Tuesday, December 21, 2010

DIY! Hung by the Chimney With Care

Yep, it is a little early to start thinking about Christmas...
nah...I need all the time I can get!
I first saw these wooden stockings - actually vintage sock forms - in the current issue of Country Living, and I knew I had to have some, somehow...but where, how?
Are these not too fabulous!
Image from Country Living

There was little time for me to look for the real thing, so I decided to make my own. I adore them. My kids like them too - my son just wants to make sure that there is still a place for the real stockings for Santa...and my daughter just wants them all in her room - go figure!

Supplies:
  • Bass wood sheets (or ply wood...or wood of choice)
  • Dremel Multi-Max with saw blade (or a jigsaw or handsaw)
  • Dremel Multi-Max with 240 grit sand paper (or a Norton Sanding Bug)
  • DecoArt Staining and Antiquing Medium
  • DecoArt American Acrylic in Light Cinnamon
  • DecoArt American Acrylic in Asphaltum
  • DecoArt American Acrylic in Burnt Umber
  • Rockler's, Deft Wood Finish in Semi Gloss
  • Drill and drill bit
  • Twine or string
  • Paint brush or foam brush
  • Paper towels or rags

DIY IT!
Here's a PDF tutorial for you.
Or
Go checkout the Full tutorial at The DIY Club!
DIY Club

 Draw, Cut, and Sand

 Stain and Antique

Ta-Da! All done. I LOVE them!

I do not have a mantel, so I used some left over branches from our Christmas tree to create a centerpiece son the fireplace and hung the stocking from there. A touch of Baby's Breath {I LOVE Baby's Breath!) added some softness and a hint of snowy white.
I had to take some liberties...These are not exact replicas...I used a very thin Basswood sheet to cut them out. I like the thicker wood, so I think I will be making some more out of a thicker wood - I need a jigsaw badly (do you hear me Santa...or hubby?)! I am adding a mantel to next years Wish List too!

And my designer friends...should I paint my fireplace white?
Or leave it...or any ideas? Just asking?!
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Disclosure: Some of the items,products or supplies have been provided to me free of charge through my affiliation with The DIY Club.

20 comments:

  1. How cool! Fabulous, indeed:D I love the way you used the branches behind it.

    Your fireplace is very pretty how it is, but I also love the all-white Country Living look. I know I'm not much help...I've been on a kick where I want to paint everything white lately :)

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  2. Very fun! I love the extra touches with the garland and baby's breath.

    I'm not help on the fireplace. It looks warm and cozy as is, especially for Christmas. Depends on the look you are going for? :)

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  3. Oh Holly--how funny I have been thinking about making some too. I just haven't had the time YET--do you think I can get them done by Christmas?

    Cheri

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  4. Wow, they look great. How did I miss them in Country Living? I just started a subscription so I'll have to go back thought my magazines and see what I might have overlooked the first time around.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  5. I love that look! This is going to kill you, but I had a few antique wood stocking stretchers in my basement that were ruined when the water heater leaked and flooded the basement. They were all warped and water stained and I had to throw them out. It made me ill!

    The fireplace - I'm not sure what style you've decorated the rest of your house in, so that makes the decision a little harder. If you were my client, I would suggest that you "pretend" to paint it by placing something large and white (painted piece of plywood or even a bed sheet) in front of the fireplace and live with it for a day or two to see if you like the change. I know that won't be quite the same look as painted brick, but it will give you an idea whether you like that much white in the room without actually painting the brick (which is almost impossible to reverse). Good luck!

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  6. Holly those are adorable!! I have seen that inspiration picture and no idea they were wood! How observant am I? ;) I love yours and they looks so adorable on your cozy fireplace!!

    Merry Christmas my friend!!

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  7. These are amazing! So cute! :]

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  8. Neat! Thanks for posting. I'm your newest follower from http://www.beckhamandbloom.com We'd love to have you & I wanted to invite you to post this on our "Show Off" linky going on now. Have a wonderful Holiday & many Blessings,
    Melly

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  9. OMG! I love them! They are just my speed! They are totally perfect! Fab job!
    Allie

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  10. Holly,

    Love the sock form stockings. Sock blockers that knitters use would work too.

    About the fireplace: I don't recommend you paint the brick, you can almost never undo it. Maybe if you want some white or even all white try out some wainscoting that you can "install" over the brick. If you ever want to go back to the original brick you can.

    Happy Holidays!

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  11. I just love a project where you see something you like, so you go make it yourself! Turned out wonderfully!

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  12. I love the stockings!
    The fireplace looks great the way it is.

    Hope your having a great day!

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  13. wow, these are awesome, holly!!! i wish i had a mantle! ooh... maybe i could make some for next year to hang on my fence outside!

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  14. Those turned out awesome Holly!! :)

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  15. These are so great Holly!! I love them!! The look so cool with the garland behind them. They will have to go on my list for next year! :)

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  16. So much fun decoration.

    Happy holidays!

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  17. Hi Holly,
    They are cute and at first I thought your home picture was a magazine picture. Looks awesome and easy to make.

    Happy Holidays!

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  18. These turned out amazing! I absolutely love them :) Your fireplace is beautiful with it's natural brick :)

    Thanks for visiting Tattered and Inked- I'm glad I found your blog through it! I'll be poking around :)

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  19. Holly, I love this project! I like the way yours turned out even better than the ones that inspired the project from Country Living! Beautiful way to mantelcize your fireplace!

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Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!