Ecka & Pecka

The decorating is complete.

Tip: Home depot has poinsettias and inexpensive garland on Black Friday. The quality was just as good as the Christmas Tree Company. We used tiny zip ties, that we also found at the Home Depot, to attach multiple lengths of garland – it made it fuller.

Happy Holidays!

We used this wrapping paper and some pom poms.

Take a look at this and come back.

We twisted together two pipe cleaners, bend the top and cut off about an inch at the bottom.

Here are the colors we used.

Up next – Pecka’s gift wrap.

Take a look at this, download the template and come back.
We decided to modify a few things.

Here’s what we did:
1. Printed each shape on a separate 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper and elongated the tabs.

2. Aligned and traced the outside shape.

3. Cut out the shape.

4. Scored all the folds.

5.  Planned the colors.

6. Screw punched each letter. Used the same letters as a template.

7. Put a length of double sided tape on the back tab and closed.
Note: Tape is MUCH EASIER than glue.

8. Positioned the light and marked the width of the cord. Then cut a space for the cord. (Look at the next photo and then come back.) Taped the wire to the lantern.

9. Tucked in the tabs, taped the top of the triangle shape horizontally and then taped both seams.
Note: We didn’t use glue. This was sturdier and faster.

This the what our paper lanterns look like. We will also take some pictures when they are hung.

Next we are going to turn pipe cleaners into candy canes.

1. Cut circles in every color.

2. Made a hole in the center of each circle with the screw punch.

4. Measured a length of yarn and added extra for knots. Taped the end of the yarn to make it easier to thread.

5. Tied a knot every 6 -8 inches and threaded on the circles.
Note: Tie a knot on both sides of the circle if you want the circle to stay stationary. I decided that was too much work and I would make the adjustment when I hung it up.

6. Turned on the TV.
Note: TV is crucial. This is mind numbing.

This is how it looks.

We also decided to hang pine garland with paper garland around the windows.

So, we ordered this:

Thought it looked fuller and was cheaper than buying it at a garden center.
We’ll let you know if it is nice.

The paper lanterns are next. Hopefully this weekend.

Before I show you how, Ecka & Pecka have to clear some things up.

Ecka & Pecka:
1. Stink at photography. (Please judge these next few posts on there ideas, not beauty of presentation. Thank you.)
2. Like the way handmade things look, but both of us are impatient people.

If you recall, we were inspired by this and decided to make the pom poms.
Then we searched to the fastest way to make pom poms.

Martha Stewart’s pom poms

1. Place pom-pom maker’s pieces in pairs, following package directions.
2. Wind yarn around each pair, filling inside of U.
3. Interlock units’ feet to make a circle. Slip scissors into gap between sides; cut through loops all around circle. Tie a loop for hanging in one end of a piece of thread; use other end to cinch pom-pom by sliding it into gap and tying tightly around yarn.
4. Remove plastic units.
5. Trim the pom-pom into a neat sphere.

Here’s something called a pom pom maker.

To us, these were too time consuming.
Then we came across the Domestifluff way – zippy.

Now, how we did it. Oh, wait a minute… the scissors.

If you don’t have a pair of these expensive scissors and you cut
things, you need to begin saving. These are phenomenal.

Ecka & Pecka’s pom poms.

We started by wrapping the yarn, the way they taught us on
Domestifluff.  Instead of making one, we made two and a loop to hang it.
Note: This is actually red. That’s why we warned you about our photography.

Then we placed the yarn through the center.

Then we tied the two pieces of yarn together tightly.

Then we cut the loops like they did on Domestifluff.
The expensive scissors made this easy and fast.

This is the final product after trimming.
Note: You really can’t see that center string. It’s just bad photography.

We didn’t trim it into a tight sphere – more texture. We then turned on the TV and pumped out many more in all colors.

Ecka has an idea for paper garland. We’ll be back when it’s ready.

These paper lanterns are from Anna at Rifle Design.
If you’re not familiar with Rifle Design, go there now.
And then come back.

OK, so paper lanterns…I thought we could create the paper
lanterns from the paper colors we selected.

This is from Martha Stewart. Our dining room window is
infinitely uglier in comparison, but I liked the greens
and thought we could pair it with the paper lanterns.

Martha Stewart, again. The yarn will be another texture
and the colors are customizable.

Pipe cleaners are another customizable texture.
Note: No thank you, tiny bells and bows.

Now I’m going to talk this over with Pecka.
I’ll be back after that.