Craft Lightning: Watercolor Label Garland

I don’t know what it is, but something about Christmas makes me want to get busy with the office supplies. Last week I was messing around with shipping labels and decided they needed to be taken to the next level. Lucky for me, I had a watercolor set ready to go. A little string, a little quality couch time and…BAM. Christmas garland!

And who says Christmas has to red and green? Break out the turquoise!

Materials
Round office labels
Watercolor paint (and brush + water)
String or twine

Start out by painting the surface of the labels, alternating between stripes and short strokes. Don’t worry about leaving some blank, just go for pattern and color.

Plan on painting a lot. Like, a lot. You may want to go back and doodle some dots or marks. Or not. No pressure.

This is a bad shot, but if I had done a better job with the camera focus, you would see that each one of these little label situations is its own composition.

Lay labels sticky side up, then place the string across.

Now add more labels, stick side down, allowing the string to sandwich in between.

You can turn out a few feet of this garland in 15 minutes or less, or, set up on the couch with a big stack of labels on the couch and go to town!

I made these for the holidays, but I think you could keep them up year round and nobody would complain.

And speaking of quick and easy projects…it’s time for Craft Lightning! All this week I’m co-hosting a roundup of holiday  projects than can be completed in 15 minutes or less. Thanks to Angie and Carolina for inviting me to join in the fun. Here is today’s roundup…

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Did you ever wonder how people in the movies open their christmas boxes without breaking the ribbon? Make one yourself!

Old timey wooden ornaments never lose their charm.

Or what about wooden slice ornament snowmen?

If you have a circut machine you can make one of these ornaments in under 15 minutes.

This easy jingle bell ornament has all sorts of possibilities.

And look at these ornaments made from juice lids.

I have never heard of a holiday shadow box, but this is a cute idea with plenty of possibilities.

And here is another first: a Christmas car freshener. Santa is smelling good!

My secret stash of baker’s twine could be put to good use. Christmas cards, here we come!

Stay tuned! There is plenty of Craft Lightning left this week, and you can follow along with our Pinterest board so you never miss any of the fun!