There are all sorts of Halloween themes and characters to help us celebrate this imaginative holiday. Every year you decide what costume to wear, so why not choose a style for your decorations? Each of the photos below shows Naughty on the left and Nice on the right. At the end are exemplary displays to inspire your Halloween décor.
Spiders
Jack-O-Lanterns
Pumpkin Pals
Spooky Pets
Pumpkinhead Monsters
Pumpkin Trios
Ghostly Trios
Flying Witches
Pumpkins in the Fog
Skeletons
Scarecrows
Pathway Lights
Pumpkin Personalities
Halloween Beverages
Day of the Dead
Cats & Full Moons
Pumpkins & Vines
Halloween Displays:
Nice – Pumpkin Patch Family
Naughty – Graveyard
Naughty & Nice – Interior & Exterior Display
Naughty & Nice – Ghostly Pumpkin Family
Naughty & Nice – Gated Entry
Naughty & Nice – Pumpkin Creatures
Naughty & Nice – Sunbathing Skeleton
Naughty – Watchful Tree
I hope you have found some ideas to awaken your Halloween spirit. (Pun intended.) Now, you have a decision to make … What will it be – Naughty or Nice? I look forward to reading your answers in the comments section. Thanks for reading!
This Christmas tree is unlike most. It consists of individual flat pieces of wood, much like a signpost, ready for your painted decorations and inspiring words.
Words/Poetry
Most of my craft projects do not call for poetic or inspirational words. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and scribble down some possibilities. Take as much time as you need. Listen to song lyrics, read poems, or notice seasonal phrases from movies, books, or advertising.
Christmas Magic Sign
You will need to consider how many words/lines will fit.
Santa Christmas Sign
Use any fonts you like. You could use stencils for the lettering or freehand.
Merry Christmas Sign
Add decorative painted accents such as holly leaves and berries, or enhance your project with accessories like garland, and lights.
Decorated Christmas Tree
Even though this Christmas tree is made with flat pieces of wood, you still need to consider how to decorate it, starting with a color scheme.
Warm Colors
The warm color palette consists of reds, oranges, and yellows.
Cool Colors
The cool color palette includes greens, blues, and purples.
Monochromatic
With a monochromatic scheme, all decorations are the same color, and the variety comes from unique designs.
Multicolor
Create a festive atmosphere with all the colors of the rainbow.
Christmas Tree Lights
Instead of painting Christmas ornaments, you may want to paint lights with metallic acrylics. Another option is wrapping the tree with mini, battery-operated string lights.
How to Paint a Wooden Christmas Tree:
Raw Wood Tree
This freestanding, raw wood tree may need light sanding, especially the edges.
Supplies
Supplies:
Wooden Signpost Tree (28-1/2” high x 10-1/4” wide x 1/4” thick) (base 8”x4”x1/2” thick)
Acrylic Paints – green, yellow, brown
6) Bottles fabric paint: black, purple, blue, orange, pink, glow in the dark white
Paintbrushes
Paint the Tree & Star – Front
Using acrylics, paint the star, the “branches” and the trunk. You will need a thin brush to paint the trunk between the slats of green. Paint both sides of the tree, the base and all the edges.
Paint the Tree & Star – Back
Because this tree is meant to be seen from both sides, I came up with a finished design for the back. Paint the trunk brown from the base to the bottom “branch,” and green for the remainder.
Paint Details – Back
Apply fabric paints in thick dots to resemble ornaments upon the tree.
Repaint Star – Back
I didn’t like the look of the squared off piece of wood on the back of the star and thought it would better to see the full star on both sides. To accomplish this, I extended the star shape and filled it in with yellow as shown. A smiling face was added to the star, using black fabric paint, to give it personality.
Finished Tree – Back
The back of the tree is now complete. Only two more steps to complete this project.
Finishing the Tree – Front
Using black fabric paint, write the words you have chosen upon each board. Finish by giving the star a cute face. Allow it to dry overnight.
