So, I decorate banks (Barnes Bank) for the holidays. My mom has done it for years and is handing over the reins to me. While I’ve been out searching for decor, I’ve noticed that GLITTER is everywhere you go. (The sparkley stuff, not Maria Carey’s stupid movie). I’ve concluded that Glitter is in. 

If you’re looking for a few ways to bling up your house for the holidays, here are some fun things to do. If you’re not in the mood for a craft, I have found glittered items everywhere (Taiwan Imports, Kmart, even Dollar Tree!) I put a bunch of glittered and non-glittered ornaments in a trifle bowl on my dining room table. It’s pretty cute. Also hung a few glitter balls around the house. Makes me happy when I see them!

Snowflake How-To
1. Enlarge Templates as desired (5 to 12 inches in diameter).

2. Tape to a piece of heavy mat board or smooth cardboard; place over a protective surface, such as a self-healing mat.

3. Using a utility knife, cut through layers to create snowflake shape. Remove template. Using a medium paintbrush, coat one side of shape with craft glue. Sprinkle with fine glitter. Let glue dry; shake off excess glitter.

4. Repeat, using glass-shard glitter. Repeat process on other side. Using silver thread, hang snowflakes from removable adhesive hooks.

First Published: December 2005

Ornaments with photos of your friends and family are a great way to decorate your Christmas tree.

Tools and Materials
Photographs
Ornament templates (template 1, template 2, template 3, template 4, template 5)
Heavy-duty (80-pound) card stock
Pencil
Scissors or utility knife
Hole punch
White glue
Glitter
Wax paper
Dresden embellishment

Picture-Frame Ornaments How-To
1. Download and print ornament templates (template 1, template 2, template 3, template 4, template 5).

2. Trace template shapes onto heavy-duty card stock.

3. Cut out two identical shapes.

4. Punch both ornament shapes at top.

5. Apply diluted white glue solution (2 parts glue to 1 part water) to surfaces of both shapes.

6. Apply glitter to glue.

7. Set aside to dry; cover with a sheet of wax paper and weigh down with a heavy book to keep from curling.

8. Using a utility knife, cut an X into the center of the ornament.

9. Use a pencil to curl back points, creating a square opening.

10. Glue photo to unglittered side of flat shape.

11. Glue both halves together, sandwiching photo.

12. Thread ribbon through hole and glue on Dresden embellishment.

Resource
These materials can be found at your local crafts store.

This is a cute idea for neighbors, guests, etc. Pretty easy and the cutest way I’ve ever seen cookies packaged! It would also be cute with cookie cutters.

If any of you have not purchased your holidays cards yet and are looking for a personalized card this year, I would be glad to help!

I am offering a “friends and family” discount of $20 for design, proofs and shipping of personalized holiday cards.

Here are the prices for cards…

$0.33 per card for 4×5 1/2 postcard
$0.75 per card for 4×5 folded card
$0.75 per card for 5×7 postcard
$0.75 per card for 4×9 postcard
$1.25 per card for 5×7 folded card

I have having trouble uploading my own designs, so here are a few websites to ‘get inspired’ at…

http://www.tinyprints.com/holiday-cards-best-sellers.htm

http://www.papermints.com/

http://boatmangeller.com/c/holiday/new_holiday/

http://blonde-designs.com/category.asp?catid=holiday-cards

	Zoom Room Views

www.jcrew.com

Graphic Waffle Crewneck Tee $9.99