FanningSparks – Page 44 – A DIY and lifestyle blog authored by Peg Frizzell.

Madison Decks the Halls

Every year the lovely southern town of Madison, Georgia hosts a Holiday Tour of Homes. The town puts on its holiday finery and welcomes visitors from near and far.

The home tour features several private homes, historic house museums and churches. It’s a festive event with hundreds of cheerful visitors taking in the charms of this unique town. Madison is steeped in history boasting more than 100 antebellum homes and buildings. It’s rare to find houses of this era in Georgia because most were destroyed by General Sherman’s “March to the Sea” at the end of the Civil War. Home tours are a great opportunity to admire these treasured historic houses. Many thanks to the generous citizens of Madison who graciously open their homes for these tours!
Madison is a quick 20-minute drive for me so I can easily enjoy all these home tours. In today’s post, I’d like to share a few highlights from the 2019 and 2018 Madison Holiday Tour of Homes. I’ll also call out a few clever ideas that you might want to incorporate into your own holiday décor.
A row of flickering white candles, tucked beside the Madison Jasmine-covered porch rails, invited guests to enter the Barnett-Stokes-Ball House for a Candlelight Tour.

With Georgia’s wonderful mild winters, porch-living is a year round possibility. The front porch, at the Porch House, exuded holiday spirit.

At the Massey House, the front porch was packed with charming little details such as this display of horse and sleigh bells.

Given that most historic homes relied on fireplaces for heat, there was no shortage of beautifully decorated mantels on the tour. This stunning fireplace and mantel, decked out in magnolia foliage, were spotted at the Richter-Wingate House.

A nice, light touch was used with the holiday decorations in this gorgeous living room in the Barnett-Stokes-Ball House.

Here’s a great decorating idea spotted at the Hilltop House: string together pecans into a pretty, natural garland.

Formal dining rooms are another feature of these lovely historic homes. Tables sparkled with china, crystal and silver. Pretty table linens and gorgeous floral arrangements completed the picture. This stunningly elegant setting was spotted at the Broyles House.

The dining room at the Barnett-Stokes-Ball House was spectacular.

Candles and greenery added a welcoming glow to the beautifully set table.
Notice the thoughtful little details in this pleasing place setting at the McLeod House. Simple white flowers, unusually shaped dinnerware, a few feathers tucked into the napkin ring and a clove-studded orange.

Here’s a less formal, fun place setting spotted on the kitchen island at the McLeod House.

As you can imagine, the kitchens in these historic homes are not original. Several homes had fairly recent renovations or additions with modern kitchens. Here’s a glimpse of the kitchen at the Brick Cottage. I love how the trio of wreaths is perfectly fitted to the window which in turn frames the gorgeous back garden.

Not all the houses on the tours are historic. The Massey House, for instance, was built in 2005. The warm glow of copper and vintage finds, complemented with greenery and a hand-crafted Santa, graced their kitchen counter.

A great decorating technique I spotted at several homes was to sprinkle groupings and collections throughout the formal and informal living spaces. Here’s an example, also from the Massey House, showcasing a collection of handcrafted Santas on a side table.

This collection of nutcrackers (including one of the biggest nutcrackers I’ve ever seen) add punch and personality to the formal living room at the Porch House.

While the nutcrackers were stunning, this old-timey portable TV displayed in the same cabinet, was really eye-catching. I heard several folks admiring it. Not only is it pretty, but it lights up, the winter scene rotates and it plays holiday music. I’m already trying to find one for myself!

Here’s a great way to display a collection of Christmas ornaments—arrange them in a vintage wooden dough bowl and display as a centerpiece—as they did at the Richter-Wingate House.

Bedrooms, playrooms, and even bathrooms, all received a touch of holiday spirit. For instance, this pretty little display featuring vintage quilts was a delightful surprise in one of the bedrooms at the Newsome Farmhouse.

A simple, old-fashioned garland added a festive touch to this grand bedframe at Heritage Hall.

This chalkboard sign, in the playroom at the Barnett-Stokes-Ball House, added some humorous fun. I wonder if little Evie will get the “real live horse” she requested.

Here in the bathroom at the Brick Cottage, a jar of special soaps got an extra boost with a single holiday motif.

But the best part of this bathroom, and my favorite décor detail, was this bathing snowman!

