As a follow up to yesterday’s post, I wanted to share the specific projects the guests at our holiday crafting party were able to make and take home.
We set up three different “stations” based on the themes of paper, moss and nature, offering a couple of different crafts at each one. What I like most about the projects is that almost all of them could also be used throughout the year. Here’s what we made:
(Yes, we tore up books for these projects. If it makes you feel better, they weren’t very good ones…)
The book page trees were one of the easiest crafts we did. (And, I think they have a fun Anthropologie vibe.) We pre-painted two sizes of terra cotta pots with spray chalkboard paint, and provided skewers in two lengths. (I just bought inexpensive dowel rods, cut them to length and used a pencil sharpener on each end.)
Once I was ready to start stacking the book pages, I first used pages torn in half, then torn in thirds, in fourths, etc., working my way to the top. (We didn’t pre-cut anything.) Older books work great because the pages almost fall apart when you fold them.
This is a super easy project for kids, too. (Unless they try to stab each other with the skewers. . .) Of course, they also think it’s fun to be able to tear up a book without getting in trouble.
We also made book page wreaths. Simple? Yes. Time-consuming? Double yes. But, it’s a great craft if you’ve got a friend to do it with, time to work on it and lots of glue sticks. We just used straw wreaths (with the plastic still on) and rolled each page into a cone, hot gluing them to the wreath in layers.
I found that it was easiest to start by turning the wreath over, hot gluing two layers of longer book pages to the back. Then, I flipped it over and glued shorter pages to the front in layers. It may look a mess while you’re doing it, but you really can’t mess it up.
Mine is now hanging on the front of the bookcases in our office:
At this station, everyone did their own thing, with the option of making a moss-covered wreath, trees, or topiaries. Here’s what we supplied:
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Styrofoam wreath, ball and tree forms
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A variety of pots and small urns
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A mixture of moss
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Embellishments like faux fruit and glittery styrofoam balls
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Rubb ‘n’ Buff (to decorate the plain terracotta pots)
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Hot glue guns
Since some of the other crafts took more time, we wanted to offer a station where they could quickly put together another project to take home. For the “nature” station, we supplied several driftwood pieces, succulents, air plants, pinecones and hot glue guns.
These make great centerpieces or accessories to set on a coffee table. Here’s a similar one I did and dressed up for our holiday table:
What holiday crafts are you planning to make this year?
This looks like such a fun party! Thanks for sharing your idea. I love the modern crafts you chose. :) I love ‘granny’ style crafts too but these are perfect for a group of hip ladies. :) I may have to try out a paper craft now!
Had to pin this one – great ideas thanks for sharing. Really loving the “pages tree” – could be a year round one.
The paper trees are so pretty! I love easy projects!
I am a sucker for book pages, love the trees! All of the projects are fun, what a wonderful way to spend time with friends!
Cathy @ Room Rx
Oh, I want to make everything!!! What a fun time you must have had! You look so organized and had everything so beautifully displayed!!! If I were invited to the party, you would have had to throw me out at the end of the evening!
Wow, these are all darling! I love the moss wreaths. I have been obsessed with dictionary pages lately. I decoupages them onto one of those round wooden wreaths and added fabric flowers. Cute!
OMG these are all soo cute. Loving how easy the papers trees look! I’m kind of obsessed with succulents lately!
Great ideas, Emily! What a fun party, wish someone would organize one around here. :)
These are all great ideas!! I think the paper wreath is my favorite! Maybe this weekend I will give it a try…Haha. I may need backup though. I am not super crafty–but I will give it a try.
These are all beautiful ideas!
I’ve done of these craft parties with girlfriends but each had our daughter with us as well so it slowed things up a bit.. I’ll have to try again with just the ladies.. Of course my favorite is the book wreath!
I’m not much of a DIYer but I love every single one of these ideas. What a fun night! I would love to try the book wreath, but should probably start with the tree… :)
I love it all!!!!! Such fun projects, very unique and chic! and i love the stations with the clever names. Such a fun way to hang out before the holiday craziness starts! I’ve gotta try some of these, starting with the paper tree…
Cute, cute, cute! What a fun night!
This is a really dumb question…but is that real moss? Will it continue “living” with some TLC?
Did you charge your friends? That’s a lot of supplies.
Did you charge your friends? That’s a lot of supplies.
Yes, we included the supply fee on the invite: http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2012/11/holiday-invites.html
Emily these are wonderful crafts for the holidays and what better than to have a gathering with friends. I plan to make a pinecone wreath and hang it with fuchsia and red silk fabric!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series & Giveaway
Fun stuff! I love the paper cone wreaths! Great way to make an affordable huge impact!
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
What was the silver ball on top of the book page topiary? Love them. So pretty.
They were just little glitter styrofoam balls. You could probably find them at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby…
Thank you Emily. I live in Winston. If you ever have a class, I would love to attend.
Where did you get the driftwood for the centerpieces? Love everything! Thank you.
She was able to get the driftwood from one of her wholesale suppliers. I’ve found it at flea markets and on Ebay. Anybody else have a good source? I’ve gotten lots of questions about this.
All these crafts are great. Such wonderful inspiration! The wreaths and trees are my favorite!
Yes, would like to know the type of moss. I like that style and never can seem to find any like that. Where did you get it? SO adorable for both the wreath and trees. Thanks for sharing the details and helpful hints.
I’m not sure of the specific kind of moss. Carey got several kinds from one of her suppliers and we just let them choose whatever they wanted to use. You can find bags of it at any craft store, though (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.).
super fun projects!!!! I think that would be so fun, to hang out and craft like that!!!
I would LOVE to go to a party like this. I don’t know how I would decide which two crafts to do — they’re all so great! Good on you all for making it happen. So fun!
Camille
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What a fantastic party! Your guests were in for a treat. I am all about that driftwood centerpiece. Would you mind sharing your source for the driftwood pieces? Thanks Emily!
Abby