DIY Tissue Paper Holiday Trees. Add some color to your mantel or shelf by making these easy tissue paper trees with free printable templates.

DIY Tissue Paper Holiday Trees

I love a creating a colorful mantel for the holidays! I’ve been obsessed with Hobby Lobby’s colorful trees for a few years. I decided to make some coordinating colorful tissue paper trees for our mantel.

Hobby Lobby Christmas Shop

I love seeing all of the Christmas and Holiday items at Hobby Lobby! This year there are so many beautiful items! There are gorgeous serving pieces, dishes, trees, ornaments, signs and anything you need to create a memorable holiday home! And everything is on sale too! I fell in love with this Christmas Tree sign. It’s the centerpiece of our holiday mantel and it looks so happy surrounded by the colorful bottle brush trees and my new tissue paper trees! I painted the trees colors that match the tissue papers I used.

How to make Tissue Paper Holiday Trees

These trees are so easy to make! You only need a few supplies and you can find them all at Hobby Lobby!

DIY tissue Paper Holiday Trees Supplies

• Holiday Tree Sign
• Tissue Paper (you can use any color you want! Hobby Lobby has a wonderful assortment of colors).
• Wood Dowels (these came in a package of 20)
• Wood Shapes (these shapes are in the same section as the dowels).
• Hot Glue Gun
• Glue Dots (optional)
• Stapler
• Templates (I created two sizes you can download for FREE).

DIY Tissue Paper Holiday Tree Directions

Lay the template on top of the tissue paper with the straight edge at the fold!

Trace the template with a pencil

Cut out the traced design

Do this 2 or 4 times, depending on how fluffy you want your trees to be!

Divide the trees in half. Open up the trees you just cut out and staple the center of the trees so you have two sections of trees.

Lay the first section of trees on your work surface, with the fold facing up. Hot glue a line of glue from the center of the trees down to the tree trunk.

Lay the wood dowel on top of the glue.

Hot glue a line of glue starting at the top of the tree, over the dowel to the bottom of the tree. Lay the second set of trees on top of the first section with the fold facing inwards. You want the folds next to the dowel so that the trees flare outward.

Hot glue the dowel with the tree on it onto the circle or square piece. I used a drill to make an indentation to hold the glue. You can do this or just use glue and hold it as it cools and it will stand up.

I used glue dots to close the gaps between the first set of trees and the second set. You can also use hot glue to do this. You might also need to glue the tops of the trees so they don’t gap.

How to Make Different Heights of Trees

I cut the dowels in half and used the smaller template to make smaller trees. But you can cut the dowels at different heights if you want all of the trees to be different heights

How to Print off the Tree Templates

Click on the link below and save the image to your computer. Then print off the templates. Cut out the shapes and you have templates that you can use to make the tissue paper trees!

Click Here to Download the Free Tree Templates

Hop Over and See Hobby Lobby’s Christmas Department!

Be sure to hop over and see all of the adorable items in Hobby Lobby’s Christmas Department! I also found those small wreaths in the Christmas Department and I hung them with colorful ribbon. Hobby Lobby is my favorite place to buy ribbon! And all of the ornaments on my tree and in the bowl are from Hobby Lobby’s Christmas Department too. There is something for everyone. And everything is on sale for 50% off right now! Christmas Is What You Make It®!

Tag me on Instagram @tatertotsandjello if you make some! I would love to share them!!

Have a Creative Day!

xoxo

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Make a Buffalo Check Ribbon Garland

One of my favorite things to do is decorate our mantel for different seasons and holidays. It just makes the whole house feel more festive. I almost always add a garland to add a little color too! Over the years I have made many different kinds of garlands – pom pom garlands, fabric pennant garlands, doily garlands, coffee filter garlands, even a garland made out of wood shims!

This idea is a really easy one and a garland that you can customize for ANY type of celebration. You take fabric, cut it into strips and then tie the strips onto a ribbon or string that is as long as your mantel. Buffalo Check Ribbon Garland.

When I made this fabric garland I made the strips really long – about three feet and when I hung the whole thing up it was a little overwhelming. I ended up cutting the strips down quite a bit, probably about half of the original length.

Cut the ribbon or string the length of the area you want to cover.

If it’s your mantel, measure the width of the mantel and cut your string 4 inches longer than the width

Measure the length of fabric.

Double the length of fabric so you can tie it onto the string. If you want 7 inches of fabric to hang down, cut a 14 inch strip in length

Cut all of the strips.

