If you’d like to try making a whimsical outdoor decoration, this one is easy! Hopefully, you have a Michael’s Craft Store near you where they have very large, lightweight, hollow plastic balls in stock for the holidays. They remind me of over-sized ping-pong balls and come in different sizes. They offer them in red, white & green colors. I’ve been in their stores a couple of times this year and have noticed that no one is buying them and I think it’s because they don’t know what to do with them. However, I have an idea for using them to create large, whimsical outdoor candy blow pops and I’ve included directions for you (below). If you don’t have a Michael’s near you, just locate a party store or Dollar Tree and use rubber balls instead.
You will need: Large hollow plastic balls (Michael’s) or rubber play balls in red and green, wired ribbon, clear cellophane (the kind you wrap “gift baskets” with or use pre-formed “gift basket” plastic bags (Dollar Tree), PVC pipe (cut in equal lengths; I chose 3 ft. for my garden) to be used as the lollipop stands, large suction cups, strong adhesive, wired holiday ribbon, thin wire or pipe cleaners.
Directions:After securing each plastic or rubber ball to the suction cups (add glue to suction cup AND ball for more stability), glue the bottom of the suction cup to the top of each PVC length & allow to dry well. Cut a large piece of the cellophane (large enough to cover the entire ball plus 8” extra). Center cellophane over top of ball and secure all ends underneath the ball, around the PVC or wood stick, with a piece of wire or pipe cleaner. Complete your holiday lollipops with a bow tied around the wire to hide it. Repeat. Hint: I used shrink-wrap bag & a blow dryer to suction the shrink-wrap to the ball only for a more air-tight design.
My decorations for 2010…. I hope you enjoy them. I’ll be adding more photos as I take them. The goal this year was to run the color “lime green” throughout the house.
Two reminders…. click on any photo for a larger view & watch this site to find out when the music video (that goes with these photos) will be up on YouTube!
FOYER - Toy theme
FOYER - Coordinated wreath
FAMILY ROOM - Let it Snow!
KITCHEN - Black & White Toile
KITCHEN - Cozy Bench for reading a Christmas Story to the little ones
KITCHEN - Garland Closeup
KITCHEN - Large wreath sign and a cute metal tree
KITCHEN - Penguins go with black & white perfectly!
Recently, a fan of my new “How to Decorate a Tree for Christmas” DVD came up with such a great idea, after she watched the creative decorating ideas I added in among the basic decorating information. It is such a simple and clever idea that I just had to share it with my readers.
This young woman has a couple of Aunts, for whom she buys Christmas gifts each year and she struggles for ideas every year. But this year… she hit the bull’s-eye! Evidently, both of her Aunt’s holiday decorations have not been revamped in many years and are, therefore, looking a little tired. So, she purchased each of them one of my DVDs along with the inexpensive supplies to create one of my easy decorating projects (featured in my DVD). It has reawakened their creativity with new and easy inspiration. And best of all, they had the instructions (in my DVD) and all of the necessary materials so they were able to dig into the project right away. I thought this was very creative and thoughtful, so I’m passing it along for those of you who have similar gift situations/dilemmas. Here’s a photo of the items she sent each Aunt:
One of my favorite finds this year was at Hallmark… their jazzy-looking Snowman Band! They’re battery-operated and wireless, so you can place them anywhere you want, which made my display idea SO easy to do! And when you push their buttons, these 4 frosty band pals play the lead in 2 songs each while the others chime in, soon after. Their cool hats & sunglasses made me think of a Chicago or N’oleans Jazz Band, so I went with that look, using some inexpensive scrapbook paper in the background, a few inexpensive trees and dollar store fencing. I finished it off with 2 sets of lampposts I picked up at 60% off this weekend and my street corner jazz band scene came to life. Along with the photos, I’ve added a video so you can enjoy the action…. what will they think of next?!
I have always enjoyed the earthy tradition of using fruit to create organic holiday decor. It’s very popular in Williamsburg, Virginia. However, in Florida, using real fruit would quickly create a mess, once the heat began fermenting the fruit (LOL). But, I didn’t let that stop me! To make this decoration, I simply looked for realistic faux (fake) fruit and cut each piece in half, using a serrated (blade) knife. Then, I glued my fruit “halves” to an arch-shaped piece of styrofoam (I recycled from a box I received) and added some silk Magnolia leaves around the perimeter, to finish-off my design. Of course, if you live in a colder climate, you could use real fruit to create the same look…. LUCKY! ;- ) (LOL) Anyway, here’s a photo of my version, which I used to top a garland around my front door:
I love to create the “unexpected” when I’m decorating for the holidays or seasons, and my guests love it too!
