Awesome holiday thank you card idea.

Happy Christmas Eve! You might be one of those people, just like me, who has to do something while watching television. With the relatives in town, you may be watching A Christmas Carol or Elf for the 537th time. You know these movies by heart, so you don't have to fully "watch" them - and you can craft at the same time. I spotted a really cute project on The Hairpin made from magazines. These holidaycoupage postcards make the perfect thank you notes are easy to whip up within the typical two hour movie timeframe. Curious as to how they were made? Visit the post here.

Read More

Joyful holiday mobile.

I spotted this festive branch mobile on Dottie Angel and I squealed because of its cuteness. It's definitely Christmas-y, but it's not the bright and bold colors that were used to, and that's what I like about it. This branch mobile is also to make - just attach fabric to the branch with Mod Podge and then tie on baubles of your choice. Joyful is definitely the right word for it. Learn more about the project here.

Read More

Glitter Christmas light magnets.

I just mentioned recently that I have a hard time with glitter because it's so messy - but I'm pleased to tell you that I've found one of those exception projects that would get me to bust out those shiny devil sprinkles. I really love these Christmas light magnets from Courtney at A Diamond in the Stuff. These would make such a cute last minute gift idea . . . for let's say, a hostess gift over the next few days. If you love them as much as I do, visit the tutorial here.

Read More

DIY hot cocoa mix jars.

Red alert! Last minute gift idea in the house. I don't know about you, but the time has gotten away from me even more than usual this year. So when I spotted these DIY hot cocoa jars at All*You, I knew I had found the perfect last minute gift idea. These are so simple that I can make them quickly, even the hot cocoa mix that goes in them. If you're interested in a last minute sweet gift as well, learn how these were made here.

Read More

Recycled gift box ornaments thanks to Starbucks.

It wasn't so very long ago that I bought two cake pops at Starbucks, and each of them came in a fancy box. The boxes were sturdy and had amazing sliding action, so at the time I thought that I should keep them. I just knew they would come in handy, and sure enough, I made some gift box ornaments out of them. These are perfect for those little tricks - you know, when the gifts are all opened but you still have something small to give. Tell them to pick up that ornament on the tree and look inside!

Of course, the gift would have to be small, but there is more room than you think. And I'm sure you noticed the washi tape. Now it's time to show you how they were made.

Gather These Supplies

Small cardboard boxes - you can make them out of a cereal box if you don't have fancy Starbucks boxes
Mod Podge Satin
Martha Stewart Decorative Paint - Wedding Cake
Washi tape
Ribbon to hang
Red buttons
Scissors
Craft glue
Paintbrush

Here are the boxes. I like the green (the perfect shade), but not so much the brown.

So I painted them white. It took several coats.

I started applying the washi tape on the diagonal on one box, allowing Roxie to inspect the process (she's QC).

One box was all on the diagonal, and I changed it up for the second box. Trim with scissors when done.

Mod Podge the washi tape to the box. Give a few coats and let dry.

I glued the ribbon into the handy-dandy slit at the top of each box.

Glue any buttons on and let dry. Assemble and you're ready to hang.

I'm quite pleased at my surprise boxes.

Now, who will I surprise? I think I'm going to hang these with candy in them. Hopefully I don't eat it all since I know where it is . . .

Read More

Fabric scrappy ornaments.

I know, I know - it's almost the big day. But I haven't stopped my DIY ornament obsession this year, and you can still make these for last minute gifts (if you are the ornament giving kind). I spotted these at Sew to Speak, and they are the perfect way to use up some of those fabric scraps that I know you have. The packages of clear ball ornaments aren't that expensive, so with a bit of Mod Podge in the mix you can have these for a few cents. Take a peek at the tutorial here.

Read More

Hot chocolate ornaments from paper tubes.

