6 Things to Look for NOW to Use LATER for Christmas

I know, I mentioned the "C" word...Christmas.  Please don't throw anything at me.  I promise there's a good reason for my mentioning it now, during the heat of July!

We are in the height of yard sale season and NOW is the time to be looking for some items you will want to have on hand this fall.  For, you know, when you get ready to think about that time of year.  When it's chilly outside.  Everything is dressed up with red and green.  The "C" word.

First, and this is not just for later this year but something that can be used anytime...MASON JARS.  Honestly, can you have too many of these?  If you're in my household, you're not allowed to answer that.

Mason jars in all shapes and sizes are great for making snow globes, water-filled or waterless.  They also make great candleholders and baking mix gift containers.

Second, you're gonna need something to put in those snow globes.  Yard sales and thrift stores are the perfect places to pick up miniatures and toys that will fit nicely in mason jars.  Look for animals, small cars or tractors, bicycles, tiny houses, or anything that speaks to you.  It's your snow globe and it can tell whatever story you want it to.

Third, gumball machine.  Seriously?  Yes!  I found one at a thrift store last year and turned it into my all-time-favorite snow globe yet!  Don't pass over a gumball machine with writing on it.  I think mine had "Jelly Belly" on the glass.  I simply removed that before using it for my snow globe.  If it's hard to remove, you can hide or disguise it.

Fourth, ICE SKATES!  How many of you have seen cute decorations in magazines or on Pinterest using ice skates?  How many of you have kicked yourself in November for not picking up that pair you saw during the summer at a yard sale?!  (Me!)

Fifth, old books.  You can probably find some old, non-collectible, non-interesting (think old tax law or something), books at thrift stores or your library's book sale.  Disassembled, the pages are great for all sorts of crafts like this book page wreath.

And, lastly, the sixth item...greenery.  Yes, that's sort of obvious but think outside of the box here.  I picked up a thrown away artificial tree because it was broken.  However, the branches were beautiful.  I use the individual branches to fill my window boxes and to build a foundation in arrangements around the house.  Think about how many broken artificial trees you've seen at thrift stores and yard sales.  Yep, lots of cheap greenery right there!

Ok, that's my last mention of the "C" word.  Until at least next month.  You may return to your summer break now ;)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

Christmas around the House

Sharing a little of the Christmas decorations I've added to our home.  Have you finished decorating yet?

The snow globe picture I posted about here

I don't think I ever finish decorating.  My brain is always coming up with more ideas than I'm able to complete.  Guess I can always save those for the next year.

There are some things that must be used every year in the Christmas decor.  This is a little snowman that my youngest daughter made when she was just ten.  It's the Mad Hatter from the latest Alice in Wonderland.  I used to make altered snowman for my etsy shop back then and she wanted to make one too.

The decor in the foyer include a pair of vintage ice skates, a "SNOW" sign, and an antique crock with greenery.

I typically stay away from the traditional reds and greens of Christmas because they usually don't fit with my decor.  This year, I was dead set on using red and green tartan.  I love all tartans if you didn't notice my from tartan throw post :)  I found this needlepoint pillow earlier this year at the thrift store.  Its colors and design contain just enough blue to tie everything together.  (I have a thing for needlepoint pillows too!) 

Just a simple tartan ribbon added to a lamp shade

Thank you for stopping by The Altered Past and spending a little time with me as I share some Christmas decor.  I've got a little more to share later...the front porch and the shed.

God bless!
Angie


I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Gumball Machine Snow Globe

You guys, is this not the cutest thing?  A gumball machine snow globe.  I'm telling you...RUN!  Do not walk...to your nearest thrift store, discount store, antique mall, somewhere that you can find a gumball machine to make this project.  It is so easy.

I saw this idea on Pinterest after I found my gumball machine at the thrift store a while back.  I was searching for a project that I could use it for when I came across the idea.  There are a few versions of gumball machine snow globes but I liked the miniature trees and deer theme the best.

Here's how I did it.  It's super easy.

Begin with one gumball machine ;)

Remove the top and then remove the nut (shown) so that you can remove the gray plastic ring.  This will make it easier to add things to the globe.

See what a nice big opening you have now :)

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Since I was going to be adding the fake snow, I didn't want too much of it to fall down into the mechanism so I added a white paper towel to block the opening.  

Headups...I thought fake snow was pretty common but I checked Walmart, Dollar General, and the Dollar Tree before giving up (and wasting more gas).  I searched online to see if Michaels or Hobby Lobby carried it.  I did find it at Hobby Lobby.  

You could also use Epsom Salt which is fairly easy to find.

You can add any number of things to your globe.  I chose to add a couple of tiny trees and a moose? deer?  Not exactly sure which but he's definitely cute.  I hot glued the bottoms of each to hold them in place.  And the top of the tall tree?  Not a problem, the gumball machine top has a dome shape so it fit perfectly.  Once your items are in, sprinkle in the snow and add the plastic ring and top back on. It's done!

If you've been reading The Altered Past for a while, you know I love different versions of snow globes.  Most recently, I made a snow globe picture.  You can read that post here.

And, a couple of years ago, I made these Anthropologie inspired mason jar snow globes.  You can read that post here.

Just think of the possibilities...from mason jar, salt shaker, gumball machine, and shadow frame.  What will you make one from?  I'd love to hear!!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Make a Snow Globe Picture

I love snow globes and making your own is really easy.  I made several years ago using old mason jars and found objects.  You can see that post HERE.

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They are kind of addicting to make.  So after having made several with jars, I decided to try something new this year.  I came across a plastic shadow box frame at the thrift store and thought it would be cool to make into a snow globe picture!  It worked!  

Here's the things you'll need to make your own:  a shadow box frame with glass, a few small found objects for your snow globe scene, scrapbook paper for the background, glue, loose plastic snow (found mine at Hobby Lobby), and some tape to seal the back.

My found objects are 2 triangle pieces from an old building blocks set, a small plastic moose from the dime store, and vintage punch out letters that spell S-N-O-W.  You could use anything from small Christmas village trees and people, children's toys, gumball machine toys, whatever :)

Arrange your objects in the box and glue them in place once you're happy with it.

After you have everything glued in place and the glue has dried, attach the back of the frame leaving one side slightly open.  Pour a small amount of the loose plastic snow into the opening, checking often to see when you have added enough.

Finish securing the frame back and then seal with washi (or other light tack) tape.  This is just in case some of the smaller particles of snow slip out of the back.

That's it!  You're finished!  Easy peesy and would make a cute gift for teachers, co-workers, etc.  Think about what you could put in them...the possibilities are endless!

This would be an easy and inexpensive craft to do with your kids or grandkids!  I'm going to be hunting down more shadow box frames.  How about you?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!
Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT