TEARDROP GARLAND

Teardrop garland  is "V" shaped and can be used as wreaths as well as for other holiday decor.  The best part is it can be embellished to fit any decorating style in just a few easy steps.  One of my favorite things to do with it is to dress up the back of chairs at Christmas.

Teardrop garland comes in as many sizes as there are creative ways to use it.  Michaels sells a variety of lengths.  The length of the garland pictured above is 14" not including the stem.  

                                                             MATERIALS 

                                                         Teardrop Garland
                                                             Bow/*Ribbon
                                                            **Pine Cones
                                                                 Scissors
                                                              Floral Wire

*If you are not buying a ready made bow and need instructions on making a bow please click below...

How To Make A Bow

**I used pine cones for ornamentation but Christmas ornaments work well also.

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1:  Attach the wire on the back side of the bow to the top of the teardrop garland.  The stem on the garland pictured came shaped into a hanger for easy hanging.  Some teardrop garland has a straight stem.  Either stem shape will work.

STEP 2:  Attach wire to base of pine cones.  If base doesn't have a stem, attach wire around bottom scales of pine cone.
  

 STEP 3:  Attach pine cones by their wires to a sprig/sprigs of garland underneath bow.

STEP 4:  To attach teardrop garland to chair, bend stem into a loop like the top of a hanger.

 To protect your chair from scratches, wrap ribbon around the hanger part of the stem .

Hang the hanger part of the stem over the back of the chair top.

                                                               
                                                                ~ Debbie ~

Want more decorating ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees

HOW TO MAKE A BOW

Bows add fun and festivity to everything.  You can attach them to wreaths, garland, chair backs, sconces as well as endless other possibilities.  They are easy and inexpensive to make.  The instructions below look long and laborious but there really are just a few steps that are repeated over and over again to create a beautiful full bow!

                                                               MATERIALS

                                                            *5 yards Ribbon
                                                                Floral Wire 
                                                                   Scissors
                                                             Tape Measure

*Fabric and craft stores sell a large variety of ribbon.  Costco sells a nice selection at Christmas as well.  If you like convenience, Amazon also has a great selection.  Please click below if you would like to see what they offer...

Christmas Ribbon

                                                             INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1:   Roll one end of the ribbon around your thumb.  The roll will be about 1 1/2" round.  You will continue to hold the roll securely in place with your thumb as you make your bow.  This roll will be the center of your bow... 

Position ribbon to look like photo below.  This will be the front of the bow...

Photo below is the back of the bow...

STEP 2:  With the front of the bow facing you, twist ribbon in back of the center roll...

The back of the bow will now look like photo below...

The front of the bow will now look like this...

Loop ribbon (2 1/4") to the left side of the center roll which you are holding securely with your thumb so that it looks like photo below...

With the front of the bow facing you twist ribbon in back of the bow...

The back of the bow will now look like this... 

The front of the bow will now look like this...

Loop ribbon (2 1/4") on right side of the center roll you are still holding securely with your thumb so that it looks like photo below...

STEP 3:  With the front of the bow facing you, twist ribbon in back of the center roll...

The back of the bow will now look like photo below...

The front of the bow will now look like this...

Loop ribbon (1 1/4" longer than first loop) to the left side of the center roll which you are holding securely with your thumb so that it looks like photo below...

With the front of the bow facing you twist ribbon in back of the center roll...

The back of the bow will now look like photo below...

 The front of the bow will now look like this...

Loop ribbon (1 1/4" longer than first loop) on right side of the center roll you are still holding securely with your thumb so that it looks like photo below...

You have now made two loops on each side of the center roll.  A large full bow requires five loops on each side.  Repeat the steps above until you have made five on each side.

Once you have made five loops on each side bring excess ribbon straight down vertically from behind center roll.  Cut vertical ribbon to desired length...

Cut a second piece of ribbon about the same length as the vertical ribbon in the photo above and set aside for now...

STEP 4:  Cut and thread floral wire (12-18" depending on width of ribbon) through the center roll...

