If you’re looking for a fun, easy, and adorable Christmas craft, look no further. This pom pom garland is so easy to make, and it looks great on the tree. It is the perfect festive Christmas craft. It makes my tree look so happy and unique! And it really couldn’t be any easier to make. So much cuteness from so little effort!

I wanted my Christmas tree this year to be green and white. Last year I did more traditional with a red ribbon, but it wasn’t really my style. I wanted to do a garland this year that would be a little less traditional and a lot more fun! So I figured a pom pom garland would be the perfect way to do that. And I love it!

It does take a lot of pom poms to make the garland, but it is so worth it! This is the kind of craft that is easy and meditative. You can easily do it while watching tv or listening to music and just get into a flow. Bonus points if you listen to Christmas music while you make it. It probably took me a total of 3 hours of stringing to make 70′ of garland for my tree, but it felt like 20 minutes.

And there is no reason to sit there for 3 hours straight working on the garland. I made this over a few days, in between other tasks when I had time. Crafting is such an enjoyable break. So if you love crafting, keep reading for the full tutorial.

Supplies:

• Thin string (Twine is great, this is the one I used)
• Craft needles
• Pompoms (1.5″ (what I used) or 1″)

I wanted my pom poms to be pretty big, so I used the 1.5″ ones. The 1″ pom poms are much more cost effective. I ended up using more than 70 feet of pom pom garland on my tree, so I needed tons of them! I used 35 packs, or 525 pom poms total. If I had known I would need so many, I would go back and use the 1″ ones. I had to keep ordering more!

I definitely underestimated how long the garlands would need to be, but I’m a sucker for the cascading way they are hung. If you hang them without the cascading, you’ll need much less length.

Step One: Cut String and Thread Needle

I cut my strings into approx 5′ long segments because that was about as long as I could manage without tangling the string. The first thing you want to do is cut your string segment, then thread the needle and tightly knot the string. You also want to put a knot at the end of the string so that the pom poms don’t fall off, leaving a little room on the end in case you need to tie any garlands together.

Step Two: String Pom Poms

Next step is to just go ahead stringing the pom poms! You want to pierce the pom poms slightly off of the middle. They should slip on easily. If you feel resistance, go ahead and re-align them on the needle or you will have trouble moving them down the string.

Once you get them on, move them all the way along the string until the end. Space them out so theres about 1/4″ in between each pom. It is much easier to do this as you go along than to try to space them out later.

Step Three: Tie and Hang

Once you’ve gotten all the pom poms on the string, untie the string from the needle and tie off the end. Then hang them on the tree!

I ended up hanging the pom pom garlands and then figuring out the length needed to finish that string around the tree and tying them together to get the correct size. They aren’t hung perfectly, but I really love the effect they make.

This is by far my favorite christmas tree yet! The pom poms remind me of snowballs and marshmallows and they definitely show my whimsical style. I’m a sucker for the combination of white and green.

Plus I love our tree topper that we got from Crate and Barrel. The moravian star shape is super unique.

Here’s a close up of the garland on the tree:

Seriously, how cute are they?! It still makes me so happy to look at, and I see this tree about a bazillion times a day.

Every time I see the tree it makes me smile. I haven’t decorated that many Christmas trees, but this is the first one I really feel like is “my style.” And it’s super festive.

To be honest, I think all Christmas trees are beautiful if they are lit up! And I love how the pom pom garland looks lit up.

This is by far my favorite Christmas decoration. Maybe next year I’ll add even more ;)

So go ahead and make your own pom pom garland, and let me know how it goes for you!

Supplies and Decor in This Post:

The post DIY Christmas Pom Pom Garland appeared first on Pins and Procrastination.

I’m going to walk you step-by-step through this easy tutorial. There’s pictures for every step- so you really can’t go wrong. Soon enough vinyl transfer paper will feel like a breeze for you.

It’s actually very easy to use- but it’s worth going through all the steps for Cricut newbies like me. I added text instructions in case you need it, but you will probably be able to figure out how to use the transfer tape just from the pictures.

This tutorial will also apply to any other cutting machine you may use- everything but the first few steps in the design studio. So don’t be discouraged from using this post if you don’t use a cricut. And if vinyl isn’t for you, I’ve also written a great tutorial on how to make custom wood signs with paint!

