Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Gum Drop Pomander Ornament {Tutorial}

Iguess I’m in love with candy this year…at least decorating with it. Candy is cheap and when grouped together it is quite beautiful. I’m all about getting a lot of bang for very little buck. Ha!
One day recently, the idea popped into my head to decorate with gumdrops.  I’ve made two different gum drop crafts {one of which I’ll show you soon…I promise}, but for now here is one that I’m just loving!  Introducing….Gum Drop Pomander Ornaments!!
Fabulous, eh?
Last year I hung candy canes from my chandelier and this year it’s gum drops. I wonder what next year will bring! :)
I know you’re just itching to make a few of these yourself, so let’s get to it!
Supplies You’ll Need:
  • Styrofoam balls {super cheap at Walmart!}
  • Ribbon
  • Straight Pins
  • Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
  • Gum Drops
  • Scissors
Squeeze a dab of glue on a foam ball and then attach the ribbon with a pin through the hot glue.
Loop the ribbon around then glue and pin the ribbon in place.
Begin gluing gum drops in place – alternating colors until the entire ball is covered.
{getting pretty!}
Hang your awesomely fun gum drop pomander ornament…
…on a stand…
…from a chandelier…
…on your Christmas tree, if it has strong branches.
Or you can make the gum drop ornaments without ribbon and
…decorate candle sticks…
or add your gum drop balls to a Christmas vignette.
When Ridley saw these Gum Drop Pomander Ornaments he said, “ooooooo, mama!”
It would be lovely to make several of these and hang them as a collection. I used fishing line to hang mine from the chandelier.
So, what do you think?

Whimsical Gum Drop Garland {Tutorial}

Okay, this is the last candy related Christmas decorating post, I promise!  Hasn’t this been fun?! :)
I adore how my Gum Drop Garland turned out. It is soooo easy and fast and just adorable. See?
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And it cost me only $1.00!!
My gum drop garland is wrapped around a grapevine tree in my “collected” foyer.  However, you can use a gum drop garland anywhere your sweet, big heart pleases.  I thought it also would be cute to make little strung ornaments out of 3-4 gum drops.
Anyway, on to the tutorial…
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Supplies Needed:
  • Gum Drops 1.00/bag at the Dollar Store
  • Scissors
  • Upholstery Thread or Fishing Line
  • Long Needle
  • Damp Rag to wipe off your sticky fingers and needle.
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Cut a piece of thread as long as you want your garland. I cut mine around 4 feet long.  Knot the end.  Then begin threading on gum drops.  I alternated colors and the direction of the gumdrops as you can see in the first picture.
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After several gum drops your needle, thread and fingers will begin getting sticky. Just wipe them off and keep at it!
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Or, I guess you could lick your fingers if you’d like! :)
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Looking a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e!!!
Once you’ve finished threading the gum drops, knot the thread and cut off any excess.  Then have fun decorating with this whimsical gum drop garland!
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…add it to a candle holder…
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…or drape it over a mirror…
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…hang it from a shelf…
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…or wrap a grapevine wreath with it 
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So there you have it…how to make a fun, frugal and whimsical gum drop garland.  As always, please use discretion where you place your garland if you have little children.
P.S. I’ve had my gum drop garland made and in my foyer for two weeks and I haven’t had any issues with bugs! :)
Are y’all ready for Christmas? I haven’t even started wrapping yet! Ha!