Let it snow blocks (Step-by-Step Directions)

I've seen lots of neat ideas for phrases to put on pieces of painted wood. And will all the dice I've been making, I've had 4x4s laying around. I saw a cute picture on a blog of blocks saying Let It Snow on blue blocks. Super cute and super easy. So I cut one of the 4x4s (actually, my dad did) and purchased my paint. It happened to be at a time when paint samples were only 99 cents at Lowe's for an 7 oz bottle. That's way cheaper than I can get acrylic paint. So I decided I would just use latex wall paint. What would it hurt?

I had my dad cut the 4x4s into 1 - 12 inch length, 1 - 10 inch length, and 1 - 8 inch length.

Here are the paints that I selected to complete the blocks.

First step, painting the blocks. I used the lightest shade of blue for the top block ( 8 inch block )

I painted the top and partially down each side, and then let it dry.

Valspar Tidal  Basin for 8 inch top block

Valspar Pool Party for middle 10 inch block

Valspar Deep Sea Diving for bottom 12 inch block

Blocks partially painted ready to dry. Once dry, I flipped them over and painted the remaining part of the blocks.

Blocks ready for lettering

Before I painted the letters on, I just lightly drew them on the blocks to make it easier to paint them on. 

After the paint dried the first time, I went over it another time to make sure I had even coverage. 

Next step: Snowflakes. 

I put the snowflakes on the middle block because of the extra space on the ends. 

Then I added snow flurries to the rest of the blocks to create a whimsical snowy scene!

Let is Snow! And enjoy your slice of imperfection :)

DecoMesh Winter Wreath (Step-by-Step Directions)

Those of you who have read my posts before know that many of my ideas stem from something I see on Pinterest, TV or in a store. I have always wanted to have wreaths to hang on my front door for the Holidays. Our house is filled with many home decor items, and wreaths happen to be one of my favorites. I found these pictures on Pinterest and wanted to do something similar to them. 

                                      

 However, these picture did not give directions for how to make a DecoMesh Wreath. I had created a wreath for our wedding using burlap, so I thought I could handle it.

This is the burlap wreath I had made.

But, I am glad that I searched for a tutorial to help me. I came across this tutorial that Clumsy Crafter had to help get me started. I really just used it for the starter steps on the Wreath. After that, I kind of made my own rules to make it work the way I wanted it to!

Supplies Needed:

Wreath - these are available at craft stores with or without pipe cleaner

Hot Glue Gun & Extra Glue

DecoMesh - I used two rolls

Ornaments

Tinsel

Deco Tubing Ribbon (Not pictured here)

Scissors

Possibly extra pipe cleaners (I didn't have these, however, they would have been helpful)

I purchased all of these items after Christmas and was able to get them between 60% and 80% off.

Because of that, this project only cost me $13! Be on the lookout for those after Christmas sales!

And, really the only think you have to have is the wreath form and the DecoMesh. You can add whatever you would like to it, make it your own!

 Step 1: Bunch up DecoMesh to attach it to the wreath. 

Step 2: Attach the DecoMesh to the Wreath Frame with the pipe cleaner. And start moving aroudn the wreath attaching the DecoMesh.

I did this all the way around the wreath, however, I did not measure, which is the beauty of DIY projects; it doesn't have to be perfect of exact!

 I left between 4 and 6 inches between the pipe cleaners to add fullness to the wreath. 

I went around attaching another layer to the pipe cleaners giving it more fullness.

I went around a third layer on the outer edge of the wreath adding to the fullness.

I moved onto the inner part of the wreath. Doing the same thing as the outer layer. I had two different kinds of DecoMesh that I had purchased to give the wreath some more character. 

After going around three times, this is what I had achieved . I had to fluff it our some more, but over all, it look pretty good. 

There were a few bare spots so I cut some small pieces and attached them to the wreath with pipe cleaners to fill in the voids. 

After filling the voids, I had a much fuller looking wreath. 

Here you can tell the difference in the two types of DecoMesh. One of them has more of a shine to it, you can mix them together like I did, or use just one type. Totally your preference. Remember, make it your own!

Step 3: Add tinsel to the wreath, attach it with pipe cleaner. 

After the tinsel was string and the DecoMesh was fluffed again.

Since I had decided to use a green wreath frame, I wanted to add some green and I had purchased this Deco Tubing Ribbon  after Christmas last year (I figured I'd use it on something!). If you like things super matchy-matchy, then I would suggest getting the same color wreath as your DecoMesh.

I attached it with the pipe cleaner and just wound it around and around until I had the pop pf green that I wanted. 

After I had it all wrapped around, I tied it to the back of the frame

 Step 4: Add ornaments.

Be sure to securely hot glue the ornaments to the DecoMesh

After I got it home, I decided that I wanted to add a bow to the bottom of the wreath. I used some blue DecoMesh ribbon that I had left over from my wedding. It fit right in with the color of the wreath. 

DecoMesh is difficult to make into a bow, so if you have never made a bow before, I wouldn't recommend making your first one using DecoMesh.

I started out making it like a bow

I kept wrapping it around.

I gathered the ends together and glued it down to hold it into place.

I wrapped a small piece around to create the illusion of a bow, and added some tails to it to complete the bow. 

Step 5: Glue the bow on

Step 6: Add a hanger. I used a pipe cleaner and wrapped it around the wreath frame. And then secured it with hot glue. I purchased a pack of 45 tinsel pipe cleaners for $1 at the Dollar Tree.

Ta-da! All finished! Can't wait to be able to hang it up, and ti will work all winter because of the silver, blue and green!:)

My biggest caution is to be sure that everything is attached securely before you pick the wreath up, you don't want anything to fall off and break. 

Happy New Year! 

Take care, and enjoy your own imperfect slice of life!