I just about died when I saw this hot chocolate cup ornament on Mega*Crafty. It's ridiculously cute! This lil' guy is also made out of recycled materials. You never would guess that this was a paper tube, would you? I can't do it enough justice by talking about it, so visit Meg here to get the full tutorial.

Read More

DIY washi tape Christmas tree.

I've had a wood tree laying around for several years, and I decided that it was finally time to use it. Right now all my Christmas supplies are in a cotton tote, so I had to dig through, but I finally found some Martha Stewart washi tape that I purchased last year. After some continued digging, I found other supplies that matched and decided to throw it all together and make this DIY washi tape Christmas tree. I'm absolutely loving the colors - and you can put this anywhere in your home. You can hang it on the wall or prop it up on the mantle. Keep reading to find out how I made it.

Gather These Supplies

Wood tree shape
Mod Podge Satin
Martha Stewart Decorative Paint - Wedding Cake
Washi tape - your choice of colors
Lace ribbon in red
Sheer ribbon in blue
Snowflake brads
Embellishment for the top
Craft glue
Paintbrush
Scissors

Here's the wood piece that I started with. I cut off the burlap twine and squirreled aways those glittered beads (who wouldn't?).

Paint the tree. Super easy.

I applied the washi tape at a diagonal, starting at a random place on the tree.

I covered the entire tree with alternating patterns of the tape. Trim excess with scissors.

A coat of Satin Mod Podge went promptly over the top. I let it dry and then gave it a second coat.

Adding embellishments was a very random process. I cut a few strips of what I had and laid it out. Then I glued it down when I was satisfied.

Snip the ends of the brads and glue them down at the intersection of the ribbon. Let everything dry, then knot ribbon at the top if you chose.

I'm not quite sure what I'm doing with it yet, but I love it!

I think I'm just obsessed with the colors. What do you think? Also, have you ever tried washi tape? I think I'm hooked.

Read More

Glitter ombre ornaments.

I recently featured some no-mess glitter ornaments for those of us who are scared of glitter. But I know good and well that there is a contingent of you who absolutely LOVE real glitter and have a huge collection of it. With the ombre trend, I thought you might enjoy this gorgeous ornament spotted on Instructables. I love the colors chosen. They are so pretty that they might even get a glitter-fearer to try it. Visit the instructions here.

Read More

Stocking stuffers for your gentleman.

There's an ugly truth that most men don't want to accept - exfoliation is important. Women love men with smooth skin that smell good (and that go drive to get them ice cream at 1am, but that's a different story). Alison from Oopsey Daisy has made her husband some spa-ish pampering stocking stuffers, and Mod Podged the fancy containers. She's right about most guys wanting to go to the spa if no one could see them. Give your man the same treatment at home for one of his gifts - see Alison's tutorial here.

Read More

No-mess DIY glitter ornaments.

For those who don't love glitter, I salute you. I don't love glitter either. I love what it does and how it looks, but I don't love having it in my underwear and up my nose for three years after I use it. If you're looking for a no-mess sparkly solution to the holidays, Jill from Homemade by Jill recently used glittered cardstock to make fun ornaments. I think they are perfect. They are also Mod Podged and kid-friendly, so that makes them even better. Learn more about her project here.

Read More

Pretty yarn wrapped angels and trees.

Pam from Gingerbread Snowflakes is the place to go if you are looking for some cool and unique holiday projects. She did a mini pinata advent calendar last year that tickled me, and she's done some yarn wrapped projects that I had to show you because I love them. The trees were done last year, and this year she's onto these beautiful angels:

Pam's Mod Podging just gets better by the years! Not only are these angels pretty, but I love the intricacy and detail of the yarn patterns. You definitely have to visit her tutorials, but this is a project you're going to want to take up this weekend. Visit the original post here, and more tutorials for the angels here and here. Pretty soon you'll have a house with an angel choir (and make Pam proud at the same time).

Read More

DIY glitter snowglobe.

