Reclaimed Wooden Snowflake, Featured on "Studio 5"

I was asked to tackle the Reclaimed Wooden Snowflake by Studio 5 for a West Creek Design segment.

Immediately I was smitten! I heart anything that involves reclaimed wood. I started hunting around my garage for scrap wood and bought the rest of the wood I needed from Lowe's. My go to for any type of wood decor project is the cedar fence slats from Lowe's. They're priced at $1.16 a piece for a 6ft board. You'll need 7 for this project. You can't beat that deal. (Unless It's  free)

I loved the post on My Altered State's blog. She has been building these reclaimed snowflakes for quite a while and had very easy instructions, that I followed to build mine.

I figured out the dimensions for the size of the wooden snowflake. I knew I wanted it 3ft in diameter. So started making my cuts. 

You need....

-3 long boards (36" long)
-3 short boards (24" long)
-3 lg V's (6- 45 degree cuts)
-3 sm V's (6- 45 degree cuts)
-6 triangles

After everything is cut, I layed it out to make sure the pattern would work.

My favorite way to add texture and depth to a wood project is with paint. For this project I started with a dark walnut stain and covered the wood. I let it dry overnight. 

Next I went back and forth over the board with a block of paraffin wax. Then I covered the board with white paint. After it was dry, I placed a piece of duct tape over the white paint. Then I took my blow dryer and heated the duct tape. After you've heated up the duct tape, press it down and smooth it out with your hands. Now peel it away and you will get an amazing chippy reclaimed look.

Next, I marked the center of each of the boards. The center Mark is where the boards will intersect, keeping everything symmetrical.

I started out one board at a time, attaching the embellishments on each end. You can attach the embellishments the V's) with glue (you can't go wrong with gorilla glue). I love the look of screws, but be sure to drill pilot holes or the wood will split on you. You can also use a nail gun. I love the ease and speed of the nail gun. It's very secure and doesn't split the wood.

After each of the the boards have their embellishments, start with the long boards and make an X shape. Attach with glue, screws or your nail gun.  Now take the final long board and attach it down the middle of the X. Be sure to line up the marks on the middle of the boards. 

Next start with the smaller boards and do the same thing.  Now you have a beautiful reclaimed wood snowflake!

Christmas Cheer

Where is the snow.....I can't believe how fast the holidays have snuck up on me, not to mention the warmer than usual weather. It almost feels weird to listen to Christmas music on the radio when you're driving around in sunny 60 degree weather. However, inside our home the Christmas Spirit is in full swing. This year Bryan set up all the trees and then b-lined it to the basement to watch a football game. The girls and I took over and "decked the halls" while jamming out to the Forgotten Carols and Mannheim Steamroller. Here are a few pictures of the holiday decorations in our home. I can't decide what element is my favorite, but I love the cozy woodland tree in my family room. The wood stick snowflakes were purchased a few years ago from Tai Pan. They bring a natural warmth to the room and compliment the rustic wood logs turned into stocking holders. I also love the darling wiener dog ornaments my mother in law gave to my girls this year. What a fun way to bring our beloved "Copper" into our holiday decor. What ever way you love to decorate and celebrate this holiday season, I hope the love of our Savior will be felt and shared by all. Merry Christmas!

Girls night.

Once a year I get a chance to host a fun girls night (Bunco) with a group of 11 women who are the funnest neighbors and friends. We eat, play games and laugh until our stomachs hurt.  There's also prizes for everyone.  Here are some fun shots of the table settings....

We use three tables with four to a table. I used white table cloths purchase from target. The table runner is a DIY, basic kraft paper stamped with gold polka dots. The black and white place mats are from IKEA. The plates, napkins, and straws are from Target. The clear glasses with lids came from Kneaders (it's where I had the salad catered from), and the scalloped label on the glasses was something I had laying around. 

The centerpiece was a project I did for a West Creek Design segment on Studio 5 featured here. I bought the round wood slice from Hobby Lobby.  The cute scalloped cake stand is from World Market. The cushion the pumpkin is sitting on is another DIY using coffee filters. The pumpkin is from the dollar store, that I spray painted white and wrapped with a deconstructed small grapevine wreath.

Here are a few pictures of the prizes....

The small wreath with the felt flowers is actually from the $3 dollar section at Target.  The "blessed" pallet sign was made using the lid from a small ammo box found at Smith and Edwards.

The small pumpkin is the same as the pumpkins used for the table centerpieces.  The "Thankful" pallet sign was made using the lid from a small ammo box found at Smith and Edwards too.

The "grateful, thankful,and blessed" pallet sign is a West Creek Design original, and one of my favorite to make.

Fa*La*La*La*La pallet art is also a West Creek Design original and will be available to purchase in the next few weeks.

I loved finding the fonts to use for this Fall pallet art. This is also a West Creek Design original.

The "Fresh Baked Pies" sign is from World Market, and the baguette slice cutting board is from Target. This miniature pumpkins are from Hobby Lobby.

The scalloped white cake stand is from World Market, and the delicious smelling hand soap and dish soap are one of my favorites and from Target.

The ammo boxes are a West Creek Design original done for a Studio 5 segment found here.  They make perfect table center pieces or look amazing on your kitchen window sill.

It was such a wonderful night! I'm so thankful for great friends.