Finishing the Tree – Front
Using glow in the dark white fabric paint, trace the black letters to make them stand out better against the green tree. Every night, when you turn out the lights, the glowing words will make you smile. And what a nice way to fall asleep with inspirational thoughts floating in your dreams.
I hope you enjoy this project and are inspired to explore your creativity. Good luck in all your artistic endeavors and have fun decorating for the coming holidays!
In search of the perfect Christmas ornament? Found it!
If you haven’t found what you were hoping for, create it yourself! These clear Christmas balls don’t look like much in the box, but let your imagination soar and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Metallic trim, fabric paint, glitter, and self-stick rhinestones are just a few of the possibilities to transform those plain plastic or glass balls into treasured ornaments for the tree.
At its most basic, color is usually the first decision. Plastic balls usually only come in clear but glass ones come in clear as well as assorted solid colors. To add color to a clear ball you have two options: 1) Apply paint to the exterior using a roller; 2) Pour paint inside the ball, drain the excess and allow it to dry upside down overnight. Applying paint on the inside preserves the reflective sheen on the exterior.
Ribbon and glitter provide sparkle and attractive patterns on these red ornaments.
Create a geometric pattern of your choice using glue and then roll the ball in glitter. After it dries, lightly brush off the excess and it’s ready to hang upon the tree.
This star got its sparkle by applying a layer of glue over the entire surface of the ornament and then rolling it in gold glitter.
You can fill clear ornaments with anything small enough to fit through the top, including beads, leaves. confetti, ribbon, seashells, sand, and flower buds.
Create texture using fabric paint. After the paint dries, spray the entire ball white and follow it with a spray of textured spray paint for a snow-covered effect.
This snowman was hand painted onto a red ball. If painting is not your strong suit, purchase self-adhesive decals from the paper crafting section to achieve the same look.
Maybe you prefer a little glitz and glam. If so, sequins are your best bet.
Silver & gold are a very popular color combination. Paint a metallic silver base layer. For the stars, apply glitter while the paint is still wet. Self-stick gold rhinestones were applied to the ball after the paint dried. As an alternative, you could use rhinestone studded trim to wrap the Christmas ball.
Ribbons and flowers make beautiful tree ornaments. If you like the look of snow, you can add crystals to the edges of flower petals as shown above. The Christmas ball is adorned with tiny bows.
If you love Tim Burton’s movie, Nightmare before Christmas, these two familiar characters will bring a sense of mischievous humor to your tree. Use metallic paint for the base coat applied with a roller to avoid brush marks. Use a black Sharpie pen for the details.
Glitter, patience, craft glue and a very steady hand are all required for this challenging delicate pattern. To simplify the process, use fabric glitter paint, which provides color, glitter and three-dimensional patterns in one easy step.
A few quick sprays of snow in a can will create this icy looking Christmas ball.
Overlap large no hole sequins, also known as paillettes, to create this flower-shaped ornament.
Spice up a plain gold ornament with silver glitter vertical stripes.
Use gold glitter fabric paint to create this forest of evergreen trees and stars in the sky. For extra texture, apply additional glitter to the trees while the paint is still wet.
This ornate pattern could be created a couple different ways. The simplified version could be achieved using a metallic gold sharpie pen. Another option is using gold ribbon for the thick horizontal lines, followed by thin glue and glitter. Green rhinestones are glued at the intersections as shown.
This rainbow ornament was made using a styrofoam ball, sequins and lots of pins.
Red beads in several sizes provide rich juicy looking color. The white ball has a combination of fabric paint, powdered “snow” and some scattered tiny silver sequins.
An ombré paint technique followed by the application of clear snow crystals gives this ornament the look of a frosted peach.
Silk flowers inserted inside the clear glass ball appear to bloom. To keep the flower in place, you may need to apply a small drop of clear glue using an extra long cotton swab or skinny craft stick.
