Kitschy Christmas Mugs

I've been seeing vintage Christmas mugs with vintage Christmas decorations in them all over Pinterest. I just love kitschy retro Christmas decorations! So when I saw that Pottery Barn was selling reproduction mugs, I decided to give it a try.

I figured that I would use either vintage or new-but-look-vintage items to make my own. I wasn't very successful in finding bottle-brush trees or other little decorations. I ended up using Christmas-themed floral bits and some plastic Christmas tree balls with a Styrofoam tree form.

Materials:

• Snowman Christmas mug
• Christmas-themed floral pieces 
• scissors

For Frosty Mug, I just trimmed and arranged the greenery. I didn't even add a bow or anything. Easiest craft ever!

Frosty Mug

Rudolf took slightly more effort.

Materials:

• Reindeer mug
• Styrofoam cone, I picked white for some reason, but it showed through so I had to spray paint it green. Next time, I start with a green cone
• Assorted plastic or glass Christmas tree balls
• Glue gun

The cone I chose, was a good height and width, but the base was a little large to fit in the mug. I carved a bit off the bottom of the cone so that it fit in the mug and around Rudolf's ears.

As I mentioned above, painting the cone to match the color of the balls helps to hide it. Use the hot glue gun to attach the balls to the cone. Small balls make it easier to get good cone coverage.

Rudolf in progress

I did not glue the cone to the mug so that the mug could be used for other purposes or redecorated.

Rudolf from the front

Rudolf from the back

Christmas 2010

I have to say it was one of the nicest Christmases (so far). We got to spend time with family and friends, although more time with friends would be nice. We didn't go overboard with extravagant gifts, but just enough useful ones. And while that might sound like we gave and received socks (although I did get two pairs of Smartwool socks...) we also ended up with 3 pounds of Peet's Holiday Blend which will keep the holidays going well into 2011.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Another Mushroom

So quick and easy to make! And they look so festive on the tree. Here's where you can find the tutorial.

Christmas Mushroom

Argh! I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the mushroom I made as a surprise...oh, well. I plan on making more since it took about 10 minutes to make. I keep seeing those little red and white mushrooms as Christmas tree decorations, and I don't know what their connection to the holiday is. Are they like the pickle, and just a manufactured tradition?

'tis the season

It's the darker days, and the busy crowds that make me feel tired. And then worrying about finding gifts...So then I just want to hunker down and be alone. It's good to find reasons why I have begun to hate the holiday season! What can I do to make it better? Breathe and reduce my expectations for myself. Will I be able to do that? I don't know, but I'll try!

Here's hoping that my gifts of time count toward the gift register. :-) One of my gifts of time & creativity is shown here.