Tag: Christmas

M&J Blog > Christmas

How to Rock an Ugly Sweater

Posted on December 23, 2013July 31, 2018 by M&J Trimming

Ugly Holiday Sweater parties are all the rage now. If you aren’t familiar with this theme, the basic concept is simple: find the most heinous looking holiday sweater, and rock it til the reindeer fly home. While your sweater may look absolutely ridiculous, the rest of your outfit doesn’t have to! Here are a few simple ways to make your outfit stylish..or as stylish as possible given the circumstances.

Ugly Sweater

Sweater, Diamond Cluster Rhinestone Button, Large Jewel Rhinestone Button, Flat Rhinestone Button

Remember our Vint age Button Necklace DIY? Replace those brass buttons with some of the rhinestone buttons above, and your neck may even garner more attention than that sweater! Plus you can wear it after the month of December, which is more than we can say for that ornament sweater.

Ugly Sweater

Sweater, Bugle Beaded Applique, 1 1/4″ Woven Elastic, 18mm Metallic Foldover Elastic

Why stop sparkling with that sequin snowflake? Project DIY Designer, Michelle Levy, showed us how to make a No-Sew Holiday Headband, and we think that a sparkly beaded headband is the perfect complement to this sweater!

Ugly Sweater Dress

Sweater Dress, 1 1/2″ Ribbed Elastic, Buckle

This sweater dress looks comfy, cozy and totally bulky. Cinch it up by making a quick and easy belt!

Now granted we picked some cute, albeit loud sweaters, but we hope our suggestions gave you some ideas on how to upgrade your ugly sweater! Have you ever been to an ugly sweater party? Going to one this Christmas? If you revamp it using any of these tips, send us a photo! Actually, just send us a photo regardless. We would love to see how you rock this style.

Ribbon & Wrapping Roundup

Posted on December 20, 2013August 7, 2018 by M&J Trimming

Christmas is almost upon us, which means many homes are about to be taken over by scraps of wrapping paper and knotted trim! Although there are a select number of individuals who have a natural ability in the wrapping arts, most of us are left to fend for ourselves against the growing heaps of gift wrap and tissue paper. Here are some tutorials to help you wrap presents and tie ribbons like a pro.

Gift Wrapping

Classic and professionally perfect, this gift wrap tutorial is great for the standard boxed gift. Just try not to wince when the recipient tears off that beautiful wrapping job!

We love the idea of using a napkin to wrap a gift. It’s practical, reusable, and really cute! This tutorial from Hello, Handy Heart is perfect for those of you who prefer an eco-friendly fabric approach.

The girls from Honestly WTF have just changed the gift wrap game with their Holiday Gift Bundle! Now you don’t need to find a box to hold that adorable cashmere sweater. Just bundle it up!

Once you’re confident in your wrapping abilities, take a look at our Holiday Gift Wrap DIY Roundup for some creative gift wrap ideas!

Ribbon Tying

Design Mom takes you through the steps of tying the perfect classic bow! We love how a simple ribbon can totally transform the look of your package!

These fluffy bows may appear difficult to make at first glance, but they’re actually pretty easy with the tutorial at How About Orange! Substitute the paper for some of our beautiful Wired Edge Ribbon, and you’ll have the most gorgeous bow this side of the North Pole.

We hope these tips and tricks have helped you conquer your wrapping anxiety. Now time to make a molehill out of a mountain, and start wrapping!

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY

Posted on December 18, 2013July 31, 2018 by M&J Trimming

With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us are scrambling to put together some festive and stylish outfits. This season is all about adding a bling to your outfit, and Project DIY designer, Michelle Levy, knows all about the sparkle of the holidays. For the holiday Project DIY collection centered around the theme of Baroque n’ Roll, Michelle created some truly dazzling DIYs for you to make at home. If you already have the latest Project DIY collection at home and need another craft project to sate your DIY appetite, then read on and see how Michelle made this easy no-sew holiday headband (a previous contender for the latest collection)! Although if you DO have the Baroque n’ Roll collection, sewing is a skill you’ve probably picked up while making the Gem and Lace Turban.

