Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Making the Most of What You've Got

Years ago, I enjoyed watching a Canadian cooking show called "The Urban Peasant".  The chef was an older man transplanted from England, with a fun sense of humor and cute British accent.  One of his favorite little saying was
"make the most of what you've got" 
(imagine said in an English accent!!) 
Meaning, instead of running out and buying a bunch of fancy ingredients for your dinner, look around in your pantry and fridge to see what you've got.  Find some inventive and resourceful uses for what you already have on hand to create a delicious meal!
So, weather it be in life, decorating, crafting or cooking, I try my best
to make that my life's mantra and
"make the most of what I've got".
(which I often repeat to myself in the chef's accent!)

With that, I can't wait to share with you my latest glittery Christmas creations,
made with what I already have on hand!
 (I got a little carried away with my photo shoot, so lots of pics coming up!!)
I found this adorable vintage French Christmas angel on Pinterest.  Isn't she a doll?
I knew right away she would be perfect for what I had in mind!
 For the petite faux Christmas tree that I've been putting up in our sunroom the past few years, I've decided to go with a glittery French theme.  
So I fashioned these pretty little ornaments that I had so much fun putting together!
Silvery tinsel trim, shimmery silver cording, silver glitter glue, and sparkly snowflakes, and 
oooh, la, la!


 I'll show you in a sec what materials I used.
 Continuing on with my "use what you already have" motto,
I took a glass jar that held a candle that we just finished burning. I removed the label and gave the inside a good washing.
 I then used a light coat of Mod Podge to adhere vintage sheet music and the angel graphic.  After it dried, I applied a top coat and generously coated it with clear coarse glitter.
(Martha Stewart brand is my glitter of choice.)
 I tucked a tea lite inside, and when lit, the effect is just magical!
The jar came with a gold metal lid, but I wanted it to be silver.
No worries!  I just brushed on some more Mod Podge, then a liberal coat of fine silvery glitter.
Because you know what my motto is..................
"You can never have too much glitter!"
I didn't want the glitter to shed whenever I lifted the lid, so I brushed it with a coat of glossy clear sealer.

 Ok, back to my ornaments.  I also made gift tags as well
 Since I wanted the gift tags to have a bit more substantial weight 
( I thought the recipients might like to hang them from their trees),
I began with chipboard for their bases.
I covered the backsides in pretty scrap booking paper that looks like vintage postcards.
 For the bases of my ornaments, I used the hardcovers from vintage Reader's Digests.
Yep, that's right!  While I would never tear apart valuable vintage books, I picked up a stash of old Reader's Digest's that a thrift store was giving away. They had been gathering dust in a corner, and I thought the covers would make a perfect canvas!  I just used a sharp box cutter to cut the covers down to the size I wanted.  
I just used a glue stick to adhere the vintage sheet music to both front and back of the ornaments.
As for the chipboard, I never buy it!  It often comes inside of picture frames, is used in packing materials, etc.  So I save it for future projects!
Here is my work table, with the supplies I used.
 As you may guess, I go thru lots of glitter here at the chateau.
I added some glitter "snow" to the ornaments, as well as "Stickles" brand glitter glue.  In the vintage salt shaker is my fine silver Martha Stewart brand glitter that I so love.
(Martha, if you are reading this, I would love to be your official
"Glitter Ambassador", tee , hee!)
 After Christmas last year, I purchased on clearance a package of these pretty glittery foam snowflake stickers.  I had no idea what I would do with them, but just knew they would be perfect for some kind of project!
 I also really love the silver tinsel trim by Tim Holtz.

 So there you have it, my glittery French "Joyeux Noel" creations!
 
 I hope this has inspired you to
"make the most of what you've got!"
 Have a fun and creative day!
 Au revior!



13 comments:

Susie said...

Donna, The cards, tags and the candle , all look wonderful. You really have some great ideas. This is something my grandgirls would love to do. Blessings to you (in an English accent) :) xoxo,Susie

Bente said...

The cards are gorgeous, Donna. I also love the candle. It`s beautiful.

Hugs from here

NanaDiana said...

OMGosh, Donna. I think this is one of your cutest creations ever! I just love that sweet little girl. There is something in her eyes that reminds me of our SweetCheeks a bit.

I am trying to use what I have, too. I have so much stuff. I do love Martha Stewart's glitter, too...but would not begin to compete with you for the title of Glitter Queen! lol

Hope you have a fun day in cold MI! xo Diana

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

You are such a talented lady - love the ornaments and everything that you put together on this post. Everything look so good. I also love glitter and it's all over the house, even on the dogs LOL. Since I am working on wreaths for a corporation, I can't seem to get my mojo going lately to be creative.
So sorry that you are having such a cold winter so soon, it isn't even winter yet. I finally got the furnace turned on. Thank God as I was freezing - you know what a sissy I am.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Mary

Felecia Cofield said...

Hi Donna! You always make the cutest things, and these ornaments are no exception! How adorable! I especially like what you said about using what you've got! I do that all the time when cooking, and now with crafting! Thank you for sharing! Blessings from Bama!

The Bear's Blog said...

Dear QOG,

Very lovely. I saw (several years ago) on the MS show that you use a
pie plate (or other) and glitter over the plate/pan and then you can put the unused glitter back in its container. (o:

See, although I am not of the glitter variety, I do know a thing or two...three...(giggle).

Hugs

Sustained Hope Ghana said...

These are too cute! It's hard to choose a favorite, but the candle is in the lead. These would be so cute to make for gifts.

Okio B Designs said...

I'm a big fan of using what I've got too. I try to make note of that before hitting the craft stores to get more stuff. And, I love, love, love that angel image you used. Everything looks beautiful!

Jeanine

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Donna I can't wait to see your tree this year! Love that little angel, how cute! I'm hoping after Thanksgiving I have time to do some crafting...you inspire me to make it with things I have!
hugs,
Linda

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, oh I am in love with your designs. These ornaments are so french chic. I love the graphic you used and of course the glitter is my favorite.
I adore the candle too. How wonderful it is with the glittered lid.
I too use what I have on hand to create. That's the joy of it I think.
Thank you for sharing and all the inspiration. You are amazing my friend.
Happy creating,
Hugs

Musings from Kim K. said...

What a precious little girl. That candle is amazing with her image. What fun you had! Thank you for the inspiration!

lala said...

What a wonderful idea ! I just love these, so Jeanne De Arc looking. I am definitely going to be making some of the tags and ornaments, thanks for sharing.

Debbie said...

Haha...I was just telling Diana this morning that the snow looked all glittery in the sunshine, and it reminded me of you!! And here is your post on these wonderful ornaments and tags made with glitter!!! lol.
You truly are the "glitter queen" Donna! in a good way, of course.
LOVE your designs!
Debbie
xo