DYI CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS USING OLD CHRISTMAS CARDS!

 

      There's this Greek blog that I'm following called

http://www.jenny.gr/  that is absolutely fabulous! It has articles about beauty, style and fashion, health, celebrities and lifestyle, home decorating, recipes, etc. (You should check it out!) It is there that I came across these wonderful ideas of reusing old Christmas cards and I thought I should share them with you!

 

      I'm sure you have plenty of them from previous years that you just can't throw away and can't put them ALL on display either. So why not do something creative with the cards this year! (and the next...)

 

You could make a festive banner out of them!

 



The Christmas cards could make beautiful holiday placemats! (Lamination is of course necessary!)



 

Cut them in different shapes and create fancy 3D ornaments for the Christmas tree.

 

Create a unique wreath.

 

Cut them into small gift tags! That is always handy!

 

If you're emotionally attached to some of the cards and don't want to destroy them, why not make a beautiful album of them!  

 

If you have any DIY ideas about Christmas decorating, please do share!

PLANT A POT OF LENTILS !

      This is a learning and fun activity you can do with your kids and it's cost free! They will be excited to watch their plant grow as they take care of it, too!

      I did this with my daughter this year. We chose a little, tiny pot (use any kind of vessel you can find, be creative) and after laying some cotton on the bottom of it we threw in some lentils and watered it. They need to be watered every day!

                                        (Note: in the first pictures you will see a small pot with beans, as well. Don't try it! The stench a few days later was unbearable!!!)   

Look how they were growing! And it didn't take long, at all!

TANK TOP TOTES

      I came across this post at the website and I just HAD to share it with you. I found this to be such a practical and trendy idea. You could create a stylish and unique tote, perfect for the summer (and not only!)

Look at the photos:

 ..."The best kind of tank tops to use for this project are ones that have front and back necklines that are the same height—or very close. Otherwise, your tote bag will be lopsided. The brown tote is reversible, so the pockets can be on the inside or outside. I made that tote small because the straps were thin and wouldn’t hold a lot of weight. The magenta tank top had a gathered neckline in front and back, so a gathered bottom was ideal. A pink store-bought flower pin finished it off. "...

If you want to find out how to make these tank top totes follow this link:

  

http://www.craftynest.com/2009/10/tank-top-totes-six-pockets-or-gathered/

MOMMY'S DOILIES PART 2

 

MOMMY'S DOILIES (PART 2)

 

 

Yes, my talented mommy has done these beautiful pieces!

 



Simple, beautiful daisy-like design



...that you could also sew on a pillow-case for your couch

A closer look at the "daisies"

A favorite piece of mine. When someone very dear to my heart was given this piece as a gift she used it as a scarf for her business suits. How innovative!

A closer look at the pattern

A nice 'runner'...

...with two matching square doilies

Another way to use doilies is for decorating your serving tray and covering your water carafe. (I think that is so old-fashionably romantic, don't you think?)

....another doilly decorating a tray

I find this pattern playfully cute!

... can also be sewn on a pillow case!

A closer look!

I call this 'my mom's masterpiece', a crocheted blanket! It was proudly shown off at my 'bridal shower Greek equivalent party'. Love it!

Amazing handwork!!!



...with matching 'runner' for the dresser ...



... and nightstands!

A closer look!
 

Don't forget to check out Mommie's Doillies part 1 !!!

VERY CREATIVE MOTHER

                           

VERY CREATIVE MOTHER

It is fascinating what one's creativity and imagination can do. Here's what a mother did at home to make some extra money! Some may disagree with the idea but still one cannot deny that the photos are fantastic!!!

The mother of this little girl is a computer scientist from Helsinki, Finland. While her daughter is sleeping, she creates a completely different world with any item she can find available! Both mother and daughter have become famous! It is truly the work of great imagination and creativity!

MOMMIE'S DOILIES (PART 1)

                              MOMMY'S DOILIES

(Part 1)
 

                       

      The art of crochet is intrinsically embedded in the Greek culture. This tradition goes way back in time. Along with cross-stitching, knitting and weaving with a loom.

       In the old days they were the women's (and girls') favorite pastime, as well as, duty/qualification to know how to. They started at a young age in order to fill their dowry chest. On their wedding day it was all shown off to the guests so that all can see how gifted the bride is (a sign that she will be a good housewife, as well !?)
   
     This has been long surpassed now and even though the grandmothers keep crocheting, doilies have been out of fashion for a couple of decades (at least). Lately, though, they're making a big comeback and not just for decorating little coffee tables and other furniture. One can see them being used in various ways. People have been using crochet techniques to make earrings and other jewellery, scarves, Xmas ornaments, blankets and pillow cases, curtains or the finishings of curtains, to decorated totes, frames, blouses, hats, dresses, cardigans, bookmarks, even bikinis!... Check out the following links for amazing ideas

http://www.afewprettythings.blogspot.com/search/label/crochet
http://fridge.gr/8185/stiles/handmade-stories-doily-revolution/

    As you might well imagine I, too, have lots of crochet creations done by my very talented mommy and it's time I pull them out of my drawers and start using them and, yes, showing them off! She has done an incredible work and some designs she picked up just by looking at them and figuring out the pattern herself. For someone like me, who has no idea of crocheting, I say WOW!!!

Here's a sample of what my mommy has done:

            

                 ...and a closer look...

          

I love this runner...

...And for the big coffee table...

        

....and a closer look....

                      

(For more absolutely awesome doillies check out Mommie's Doillies part 2!)


Aren't they amazing?!!!!!