Nativity projects

I just love this time of the year.  Scratch that, I love the REAL reason for this time of the year.  Everything else is just a bonus.

I've long said I wanted to collect Nativities.  The problem is I'm super picky about which ones I like (just ask my mom when she wanted me to get one for Christmas a few years ago!).  Ever since Ashley at Make It and Love It did this in 2010 (see tutorial here)

I've been longing and planning to do it with my Silhouette machine, but I've never had a place to display it (it just needs a fireplace or something nice)  Finally I decided I'd tweak it a little bit and make it work so it can be split up.

I printed the words instead of using the Silhouette because they were just a little too skinny and were snagging in the machine.  If I did bigger than 4x6 it probably would have worked, but these were the frames I had lying around to use.  I did the shepherds and wise men in 4x6 and the manger scene in 8x10.

Wise Men Still Seek Him

 Oh, Come, Let Us Adore Him

Where meek souls will receive him, still 

The dear Christ enters in

I used my Silhouette machine to cut out the images (though you could just google nativity silhouette, there are tons of options and print it with the words).  

I really like to focus on the Savior's role in my life during Christmas and I try to make sure some of my decorations reflect that.

I love this set of hurricane candle holders that my Brother in law got me a couple years ago (Thanks, Curt!)

I think it would be pretty easy to DIY with some vinyl and hurricane jars.

While looking for my link to my inspiration at Make It and Love It, I came across this in a google search.  I really like her version as well!

source

How do you like to reflect the true meaning of Christmas in your home?

Designer Wreath Tutorial

I don't know about you, but I find those cheap wreaths a little scrawny.  But they're such a good price.  Here's how to get the look of those big fluffy wreaths for the cost of the small ones.

I picked up a 24" wreath from Michaels, but you could do dollar store or walmart has them for $4.  The tag says it's $7.99 but it was (and usually is) on sale for $5.  The smaller ones are $3 but the bigger ones are never on sale before the holidays (not that I've seen at least)

I also picked up a garland for $5 at Michaels (again, check dollar store and walmart for even cheaper options) and some holly sticks from JoAnn's at 50% off.  Because I do everything on a dime, I used twist ties, but you could use wire (I had some as back up, but this worked great!)  You'll also need something to cut wire with. 

Wrap the garland around the outside of the wreath.

Position it so it looks good from the front because we'll be working on the back for a bit. 

After carefully flipping it over begin tie it off.  Using wire or a twist tie, tie off the beginning of the garland. I used a yellow twist tie here so I could find it easily if I needed to.  Because it's at the back, you can't see it at all.  Keep the garland wrapping around the outside edge and tie off a few more places (it didn't take many)

Pull it snug so there are no gaps and tie it off until you get to the end.  Pull the end back towards the wreath frame to disguise the end.  Tie it off with another twist tie or wire.

Position the berry branches around.  I used 5 so they would overlap some.  Or use whatever you want to decorate at this point.

A few inches down from where berries split from the branch secure with wire or twist tie.

 Snip off the end of the branch.  Squeeze tight and bend the branch back and forth slightly.  Then use a small piece of the wreath to cover the twist tie.

Repeat all the away around with remaining branches.

Fluff and adjust until it looks just right. 

 I used some of the wreath's branches to bend over the holly to secure it a little bit more, but not too much.  I didn't want it flat inside the fluffy wreath.

Now hang!  I like to use fishing wire to hang mine.  It's doubled up a couple times and hung from a command hook on the other side of the door.

 Merry Christmas!

How do you like to decorate your wreaths?