So let’s get to it!

supplies:

• A cutting machine (I use the Cricut explore air, which you can buy from Cricut or on amazon)
• Vinyl (I used this one, and expressions vinyl sells tons of great inexpensive vinyl)
• Vinyl transfer paper (aka vinyl transfer tape)
• The object you are putting your vinyl design on (I used a cute wood sign like this one)
• Scraper or a stiff card like a credit or gift card
• Weeder (optional)

step one: design

The first step will be to use your cutting machine’s design software to make your vinyl design. I’m going to talk about the Cricut design studio because I use a Cricut.

You can use the editing tools in the design studio to make your design. You can write words with any of the cricut fonts or any fonts on your computer, or you can upload an image. If you upload a .png file, it should leave the background blank. But if you upload a .jpg or other file format, you may need to “select and erase.” All that means is that you select the white space around and between letters to leave only the letters you want to cut.

Make sure your layer is set to cut, and you should be ready to go!

step two: load and cut

The next step is to cut your design out of the vinyl.

You’ll want to apply your vinyl to a cutting mat and load it into your machine. In the Cricut design studio, you press “go” and then make sure the Cricut has the correct settings before cutting.

When your vinyl is cut, you will be able to see the outline of your final design, like in the photo below.

Step three: weeding

Weeding is when you remove any excess vinyl so that only your final design remains. You should be able to do this easily by just peeling up the excess vinyl. If the design starts to come up with it, just push it back down with your finger. You can use the awesome weeding tool to help get any small pieces like the circle inside the “p.” You can see all this in the images below.

When you are done you should have just your final design remaining on the mat.

step four: apply vinyl transfer paper (vinyl transfer tape)

To apply your vinyl transfer paper, first peel the backing off the transfer paper. Press the vinyl on top of your final design. You can use the scraper tool or an old credit card to make sure the design is attached tightly to the transfer paper.

You can see this in the photos below.

step five: peel vinyl transfer paper (tape) with vinyl attached

This step can be a little tricky, but if you are slow and careful it should be easy. You’ll want to peel up the vinyl transfer paper with the entire design you want to transfer attached. Some of it may not peel up, in which case you can put the transfer paper back down and go over that section again with the scraper or your finger until it comes up when you are peeling.

In the pictures below, you can see that the S was being stubborn and not peeling up, so I put the tape back down to reattach it until I got the full design on the transfer paper.

step six: place vinyl transfer paper (tape) and apply

Once you’ve got your vinyl design on the transfer paper, you’ll want to place it where you want it to go on your final design. You can put vinyl on all kinds of things- decorative signs, water bottles, mirrors, walls… whatever you can think of!

I’m using a sign for this tutorial, so I placed my design in place. I then used my scraper tool (or you can use a credit card) to firmly apply the design to the sign.

step seven: peel off vinyl transfer paper and admire!

Once your design is firmly applied, you can just peel off the transfer paper and admire your final design!

If the vinyl transfer paper does not peel cleanly leaving the entire design behind, you can place the paper back down and scrape again. In my experience, this step is usually the easiest.

Woohoo- you made it! I told you it’s easier than it looks!

So there you go- I told you it’s easier than it sounds. Once you get the hang of the vinyl transfer paper you will be able to customize and design anything you set your mind to.

I love the new sign I made for this tutorial!

So, what do you think? Are you a vinyl transfer paper expert now? Get going on those craft projects!

supplies used in this post

The post How to Use Vinyl Transfer Paper (Vinyl Transfer Tape) appeared first on Pins and Procrastination.

Ah, fall. Inspiring creativity in all of us. What better season to make a festive craft? If you’re anything like me, you don’t like spending a lot of money on craft supplies. Well, lucky for you, Dollar Tree is having a fabulous event right now. The Dollar Tree Anniversary Celebration is happening until October 11th. During this event, Bonus Buys will be available in stores and online- meaning you will get more of your favorite Dollar Tree items- and everything is still $1 each. So this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage. You can make this awesome craft for under $10 using supplies from Dollar Tree!

I’m not so good at doing seasonal decorations around the apartment. But there is just something about fall. I don’t know if it is the honeycrisp apples talking, but I wanted to be festive this year. I thought it would be fun to make some fall-themed colorful vases. Well, because of Dollar Tree’s awesome event, it is the perfect time to make this craft. All you need are plain glass vases, sponges, and some craft paint.

