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!