GIFTED Day 7 :: Merry and Bright Christmas DIY Projects

My youngest daughter's room is filled with all things girly. Pink and turquoise walls are painted with diamond shapes and embellished with rhinestones. Princess pictures and barbies are everywhere. In fact, she said to her sister, "Bella, this Christmas we have to wake up early! I don't want our dolls in the boxes for too long." She loves her dolls, tea parties and castles.

In honor of that, we decided to brighten up our Christmas decor with these three simple projects.

WHIMSICAL CHRISTMAS TREES DIY PROJECT

Layers of cupcake liners and paper doiles topped with glitter stars create the perfect aesthetic for whimsical Christmas!

Instructions:

1. Cut one large piece of embrodiery thread to desired length, tie a knot at the bottom, and thread with an embrodiery needle. (We trimmed to the length of the window.)

2. Take 10 cupcake liners and paper dolies and trim each slightly smaller (1/4") than the previous one. For best results, fold in half four times and trim the edge in a half circle.

3. Thread each paper on the embroidery string, beginning with the largest circle. Add more trees, leaving about 5" space in between. Tie a knot to hold each tree in place.

4. Top the tree by gluing a glittered star to the string.

5. Hang tree garland!

GLITTERED PINECONES DIY PROJECT

Instructions:
1. In a deep bowl, mix 1 part Elmer's Glue and 2 parts water. Alternatively, you can use heavy duty spray adhesive.

2. Dip the pinecones in the glue mixture.

3. Sprinkle glitter over the pinecones and let dry overnight.

HANGING LANTERNS DIY PROJECT

Instructions:

1. Drill a hole in the bottom of a small metal lantern, which can be purchased at Michael's. The size needs to be as large as the tip of the ornament.

2. Paint tacky glue all over the surface of the metal.

3. Sprinkle epson salt over the tacky glue and shake excess off. Let dry overnight. Add glaze glue over the surface of epson salt to adhere top layer.

4. Insert thin ornament inside the drilled hole at the bottom of the lantern and glue in place.

5. Once everything is dry, add tiny ornament bulbs and beads. Tie a ribbon to the lantern handle and hang!

Following a star in the east, wise men were GIFTED with the presence of the Bright Morning Star: