Hi friends,
Last week we shared our kid sized Christmas tree for a fun and easy way to showcase your child’s height, handprint, and thumbprints this season. Ours are in the hallway displayed for everyone to see! We also shared that by the end of the week we’d be picking out a tree and decorating it. Which we did! While we were setting up we came across some of my childhood Christmas decorations. A few things my grama bought for us and others that got passed down. It reminded me of the hard, colorful candy my Grama B use to have in her candy dishes. It was a constant in her house. I never knew when they appeared or disappeared, but they were there. I realized we’d never purchased any for ourselves or given my kiddos that simple pleasure. So I’ve decided to buy some this week, even if no one eats them, because I NEED a daily dose of Grama B, and want to proudly display my own little candies lol So until then, this garland will have to do. = )
This candy-like striped garland adds a little more whimsy and nostalgia to our tree and folds nicely when not in use. It works great around a window, can hang on a mantle, or zig-zag on a wall to form a tiny Christmas tree. It was also inspired by our watercolor hearts and can be customized to your liking. Check it out below.
*Click on photos for closer look
What You'll Need
(5) Sheets Medium Weight Paper
Glue
Red & Green Craft Paint
Container + 5TBSP Water
Paintbrush
Pencil
Scissors
Cardboard Tube
(13-15 ft) Twine/Yarn
Optional: Painters Tape, Wipes,
The Steps
Add 10-15 drops of paint in each container(we added 10 and layered the color) and mix.
Your kiddos can do the fun painting parts and you can do the rest. Having a helper makes this go by way quicker too lol
Optional: Painters tape helps with straighter lines and wider white stripes. Using a thinner brush also helps create a thinner red line.
2. We chose to freehand our stripes and used a wider brush for the green and red ones. We also layered the paint in different sections to get some variance.
3. Repeat the green/red stripes on the 3rd & 4th papers and let dry 10min.
Double these steps to double the size or for a 2nd strand.
4. Fold the white paper in half and trace the roll/circular item 12-13times (repeat for a longer strand).
5. Stack the green/red sheets on top of each other(facing down), fold in half (not shown on the striped pages) and trace the paper roll/other circular item, 12 times.
6. Cut out the white circles (12 -13 sets), *green and red ones(24 sets each).
*For ease in cutting, tape the corners and a few edges together with painters tape.
7. Cut 13- 15 feet of twine/yarn and tie a knot at each end.
8. Lay a bottom circle under the string, add glue to the center area, then press the top piece on top, repeat in random order or in a *pattern, leaving 1 inch between the circles.
9. Let dry for 15- 20 min.
That’s it!
*Our pattern: 1 white, 2 green, 2 red
The strand is displayed outside on a pine tree branch, then on our tree, and lastly the kiddos at the top the hill of the tree farm.
Happy crafting
Amanda and Naomi
To share: take a photo of your craft and let us see it! Click on photo submission and submit the photo.
