It's Christmas Time!!!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year....(In my smoothest Andy Williams voice). Christmas is indeed my favorite holiday. So, it's only fitting that I do a Christmas project. Last year I made an Ornament wreathe. (Check it out here if you haven't already). This year I was thinking something a little more artsy. The wheels began turning, and I decided to make my very own mini Christmas tree. A tree with all different patterns. I got the idea when I volunteered to help with the White Elephant party at work. I was in charge of the gift exchange and thus assigning the gifting order. I tried to think of a cool way to do it other than throwing folded up pieces of paper in a basket. I was already thinking of doing a Christmas project, so this could be a way to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Now I know I should, but I'm not even going to try to explain what is going to happen because it would make absolutely no sense. So, I'm just going to get right into it. The tree is made up of 5 tiers. The largest being 24" wide and the top one being 4" wide. I cut out 10 circles. 2 circles for each tier.

To make each tier I placed the larger of the 2 circles down, glued down some spacers, and then added the second circle to the top. 

I probably could have started the paper mache here, but I wanted to add more structure to the sides. I cut large pieces of poster board and hot glued them to the edges.

I added the poster board all the way around until I got the full shape. 

For the top piece, I took my smallest circle and used the poster board to create a cone shape.

Not at all pretty, but it didn't have to be because it was just the structure layer. It wasn't hard, but definitely time consuming. Somewhere in mid construction I had one of those *What is really happening* moments. What am I really doing right now? Am I really sitting here building a tree? Why can't I be one of those normal people who buys things from the very extensive holiday section at Hobby Lobby (that has been out since September)... Noooo I have to be the one who buys craft supplies so I can make my own holiday decor. Sometimes I just shake my head at myself.

I continued until I completed all 5 tiers.

So for those of you that still can't see it. This is the basic shape and look of what I'm going for.

Is it starting to make sense now? How many of you just went "OHHHHHH"? Once the shape was done it was time to move on to the Paper Mache. The poster board just helped create the shape. The Paper Mache will actually harden it and give a proper surface for painting. 

1st Layer - I concocted a mixture of flour, water, and glue. For the paper I used small torn up pieces of brown Kraft Paper. I let the layer dry completely before moving on to the next. It's best to apply thin layers and let the Paper Mache dry fully or you could end up with mold.

2nd Layer -  I mixed a new paste mixture of just glue and water to create more of a smooth shellac like surface. I also used bigger pieces of paper to do a little reshaping. Even though I applied the poster board first, the layer of paper still got a little wrinkled and misshapen once it dried so it needed a little repairing. 

3rd Layer - This time I used even larger pieces to create extra smoothness and decrease the amount of paper edge lines. I let all of the pieces dry for 24 hours. After that it was definitely looking nice.

I must say I was feeling quite accomplished with what I had done so far. I definitely wasn't sure how this would turn out when I was imagining it in my head, so I was pleasantly surprised when it started coming together. I brought the pieces in the garage and sprayed them with a thin layer of primer. 

Now it was time to paint. I picked up 3 large bottles of red, green, and a lighter green acrylic paint.

The design of the tree I had already thought about. I sketched out a few rough ideas first before starting. I was going for an eclectic look, so each layer would have a different design. There was no rhyme or reason I just did designs that I thought would compliment each other. I started with the top and worked my way down.

The first piece I painted the whole thing green, and layered it with red polka dots. The second tier down got stripes.

3rd tier

4th tier

Bottom tier

 When it was all said and done, this is what they all looked like together. 

I stood back and marveled at my creation. I was quite in love with it by this point. I couldn't marvel for too long though because I wasn't finished yet. No tree is complete without a trunk. 

I actually had all of the pieces I needed in my craft stash already. I cut a small circle out of matboard, and a larger circle out of foam board. The tube I cut from a large mailing tube I had in the closet. I glued the tube down to the smaller circle.

Then I covered the trunk in brown paper. I was going to just use regular brown scrapbook paper, but then I saw this bark textured paper at Michaels for $1 and couldn't pass it up.

