Decorate a home for the festive season
Looking for new ideas and inspiration to add a unique touch to your home this festive season? We've found plenty of craft and decor projects for you to try out:
Festive table
Dress your festive table in colourful fabric. Simply hem all sides of the fabric and then stitch on gingham ribbon bows and large red buttons to each ends of the runner at equal intervals. If you don't own a sewing machine, a Dremel hot glue gun works just as well.
Table Centrepiece
This beautiful felt centrepiece is strong enough to hold its shape, yet flexible enough to manipulate. A ruffling technique has been used to cover a styrofoam cone, and it's actually quite easy once you get started. The stunning result is well worth the time and effort.
YOU WILL NEED:
Fabric pencil
Circle template
Felt - you can use any colour
Scissors
Pins
Styrofoam cone
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1
Using a fabric pencil and a circle template (we used a glass), trace several circles onto the felt and cut them out using scissors.
Step 2
Fold the circles in half twice to form the ruffles.
Step 3
Insert a pin near the corner of the ruffle and secure to the cone form. Work in small sections from top to bottom, grouping the ruffles tightly together and adjusting along the way. Continue this process until the entire cone form is completely covered.
Mirror perfect
We South Africans don't normally have a fireplace mantle or shelf to dress up, but here's a nice way to create an instant feature without one! A square mirror receives a topic of fresh greenery to add a subtle festive touch to a room setting.
Fruitful display
If decorating the fireplace mantel is a tradition, instead of draping your mantel with the typical garland, use silver-hued seeded eucalyptus. Artificial green apples provide just the right amount of punch. And beautiful pale green ribbon provides the perfect finishing touch.
All dressed up
Impress guests with a head-to-toe holiday dining room transformation, trimming everything from the window and chandelier to the backs of the chairs. Many floral shops stock a selection of greenery that you can use, or pick fresh greenery from your own garden.
Welcome to our home
A natural grapevine wreath spray-painted with Rust-Oleum heirloom white takes on a sophisticated feel adorned with mini cream felt roses. Display on a door, armoire or mirror with a wide cream grosgrain ribbon for a chic, cozy look. If you’re feeling extra-crafty, cover the entire wreath with mini-roses.
YOU WILL NEED:
Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint - heirloom white
Bought grapevine wreath - or make your own
Fabric pencil
Circle template
Felt
Scissors
Dremel hot glue gun and glue sticks
Grosgrain ribbon
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1
Spray-paint the grapevine wreath. Using a fabric pencil and a circle template (we used a CD), trace 14 circles onto the felt and cut them out using scissors.
Step 2
Spiral-cut each circle, starting at one point and cutting all the way around until you reach the midpoint of the circle.
Tip: Cut a stack of circles at once to reduce cutting time.
Step 3
To create a mini rose, take the middle piece of a cut circle and roll the fabric around itself so the edges line up at the bottom. Secure the end piece with hot glue.
Step 4
Affix the finished mini roses onto the spraypainted wreath with hot glue. Hang with a piece of grosgrain ribbon.
Advent calendar
YOU WILL NEED:
Recycled screw tops
Christmas wrapping papers
Scissors
Spray adhesive
Dremel Hot glue gun
Strong card
Ribbon - 1m
A selection of sequins, glitter and embellishments
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1
Use spray adhesive to stick a sheet of decorative paper to the card for the wreath. To make the wreath base, use a compass or two plates to draw concentric circles and cut out.
Step 2
Arrange 24 tops on the card base and glue into position with glue gun. Add the hanging ribbon and ribbon bow in the same way.
Step 3
Cut 24 circles of patterned paper.
Step 4
Decorate the circles with the embellishments and use a tiny amount of PVA glue to secure each circle to the inside of a top.