And then you can sip your pumpkin-flavored drink while wearing a cozy sweater admiring your fall vases.

The supplies you will need are:

• Glass vases
• Scrub sponges
• Craft paint in various fall colors
• A marker
• Scissors
• Leaf shaped stencils (you can just print out leaf shapes and use them as stencils, or grab a real leaf from outside and trace it!)

Seriously, you want to take advantage of this event. You can get the same products you usually get at Dollar Tree, but during the event these Bonus Buys come in larger sizes, and they still only cost a dollar- that’s the beauty of Dollar Tree. Scrub Sponges will come in larger packs and the Glass Vases are even bigger. It’s the perfect time to make this craft. Quantities are limited, so don’t procrastinate (this is one of the few times when I won’t advocate for procrastination!).

So now on to how you make this awesome craft…

Step One: Cut Sponges into Leaf Shapes

You can use a stencil or you can draw leaves free-hand. I printed out pictures of leaves and used them as a stencil because I don’t trust myself to draw neatly. Simply trace the leaf shape onto the scrubby side of the sponge (which is great for writing) and then cut along the lines with sharp scissors.

Step Two: Sponge paint designs onto vases

I decided to go with three different designs: one all-green vine design, one multi-colored maple leaf design, and one colorful stripe designs. I knew they would compliment each other.

To sponge-paint, all you have to do is put your paint color on a paper plate, dip your sponge in it, and press the sponge onto the vase. And then just let them dry, and admire!

The maple leaf design is supposed to look like a pile of fallen leaves. I think it turned out pretty good. It’s my favorite of the three. But what I really like is how all three of the vases look together. To make the stripes, I used masking tape to keep a straight line and even spacing. Easy peasy.

Pretty cute and festive right? And one of the best parts about this craft is how hands on it is, so it will be fun to do with the kiddos. Everyone loves sponge painting right? Your hands get a little messy, but it’s just more fun than a paintbrush.

I am thinking that I will put candles in the vases. So I guess they are fabulous fall vases/ candle holders. Multi-purpose, yay! The designs and the flickering lights will go well together. And it will feel even more cozy.

Our apartment is much more fall-friendly now. And it barely cost me anything. You gotta love Dollar Tree crafts.

And now that you’re in the fall spirit- you better be ready for Halloween! I’m gonna be posting a pretty adorable Halloween post soon, so keep your eyes open. Do yourself a favor and get some Halloween treats when you are getting your craft supplies from Dollar Tree! And if you’re looking for some more craft inspiration- check out Dollar Tree’s Pinterest.

If you make some fall vases, send me a picture and I will post them on the blog!

The post Dollar Tree Craft: Fabulous Fall Vases appeared first on Pins and Procrastination.

I always see posts about ways to use washi tape. I hadn’t heard of it until maybe this year. I might be late to the bandwagon, but I’m ready to jump on. I got a few rolls and I now understand the hype. They are my new favorite craft supply.

I thought of a really cute project to try my washi tape out on. We had some leftover wood from when I made my Magnetic Chalkboard Vanity. I figured it would be cute to make it into a photo/art display. I’ve seen some projects on pinterest that use clipboards so you can easily change out art on a regular basis. Well, I figured the washi tape would work perfectly to brighten up my clipboard project.

And it turns out, I was right.

This project is super fast and easy. I’m pretty happy with the results. You just need a few things:

This project really couldn’t be any easier. And it turned out so cute! I’m a washi tape convert for sure. The washi tape was super easy to work with. Any mistakes I made were easy to fix. And it comes in so many cute patterns! This blog will certainly be including more washi tape projects in the future.

The great thing about this project is how easy it is to change out photos. Not like changing photos in frames is hard, but it is certainly harder than lifting a clip and sliding a new photo in.

If you are a parent it would also make a great way to display your childrens’ art. I personally think it’s a step up from the fridge. It’s cute and classy and easy to hang anywhere.

If you want a little more of a polished look, you could easily paint the wood as well. I like seeing the grain of the wood and I think it is a pretty backdrop for photos and artwork, but I know some people might not go for it. Just find a cute color that goes with the washi tapes you’ve picked out and it’s all good. 

Now when I work at the desk in our guest room office, I can further procrastinate by changing out the photos. I like these for now, but change is good too! (Falafel the hedgehog says hi from the farthest left photo!).

Try making your own easy photo display and let me know how it goes for you!

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