DIY on a budget: Plan now and have fun later!

Can you believe that over half of the year has already passed?  Christmas will be here before you know it.  This year I’ve promised myself that I’m not waiting until the last minute to plan for the holiday season.  I intend to get lots accomplished early in hopes of being able to enjoy it with less stress.

I like to slightly change up my holiday decorations from year to year and in my quest I have discovered a new love.  The love for burlap.  It’s such a versatile fabric that can be used in so many ways.  For this month’s article, I used it for two projects.  The first item I used it for was to make a framed burlap saying.  Even though it’s a simple project, the end results are really cute.  To create this item you will need a frame, burlap, paint, scissors, letter stamps, paint brush and snowflake brads.  All of these items can be purchased at your local craft store.  I started the project by painting a frame that I already had black.  It originally wasn’t the right color but for about fifty cents I achieved the same look that would have cost me ten dollars if I bought it new.  After cutting the burlap to fit the frame, I then applied paint to the stamps. Next I stamped my saying, which was winter, onto the burlap.  You will need about ten minutes for it to dry and then you can attach the snowflake brads.  Then insert the burlap into the frame as you would a picture and presto your project is now complete.  It only takes about fifteen minutes to complete this project and it’s something that would be great to do with kids.  You can create the same project but change it up for different seasons or occasions.  Let your imagination go wild. 

The next project also included burlap as well.  I bought way too much for the first project so while I had my supplies out I decided to create some ornaments for my Christmas tree.  Once again you will need burlap and the same supplies as above except you won’t need a frame but you will need some ribbon.  The first step is to decide what shape and how big you want your ornament to be.  Once you determine the shape and size, trace it onto your burlap and then cut the shape out.  I wanted round ornaments so I used an old lid from a chip can.  Like in the first project, apply the paint and stamp your word onto the burlap. After allowing a few minutes to dry, apply the ribbon and brad to the ornament.  You now have a custom, cute and inexpensive ornament to adorn your tree.  Instead of stamping words, you can use designs such as a snowman, reindeer or Christmas tree.

Don’t get stressed out this upcoming Christmas season.  Start planning now so you can have fun later.  Two projects down and forty-four thousand to go!

Carleigh Carmichael is a local writer whose philosophy is why buy it for more when you can make it for less.