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Repurposed Christmas Crafts & FREE Printable Banner

I know I’m not the only one that gets crafty this time of year, and I’m having a blast! From snowmen and skates to wreaths and tree toppers…sing with me, “Oh what fun is to craft the repurposed Christmas season away…hey!” sorry, got carried away…ahem.

Repurposed Christmas Crafting & FREE Printable "Jesus Is The Reason" Banner by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces
Here’s a peek at my table I set up every year. It’s nice to keep the mess all contained, right? No one can craft without making a mess – it wouldn’t be fun any other way.
Repurposed Ice Skates by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces

Most often what I craft for is my shop, so it’s fun to think about who might purchase my creation and it truly amazes me that it will become part of their home in some part of the world.

CRAFTING FUN

Here’s what I’ve been up to.  I found two pairs of vintage ice skates at a garage sale over the summer and I gotta tell you I have a weakness when I see old skates.  I was born on a farm that had a pond and we would ice skate each winter, mind you I was too little so I used my boots, but there are memories to be cherished and these ice skates bring back memories.

Using some leftover thrifted sweater scraps from making my family stockings a couple of years ago, I took the sleeve cuffs to use them as “socks” in the ice skates.

Upcycled Sweaters | prodigalpieces.com

I found a nice faux evergreen wreath while thrifting and wanted to tear it apart to make greenery in the skates. It was so perfect that when I tore apart the wreath, I had just enough greenery to fill each skate. I love it when things work out like that.

Creating with Old Skates | prodigalpieces.com
In addition, I did a couple of variations of each skate with some added repurposed elements:
Repurposed Ice Skate Decor | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces
Red sock with green bow and then a green sock with red bow.  Which do you like best?
Upcycled Ice Skate for Christmas Decor | prodigalpieces.com
Then, I added some vintage flair with these teeny, little Westinghouse pulleys that I had found at the garage-sale-to-end-all-garage sales.
Antique Pulley on Christmas Skate | prodigalpieces.com
In case you were wondering, that wreath I tore apart was looking pretty sad, but there was no need to throw it away. I’ll show you what I did with that later.

RUSTY FUN

Having a stash of junk is always fun because it gives you a chance to pick and choose to create something unique. Last year, I made my Christmas crafts from an old Morris rocking chair I had salvaged. This year, I got happy mail. tee hee.
Rusty Bed Springs for Repurposed Christmas Decor | prodigalpieces.com
Am I the only one that loves to get rusty junk in the mail?  Nah.

When I sit down to my crafting table, here is what I see. Some rusty metal, antique horse bits, old pulleys, antique barn beam pegs, feed sack scraps, and some owls.

Crafting Supplies for Repurposed Christmas Decor | prodigalpieces.com

What would you make with that?  Here’s what I did.

Bed Spring for Crafting | prodigalpieces.com
For a couple of years now, my favorite craft is making repurposed Christmas tree toppers from old upholstery/bed springs and whatever I have on hand. When I fill my shop, they don’t last long.
Repurposed Christmas Owl Tree Topper by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces
Isn’t he cute? Last year, I made a different version of owl friends and snowmen, but the owls are my favorite. That big guy is roosting on an antique barn beam peg and is decorated with a feed sack bow leftover from my feed sack chair.
Here are the other toppers I’ve done using the springs, pulleys, beams, and burlap, with a touch of twine & lace.  Which one is your favorite?
Repurposed Christmas Crafting Owl Tree Topper & FREE Printable "Jesus Is The Reason" Banner by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces #prodigalpiecesRepurposed Owl Tree Topper & FREE Printable "Jesus Is The Reason" Banner by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces
Repurposed Christmas Crafting Bird Tree Topper & FREE Printable "Jesus Is The Reason" Banner by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces #prodigalpiecesRepurposed Christmas Crafting Owl Tree Topper & FREE Printable "Jesus Is The Reason" Banner by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces
 I know it’s bad enough I buy rust, but I love to make it too.
DIY Rusting Recipe | prodigalpieces.com
With some basic household ingredients, you can create rust on most anything metal.  I’ve got more on the recipe HERE.

