New Year’s Eve is fast approaching
which doesn’t leave much time for re-decorating, on the heels of Christmas.
So, I decided to just leave up my fireplace garland, wreath & farmhouse window
and simply change a few things around them to create a new look…
beginning with a homemade marquee sign!
To make the sign, I used a 12″ x 36″ x 1/2″ sheet of (styro) foam leftover from the boxful I received from
the generous folks at MakeItFunCrafts.com {FloraCraft®}.
If you decide to also create this sign, your craft store will have this sheet for around $9,
but if you bring in a coupon, your cost will be around $5.
I created the upcoming year (2016) with 11″ x 6″ numbers in Word Art
Printed each number & cut them out
Laid each number out, side-by-side, on the sheet of styrofoam,
taking some measurements to ensure they were evenly spaced on a 1″ line
Next, I traced around the “year” numbers, removed them & cut around the entire traced pattern,
keeping the 1″ bottom portion as part of the cut-out pattern (to hold the numbers together as one unit)
Then, my favorite thing… painting & glittering!
I used black paint AND black glitter
(HELPFUL HINT: If you cannot find Design Master paint, you can use any black spray paint,
just be careful to hold it a minimum of 12″ away, to keep the styrofoam from disintegrating)
Next, to light up (or “Marquee”) my sign,
I took advantage of a post-Christmas sale at Walgreens
and picked up 4 boxes of multi-color, battery-operated LED light strands ($1.27 ea.).
I measured and evenly spaced tiny holes in each number of my sign
and inserted the lights from the LED strands.
(HELPFUL HINT – the light layout process requires a little forethought to ensure the wires stay
as hidden as possible… kind of like a puzzle LOL)
And here’s how my homemade marquee sign turned out!
Check out my fishing line hanging method! LOL
And I love how I can leave the lights turned off until midnight
and they even have an optional “twinkle” function to create a fun, party atmosphere for my gettogether!
Here’s a fun filmstrip graphic if you want to share it on your Pinterest page…
And check out how taking away a few Christmas decorations in exchange for some balloons, party hats & blowers,
mixed in with my New Years decorations (you’ve seen these before! LOL),
took the fireplace decor from Christmas…
to a festive New Year’s design…
I hope you have a wonderful, safe & happy 2016
and I’ll try to keep the ideas coming. 🙂
ENJOY THE CREATIVITY!
Wow, your ideas!, I love the fire place, great idea the marquee, and love the wreath too, every thing is so beautiful thanks for sharing, still your fan, you work so much.
Happy new year, from texas at my mom’s
H
Eileen, when is the Dillars sale Dec 26, or after new year? and where are you going this year for christmas sale?
Hi Horte,
I recently realized that my response to your comment never posted. Dillard’s sale is on New Year’s Day, but they go 90% off this week I believe. I did go but didn’t buy as much this year. Just the black/red plaid ornaments & 1 Santa. How about you?
Happy New Year!
Eileen
Thank you Horte! ♥
Gorgeous wreaths, and thanks for the tutorial!
Please may I ask you where I could find the clock or pocket watch ornaments on the New Years wreath. I can’t find any even remotely close. Thank you so much!
Happy New Year!
Hi Laura,
I found those ornaments at Dillard’s Dept. Store, a few years ago after Christmas. But I still did a quick search for you on the internet where I found similar ones. Maybe some of them will catch your eye… https://www.google.com/search?q=clock+ornaments&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=clock+ornaments&tbm=shop
Also, you could print out clock faces, roll them up and slide them inside the clear, flatter ornaments Michael’s Craft Stores carry almost year round now, but definitely at Christmas. Then, with a pencil, ink pen, etc., reach inside to unroll them so they show through the clear front of the ornament, repeating the process if you want the same image to show on both sides of the ornament. Of course, the easiest would be to glue the clock face images to a round piece of cardboard or old CD… voila’, instant ornament! 🙂
I’d love to see your design when it’s finished! Thanks, Eileen
Dear Eileen,
Thank you so much for your replies and for the great ideas and tips! You have a very creative talent!
May this year bring you many Blessings, continued Good Health, and Prosperity!
Laura
Beautiful mantel, and I love your 2016 lights! Such a fun, festive idea!