Unicorn Ornament Tutorial

Hi y'all! I'm so excited to kick off this fun new monthly challenge that all of my Cricut loving friends and I have begun! What better kick off than a Cricut Christmas Challenge?! A huge thank you to Jeanie and Michelle who had the great idea to get us all together!

**Though I was compensated for this post in product and/or monetarily, all opinions, ideas and comments are 100% my own. Please note: this post may also contain affiliate links.**
 
As I mentioned, this month's challenge was to create something Christmas inspired with our own little twist on it! I, of course, decided to stick with what I love....

UNICORNS! :)

For this quick and easy, yet adorable ornament you will need the following:

-Cricut Air 2 
-Cricut Vinyl in Black (You can use Outdoor/Permanent as well, but honestly the regular stuff is fine)
-Iridescent Glass (or Acrylic) Ball Ornaments
-2 Different Colors of Felt (I chose purple and white to go along with my color scheme)
-No Bake/Air Dry Polymer Clay
-1.5in. Sheer Ribbon
-Assorted Scrapbooking Flowers in your choice of color 
-If your flowers don't come with tiny pearls in the center, get those too.
-E-600  
-Unicorn SPiT in Purple Hill Majesty and I also used a touch of Spakling SPiT* in Dove's Cry. 
*(Please note: the Sparkling SPiT was a special release, which is no longer available for purchase, though some retailers MIGHT have a few left.)

Method:

One day ahead of time, roll out your air dry polymer clay into two thin, approximately 1 1/2in cylinders. intertwine them to form your unicorn horn. make sure to flatten out the bottom so it will lie flat once glued onto your ornament.

When you are ready for your vinyl, cut out your eyelashes using your Cricut Air2, weed out, and transfer using transfer tape.

Once that is done, cut out your triangles, two larger ones in the one color, and two slightly smaller ones in a different color. If you have a Cricut Maker, you can cut your felt out with the brand new rotary blade! :)

Using the epoxy glue, add the uni-horn and ears, as well as all of your flowers which will serve as the unicorn's mane, onto the top of the ornament. You might have to hold the uni-horn on there until the glue begins to dry so that it stays where you want it to and doesn't tip.

To finish off, take a small brush and paint your (completely air dried and hardened) uni-horn with your Unicorn SPiT, as is only appropriate. I mean, sure, you could use regular paint, but why would you?! ;)

Top it off with your ribbon to hang your adorable Unicorn Ornament!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial, and please share your thoughts in the comments!

Don't forget to check out all of the other awesomely talented bloggers and THEIR Cricut Christmas Challenge projects!

They are as follows:

Upright and Caffeinated | Weekend Craft | Create & Babble
Refresh Restyle | Smiling Colors | A Turtle's Life for Me
Happy Go Lucky | That Sweet Tea Life | Happily Ever After, etc
The Kim Six Fix | Dragonfly & Lily Pads | Daily DIY Life
Evey's Creations | Home with Cupcakes and Crinoline

Excited to see what everyone else has made! Stay tuned to next month's challenge, as well!

 

How I decorate my Faux Mantel using my Cricut Air 2- Interchangeable Holiday Decor

I know, I know...yesterday was barely Halloween...but Christmas is my favorite holiday and I couldn't help myself. Also, I jumped at the thought of being able to participate in such an awesome holiday campaign, especially since at the very end of this post, you'll be able to enter to win a brand new Cricut Maker, just in time for the holidays! :)

**Though I was compensated for this post in product and/or monetarily, all opinions, ideas and comments are 100% my own. Please note: this post may also contain affiliate links.**

I saw this Make It Now project, and was inspired to use the same idea but for some Christmas fun. While my project didn't contain the cardstock on the outside, I did use some cardstock for the mat inside the frame. You can check out the FB video tutorial I did below. Warning, it's long and I dropped the camera a couple of times. (I'm a mess, but fun, I promise!) I'm still trying to get my new office nook properly set up, so please bear with me. If you want to recreate the frame project, you can go here for the file in Design Space!



I told you I'm a mess...but ROSIE is in the video so all is forgiven, right? Love that silly bird!

You will need the following:

-A white shadow box or frame
-cardstock
-THIS file in DS3
-Cricut Cutter
-Cricut Gold Adhesive Foil, Matte
-Cricut Air 2

Here's my awesome Air2 in action! I get very excited every time I get to push that blinking 'c'! :)

Tutorial:

All you need to do  is the following.

Go into Design Space, and open a new project.

Insert a square or rectangle onto your canvas. Size accordingly. My shadow box was 8"x 8" so I made the square that size.

Duplicate the square/rectangle, then create a frame by making the second shape about 1.5" to 2" smaller than the first one. Center the two squares, then hit 'slice'.

Delete the smaller squares until you are left with a frame.