More Info

I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into the Madison Holiday Tour of Homes. There was so much more to see than what I’ve been able to include in this post. If you’re ever in the Georgia area during May or December, please try to take in a Madison House Tour. These house tours are typically fundraisers so it’s a great way to support a good cause. You can find more info on the Visit Madison GA website. Again, special thanks to all the homeowners who graciously share their homes.
You may also like these posts regarding Madison’s Spring Tour of Homes:
. Madison’s House Beautiful
. Madison in May – 15 Favorite Fotos

Today’s Takeaways

1. House tours are typically fundraisers so you can support a good cause while enjoying yourself.
2. Consider attending a house tour to see some fresh ideas and get inspired.
3. Holiday house tours are sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

Decorate Holidays Make Tutorials Wood

Diamonds and Beads Wooden Wreath

Wreaths are a sign of welcome. Hung on the front door, above the mantel or elsewhere, a wreath invites guests to enter and get comfortable. Some folks have different wreaths for every season and major holiday. I haven’t reached that level of wreath mastery but I do like to hang wreaths during the Christmas holidays. This year I decided to try something a little different and make a wreath out of wood. The wreath is in the shape of an 8-point star. It showcases the natural grain of unfinished wood with subtle color-washed red wooden beads. The diamonds resemble leaves and the beads look like berries. All of which, gives it a nice Scandinavian, minimalist vibe.
It’s always fun to let an idea evolve and unfold. In this case, a wooden trivet found at a thrift store sparked the idea for a wooden wreath. I have a vague recollection of trivets like this (shown top right) being made during craft period at summer camp. The wreath design came together as I tried different shapes and sizes of paper diamonds.

There are many ways to finish this wreath. You could choose to paint it, add more or less berries, add ribbon, or insert greenery. I decided to keep it clean and simple. In keeping with the natural theme, I found a curly branch in the yard and propped it in a simple white vase. Then I cut a few miniature wooden diamonds and stained a few more wooden beads. These were hung with fishing line from the branch. A red striped tablecloth, a little wood figure and this lovely holiday tablescape came together.

Today’s post provides easy, step-by-step instructions to make your very own Diamonds and Beads Wooden Wreath.

Supplies Needed
The following supplies are needed for this project:
Pine Board: 1″ x 4″ x 6’ to cut the diamonds. Note the actual size of the wood will be only ¾” x 3 ½”.
Wood Beads: 16 – 1″ unfinished wooden beads with 1/5 ” hole. I purchased a bag of 100 by JUNKE on Amazon.
Wood Dowel: 1 – 3/16″ x 48″ poplar dowel for connecting the diamonds.
Wood Glue
Heavy Paper: 8 ½” x 11″ sheet of heavy paper, such as a manila folder, to cut a template.
Tape: To mark wood diamonds and drill bit. I used painter’s tape because it’s easy to remove.
Sandpaper. Fine 220 grit sandpaper for finishing.
Acrylic Paint: Water-based acrylic paint to stain the beads and diamond edges. Very little paint is needed since it is diluted with water to create a color wash affect. I used Artist’s Loft in Deep Red for the berries and Sap Green for the leaf edges.
Water
Finishing Wax: WATCO Satin Wax for Finishing in Natural color.
Rags: Lint-free rags for removing finishing wax. I used an old t shirt.
Hanger: Small triangle ring hanger, or similar hanger, to hang wreath.
Head Beads: 6 – 1¼” unfinished wooden head beads (beads are solid on top with an opening on the bottom). These are optional depending on how you choose to finish the wreath. See step 12 below.

Tools Needed
The following tools are needed for this project:
Tape Measure
Pencil
Jigsaw (or whatever type of saw you prefer to cut the wood)
Clamps: To hold pine board while cutting and drilling. I used a Workmate to hold the wood for drilling.
Nail: Nail or other sharply pointed tool to indent marks for drilling.
Drill with 3/16″ drill bit: To cut holes for the dowels.
Plier Cutters: To cut the dowel. Alternatively, you could saw the dowels but I’ve found simply snipping them is faster and easier.
Container: Small, shallow cup or similar container for mixing the paint. I re-purposed a refrigerator egg tray.
Paint Brush: Small artist’s paint brush.
Foam Brush: Disposable foam brush.
Styrofoam or a cardboard box: A piece of scrap styrofoam or an empty cardboard box about 12″ by 8″ to insert the dowels into so the beads can dry.
Gloves: Disposable gloves for painting and waxing.
Container: Small container, such as a plastic glass or glass jar, to hold finishing wax.

Instructions
Step 1 Prepare Template Use heavy paper, such as a manila folder, to create a template for the diamond. Draw two parallel lines about 9″ long and 3.5″ apart. Measure 5″ from the start of the top line and mark. Measure 3 ½” and at 8 ½” from the start of the bottom line and mark both. Connect the start of the top line with the 3½” mark on the bottom line. Connect the 5″ mark on the top line with the 8 ½” mark on the bottom line. This should result in a diamond with 45⁰ and 135⁰ angles.

Step 2 Cut and Sand Wood Parts Cut the 1″ x 4″ x 6’ pine board into 8 diamonds using the template.

TIP: Approximately 2′ of the pine board will remain. Keep this scrap to set up for drilling the holes later.
Lightly sand all cut parts to ensure a smooth, unblemished finish.

Step 3 Check Diamonds Lay the wood diamonds on a flat working surface. Check that inside edges match as shown below. Flip and reverse diamonds to find best fit. Adjust as necessary. Using small pieces of tape on the front inside tips, number the diamonds from 1 to 8 for reassembly.

