DIY: Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree

I have always been a fan of fresh cut real Christmas trees. In the past picking out a tree has consisted of little more than showing up at a tree lot here in town. This year however, we decided we would purchase a permit and head to the forest to cut down our own tree. While cutting down trees may be controversial, rest assured that we will be planting a tree in the spring to replace it.

If you want to cut down your own tree here are some DIY tips:

1. Wear snow boots. We learned this the hard way.
2. Don't forget rope for tying it to your car and a saw (or hatchet) for chopping down the tree.
3. Use a 4 wheel drive vehicle, especially where there's snow
4. Dress warm!
5. Stick to the rules! Get the proper permits and documentation required to cut your own tree.
6. Pack water, blankets and food...just in case of car trouble.

When we set out to find our tree Peter and I had a dream of beautiful full branches. The tree we found is darling but does not meet this expectation. Our little tree is rivals Charlie Brown's for it's sparse character but we don't care! We will enjoy it all the same.

Here are some pics:

We look forward to transforming it with decorations tonight!

DIY with Feather Love

Feathers are really in style this winter and I’m loving it! From earrings to headpieces to holiday wreaths, I can’t seem to get enough. I present to you a fun and simple DIY project to incorporate a little feather fun into your holiday season!

What you’ll need:

Clear glass ornaments
Feathers, whatever type and color you like
Pieces of ribbon for easy hanging

First start by removing the silver cap at the top of the ornament by pulling gently. Trim feathers as desired and carefully insert feathers until you have achieved desired look. I prefer fewer feathers, allowing you to still see through the ornament for added dimension but this is totally your call.



Once feathers are inserted to desired look, reinsert ornament cap, add ribbon and...

Voila!!!

D&L's First Ever Go Green Challenge!

This will hopefully be the first of many Go Green Challenges. A little creativity goes a long way in figuring out how to repurpose items and give them a new life. The goal of this challenge is to think up creative ways to reuse objects that would normally be discarded after their initial use and to share those ideas with the world.

All entries will be posted here throughout the challenge. In addition to winning the prize (see below), our winner will be interviewed and asked to write a short tutorial to help the rest of us implement their great idea.


Judging will be based on 3 criteria:

1. Creativity. Has your solution been done a million times before? What's your unique twist?

2. Accessibility. Is this something most people can make if given directions?

3. Green-ability. Are there other ways you can make your design green than just the use of the initial reused object?

Photos are also a MUST for this challenge. Entries will not be considered without photos!!!


How to enter:
E-mail a brief description and picture(s) of your completed item to DotandLineHome@gmail.com
Entries will be received now through June 15. Only one entry per contestant will be allowed!

Now that all the messy logistics are out of the way you are probably wondering what normally discarded object will be the subject of the first ever D&L Go Green Challenge...

(drum roll please...)

FROSTING TUBS! (inspired by my LOVE of cake, cookies and just about anything else that requires cream cheese frosting)



And now for the prize!

(another drum roll please...)

This vintage cake tin! (Also inspired by my LOVE of cake, cookies and just about anything else that requires cream cheese frosting.)


This tin is in GREAT shape and perfectly suited for your green use and enjoyment.



Remember: June 15 is the entry deadline!!!

DIY: Painted Shoes

If you're like me you have a pair of shoes lying around that you simply don't wear anymore. I've had such a pair lying around in the back of my closet for over a year now. Instead of throwing them out I decided to give them a new life. For the longest time I've wanted a pair of bright green shoes (to wear with jeans mostly). Here's how I created them.


The Supplies:

1. An old pair of shoes
2. Acrylic paint
3. Textile paint medium (converts acrylics to fabric paint)
4. A rag
5. A paintbrush of some sort


The Instructions:
Make sure your shoes are clean and free of greasy spots and dust. Mix your paint with the fabric paint medium as directed on the bottle. This gives the paint some give to avoid cracking.

Apply paint mixture one layer at a time. Make sure to let the paint dry between layers.



You can apply as many layers of paint to fit your fancy. I wasn't going for perfect paint coverage with my shoes. I think the "imperfect" paint job makes them more interesting. I also chose to embellish my shoes with buttons. If you choose to use embellishments make sure you place them on a part of the shoe that doesn't move or crease when you walk so they won't fall off.


Voila!


A practical side note: I haven't worn these shoes in the rain or snow and would venture a guess that the paint probably won't hold up to the elements. Just keep this in mind when you wear your "new" shoes.