Let’s make an easy DIY Monogram Wreath today!

Depending on where you live, the Christmas wreaths are already put up til’ next Christmas. Funny how in the north we keep Christmas wreaths up longer. I remember having all my Christmas decorations down and put away by January 1st when we lived in the south. Everyone else did too. I guess it just feels like Christmas longer in the Northeast. I can’t imagine why. Maybe it’s the snow, ice and subzero temps that remind us of Father Christmas and the North Pole?

Here’s an idea for your front, side or inside door. A DIY Monogram Wreath. Or it works for a mantel or shelf. Seriously, this quick project will take you about ten minutes. (I just made one.) And it takes just a few inexpensive materials. This DIY Monogram Wreath would also make a fun personalized gift for a bridal shower, house warming or birthday. It would be cool to spell a word across a set of windows…with a letter hanging in each window. Or maybe just sitting on a shelf. I’m thinking of the word J-O-Y! Because I love that word. That would be beautiful at Christmas. Or anytime of the year. (Pick a short word!) This wreath really needs to be in a sheltered area, FYI.

So here’s what you’ll need:

• Large wooden letter (or letters)
• Dried moss
• Thick white craft glue, like Tacky Glue
• Small craft paint brush
• Length of ribbon for hanging

(Found the above items at my local A.C. Moore craft store very inexpensively.)

Large wooden letter from a craft store

Dried moss

Wide ribbon. (I used 1 1/2 inch wide ribbon.)

Directions:

• Paint glue thickly on a small section of the alphabet letter.
• Press clumps of moss into the glue, pressing hard.
• Continue until the whole letter is covered and you don’t see any wood.
• Now it’s time for a hair (er…moss!) cut. Trim extra moss away from the edges, but not too close. Leave it freeform and artsy.
• Dry completely.
• Tie a coordinating ribbon and hang!

The post DIY Monogram Wreath appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

Let’s face it, the Christmas season can be unhealthy. From the edibles we gift to the chocolates we receive. And I do love my chocolate. Dark, very dark. Yes, dark chocolate is an essential in my life.

But I recently came across this DIY Clementine Wreath. I think it’s genius. It’s quick. Healthy. Colorful. Festive. It’s different. No baking. No dishes. A man could do this. (So kidding. Forgive me? Seriously, some of the best cooks I know are men.) But who doesn’t love a plump, juicy clementine? This is a fun project for the kids and grandkids to help with too.

I can even see… MATH!

“Johnny — we’re making three clementine wreaths for your teacher gifts today. There are seven clementines in each wreath. How many clementines will we need?” Ok, you get the point. (And it’s just more fun talking about chocolate.)

DIY Clementine Wreath Materials 

• 7 clementines (or more!)
• a long roll of cellophane wrap (NOT PLASTIC SARAN WRAP)
• tape (Scotch tape or packing tape. I liked packing tape better, sturdier.)
• twine
• ribbon

Directions

1. Lay down a 6 – 8 inch wide strip of cellophane wrap, length-wise. (Depending on the width of your cellophane roll, you may need to tape two pieces together. I did.)

2. Line the clementines  in a straight line on top of the cellophane, down the center.  Leave space in between each clementine.

3. Fold the cellophane together and tape together at intervals.

4. Tie a piece of twine in between each clementine.

5. Twist into a circle and tie a knot (or tape!) the two ends together. (Then twist and shout! Because you are almost finished…)

6. Tie a pretty bow and add a gift tag.  I like red for Christmas.  (But that’s just me.)

 Line up the clementines in a row on the cellophane and tape it shut.

Twist the clementines into a circle.

And tie a knot in the cellophane if you have enough extra.  Or tape.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The post DIY Clementine Wreath appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

So it’s been a pretty crazy week or so around here. I imagine the first week of any blog startup is interesting. I’m encouraged and thankful you’ve joined in on the craziness with me.(!)

There were other contributing factors aside from the blog. It was disturbing to discover damp pants on a little person, go to change his diaper and find that diaper non-existent. I mean poof! Just not there.

Somewhere along the way in our travels today, a child of mine with overalls on, lost his diaper. And we still don’t know where. Can I just say, I’m thankful he was “damp” only?

Today another little boy of mine conspired to open a Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Stand to earn money. The signage didn’t come together as planned. STRESS! (For him, not me.) When the sign didn’t work out, he quickly and quietly moved on to production. I was unaware until the burning smell reached me. Chocolate chips are disagreeable to microwaves on full power for extended time periods. I knew that. Now he does too.

(Like a rock.)

For days he begged to boil blueberries, intending to tie-dye with the blueberry juice. I finally broke down and gave the green light yesterday.

He dyed a pair of socks… to wear for Advent. I do like his thought process, and Advent is not so far away. Reminds me, I just saw a Facebook post today that Christmas is only five Fridays away. Whaaaaaaaat? How can it be?

So a week and a half ago I pushed the “publish” button for the first time on the very first “Through Her Looking Glass” blog post, Every Time A Bell Rings.  “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” (Stephen King)  I agree.

I firmly pushed that button and headed out for a surprisingly quiet celebration cup of tea with my dear friend, also the mother of nine great kids. (When she and I go out, I say to unsuspecting folk…“Between us We Have Thirteen Children.”  I can’t resist. It may be the dramatic reactions that amuse and compel me. She humors me, quietly lets me have the moment. She’s kind that way.)

Her family had just made a Blessing Wreath. It was hanging on the armoire. I love it. Precious hands traced with simple blessings listed is very sweet. This would be a great family project to celebrate the blessings of the season with your children or grandchildren. The instructions are simple.

How to Make a Blessing Wreath

1. Trace your family’s handprints on multi-colored construction paper.
2. Cut them out.
3. Have each person write something they’re thankful for on their handprints.
4. Cut a large cardboard ring from an old box. (This will be the base of your wreath.)
5. Glue and overlap the hands onto the cardboard ring.
6. Hang with a cheerful ribbon!

(If you don’t have nine (or thirteen!) kids, you might have to cut more than one set of hands per person.)

We have much to be thankful for.

Back to the blog launch.  Mr. Through Her Looking Glass brought me these gorgeous flowers.

And we celebrated with an exceptional blueberry-basil mojito. My favorite.

Gotta go now.  (Still hunting for that elusive diaper.)

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The post We Have Thirteen Children… appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.