Step 4 Drill the Holes for Dowels Using the template, mark 4 points on the inside tips of every diamond. These points are equally spaced at 1¼” from each end. Transfer these points to the ¾” side edges of the diamonds taking care to find the exact center and mark accurately. Indent the mark with a nail or other sharply pointed tool. This makes it easier to position the drill bit.
Set up for drilling the holes by clamping a diamond vertically. Use the board end set aside in step 2 with scrap wood and clamps to hold the wood diamond securely. I used the clamping jaws of my Workmate to secure my setup as shown below.

Insert 3/16″ bit into drill. Prepare to drill holes 5/8″ deep.
TIP: Mark drill bit at 5/8″ by wrapping a piece of tape around the bit above the 5/8″ mark. Use this as your visual cue when drilling. Be sure to check the tape periodically to ensure it hasn’t slipped or worn away.
Drill 4 holes in each wood diamond. Ensure holes are drilled as accurately as possible so diamonds will align correctly.

Step 5 Cut Dowels Measure and mark 16 sections of the 3/16″ dowel at 2″ increments. Use the plier cutters to cut the dowel. The ends will not be visible so it’s not necessary to sand them.

Step 6 Insert Dowels Insert a piece of dowel in each wooden bead. Some may be a little snug and need some gentle force.

Step 7 Stain Wood Beads Squeeze a small amount of the red acrylic paint into a small, shallow container. Carefully add water and mix thoroughly. I used an old refrigerator egg tray because only a small amount of paint and water are needed. The idea is to create a color wash that will add color without hiding the wood.
Slide the bead to the end of a dowel. Dunk the bead into the color wash. Let it soak for a few minutes. The beads can soak up a surprising amount of liquid. Remove the bead from the color wash and insert the dowel into a piece of styrofoam or a cardboard box to let the bead dry. Repeat for the remaining 15 beads.

Allow the beads to dry. Assess if enough color has been absorbed for your liking. If not, repeat this step a second time. I applied 2 coats of red color wash to my beads.
Step 8 Stain Diamond Edges Squeeze a small amount of the green acrylic paint into a small, shallow container. Carefully add water and mix thoroughly. As described in the previous step for the wood beads, only a small amount of paint and water are needed. Use a paint brush to apply the color wash to the outside edges of the wooden diamonds. Alternatively, you could choose to stain all or none of the edges. Take care not to put stain on the front of the diamonds. Allow to dry. Apply a second coat if desired.
After the wood diamonds are completely dry, use sandpaper to remove any stain from the fronts or unstained edges. The objective is to have sharp clean edges as shown below.

Step 9 Dry Fit Wreath After the beads and diamond edges are stained and dry, assemble the wreath to check the fit. Here’s how my wreath looked at this point. Note the blue tape indicates the number of each diamond (as discussed in step 3). Adjust as necessary.

Step 10 Wax Wreath Prepare to wax the wreath by disassembling the pieces and moving the tape to the back of the diamonds. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying the wax. I used Watco Satin Wax for Finishing in Natural. Apply a generous coating to the diamonds (front and edges) and the wood beads.

Let it soak in for about 15 minutes and reapply to any areas that dry out.

Then wipe off the excess with lint-free rags. Buff and let dry.
Please note: this product has a very strong odor so be sure to use it in a well ventilated area and allow plenty of time for the wax to dry and the smell to dissipate. I waited 4 days.
Step 11 Assemble Wreath Assemble the wreath by sliding the beads to the center of the dowels. Start with one diamond. Insert a dowel (with bead) into the 2 holes on one side of the diamond. Slide the next diamond onto the end of these same dowels. Repeat this process, working around the wreath, until all diamonds are connected. This can be a little fussy because not all diamonds and dowels are likely to fit perfectly right away. It may be necessary to re-drill a hole for a little extra room. Or it may be necessary to shorten a dowel to provide a tighter connection. Work around the wreath adjusting and fine-tuning until all diamonds are firmly in place. Use wood glue to permanently attach the pieces.
Determine which diamond will be at the top of the wreath. Attach a small triangle ring hanger, or similar hanger, to the back of that diamond.

Step 12 Decorate Wreath There are many options for finishing the wreath. You could choose to leave the wreath as it is. I glued on 6 wooden head beads which I stained red to resemble berries on the wreath. Or you could choose to embellish with ribbon.

Your wreath is ready to showcase in your holiday decor! Consider adding other elements, such as this branch hung with mini-diamonds and beads, to build on the theme.

UPDATE Nov 24, 2020: You may also like the Starry Stitched Sphere pictured below. This decorative wooden sphere has a similar style to the Diamonds and Beads Wooden Wreath. Check out the Starry Stitched Sphere – DIY Tutorial for step-by-step instructions.

More Info

You may wish to save this DIY Tutorial for future reference. Please pin this image.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Hang wreaths throughout your home to welcome guests.
2. Consider making this Diamonds and Beads Wooden Wreath in the Scandinavian, minimalist style.
3. Embellish your wreath and decorate the surrounding area with your own personal touch.

