I can’t believe I am writing blog posts on crafts and DIY because all my life I have never been a craft kind of a person in fact I can’t draw a line for that matter or a dot or a circle. But yes both art and decor and interiors have always drawn me and I have most definitely huffed and puffed in art galleries across Europe in complete awe. So this year I tried my hands on a multitude of things just for the sake of stepping outside my comfort zone and honestly its not that bad and just in case you would like to begin somewhere too, then some of these could interest you. Some are simpler than tying the shoe laces I swear.
Christmas Wreath
This is the second year in a row I made my own Christmas Wreath and definitely not the last. I love them and they are so easy to make too. I used my existing wreath frame to attach some fresh winter greens. And then I definitely wanted to tie a big plaid ribbon but guess what it was too late to find and order a ribbon so I actually used a cloth I had lying around already. Just a pair of sharp scissor and cut it in a 1 or 2 inch strip basically a ribbon shape and thats it , it looks so cute if I may say so.
The cloth hack also gives the ribbon those unfinished frayed edges which I love.
The wonderful thing about a Wreath is you can cover it up completely or just add greens to a section , you can tie ribbons on top or at the bottom , you can add bells, or flowers the possibilities are just so many.
Vintage Paper Angels
Let’s just call this the easiest craft of them all. This is so easy that I had about a dozen ready in under 30 minutes. Its nothing but paper folds, a little glue to get that wing shape stay in place. I added a clay bead on the top but you could add wooden beads or anything else or even just leave it as it is. And one can use any sort of paper really old books like I did or magazines or brown paper from discarded shopping bags or even old newspapers and wrapping papers.
I have to say they probably are one of my favourite crafts ever because of the time it took and it rarely needed any supplies that one won’t have around the house already. I popped them up on some dry branches I foraged from a nearby street, for that nordic birch tree look and some I used to decorate my Christmas Tree as well to fill in some gaps on the branches.
Air Dry Clay Ornaments
I have been meaning to try my hands at clay for some time now. And with Christmas approaching I decided to make a few ornaments myself, it was anyways too late to find and order anything. Its fairy simple all one does is roll the clay and cut shapes using moulds or with a cutter. I used my cookie cutters that had cute shapes and then to go an extra mile imprinted some dry fern leaves on top. You could stop here or go a mile further by adding some glitter too like me for the festivities or even paint them in different colours.
Use interesting ribbons or Jute twines to hang them to your tree and you are set. I think both these crafts are great with kids too. The clay beads I used for my paper angels were made out of the excess clay on the sides post cutting out these shapes because I hate wasting stuff.
*Pro-tips if you are a first time clay handler like me use water like get your hands nice and wet and keep a bowl next to you, it makes working with clay so much more easier.
Second tip would be to use your nail filer to soften & finish any rough edges after the ornaments are dry.
Chalkboard Art
I know I said I suck at drawing but I love scribbling, I was always that kid who scribbled on the walls and got scolded. But now I don’t because I got myself a chalkboard and I scribble and play around there. Ok bad joke but if you love country style decor a chalkboard is a versatile piece you must invest in. I love drawing new arts and writing random things on it almost every month and they look quite cool.
So for Christmas I just drew a forest and wrote let it snow because the world needs that. Climate change is on our face and snow is what we need. My husband didn’t approve of my art skills according to him the ‘Trees were no where close to looking like Christmas Trees or even Pine Trees & they looked like some setting next to a Chinese Pagoda‘. Ok then but they are cute and something that we even joke about now and that’s exactly what Christmas spirit is about isn’t it. Joy & Laughter !
Foam Board Christmas Village
Ok this one isn’t tough but its slightly more time consuming and needs little precision with measurements and cutting. But once you get that its really a cheap dollar store craft where you can make those cute scandi style row houses and light them up with led candles. They look adorable and I had been looking for them everywhere post seeing hundreds of pictures on Instagram until one day I saw my Photography foam board stacked next to the wall and I said to myself this guy could be used to make a thing or two other than just reflecting light for me.
So we sat one evening until dinner time and got these up and I must say they turned out quite spectacular. Linking a step by step process blogpost here just in case you would like to know how we made these. ( How to make your own Christmas Village)
There you have five easy peasy crafts that can spruce up your home around the holiday season without burying a hole in your wallet. Which one would be your favourite out of these, or did you try your hands on some Christmas crafts this year too, I would love to know.