I may have mentioned it before, but since it pleases me to talk about I will tell you again - I have a huge snowglobe collection. I love it. There is something amazing about those little magically worlds with fake snow in them, and it's even more fun collecting them from different locations that I visit. I've never made one, but I need to. Check out this one spotted at Camile Styles, and I think you'll really love that it's filled with glitter. I've got a few little characters to make one, so I'm going to get on the stick in the next few days. If you want to make one too, visit the post here.

Read More

Joyful Mod Podge holiday tray.

Hi, my name is Anna, and I blog at My Life and Kids. I'm thrilled to be visiting Mod Podge Rocks today!

I had three kids in three years and whew has my life changed! Just a few years ago I had a job I loved, a house in the city and a social life. Now I stay home with my three kids, I live in the suburbs, I wear mom jeans, AND I drive a minivan! In my spare time, I blog about it all at My Life and Kids. Today, I'm going to share one of my favorite holiday projects with you.

Joy{ful} Mod Podge Tray

Keep reading to see how I made it.



Here's What You'll Need
Wooden Tray
Scrapbook Paper
Mod Podge
Craft Brush

I was {overly} excited to see that my local craft store carries wooden trays that are already painted white! Mine just happened to be on sale for $8.99 - but the regular price is $14.99 - and you can always find a 40% off coupon. If you don't want a white tray, they also have smaller, bare-wood trays for $2.99 each.

I used my massive stash of scrapbook paper to cut a decorative border for the tray. Then I printed the letters J - O - Y onto white computer paper and traced them onto my scrapbook paper and cut them out. I probably could have printed them directly onto the scrapbook paper, but I didn't think of that. Maybe next time.

Once I had everything positioned the way I wanted it, I used Mod Podge to keep them in place. First I used a foam craft brush to paint Mod Podge over the entire tray. Then I put my scrapbook paper in place and put a coat of Mod Podge over the entire tray again - being sure to smooth out any wrinkles along the way.

This year, Santa's cookies will be served in style! Well - let's be honest. I scarfed down every last one of those cookies within minutes of taking this picture. However - I'm sure I can show some restraint on Christmas Eve {at least until my kids go to bed}.

Thanks so much for having me, Amy!

For more fun holiday projects, stop by My Life and Kids or find me on Facebook.

While you're there, you can learn how I made my Mod Podge Christmas Trees, my secret to a happy marriage (please don't tell my husband!) how I handled the MEAN comment I got on my blog my answer when people ask, "Do you like staying home?" AND why my mom has to use the coffee shop drive through.
-----
Thank you so much for coming back, Anna. You are one of my favorites - I love your writing about parenthood!

Read More

Celebrating holiday cheer with Mod Podge.

Everyone celebrates the holidays differently, and you can guess that I celebrate mine with crafting - particularly with Mod Podge! I use Mod Podge all the time, but I use it a lot more during the holidays. I love Mod Podged Christmas decorations, and I wanted to share a few with you today that tickle my fancy. Any of these can be made for not only your home decor, but for giving as gifts and spreading the holiday cheer. Click on any of the links below the photos to visit the tutorials.

Easy Christmas Tree Canvas at Cleverly Inspired

Wood Block Christmas Ornaments at How Does She

Christmas Present Frame at Craftily Ever After

Paint Stick Ornaments with Free Printable at Today's Fabulous Finds

Jingle Banner with Free Printable(MP to CDs) at Love. Obsess. Inspire.

Now I'd love to know, how do you spread real cheer with your holiday decorating? Show me with your photos! Click "Add me" in the Cheer Tree below to upload your holiday decorating photos and share them with your Twitter followers and Facebook friends. Be sure to click on "Special Offers" to unwrap the hidden coupons and deals exclusively from Sears. Keep checking throughout the holidays--new deals are unlocked every day! For all your holiday decorating needs and solutions, don’t forget to visit Sears and discover real deals, real cheer!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sears. The opinions and text are all mine.

Read More