Wood Chip Tree Tutorial

Materials:

• 2 Styrofoam Cones, two different sizes
• Hot Glue
• Wood Chips (Grilling section at True Value)
• PVC pipe fittings, 2 different sizes
• Krylon Fusion for Plastic spray paint (sparkly brown)
• Paint, stain or dye
• Small Star (holiday pick from craft store)

Tutorial:

1. Spray PVC pipe fittings. Let dry.

2. Attach pipe fittings to bottom of styrofoam cones with hot glue.

3. Using hot glue and starting at the bottom, glue wood chips around the Styrofoam cone.

4. Continue working upwards in layers. Find the right pieces is like putting together a puzzle. I liked using pieces with bark for texture.

Note: The Weber wood chips were cut on an angle. Gluing the angle and attaching to the cone, made the chip stand out a little.

Note: Thin wood chips can be snapped which is helpful for placing on curved surface.

5. Paint or stain the wood chips and let dry.

6. Add star to top by poking wire into Styrofoam or secure with hot glue. Embellish if desired.

My inspiration was the West Elm seagrass tree but due to a shortage of sea grass in western PA, mine turned out different but not in a bad way…

Simple. Pretty. Natural.

Found Here:
DIY Holiday Highlights Linky Party and Styrofoam Wood Chip Tree Tutorial | DIY Show Off

Chile and Cheese Spirals

Chile and Cheese Spirals

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
• ½ cup (4 ounce can) diced green chiles
• ½ cup (about 3) sliced green onion
• ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
• ¼ cup chopped ripe olives
• 4 (8-inch) soft taco-sized flour tortillas (the green ones I get are 12 inch so I only use 3)
• Salsa

1. Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chiles, green onion, red pepper, and olives in a medium bowl.
2. Spread ½ cup cheese mixture over each tortillas; roll up.
3. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap twisting ends to close; refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Remove plastic wrap; slice each roll into ¾ inch pieces.
5. Serve with salsa for dipping.

Found Here:
Chile and Cheese Spirals | Real Mom Kitchen

Snowman Cartoon...

How to make 5-pointed paper snowflakes

Though no longer in elementary school, I still get a kick out of paper snowflakes. I made this snowflake garland the other night from origami paper, dental floss, and tape.

The simplest paper snowflakes are based on 4- or 8-pointed stars (fold a square in half diagonally and keep halving it until it's nearly too thick to cut, then snip out small shapes ). The second and third flakes in this garland are based on a 5-pointed star. Download the 5-point folding directions right here. I think they're easier to cut since there are fewer paper layers.

Here's an 8-pointer. Unfolding is my favorite part; it's practically as thrilling as bungee jumping. To get them nice and flat, iron your snowflakes with the steam setting turned off.

Found Here:
How to make 5-pointed paper snowflakes | How About Orange

A Vintage Christmas

{via pinterest, bhg, pinterest, bennett and company, country living, bhg, nadafarmlife, paula deen, sweetcupcakesandtreats}

Found Here:
junkgarden: A Vintage Christmas

Christmas Outdoor Lights Insperation