Mosaic ornaments are quite beautiful. You could also use seashells or pompoms to create a similar look without the need for cutting any pieces to fit.
Rows of tiny sequins and braided white trim form the pattern on this striped ball.
These three-dimensional holly designs were created using fabric glitter paint, followed by loose glitter while the paint is still wet. It may require two coats to build up the thickness on the outer edges of the leaves. The inner sections of the leaves have green glitter. Glue red or green rhinestones on as berries.
The holidays are an excellent opportunity to exercise your creative muscles. By designing your own ornaments, you’re guaranteed to have a uniquely stylish Christmas tree featuring some of your best work. As your collection grows, they’ll become heirlooms with a lifetime of memories. Enjoy the creative process. You’ve got this!
Everyone across the United States celebrates Thanksgiving, however this holiday experience varies depending upon geographic location, climate, local customs, and food specialties.
Sometimes it’s nice to see how other people celebrate. It gives you a chance to see the holiday from a fresh perspective. Below is a side-by-side comparison of two Thanksgiving celebrations: Hawaii is on the left and New England is on the right.
Landscapes: Sandy Beaches versus Rugged Rocky Coastline
Weather: Warm Tropical Showers versus Cool Crisp Air & Snow
Decorations: Pineapples versus Pumpkins & Gourds
Flowers: Wild Plumeria versus Potted Chrysanthemums
Lighting: Outdoor Torchlight versus Indoor Candlelight
Centerpieces: Exotic Flowers versus Harvest Cornucopia
Drinks: Cool Tropical Cocktails versus Hot Beverages
Appetizers: Tropical Fruit versus Hot Hearty Soups
Entrées: Roast Pork versus Roast Turkey
Vegetables: Pacific Rim Blend versus Roast Sweet Potatoes
Desserts: Chocolate Kona Coffee Cheesecake versus Pumpkin Pie
After Dinner: Fire Dancing versus Relaxing by the Fire
I hope these celebrations will inspire and enrich your next family gathering. You might want to consider a change of venue or a change of décor to shake things up a bit. Whatever you decide, there are two constants you can always count on: Love and Gratitude shared with Family and Friends
“Dashing through the Snow” calls to mind sleigh rides and Santa Claus on his gift giving journey. With a wooden sleigh and a few accessories, you can create a wonderful holiday centerpiece. Before we begin, let’s look at color schemes and designs of several sleighs to get your creative ideas flowing:
Antique Sleigh
Although this sleigh needs some love, wood in its natural state is attractive. With a little polish, the brass runners will shine again. The lights and evergreen garland are great seasonal details.
Stained Wood Sleigh
The beauty of natural wood grain may not require color. A clear sealant coat helps preserve wood for years to come. Wood stain is optional.
Green, Gold & White Sleigh
Green and gold are nice alternatives to the standard red and green Christmas colors.
One Horse Open Sleigh
A clear finish protects the natural wood color, while the open sides provide decorative opportunities for colorful pillows and blankets to keep riders warm on a cold winter day.
Formula 1 Sleigh?
If Ferrari built sleighs, this would be the one. This sleek aerodynamic design would allow Santa Claus to complete his rounds in half the time.
Red & Gold Sleigh
The brilliant red and shiny gold trim are popular choices for Santa’s sleigh.
Red & Gold Sleigh with Lights
Dazzling string lights create a magical ambiance, day or night.
How to Paint a Wooden Sleigh:
Unpainted Sleigh
There are many wooden sleighs available through craft stores or online.
Supplies
Supplies:
Wooden Sleigh (10-1/2” high x 14” long x 6” wide)
Acrylic Paints – red, black, metallic gold, & white
1) Bottle fabric paint: white
Paintbrushes
Sleigh Painted Red
Paint the sleigh with red acrylic paint. It may take a couple coats to ensure smooth, even color.
Black Painted Rails
Paint the rails black on both sides and all edges.