Cut as many strips as you need to cover the width of your mantel or whatever you are hanging the garland across.

Tie the strips onto the string.

Add coordinating ribbon too.

Hang up your garland!

It’s nice that it’s so easy to change. I think it’s safest to probably cut the trips longer than you think you will need. It’s easier to cut the strips down if they are too long than to make the garland too short and have to start all over again.

I have also seen this idea used over a window instead of a valence which is a really creative idea too!

I used fabric left-overs from my buffalo check fabric I used to make my pillow covers. I love that I can have my garland match the covers. I also had some plaid ribbon and I cut those and added them throughout the garland.

Try making a fabric ribbon garland for Spring! It’s so easy and fun to make!

Have a beautiful day! 

And in case you want to make some SUPER easy buffalo check pillow covers, check out this tutorial: 

How to make 10-minute pillow covers 

xoxo

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Simple Autumn Mantel Decorating Ideas

It’s still 90 degrees here but I am ready for Fall. I thought maybe if I decorated for cooler weather, it would come?

LOL. Seriously though, with everything that has happened over the past couple of years I really discovered that I want to simplify my life and focus on my kids and spending time with them. Of course I still want a beautiful home and to celebrate the seasons – that’s who I am. I brought a few of my Autumn projects out to celebrate Fall and created a Simple Autumn Mantel.

Simple Autumn Mantel Decorating Ideas

Add a Giant Sign. I created this giant typography sign to usher in the cooler season. The sign is a pine shelf you can get at your local hardware store. You can have it cut right at the store – just let them know what length you want it cut. This sign is about 50 inches tall. I used my craft cutting machine to cut the letters. Then I spray painted the board gold underneath and when the paint was dry I attached the letters and then spray painted the sign white and peeled the letters off revealing the gold paint underneath. I have the full tutorial in the link above. Just click and it will take you to the tutorial!

Pumpkins. Add an assortment of fabric and wood pumpkins. I love the different textures brought in with fabrics and finishes like wood and ceramic.

Simple Autumn Mantel Decorating Ideas

Create something unique. I wrote a new saying on our little chalkboard. So easy! Using a chalkboard pen makes the lines so much crisper and brighter.

Bring in seasonal, natural elements. I also love my little pumpkin succulent planters that are on my coffee table. Bringing natural elements is a great way to add warmth and texture to your home. I also added some fresh flowers on my mantel. Bringing in natural elements of fall could include real pumpkins, branches, fall leaves and foliage in fall colors – yellows, oranges and browns.

Simple Autumn Mantel Decorating Ideas

We are excited for cooler weather, the start of football season, apple donuts, fire pits and more!

What is on YOUR to-do list for September. I loved this list from Paper & Glam.

Have a beautiful day! 

xoxo

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Banners are an easy way to decorate a mantel or a party for any season or holiday. Here’s a free printable I Love You Valentine’s Day banner. You can use it to celebrate Valentine’s Day or it would also make a fun banner for a birthday or anniversary too!! Just print it off and use it to make your home a little happier!

The simple black and white colors work with almost any decor. And aren’t those clipboard printables adorable? I have the free printables for those coming up tomorrow!

There are also a couple of different options for the hearts. There is the black and white stripes with the hearts which are shown in the photos, but there is also another option for the hearts that are red and white. Print off either, or both and have fun decorating!!

And here are the printables! (As always, they’re for personal use only.)

Just right-click this link or the image below and choose “save link as” to download page 1 of the PDF.

Just right-click this link or the image below and choose “save link as” to download page 2 of the PDF.

Just right-click this link or the image below and choose “save link as” to download page 3 of the PDF.

If you have been following along on the blog, I love black and white for Valentine’s Day this year. So I am excited that the bunting matches the other projects I have highlighted so far. I love that the simple printables also go along with the simple lantern centerpiece:

And the easy Heart Pillow Covers:

What are YOUR plans for Valentine’s Day?

Have a great day!

xoxo

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My name is Shannon and I am a Canadian writer, graphic designer, interior designer, wife and homeschooling momma of three. I am the writer and one half of the creative duo (my hubby Dean being the other half) behind the DIY and lifestyle blog, AKA Design. I am also the author of Bloggers & Brands, the blogger’s guide to pitching and working with brands.

I have to say that I’m honored to be here today to share one of my recent projects with you. It’s simple, easy to duplicate and can be used in decorating throughout the seasons.

