I made this sign for my house back in October and I've been waiting so impatiently to share it with you! The build is pretty easy - the most time-intensive part is placing the stencil.

You will need:

1 - 1x12 board - 42" long
2 - 1-1/4 x 3/8 trim pieces - cut at 45 degrees - 42.75" longest point to longest point
2 - 1-1/4 x 3/8 trim pieces - cut at 45 degrees - 12.75" longest point to longest point

Also:

Merry Christmas stencil (cut with Silhouette/Cricut/by hand)
Paint/stain
Brad nailer and brad nails or driver and screws
Miter saw
French cleat for hanging (optional)

Cut your sign board and sand it smooth on the face and edges. Cut your trim strips for the border at a 45 degree angle.

Paint one side of the board in your chosen colour. I mixed BM Edgecomb Gray with plain white paint to lighten it up. Stain your trim pieces in a contrasting colour. I chose Minwax Jacobean.

I used my Silhouette Cameo cutter to cut the words from vinyl. The font type is called Harrington. My vinyl is only 12" wide so I had to cut the words out in pieces, a few letters at a time.

Once you have your stencil cut, arrange it on your sign board so that the spacing is even. My vinyl is peel and stick, so the letters stay securely in place.

A trick to keep your letters sharp is to paint along the inside edges of the letters in your background colour first. This forms a seal to keep your top colour from bleeding around the edges.

I painted the letters with dark brown poster paint - several thin coats, letting it dry completely between coats.

Once your letters are completely dry, peel off your stencil and do any touchups necessary. Nail your trim pieces onto the edges of the board, keeping them flush with the back and with a slight overhang at the front. Squeeze or clamp them tightly together when you nail the corners.

I hung the sign in the living room above our stockings. It perfectly frames the opening to the kitchen and it's the first thing you see when you come in the house. It's hung with a French cleat - very secure and the weight is evenly distributed.

Holiday Wreaths

A cheery front door just sets the tone for the rest of the house. Today I'd like to share with you a roundup of holiday wreath ideas. Some are my own and some are beautiful creations I've found around the internet. Click on any photo to go to the original post.

This simple wreath is made entirely of items you can find at the dollar store. The cinnamon pine cones ensure that a lovely scent greets you right from the start. I made this wreath several years ago and still bring it out year after year.

This wreath has a deceptive simplicity. The more you look at it, the more details you discover. There are at least six different types of greenery, and the white stems and red berries tie it all together.

via Cotton Stem

This wreath started out with just greenery and pinecones. I gave it a boost by weaving in strips of burlap and bunches of green berries.

Your wreath doesn't always have to be on the front door. This pinecone-heavy wreath gets lightened up with the addition of snowball ornaments plus gold and burlap ribbons. The window frame turns it into a holiday vignette. This was my absolute favourite wreath display and I miss having a fireplace to decorate.

This wreath goes heavy on the greenery and has a lovely country farmhouse feel. If you're lucky enough to have a wooded area nearby, you can collect your own branches and pinecones.

via Clean & Scentsible

Sometimes a wreath goes through many adjustments before its final incarnation. This one started out as a pool noodle. I loosely wrapped burlap around it like a sock and used it for an autumn wreath. For Christmas, I attached soft garland, pinecones, and ribbon. The final touch was a set of sleigh bells.

One last wreath. I adore this bright and shiny ornament wreath. Buy inexpensive plastic balls so that you don't have to worry about it getting bumped and breaking. Use ornaments with different sheens and textures to give a natural look.

via Sarah Catherine Design

DIY Holiday Tree Wall Shelf

I want to share a Christmas woodworking project with you today - this adorable tree-shaped wall shelf!

My inspiration comes from Jaime Costiglio, and her inspiration came from Pottery Barn Kids - apparently you could buy something similar a few years ago for $79! Mine cost a whopping $7 for the hooks because I used discarded pallet wood plus stain that I already had in my stash.

The plans can be found on Ana White's site - she has excellent drawings that show more than my photos can.

Here is the cut list, directly from her site:

TRUNK
1 - 1x4 @ 16-1/4" 

2 - 1x4 @ 3-1/2" 

MAIN TREE

1 - 1x4 @ 18-3/4" longest point to longest point both ends cut at 25 degrees off square

6 - 1x4 @ 7-1/2" long point to short point, both ends cut at 25 degrees off square

1 - 1x4 @ 15-1/8" longest point to longest point both ends cut at 25 degrees off square

1 - 1x4 @ 11-3/8" longest point to longest point both ends cut at 25 degrees off square

TREETOP

1 - 1x4 @ 7-3/4" long point to long point, both ends cut at 30 degrees off square

1 - 1x4 @ 8-5/8" long point to long point, both ends cut at 30 degrees off square

1 - 1x4 @ 9-1/2" long point to long point, both ends cut at 30 degrees off square

Scrap 1/2" plywood for filling in second shelf approximately 6" x 15"

You will also need:

1-1/4" brad nails and nailer (air nailer), or screws and a drill/driver
3 hooks
wood stain or paint


I usually cut and assemble as I go, just to make sure it fits together. But this time I made all my cuts first, and these measurements were spot on.