Painted Snow & Gold Trim
Draw snowflakes on all four sides and paint each with white acrylic paint. To enhance the designs, go over each snowflake with white dimensional fabric paint. Paint the edges of the sleigh with metallic gold paint. This will most likely require two coats.
This completes the sleigh. Now it is time to think about making it the focal point of a new centerpiece. Your next decision is: Who will pull the sleigh?
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding teams compete every year in an Alaskan race called the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Horse Drawn Sleigh
Riding in a horse drawn sleigh has been a tradition for centuries. In warmer seasons the sleighs are swapped out with carriages for year-round enjoyment.
Reindeer Drawn Sleigh
Santa isn’t the only one using reindeer to guide his sleigh.
A perfect 10 on the Cuteness Scale
Holding the reins securely in his paws, this adorable yorkie steers a course straight into the hearts of viewers in this moose drawn sleigh.
With your selections in mind, it is time to complete this project. There are no wrong answers. You may already have everything you need.
Christmas Sleigh Centerpiece
I chose a pig to pull the sleigh. His hat is a floral pick, without the stick. Fabric ribbon serves as reins, and I made a collar with a few jingle bells. Tuck one end of the reins into the collar, and the other is held by a squirrel, wearing a red crocheted hat.
Christmas Sleigh Centerpiece
A floral garland fills the sleigh with a harvest of red berries and green leaves. It looks like this cute little squirrel is stocking up for the winter. A male cardinal hitches a ride on the sleigh. All the red accents unify this design, while the pig provides a bit of whimsy.
Who will pull your sleigh and who will ride? Please let me know in the comments.
Illuminated by candles, jack-o-lantern carving is believed to date back to 19th century Ireland. Much like gargoyles, the frightening carved faces were meant to keep evil spirits away, while also celebrating Halloween and the end of the harvest, also known as Samhain.
Mr. & Mrs. Squash
If carving is not in your skill set, painted or hand drawn designs can be applied to real or artificial pumpkins with very little effort. Because they are not carved, they will last throughout the fall, including Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Basic Carving
Most carved pumpkins have eyes, a nose, and a mouth. The shapes and angles determine the expression. The nubby teeth, in the left photo, create a friendly face for young children. On the right, glowing light and mysterious fog take a simple carving to the next level.
Accessorizing
This fashionable character is camera-ready for the next Tim Burton film. The black-outlined carvings are an unusual touch, and the hat gives this pumpkin lots of personality.
Devilishly Handsome
This carved pumpkin owes its devilish good looks to the absence of a nose. That one little detail, plus the intensity of the light within, gives him a more ghoulish appeal. The orange skin has been removed from the teeth to create a fiery translucency.
Fierce and Fabulous
Jagged teeth, angled eyes and an eerie glow make this pumpkin a formidable character.
Glowing Eyes in the Darkness
Visitors won’t stay long in the presence of these disembodied faces. LEDs produce high intensity light, which flicker like candles and may also change color.
Sinister Intentions
Choosing a short squat pumpkin sets the stage for these menacing characters. The one on the left appears to be glaring and possibly snickering at viewers. The other has fleshy, bloodshot eyeballs highlighted in a creepy orange light. Glow sticks produce softer, otherworldly light in a variety of colors.
Anger Management
Maybe the tooth fairy forgot to leave him money, or perhaps his dentist is on vacation. We may never know why he is so angry, but the message is loud and clear!
Good Mother or Cannibal?
Wild animals often carry their young by the scruff of the neck. Since the teeth are rounded, and the little one does not look frightened, I think she is a mother protecting her baby. What do you think?
Sweet Kitten
The soft rounded features on this gentle kitten create an adorable expression.
Feral Cat
This adult feral cat hisses in warning, driving everyone away.
Monsters Under the Bed
Most children believe there is a monster under the bed or hiding in the closet. This monster reaches out to grab passersby if they get too close.
