Painted Christmas Mason Jar Luminaries

How to Make  Hand Painted Christmas Luminaries:

 I came up with this fun craft project of making homemade Painted  Mason Jar Luminaries about five years ago when my children threw a Christmas party for their friends.We wanted something unique outside to light up our house during the party and to add to our Christmas decorations. I was interested in Luminaries, but didn't find any I like at the store. Most of them where designed for a one time use, but I wanted something that we could use every year.

That's when I came up with the idea to paint mason jars, then decorate them with Christmas stickers or stencils. These painted Luminaries are great for celebrating any Holiday . The Mason Jars that I use are pretty heavy and don't seem to break that easy, making them last from year to year. I hope you have fun making theses with your family as I did making them with mine. In fact we try to add new ones every year to really light up our yard.

 What You'll Need to Make These Glass Luminaries:

Items List For This Craft:

   1. Mason Jars( any size will work, but I prefer the larger ones.)
   Note: You can use recycled Pasta Sauce Jars, but make sure that all the paper and glue is removed or the paint will not stick to the glass

   2. 1 bottle each of 2 oz Craft smart or Acrylic craft paint in Red, Green, Blue or any colors you like.

   3. Paint brushes 1' wide or larger bristles( Set of 3 work out great)

   4. Several packages of Christmas stickers( Scrapbook sticker work great for this project since you want them placed all over the jar)

   5. Small tea candles or battery powered tea lights.

   Other items that you will need for this project:

•   plastic lids or paper plates for paint
•    glue
•   empty egg cartons for small stickers

 Steps on How to Paint the Mason Jars:

 Pour the paint out on to a flat surface, I use lids that we save from plastic food containers, but you can also use paper plates.These work great and you can just toss them away when your done.

  Start painting the outside of the whole jar with the first coat of paint, then let it dry for about 20 minutes.

  Next apply the second coat of paint and let that dry over night. You want to make sure that the jars are completely dry before working with them.

  Mason Jars will require 1 to 2 coats of Paint to cover them, but don't over do the paint. You want a transparency look to your jars so the candle light will shine through them. The darker colors may not need a second coat of paint, but I found that the light colors will definitely need more than one. On the darker colors you can decide if you want a second. I always apply second coats on both light and dark colors to make sure that they are fully covered.

  Note:  A Great way to make sure that the paint sticks to the glass surface is to add glue to the Acrylic craft paint or purchase paint that is made just for painting glass. I find that adding glue is cheaper than some of the craft paint made for glass and the Acrylic paint comes in more colors.

Adding Stickers to the Painted Jars:
 
Check to make sure that the paint on the Mason Jars are dry and that the paint sticks to the glass jar.

 Make sure that the stickers you purchase are flexible, not stiff or they will not stick to the jars. The stickers need to bend around the surface of the jars. Some of the scrapbook sticker are to large and stiff to use on the mason jars.

 Peel off each sticker and place it on the jar.

 Remember that once the sticker is placed on the jar you can't remove them or they will pull off the paint from the jars.

 Note:  If you are doing this project with small children, I would recommend that an Adult paint all the jars first. Then allow the children to put on the stickers. A safe to make sure that the jars don't slip and breaks is to place a towel on the spot where you are working to make a soft clean surface for painting and applying the stickers. 

Here are some other ideas that you can use to make Luminaries. These Faces can either be painted on, vinyl cut outs or stickers.

Here is a picture of the finished project:

The last step is to add either tea light candles or battery powered ones. I use the tea lights that come in their own metal container and light them with a long matches that you use for fireplaces. This way the wax doesn't drip inside the jar. Another way to place a candle would be to buy large candle holders and place them into the jar. I have tried both ways and they work great.

Just make sure to place the jars in a spot where not to many children are walking to keep them from knocking over the Luminaries or catch their costume on fire.


Safety tip:  I find that if the Jars get tipped over they seem to go out, but I would still be careful where I place them in my yard. I place mine on the grass or planters that circles the trees in our front yard away from any walkways.

 Note: All these item can be purchase at Amazon or Micheal's

Bead Filled Glass Ornaments

Best Glass Ball Ornament:

 If you are looking for fun and easy-to-make ornaments this holiday, then this the Best Glass Ball Ornament craft to make for a one of a kind handmade Christmas decoration. You just need an empty glass ornament, that is filled with beads, and then tie a ribbon to the loop cap. 

It's fun to make your own ornaments for the tree, and this easy to do craft should take you only about an hour. These ornaments are so easy that even your kids can do it with you as a fun family project when they are home for the holidays.

The best part of this ornament is that you can make several of these glass ball ornaments for under $10 each and they will be a great addition to your tree every year or you can make several of them and display them in a glass bowl as a center piece. In fact these would look great mixed with the marbled painted ornaments as a beautiful table decoration to any Holiday party or dinner. You can even make these as gifts for friends and family members.