About General Make Tutorials

Make and Give DIY Tutorial Roundup

Looking for something unique and special for someone on your holiday gift list? Would they appreciate a handmade gift created especially for them? Perhaps one of the items featured in a DIY tutorial here on the FanningSparks blog would be a good fit. These are not your run-of-the-mill predictable presents. I’ve given several of these items as gifts and they’ve all been well received. These items are made with a variety of techniques including general crafting, weaving, mosaic making, woodworking, and sewing. But they’re all quite doable with the detailed step-by-step instructions I’ve provided. Here are the tutorials I’ve rounded up for you today.

1. Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder
2. Woven Statement Necklace
3. Personalized Fabric-Covered Journal
4. Pyramid Trellis
5. Bespoke Pillows
6. Bluebird-Approved Birdhouse

1. Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder
This Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder is perfect for this time of year. It has a pretty 6-point star design that glitters and shines when a candle is lit inside. This project takes a little time since thinset mortar and grout need time to cure. It requires basic glass cutting skills and a few glass cutting tools. See DIY Tutorial here.

2. Woven Statement Necklace
The woven statement necklace has gone through a few iterations. This necklace is striking and I often receive compliments when I wear one of mine. This is a simple project which does not require special tools or skills… well… other than patience. The tutorial was first shared in this post.

The post, Add a Little Sparkle, includes special holiday versions of the woven statement necklace.

3. Personalized Fabric-Covered Journal
The Personalized Fabric-Covered Journals are one of my favorite because they are easy to customize to the recipient. Got someone who likes to cycle? There’s fabric for them. Got someone who likes music? Covered! Someone who travels? Covered! Someone who knits? Covered! Someone who reads? Yep! This is the quickest and simplest project. It requires cut and paste assembly and no special tools or skills are needed. This tutorial was presented in two parts. Part 1 addresses selecting the perfect fabric.

Part 2 of the DIY Personalized Fabric-Covered Journal Tutorial covers the cut-and-paste construction of the journal.

4. Pyramid Trellis
The Pyramid Trellis is perfect for someone who likes to garden or is looking to beautify their property. It will be tricky to place under the tree, however, since it stands nearly 6′ high. This project is suitable for someone with basic woodworking skills including cutting and assembling wood. Only standard tools including a jigsaw, drill and staple gun are needed. See post here.

5. Bespoke Pillows
These bespoke pillows can be made in any color or pattern. So they can be perfectly coordinated to the recipient’s décor. This project is a little more difficult and does require intermediate sewing skills. Alternatively, the design could be simplified by eliminating the more difficult embellishments such as the piping. A sewing machine and standard sewing tools are needed. See post here.

6. Bluebird-Approved Birdhouse
The Bluebird-Approved Birdhouse is a nice addition to a garden or yard. This project is suitable for someone with basic woodworking skills including cutting and assembling wood. Only standard tools including a jigsaw, drill and screwdriver are needed. See post here.

25 Moments of Joy Tabletop Tree/ Advent Calendar
In case you missed it, I recently shared a DIY Tutorial to make a Tabletop Tree/ Advent Calendar. This project is suitable for someone with basic woodworking skills including cutting and assembling wood. Only standard tools including a jigsaw, drill and screwdriver are needed for the tree frame. Basic cut and paste assembly skills are needed for the gift packets. Check it out here.

As a bonus, I’ve pulled in a few previous posts that offer suggestions for other holiday traditions including greeting cards, holiday wreaths and gift wrapping.

It’s become the tradition in our household to select greeting cards made by local artists. We choose cards with a personal connection that represent an aspect of our lives. It’s a small way to support local artists plus we get to share a small work of art with our family and friends. See the post, Win-Win with your Holiday Cards.

The post, Holiday Wreath Inspiration from Biltmore, features the holiday wreaths which decorated the Conservatory at Biltmore last year. They are embellished with natural materials which provide color, texture and form. Check it out for ideas to bring some Biltmore glamour to your home this year!

In the post, 8 Tips to Jazz Up Your Gift Wrapping, I share suggestions to add pizzazz to your holiday gift wrapping. The tips are illustrated with lots of examples.

More Info

You may wish to pin this post for later reference. Save this image to Pinterest.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Handmade gifts are unique and can be tailored to the recipient.
2. Taking the time and making the effort to create a handmade gift signals care and affection.
3. Consider making a gift for someone special this holiday season.

