All things merry and BRIGHT
The festive season is a time to relax and re-energise with family and friends. And nothing says ‘energy’ like bright colours. So this Christmas, we share ways to brighten up your home and create a vibrant, fun and festive atmosphere that will make everyone in the family want to come over and play – no matter how young or old.
BALLOON CENTREPIECE
Balloons aren’t just for children’s birthday parties. Used in a creative way, they can create a cheerful yet sophisticated centrepiece that’s super affordable too, like this gorgeous example from ohhappyday.com. Made to look like Christmas baubles, these adorable balloon ornaments set the stage for a laid-back and fun feast. Who knew a bunch of balloons and some paper could look this good?
You will need:
Balloons in two different sizes (e.g. 13cm and and 30cm) and three different colours, balloon hand pump (or a family and friends to help you blow them up!), masking tape, mirror board, scissors, ruler, pencil, glue gun.
Step by step:
Begin by partially inflating a balloon, making sure to keep its round shape. Knot the balloon.
For your ornament cap, cut a small rectangle of mirror board and scallop one of the long edges.
Curve the scalloped card stock with your hands to create a faceted look. Roll the piece into a tube and hot glue in place.
To add a top to the cap, glue the non-scalloped end to the white side of a piece of mirror board. Trim the end so that the edge is flush with the tube opening.
Cut a narrow strip of mirror board and make a tiny loop for your cap. Glue the bottom of the loop to the top of the cap.
Place the ornament cap over the knot of the balloon. Apply two dabs of hot glue on the rim of the cap and place over the balloon until cool.
Get creative and position your balloon ornaments in the centre of your table however you like, using a loop of masking tape.
Sit back and enjoy the explosion of colour!
COPPER SPLATTER MODERN CHRISTMAS TREES
We love how much bang for your buck you get with these gorgeous Christmas trees – especially if you already have some paint hidden in a drawer. Now is the time to bring out those old cans of spray paint – or your jewel-coloured acrylics – for a fun project making these bright Christmas ornaments. Whether you cluster them together on your mantle piece or table or spread them out on your bookshelf, these colourful trees from akailochlife.com are guaranteed to enliven any living space.
You will need:
Papier mache´ cones in various sizes, spray paint or acrylic paint in various colours, paint pen in copper or gold, gloves if you don’t want brightly-coloured hands at Christmas lunch!
Step by step:
Begin by spraying your cones in different coloured paint. You can also use acrylic craft paint for this step, but the spray paint is much quicker.
Once your painted cones are dry, lay them out on their sides on a piece of cardboard outside and use the copper paint pen to flick copper splatters onto the trees. You will want to compress the tip of the paint pen on the cardboard until the paint starts to come out.
Using a flicking motion, flick the paint out of the pen and onto the cones. Let the paint dry, then turn them over and repeat until all sides of the cone are covered in a copper splatter.
Admire your handiwork and have a merry and bright Christmas!