For the bottom, I hot glued the 2 half circles of foam board together and made a hole in the middle for the trunk to sit into.

So now to put the whole thing together. I glued the 5 tiers together, then glued the trunk piece to the underside of the tree, 

and set the whole thing inside the bottom piece.

For the final touch it needed a "skirt". I grabbed some extra red fabric from the fabric bin, wrapped it around the bottom piece, and then tied it together with a green ribbon to secure.

And that's it. My very first mini Christmas tree.

I am absolutely in love with it! It's sooooo much better than I could have imagined. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into as I discussed this out with my best friend Fatima. Well really I talked it through out loud to myself, and she listened pretending to understand exactly what I was thinking. As for the White Elephant Party, it was a total hit! People loved the tree. For the numbers I was going to make ornaments and stick them on the tree, but then I didn't want to mess up my paint job. So instead I made little mini presents and put the numbers inside of them for people to take. The funniest part was that there was quite a bit of talk about what the outside was made of. Apparently people found it hard to believe that I painted it. Someone thought it was duct tape, someone else thought it was wrapping paper. WHAT?! Wrapping paper? Those people obviously don't know how I roll.

 I'm kind of thinking of doing a mini tree every year. When I first got my tree last year, I wanted to do a themed something. I was originally thinking a tree, but that could get expensive every year. Besides I always grew up with an eclectic tree, so that's what I like. Then I thought what about a themed wreath. That was the plan until I thought about this. I think it could be fun and I could express my creativity each year. The possibilities are endless. What do you think? I could make a new one and then sell the one from the previous year. Or just keep them all and make my very own Christmas Forest! We'll see. For right now I'm content reveling in my fun new decoration. So with that...it's on to the next project! Can you believe Christmas is next week? I guess I better get moving. 

Desk Fancies

Would you believe me if I told you one of the main reasons for me getting a new computer was so that I could get a new cute computer cover? Well that wasn't the only reason. The fact that it was about 9 years old and slow as all get out was kind of high on the list too. For anyone that knows me, knows that I love a customized anything. So much to my delight when one day on one of my YouTube binges, I came across a tutorial on how to make your own customized computer cover. I've seen computer decals before, mostly for Macs though. I did see a site online where you could submit a design and create your own decal. However, there was no way I was paying $20-$30 for a giant sticker. Just craziness.

It wasn't too hard to figure this one out. The decals I saw online were much like adhesive vinyl. Joann's actually carries 12"x 24" sheets of vinyl, so I picked up a piece on my last trip to the craft trifecta aka "The Mothership".  

I cut the vinyl, pulled off the backing, and placed it on top. It took me a few times to get it perfect and get rid of all the bubbles and creases. Once I got it laid, I proceeded to cut off the excess. Which much to my surprise, sounded easier than it actually was. It was a lot harder to get a close cut with it already on there. 

Now for the fun part. I thought long and hard about the design. I kind of wanted to do something in the monogram field (I know super creative huh). The good thing about making it myself though is that when I'm tired of it, I just change it. First I laid down the background. I didn't want anything too busy or anything that would take me too long. I also didn't want anything with 3D objects. Those sounded cool in theory, but I could see that falling off the minute I stuff it in a bag. So, I went with chevron (Since it is all the rage right now). I cut out a template to maintain uniformity and got to tracing. 

I traced until I covered the whole skin. To fill it in I used acrylic craft paint. I originally was going to use permanent marker, however marker on vinyl was leaving unsightly marker strokes. I mixed a few colors together, and added a little fabric medium to liquefy. When it was all done, this is what I ended up with. 

This is the moment when I had my "Oooooooh FANCY" feeling. It was starting to look like the image in my head. All I needed now was the monogram. On my major craft run I picked up a sheet of scrapbook paper. (I was very indecisive so it was more like SEVERAL pieces of scrapbook paper.)

It must have been my lucky day though, because it was all on sale. I think I paid no more than a few dollars for all of it. After much deliberation I went with a pink diamond design. 

