Monday, December 26, 2011

What to Give Dear Bee Friends

The More Creative Bee and the Singing Bee have been dear friends of mine for many years.  We all met in college and don't live too far from each other, but we don't get to see each other as much as I would like.  Then again, that makes those times more special.  I certainly don't want to take either of them for granted and have so much fun when we get together.

Well, with late summer/early fall birthdays for all three of us and the Christmas holidays, we always get wonderful holiday (Christmas,Halloween, Thanksgiving) or seasonal gifts for each other.  But this year, I wanted to go in a different direction.

Let me show what I found at Hobby Lobby to inspire me.
They had a whole section of Christmas decorations that were Americana.
Which inspired this.....
I made 4th of July decorations for them!
 These are paper mache houses I also bought at Hobby Lobby.

 I handpainted each house (definitly handpainted - check out those stripes)

 and hand glittered them too.  (Also something I need to practice a little more.)
 I made a little banner for each house with vintage images I printed and glued to a tinsel pipe cleaner.
 My paint dripped onto the floor so I made a floor out of some scrapbook paper I had on hand.
I added a flameless candle to light it up at night.

 I also made these tealight holders too.
These are canning jars I hand painted USA on and added some more flameless tealights to.  


They aren't exactly what I thought when I planned them.  I originally cut out stencils from my cricut but the glass paint kept running under the stencil so I made stamps out of sponges instead.  
 And, sadly, I ran out of time to finish my last project, but I gave them an I.O.U.  
 I found this tutorial on pinterest and I will be making this for them on my cricut with the lace cartridge.
 I have to tell you I had so much fun making these for my Bee friends.  
Now I just wish I made one for myself too!  

Thanks for buzzing by!
Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

16 comments:

  1. Wow. They are fantastic!! Hubby and I are supposed to hit the hobby lobby today. Love that place.

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  2. Just the cutest things ever... How creative you are. The little banner is adorable. Friendships are a blessing.

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  3. So cute and so very Festive... A great project for all those Patriotic Holidays... I would love for you to share it here http://shoprubyjean.com/2011/12/sew-crafty-tuesday-linky-3-and-features/

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  4. So cute and so smart for thinking ahead! I live them, especially the vintage picture banner.

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  5. Too cute....Sue bee....I can tell you enjoyed this project.

    xo

    Jo

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  6. How cute is everything! Smarty Pants.

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  7. I know they will love them! What great gifts! And now they use them soon!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  8. You are really creative. I would never have thought of making something ahead like that. They are very cute ideas. Can't wait to see the banner when you get time to make it.
    Happy New Year!

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  9. I love those houses @ the Hob Lob.
    I've played with them in the past and LOVED the results...
    Yours turned out wonderful!!!!
    I need a Cricut!
    Hugs, Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  10. Your Fourth of July houses are toooo cute! I love how you made the little banners that hang on them. I think your friends are going to love them.

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  11. Love how your Americans houses turned out. Don't worry about the stripes being perfect. Just gives them personality. I say, "Long May She Wave". lol! Hey, I use to be a fanatic and tape my stripes off to make them perfectly straight. Much cuter this way. The little banner is so sweet. Bet your friends loved them!

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  12. Love the adorable houses! I never have 4th of July decorations...except for the flag, of course. Want to thank you for visiting my long-lost blog! I hope to do better in the coming months. Here's hoping you and yours have a very blessed 2012. Please come back to visit as often as you can...or whenever I can get a post up:)

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  13. Oh my goodness, I love these!! You have got to pin them!!

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  14. What a fantastic idea. These are all just adorable! The little "imperfections" are really what make them just perfect! I know I'd be thrilled to get them as a gift and I'm sure your dear friends did/will too.

    Thanks so much for stopping by. I love hearing from you! Hope you and your family had a magical Christmas and I'm sending you my best wishes for a very happy and healthy New Year!

    ~Mrs B

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  15. How lovely and charming! What a great friend you are! Merry Christmas (again..=))

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  16. These are so adorable! Being so far from home right now I need a little red, white and blue. No Hobby Lobby here so I'll have to look around. And I'm sure they're not gonna fit in my suitcase on my next trip home. Anyway, love these! Thanks for sharing!
    Lisa

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