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Friday, December 16, 2011

Chanukah Project #4: Not Your Blue & White Tray

Growing up in San Francisco, our winters didn't consist of "dashing through the snow" or making snow angels -- we tried, but there's not a lot one can make out of dense fog.  Unless, of course, you can blow smoke rings out of the chilly air.

One of our favorite things to do, however, was count the Christmas trees we passed while riding here and there.  The holiday trees were so colorful, especially the ones that sat on a turntable, rotating beautiful colors around the window panes.  

We celebrated the eight nights of Chanukah.  Instead of colorful lights, we decorated our home with just two colors: blue & white.  Blue & white hanging dreidels, blue & white tablecloths, blue and white lights around the living room bookcase...you name it, our decor was simple.  

Even gift wrap could only be found in shades of blue and white. Or maybe, silver, if you looked hard enough.

Chanukah decor has changed over the last few decades. Now Chanukah comes in every color imaginable. Gift wrap, menorahs, decorations, tableware, and spinning dreidels come in bright pinks, greens, yellows and more.
So I decided to alter a mundane wooden serving tray in the new "Chanukah colors."   I found bright fuchsia gift wrap in my Chanukah box.  It was perfect. 

I painted the tray with two coats of a dark pink/fuchsia color.  I cut a piece of gift wrap to fit snugly inside the tray and adhered it with "the Podge."  When dry to the touch, I covered it with another coat of MP.  This got me thinking...so I made a tile coaster to match.  (When I have time, I will make another one to match.)
 My tray is ready for company. 

This tray would also make a great surface for playing spin the dreidel.  Which leads me to a question.  When we were kids, we played for a pot of hazelnuts.  When my children were younger, they played for pennies or chocolate gelt.  What do you play for in your home?

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Charger turned Menorah Platter

I know I promised you Eight Projects for Chanukah, but can I help it if I took a long-deserved break and went to Las Vegas with my BFF?!!  It was so very needed. 



We had a great time just hanging out together with all the eye candy there is to see.  At one point, while on the phone with my daughter (a Las Vegas expert after three visits), we saw flames and smoke coming out of a....well we didn't know what it was until my daughter plainly said to me, "Mom, it's a volcano [duh]!"  Well, of course it was -- an hourly attraction at the Mirage.

Anyway, that's my excuse for only being on Project #3.  However, with only 11 days until Chanukah (eeek!!), I'll just work a little faster...

This project is a Menorah Platter made from a plain charger. 
It's great to place your menorah on,
and the platter will catch all that candle wax
while saving your nice maple furniture. 

Chanukah projects and decor
You'll see this one matches Project #2, the Menorah Candle holder. 

Start with a silver charger. This one has a beaded border.
 (bought a set of six at Bed, Bath & Beyond for less than $10)


You only need a few materials: decorative paper,
iridescent alphabet stickers, flourish stickers and silver or blue rhinestones. 


Cut a circle 8-1/4" in diameter. 
Using Mod Podge, adhere the paper to the center of the charger.  Let dry.


This paper is very light blue
with the words to the song "I have a little dreidel" written on it.


Next, decide what words or phrase you want on your platter.
In the earlier photo, I used "Happy Chanukah".
This one reads,
"Harmony, Love, FAMILY."

Add the other stickers and rhinestones. 
Then apply Mod Podge over the entire charger.
Don't worry -- it will dry clear!


Here is the completed Menorah Platter, using my first example.

You'll have to trust me on the Harmony--Love--Family platter. 
It dried beautifully. 
Just didn't get a photo of it before my camera battery went kaput. 
Linking to these fabulous parties:




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