I grabbed my scrapbook paper and my template and cut out a circle. Then I free-handed my initials. 

I glued the monogram piece to an extra piece of adhesive vinyl, and stuck that on top. I would have just glued it down, but this way makes it easier to change the center if the mood ever hits. I gave the whole thing a layer of Satin Varnish for protection.

Isn't she pretty! Now that I had a fancy new laptop cover, the plain black mouse pad sitting next to it was just an eye sore. In a different tutorial, the same guru made a mouse pad. I couldn't believe how easy it was either, and that I had never thought of it before. All I needed was a foam sheet and something to lay it on. I decided to use foam board since that's what I had on hand. 

I cut out my shape on both pieces. For it to be a circle or square was just too normal, so I went with a hexagon. With both pieces cut out, I glued the foam sheet to the top of the foam board. 

Once I had the shape together it was time to get my design on. For this project I again used acrylic paint. Nothing special just the typical stuff I use.

I chose the colors white and gold. I gave the entire shape a few coats of white paint. Then I painted one of my favorite mottoes on top.

This was originally the end, but the foam sheet did not cut as seamless as I would have liked. I tried to just leave it, but I knew it would eventually bug the hell out of me. So, I added a border. I got some paper tape from my stash and laid it around the sides. I absolutely love this stuff. It comes in handy all over the place, and I just so happened to have some gold stuff I got from the Target $1 bin. SWEET!

....And just like that I have new Desk Fancies.

I love them! My desk is so happy and festive now. I have to say that I don't get to look at the laptop cover very often but it's still nice. It was very inexpensive to do too. Most of the stuff I already had. The materials I didn't, cost no more than $5. I don't know how I feel about them not matching though. I guess I didn't really think about it at the time. Oh well, if it starts to bug me and I don't like it anymore....I'll just make new ones. So, I think this may be the last official office project. This room might be officially in the "Room In Progress" phase. Also my crafty goddess, and more so my inner Fashionista have been really speaking to me lately. I kind of feel like making a giant holiday skirt that I can wear to a real fancy gala. You know, the ones big enough to hide people under. (Don't judge me people. Just go with it) Maybe that will happen after my latest Christmas project is done. I'm quite excited about this one, and can't wait to show the finished product. Until then....It's back to the next project. 

One Small Step For Organization, One Giant Leap For...

So I'm happy to say I am coming to you from a clean and organized office. That feels wonderful to say considering last week you would have thought a tornado went through here. It looked like the craft box (You know the one you keep to entertain children) straight up regurgitated in here. In the midst of doing this project, I got fully inspired by my Halloween costume (more on that later) and just went into sheer project madness. The fact that I can fully see the floor now, makes me happy. One small step for organization, one giant leap towards world domination. Well maybe not that far, but my office is definitely coming together.

So on to the project at hand. I decided to add a Command Center type area next to my desk. Well actually it was already there, I just decided to give it a face lift.

Sorry for the terrible before picture. In my haste to start the project, I just got up and started taking everything down. Kind of one of those...start it now before you get lazy and talk yourself out of it type things. The picture you see now was taken months ago. First thing was to measure the space. I did some image searching on Command Centers. A lot of the ones I saw used the existing wall color. However, since I am trying to cut up the red I decided to go with a different color and a border to distinguish it from the rest of the wall. I came up with 39"x40". I made a trip to Home Depot to pick up white molding strips, and cut the pieces to the correct length. Then I put them in a square and used wood glue and tape for reinforcement. 

Next it was on to the actual wall. Before I could start I had to do some patchwork. I created a few unsightly holes in the original placement. Unfortunately, taking anything off of this wall is difficult seeing as how there are 4 coats of paint on it (Lesson learned: Never paint red unless you are SURE). Once the wall was patched I added the color. I debated a few techniques. The biggest concern was that I was adding floating shelves, so the wall needed to be able to accommodate that. The obvious thing to do was just to paint the wall itself, but then I felt if I ever changed my mind I would have to paint it back red and getting the same tone could be a bit of a pain. I debated using paper, but then I would run into the rippling issue when painting. I also contemplated fabric, but finding the exact color or pattern I wanted would have probably been a little more difficult than I cared for it to be. I ended up having a Eureka moment and using adhesive shelf liner. I had some leftover from doing my bathroom drawer dividers, and adhesive liner will stick and then peel off easily if need be. I placed it on the wall, and gave it a coat of all surface primer to prepare for painting.