 

Ornament Supplies:

• 1-2 1/2" clear glass ornament
• 1 Package mixed color iridescent plastic beads - example shows approximately (800) 5mm beads
• Silver ribbon - approximately 13"
• Elmer's Glue-All

Instructions:

1. Take the cap off of the ball and fill to the top with the plastic beads.
2. Put a small amount of the glue around the top and replace the cap. Let dry completely.
3. Wrap the silver ribbon around the cap and tie a bow.
4. String a piece of silver ribbon through the top loop and knot leaving enough to use as a hanger.

Another fun idea is to make these as gifts for grandparents and glue a photo to the ornament.

If you are looking for easy-to-make ornaments this holiday season, this is the Best Glass Ball Ornament to create handmade decoration for Christmas.
Read more at http://www.allfreechristmascrafts.com/Ball-Christmas-Ornament-Crafts/Best-Glass-Ball-Ornament/ct/1#EwfCRbmk4MepaBZV.99

If you are looking for easy-to-make ornaments this holiday season, this is the Best Glass Ball Ornament to create handmade decoration for Christmas. Take an empty glass ball, fill it with beads, and hang it on your tree for the world to see. It's easy to make a DIY ornament, and this one should take you under an hour. DIY room decorating can also be a fun craft to do with your kids when they are home for the holidays.
Read more at http://www.allfreechristmascrafts.com/Ball-Christmas-Ornament-Crafts/Best-Glass-Ball-Ornament/ct/1#EwfCRbmk4MepaBZV.99

Create Marble Ornaments

How to Create Marbled Ornaments for Your Tree:

These marbled ornaments are so easy to make, yet they look beautiful on any Christmas tree or you can just place them in a bowl as a unique center piece for your Christmas party or dinner. All ages can enjoy the fun of making these elegant marbled ornaments with acrylic paint and clear ornament balls. These are the one ornament that I love to make every year with my children to place on our Christmas tree.  What a wonderful and fun way to spend some time with your children over the holidays and make a memory that will last forever.

Materials Needed:

• Acrylic Paints-( I used Delta Ceramcoat) 3 to 4 colors or more.
• Clear glass or Plastic ornaments- mine are glass, but plastic would be better for small children.
• Paper cups or empty egg cartons

Instructions:

1. Remove hanger and cap from the ornament. Rinse the inside of the ornament with rubbing alcohol. Let dry completely. No moisture should be inside the ball. Start with one color of paint. Squeeze just a small amount about 1/8 of a teaspoon of the first color into the ornament so it runs down the side.
Rotate the ornament and add more paint down another side until you have about three or four lines of paint with only a dime size amount of paint pooling at the bottom.

2. Add the next color, squeezing out a small amount the same size as the first color. Place this color next to where you added the first color. Continue to add one or two more colors in the same way.

3. Rest the ornament on its side for a about five minutes in the box it came in or use either a paper cup or the egg carton. ( I found that the egg carton seems to work the best for this craft project.) Tilt the ornament slightly as you rotate it a quarter turn. You want to do this every five minutes to make sure that the paint covers the entire inside of the ornament.

Pour Out Excess Paint: 

At this point you are almost finished. Once you have your desired look created,then drain out the any remaining paint. Let them sit and dry for about an hour. Replace the the cap with the hanger when dry.

And voila! You have beautiful glass ornaments that you can keep for yourself, or make as gifts.

 

 

 

More Variation Ideas: 

•   Try different variations with colors- perhaps if a friend roots for a certain college or university, try making an ornament with those colors. Or try a color-themed tree this year and make some accordingly.

• Horizontal Marbling: coat ornament with your choice of colors and let the ornament dry on its side, rotating one side another avoiding an up right position. 

• For Vertical Marbling: coat ornament with your choice of colors as in step 1 and 2 and prop ball upside down in a paper cup to drain. Let dry

• For Irregular Marbling: drop in one color of paint, swirl, then add another color. Continue adding or repeating colors and swirling until the entire ball is coated on the the sided. Follow step 3.

Enjoy making these marble ornaments with your family as I did with mine.In fact we add more to our collection every year.  Even if you don’t put up a tree, try placing the ornaments in a glass container, jar, or bowl for a different decoration option. I use them on both my tree and in glass bowls for center piece decorations during the Holidays.  

Note: All these item can be purchase at Amazon or Micheal's

Holiday Ornaments Anyone Can Make

Easy And Inexpensive Christmas Ornaments For You To Make:

Do you spend loads of money on holiday ornaments every year, trying to create a unique and unforgettable Christmas tree display? Do you wish holiday decorating were simpler and more affordable?

