Monday, December 12, 2011

Sights and Sounds of Christmas 2011

Each year at Christmas time, the ladies of our church gather for a special night to kick off the Christmas season.  Sights and Sounds of Christmas is so much fun.  Our focus is on the real reason for the season, and that makes such a joyful evening.  We enjoy beautiful music, a cooking demo, lots of yummy refreshments, and a decorating/craft demo.  This year, "yours truly" did a demonstration on all the different ways you can decorate with Epsom Salts.

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My daughter was there and snapped these pictures of me.  I commented that I could have used a little less facial expression.  She said, "Mom, these were the pictures with less facial expression"!!  Well, I guess you can tell we were having fun!


#1 - Mason Jar Luminaries

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So easy!  Just put a few inches of Epsom Salts in the bottom of your jar and place a votive candle inside.  You can tie some fabric, raffia, or hemp string around the edge.  Add some greenery, jingle bells, or any decorations you have on hand.  These are so pretty lining your walkway, front steps, or inside the house going up a staircase!

#2 - Epsom Salt Tea Light Holders

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Collect some old jars.  Any size goes.  I wanted smaller ones since I was using it for a table centerpiece.  Paint the outside of your jars with Mod Podge, and roll in Epsom Salts.    Let them dry overnight.  Put a tea light inside, and place on a plate, platter, or right on your table.  At Sights and Sounds, we lined the center of the food tables with the mason jar luminaries and these tea light holders.  They were sweet with some fresh greenery and pine cones around them.

#3 - Epsom Salt Ornament

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These take seconds to make.  Using a funnel (make one from paper), pour some Epsom Salts in the ornament and replace the top.  Tie on a ribbon and if you wish, put a letter sticker on as a monogram.

#4 - Snowballs 

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Pick up a package of styrofoam balls from the Dollar Store.  Paint them with Mod Podge and roll in Epsom Salts.  As you can see in the picture below, I also used some much smaller ones and strung them on ribbon for a garland on my winter tree.  When Christmas is over and all the decorations get packed away, I find everything looks so bare.  So that is the time that I get out my snowmen, skates, sleds, snowflakes and decorate again!

#5 - Epsom Salt Candles

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I simply painted the candles with Mod Podge, as I did the glass jars, and rolled them in Epsom Salts.  I did the same with the snowflake ornaments.  There were 6 in a pkg at the dollar store.  How cute and frosty looking!

#6 Frosting Imitation Greenery

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This is plastic greenery from the Dollar Store.  Paint the ends with Mod Podge and dip in Epsom Salts!

#7 - Painted Candle

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I decided I wanted a bit of color on one of these candles.  So I wrapped painters tape around, about 3/4 of the way up the tallest candle.  Then I painted it with a brown tole paint.  I let it dry completely before I painted a coat of Mod Podge on it and rolled it in Epsom Salts.  When it was all dry, I took the tape off and tied the gold ribbon around it.  The other two candles just have Mod Podge and Epsom Salts...no paint!


I hope these ideas have inspired you to pick up some Epsom Salts (at the Dollar Store) and have some fun!  If you have any Epsom Salts left over, you can use it up with the Bath Salts Recipe that I posted last week.  


Photos by Nicole!



42 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos. You are truly the "Epsom Lady!" What a joy to see you live! Have a grand one, Sistah! oo

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  2. "these were the photos with less facial expression!!!" Hannah and I laughed out loud reading that!

    Love it..I believe it too :o)

    Great easy ideas...might just do the snow ball one after Christmas...loved the snowballs on the ribbon..I think I saw that...very nice!

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  3. Wow Tanya, I never realized how versatile epsom salt is. I will have to give it a try. Thanks for posting these great ideas.

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  4. I never would have thought of Epsom salts for crafts. But it gives everything a beautifully frosted look. Great job. You look very much at ease up there, Tanya, and Nicole did her photo magic. xo

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  5. Wow, these are wonderful ideas and so pretty and easy! Thanks for sharing them. Love the photos of you. It looks like you had a fun time demonstrating these crafty ideas.

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  6. Thanks for all the epson salt inspiration. It really does look like you were having a great time at the event.
    Thanks for stopping by my decorating blog post. Thanks so much for the lovely comment on my new grandbaby being the star on our tree. She is on her way to meet us as I write you now. I will be off soon to greet her.
    Hugs
    Michele

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  7. Epsom salt is great - I also did it on plastic fruit from the dollar store - looks like crystalized fruit. It is also very nice for a centrepiece.

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  8. Thanks for all the great tips, Lisa! Your projects are all terrific!

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  9. Hi Tanya,
    Look at you!! What a Star...
    You look great, what a fun night!
    Love all of your ideas. I did not know you could buy it at the dollar store... Love it as snow on the greenery.
    Have a great week!
    All the Best,
    Christine

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  10. Tanya - I love every single thing you made with the epsom salts! So creative and festive!