   

I have a few other elements going up so I didn't want the background to be too busy. That meant no patterns, prints, or bright colors. I ended up going with a very subtle gray tinted white. (I know SUPER boring)

I know it looks pure white in the pictures, but trust me it isn't. Once the background was done I attacked the shelves. Before I just had one at the bottom. This time I decided to add a second one at the top. So I grabbed an extra pair of shelves from the craft closet (because we all have extra shelves laying around in random closets). The length I needed was longer than the actual shelf so I had to put 2 together. 

...And somewhere in my infinite of wisdom I decided to get interesting. I was feeling that there were just too many squared shelves in here, and I wanted something a little different. Don't judge me people! Tanaira madness is very real. I decided to cut the shelves at an angle. I made a mark a couple of inches in, cut them on the miter saw, and used balsa wood and wood filler to finish the edges. Then I sprayed both shelves with all surface primer so the paint would stick.

I gave the shelves a couple coats of white paint and rehung them on the wall. 

Now that the wall was painted and the shelves up, it was time to finish this thing. It was in dire need of color. I added the rest of the pieces and knick knacks and PRESTO...a brand new Command Center

For the bottom shelf I pretty much kept it the same. I did decide to move my quote. With the addition of the top shelf there was no place for it over the magnetic board. So I hot glued magnets to the back and placed it at the bottom of the magnetic board.

The magnetic board got added back in the same spot. I was going to make a new one that was a little smaller however it was hard to find a piece that was either the right size or easy to cut. So, I just worked with what I had.

As for the top shelf I added my cool clock from Z Gallerie. It was supposed to go in the bookshelf, but much to my disappointment when I got home and realized it was too tall. Sadly it is really too tall to go in anything. So, on top of something is where it has to be. The name sign is something I worked on a while back. I did an ink pen doodle, and used the drawing to cut out the letters. Then I glued the letters onto scrapbook paper, and put it in a frame.

On the other side I added a pegboard. I bought a pack of cork board, and cut it to the size I needed. Then I wrapped it in black and white chevron fabric. 

Lastly, can't forget my new marker holder. I found a random decorative piece at Homegoods. Not really sure what the intended use for it was, but I thought it fit my markers very nicely. I turned the piece on its side, added some legs, and VOILA there you have it. 

 What do you think? I love that it keeps me organized, and it's pretty too. I’m one of those out of sight, out of mind type people. If you don’t see me write it down or set a reminder, it’s probably not going to get done. So one more project and the desk area is complete. It’s kind of exciting to be getting closer to the end of this office redecorate. 

Oh and what about Halloween?  

I decided to do Black Swan. I have a list of Halloween ideas, and every year I never leave myself enough time to do the most elaborate ones. So I contemplated several things, and finally about a week before Halloween I settled on this one. It actually was pretty easy. I already had a tulle skirt and black corset. So I used those as my base, and then just embellished the heck out of them. For the skirt I took the one I had and made an extra one to add fluffiness. For the corset I added rhinestones and feathers. For the crown, I did some Google-tubing and found lots of different tutorials on how to create one. I could have just bought one, but I really wanted it to look authentic. I saw a Youtube video that used glue sticks. The girl on the video made it look a lot easier than it actually was, but I pulled it off. Once it was all said and done, I absolutely loved my costume. I felt fabulous and pretty all night. It is definitely one of my favorites to date.

So with another large project done, I am exhaling. These large ones seem easy at the beginning, and then here I am a month later still working on it. I’m on vacation this week so hopefully I can be super productive, and get lots done. Until then….It’s on to the next project.