Pinterest Inspired Ornaments...

I know, I know, the holidays are over... better late than never though right?

But now that everything has settled down it is exactly when I have enough time to do a quick post up on these.

This year for Christmas diner 2011 I decided to host it for both my family and my husbands. As always I like to give a little something to everyone who attends Christmas at my home. A tradition of Holiday Crackers, painted Christmas balls, or Chocolate initials are some ideas from the past... but this year I just wanted it to be special. With 29 sitting down for dinner, some of them strangers to each other, I wanted to give each and everyone of my guests something to remember this holiday with.

All of the furniture moved out of the living room ready for Christmas Diner

One day while browsing Pinterest ( yes I am officially addicted!!) I came across some beautiful salt ornaments that various people had made. They were so cute - but I'm going to be honest... I didn't have the time or energy to try the recipe(s) out - they all seemed a little different - and I needed something foolproof - the first time. Making 29 custom ornaments in a day didn't allow much room for error.

Off to Micheal's I went (the Canadian Version of Joanne's I believe) and using my 50% off coupon I purchased a large box of Sculpey Oven Backed Clay (8 lb).

I believe it was a few days before Christmas after everyone was in bed I put "ELF" (my all time favourite Christmas movie) and went to work. The process was actually very easy... a little time consuming but easy... and I'm all about easy!

I used one of my favourite Cookie Cutters along with a holiday script stamp. On the other side I used a large stamp similar to a date stamp but with letters on it and stamped out everyone names on the back of the ornament along with the date under it. Also poked a little hole in the top to hang them later on.

Letting Them Cool on the Cookie Sheet after Baking

When that was done I used Martha Stewart fine glitter and sprinkled it on both sides.

Backed in oven for 15 minutes and then strung twine (for gift wrapping from Ikea) through the holes.

Hung them off of the wine glasses at every ones place setting and they looked Gorgeous in the twinkling lights!! Everyone loved them - they were a huge success - and I think I may even make these to sell next year along with my tiles.

Hanging off the Wine Glasses they doubled as place cards as well

Hanging on our tree after the festivities!

If you would like any more information on how I made these please just comment below or drop me a quick email. I think next year I will do a quick tutorial (along with photo's of the process) for all of you but for now with the holidays over - I just wanted to show you all these simple and easy ornaments.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share.

Thank you for visiting.

Over the years it has become more than apparent to me that I love organizing, decorating and most especially entertaining. I certainly look for any excuse to hold a party and there is nothing that makes me quite happier than pulling together a well coordinated, thought out gathering. For those who don't know - my husband and I own a Custum Cabinet Kitchen Shop - so naturally I am entwined daily with organizing and interior design and this has brought my love for both of these things to another level. Some of you may have have landed here from my Scrapbooking blog LIFE IS THIS - but after a year of turmoil in my family life I feel a real need to bring about some change while at the same time - to settle down. With that comes along the instinct to reorganize, redecorate, and reevaluate our home and over the last few months it is exactly what I have been doing when the time has permitted.

As a result of all of the comments and questions that I am always being asked in my personal life I will begin to share my thoughts and projects here (and maybe on my Scrapbook Blog as well) to answer some questions that others may have.

I don't think of myself in any way qualified to be called a interior designer, and I am by no means a professional organizer. I've never taken any courses in party planning (but I can whip up a fun gathering in no time) and I find it all just second nature... I often break the rules, but our time here is about doing what makes OURSELVES happy.

I have tackled a few projects over the last few months that got me prepared for our huge Christmas day feast of 29 people to sit down turkey dinner, and I am excited to share them with you here as well as other fun tidbits I find over the net. Please show some patience the first few weeks as I am learning a new blogging platform and need to spruce things up around here a bit to make it pretty. If you have any ideas or information that you would like me to post about than please feel free to comment below.

Happy New Year everyone... may you get everything you wish for in 2012.