Are you like me? Do you hold on to every last Christmas card? They are so pretty, I just can’t throw them away! I usually cut the fronts of the pretty ones off and recycle them as gift tags, but this year I chose a few to recycle another way.
I made a fun little addition to my mantel…
I started with a scrap piece of bead board…
…which I cut into a star shape. As you can see, it took me a few tries to get a shape that didn’t look like my three year old drew it I was happy with. (This is the back.)
Here’s what else I used…
Not pictured: Hot glue gun, glue sticks, mini Christmas lights
I laid out my cards until I was satisfied with the arrangement.
Then I started attaching the cards with Mod Podge which acts like a glue. I painted the back of each card with it and attached them to the star. Then I folded the edges over and trimmed off any excess.
I gave the entire star two coats of Mod Podge, waiting about ten minutes between each coat.
Next I drilled holes about two inches from each point using a 13/64 drill bit. Then I drilled holes at each inverse point as well.
I added lights by plugging them into the holes. I used 35 count lights which left me two holes short. You may need to use 50 count and just let them dangle behind.
To finish it off, I trimmed each card in gold ric rac ribbon I found at Michaels, using hot glue.
I love how it looks on my mantel. The cards I chose came from special people so each time I look at it, I’m reminded of them.
This is my final project for our Get Your DIY on Link Party Challenge. We started this challenge back in September and here we are 16 weeks later. It went by so fast!
My co-hosts and I took this week’s ‘Star’ theme literally:
Vintage Bulb and Star Garland House by Hoff
Believe Star Canvas The Hankful House
DIY Rustic Paint Stick Stars The Happy Housie
Falling Star Wall Hanging Just a Girl and Her Blog
Our final theme for this challenge is ‘Star Projects”. That includes ANY of your favorite projects; projects you consider “Stars”!
Help us go out with a BANG! Can’t wait to see what you bring to the party. The fun starts Sunday at 7:00 pm EST. 🙂
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my home decked out for the holidays!
Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG says
What a great idea! I have an old metal star that I’ve been saving – this might just be the project for that…I have been saving old Christmas cards for years…this would be a great sentimental decoration!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cheryl! I really enjoyed going through my Christmas cards to find these. 🙂
Beth Damon says
Hi Christy~
I love, love, love this project! I’m adding it to my list of things to make. Where are your wires? I don’t see any cords or plugs on your mantel. Beautiful!
We’re getting so close, enjoy your Christmas!
Beth
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Beth! I plugged it into the lights on the garland…you can use battery operated lights too. I found some at target, but I find that I rarely take the time to turn them on b/c I want to save the power ha ha. Have a very Merry Christmas! XO
Cindy Eikenberg says
Christy, this is just gorgeous and I absolutely love this idea and use for old Christmas cards!!! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful inspiration – so want to do this! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and a very Merry Christmas! Oh, and pinning! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Cindy! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas too! 🙂
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
LOVE this idea Christy!!! Sharing and pinning 🙂
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
Trisha says
Hoot there it is! You did it again! Love it!! Merry Christmas Christy! Enjoy the freedom of not having to come up with a project next week! hahaha! Trisha
Christy K. James says
Yes!!! Hallelujah!! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas too, Trisha! 🙂
Andi says
You smart little turd, you. How do you come up with these genius ideas?!
-andi
Christy K. James says
Lol…oh how you make me laugh! This was my final project for our Get Your DIY on challenge…these parties have a way of lighting a fire under me! Ready for a break…hope you and your family have a fantastic Christmas, Andi!! XO XO XO
Luisa says
Very creative!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Luisa! Hope you, your hubby, and your little peanut have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂
Barb says
I always keep my Christmas cards too. I love how you have recycled them into this beautiful star. Would love to include this in an upcoming post (after 25th) about what to do with cards/wrap etc from Christmas over on http://www.ritewhileucan.com where I post on the lost art of letter writing and all things paper. Would this be OK with you? I would use one pic and provide a direct link back to your site.
Christy K. James says
Sure, Barb! That’s sounds great. 🙂
Terri Cote says
I am a star junky. I love them all, big , small, made of any material. I should have seen this sooner. It is adorable. I will tell you a funny on me about drawing stars. I spent several hours the other morning trying to get a star pattern just right. Got a phone call and was walking around the house talking on the phone and counted no less than a dozen, every size…….would have made an easy pattern right? ! lol
Christy K. James says
That is so funny, Terri! That is something I would do for sure lol. Drawing a star is tougher than I thought! 🙂
Amy says
What a fantastic idea! I always hate throwing away my Christmas cards, but I have never needed a reason to keep them! We’re going to give this a try this year!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Amy! I can’t seem to let my cards go… they are always so pretty! 🙂
Amy of while wearing heels says
What a beautiful way to keep old cards and display them in a new and unique way. Though the star is impressive, I am more impressed with your use of power tools. Nicely done.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Amy! Oh how I love my power tools 🙂
Tat says
I like it! I never quite know what to do with all the cards.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tat 🙂
Krista @ the happy housie says
What a creative upcycle Christy- it turned out amazingly! Love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Krista! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! XO 🙂
Sami says
What a great idea! I also love the idea of cutting them to use them as gift tags. I’m with you, I can’t throw them away, especially if they’re pictures of loved ones.
Thanks for a great idea!
Christy K. James says
I bet there’s something fun that could be done with all the beautiful family photo cards that we get too! Happy New a year! 🙂
Shelly @ 100Things2Do.blogspot.ca says
I repurpose our old cards to make gift tags for the following year.
Love this idea too though!
Christy K. James says
I use mine for gift tags too. I just can’t bring myself to throw them away! XO