Playful Bat
This cute bat reminds me of the movie, “The Little Vampire.” The orange skin had been peeled off the bat to create bold contrast and to achieve a translucent effect when lit.
Things that Go Bump in the Night
Vampire bats, black cats and scary faces are all traditional Halloween decorations.
Nightmare before Christmas
Tim Burton fans will recognize Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King. The stitched mouth and curved brow lend an ominous quality to his expression.
Tinkerbell & Frankenweenie
Disney’s Tinkerbell and Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie are sure to charm your guests.
Ghostface
From the Scream movie franchise, this disturbing face may haunt your dreams.
Mixed Message
It says welcome, but the jagged cuts look more threatening to me, as if to say, “Get out!”
Day of the Dead
The intricate details of this skull are remarkable. The orange is the perfect background to contrast with this floral skull, a perfect specter for the Day of the Dead.
Monsters Inc.
I am not sure what kind of monster this is, but my what big teeth he has!
Gourd Creatures
These creepy critters have human faces, with thick vines for arms and legs. The wide-eyed stare and twisted fingers look menacing, as if they might spring forward upon unsuspecting viewers.
Fire Breathing Dragon
This dragon was carved from pumpkin, and the artfully arranged flowers and leaves resemble flames. This multi-layer composition offers textures and fine details, harmonized by the many shades of orange.
Let’s Go Wildcats
To create the delicacy of this fierce wildcat, a piece of pumpkin was carved lying flat. The finished cat was reattached to the round opening, and any cut lines were carefully concealed.
Halloween Wishes
I hope you have found a few inspirational ideas for your Halloween pumpkins. Which design is your favorite? Do you like to carve or paint your pumpkins? Please let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!
For many, Halloween is the most wonderful time of the year. People go all out decorating their homes, and there is always something new to thrill and delight. Let’s look at some decorating ideas for designing the Halloween display of your dreams…or should I say nightmares?
Creatures of the Night:
Bats
Bats certainly have a way of making humans squirm. Keep your visitors on their toes by hanging bats upside down from tree branches, lightly swaying in the breeze on invisible fishing tackle.
Crows
A crow’s habit of feeding upon dead animals and loud calls are bound to cause a shiver or two. Mount a couple crows on tombstones or in a prominent spot, such as atop a wall or the edge of your roof.
Owls
This predator silently soars across the night sky, seeing all with his glowing eyes. There are some motion-activated owls that turn their heads and hoot.
Spiders
Most people instinctively shy away from spiders. The tarantula-sized spiders shown above are painted with glow-in-the-dark paints. Place them along porch railings or on the outer edge of steps. You also might want to have several crawling up a wall near the front door.
Dragons & Black Cats
Many people are superstitious about black cats. When lit from behind, cat silhouette yard stakes have an eerily realistic appearance. Inflatable dragons glisten and change colors, while animated dragons have glowing eyes, frightening sound effects and “breath fire” courtesy of a fog machine.
Rats
Sewer rats are bound to cause a few goosebumps. Just like the photo above, place a few rats on or around pumpkins to create a creepy atmosphere.
Witches
If you want to charm your guests, witches are sure to please. Life-size, motion-activated witches greet visitors with glowing eyes, casting spells, and stirring cauldrons. For a more humorous effect, a wall or tree-mounted crashing witch on a broom is sure to make everyone smile.
Headless Horseman
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a classic. Although you probably won’t have a horse on the lawn, you could create a dummy with a glowing pumpkin head. New this year is an animated life-size headless horseman holding an axe in one hand and a talking pumpkin in the other.
Legendary Movie Monsters
Wolfman, Frankenstein’s Monster, Count Dracula – so many possibilities. You could make a dummy by stuffing an old shirt and pair of slacks and buy a rubber mask to create your monster. If you or a family member are budding actors, dress up in costumes to unnerve visitors on Halloween night.