If you are using the same size frame as I did, feel free to just cut the frame I have in my project file here.

Place the mat/frame inside the shadow box and apply the vinyl lettering to the glass on the outside of the frame. I used Cricut Gold Adhesive Foil in Matte.

Here's the finished project:

 

These plain white ornaments got the same treatment as the frame...some Cricut Gold Adhesive Foil, Matte. If you want the lettering to be permanent, just use some Cricut Outdoor Vinyl. 

This plain white charger from the Dollar store got some Gold Glitter Vinyl and the words to my favorite Christmas Carol. I honestly think this is my favorite Christmas faux mantel vignette I've ever done! I think gold and white are officially my favorite Christmas colors. They're truly just classic and classy!

I'm in LOVE!

 The Christmas ornaments found a home in a thrift store set of apothecary jars.

I think I might customize some more ornaments!

I'm loving my entryway table! I don't have a traditional fireplace mantel, so I use my favorite table instead!

Hope you enjoy this sweet vignette as much as I do! Now, for the moment everyone has been waiting for...GIVEAWAY TIME! Enter to win the brand new Cricut Maker via the Rafflecopter widget below! GOOD LUCK! Also, check out all of the other #cricutholiday posts on social media from a bunch of my awesomely talented bloggy friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Week of Giveaways 2016- Day 6

Hi y'all! We've made it to Day 6, and Day 6 is AMAZING! Make sure you check out Days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, there's still time to enter all of those giveaways!

You guys....I'll just let the picture do the talking....

Yes. Today's giveaway kicks off with none other than a BRAND NEW CRICUT AIR 2 IN MINT! ::Squealing:: **This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.**

If you spend time on my little corner of the internet, you likely know all about my passion for Cricut, especially for the new Air 2! You can see it in action here in this photoshoot I styled.

I've also shared with you some of my Holiday Gift Ideas using my Cricut!

I'll also be heading over to Hometalk headquarters on Tuesday to share some fun NYE party tutorials using the Cricut Air 2! Make sure you tune in at 1pm!

Super excited! Thank you Cricut, for the awesome giveaway!

Next up, HomeRight is BACK AT IT with another giveaway! Make sure you've already entered their other two giveaways from earlier this week!

Up for grabs is their awesome Electro-Light Fire Starter! **This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.**

This spiffy thing allows you to start your charcoal barbecue or fire pit without the use of harmful starter fluid or chemicals! Thank you HomeRight!

Last but certainly not least is ANOTHER $50 D. Lawless Hardware Gift certificate! There's still time to enter their first giveaway on Day 1. This doubles your chances!

D. Lawless is an awesome family owned business and offers amazing hardware for all your furniture flips at up to 60% off retail value! So a $50 gift certificate will get you a LOT of hardware! **This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.**

Thank you Derrick!


As usual, giveaways will be run via Rafflecopter widgets which will be found at the very end of the post! Just log in using your FB accounts or an email address and follow the prompts!

**Though this post may contain sponsored material, all opinions, ideas and thoughts are 100% my own. This post may also contain affiliate links, so should you choose to click over and make a purchase, I will receive a tiny portion as a commission. Also, I'll love you forever.**

Now, the rules for the giveaways. Each giveaway will run for one week. Please enter below via Rafflecopter widgets, and one winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter in one week. The winner(s) will then be notified via email and the name will also be visible here in THIS post. Please respond to the email (vendor) with your information within 48 hours of the announcement, or else someone else will be chosen. It is up to YOU to contact the vendor to claim your prize. You can earn entries by following the instructions in Rafflecopter, some are optional extra entries, some are mandatory. Please make sure to double check each giveaways specific instructions for shipping and for whom can enter the giveaways. Thank you and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Week of Giveaways 2016- Day 5

Hi y'all! It's officially Day 5 of my FULL week of giveaways! Make sure you check out Days 1, 2, 3, and 4 and enter THOSE giveaways, too!

As usual, giveaways will be run via Rafflecopter widgets which will be found at the very end of the post! Just log in using your FB accounts or an email address and follow the prompts!

**Though this post may contain sponsored material, all opinions, ideas and thoughts are 100% my own. This post may also contain affiliate links, so should you choose to click over and make a purchase, I will receive a tiny portion as a commission. Also, I'll love you forever.**

First up is my dear friend Lucy of Bel Monili. I mentioned that there are three makers whose jewelry I wear daily...she is one of them! Her pieces are so unique and I absolutely love all of my Bel Monili Pieces!

Up for grabs is one of her beautifully inspiring quote bracelets! I own 3 of my own and my daughter has one too! I LOVE them. **This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Canadian residents can enter but will be required to cover the cost of shipping should they win.**  Thank you Lucy!

Next up is another one of my favorite GREEN brands, Unicorn SPiT!

