Christmas turned Winter

I had these little trees on my xanga site but thought I'd show how they continued to be useful past Christmas and on into this cold January.










I left them on my table, removed the bowl of ornaments, and added a candle with the wick trimmer.

Timmidly setting out

After many days of wide-eyed blog surfing, I switched to here to blog my own little world of budding creativity. Not that I never was before but a whole new world is breaking out and I'm jumping in, head first.
First off, I'll show you one of the things I did today. I would put the link to where I got the idea but I can't remember where it was nor can I find it now. I just remember things well so plunged in hoping I didn't forget some vital detail.

I always struggle with the tops of my cupboards and what to put on them in a way that I approve. I can never justify spending what it would take to suit my taste so it's been rather hodge podge.
Today, I started working on that problem.

While at Wal-Mart I bought medium Hemp. First time but don't think the last! In my head, I got a roll of twine because it reminds me of old style twine.
At home, I blew up a balloon, tied it to a cupboard knob and made my little girls wonder why they just lost a perfectly good, pink balloon!
I read to use fabric starch, but, since I don't keep that on hand I decided to come up with something else. Solution: flour, water, glue. I mixed them to form a light paste, about the consistancy of glue. The glue is Mod Podge.


I wrapped a generous amount around my hand, cut, then put into my mixture to soak. After a few minutes I lightly stripped it of it's "goo" and held it in a loose coil in one hand so it wouldn't get tangled. Next wrap it hap-hazardly around the balloon. If you want a heavier look, just repeat the steps.
The hardest part, waiting for it to dry! I wanted to use it right away! When it's dry, simply pop the balloon.

I just made these and they are hanging to dry as I tap away on the keyboard. I did a larger one earlier however and love how it looks.
The other thing I did with the hemp was wrap an empty, glass schnapps bottle with the stuff. I coated the bottle with Mod Podge, little at a time, for adhesive.
Knowing a branch had fallen and was out in my flower bed, I put it to good use.
Here is one small corner of my cupboard top, beginning it's reformation.