Birch Wreath

Hi All, I have actually had this idea in my head since summer, but you know how that goes...

I was aiming to get this post ready for Christmas, but that didn't happen either.  So here is it January & I'm finally getting around to editing the photos to post. 

You may not know this, but I'm a little obsessed with Birch Branch Bark.  Almost as bad as I was with Crackle paint in 1998 -  I'm trying not to take it quite that far (FYI - I'm still living with some crackle furniture that I can't afford to replace & an not sure if I can paint over it).

Here are some things I have made from birch:

 

  



 Birch Ornaments from my blog from 2010.

So on to the Birch Branch Wreath...

You'll need:
Large Wreath:
Heavy Gauge wire (I used 16 gauge  from JAF)
40 2" Birch Branch discs with a  1/4" hole drilled in the center (Thank you Bradford for all the cutting of a Birch Branch for this project!)
4 1.5" wool felted balls
ribbon (or something to hang wreath with)
pliers

Here is an easy tutorial to follow to make Felted Wool Balls if you do not want to buy them pre-made.

Small Wreath:
Heavy Gauge Wire
20 1" Birch Branch discs with a 1/4" hole drilled in the center
8 jingle bells
ribbon
pliers

When I first rec'd my box o' wood from my Brother In Law Bradford,  it was still pretty damp from being freshly cut.

 So I spread then out on a window screen to dry for a few days.

Then drilled 1/4" holes in the center (sorry no photo, but I think you can visualize).
For the Large Wreath, I grouped 40 2" birch discs together in 4 piles of 10.
I then put 10 birch discs on the heavy gauge wire thru the drilled hole...

 Followed by a wool felted ball & kept repeating that pattern until I had used up all 40 birch discs & all 4 wool balls.

 For the Small Wreath, I grouped 20 1" birch discs together in 4 piles of 5.  Placed 5 on the wire followed by 2 bells & repeated pattern until all 20 birch discs & 8 bells were on the wire.

Using my pliers, I bent the 2 ends of the wire into a little hook, looped them around each other & pinched the hooks closed.  I tried to close the entire hook as much as possible so that the wire would fit thru the 1/4" hole & not be seen.

Tie on some ribbon, raffia, twine or scrap fabric.
Hang & Enjoy

Thank you, Karla

Peepers Growth Chart

Do you ever have one of those lingering projects? I finally crossed one off my list.
I literally started this Growth Chart last October & just finished it last night... actually it is done, but not even hung up in the house yet.

It's super simple to make & even the steps I did can be simplified if you don't want a weathered board.

You'll need:
house numbers (these were really wimpy & cheap, but work great for this project)
Board (I used a 1 x 6 x 7)
hammer
paint
Sharpie
ruler & tape measure
optional: chain, screw, sand paper, stain & a second color of paint.

Step 1 (optional):Beat up your board... swing the chain on it, hammer the corners good, put in a few nicks with the claw.

Step 2: paint your board. I used a mocha brown for the under color. If you are only doing one color of paint, I recommend 2 coats.
Step 3 (optional): Paint second coat of paint in second color (I used a burnt orange, left over from my last house).

Step 4 (optional): Sand your board to rough it it a bit more & have some of the first
paint color show thru.

Step 5 ( optional): Put a coat of stain on your painted/sanded board giving it a more weathered look. Wipe off excess stain with an old rag. I actually added a few more hammer marks the other night, It just didn't look beat up enough!

Step 6: Add you house numbers:

Step 7: Mark your increments with a Shaprie. I went back over my lines a few times so they were nice & thick.
Step 8: Measure your little one. I went back to his baby book & added all the milestone heights that I had previously recorded only on paper.

Thanks, Karla

Calendar Puzzle

So it is 2011 & you all have 2010 calendars to toss or recycle. I chose to upcycle a fire truck calendar into a puzzle for my little man.

I purchased 15 3" x 3" squared from JAF in their pre-cut wood section. The number will vary depending on how big of a picture/calendar you have. I think they were .29 each.

I then measured off my puzzle into 3" x "3 squares

Cut the picture up & Modge Podged it on to the squares. There was a little trimming of the edges that needed to be done as either the wooden squares were not perfectly 3x3 or my cutting was a little off. (I'm blaming the wooden squares).
I did one photo on one side & another photo on the back. The pictures were completely different so it is pretty easy to see what side goes with what puzzle.

Does any one have any other suggestions for upcycling an old calendar?

Thank you, Karla

Birch Tree Gift Tags & Ornaments

Hi All,

I almost feel guilty about posting this to my blog as it is a repeat craft from literally over 15 years ago. So to my family, you will be seeing these again on your presents this year, but to some of you, it hope it is new & you enjoy!

Start out in the fall on a nice walk & look for a fallen birch tree with a branch about the size of your forearm and peeling birch bark. Collect the bark & branch & save it in a nice place until you need it for adorning presents.

GIFT TAGS:
Take your peeled birch bark & tear or cut it into smaller pieces about (no smaller that 2"x x3")

Then use what ever you have laying around the house to start decorating. On sturdier pieces of bark you can use them with out additional support like here ... just start hot gluing your trims to the bark & glue it on to your package. (Side note the first time I made these I collected the cutest little pine cones & hot glued then to the birch bark... it was just not possible to find pine cones this year in Minnesota with 30+" of snow).

On thinner pieces of birch bark, I first glued the bark to a piece of scrap card stock, then added ribbons, scrap fabric, buttons, stickers to decorate.

Not all have to be "Christmasy" they can be for any occasion

Make a bunch...GIFT TAGS/ORNAMENTS:

Start out with a birch branch about 2" in diameter & saw then into 3/8" discs.

Drill a small hole thru the disc.
These go really fast & are pretty easy, so make a bunch.

Then start decorating... ribbons, raffia (hello 1980's... I told you this craft was an oldie but a goodie) stickers, charms, markers or Mod Podge a photo on one side.
It is an ornament on one side
And a gift tag on the other side.
On this gift tag, I double stick taped a gift card to the back.

Here I just hot glued it right to the wrapping paper.
My presents are all wrapped up & ready for Christmas Eve.

Thank you, Karla