Decorate Interiors

Everyday Things That Aren’t Every Day

There is a design maxim to transcend the ordinary. The idea is to transform ordinary items from their predictable form into an innovative, unfamiliar form. I’ve always been drawn to everyday items with extraordinary design. I love that simple household items—commonplace things people use on a regular basis—can be made to look like something unique and special. As product design firm, Kikkerland Designs, puts it “even the most utilitarian gadget becomes a delightful discovery”. I’m reminded of these delightful surprises in the midst of holiday gift shopping.
In today’s post, I’d like to share some examples of everyday items that aren’t every day. I admit I’ve collected more of these items than I actually use. I like to sprinkle them throughout my home to replace everyday items. I love the clever designs and the bright pops of color. But having them all displayed at the same time would be too kitschy and visually jarring for me—definitely a case of “too much of a good thing”.
A majority of the items I’ve come across are for the kitchen probably because there are more functional items in this area of the home. I couldn’t resist this spoon rest, called “Betty’s”, designed by Wishlist for US-based Monkey Business. Monkey Business collaborates with the leading product designers from Israel to “create useful objects with a smile”.
This sponge holder, called “Mr Sponge”, is by PELEG DESIGN from Israel. This design studio encourages the viewer “to discover that beyond the products’ functionality there is a surprising game of enchantment and humor”.
Moving on to entertaining. Who would have thought to make ice cubes in the shape of guitars? Apparently, designer Liz Goulet Dubois from US-based Fred Studio did. These groovy guitar ice cubes are promoted as “Cool Jazz”.
This next item is my favorite. Honestly, these salt and pepper shakers don’t hold much but those little birds hanging from that little tree are just so bright and cheerful. They add instant character to the dinner table. This item, from Italian design firm A. di Alessi, was designed by S. Giovannoni with R. Takeda in collaboration with the National Palace Museum of Taiwan.
Bath items seem to be another popular subject. This bath sponge adds character and personality to a space that’s typically very utilitarian. It was designed and made by Pylones, a French design firm.
Is there anything more mundane than a nail brush? But look what US-based Kikkerland did with this one. It’s the cutest little whale!
The office, whether at home or at work, is another area with lots of functional items. Here’s an interesting take on a memo holder. He’s called “Morris” and designed by Studio Yaacov Kaufman for Monkey Business. These days we’re more likely to record a note on our phones but it’s always handy to have paper and pen nearby.
This Ninja flash drive is the coolest one I’ve ever seen. It’s made by Bone Collection from Taiwan. Interestingly, this product received the Red Dot Design Award in 2011. Red Dot Award is an international design competition for product design, communication design and design concepts. It’s always fun to see what products have been recognized by this prestigious award.
In the category of general household items, this high-heeled shoe from Fred is the perfect door stopper.
Most of the unusual functional items in this post were found in gift and museum shops. But another great source is vintage and antique shops. Here’s an example of a recent vintage purchase that adds personality to the boring job of keeping track of my sunglasses…

… or my eyeglasses.
Art and gift galleries are another source for unusual functional items. This sunflower pin cushion was designed and made by Linda Bell from North Carolina. It’s shown with a cute little snail tape measure from OTOTO, a design firm from Israel. I like this quote from the OTOTO website “The OTOTO team believes humor to be an important part of their design process. They try to infuse that whimsy and playfulness into every product, alongside its functionality.”
Here’s another example of combining whimsy, playfulness and functionality. You may recall potter Sandy Culp’s “Blueberries: Teapot” from a recent post on the Georgia Pottery Invitational Perspectives show (see Admiring Evidence of Process). Amazingly, it’s a functional teapot which you open by lifting the center leaf and you pour through the stem spout.
I hope today’s post has sparked a few ideas for injecting a little fun into your everyday things.

More Info

The items featured in the post were collected over a number of years so I’m unable to link to them. But I have included the names of the design firms and artists to help you find these or similar items. Here’s a summarized list linked to their websites. I’ve also included links to their Amazon storefronts where I could find them.
. Monkey Business website or their Amazon storefront.
. PELEG DESIGN website or their Amazon storefront.
. Fred and Friends website or their Amazon storefront.
. Pylones website.
. Kikkerland website or their Amazon storefront.
. Bone Collection website or on their Amazon storefront.
. Alessi website or their Amazon storefront.
. Linda Bell exhibits at ArtWorks Gallery and Gifts in Hiawassee, North Carolina, USA.
. OTOTO website or on their Amazon storefront.
. Sandy Culp is a potter based in Georgia, USA.
Learn more about Red Dot product design awards on the Red Dot Award website.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Look for everyday things with an unexpected twist.
2. Think about adding an extraordinary household item in your home.
3. Consider giving a unique and special everyday item this holiday season.

Decorate Holidays Make Tutorials Wood

25 Moments of Joy Tabletop Tree/ Advent Calendar

Finding a gift that signals care and affection, while also being something the recipient appreciates, can be challenging. It can be even more challenging when the recipient has embraced minimalism and/or has decided to downsize. This is often the case with senior citizens but is also relevant to those living in small spaces like students and young adults. For folks in these situations, the joy of receiving a gift can be more about a pleasant surprise and the message of affection than the actual item. This is the thought process that led me to create the 25 Moments of Joy advent calendar for my Mom.

This advent calendar is designed to also serve as a small tabletop Christmas tree. It stands on its own and is quite compact. It is only 4” deep and stands about 2 feet high and 1½ feet wide. The tree can easily fit on the edge of a dresser, a desk or a small table. The gift packets, designed to hold 25 small gifts/surprises, are made of bright cheery paper and serve as decorations on the tabletop tree. The 25 Moments of Joy advent calendar is reusable and can easily be used year after year. It’s also quite versatile and would be a perfect way to display a few favorite ornaments.

