Christmas Ornament Redo

Bonjour Mes Amis!

While I admit I'm more than a little tempted to go out and buy a bunch of new Christmas ornaments each year (especially when I spot anything sparkly or silver!), I usually try and stick to my rule of 

"making the most of what I've got"!  So that often means redoing or repurposing those items that I already have on hand.

So today I thought I'd show you one of my latest creations, these pretty Frenchy decoupaged ornaments!

 They actually started out looking like this:

 I'd picked them up years ago at a garage sale, for next to nothing.  While I really loved them and enjoyed them as is for many years, I was in the mood to give them a French accent, in keeping with my

"glittery-silvery-creamy-Frenchy" theme this year!

 So here is what I used to transform the ornaments (which are made with a styrofoam like base).

I began by tearing pages of a vintage French dictionary into small pieces.  No worries, the dictionary is not valuable!  I picked it up a few weeks ago at our library's used book sale for just 50 cents!  I never would tear up a valuable book, I bought it just for crafting.

Besides, I already have a nice French dictionary that I use:)

 I then used my handy-dandy Martha Stewart fleur de lis punch (love!!),

and punched out a bunch of them from pretty light blue scrapbook paper.

I wanted the ornaments to be a bit glittery, but I didn't want them shedding all over the place!  Believe it or not, even though I am a glitter nut, I really don't want to find the stuff on every square surface of our house!

And since I am a cheapskate  budget minded,  I hate wasting anything!!!

So, I had a bit of a brainstorm!  I had a large bottle of iridescent glitter glue that had gotten too thick to really use.  So, I cut open the bottle, and mixed it with satin Mod Podge.

 I save the little trays that my "Lean Cuisines" come in, they are perfect for decoupaging and painting projects.

 I didn't take any photos while I was decoupaging the ornaments, it was more than a little messy!

Anyway, once I had the balls all covered with the French dictionary pages, I let them dry.  They I added a fleur de lis cut out to both the front and back of each ornament, went
over the entire ornament with more Mod Podge,
and lightly sprinkled with iridescent mica while still wet.

 I wish that the glitter and mica showed up better in my pics!

 Anyway, I am so happy with the way they turned out, and am glad that I hung onto those ornaments, I was about to donate them to the thrift store!

 They look so pretty hanging on our tree, best of all, they cost next to nothing to make!

Oh, notice the little crocheted angel hanging to the left behind the ornament?  My mom made that years ago, and I really treasure it.

Hard to believe Christmas is just over a week away!

Have a fun and creative day!