Zombies
“The Walking Dead” has been a popular television series for years, spawning a zombie craze in movies, merchandise, and Halloween décor. If horror is your goal, zombies are the go-to characters.
Ghosts
Ghosts can serve as props or as live action creatures. Halloween night, if you really want to keep trick or treaters on edge, place a life-size ghost among your yard decorations. Go outside several times wearing an identical costume to stir up chills and thrills as you move across the lawn. Kids love theatrics like this and will return every year to find out what you will do next.
Scary Props:
Carved Pumpkins
Pumpkins are a Halloween staple. Depending upon your preferences and skills, you can carve or paint designs to frighten or amuse your guests. If you have had trouble in the past with squirrels eating fresh pumpkins, buy craft pumpkins, which can be carved and displayed for years to come.
Tombstones
With tombstones, draped in spider webs, and scattered bones, this haunted cemetery is ready for visits from the living.
Coffin & Skeletons
If you like working with wood, you could build a coffin and reuse it with different monsters each year. If the weather cooperates, or if you have a covered porch, a cardboard coffin can be easily made. Skeletons and skulls can be frightening or funny. It’s all up to you.
Kid Friendly Scarecrow
Scarecrows are easy to make and inexpensive to buy. Secure them to tree trunks, or place a few on a bale of hay with pumpkins and a few crows for a bit of humor.
Frightening Scarecrow
This horrifying scarecrow will keep crows, as well as people, at a distance. The vicious teeth are an unexpected and unsettling detail.
Spider Webs
Our brains tell us that where there are webs, there are spiders. Drape webs over bushes and railings. A bag of plastic spiders has great impact or buy one large spider to instill fear.
Lighting:
Halloween String Lights
Pumpkins, Bats, Skulls, Witch Hats, and Ghosts are just a few of your string light options. Some are the plug-in variety, but for more flexibility there are also battery-operated versions.
Pumpkin Lamppost Cover
This lamppost cover is an easy way to show your Halloween spirit, and it acts like a beacon attracting Trick or Treaters like moths to a flame.
Luminaries
Luminaries are easy to make by simply drawing Halloween designs, such as cats and bats, with Sharpie markers on glass jars. For lighting, burn tealights or use battery-operated candles.
Special Effects:
Spooky Sounds & Fog
Sound is an often-overlooked element in Halloween displays. Howling wolves, dragging chains, maniacal laughter, growling monsters, and high-pitched shrieks are among the many scary soundtracks. Fog provides additional layers of Halloween ambiance.
Lightning & Thunder
Conjure up the perfect storm by using theatrical spotlights, which project lightning bolts upon your house, accompanied by claps of thunder.
Setting the Scene: Finished Halloween Displays
Witch’s Brew
Wondering what it would be like to have a close encounter with a witch? A cauldron, bubbling over with glowing fog, rests upon a flickering faux fire. With an ancient broom, a book of magic spells and a bottle of her latest potion in hand, this witch chills and thrills guests of all ages. Live action will astound visitors. All you need is a costume and have a few clever “incantations.”
Haunted Graveyard
How do you create a haunted graveyard? Start with tombstones, and then add a red-eyed skeleton climbing out of an open grave, bathed from below by an eerie yellow light, as ghostly apparitions take shape in wisps of fog. An orange moon in the nearby tree completes this otherworldly scene. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” would be the perfect theme song for this frightening display.
Comical Family Fun
Is it possible to celebrate Halloween in a kid-friendly way? A pumpkin family reunion is a good place to start. Trick or Treaters can pose for selfies with this cheerful, welcoming display. At night, the bright orange glow will intrigue everyone, drawing them nearer for a closer look.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Want to attract attention? Consider your desired theme and select a fascinating focal point, such as the gigantic cat in the above photo. With colors, shapes, textures, and proportions in mind, continue adding props and characters, creating a multi-layered composition to delight viewers. Viewers will discover something new each time they see it. Having a few characters spring to life would be the cherry on top of this theatrical masterpiece.
