Just Love Paper Rosettes

I just love paper rosettes.  They might be a little tedious to make, but they are well worth the time and so versatile.  One of my favorite uses this time of the year is as gift toppers.  Instead of fancy bows, use a rosette instead.  And the best thing about them is that they are sturdy enough to use for gifting the following year.  Or maybe hang them on a tree or anywhere you might normally hang an ornament.

Glittery Snow Wand

Make a glittery snow wand to add to your Christmas décor.  All you need is a 12" wooden dowel, a few sheets of printed scrapbook paper, glue, ribbon, bells, and a scoreboard if  you have one.

Start by painting the wooden dowel a color that compliments your printed papers.  Next, cut strips of paper to make rosettes.  I like to layer at least two rosettes per wand the larger being at least 4 inches in diameter.  You glue the layered rosettes to the dowel ( I use hot glue for this step), tie some ribbon or layers of tulle around the dowel and add other embellishments like bells, pine cones, florals - whatever catches your fancy.

Easy Dollar Store DIY

I love miniature buildings of all kinds  and always enjoy the tiny villages and churches at Christmas time.  When I saw the white glittery churches at the Dollar Tree that are supposed to be used as ornaments, I just knew I could step it up a notch by adding something more to them.  So here's a simple DIY using the ornament, bottle brush trees and some upcycled tree cookies cut from Chicago's Park District tree trimmings.

Simply paint the edges and top of the tree cookies with white paint.   Position and glue the church on to the tree cookie.  Now glue down the bottle brush trees and you are done.