Start your assembly from the bottom, attaching the two side supports of the "trunk" to the back. The supports attach to the outside edges of the back piece, not to the front of it (A mistake I made the first time. Because of this I had to cut down the supports as they stuck out the front.)

You then build upwards, starting with the longest board for the main tree. Nail or screw it directly on top of the three-sided trunk you've built already. Follow this with two angled side boards, attached to the long board on the outer edges.

Then the middle board, two sides, the top board, and two more sides.

The treetop fits together kind of like a puzzle. I'm going to refer you to Ana's drawing again.

The final step before hanging is to attach a thinner piece of wood to the back to give you a place to mount it to the wall. I took a thin strip of scrap wood - about the size of a paint stirrer, put it across the back of the tree, traced the angles, and cut it to size. I then attached it to the tree with brad nails.

I stained the tree shelf with Minwax's Provincial stain and a soft cloth. I might also wax it but I haven't decided yet.

And there's your tree! Attach your hooks along the face of the trunk with 1/2" screws.

The decorations I used were scrounged from the ornament boxes. The two little trees were made from scraps from another project. I made them back when I was afraid of the power tools and just put them together with hot glue! The pine cones are from our property - the top one has glitter on it and is from this mantel project.

I can't decide if I'm going to hang our stockings from this shelf. But with six of us and only three hooks, there might have to be some sharing going on. Maybe I should build another shelf!

Holiday Gift Guide

As hard as we try to fight it, the holiday season is upon us. Here in Canada, since Thanksgiving is near the beginning of October, once Halloween is over it's full steam ahead to Christmas.

With that in mind I've put together some of my favourite gift ideas in the three categories I talk about most here on the blog - home décor, workshop tools, and pets. Some are items I already own and love, others are items that are on my wish list this year.

For the Decor Enthusiast

1. This rustic butler's serving tray is perfectly oversized and has a mirrored center.

2. Take your love of wine to the next level with a wine barrel stave candleholder.

3. Woven seagrass baskets of all sizes - to keep your belongings contained and beautiful.

4. For music indoors and out, this wireless bluetooth speaker is powerful and stylish.

5. Faux cashmere throws are just as cozy as the real thing. And getting dog hair on them won't make you cry.

6. Everyone needs a 16" felt gnome in their life, don't they? I know I do.

For the Handyperson

1. Know the precise measurement and keep your work level with this digital measuring tape with laser level.
2. A reciprocating saw makes cutting drywall, framework, or even metal pipe a breeze.
3. I just learned of this utility bar recently. It's a crowbar, board bender, wrench, and hammer all in one.
4. When I told Tom that I was adding this right angle drill attachment to the gift guide, his response? "I use mine all the time." 'Nuff said.
5. For fine cutting, grinding, and sanding, the Dremel MultiMax is the leader.
6. You can never have too many bar clamps. It's a fact. 

For the Dog Lover

1. Try this travel container that holds both water and treats on your next walk.

2. This leash comes with a high-high speed frog connector and an adjustable length for more control.

3. For the extreme dog lover who's never met a dog they didn't want to pet - this t-shirt says it all.

4. Your dog deserves to be cozy too. This boyfriend sweater is stylin'.

5. I will praise the Jive Ball all.day.long. They last for years and the company guarantees them.

6. A bolster bed gives your dog a place to rest their chin as they watch the world crazy humans around them. 

Hopefully I've given you some ideas to start (or finish) your shopping.

Happy Holidays!

Autumn/Halloween Decor House Tour

Rumour has it that there is another round of snow coming in this weekend, so before everything gets covered in white, I managed to get some Autumn/Halloween decorations out.

How about a tour?

I like the neutrality of the papier-mache pumpkins and mini gourds, with little pops of orange and white.

My aunt made chalkboard signs for us all at Thanksgiving. It fits in perfectly with the mix and match décor.

And there's one more pumpkin in the kitchen. This is one of my dryer vent pumpkins, recovered with an old sweater, then decorated with twine and vines.

In December I hang a wreath on the main bathroom door. Tom christened it "The Christmas Pooper" the first time he saw it. I guess with this wall hanging it'll be "The Halloween Pooper".

The front door is decorated with an autumn wreath. I usually take whichever wreath strikes my fancy at the moment (I have a few) and add a pumpkin welcome sign.

And we have a jack-o-lantern stack in the planter. I love these guys. Pay no attention to the partially-dead plants though. You can pretend it's part of the theme if  you'd like.

Just a few simple things to make the house more festive.