The minute you pour in your ingredients, you can instantly see rust.  I’m rusting jingle bells in this picture but have done all sorts of odd and ends with rustified success.

Rusting Christmas Bells | prodigalpieces.com
 Why am I rusting perfectly good bells?

MORE RUSTY FUN

To make these…

Repurposed Christmas Horse Bit Door Knob Bell Wall Hanging by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces
I just adore the quirkiness of these horse bits turned into door handle bells or wall decor…whatever you like! The bells had to be rusty to fit the aged appeal.
Earlier I promised to show you what I did with the remainder of that wreath, and here’s what I did for my repurposed Christmas decor.
Repurposed Rusty Bell Wreath by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces
I like it better skimpy and thin.  The rusty bells and feed sack bow just made this wreath even better.
Repurposed Crafting Rusty Bell Wreath with Feed Sack Bow & FREE Printable "Jesus Is The Reason" Banner by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces
Last, but not least is my antique farmhouse window screen. With more rusty bells, jute webbing, feed sack scraps, more tiny pulley, and a little stenciling using freezer paper, you can create a farmhouse style wall hanging.
Repurposed Christmas Crafting Rusty Bell Jute JOY Swag with Feed Sack Bow on Antique Window Screen & FREE Printable "Jesus Is The Reason" Banner by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces

There are two of these available in my shop, but I think I’m going to keep one. Fair enough?

Upcycled Farmhouse Window Screen into Christmas Decor by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

MY GIFT TO YOU

Now, my Christmas gift to you is a FREE Printable (see below) that I created some years ago and we hang it every year to remind us of the meaning behind the season.

Antique Farmhouse Style Christmas Mantel with DIY Free Printable Bunting by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com
Jesus is the only reason we celebrate Christmas. Without His glorious birth, there would be no holiday. It’s so quickly forgotten in the hustle and bustle of gifts, parties, etc. Take a minute to reflect on why you celebrate and feel free to make a banner of your own.
Farmhouse Style Christmas Mantel with Handmade Stockings by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

The banner image is on a white background for those who would like that choice, but I printed mine on a vanilla-colored cardstock and cut out with scalloped scissors. After that, just hole punch the corners and thread a piece of twin through for hanging. 

To add more aged appeal, I used a cotton ball with a dark brown ink pad to lightly dab the edges, like I did for my faux cotton stems.

Jesus is the Reason Banner ~ Free Printable | prodigalpieces.com

BLESSINGS ABOUND

Finally, it’s hard to believe we will have 8 stockings this year. My littlest still needs hers hung, but I’m still searching for the perfect sweater to cut up for her stocking.
Repurposed Christmas Crafting & FREE Printable "Jesus Is The Reason" Banner by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces #prodigalpieces

Many blessings to you this holiday season and may you have the best Christ-centered Christmas this year!

Merry Christmas!

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While you’re at it, here are more DIYs like my repurposed Christmas creations:

Rusty old farmhouse tools are perfect paired with reclaimed barn wood to make functional decor. Just grab a hanger, Ball jar, and a DIY attitude. by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesDon't pass by that cast-off pallet! It's got potential for a clock, plate rack, and centerpiece. Come see how! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Comments

  1. Marie Blackburn says

    Larissa you’re amazing! I love both the green and red skates equally. I’ve pinned your recipe to rust things because those sleigh bells have so much more character rusted. The feathered friends tree toppers are Adorable.
    Marie@The Interior Frugalista

  2. Joyce - Quilted Nest says

    I love, love to see upcycled craft projects. thanks for sharing. And I’m amazing how cute that leftover thin piece of wreath is with the rusty bells added in there. Love your creativity! And thanks for Keeping Jesus the Reason for your Christmas.

  3. ~Lavender Dreamer~ says

    How amazing are all your creations! I have a pair of the white skates and love them. Merry Christmas!

  4. Vanessa says

    I love the rusty stuff! Everything is so pretty! I’m totally inspired!

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