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Michelle Cutting

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Materials

What You’ll Need:

1.75″ Bead/Sequin Leaves Trim

Black Stretch Grosgrain

Fabric Glue

Felt

Scissors

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Cutting

Beaded trim can play double duty as both a trim and an applique! Just cut out each shape individually, making sure not to cut any of the threads holding the beads in place. Here Michelle is cutting out each leaf shape using the mesh backing as a guide.

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Placement Once the appliques are cut out, place them whichever pattern you like. Play around with different combinations and layouts. When you’ve settled on a layout, glue it down!

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Cutting

Carefully cut out the piece you’ve made.

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Felt Trim Applique

You can leave some felt around the edges for a more crafty look.

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Applique

But we decided to cut precisely around the piece.

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Measuring

The next step is to measure around your head with the elastic. If you’re making this headband as a gift, the standard size is 22″.

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Gluing Glue the applique to the elastic band. You can place the applique directly on top of the seam to hide it.

The No-Sew Holiday Headband DIY Michelle The No-Sew Holiday Headbands This project is so easy, takes less than ten minutes to make, and looks like a million bucks! Pair one of these dazzling headbands with a little black dress, and you’re ready for any holiday party!

New York City Window Displays

Posted on December 11, 2013August 7, 2018 by M&J Trimming

Many New Yorkers will agree that winter is one of the most magical seasons of the year, especially in the Big Apple. From the lighting of the tree in Rockefeller Center, to the light show displayed on the windows of Saks 5th Avenue, it’s truly one of the most unique and special times of the year. Every year we become completely inspired by the holiday atmosphere of the city, and we thought we’d share a little bit of New York magic with our readers!

Ornament Windows Lord and Taylor Window Santa Lord and Taylor Holiday Window Lord and Taylor Animated Fitting

These beautiful animated window displays from Lord and Taylor brought us back to a forgotten time. The illustrated scenes paired with the moving characters looked like a storybook coming to life.
Ted Baker Holiday Window Clock

Saks 5th Avenue had a whimsical story displayed in its windows. Passersby could follow the story of a young yeti who was determined to chase his dream! Kids were lined up around the block to see the animatronic yeti in action!

Chocolate Shop Storefront The windows at Anthropologie were a DIYers dream come true! That adorable slumbering bear was actually made of spools! Their attention to detail was enough to have you standing in front of the window for hours on end.
Holiday Ornaments Holiday Light Reindeer Holiday Trees

The holidays are in full swing in the city. We think that New York City really embraces the holidays in a special way, but we might be a little bit biased. What does your town do for the holidays? Send us a photo of your favorite decorations!

DIY: Baroque Pearl Ornament

Posted on December 10, 2013July 31, 2018 by M&J Trimming

If you want your ornaments to make an elegant statement, we have the DIY for you! This month is all about sparkle and shine, from the tinsel on a Christmas tree to the icicles adorning your window. With these frosty and fun images in mind, we wanted to create something that was both seasonal and sparkly!

Baroque Pearl Ornament DIY from M&J Trimming

What You’ll Need:

8mm Faux Pearls Package #49380

6mm Faux Pearls Package #49387

40 x 30mm Oval Women Head Cameo #41584

3/8” Single Face Satin Ribbon (Ivory) #00295

7/8” Single Face Satin Ribbon (Silver) #00298

Styrofoam ball

Pins

T-pins

Glue

Scissors

Gluing Cameo onto Styrofoam Ball

Placing Cameo onto Styrofoam from M&J Trimming

1. Glue the cameo onto the center of the Styrofoam ball, and begin pinning pearls around it to create a frame.

Pinning Pearls from M&J Trimming

2. Continue adding pearls to the ornament until it is completely covered, aside from a small space at the top.

Gluing Ribbon from M&J Trimming

3. Pull your satin ribbon through a t-pin, and glue one end to the other.

Gluing Ribbon to Ornament from M&J Trimming

4. Once the ribbon seam is dry, push the t-pin through the empty space on top. Ribbon Bow Ornament from M&J Trimming

5. Create a bow using the other satin ribbon, and glue it in front of the looped ribbon.

Baroque Pearl Ornament from M&J Trimming

This pearl-adorned ornament is perfect for a classic and elegant tree. If you want the ornament to be a little less Baroque-inspired, just remove the cameo for an ornament that’s reminiscent of a playful snowball!