Supplies

• 6″x6″x1″ piece of wood
• string/jute/twine/hemp cord
• 1″ nails
• String Art Star Barn Star Template
• pencil
• wood stain
• foam brush
• rag
• hammer
• scissors
• sandpaper (optional)

Instructions

1. If necessary give your wood a light sanding. Then using a foam brush give the wood a coat of dark stain. Let sit for a few minutes and wipe off excess with a lint free rag. (I used a clock face I picked up from Michael’s which explains the hole in the center. It’s not necessary at all and gets covered by the string in step 4.)

2. Print and cut out the Barn Star Template. Trace onto wood with a pencil.

3. Starting at corners, hammer in one nail at each point. Then add nails at inner corners of traced star. Continue adding nails as shown in photo above.

4. Tie one end of string (or jute/twine/hemp) around one nail. Weave string back and forth and all about through nails. There is no one way to do this. When you feel you have enough done, wrap string all around the outside of your star to give a solid outline. Tie off, trim and tuck in the loose end.

Didn’t I tell you that was going to be easy? Now you can prop your String Art Star on a mantel or shelf to add a little rustic charm!

Thank you Jen for having me today! I’d love it if you wanted to stop by and visit AKA Design!

***********

Thanks Shannon! I love that Star, and I agree, you could use it for so many different holidays! It’s the perfect way to spruce up a mantel or shelf. So cute! Shannon has lots of great ideas on her blog. Here are a few of my favorite projects of hers:

I love decorating mantels in a beach theme for summer! Her Nautical Beachy Summer Mantel is just perfect. I love those cute sailboats too!  Every inch of her house is just beautiful.

She also shares amazing looking recipes too! Her Creamy Coleslaw Recipe would be so good at an outdoor BBQ or picnic this summer!

This DIY Vertical Garden is such a cool idea for a summer project! I love how it stands alone and is still beautiful too!

Make sure to follow AKA Design and

Follow AKA Design on Twitter

xoxo

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I love updating my mantels for different holidays and seasons.

The one in our living room is a little more formal — this year I went with a blue and green theme with succulents.

Spring Succulent Mantel

For my family room, I love to go with a more casual, bright mantel. And since I just updated my kitchen open nook in yellow and navy, I thought it would be fun to make my mantel kind of coordinate with that theme since the two rooms are open to each other.

And I love yellow for Spring.

I bought some wood shims a couple weeks ago and I wanted to experiment to see what I could make with the shims. I ended up making some pennants for a bunting. And when I was playing around with them, I fitted the angled ends together and thought I could make them into a flower. So with my sweet husband’s help, we did.

Did you know you an buy TWO different sizes of shims?? We made a large flower out of ther bigger shims and a couple of smaller flowers out of the smaller shims. The pennant bunting we made out of the larger shims.

I will post a more detailed tutorial on how to make the wood shim flowers and bunting soon. But in the meantime, here is how I made the Spring Mantel.

I took the old vintage door I have used for my Spring mantel last year and also for my Christmas mantel and I spraypainted one side yellow. Then I cut out panels to go in the panels of the door with fabric. I attached the fabric to the painted door with glue dots.

I also made a couple of fabric pennants with fabric from fabric I also had made into throw pillows for my couch. And then I took a frame and framed in some yellow chevron material and took a chipboard letter H and cut some moss to fo on top of it.

Another thing I did was I spray painted some resin eggs yellow and navy to match the decor.

I added a colorful bow to a little moss bunny.

And I added some pretty greens to a classic white pitcher.

And look at my bulbs!! They finally bloomed – yay!! I absolutely love looking at them. They make me think that Spring is right around the corner. And I love having them on my little coffee table — they smell so good!

Seeing my little yellow and navy space down the hall from my front door makes me so happy. I love that the mantel echoes the happy yellow of the little yellow table I spray painted that I inherited from my grandmother.

And here’s what it looks like going into the kitchen.

What is making YOU happy this Spring??

Have you made any SPRING projects, or is there a project that YOU are excited to make for YOUR home?? 

Share YOUR ideas with us in the comments – we would LOVE to know what inspired you!! 

HAPPY SPRING!! 

xoxo

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These beautifully inspired spring wreaths & mantels are sure to make the sun shine!

Be sure to check out all of the SUNNY inspiration!

