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DIY Spider Wreath

We get the creepy crawlies just looking at this spider web wreath. Isn't that the feeling you want all of your Halloween decorations to drum up?



Make the Wreath: Tie six pieces of white string across a 14-inch foam wreath form, making sure to loop each one at the midway point of the first piece attached to create a central point. (This is the base of the web and should have 12 “spokes.”) Tie a long piece of string to the center point; weave and loop from the center out to create the web. If you run out of string, tie another piece to the end and continue weaving. When you reach the wreath form, tie off at your ending point. Move the twine up and down to create uneven gaps in the web. Wrap the wreath form with white burlap ribbon and attach faux spiders with hot-glue. Loop a piece of white burlap ribbon around the form to hang.
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Morgue Drawer Door

Enter if you dare! This door decoration is perfect for anyone who's looking to send chills down their guests' spines.



Make the Door: 
Attach three precut 20- by 30-inch pieces of foam core together with spray adhesive. Attach a piece of black paper, cut to size, to the top piece of foam core using spray adhesive. Insert the rectangular piece of two 6-inch stainless steel T-hinges between the first and second pieces of foam core on one of the short sides; “screw” in place. Place a 6 1/2-inch handle on the opposite side; “screw” in place. Cover exposed edges of the foam core with silver duct tape, folding any excess to the back. Make two more doors. Adhere to house door with heavy- duty self-adhesive Velcro. Cut five coffin shapes from black and gray kraft paper. Paint letters on gray coffins with red acrylic paint to spell “morgue” and attach to black coffins with double-sided tape. Hang a plastic chain above the door and attach coffin cutouts with hot-glue. Add plastic pedestal planter painted Titanium Silver by Rust-Oleum and “Swiss Cross” doormat.
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Handmade Christmas Ornaments - Popsicle Stick Sleds

I always like to make at least one handmade Christmas ornament each year. They add that personalized touch and I really enjoy looking back at older ornaments as I pull out the Christmas decorations. This year I’m doing a wintery Christmas cabin theme in our family room so I decided to make some cute popsicle stick sleds. I’ve seen a few different versions of these popsicle stick sleds on Pinterest but initially saw them over on Fireflies and Mudpies.



Popsicle Stick Sleds Christmas Tree Ornaments Tutorial

These cute little popsicle stick sleds are an easy Christmas craft that’s fun for both kids and adults.  Make them as simple as you would like or dress them up with some creative embellishments!

MATERIALS

*popsicle {craft} sticks {2 regular sized and 5 small per sled}
*wood glue
*wood stain
*paint
*twine
*glue dots
*embellishments if desired {I used a couple of jingle bells, some faux flocked greenery, and baker’s twine}

INSTRUCTIONS

Glue 4 of the small craft sticks together staggering the end stick on each side slightly lower.  I found the easiest way to apply the glue for this project was to squirt some glue out onto a paper plate and then use a large toothpick or skewer to apply the glue along the edges.  Allow to dry.  Paint the small craft sticks whatever color you would like.  Allow to dry. Stain the regular sized craft sticks using a rag. Glue on the stained sled runners to the smaller popsicle sticks. Again this is much easier to do if you use a skewer or large toothpick to apply the glue. Glue on the cross stick to the front of the sled. Add whatever embellishments you would like. I took a few little sprigs of faux greenery, wrapped them in baker’s twine, and then threaded on a couple of small jingle bells. I then just tied the baker’s twine around the cross bar. If you’re doing this project with kids, they could decorate the sled or write their name and year on it. I’ve even seen some that add a photo to the sled. Cut some regular twine to your desired length and attach to the underside of the cross bar using glue dots.  If you don’t have glue dots, you can use regular craft glue but, honestly, those glue dots are so much easier and way less messy.

These little sleds look cute hung on the tree, but if you use a little creativity they can be used in many other ways as well.  Use them in rustic Christmas vignettes, add them to Christmas presents, or use them as name cards on your Christmas table.  The possibilities are endless!
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Sugar Cookie Ornaments Recipe

These classic Christmas cookies are a 2-for-1 deal — a delicious treat and a homemade tree decoration. Punch a hole before baking to create edible hangers. Once baked and decorated, add a ribbon and hang on your tree.
 


Ingredients:

Cookies

2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. Kosher salt

1 c. unsalted butter

3/4 c. granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Sanding sugar, for decorating

Royal Icing

3 large egg whites

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

16 oz. confectioners' sugar

Directions

In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until combined. Beat in egg and then vanilla. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Shape dough into 4 disks and roll each between 2 sheets parchment paper to 1⁄4 inch thick. Chill until firm, 30 minutes in refrigerator or 15 minutes in freezer. Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using floured cookie cutters, cut out cookies. If desired, use straw to make holes in tops of cookies for hanging. Place on pre- pared sheets. Reroll, chill and cut scraps. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are light golden brown around edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Make Royal Icing: Using electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium-high speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low and gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating until just incorporated. Increase speed to high and beat until medium-stiff glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Tint as desired with gel food coloring. Decorate as desired with icing and sanding sugar.
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DIY Clay Rainbow Ornaments

One of our favorite things to do during the month of December is making ornaments! It’s become a traditions in our homes and it’s always a great thing to make with our girls. Poppy asked to make rainbow ornaments this year, so we got out our favorite air dry clay and got crafting! These sweet little DIY Clay Rainbow Ornaments are easy to make. The hardest part is waiting for them to dry.



Supplies: air dry clay, rolling pin, small knife, acrylic craft paint, small paintbrushes, bamboo skewer, twine

Instructions:

Step 1 – Roll out air dry clay on hard surface covered in muslin or parchment paper. Roll out to 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (or glass from your kitchen) to cut out circles. Then cut circles in half to create two rainbows!

Step 2 – Using a bamboo skewer, or the end of your paintbrush, poke a hole through the top of your rainbow. Smooth out edges with your finger. Now it’s time to dry ornaments. We like to dry ours overnight. Here’s a tip: place ornaments under a book so they dry flat.

Step 3 – Time to paint! We used craft acrylic paint to add the rainbow stripes. Let dry and then string thin twine and your ornaments are ready for gifting or to hang on your tree!