DIY Glittered Birds from the Dollar Store

Here's another quick and easy DIY project for the holidays: festive birds using inexpensive birds from the dollar store and colored glitter!

I bought a couple doves and cardinals from the local dollar store. They looked okay, but the feathers were a bit thin in places and they looked, well, cheap up-close. So I decided to fancy them up!

I brushed on Mod Podge with a small brush, doing small areas at a time. I put a piece of paper underneath the birds to catch glue drips and spills, and then carefully shook glitter over the glue-painted parts.

For the dove, I decided to do the wings first. Then I did the tail. Finally, I did the beak and feet. I used silver glitter (also from the dollar store, although more expensive German glass glitter would look even better!). I liked the way it contrasted with the white - it seems very Winter Wonderland-y to me!

I used red for the cardinal and covered everything except the black face mask and eyes. However, I only painted one area at a time so that the glue would not dry in places before I'd applied the glitter.

Voila! Here's what they look like from above. Try not to touch them too much after you sprinkle on the glitter. Give them an initial tap or two to get off the excess (and pour it back into the container so as not to waste it), but then let them dry thoroughly. After they've dried, if some areas need more glitter, carefully dab on more glue and shake on glitter again. Repeat until you get the desired effect.

At this point, you have two options. You can leave them as is and when you go to use them, you might get glitter on nearby surroundings as tiny pieces come loose. Or, you can seal the glitter. I recommend the latter! (Side note: also great for DIY glittered heels, gift tags, ribbons, fascinators, etc.)

You have quite a few choices: pastel or charcoal fixatives, acrylic spray sealants, Mod Podge (might take off glitter when you brush it on, though), or other glue-type sprays. I'm going to try an Elmer's version. I'll report back and let you know how it works once I've applied it. Whatever you use, make sure you follow the directions on the can/container!

These have wired feet, so you can turn them into ornaments for the tree after they've dried. They'd also look great tucked into Advent wreaths, Christmas wreaths, garlands, or on top of presents (for very lucky recipients!).

I still have a few of these birds leftover. I might make the dove light pink or yellow for Easter, and do the cardinal in blue (so it looks like a Blue Jay) or another bright color for the summer. Just change your glitter color to match the season!

What would you use these for? Any other ideas?

Life Magazine's Penguins Around the World

Life Magazine has wonderful slideshows on their website featuring the kinds of photos they're known for - memorable photos that put a smile on your face and become instant favorites.

These are from their "Penguins Around the World" slideshow. It combines modern photos like the last one shown above with vintage snaps like the black and white ones I've selected.

I can't tell which I like the best - I love old photos but the vibrant shades in the color ones shown just jump right out at you. I love the mossy green on the mountainside, and the bright red pop of the penguin's Santa suit. Which do you like the best?

See more of Life Magazine's amazing photos here.

Summer and Winter Fruit Prints

These summer and winter fruit prints from Claire Nereim will cheer up any room with their bright color schemes and teach you what types of juicy produce are available during each season!

See more from her Etsy shop here.

Easy White and Gold Necklaces

Wintertime always makes me crave white and gold jewelry, to coordinate with all the twinkly lights outside. Below, I'll show you a quick & easy way to make your own using Shrinky Dink sheets!


First, pick an image you like (or multiple images) and print it out. I'll be using feather photos for the next few steps. Turn the paper over, and rub a pencil back and forth until you have a nice layer of graphite. You could also use a charcoal one, if you have it handy.


Turn the sheet back over, place it over a Shrinky Dink sheet, and trace the outlines. You won't need any detail in the middle, unless you plan on cutting it out to form a window or something like that.


Carefully cut out your shapes. A pair of small scissors works great for tiny details like the points of the feathers seen here.


Use a punch to create a hole where you want the chain to hang from. If you're doing an animal, like the quail shown above, you can make the hole where the eye would be. It makes the necklace look really modern but adds a bit of detail as well.

Then just pop your shapes in the oven, following the directions on the Shrinky Dinks packets! After they're done baking, use pliers to attach jump rings to the holes you punched and string gold chains through the ring. I like a slightly longer one, about 18" so it hangs low and looks a bit boho, but a 16" one works well too.

Almost Here

Dear readers, I meant to post diy, last-minute projects that would make lovely Christmas gifts for you this week. Unfortunately, the thing about the holidays is that they creep up on you. All of a sudden, you have way too much to do in too little time and blogging often falls by the wayside. So, I'll be posting them in January instead when I can take the time to properly photograph and explain them, step-by-step. Think of it as a late gift? (I do hope you'll like them!)

In the meantime, here's a photo of the sole burst of color in the backyard right now. I have no idea what type of vine this is - in the summer it's just green with golden berries. When winter settles in, however, the little globes blush the loveliest shade of red. (Thankfully, the birds left enough of them for me to take this picture!)

Curried Carrot Soup

When the rain pours down and the wind whips and howls like it has been all week, I love making this simple, delicious soup!

Put a deep sauce pan on the stove, and pour a tablespoon of olive oil into it. Turn the heat on to medium-low. Then peel and dice half of a medium onion. Add it to the pot. In the meantime, peel and dice a pound of carrots. When the onion is translucent, add the carrots to the pot. At this point, you can also add a teaspoon of minced garlic and a knob of ginger (peel it first). I like to add both! Add a few grinds of fresh pepper, and a few shakes of crushed red pepper (more if you like it spicier).

Pour enough chicken stock over the carrots to just cover them. If you like your soup a little thinner, add enough to cover them by an inch to an inch and a half.

Turn the heat up to high, and boil until the carrots are soft when pierced with a knife. Take the pot off the heat, and place on a trivet or wooden cutting board. Puree the soup with an immersion blender, or do it in *small* batches in a blender (it will rapidly expand when you turn it on). Be careful, the mixture is very hot! (If you're using an immersion blender, don't place it against the bottom but don't lift it too high in the mixture either or it will splash everywhere.)

Once blended, return the pot to the stove. Add a tablespoon or two (depending on how hot you like it) of curry powder. I usually use the yellow blend, but the red is great as well (it's just hotter)! If you like a milder or creamier soup, you can stir in a half cup or so of plain yogurt, sour cream, or milk at this point as well. Salt to taste, and simmer to blend all the flavors together (at least ten minutes).

Serve and enjoy!

Lake Baikal

Crossing frozen Lake Baikal, by Matthieu Paley. I love the veins in the ice - looks like something from another planet!