 Bubblegum Wreath @ Fit, Crafty, Stylish, and Happy

DIY Spring Tutorial @ My Blessed Life

 Spring Wreath @ Positively Splendid

 Burlap Spring Wreath @ Top This and Top That

 Fabric Wreath @ AliLilly 

White and Green Spring Mantel @ Craftberry Bush

Coffee Filter Wreath @ Crafting in the Rain

Basket Wreath @ Sassy Sanctuary

Ruffled Paper Wreath @ Delightfully Noted

Vintage Hankie Flower Wreath @ Finding Home Online

Fence Panel Wreath and Mantel @ Love of Family & Home

 Garden Gate Sign @ Three Scoops of Love

 Spring Straw Wreath @ Our Thrifty Ideas

 Moss Wreath @ A Pumpkin and a Princess

 Easter Mantel @ Landee See Landee Do

 Wooden Egg Wreath @ Coley’s Corner

 Spring Wreath @ Chicken Scratch

Tea stained Coffee Wreath @ Design, Dining, + Diapers  

 Spring Mantel @ My Sister’s Suitcase

 Spring Wreath @ Junk in their Trunk 

 Spring Mantel @ Mom 4 Real

Yarn Wreath @ The Cards We Drew

 Flower Wreath @ Imprintalish

 Feather Wreath @ Fake It Frugal

 Door Rag Wreath @ Hating Martha

 Recycled Flower Wreath@ Cheap Crafty Mama

Grass Spring Wreath @ Our life in a Click

 Coffee Filter Wreath @ Paisley and Porter

Framed Twine Wreath @ Bubblewrappd

 Spring Green Wreath @ Ginger Snap Crafts

Bookpage Spring Wreath @ Polyanna Reinvents

There are more Spring Ideas, Easter Ideas, DIY, Organization, Recipes and more linked up – be sure to come over and see all of the awesome ideas!!!

And be sure to enter the BEAUTIFUL giveaway this week from, Lisa Leonard!

And don’t forget!

 Lisa is giving away something for you AND for your mom!!

   TWO separate $75.00 gift certificates!!!

How Wonderful!

**PLUS, Lisa is giving TT&J readers 20% off ANYTHING in her shop — just enter the code taters20 at checkout {valid until March 30th}

 You still have time to order for Easter, just get your orders in by March 27th. 

 Come link up YOUR ideas!!

Happy Saturday!!

xoxo

Another Great Ideas post is coming up tonight!!!

The post Great Ideas — 30 Spring-Inspired Wreaths & Mantels appeared first on Tatertots and Jello.

Happy Holidays everyone!!

I love changing up my Holiday mantel each year – but it can be expensive. I would love to share with you an inexpensive way to brighten up your mantel. And if you don’t have a mantel, you can use this idea on a shelf or even use it for a dessert table for a party!!

Holiday Party Mantel

The main part of this project are paper tissue fans — you can get them at your local party store for about $2 each!

Here’s what I did to make my Holiday Party Mantel:

• I assembled my Tissue Paper Fans. I bought 2 different colors.And I also bought some smaller snowflake fans.

• Then I found two different, coordinating scrapbook papers.

• And I used a big punch to cut out some background paper.

• Then I used a smaller punch to cut out white cardstock.

• I cut out some vinyl on my Silhouette machine. But you could use some sticky scrapbook letters.I spelled out “MERRY” but you can spell out anything you want. If you were hosting a birthday party you could spell out the birthday person’s name, or for New Years — “2012”.

• I used some Bakers Twine from Twisted Sugar Twine and attached them to the top of the fans and hung them on the mantel.

• Another inexpensive idea is that I wrapped the candles on my mantel with wrapping paper. This is also a super easy and inexpensive idea to bring your holiday colors into your home decor.

• I also framed a free printable {from Today’s Creative Blog} and the printable was a little small for my frame so I put some polka-dotted wrapping paper behind the printable for a little holiday color!!

• Add a little greenery and some colorful picks and you have a fun, festive Holiday Mantel!!

 For more holiday ideas and inspirations — check out these other #HolidayHQ posts today for festive ideas!!  And  come join us on Twitter Thursday, December 8th  at 8pm EST for the super fun #HolidayHQ tweet chat for even more holiday ideas – come share YOUR ideas!!

Be sure to check out these fun (these ladies are so talented)#HolidayHQ ideas:

xoxo

PS — I’m linking this up to 30 Day’s Pity Party and Home Stories A2Z Mantel Party — be sure to check it out for AMAZING Mantel ideas!!

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