Trimming Your Tree Tips

Posted on December 9, 2013August 7, 2018 by M&J Trimming

The Christmas tree often plays a central role in holiday festivities. Whether it’s trimming the tree to bring in the holiday season, or unwrapping presents underneath it on Christmas morning; the Christmas tree is almost its own character on Christmas! Here are a few tips to make this year’s tree both memorable and stylish.

Bold and Colorful Tree

Play with Color – Don’t be scared to use a rainbow of color in your holiday decor. How does the tree above embrace almost every color of the rainbow, and still look cohesive (and cute)? The neutral white tree and floor make the ornaments pop, without overpowering everything else!

Or Lack Thereof – Sticking with one or two colors on your holiday tree can have a very elegant and modern effect. We love the two pictures above because, while they both use that white tree as a canvas, their decorations couldn’t be more different!

From Top to Bottom – Place heavier ornaments toward the bottom of the tree, so that they are on sturdy branches. Fragile ornaments should hang closer to the top to avoid being broken by pets and wayward children.

Don’t Knock Tradition – Sometimes classic approaches are the best. Traditional red and green, white lights, and burlap trim make the tree look cozy and welcoming.

But Embrace the Unconventional – If you prefer a chalk tree to a traditional tree, then draw away! Decorating your tree is meant to be a fun activity that shows off your creative spirit!

White and Traditional Tree

Take a Step Back – Every once in a while it’s helpful to take a step backward to admire your handiwork, and see which areas of the tree look sparse. Getting an overall picture is helpful when working on such a large-scale project. We bet Michelangelo did the same thing when he was working on the Sistine Chapel.

Every year there are certain holiday decor trends that rise to popularity. Do you change your tree up every year to stay on trend, or do you prefer to stick with a traditional style each season?

Holiday Ornament DIY Roundup

Posted on December 8, 2013August 7, 2018 by M&J Trimming

Feeling crafty, but don’t want to commit to a long and time-consuming project? How about creating some cute ornaments for your holiday tree? Take a look at these DIYs, and let us know which YOU’LL be making over the weekend!

These cinnamon-scented ornaments from Babble are fun to make, and make your house smell inviting and seasonal!

These incredible glitter ornaments are a fantastic way to add some magic and mystery to your Christmas tree. Plus, since the glitter is on the inside of the ornament, your floor will remain glitter free. Unless you want your floor to be covered in glitter. Totally up to you.

These hot air balloon ornaments look like they’ve been plucked out of a storybook. They add the perfect amount of whimsy to any tree!

This button embellished ornament is incredible. We love the use of different styles and sizes to give it a more vintage look. We would suggest hanging this ornament on a lower, sturdier branch because it’s probably pretty heavy!

We made these tree ornaments on our blog a few years back, and we still love them! Who says you can’t put tree ornaments on trees? Not us. We say go for it!

Making ornaments for the holidays is one of our favorite DIYs because ornaments are so quick to make, and each can be easily customized! They’re also a great way to bond with friends and family, and are a perfect reminder of family and friendship every holiday season! Which ornament is your favorite and why?

DIY: Holiday Ribbon Tree

Posted on December 3, 2013August 7, 2018 by M&J Trimming

Looking for an elegant way to decorate your mantel? These ribbon trees are just the ticket, and the best part is that they are so simple to make that you almost feel guilty. Almost. Find out how to make them below!

Large Tree

Ribbon Tree DIY Materials | M&J Trimming

What You’ll Need:

40mm Imported Double Face Satin Ruffled Edging #33567 (Cream)

Rhinestone Bijou Button #19846 (35mm) (Crystal Silver)