Pull the floral wire to the back of the bow and twist tightly behind the center roll so that the loops of ribbon are pulled tautly together to secure them in place...

STEP 5:  Taking the second piece of ribbon you cut to hang vertically, place it behind the center roll on top of existing twisted wire and secure the second ribbon in place tightly to secure... 

Front of the bow will now look like photo below...

STEP 6:   To fluff out the bow loops - start on left side of the center roll - With you left hand grab the first loop nearest the center roll and with your right hand grab the second loop.  With your left hand pull the first loop upward and with your right hand pull the second loop downward simultaneously... 

Do the same with the third and fourth loops.  With your left hand grab the third loop and with your right hand grab the fourth loop.  With your left hand pull the third loop upward and with your right hand pull the fourth loop downward simultaneously...  

Then holding the four loops in place with your left hand take the fifth loop with your right hand and pull downward..

Repeat the same process on right side of the bow...

                                          YAY!!!  You have completed your bow!!! 

                                                                
                                                                ~ Debbie ~
                                                                 

Want more decorating ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees

PREPARING THE MANGER WITH GOOD DEEDS

This is a sweet tradition I started with my children when they were very young.  We made a manger out of popsicle sticks (very economical and easy).  Starting at the beginning of  December every time one of them would do a good deed (act of kindness, chore, thoughtfulness) I would recognize it by asking them to place a piece of straw in the manger in order to prepare it for Baby Jesus. The goal was to have the manger filled with straw by Christmas Day.  Come Christmas morning, they would then place Jesus in the manger resting symbolically on all their good deeds. 

                                                               MATERIALS

                                                          Popsicle Sticks (12)
                                                  * Non-toxic Glue or Glue Gun
                                                  ** Hay (Sandwich baggie full)
                                                  *** Miniature plastic baby doll
                                            Fabric (little piece to wrap baby doll in)

* This is a fun project to make with children when using non-toxic glue.  I have burned myself enough times that I would NOT recommend a child use a glue gun even with adult supervision.

** I don't buy hay.  I go to a Pumpkin Stand in the fall and ask if I can have a handful of hay that has gotten loose and scattered on the ground.

*** The baby doll pictured is part of a nativity I already have.  But, I have also bought miniature plastic baby dolls at party stores in the Baby Shower aisle.    

DIRECTIONS FOR MANGER:

STEP 1:  Glue (non-toxic glue dries invisible whereas glue gun looks slightly messy in between the sticks) 4 popsicle sticks together lengthwise.  Then glue a second set of 4 popsicle sticks together lengthwise.

STEP 2:  Glue 2 popsicle sticks together in the shape of an "X:.  Then glue a second set of 2 popsicle sticks together in the shape of an "X".

STEP 3:  Stand one of  the "X" shaped popsicle sticks up and glue one side of the top of the "X" on the inside as pictured. (Glue gun sets faster than non-toxic glue and with non-toxic glue you have to find a way to keep the sticks propped up until it sets.  I have made them both ways and Step 3 is the only step where a glue gun is much more convenient as long as you aren't in a big hurry for the manger to dry.)

STEP 4:  Then press one of the sets of 4 popsicle sticks t:o the glued inside of the "X", making sure the glue has dried before releasing pressure.

STEP 5:  Stand the second  "X"  shaped popsicle sticks and glue one side of the inside top of the second "X" as you did in Step 3 for the first "X".  Then press the same set of 4 popsicle sticks to the glued inside of the second "X", making sure the glue has dried before releasing pressure.

STEP 6:  Then glue the remaining inside sides of the top of the "X's" and press the second set of 4 popsicle sticks to them.

Once the manger has dried you are ready for the good deeds to begin making sure the manger is filled by Christmas Day!

NOTE FOR PARENTS :-)  This works so much better than Santa's warning of being "Naughty or Nice"!
                                                 
                                                                     Enjoy
                                                                 ~ Debbie ~

Want more festive ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees