Little Valentine Note

These are quick and easy to make; perfect for little love notes, tucked into pockets or lunch boxes.
Simply cut out a heart, and fold as illustrated, tucking the pointy tail end, into the curved opening.

Glittery Acorns

Things have been so busy around here, there isn't much time for crafting. So many things I wanted to make for Christmas have gone unmade: ( I was able to whip up some gift tags using acorns I picked up on my walk around the neighborhood though. I like the acorn part, not so much the ribbon.

Why a Glass Tree?

I realized I never addressed on this blog my reason for building a Christmas tree. You see, I'm allergic to real trees and artificial trees...and the paint covering the lights..... actually, I'm allergic to EVERYTHING. Its called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and I'm pretty much a prisoner in my bubble of a home. But it leaves me lots of time to craft, (with non toxic supplies.)

For the wine bottle tree, 25 of the bottles were mine, saved for over a year. The rest came from neighbors recycling bins and a wine bar near my home. The center post was picked up curbside from a neighbors trash; the dowel rods I had to purchase. My husband drilled all the holes for me, and my daughter helped me with de-labeling the bottles, so it was a family project.

I'm pretty pleased with the results, and as all my friends who have come to see the tree in have told me, pictures don't do it justice, its much prettier in person.

Here It Is!

My wine bottle Christmas tree:

Christmas Garland

Living in Florida, its hard to get that Christmas feeling. We don't have snow, or cold weather. To light a fire in the fireplace requires cranking up the a.c. Last year I decided to decorate for Florida and used natural materials I found outside to make this shell garland for my tree. First thing I did was drill holes in the top of all my shells, then gathered my string and some pearls.






fold your string , with the fold being where you want your shell.



push the loop through the hole.




slip the loop over the shell and gently pull tight.




continue adding shells, (and I put pearls on mine using the same method,) until your desired length.
You can use this technique to make a garland using just about anything!