Trunk or Treat
Are you participating in a community trunk or treat event? Don’t forget to decorate your car. There are Halloween decorations made specifically for trunk or treating. If your furry best friend rides along, a pet costume would be adorable, and the kids will love it!
Halloween brings out the kid in all of us. Do you have a favorite decoration? Have any suggestions to share with readers? Please note your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Did you ever follow a rainbow in search of a pot of gold? Those sneaky Leprechauns do an incredibly good job hiding it, but I will keep searching, nonetheless. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated with shamrocks, corned beef and cabbage, beer, and all things green.
Intricate Celtic knot work designs can be found on everything from jewelry to T-shirts and even mosaic tiles like the one shown above.
Shamrocks, a.k.a. clover, are probably the most recognizable symbols of St. Patrick’s Day. Typically, you will see nothing but green leaves, however these plants have some very vibrant flowers such as the purple blooms shown above. (Nice color combo!)
Wearing green is a great way to show your Irish spirit, and you don’t have to be Irish to take part in the fun! To satisfy your sweet tooth, homemade chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil will certainly do the trick.
This may look like an ordinary cup of coffee but hidden in every cup of Irish Coffee is a shot of Irish whiskey.
Irish soda bread is made with baking soda instead of yeast and often contains raisins.
Ireland is famous for its warm cable knit sweaters made from their finest wool.
For those who love paper crafts, decorations can include leprechauns, shamrocks, pots of gold, mugs of beer, and rainbows.
Homemade cookies are a delicious way to celebrate any holiday.
If you love painting, consider incorporating Celtic designs into your next project. Creating these woven patterns is challenging and fun. For instructions to make this cross, please read:“At the Crossroads.”
Making Guinness beer at home might not be in your skill set, but you can turn plain pilsners into beautiful Celtic glasses, for serving the perfect pint, by using glass paints and your creative Celtic flair.
Embroidery offers many opportunities to showcase your needlework skills in both design and color palette. There are also computerized embroidery machines with plenty of festive templates for every occasion.
Ceramics studios often have ready to paint statues and decorative items. After the painting is complete, it is fired in a kiln and is ready to display or to give as a gift.
St. Patrick’s Day invites everyone to be Irish for the day and to have a grand time doing it. Don’t forget to wear something green. May the luck of the Irish with you!
It’s that time again when we deck the halls, shop ‘til we drop, and dream of snowflakes and gingerbread fresh from the oven. Decorating your home can be stressful. There are so many styles and colors to choose. Where to begin? Let’s review several options to pique your interest.
Mood Lighting
The festive contemporary vibe in this dining room is created solely through the clever use of lighting. Round white lights adorn the table and trendy letters upon the back wall, which is bathed in soft lavender light and soft blue accent lights.
Traditional Candle Wreath Centerpiece
The traditional red and green Christmas color scheme is accented with nuts and pinecones in this evergreen centerpiece. The aromatic scents of the great outdoors will last for weeks. To convert this to an Advent wreath, replace the red candles with three purple and one pink.
Contemporary Candle Un-Wreath Centerpiece
Create a contemporary candle centerpiece, without the wreath, by using a gold or silver tray covered with pinecones, artificial fruit, and assorted small decorations.
Contemporary Candle & Glass Ornament Centerpiece
Christmas balls can be glued together to form a wreath, which is great as a centerpiece, or you can hang it on the wall for a colorful, reflective focal point.
Sophisticated Gold & Brown Centerpiece
This unusual gold and brown combo brings to mind boxes of Godiva chocolate. The rich colors and just the right amount of glitter make this an elegant, eye-catching choice.
Traditional Style Meets Contemporary Flair
Red & green are traditional, but here we have a glass bowl filled with natural elements, such as moss, apples, and pinecones, mixed with glass and carved wood ornaments, and metal spheres. The candlelight is supplemented with flower shaped mini lights tucked among the greens like little blooms.