If so, here are three fun and easy ideas for creating your very own Christmas tree ornaments from recycled household items. Remember, decorating doesn't need to be expensive or stressful. Creating your own ornaments can be one of the most rewarding and stress free activities of this holiday season.

 

1. Make a Whimsical Light Bulb Reindeer

To Make the Reindeer above You will need:

One used light bulb
Brown felt cloth or fun foam
Acrylic paints and brushes
Ribbon
1 small red pom-pom
Glue

First, paint the light bulb brown. Set aside and let dry. Once the brown paint on the light bulb has dried completely, use a paint brush to paint eyes and a mouth on your reindeer. When the paint has dried begin to glue the red pom-pom nose onto the end of the light bulb, just above the mouth. Next, use the brown cloth or foam to fashion a pair of antlers for your reindeer. Glue these to the side of the light bulb. Finally, cut a small piece ribbon, loop and tie into a knot, and glue it to the top of your reindeer light bulb ornament.





You can also make Snowmen, Santa and Christmas trees with used light bulbs too.

2. Make a CD photo ornament:

This is a great personal gift to give to someone you love.

You will need:
An old CD
A piece of felt fabric
Ribbon
Glue
A photograph

Use the CD as pattern to cut out a round piece of felt. Carefully spread glue on the back of the CD. Place the felt circle that you’ve cut out over the CD, and pressed gently. Make sure you haven’t put too much glue on the back of the CD!

Next, cut around the photograph you plan on using. Trace the picture onto a piece of felt, leaving about ½ inch around the sides. Glue the picture onto the felt, and then mount onto the CD with glue. The photograph should cover the hole in the middle of the CD.

Finally, cut a piece of ribbon and tie it into a loop. Glue it onto the back of the CD. Your CD photo ornament is now ready to be hung!

3. Make greeting card ornaments:

Do you hate parting with all those beautiful Christmas cards you receive each year? I do. In fact I have a box full of these cards every year in my closet. So instead of throwing them out or keeping them shelved away, I found a way to transform them into beautiful Christmas tree ornaments?

Cut out your favorite Christmas card images and mount them onto wooden craft shapes with glue that you can find at any craft store or online.
For an older finish, varnish them, drill a small hole at the top, and then tie ribbons at the tops.

You can also cut out your favorite images from cards, laminate them, punch a hole at the top, and use a piece of ribbon as the hanger. If you don’t want to cut anything out, an even simpler approach is to glue the front and back of the card together. Punch a hole at the top of the card, loop a piece of ribbon and it’s ready to hang.



These holiday ornaments are so easy that anyone can make them this year without spending alot of money.They are also perfect for children to make as gifts for the grandparents especial ornament #2 using this years school pictures.

CD image: www.betterbudgeting.com

Christmas Decorating Trends for 2013

So What Are the Trends for Christmas Decorations for 2013:

This year, the latest craze in Christmas decorating is Nostalgia . Homeowners seem to be less interested in the icicle-type lights and the use of single color strands.  Baby boomers are going to back to the days
of their youth, by bringing back the full color glory of traditional Christmas lights that can be strung on roofs, windows and even around the yard with light holders that add a dash of color to any decorations on the house or in the yard.

Trends for Outdoor Decorations:

Lawn ornaments and huge Inflatables have become a must-have for the decorating elves in your neighborhood.  Families everywhere are installing huge lawn ornaments and inflatable,a many consisting of animated light patterns.  They sheer number of choices for shapes, sizes, and designs should tell you that these are very popular with festive homeowners.  I am a huge fan of the old-style bubble lights (you know…..the ones with colored water and bubbles inside), and they have returned with a vengeance.

Trends for Tree Decorations:

Many people seem to be gravitating back to using real trees, instead of using plastic pre-fab ones.  Who can blame them?  They smell great, and they make Christmas feel that much more real.  My family has always used a plastic tree, but we wanted the ones that looked real. Two more trends for this year are Whimsical and Enchanted Christmas Tree decorations. The Whimsical tree is using fun or silly decorations like food, toy or other cute  ornaments to decorate the whole tree. The Enchanted tree uses fairly, angles or any type of mystical characters even dragons would be fun on this type of tree.

There are Even Trends for Christmas Flowers:

It seems that Christmas flowers have also changed with the times.  Although the classic red poinsettia will likely be with us for the rest of time, many florists are offering their customers alternatives.  As has been the case with flowers in general for some time, florists are now adding dyes to traditional holiday flowers and bouquets.  My personal favorite happens to be a bright violet poinsettia.  My daughter prefers cobalt blue.  What is your favorite color?


Whether you are a staunch Christmas traditionalist or you want to keep up with the current decorating trends, today's Christmas decorations have never before left consumers with so many wonderful choices.  So get out there and shop, shop, shop!  Tis the season, after all!