Coming up with craft ideas for the kids for the annual Christmas bazaar at the kids school proves difficult, year after year. Now, two out of my three kids want to have their own table to sell their own goods, so guess who gets to think of the ideas...shop for all the ideas...explain how to make the crafts...then finish the crafts as the kids burn out...then, with a little help...clean up the crafts. And crafting with the kids is fun, why? Exactly? Well, it actually does become worth it seeing their cute little handmade items they are so proud to sell, and then they take the money they make, and shop around the bazaar. They pick out cute little things for their siblings, and usually for me...and I love what they come up with. This year, I decided to help them make some cute wooden Christmas signs to add to all of their ornaments, hand sewn napkins, coasters (see here), and dog treats. But then something happened. I kind of took over the signs and I just kept going. Then, as the signs got cuter and cuter, I started looking for places around my house to hang them. Grace was like "um...mom, aren't we supposed to be selling those? Think of the money we could make..." I prefer to think of all the money we could save, if I just went ahead and kept them, you know...adding to my Christmas decorations for free! Actually, these signs cost around $30 to make all three, but are super sturdy, can be made to match your own decor, or can be given as gifts! They took me around two hours to make, and I am loving them! So, come on! Get crafty, just in time for the holidays!
You will need:
1 1"x6" board from Home Depot (about $5)
wooden letters (found mine at Walmart $1.98 each)
modge podge
Hot glue gun or strong wood glue
paint
picture hangers
primer or white spray paint
glittery or decorative craft paper
Start by laying out the words (I used peace, joy, and noel) on the board and draw lines with a pencil where you need to cut the board into three. Sweet talk your husband, unless you are crafty with the power tools, to make the cuts for you. If neither one of you are comfy with a handsaw or table saw, take it back to home depot, they will cut it for free. Spray primer on all the letters, and the boards, front and sides, (you don't have to spray the back.) After they are dry, paint the board any color you choose. Trace the wooden letters on the backs of decorative paper, and cut out. Play around with setting the paper on top of the letters to get a color combo you like. Paint the sides of the letter to correlate with what paper you are using...thin paper can be modge podged to the letter, and then a thin coat applied over the top. You can also paint the letters and decorate with sparkly glue, polka dots, etc. Heavy paper (I used mostly heavy paper) needs to get glued to the letter with a hot glue gun or wood glue. Then, hot glue your letters onto the board, then add a picture hanger to the back (Home depot $2.50 for three of them), and they are ready to hang! Go girl! Look what you just did!
So cute! Happy Thanksgiving!
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