Red & Green Glowing Glass Centerpiece
What sets this display apart is the lighting hidden inside the fluted glass bowl. This inner glow reflects off the tabletop and twinkles upon the glass ornaments.
Fresh Cut Flowers Centerpiece
Floral centerpieces can be quite expensive. As an alternative, make your own with evergreens, pinecones, and berries from your yard, and add a few exotic looking fresh cut flowers for maximum impact.
Colorful Foil Garlands
Many trees are decorated with silver or gold garland, but there are many other colors and styles available.
Beaded Garlands
If you look at historical photos of decorated trees, you may notice beautiful beaded garlands. Originally they were made from glass, but today plastic beads provide the same old-fashioned look without the added expense and fragility of glass.
Floral Garlands
Those fortunate enough to be living in warmer climates may choose genuine flower garlands for natural tropical flair.
Popcorn Garland
Another old-fashioned choice is popcorn garland, which is easy and inexpensive to make. For a dash of color, alternate popcorn with cranberries.
Semi-Homemade Ornaments
Transform store-bought ornaments with a little personalization. This crafter started with purple glass ornaments. A glitter paint pen was used to draw vertical line, and then gold rhinestones were randomly glued along the stripes for a regal appearance.
Christmas Ornament Kits
Due to the small sequin size and intricate sewing, the two ornaments shown above would be for the more advanced crafters, but there are plenty of options for beginners and kids.
Festive décor varies based upon the holiday being celebrated and your personal style. Below are several different theme ideas to inspire and consider for your next holiday.
Festive Bells
Bells make pretty Christmas ornaments. Collectors adorn their trees with bells of all kinds, typically from around the world. If you have a prized collection, whether it’s snow globes, porcelain figurines, dolls, etc., consider displaying it this festive time of year using your own creative style.
Blue & Gold
For some, it’s all about the lights. Here we have blue lights and fancy gold ribbon taking center stage.
Blue, Silver, & Gold with Purple Accents
On this tree, ornaments are the main focus, accented by silver snowflakes and gold poinsettias.
Red & Silver
Glitz and glamour are achieved with mirror-finished ornaments, pinpoint white lights, and last but certainly not least, a sparkling reindeer.
Red, Purple & Gold
Colorful ornaments and two shades of garland vie for your attention in this beautifully coordinated tree.
Turquoise & Silver
This tree is exotic in so many ways. The combination of turquoise and silver is as rare as the color of the tree, which is brown! The silver ornaments vary in textures, shapes and materials. It is truly a one of a kind.
Mother Nature’s Tree
For nature lovers, decorate with pinecones, berries and cute little birds. Animal themed trees have been very popular for the last few years. Whatever strikes your fancy – owls, birds, sea horses, etc. – decorations can be found or made to make your vision a reality.
Nature’s Fragrance
Perfume the air with pinecones and cinnamon sticks.
Wintry Forecast
Christmas is typically associated with winter, but not everyone has a white Christmas. To create the look of ice and snow, use blankets or bags of artificial snow and aerosol cans of spray snow, which cleans up after the holidays with window cleaner.
Our Furry Companions
Let’s not forget an ornament or two for those lovable family pets. In case you didn’t know, tree skirts are very popular places for afternoon naps.
A Room with a Fabulous View
Curl up with a good book by the fire, or find a cozy spot overlooking a winter wonderland. The holidays are a wonderful time to decorate our homes and celebrate the season with family and friends. May your holiday dreams be happy, filled with peace and love.
Today marks a very important milestone – my 100th post! It has been a wonderful experience, and I thank all my readers and followers for taking this journey with me. Below are photos and links to each category of arts and crafts covered to date. Please take a few minutes to peruse your favorites.
Please let me know, in the comments section, if you have any suggestions for future arts and crafts topics. I am looking forward to the next 100 posts. This achievement would not be possible without all of you! Thank you!!
Crafts Inspire Me 