I’m often picking through the wood scraps that hubby tosses into the fire-box… looking for little bits that could possibly be transformed into something ‘cool’? Something like my little funky Christmas ‘tree’.
To make my little tree, I used (six) scrap wood slats cut to desired lengths, painted first with a coat of burnt umber and then a thin topcoat of antique white acrylic craft paint. But, you could paint a more traditional ‘green’ tree, or use no paint at all. I’ve seen similar trees made with different bits of trim mouldings too! Since I didn’t have a set of alphabet stamps in the font/size I liked, I decided to use my computer/printer and ‘aged’ paper. (However, you could hand-paint your sentiments directly onto the wood.) I used Mod Podge to ‘glue’ the letters to my wood. Next, I added a coat of tinted wax and nailed a wood star to the tree-top. My ‘tree’ stands about 28-inches tall and can be placed in an old crock on the doorstep or hung on the wall… to greet holiday visitors!
Today, I also made a few ‘graphic’ ornies/gift tags similar to these lovelies from pilo.ca that are featured in the current issue of Country Living.
I really like these ornies… a lot! So, I went to my fav graphics resource… The Graphics Fairy and made a few of my own:
Of course, I had to make a sheep or two. I like the pair of reindeer/stags…
And, oh ya, I’m in l-o-v-e with this goat too! You don’t often see many goatie decorations!?? I’ll have to make a few more of these goats for sure!
I used inexpensive cotton muslin and an iron-on transfer media available for purchase at most craft stores. (I found mine at JoAnnes) I used a natural, coarser weave fabric for the backing, and top-stitched the two pieces (front & back) together leaving an opening for stuffing. Don’t forget to add a ‘hanger’. I used hemp garden twine for my hanger. Instead of a synthetic filler/stuffing, I added my herbs and spices (rosemary, lavender, cloves, allspice, juniper berries, cinnamon, orange peel, etc.) for a pleasantly scented ornie! I think they would be a nice hand-made tag embellishment on a gift too!
Well, I’m off to find a DUCK graphic for my brothers ~ who are BIG duck hunters! Maybe a Christmas goose…??
Sheepy Hollow Farm 