Vintage Bird Ornaments

Grab some cardboard and some old book pages and make these super cute vintage bird ornaments! Copy a book page if you don't have a damaged book you can use.  Most of what you need to make these ornaments you probably already have, too!  Use curling ribbon or string if you don't have satin ribbon or use scrapbook paper over the cardboard bases if you don't have a stencil. So many variations and Christmas is right around the corner.  I'll bet your friends would love a couple, too.  Happy holidays and always Make Your Mark!

Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

Cardboard

Wire

Small jingle bells

Americana Acrylics

M Squared Stencils

Americana Decoupage

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in Glitter

Cosmetic sponges (for stenciling)

Book pages

 HERE'S HOW

1.  - 3.  Trace, cute and glue together 3 cardboard birds

4.  Cut book pages 1" larger than the bird pattern (all the way around) 

5. - 7.  Mist with water and decoupage to each side of the bird making sure to cut slits so that the edges fold over to the other side

8. - 9.  Stencil and embellish with paint and glitter

10.  Bend a loop on a 5" piece of wire

11.  Push it through the center of the bird and bend a loop on the other side

12.  Hand a bell on the bottom with a jump ring and tie a ribbon on the top to hang

Bird pattern
Cut 3 in cardboard

Merry Christmas!

Recycled Magazine Snowflake Ornaments

I know, I know!  These look like those huge tissue paper roll thingies that you see all over Pinterest.  I'm happy to say that these are much smaller and more delicate and perfect for your holiday decorating. Plus, you don't have to go through 40 rolls of tp to make them.  All you'll need are some old magazines and a few very basic supplies.  Grab the kids and make a ton of these for your tree. 

Merry Christmas!

I went a little nuts making these.... It's like craft meditation.

Watch the video tutorial here!

THINGS YOU'LL NEED

Wax paper

Glitter

White glue

Magazine pages

Americana Multi-Surface Satin in Gold and Silver

Scissors

Paintbrushes

Pencil

Thin ribbon

 Cut magazine pages in half (side to side, not top to bottom)

Roll one sheet around a pencil and add another sheet when you get to the end

*This will make your tubes nice and thick

Glue the end of the paper down 

Cut the tubes into 1/2" long pieces

You'll need about 8 tubes to make one ornament

Lay out wax paper

 Squeeze some glue on the edge of your wax paper

Dip the pieces in one by one and build your snowflake

When dry, paint with the gold Americana Multi-Surface Satin

Brush glue on the edges and sprinkle with glitter

Add a ribbon through one of the ends and hang on your tree!

Magical!

Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees

I love making ornaments and table decor from recycled materials.  It's inexpensive and everyone can join in the fun for practically no money at all.  You can't beat that!  I make these trees about 5" tall so they're perfect for ornaments, but you could make them 12" - 15" tall for a table or your mantle.  Wrap them with lights or garland and you'll have something even more amazing.  Hey, I'd love to see what you're making this holiday season....Why not send me a photo at MarkMontanoNYC@aol.com and let me share it with everyone?!

Sprinkle some epsom salt and you have the perfect setting!

Cover them in book pages or music sheets

If you don't want to paint ornaments, why not use stick on rhinestones?

Watch the video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Glue gun 

Ruler

E-6000 Spray Adhesive

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints

Cardboard

Craft knife

Paintbrushes

1/4" wide ribbon

Stick on rhinestones

 Figure out the size you want your tree by simply drawing a triangle

Trace the triangle 3 times, side by side

Cut out the shape with a craft knife

Score the other two lines so that you can bend it in shape

Hot glue the ends together

Trace the base on more cardboard, cut and glue it in place

 Create garland with hot glue

Paint the tree a green of your choice

Dry brush gold over the garland and along the sides

Paint multi color dots or stick on rhinestones for ornaments

Try covering your tree with old book pages or music sheets

Spray torn sheets with E-6000 Spray Adhesive

Dry brush the edges with metallic gold

Paint dots in your favorite color

Hot glue a ribbon bow to the top

Make them in several sizes for your mantle or table decor!

Merry Christmas!