Today’s post provides easy, step-by-step instructions to make your very own 25 Moments of Joy Tabletop Tree/Advent Calendar. There are two major components to this project 1) a wooden frame in the shape of a tree referred to as the Tree Frame and 2) a set of 25 paper gift packages referred to as the Gift Packets.

Supplies Needed – Tree Frame: The following supplies are needed to make the wooden tree-shaped frame:
Pine Board: 1 – 1” x 2” x 8’ pine board to build the triangular Tree Frame.
Scrap Board: 1 – 1” x 2” x 6-10” scrap wood to be used as a drilling guide.
Wood Dowels: 2 – 3/16” x 48” poplar dowels for hanging the Gift Packets inside the Tree Frame.
Screws: 4 – wood screws 1 ¼” length in size #8 to assemble the Tree Frame.
Wood Glue.

Supplies Needed – Gift Packets: The following supplies are needed to make the set of 25 paper Gift Packets:
Cardstock: 25 – 8 ½” x 11″ sheets of cardstock in coordinating patterns. I used the Poppies & Pines collection from Paper Studio.
5 – 8 ½“ x 11” sheets of cardstock to make the Numbered Badges for the Gift Packets in the following colors:
… 1 sheet 8 ½“ x 11” white
… 2 sheets 8 ½“ x 11” gold
… 2 sheets 8 ½“ x 11” red
Ribbon: Ribbon ⅜” wide x 9’ long for the hangers at the top of Gift Packets. I used gold ribbon.
Glue: Glue dots or other paper glue for adhering paper. I used the Scotch Adhesive Dot Roller.
Tape: Removable decorative tape such as washi tape.
Washers: 25 – Flat zinc washers ¼” to hang the Gift Packets on the dowels.
Spray Paint: Spray paint to enhance the washers. I used Rust-oleum Specialty Metallic in gold.
Wrapping paper: Some gifts may not fit inside the Gift Packets. You may choose to wrap them separately and place at the foot of the tree.
Scrap Paper: A small strip of paper to be used as a guide.
Project Templates: Download this DIY 25 Moments of Joy Tabletop Tree Advent Calendar – Complimentary Download from FanningSparks – Nov 2019 to print the templates needed for the Gift Packets and Numbered Badges.

Tools Needed – Tree Frame: The following tools are needed to make the wooden tree-shaped frame:
Tape Measure
Jigsaw (or whatever type of saw you prefer)
Clamps: To hold pine board while cutting and drilling.
Drill with ¼” countersink drill bit.
Screwdriver
Sandpaper
Angle Finder: To measure angles and set jigsaw blade accordingly.
TIP: A digital Angle-Rule, a 2-in-1 ruler and angle finder, like this one from GemRed is very helpful for finding and cutting the angles needed in this project.

Tools Needed – Gift Packets: The following tools are needed to make the set of 25 paper Gift Packets:
Scissors: To cut cardstock for the Gift Packets and Numbered Badges. Alternatively, use a Cricut® Explore or other cutting machine as I did.
Bone Folder (or other smooth hard edge) for scoring and folding the cardstock.
Ruler.

Instructions for Tree Frame
Preparations
Step 1 Cut the Board Parts Cut the 1” x 2” x 8’ pine board into the following parts:
. Bottom Piece Measure at 24 ¾” and cut with straight (90⁰) ends.
. Left Side Piece This is the longer of the two sides and will sit on top of the Right Side piece at the peak. Measure along the INSIDE edge and mark at 26 ¾” long. Cut top end with angle of 57⁰. Cut bottom end with angle of 62⁰
. Right Side Piece This is the shorter of the two sides and will sit underneath the Left Side piece at the peak. Measure along the INSIDE edge and mark at 26” long. Cut top end with angle of 57⁰. Cut bottom end with angle of 62⁰
. Bottom Braces Cut 2 Bottom Braces each 4” long with straight (90⁰) ends.
TIP: While jigsaw is set for 62⁰ angle cut, cut one end of the 6-10″ piece of 1” x 2” scrap wood with an angle of 62⁰. This will be used to guide the drill later.
Lightly sand all cut parts to ensure a smooth, unblemished finish.

Step 2 Dry Fit the Board Parts Lay the pine parts on a working surface. Check fit. Triangular wood parts should fit as shown below. Adjust as necessary.

Step 3 Drill Holes for Dowels   Mark the Left and Right Sides to indicate where holes will be drilled for the dowels. Measure along the INSIDE edge of the side parts starting at the bottom edge. Measure and mark at 4 ¾ “. Repeat 3 times resulting in 4 marks spaced 4 ¾ “ apart. Measure and mark one final mark at 4 ½ “. See above Project Dimensions photo to confirm spacing. Take note of the angle at which the dowel holes will need to be drilled; the angle is 62⁰ and matches the angle of the bottom edge of the side pieces. Mark lightly to avoid confusion.
Using the drilling guide created in Step 1, drill holes in the Left and Right Sides at marks. Holes must be drilled at 62⁰. This photo shows how the drilling guide helps drill angled holes.
Assembly
Step 4 Assemble Tree Frame The Tree Frame is assembled with 2 screws in the Bottom Piece and wood glue at the peak. Clamp and/or tape the Bottom Piece, Right Side and Left Side together for the final check.

