Birds & Berries Christmas Tree ~ Michaels Dream Tree Challenge

Happy November, friends! Yes…this is a Christmas tree blog post the day after Halloween. I know. I know! It’s crazy! In my pre-blogging days my Christmas decorating didn’t begin until the weekend after Thanksgiving. But don’t panic! The Michaels Dream Tree Challenge mission is to bring you some holiday inspiration in preparation for seasonal decorating. It’s not too early to start collecting decorating ideas!

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Michaels provided me with a beautiful pre-lit 7 ft. artificial pine and a gift card for decorating to participate in the dream tree challenge to kick off the decorating season in the DIY Show Off house. 

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Christmas is my favorite holiday and I feel all organized by getting an early start. Get comfy, my friends. I have a lot of holiday cheer to spread around!

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

When the days are short and evening arrives early, there’s just something happy about twinkly lights on a Christmas tree that lifts my spirits and warms my heart this time of year. 

Birds & Berries Christmas Tree ~ Michaels Dream Tree Challenge

Materials I used: 

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

  • 7 ft. pre-lit artificial pine tree
  • clip on cardinals
  • faux red berries
  • red feathers
  • white berries
  • plaid and burlap ornaments
  • shatterproof ornaments
  • Christmas plaid ribbon
  • small nests with snowball eggs
  • corrigated cardboard and ribbon base
  • mini banner, stickers, ribbon and tiny clothespins
  • assorted coordinating ornaments

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

My favorite part of displaying a Christmas tree is the beautiful glow, curling up on the couch with a warm blanket, a cup of peppermint cocoa, listening to traditional Christmas music, reflecting on the past year’s ups and downs, milestones and celebrations, counting my blessings, remembering the true meaning of Christmas.  

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos and busy-ness that accompanies the holidays but throughout the day, the Christmas tree stops me in my tracks. It’s a moment when I’m reminded to Rejoice!

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

and a time to celebrate love…

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

and the gift of every.single.day….life!

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Wishing you happy holiday planning! 

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challengebirds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

DIYShowOff Dream Tree Challenges from previous years: 

Succulents & Spruce Christmas Tree @diyshowoff - #michaelsmaker dream tree challengeombre christmas tree decor

Can’t get enough? I’m not the only crazy one to have a Christmas tree up in October for a November 1st deadline. Crank the Christmas tunes, spike the holiday punch and check out these talented blog friends and their gorgeous Dream Trees for more inspiration: 

Michaels annual dream tree challenge

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Inspired to start decorating your own tree? Make sure you visit Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the other 49 Michaels Makers’ dream holiday trees that were created this year.

From now until November 14, you can get FREE shipping on all Christmas trees that are 6ft or taller on Michaels.com!

·         If you’re just getting started on your holiday decor, you can also check out some of the ornament projects and tutorials available on Michaels.com.  

birds and berries Christmas tree #michaelsmakers @diyshowoff Dream Tree Challenge

Complete the ‘mood’ by swapping out chemical filled candles for essential oils with amazing health benefits. Diffuse Christmas Spirit, pine, Thieves, cinnamon bark…so many options to fill your home with healthy holiday scents. Young Living essential oils are so loved and so amazing that they’re sponsoring my blog! Thank you, friends! What a blessing! Interested in joining me? Once you experience essential oils, you’ll not only be embracing wellness (we feel better than ever with this lifestyle change!), you’ll make new friends, be a part of an awesome team and have tons of support/resources so you aren’t left clueless. You’ll also learn of the generous business opportunity that has the potential to create financial freedom! I’d love for you to join my team! You can enroll by clicking here or contact me to learn more. So excited to hear from you!

Young Living at diyshowoff.com

DIY Halloween Vignette

Decorating for Halloween? I’m not much of a Halloween decorator but I do have friends with October birthdays and these make a great gifts! 

DIY Halloween decor @diyshowoff

EASY Halloween Wall Art 

DIY Halloween decor @diyshowoffYou’ll need these items from the craft store:

  • stretched burlap
  • felt placemat
  • felt decor
  • glue dots (or recommended: hot glue)

Using lots and lots of glue dots or hot glue, layer and secure the felt placemat onto the stretched burlap canvas (glue dots = temporary and using stretched burlap for another project in the future, hot glue = more permanent). Then secure the felt decoration on top of the felt placemat. It doesn’t get much easier than that! 

DIY Halloween decor @diyshowoff

Halloween BOO Blocks tutorial

DIY Halloween decor @diyshowoff

Check out my DIY wooden BOO blocks tutorial on the FrogTape® blog squad site HERE!

Do you decorate for Halloween? Just a little or do you go all out?

I received compensation to complete this project for using FrogTape® products. All opinions, projects and ideas are based on my own experience.

DIY Duck Tape Trick or Treat bag tutorial and SpookDuckular Sweepstakes

DIY Duck Tape Halloween Trick or Treat Bucket tutorial

DuckTape trick or treat bucket tutorial #halloween @diyshowoff #spookduckular

Supplies I used: 

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

  • poster board or light weight card board
  • duct tape – fun check out the Halloween patterns
  • OR…I realized after the fact that the shape resembles a coffee can or paint can (and would provide more durability). This is a fun craft idea but GO grab some fun patterned DuckTape from Michaels and a clean empty paint can from the hardware store! 

Tools/extras: cutting matt, Xacto knife/box cutter, scissors, plate 

What I did: (this is what I did, but see note & recommendation under “supplies” above!)

DuckTape trick or treat bucket tutorial #halloween @diyshowoff #spookduckular

1. Decide depth/height of bucket and cut a strip the length of poster board.  

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

2. Place and overlap strips of duct tape to cover each side of the poster board. 

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

3. I folded over a ‘border’ at the top and bottom.

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

 

4. Trim short sides. Set aside.

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

5. I used a salad plate for the size of my bucket. Cut a square of poster board just large enough for tracing the plate. Place and overlap strips of duct tape to each side. 

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

6. Trace plate and cut out circle. This is the bottom of the bucket. 

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

7. Using small pieces of duct tape, attach sides to the bottom.

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloweenDuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

8. Use a strip of duct tape to ‘close’ the open side of the bucket. Cover with coordinating duct tape to camouflage seam if you wish. 

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

9. Reinforce bottom with more strips of duct tape.

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

10. Create an embellishment/sticker by overlapping duct tape, placing directly onto cutting matt. Cut out shape, etc. using an Xacto knife. Transfer to front of the bucket.

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

11. Handle is a strip of duct tape folded into thirds and secured with…more duct tape.

DuckTape Trick or Treat bucket tutorial @diyshowoff  #halloween

Ta-da! That was fun! 

DuckTape trick or treat bucket tutorial #halloween @diyshowoff #spookduckular

Get creative! Make more than one! My second one is a cute bat with googly eyes and wings. I love the interior Duck Tape design too. Next up on my DIY list is a monster design. So fun! 

DIY Duck Tape Trick or Treat bag tutorial and SpookDuckular Sweepstakes

spookduckular sweepstakes

Enter the SpookDuckular Sweepstakes! 

Decorate your trick-or-treat bag using duct tape, and then add an image of your creation to Pinterest. Submit your pin at SpookDuckular.com for a chance to win! Easy! 

Oh My Gosh! The Prizes: $100 Michaels gift card each week in October, with a Grand Prize drawing happening the last week for one $500 Michaels gift card! Woo hoo! 

 

Remaining Entry Periods:

  • Week 2: 10/05/15 – 10/11/15
  • Week 3: 10/12/15 – 10/18/15
  • Week 4: 10/19/15 – 10/25/15
  • Grand Prize: 09/28/15 – 10/31/15

Sweepstakes ends Oct, 31 2015. Good luck!!!

spookduckular sweepstakes

*I received compensation to share about this awesome SpookDuckular sweepstakes. Tutorial was optional. All thoughts, project tutorial and images are my own. 

DuckTape trick or treat bucket tutorial #halloween @diyshowoff #spookduckular