Ornament Adventure Xmas2007: part 2

The spray paint bandits have attacked again!!

I've posted what I've done for my tree at Christmas's before- I've generally always been attracted to the pop-y, bright, fun, cheer-y, happy Christmas colors- I've been slowly collecting those vintage-inspired ornaments (they're not really vintage- I got most of them on sale at Target over the past three years- so there's not really much emotional attatchment)- Anyways- this year, I just felt the need for a big change. So over the weekend, I embarked on the Ornament Adventure of Xmas 2007. And so, as I mentioned, in the midst of it all, I was attacked by the spray paint bandits! I- uh... I mean, "they" kidnapped some of the ornaments and gave them a quick coat of white metal primer. It's a nice semi-matte finish- they look almost porcelain! Here's a sneak peek at how it all turned out- I'll share the rest of the final results of my Ornament Adventure Xmas 2007 in the next few days (I just have to clean up the mess I made first!) stay tuned...

Ornament Adventure Xmas2007: part 3

Oy. I'm so exhausted! But I wanted to get in one more post before I head out in the morning for a much needed break. Here are two other ornaments that I made for my Ornament Adventure this year. I totally knocked off the ornaments that are in The Gap windows this year (with the yarn). Actually, while I was at the craft store, it was when I saw the ochre/sawgrass colored yarn and then the grey yarn that totally inspired the look for the tree. Anyways. I used two techniques and just wrapped the yarn over different sized styrofoam balls. The grey and taupe balls, I just wrapped randomly around and around. The ochre/sawgrass colored yarn was thicker, so I attempted a "coiled" technique. Ok. Pardon my french, but trying to do that was a ...mutha. It started out easy enough. I dabbed the top with some Tacky Glue, and started to coil around and worked my way down. But then when I got about 3/4 of the way through, it wouldn't stick anymore, and would start to unravel. It was so frustrating! I ended up just going all the way down to half way, cutting it, then flipping it over and starting from the opposite end and working my way back to the middle- then trying to meld the ends together. I'm sure there must be a better technique out there- cuz I was over it after four balls. I'm sure there are more experienced crafters out there- what's the secret?!

The other ornament was a lot simpler. I had this weird idea to use wood balls on the tree. Since you all know I love woodgrain, I thought it would look fun with the white and grey. I mean, if it looks great in a home furnishings, why not on a tree right? I simply used small eye hooks that screwed in, and used some leftover grey yarn to string them. I first used a dark stain, but didn't like it, so I switched to a lighter one that wasn't so contrast-y. Anyway- stay tuned for the final look!

2009 ornament adventure pt. 3

In my last post on the 2009 Ornament adventure, I was struggling with going with some new ideas versus keeping my existing tree look. Well, I decided to stay with most of what I had and just freshened it up a bit. I really liked how my new geometric ornaments turned out, but really don't have the time to completely redo my tree this year. So, I'm going to hold that for next year (visions of plexiglass and neon were dancing in my head...), and thanks to HM reader Mintage Home for the comment and saving me from extra and unnecessary holiday stress! Anyway- I started out by spray painting the new ornaments a matte gray. I used this automotive primer that dried really quick. Then, I placed them on the tree as a starting point, and slowly added back in some of my existing ornaments. In the end, I left off much of the gold pieces from previous tree incarnations, but I still kept the star on top. (Click here to see how it looked before). And voila! my tree for 2009... The last thing I had planned for my holiday decor is some sort of table centerpiece. Last year I did these yarn wrapped branches (see here). This year, I'll probably keep with my new geometric theme... and maybe also repurpose a few other pieces. Once you get me started spray painting (and I was loving how the matte gray was looking...), it's hard for me to put the can down! Suddenly my eyes start wandering around the house... I think the Spray Paint Bandits may strike again... if you have any suggestions- let me know in the comments- stay tuned!