SS34 Fuchsia Flatbacks

SS34 Tanzanite Flatbacks

SS34 Crystal Flatbacks

Styrofoam Cone

Pins

T-Pins

Glue

Scissors

Ribbon Tree DIY | M&J Trimming

1. Wrap the ruffled satin edging around the bottom of the cone until both ends meet, and pin the ends to the styrofoam.

Ribbon Tree DIY Cutting | M&J Trimming

2. Cut where the ribbon ends meet. Ribbon Tree DIY Ribbon Layers | M&J Trimming

3. Repeat the steps above until you reach the top of the tree.

Ribbon Tree DIY Rhinestone Button | M&J Trimming

4. Take one of the rhinestone buttons, and adhere it onto the top of the tree with a t-pin.

Ribbon Tree DIY Rhinestone Ornaments | M&J Trimming

5. Glue your flatback rhinestones onto the ribbon in a sporadic pattern to represent ornaments.

Ribbon Tree DIY Finished Cream Tree | M&J Trimming

Small Tree

Ribbon Tree DIY Materials | M&J Trimming

What You’ll Need:

40mm Imported Double Face Satin Pleated #33566 (Dusty Rose)

Rhinestone Button #19840 (22mm) (Crystal)

SS34 Fuchsia Flatbacks

SS34 Tanzanite Flatbacks

SS34 Crystal Flatbacks

Styrofoam Cone

Pins

T-Pins

Glue

Scissors

1. Wrap the ruffled satin edging around the bottom of the cone until both ends meet, and pin the ends to the styrofoam.

2. Cut where the ribbon ends meet.

3. Repeat those steps until you reach the top of the tree.

Ribbon Tree DIY Rhinestone Button | M&J Trimming

4. Take a rhinestone button, and adhere it onto the top of the tree with a t-pin.

Ribbon Tree DIY Rhinestone Ornament | M&J Trimming

5. Glue your flatback rhinestones onto the ribbon in a sporadic pattern to represent ornaments.

Ribbon Tree DIY Finished Pink | M&J Trimming

Finished Ribbon Tree

These Ribbon Trees are the perfect centerpiece for a holiday dinner, or an excellent decor element for your mantle. Wherever you decide to display them, they’ll add a bit of holiday cheer to any spot!

Holiday Decor DIY Roundup

Posted on December 1, 2013August 2, 2018 by M&J Trimming

If you would rather spend your money on gifts than decor, here are a few ways to decorate your house for the holidays without having to break the bank! All of these DIYs are easy to create, and will leave your guests impressed.

This dazzling wreath by the 36th Avenue is the perfect addition to any doorway. You would think wrapping a wreath in one style of ribbon might look a little boring, but that’s obviously not the case when using a ribbon coated in glitter!

This rustic Christmas star is unassuming and quaint. It’s ideal for those who subscribe to the theory that less is more.

Some people use a limited color palette for the holidays: red and green, gold and silver, blue and white. If you don’t like limiting yourself to only two or three colors, take a look at the tutorial above to learn how to dye bottle brush trees!

Color Blocked Menorah Centerpiece from Confetti Pop

We love the bold pop of color on this disassembled menorah by Confetti Pop, and the assorted color blocking patterns create a mix-and-match look!

Make your holidays sweet with a gingerbread centerpiece, and try thinking outside of the house. This Eiffel Tower centerpiece from Hanielas is simple, elegant and romantic. Perfect for a pair of Francophiles celebrating the season!

From wreaths to ornaments, this is the most decor heavy season of the year! What’s your holiday decoration strategy?

Holiday Home Decor Inspiration

Posted on November 30, 2013August 7, 2018 by M&J Trimming

Thanksgiving is over which means it’s time to dress your house for winter holidays! Take a peak at some of our favorite home decor looks for the holiday season.

These loose-hanging decorations keep the holidays from looking too overdone. If you prefer the no-fuss approach to decorating, this may be the look for you! It’s both rustic and relaxed.

Don’t have space to spare? Make decorating for the holidays easy and clutter-free with this innovative solution to cramped living quarters.

Hannukah Candles from Zsa Zsa Bellagio

These pillar candles bring the Festival of Lights front and center. Keep the rest of your decor simple with blue and silver accents.

We love this festive and richly colored doorway. It’s the perfect way to get your guests in the holiday spirit before even walking through the door.

Sometimes less is more. The gold cone trees add a festive touch to an otherwise monochromatic space.

What’s your preferred look for the holiday season? Do you prefer bright and bold, or simple and understated?