Birds & Berries Christmas Tree ~ Michaels Dream Tree Challenge

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Roeshel

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!

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.

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!

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.

Materials I used:

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

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.

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!

and a time to celebrate love…

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

Wishing you happy holiday planning!

DIYShowOff Dream Tree Challenges from previous years:

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:

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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.

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!

DIY Baby Farmer Costume

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Roeshel

Michaels Makers October challenge is DIY Halloween costume.

So fun! Someone in our family is celebrating a first Halloween this year. But babies aren’t too interested in Halloween or costumes so I love that this costume really is super easy to throw together with an existing pair of overalls, and flannel or plaid shirt.

Grab a few props from Michaels and you have a perfect harvest/farm fresh themed photo opportunity for this time of year, a few decorative items to re-use and a comfortable baby ready for that Halloween party.

(some affiliate links shown below)
– shop from home!

bandana – tie on bib-style and/or cut a small piece for tucking to back pocket
straw hat
crate and veggies (artificial carrot bunch)
fall leaves
chalkboard garden stake
straw bale
not shown: silver bucket and alphabet stickers (create a milk pail for collecting trick or treat goodies)

Cute, right?

And easy too!

After the fact, you have items for an autumn harvest vignette or centerpiece. Duel purpose pieces rock!

Need more DIY Halloween decor and costume ideas? Check these out:

Michaels has great products and inspiration to help transform your yard, classroom or living room into a spooktacular space this year!
Whether you’re into spooky sights, playful pumpkins or giggling ghouls, the Michaels.com Halloween project page has tons of ideas for DIY Halloween costumes and décor.
Still haven’t decided what you’re going to be? Check out the other 49 DIY costumes from the Michaels Makers starting at 11 a.m. EST today and you might just find the perfect one for you, your kiddos or your beloved pet this Halloween– they’re to die for!

An InLinkz Link-up

Framed 3 Dimensional DIY Pumpkin Wall Art

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Roeshel

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!

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?

Materials I used: (some affiliate links included)

half craft pumpkin
message board (Or I think a picture frame would work too! You choose the background by inserting scrapbook paper!)
fall florals
floral foam brick
hot glue

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

6. Hang to display!

Isn’t it pretty?

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!

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

An InLinkz Link-up

· 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.

Springtime in Paris vignette {Enter to win a trip to Paris!}

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Roeshel

I sure wish it was springtime in western PA but until that day arrives (hopefully sometime in the very near future), I’m enjoying the Michael’s Makers March challenge: “Springtime in Paris”. I paired pretty French script pillows with a pretty DIY springtime arrangement in a decoupaged French script vase with matching frame to bring a little “Springtime in Paris” to our home.

decoupaged tin vase and floral arrangement

Supplies:

Shop Home Decor and Floral at Michaels

tin vase
decoupage
French printed tissue paper
foam paint brush

40% Off Any One Regular Price Item

How to:

Working in sections. Brush on a coat of decoupage.

Due to the shape of my tin vase, I applied strips of tissue paper in layers.

Apply one strip to the wet decoupage, smoothing out the wrinkles (carefully to avoid tearing the tissue paper) then move on to the next section and repeat.

Once the entire vase is covered, brush on another coat of decoupage. You can repeat and add more decoupage layers if you want. The more layers, the better protection.

Let dry. The metallic sheen shines through. Love that happy surprise!

Now arrange your favorite spring time florals. I love this collection of faux teals, oranges and purples with greenery.

Gorgeous! Spring is right around the corner!

I added a bit of tissue paper and French language flash card to a frame {le jardin = garden}, some things from around the house and pillows (also available at Michael’s) to complete my Springtime in Paris vignette.

See more Springtime in Paris inspiration from these sweet blog friends:

An InLinkz Link-up

· Now it’s your turn! That’s right, you can enter to win the trip of a lifetime to Paris too. How? By creating your own Parisian-inspired art, floral, baking or paper crafting project and uploading a photo to www.paris.michaels.com through March 31. You can also share your project on social using #SpringtimeInParis #Contest

· What do you win? A four-night trip for two to Paris, 1,000 euros, a VIP tour of the Louvre, private classes including sketching, floral arranging, baking and more!

· If you need a little Paris inspiration to get you started, take a look at some of the Springtime in Paris projects on Michaels.com.

Disclaimer: As a member of the Michael’s Makers blog team, I received a Michael’s gift card to complete this craft challenge.

DIY Denim Tic Tac Toe Game

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Roeshel

Michael’s has a new collection of craft products called Make Market and this month’s challenge includes the denim trend, a collection of fun denim supplies.

I made up a cute denim tic tac toe game with carrying case. It fits easily on a book shelf and makes for a great gift.

What I used:

12 x 12 stretched denim canvas
12 x 12 denim panel
denim ribbon
fabric glue
adhesive velcro
5-6 wood button cutouts
5-6 wood heart cutouts
acrylic craft paint
two denim pockets

Coupons: 40% Off Any One Regular Price Item & 25% Off Entire Purchase including Sale Items

What I did:

1. I painted the wood pieces and set them aside to dry.

2. Next I applied the denim ribbon to the denim panel with fabric glue to create a tic tac toe board.

3. Then I used the adhesive velcro on the back of a stretched denim canvas and the denim panel to create a ‘case’ for game pieces.

4. Two denim pockets also hold each player’s game pieces. I’m thinking an inexpensive drawer handle for carrying on one side would work perfectly too.

Wasn’t that easy? Store game pieces inside the denim ‘box’.

Portable for easy carrying and fun!

See more denim ideas from these Michael’s Makers bloggers:

An InLinkz Link-up

Michaels has named denim the craft trend of 2015! Denim has always been a wardrobe staple and now it’s emerging in crafts and home décor.

If you’re looking for some spring project inspiration, take a look at Michaels’ new Make Market line for DIY project and home décor ideas – all made with simple, on-trend surfaces and textures like chalk, denim, galvanized, burlap and cork.

Michaels Makers readers are getting the inside scoop on an upcoming craft contest that will send one lucky participant on the trip of a lifetime to Paris. Check back on my blog March 2 to get all the details on how to enter.

Disclaimer: As a member of the Michael’s Makers blog team, I received a Michael’s gift card to complete this craft challenge.

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Tag Archives: MichaelsMakers

Birds & Berries Christmas Tree ~ Michaels Dream Tree Challenge

DIY Baby Farmer Costume

Framed 3 Dimensional DIY Pumpkin Wall Art

Springtime in Paris vignette {Enter to win a trip to Paris!}

DIY Denim Tic Tac Toe Game