2009 ornament adventure pt. 1

If you've been following my blog, you may recall for the past two years, I've been a little crafty when it comes to my Christmas decorations (click here for last year's wreath, and the year before's ornaments). This year, I'm still keeping with the current theme, but I wanted to try to mix in some new ornaments. My friend Em sent me this link to Maryam Nassir Zadeh. I was so inspired by the "study in balance" necklace. I mean- gorgeous right? So it got me thinking about maybe doing something along those lines for new ornaments. I also knew I wanted to do something with wood. So, I went to the craft store and picked up a package of these little match sticks, got me some glue (opted for super glue gel, thinking that it would bond fast and then I also wouldn't have to deal with those pesky glue gun spider webs), grabbed a blade, and started the adventure... If you followed my twitter this weekend, I posted a sneak peak. So far, I'm liking how they're turning out, but I'm debating on painting them. Also on what kind of string to use. Anyway- stay tuned!...

2009 ornament adventure pt. 2

And so, after finding inspiration (see previous post), I started out trying to make something with these sticks. The stick gluing was interesting. I just started out by cutting little notches at the ends of the sticks to do makeshift mitered corners. Then add a little super glue, press and hold and after a few seconds, slowly release. I wasn't necessarily looking to do perfect angles, just random ones. And I just kept joining points together until it looked like an interesting shape. Note: be prepared to get little bits of super glue on your hands and make sure you're place scrap paper underneath. I used an old magazine. Again, you could probably use a glue gun. I just opted for super glue. Anyway- they look like little neato scupltures. I definitely think I will be painting them.So you know how sometimes you do one thing, thinking it won't be that big a deal and affect anything, and then midway through, you realize it actually changes everything? Alas, that is happening again to me with these ornaments. My original idea was to simply try something new, and add them to the existing tree look I've had. I really have enjoyed my tree the past two years, but just felt like trying something new. Well, now that I have a few of the new ornaments made (see last post for my inspriation)- I'm starting to feel like, if I go with these, everything else needs to change with it. Oy. Now I've gone and done it! I'm not sure where this is going, but stay tuned...

Ornament Adventure Xmas2007

What is this crazy mess on my table? Good question. In my last post, I mentioned how I've been having this urge to change up my Christmas tree this year. I went by Target to get some inspiration, but found myself attracted to the same things or things I liked, but knew wouldn't really get, which kind of defeated the purpose. Anyways, right near by is Michaels, so then I decided to stroll through, and then I saw some things that made it all clear- I'm going to make the ornaments. A few aisles later I had a bag full... ok, two bags full (which by the way, wasn't as cheap as I was hoping for- but whatever...) and this is what I'm working with- minus some spray paint I already had. Hang on to your seats kids. This may get ugly... we'll see what happens... are any of you making your ornaments this year?

Happy Mundane Holidays 2007!

Merry Christmas! Woo Hoo! I hope everyone is having a great Christmas. If you've been following my Ornament Adventure 2007, I promised to show the final results, so here the are!This year, I was dreaming of a muted mid-century modern Christmas.
In the past, my decor has always been more of a silver, pop-y, bright and cheery flavor, but this year, something snapped changed, and I decided to go for "the gold" and switch it all up! Actually I think it all started with my branch experiment, (ie. the spray paint bandits)- So, a trip to the craft store, spray painted ornaments, yarn wrapped styrofoam, and some wood balls and I had a whole new look! Although, I must confess, I think the pieces that really made the tree are some store bought ones. I got the gold starbursts from the local floral supply store, and the mosaic garland was from Crate&Barrel. I also added those great mini-chair ornaments from West Elm I freaked out about a few months back. Oh, and the base (vase) of the tree is from West Elm too. For the rest of the decor, I spray painted my old silver topper, and placed it in a plain glass cylinder with some leftover yarn wrapped on the bottom. I had the mosaic hurricane from last year and it worked out great The carved out smaller white votive holder is from Pier 1, and the sea urchins just sorta found themselves there.For my wrapping, I used up the rest of the yarn, and just plain butcher paper and kraft paper. But Martha at Kmart also had some paper that looked great too.I just want to thank all of you for supporting Happy Mundane and checking out my mundane musings! I hope everyone has a great, warm and wonderful holiday!