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

Step Stool Makeover

Scoop up a step stool at the flea market, yard sales or thrift stores and give it a makeover. Thinking ahead, sweet grand baby is going to need a step stool to reach the bathroom sink to wash his little hands. This wooden flea market treasure is perfect. And of course I can’t resist the opportunity to take it from blah to cute with a little paint and FrogTape®.

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

Materials I used:

  • wooden foot stool (sanded and wiped clean)
  • FrogTape and scissors
  • vinyl decal 
  • paint (I used Valspar Sea Kiss in a satin finish) and paintbrush
  • spray lacquer 

What I did: 

1. I convinced Mr. DIY to do the sanding for me. He’s much faster at that task than I. He simply sanded away the varnish leaving me a clean blank slate.

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoffflea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

2. Then I wiped away the saw dust with a damp cloth. 

3. Next I applied my vinyl decal to the top, burnished it and pulled away the transfer paper. 

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

4. I taped off stripes using FrogTape Multi-Surface. Since the sides aren’t 90 degree angles, here is what I did: Tore off a piece of FrogTape longer than needed. I placed it in a straight line (I just eye-balled it) and folded the edges over on the ends. Using my thumbnail (or credit card), I rubbed the FrogTape on the corner. Then I gently lifted it up and using scissors, cut along the ‘white’ line. Replace and burnish tape. Repeat on each of the four sides, two rows of stripes. 

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoffflea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

5. Paint a coat. Let dry. Paint a second coat. 

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoffflea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

6. While paint is still wet, carefully remove FrogTape and vinyl decal. Then allow paint to dry over night. 

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

7. Optional: sand edges for a distressed look. 

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

8. Apply two light even coats of spray lacquer, allowing dry time between each coat according to instructions on the can. 

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

Ta-da! A cute addition to the bathroom sink for little ones. 

flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff flea market step stool makeover @diyshowoff

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

 FrogTape Blog Squad

Framed 3 Dimensional DIY Pumpkin Wall Art

Helloooo, DIY lovers! I’m still hanging on to summer but there’s no mistaking that fall is in the air! My first official challenge for Michaels’ Makers is a DIY Pumpkin Challenge. Fun!

DIY craft pumpkin challenge @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

It’s nearly that time of year! Shorter days, chilly evenings. I love faux pumpkins or ‘funkins’ for fall DIY crafts and decor! This year Michaels has “half craft pumpkins”! The tutorial tag I saw in the store showed 3 vertically on ribbon with the letters “B – O – O”. How cute is that? But I decided some framed 3D wall art was in order! I always think floral arrangements in pumpkins are so pretty…works of art. So why not add a frame and make it 3D wall art?

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Materials I used: (some affiliate links included)

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Tools: wire cutters, hot glue gun, knife or box cutter

Project Time: Less than 1 hour. 

What I did:

1. With the box cutter, I cut the top off of my half craft pumpkin similar to the way I would cut the top of a whole pumpkin. 

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

2. Cut down the foam brick to fit inside of the craft pumpkin and secure with hot glue . This step may not be necessary but I think it makes the flower arranging easier and keeps the arrangement in place. Flowers can be swapped out for a different look.

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

3. Secure the half craft pumpkin to the the message board, centered inside of the frame with hot glue. I really think it’d work to attach it to a picture frame with backing (with glass or without) using hot glue too! If you give that option a try, let me know. I’d love to see it! Well, if you try this project at all, do share your creativity! I want to see! 

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

4. Using wire cutters, remove stems from floral bunches and arrange flowers inside of the half craft pumpkin, poking stems into the foam brick to secure. 

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

5. Embellish pumpkin if you wish. I just added the push pins that came with my message board. Stuff in some Spanish moss, if you’re inclined to do so. It adds some texture.

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

 

6. Hang to display! 

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

 

Isn’t it pretty?

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

The other accessories are from Michaels too! I really love the combination of blues, plums, creams and green for a fresh fall vignette but I think traditional colors with touches of metallic gold would be gorgeous too! 

3D framed DIY pumpkin wall art tutorial @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

See more Michaels Makers DIY Pumpkin Crafts from these talented blog friends (starting today at 10 a.m. CST):

DIY craft pumpkin challenge @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

·         To kick off fall in your own home, visit Michaels.com and check out the variety of craft pumpkins available – there is every color, shape and size you could ever want!

·         There are tons of ways to DIY your own craft pumpkin for your home, a party or even as a gift.

·         If you’re looking for something a little bit different, Michaels recently started selling these fun half pumpkins, perfect for fall décor wall mounts and fun signs.  

·         If you’re in need of more fall décor inspiration be sure to look at the 49 other DIY pumpkin projects from the rest of the Michaels Makers – they are fabulous!

*I received a Michaels’ gift card to complete this challenge. All opinions are my own.