This all natural, vibrant jasmine-scented colorful gel stains can be used as a stain, glaze and paint all in one! It works on virtually any material such as wood, glass, plastic, metal and more! It's my daughter's favorite product, too! Since it's completely all natural and safe, she gets to play with it as often as she likes!

Up for grabs is this awesome Christmas Collection with the very much coveted Shimmer SPiT as an extra! Thanks Michelle!

Last but certainly not least, is my friend Diana whom I went to high school with! She has become an incredible author of children's books and is giving away a very sweet set for the young reader in your world!

Her wonderfu,l bilingual, and award winning series called "DLee's World" tells the many adventures of DLee as she embarks on things such as her first day of school, an experience with a bad day and more! These engaging books are geared towards promoting literacy, diversity and fun! You can read all about the author here. Thank you Diana!

Now, the rules for the giveaways. Each giveaway will run for one week. Please enter below via Rafflecopter widgets, and one winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter in one week. The winner(s) will then be notified via email and the name will also be visible here in THIS post. Please respond to the email (vendor) with your information within 48 hours of the announcement, or else someone else will be chosen. It is up to YOU to contact the vendor to claim your prize. You can earn entries by following the instructions in Rafflecopter, some are optional extra entries, some are mandatory. Please make sure to double check each giveaways specific instructions for shipping and for whom can enter the giveaways. Thank you and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Week of Giveaways 2016- Day 4

Hi y'all! It's DAY 4 of my Full week of Giveaways! If you're just joining us, make sure you hop over to Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 and enter THOSE awesome giveaways, too!

As usual, giveaways will be run via Rafflecopter widgets which will be found at the very end of the post! Just log in using your FB accounts or an email address and follow the prompts!

**Though this post may contain sponsored material, all opinions, ideas and thoughts are 100% my own. This post may also contain affiliate links, so should you choose to click over and make a purchase, I will receive a tiny portion as a commission. Also, I'll love you forever.**

Today's giveaways are awesome, of course! First up is one of my favorite brands, CeCe Caldwell's Paints! If you haven't tried their products, you are missing out. Not only are the green, safe and non-toxic, the ingredients to the products are so safe, they go ahead and put them right on the label. No harmful polymers, no VOCs, just pure chalk+paint and solvent free waxes. Their Stain+Finish line is my absolute go-to when it comes to staining furniture and signs and my favorite color is their Kukui! Here it is in action.

Up for grabs is 1 Signed CeCe Caldwell Apron, Paintbrush, 2 Half-Liters of Paint, 1 Half-Liter of Stain+Finish, 1 Half-Liter of Finish, 2 Metallic Wax, and 1 Dark Aging Cream. **This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only**

 

Thank you CeCe!

Up next is another favorite brand of mine! We over at The Old Fashioned Milk Paint retail it and I personally use it on all my signs, milk painted pieces and more! The above sign was sealed with it! It's called Daddy Van's and is by far the best solvent free wax on the market period. I truly love the stuff!

Up for grabs is a $75 Gift Certificate to their website! You can get A LOT of wax with that! My personal favorite is their Lavender scented clear wax. It's just so amazing! Thank you Daddy Van's!

Now, the rules for the giveaways. Each giveaway will run for one week. Please enter below via Rafflecopter widgets, and one winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter in one week. The winner(s) will then be notified via email and the name will also be visible here in THIS post. Please respond to the email (vendor) with your information within 48 hours of the announcement, or else someone else will be chosen. It is up to YOU to contact the vendor to claim your prize. You can earn entries by following the instructions in Rafflecopter, some are optional extra entries, some are mandatory. Please make sure to double check each giveaways specific instructions for shipping and for whom can enter the giveaways. Thank you and good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
 

Week of Giveaways 2016- Day 2

Hi y'all! It's DAY 2 of my awesome Week of Christmas Giveaways!

As usual, giveaways will be run via Rafflecopter widgets which will be found at the very end of the post! Just log in using your FB accounts or an email address and follow the prompts!


 **Though this post may contain sponsored material for which I was compensated in product and/or monetarily, all opinions, ideas and thoughts are 100% my own. This post may also contain affiliate links, so should you choose to click over and make a purchase, I will receive a tiny portion as a commission. Also, I'll love you forever.**

In case you missed it, we kicked this off last night, so go enter those giveaways, too!

Today we have some more awesome giveaways for you!

First up, we have something that every painter will love! If you have been around these parts for long, you know it's my go to sprayer and they also make other incredible DIY items that make life for the DIYer so much easier!

You can see how I use my sprayer in this blog post all about how to spray (almost) every type of paint on the market!

Not only are they giving away the sprayer, but they are also including their awesome spray shelter so you can spray in your workshop or garage as well! **This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Woohoo! I know whomever wins this one will love it!

