star light star bright

by 8 Comments

I got really excited that this would be our first Christmas with a fireplace. Not because of the warmth or ambience a fire gives off on those cold nights. I got excited because it meant I could decorate it. I haven’t had a proper place to hang a stocking in over 16 years creating years worth of excitement to be had this year. Now that it is all put together there is nothing better than sitting on the couch admiring my handy work. Check out that Christmas tree it is beauty too.
It isn’t as twinkly and pretty in the daytime but you can see the color and some of the other decorations that I just couldn’t capture in the night photos.

We got these angels in Maui on our honeymoon. They are made by a high school student and sold in a small shop so she can earn money to go to college.

Last year we hung our stocking on a bookcase using these cute stocking hangers from Target.

I got the snowmen at the dollar tree. I think it is the pink cheeks that I am a sucker for on Christmas decorations. The tiny tree cam from Trader Joe’s and I love the creepy eye in the middle of the star.

What is that you say you want your own large star for very little money and very little time? You are so in luck. Have I got a deal for you. A few yard sticks, some thumbtacks, spray paint and lights and you too can have a well lit mantle this holiday season or all year if you are really into the star thing.
I of course got my initial inspiration on Pinterest. The original post is at Little Bit Funky. I have had all the other decorations on the mantle for a while now and it was really lacking something. My husband suggested a wreath and that sounded perfect until I started looking at prices. Enter the large star. Turned out this is the exact reason that Little Bit Funky stumble upon this project too.
Made out of yardsticks it ran me $5 for enough yardsticks for all three stars, spray paint I had for another project and some new lights. At around $20 that is significantly cheaper than a wreath.
For that large star I used 5 yardsticks and for the smaller ones I cut 5 more yardsticks in half. It took me a minute to figure out how to lay them out so the corners would connect but once I overcame that challenge (which really was more challenging than it should have been) it was easy.
I used thumbtacks instead of the suggested glue gun. Cause I don’t even own A gun let alone many guns that would necessitate the need for a gun rack. What am I dating myself with a Wayne’s World quote? Seriously I just got back into making crafts and I don’t have a glue gun. I tried gorilla glue but the wood was too porous and just absorbed the glue so thumbtacks were my next logical choice. Once you paint and add lights you won’t know they are there.
Cut the other yard sticks in half and you can make stars that are literally half the size! Clever aren’t I? Add your favorite color of spray paint and you are ready for lights.
I went with a two tone experiment which I have mixed feelings about but it is hard to notice it on the mantle.

I think I am going to have to find a home for these after the holidays I like them so much.

What have you done to your mantle? Need ideas check out the link party at Ten June.

If you came over from Dare to DIY via any of theses great sites: NewlyWoodwards, Maybe Matilda, Decor and the Dog and Two Twenty One then thank you.
Also linking to: whipperberry, liz marie blog and house of hepworths

Comments

  3. says

    The yardstick stars are GENIUS. I love how they look when you have the lights dim. I felt the same way about a fireplace. I love having that mantel to decorate.

    Thank you so much for linking up to Dare to DIY!

    Reply

  5. says

    I have been eyeing several of these stars on Pinterest myself. I even went as far as buying some wooden sticks from Hobby Lobby to make one. Now to just do it! I love how your mantel looks and am jealous that you have one!

    Reply

    • says

      Thanks Michelle! It has been so much fun participating. I have a few other things to post but just didn’t get it done in time. I will be around for any other challenges you have in the future

      Reply

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