Mark placement for the screws on the Bottom Piece; take care to ensure screws are placed far enough towards the center to avoid popping through the angled sides (see photo below). Disassemble. Drill and countersink pilot holes in Bottom Piece. Reassemble Tree Frame. Use 2 wood screws 1 ¼” length in size #8 to attach Bottom Piece to Left and Right Sides. Glue Left and Right Sides at peak.

Step 5 Attach Bottom Braces Measure to find center of Bottom Piece. Measure and mark 3 ½” from center towards right and towards left. Find and mark center on each Bottom Brace. Drill and countersink pilot holes in Bottom Braces. Position and clamp the Bottom Braces onto the Bottom Piece aligning with marks. Use wood screws 1 ¼” length in size #8 to screw into place from the bottom.

Step 6 Insert Dowels   Insert a piece of dowel into the bottom set of holes on the Right and Left Sides. Mark where dowel needs to be cut. Cut dowel. Sand ends. Insert dowel in place. Repeat for the 4 remaining dowels.
Instructions for Gift Packets
Preparations
Step 7 Paint Washers Use spray paint to paint the washers the desired color. I used Rust-oleum Specialty Metallic in gold. Apply to dry.
Step 8 Prepare Templates   Download the DIY 25 Moments of Joy Tabletop Tree Advent Calendar – Complimentary Download from FanningSparks – Nov 2019 to print the templates needed for the Gift Packets and Numbered Badges. Take care to ensure the scale is accurate on your printed version. See specifics in the download document.
Step 9 Cut Paper Parts   Use the downloaded template to cut 25 Gift Packets from cardstock. Cut on solid lines. Score dashed lines for folding. The packet numbers are made with 3 layers of colored paper. Use the downloaded templates to cut 3 sets of 25 badges from cardstock. This includes 25 small buttons in white cardstock numbered from 1 to 25; 25 medium buttons in gold cardstock; and 25 large buttons in red cardstock. The numbers, from 1 to 25, can be printed or cut out. I used a Cricut® Explore cutting machine for this step but you could simply cut the badges with scissors and print the numbers by hand.

Assembly
Step 10 – Assemble Gift Packets Fold in the sides first. Slip the side tab into the vertical slot. Fold up the bottom. Fold over the top flap. Prepare the top tab to slip into the horizontal slot.

Step 11 – Assemble Numbered Badges   Use glue to adhere the 3 layers of cardstock for the Numbered Badges. I used white cardstock for the small numbered buttons, gold cardstock for the medium buttons and red cardstock for the large buttons. Do not attach to the Gift Packets yet.

Step 12 – Determine Placement   Lay out the partially constructed Gift Packets in a pyramid (1 in the first row, 3 in second row, 5 in third row, 7 in fourth row and 9 in the last row). Move around until you find a pleasing arrangement of the various colors and patterns. Assign the numbers according to your selected placement.

Step 13 – Adhere Numbered Badges   Prepare to attach the Numbered Badges to the Gift Packets. Measure about ¾“ from the bottom edge of the packet. Center Numbered Badge and glue or tape in place. It’s helpful to unfold and flatten the Gift Packet at this stage so you can apply pressure to glued area. Leave Gift Packets flattened for next steps.
TIP: Use a piece of scrap paper folded at ¾” as a guide to ensure Numbered Badges are placed the same on all packets.

Step 14 – Attach Hangers A piece of ribbon threaded through a washer allows the Gift Packet to slip onto the dowels of the Tabletop Tree. Cut 25 pieces, each 4” long, from the ⅜” wide ribbon. Slip a washer onto the piece of ribbon and slide to center. Wrap ribbon around top of Gift Packet bringing ends together under top flap. Tape in place. Flip the washer up vertically. The ribbon should be snug. Leave Gift Packets flattened until next step.

Step 15 – Fill and Hang In this final step, insert a small gift or note into each Gift Packet. The Gift Packets only hold tiny items so you’ll need to plan accordingly. I wrapped a few small gifts separately and simply inserted a note in the Gift Packet inviting my Mom to choose a wrapped package.

Refold the Gift Packet, inserting tabs into slots (as described in Step 10). Use small pieces of removable tape to hold the back seam and the top flap in place. Then slip the Gift Packet onto the dowel. Take note of the badge numbers to hang them in sequence.

Step 16 – Give to the Lucky Recipient Arrange the Gift Packets evenly along the dowels. To remove the Gift Packets, the recipient would simply slip out the dowel and slide the gift packet off the dowel. Gather any separately wrapped gifts at the base of the tree. Put the Tabletop Tree/ Advent Calendar in place for December 1^st and let the countdown begin. I wish you and your lucky recipient 25 Moments of Joy this holiday season!

You may want to pin the below photo for future reference.

More Info

Be sure to download this DIY 25 Moments of Joy Tabletop Tree Advent Calendar – Complimentary Download from FanningSparks – Nov 2019 to print the templates needed for this project.