To create this “unexpected” look, make sure you choose a wreath that is light in weight. This will be the one time you will WANT to check out the inexpensive wreaths because they are usually lightweight. I cut 3 or 4 lengths of (non-wired) ribbon and tie them (in a knot) to the back side of the wreath, spacing them apart equally. Then, I simply gather the other ends of the ribbon and intertwine them (through the chandelier chain) near the top of the chandelier. I, then, tie them in a knot or use a pipe cleaner (extra ribbon or floral wire) to secure them to the top of my chandelier. Finally, make a couple of bows and use those to hide the “knotted” mechanics, by placing them over this area on both the front & back.
Here is the fall version:
And here is a Christmas version. NOTE that, in this version, I’ve added extra greenery, ornament balls and ribbon. I’ve also used it to display my collection of Angel ornaments. So let this design pull double duty for you, to highlight a grouping of ornaments as well.
Close-up, highlighting an ornament collection
If you are enjoying my creativity, please consider my book for yourself or as a gift – it has many more ideas for decorating AND ideas for creating the memories that go with it…. the most important thing of all to create. I also am releasing my first, full-length Christmas Decorating DVD on 11/15. If you like my style, this will provide you with many of my secrets . Below is a preview and thank you, in advance, for your support! 😀
Ok, I know it sounds a little strange, but I LOVE to think about Christmas in July. Especially this weekend… July 25th… 5 months from Christmas day and only 4 months from the weekend when most people begin to decorate for the holidays. And it’s been soooooo hot outside that a little Christmas spirit just seems to be the perfect way to cool things down (in my mind).
Because I am a holiday designer, this is the time of year I begin to look at new trends and some old favorites too. I am also very busy working on an instructional video series, in which I will be sharing all of my experience (and Secrets!!) in holiday design. When it’s ready, it will be available on my blog. I think you will be very surprised over its reasonable cost and jam-packed content.
Although I decorate many homes for the holidays, through my company, decorating my own is my fav and where my creativity really shines. Here’s a musical video from last year’s design, complimented by 2 wonderful holiday songs… 1 classic & 1 contemporary. So, turn down the air conditioning, pour a mug of hot cocoa and enjoy a few minutes of virtual Christmas (in July!):
P.S. If you want ideas for making holiday memories… to go ALONG with your creative decorating this Christmas… check out my book – it’s full of them!
This is my favorite design I did this year for one of my clients in 2009.
The main theme was “Red Roses” to which I added lime green accents. I also added in peacock feathers as a tribute to the original occupants of her neighborhood… Peacocks.
If you think this look is too expensive to reproduce in your home, think again! I purchased almost everything I used in this tree design at a discount home store (Old Time Pottery) at apx. 1/3 of the amount I would have spent at a specialty (Christmas) store. Don’t be afraid to shop on a budget; simply look for quality products at a store like this one, which carries reasonably-priced decorative elements. Trust me… they have bargains you’ll love. Here’s their website so you can check for a location near you (www.oldtimepottery.com).
Tree Closeup
Fireplace Closeup
If you are enjoying my blog and creative ideas, please check out my brand new, Christmas Decorating DVD, available 11/15. Check out the right-hand column of this blog for details and thank you, in advance, for your support! :- ) Here’s a small sample of the DVD:
For more creative ideas, check out the ABOUT THE AUTHOR page
ALSO…. if you are enjoying my blog and want to know the secrets behind my design style, you should check out my very first, full-length DVD (available 11/15). It’s hot off the press and packed with my favorite short-cuts and secrets to make your decorating easier & more enjoyable! Check out the video preview below, and the order form is on the right-hand column of this blog.
For more creative ideas, check out the ABOUT THE AUTHOR page!
Welcome to… the ART of decorating around the JOY of celebrating!™
Also… I’d love to hear from you!
Feel free to email me with any question, comment, suggestion you may have or with your request to have one of your ideas spotlighted - info@creativefamilytraditions.com
If you show off our creativity, please let them know you found it @ www.TheSeasonalHome.com -
so they can visit us to enjoy even MORE of our creativity! :-)
Click here to watch my FREE VIDEOS and enjoy some musical, holiday spirit:
The Seasonal Home 