As promised, here’s another post for your own DIY Christmas and this time I’m highlighting some homemade wood garland that takes on a rustic feel. It’s super cute and super easy to make too! You ready? Cuz I am!!!

So back in October I was in one of my local furniture stores and caught sight of some wood garland that made me take notice and brought out the creative side in me once more. Immediately I knew I had to make this and share it with you, my readers! 

 

Pretty cute, right? Well not only is it cute, but super easy to make too!

I started out with some pallet wood (I’ve got quite the stockpile anymore), and cut it into 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch squares.  I just took the width of the wood and cut it to the same length so I’d have squares. 

I then measured the wood (width size) and found the center point for me to drill holes. And see that drill press over there? I used it to make it easier and faster than using my hand drill, but if a hand drill is all you’ve got, then use it!

After drilling the holes, which I determined the proper size by the thickness of my jute, I stained them because I wanted the stain to show through a little bit on the painted wood. It gives it more of that rustic feel. I also didn’t choose a piece of pallet wood that was perfect, as in smooth and without flaws. I wanted this to be rustic and flawed, kinda like me…the flawed part that is cuz lord knows I’m not that rustic yet! 

I picked out an inexpensive flat paint that already had the primer built into it and chose to spray it because #1- I’d be faster, and #2- because the texture of the wood was pretty rough.

I next painted the small wood circles I used for the lettering on the garland. I purchased a pack of six wood discs for just a couple bucks at Walmart.

Again, I wasn’t perfect on the painting process, rustic is the key word here. After spraying them and letting them dry, it was time for the creativity to shine through! And boy did it!

I purchased some linen ribbon that came in a roll from Walmart because I liked the texture of it. You could also use some burlap, as I think that would be super cute too as a backdrop, or you can buy linen by the yard at Walmart for under $3 per yard.  I traced each square piece of wood separately on the material and then cut it out. 

Using some handy dandy Elmer’s glue, I spread it out across the wood and then adhered the fabric to it. 

Then the fun part, determining what I wanted my garland to say.

I used my Cameo Silhouette and cut out the letters to size, peeling away the backing so I was left with the vinyl lettering. 

 

Then using some contact paper, I adhered the lettering to the contact paper to transfer to the wood discs.

 

I then carefully peeled off the contact paper and as the vinyl adhered to the wood discs.

Using my glue gun I then glued them to the square, fabric covered blocks. And from there I got little creative with adding some additional pieces containing deer, Santa and the like. 

Pretty snazzy, right? This is where you can let your creativity soar! 

Once I was done with all the lettering and adding the additional touches, it was time to string my rustic garland.

I went for some thicker natural jute because I liked the look and feel of it. 

I was also sure to make loose knots on either side of each piece that was used.

I also made adjustable knots on the ends so I could lengthen or shorten it if needed depending on where I hung it. I also quickly found out that I didn’t have any one surface long enough to string them out properly! At least not where it wasn’t freezing cold outside for picture taking!

 

 

 

 

I’m thinking it’s pretty Merry & Bright? What about you? 

 

 

There you have it, a quick and easy DIY project you can make at home for your own decor or a gift for someone else. I think I’m keeping this one for a change, sorry family, maybe next year. 

Want/need another DIY Christmas project that’s sure to please? Well, wait till I make my next post… DIY Rustic Coasters!

Until next time…Toodles!