Christmas Portraits

I had the awesome privelege to take pictures of some good friends of ours.  I really wanted to show them to you -- such a cute family!!!

Winner of the Bon Bon Charms "Etched on my Heart" necklace

I just learned what the button "print screen" does, so forgive me if you recieve a barrage of random posts titled "what I'm looking at RIGHT NOW." hehe.  Just kidding. Maybe.

Anyway, here's what I was looking at while I chose the winner of the giveaway that Erica from Bon Bon Charms so awesomely and graciously hosted!

The comment that was picked by Random.org is

#56:  Jenn from Lipstick & Laundry

Jenn has some really cute tutorials on her blog...I love her primitive candy canes!

Congratulations!  Contact me and we'll get your gift all set up :)

Vintage Sheet Music Christmas Tree Tutorial

As a new Twig creation, we couldn't resist showing you step-by-step instructions on how to create your own tree!  It's very simple, and can be done for less than $5.00.

Supplies: 

-  Tree rounds (If you don't have anyone to cut them from fallen trees, contact your local lumber mill and ask if they have any -- usually they'll have some laying around you can have).

-  Styrofoam cones.  Rae found them at the dollar store.

-   Scissors

-  Hot Glue Gun

-  Sheet music (you can also use old book or dictionary pages if you'd like)

***

Tear out 10-15 pages of sheet music..

..Fold them in half, cut on the fold..set aside a half sheet for the top of the tree..

..Cut out a triangle from the half page.  This will leave you with three pieces (only 2 pictured here..)..

...Cut the big triangle in half from top to bottom...

..Use your scissors to curl each piece like ribbon on the ends.. 

..Put a strip of hot glue on your styrofoam base, and start staggering sheet music curls around the base..

Continue in layers all the way up...don't make them too even!

..Cut off the pointed edge about 1/2'' down..

..Take your reserved half sheet of paper, and cut it in half again..

..You'll be making a cone to fit on the top of the tree, so run a line of hot glue along an edge of the 1/4 sheet of music..

..Roll one corner to the opposite corner, making a cone..

..Cut the open bottom of the cone to make it even..

..Line the inside of the cone with hot glue..

..Put the cone on the tree, and gently press on all sides to make it stay put..

..Add a few more curled pieces to the top to blend it, and all that's left is the base!

Add some hot glue to the base, plenty so that it sticks..

..Put the tree on top, and let it dry.  You're done!

"Etched on My Heart" Necklace Giveaway!

Erica from Bon Bon Charms has been kind enough to give away one of her amazing charm necklaces to someone who comments today....

Take a look at some of her work...

...These are 12.00!  TWELVE. Such good prices!

I really love these silhouette charms....

But my favorite are her silver stamped pieces, which she is giving away!  Here's the one up for grabs:

How UNBELIEVEABLY cute is that?!  Aptly named the Etched On My Heart necklace....love it!

All you have to do to enter is: 

1.  Be a Twig follower (google reader, email subscription, etc...let me know in your comment!)

2.  Leave a second comment telling me what your favorite item in her store is!  You can find her at http://www.bonboncharms.com/ 

Also, for today only through midnight, Erica is offering a 15% discount for all Twig readers!  Make sure to enter 'TWIG'  (all caps) at checkout to get your discount!

Today is also the last day for all Christmas orders, so hurry over! 

Giveaway ends Friday at midnight! 

Christmas Market!

Saturday was our last market of the year.  A special Christmas market with so many wonderful things!  I only put in about 20 small items....I didn't stress over it.  It was more fun to take pictures and sit back and enjoy the day.  Here are some pictures!

Look for a giveaway tomorrow!