DIY Ornament with Upholstery Tacks!
I love upholstery tacks.
I know they are used mostly on furniture, but you can make a million other things out of them as well.
I loved using them on this magnet board that I made a couple of years ago for my boys’ room…
And since I had a bunch of them left over, I decided to make an ornament with them. I call it my “Christmas Blessings” ornament.
First of all, I bought this wooden plaque for 50 cents from Hobby Lobby.
Then I spray painted the plaque with some Krylon Satin Dover White that I had left over from another project. You could use any off white paint you may have at home.
Then I hammered in some bronze upholstery tacks that I bought from Lowe’s for $1.30. I used less than two boxes.
Nailing in the tacks takes some practice. I had to draw a thin pencil line down the middle of the plaque to help me keep my lines straight.
The tacks are not perfectly lined up, but good enough.
I left a space at the bottom of the tree for my red ribbon.
Then I used my StazOn Ink (that I already had) and stamped “Blessings” at the bottom of the plaque.
I got the “Blessings” stamp a few weeks ago in the dollar bins at Michael’s.
Next, I hot glued some jute string to the top of the plaque so I could hang it on a wall or tree, and I hot glued my red ribbon on.
I loved the way it turned out, but it looked a little too “new” to me. I love the look of old, vintage types of decorations.
So I used my sanding sponge and sanded down the edges of the plaque.
But since the plaque was pine, you couldn’t really see where I sanded it, and it didn’t have that vintage look I was after.
So I used some Valspar Mocha glaze (that I have had for about two years!), and applied it to the sanded edges with a Q-tip and wiped it off with a paper towel.
It made the plaque look soooo much better!
That’s it!
I took it outside and hung it on a tree because everything looks better in the sunshine.
I love my sweet little plaque!
It is such a great reminder of all the blessings that Christmas holds.
They have smaller plaques at Hobby Lobby if you would like to make a similar smaller ornament, or use it for a gift tag. I thought you could even do a monogram plaque as a gift!
I pray that your Christmas is filled
with all the blessings that only HE can give!
I love this idea, what a creative use of upholstery tacks. very clever and great step by step photos. thanks
Very crafty!
What a great inexpensive craft!
That’s a perfect gift!!! I love it! I have never in my life used an upholstery tack in fact my friend and I were trying to think of the name a few days ago!!! I see that narrow hammer would be mighty handy too. Love it all
Hmmm…I have little wood floor samples from way back and m&ms and clear spray paint for covering the chocolate. Could I copy you and not go to the store since I’m disabled and well…getting rides are hard and boy…I’ve bot spray paint, jute, (twine in every color) plus those bright m&ms. When I get over this awful flu I might relax by making these trees. You are my inspiration. Ill let you know if its even doable though:-/
I love this! Thanks for sharing.
God Bless
Super cute! What a great idea. I’m smiling because I was hammering some upholstery tacks today, too: http://livingrichonless.com/ballarddesignsknockoffmessageboard/