    By the way - your facial expressions are priceless! Looks like you were having the best time and I'm sure those watching you were having a ball too!

    Thanks for sharing at Knick of Time Tuesday this week!

    Blessings,
    Angie

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  11. Where would we be w/o mod podge and epsom salt? Your projects are fantastic. Love your facial expressions...wish I had been there....you were certainly having fun!
    Blessings

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  12. I am Pam Gordon's sister-in-law. What a great idea. I had some gifts to do for the girls at work and tomorrow, I will get my items and it will be done. Beautiful job.
    Merry Christmas and all the best in 2012,
    Cathy Buck

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  13. love you and your facial expressions!!

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  14. If Martha Stewart sees this, she is for sure going to invite you as a guest on her show. This is just delightful!!

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  15. OK - I'm impressed with these. Lovely. And your expression? - pure joy!

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  16. Tanya, i've bookmarked this post.. so many wonderful ideas.. I want to use them all! You know, your visits just inspire me to be better, I thank you for your time and your encouraging words.. Be blessed and Merry Christmas, xo marlis

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  17. What awesome ideas! I am SO going to ModPodge some Epsom Salts!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Dawn@MakingHome

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  18. these were the pictures with less facial expression - I'm still laughing :) Thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas - I will file them away to try next season.

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  19. You have so many wonderful ideas! I also love that you are having so much fun! I love your expressions! You and your blog are full of inspiration! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!

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  20. LUV these ideas, Kathy! Thank you so much for sharing your great tips - and your lovely smile! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  21. Hi Tanya, all these ideas are great. Thanks so much for sharing them. It seems you all had lots of fun too. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

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  22. Wow! I never knew you could do so much with Epsom salt! Thanks for sharing all of this. You've got some really creative ideas & some great looking projects too. I'm kicking myself over the snowball garland. I made one for my mantel out of pompoms, but I think I would have preferred your styrofoam ball/Epsom salt idea.

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  23. What wonderful ideas you've given! The ladies at your church were lucky to be there in person. I definitely am going to try a couple of these!

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  24. Hello...

    Ohhh my...sooo many beautiful Christmas crafts with Epsom salts...who would have known? I truly loved each and every craft that you did, my friend! I have copied several of your project photos to my inspiration file! Next Christmas...Epsom Salts...here I come!

    Thanks so much for sharing all of these great crafts and tips with us! Truly a treat!

    Warmest Christmas wishes to you and your family!

    Chari @Happy To Design

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  25. Excellent ideas! And, I loved your demonstration pictures ~ very cute. Merry Christmas

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  26. LOVE these ideas...especially the snowflakes. The dollar store and I have become the best of friends since they came to town a couple of years ago...I will have to go back AGAIN and see if I can find those snowflakes! :) Thanks for stopping by Vanessa's Values.

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  27. awesome ideas - thanks so much for sharing!
    http://karenscraps.blogspot.com

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  28. Personally, I LOVE your facial expressions. You seem like such a lovely and engaging woman. I had no idea all that a person could do with Epsom salts. After that demo I'll bet you were ready to soak your feet in them! ;-) Happy Holidays!

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  29. Everything is so beautiful! you are so creative~ I'm now a follower!

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  30. Adorable and easy!
    I LOVE the facial expressions...looks like yall were having a blast!

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  31. How did we ever manage without epsom salts? Every thing here is wonderful. I want to try it all!

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  32. How easy, and yet such a great effect! I will definitely be using Epson salts to make some snowy creations. And you look like you are REALLY having a good time:-) Makes me want to try this all the more!

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  33. Oh my, what great ideas! I especially love the snowballs and think after Christmas is done, I may shower my house in snowflakes and snowballs. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  34. Fabulous ideas cant wait to try it too
    xxoo
    Pam

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  35. What awesome crafts! Thank you so much for linking up with me at An Original Belle!

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  36. Let me just say...I have made the snowballs...and seen the jars...but never ever thought about frosty the cheapy snowflakes...man you're good! I shall be joining momentarily!
    Sharon
    Please stop by and visit me sometime!

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  37. Thanks for all the great ideas using Epson Salts!! I have some right in a jar on my bathtub...woo-hoo!!

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  38. Wow, each and every one is gorgeous, and all the great ideas on using Epson salts for the holidays. I have some little Styrofoam balls I haven't done anything with until now. So happy to see this. Thanks for sharing over at Sunday's Best and happy holidays!

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  39. You have got to be kidding me! You are so talented! Now I'm a follower of yours! Please come back again and link up another project at my place on Wednesday again!
    Melody
    ChattyChics.com

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  40. Hello...saw you on Home Talk and ran right out to buy some epsom salt.Can'twait to start my projects,tomorrow! I am, now, a new follower!

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