You might also like these simple woodworking projects from previous posts:
. DIY Bluebird-Approved Birdhouse Tutorial

. DIY Pyramid Trellis Tutorial

Today’s Takeaways

1. The joy of receiving a gift can be more about a pleasant surprise and the message of affection than the actual item.
2. An advent calendar spreads out the joy and delivers 25 pleasant surprises and messages of affection.
3. Consider making the 25 Moments of Joy Tabletop Tree/ Advent Calendar for someone special this holiday season.

Decorate Exteriors Portugal Travel

Lines and Patterns in Wrought Iron

Sometimes when visiting a new place, something catches my eye and suddenly I see that same thing everywhere. That’s what happened when I first noticed tiles in Portugal (see Talk About Tiles! ). But there was something else I found equally intriguing when I looked around the cities and towns of Portugal—wrought iron!

Once I really started looking for wrought iron, I was amazed at its prevalence. I noticed wrought iron balconies, railings, doors, grilles, light fixtures, fences, gates and so much more. And they were all different. So I set a little photography challenge for myself—capture as many examples of wrought iron as possible. I looked for unique wrought iron designs—from elaborate and fancy to plain and simple. I looked for standalone design motifs. I looked for repeating patterns. In today’s post, I’ll share some of the wrought iron I spotted in Portugal.
The wrought iron on the Art Nouveau Museum in Aveiro (shown above and below) was the most spectacular I saw. Not only is the design intricate with lots of curvy lines and delicate flowers but features were painted in vibrant spring colors.

On the other hand, here’s a much simpler design. This wrought iron balcony was also spotted in Aveiro. Lines and curls repeat to form a pleasing pattern.

Here’s another wrought iron balcony, this one in Ovar, with a more elaborate design. The outline is rectangular but several elements combine to create intricate panels.

The round shapes and circular designs of the below balcony railings are pleasing and energetic.

Part of my photography challenge was to find wrought iron in different settings—to examine how surroundings and context impact the design. This full door grille, surrounded by the beautiful patterned tiles typical of Ovar, is a showstopper! The arch top, the interwoven loops of the center circle and the sweeping curves of the vertical lines all work together to command attention.

Here’s another example of an elaborate wrought iron design which complements the building’s style. This set of partial door grilles from Porto incorporates the floral motifs and sinuous lines of the Art Nouveau movement.

Other designs, such as the repeating pattern of hearts on these partial door grilles in Caminha, are sweet and simple.

This simple, decorative door grille, from Aveiro, echoes the primary motif of the tiles perfectly.

Here’s another Aveiro example of a wrought iron pattern matching the tile design—note how the curls at the top of the hearts are repeated in the window grille.

In this example from Viana do Castelo, the simple linear window grille complements the more intricate tile pattern.

Wrought iron is also used for functional items such as street lights. This wrought iron light fixture is beautifully showcased against this vibrant yellow wall in Aveiro.

For this photo, I took a step back and captured the overall setting. The wrought iron street lights grace a quiet street in Vila do Conde.

Walls and fences around gardens and churches often feature beautiful wrought iron designs. I spotted this stunning wrought iron arbor in the town of Fão.

Here’s a closer look at the splendid spire.

The surrounding gates and fences were equally breathtaking.

This beautiful wrought iron cross frames the Benedictine Church of São Romão de Neiva. It is one of my favorite shots from my trip to Portugal.

I’m thrilled with the results of my little photography challenge. All these lovely lines and patterns provide me with no end of inspiration. I can envision incorporating these ideas into greeting cards, pillow designs and wall hangings… just to name a few. I recently sorted through all my wrought iron photos and organized them into an inspiration file. Having them all together in one place will help the ideas flow and keep the inspiration alive.
Not surprisingly, I used Pinterest to build this inspiration board. It’s a quick and easy way to gather and view inspiring photos. Plus it’s a great way to share the inspiration with others. Check it out now to see dozens of examples of lines and patterns in wrought iron or pin this photo for later.

More Info

Be sure to check out my Wrought Iron – FanningSparks Favs Pinterest board for dozens of examples of lines and patterns in wrought iron.
I was so inspired by my recent trip to Portugal that I wrote a series of blog posts about what I learned and experienced. Check out:
. Tied in Knots in Portugal about the bobbin lace traditions of Vila do Conde.
. Following the Yellow Arrows which recaps my first 110+ km Camino walk.
. Making Curls and Swirls with a Filigree Master about my experience making a traditional Portuguese filigree heart.
. Talk About Tiles! which features the beautiful tiles (azulejos) so prevalent in Portugal.
. Lavish Lalique in Lisbon which looks at the René Lalique Collection of Art Nouveau jewelry at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum.
. Lines and Patterns in Wrought Iron (this post).

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider setting a personal photography challenge to capture as many instances as possible of a specific topic or theme.
2. Look for a variety of examples and surroundings of your chosen topic.
3. Sort, organize and store your photos for inspiration and sharing.

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