Next up, we have a lovely shop chock full of sweet home accessories, beautifully painted furniture and more! If you are in the Sayville, NY, you should definitely stop in to see Hidden Treasures Found! Leenie is very talented and is graciously offering up these amazing goodies from her shop for this giveaway!

 ~a burlap wall organizer, a wood sign and 2 small mason jar candles~

**This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only**

I love burlap and all things France-related so I'm definitely crushing on that organizer! Thank you Leenie!

Our third giveaway for today is by the awesome company Pixie Dust! With Pixie Dust products, you can turn any paint into a chalky finish one, as well as add texture. It's pretty awesome stuff!

They're giving away the following:

~Pixie Basket with Bermuda Blenders and sample SPiT in 4 colors as well as an assortment of Pixie products.~ **This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

I am sure you have seen the amazingly gorgeous things that Maria Revollo of ML Furniture Decor does with these awesome products!

By Maria Revollo

Gorgeous, right!?

Now, the rules for the giveaways. Each giveaway will run for one week. Please enter below via Rafflecopter widgets, and one winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter in one week. The winner(s) will then be notified via email and the name will also be visible here in THIS post. Please respond to the email (vendor) with your information within 48 hours of the announcement, or else someone else will be chosen. It is up to YOU to contact the vendor to claim your prize. You can earn entries by following the instructions in Rafflecopter, some are optional extra entries, some are mandatory. Please make sure to double check each giveaways specific instructions for shipping and for whom can enter the giveaways. Thank you and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 
 

Week of Giveaways 2016- Day 1

Hi y'all! IT'S FINALLY HERE! My 12 Days had to be postponed since I spent 9 days in the Cardiac Care Unit BUT I'm home and everyday I'm feeling much better! Thank you to those who sent flowers, emails, messages, well wishes and most of all for my prayer warriors!

The 12 days have been condensed into one full week, so we'll have at least 2 or 3 giveaways daily this week AND that means 2 or 3 WINNERS each day!  As usual, giveaways will be run via Rafflecopter widgets which will be found at the very end of the post! Just log in using your FB accounts or an email address and follow the prompts!  (Day 2 is LIVE here)

I'm so excited for y'all to win so AMAZING stuff! This week is going to be EPIC! Let's get this disclosure out of the way so we can get to the GOOD stuff!

 **Though this post may contain sponsored material for which I was compensated in product and/or monetarily, all opinions, ideas and thoughts are 100% my own. This post may also contain affiliate links, so should you choose to click over and make a purchase, I will receive a tiny portion as a commission. Also, I'll love you forever.**

First up, we have my favorite brand ever, The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.!

You can see all about why I love this paint so much in this blog post.

And here is one of my favorite milk-painted flips I've done.

OFMP is giving away the following:
~Winner's choice of colors of: 8 pints Old Fashioned Milk Paint, 1 quart Extra-Bond, 2 quarts SafePaint (for Walls & More), 1 pint Antique Crackle medium, a pint of Hope's Tung oil. **This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only**

Woohoo! That's a whole lot of product! Thank you OFMP!

 Our second giveaway for tonight is my all time favorite hardware company! D. Lawless Hardware is family owned and my go to brand for ordering hardware for all of my furniture and kitchen flips. They carry a TON of different lines and all the major brands in the hardware industry, but at up to 60% off retail prices!

Up for grabs is a $50 gift certificate to their amazing website! **This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only**

Here's their hardware in action on my daughter's Frozen-inspired Desk:

Thank you Derrick and family!

Our third giveaway for tonight is brought to you by one of my dearest friends, Jeanne of Junxtaposition! I get compliments on my jewelry quite often. Chances are, if I'm wearing it then it's by one of my three favorite people in the world, and Jeanne is one of them! She takes amazing vintage items and turns them into works of art! She also creates one of a kind art prints and even home decor accessories, but most importantly, sh just has a heart of gold! You can catch her traveling shop all over the country at Country Living Fairs and other markets, as well as online and even in a very special Facebook group where she posts deals and discounted items, as well as gives you first dibs on her latest creations!

She's giving away a custom longitude and latitude vintage dictionary print. Where you live ? Where did you and your loved one meet? What about where he proposed? It's just such a unique and sweet way to memorialize a special location in your life!  **This giveaway is only open to U.S. mainland states only**

 

Love you Jeanne!


Now, the rules for the giveaways. Each giveaway will run for one week. Please enter below via Rafflecopter widgets, and one winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter in one week. The winner(s) will then be notified via email and the name will also be visible here in THIS post. Please respond to the email (vendor) with your information within 48 hours of the announcement, or else someone else will be chosen. It is up to YOU to contact the vendor to claim your prize. You can earn entries by following the instructions in Rafflecopter, some are optional extra entries, some are mandatory. Please make sure to double check each giveaways specific instructions for shipping and for whom can enter the giveaways. Thank you and good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway