Welcome to all my new readers! Today I am pulling out my clearance swimming noodles to do a cute Christmas DIY. I have to admit that this is one of my all time favorite Christmas DIY ever!
I was asked by a very sweet friend, Lynn @quakerhillfarms if I would do a DIY to share with her on IG. Well….yes I said. I have to share it here too! 🙂 My inspiration came from Toni over at Design Dazzle blog post on Faux Birch Logs. Toni’s Christmas home that year was beautiful.
Here are the items you need to make your own birch log grouping.
- swimming noodles – 3 cut at 24 inches (I am making a smaller log – 10 cuts at 12 inches)
- shipping paper
- tacky glue
- scissors
- white, black and gray craft paint
- glitter
- paint brushes
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First step –
Cut your noodle to size. I measured out 24 inches and cut with scissors.
Second Step –
Wrap your shipping paper around your noodle. Cut the paper leaving enough paper to cover the entire noodle.
To prepare your shipping paper follow the three steps for all your logs.
- crumble your paper up
- spread your paper out after crumbling
- rip the paper in strips
Third step –
Pour your tacky glue into a bowl. Using a sponge paint brush to apply the glue to your noodle. Wrap your torn paper onto the glued noodle.
To cover the ends of the log.
- place the end on a double piece of paper
- draw around the log
- cut the circles out
- glue the circles to the ends
Fourth Step –
Taking the tissue paper and crumbling as the shipping paper. Making little wads of paper to glue onto your log. I am making three per log. If you are using a larger noodle you will want to make more wads of paper.
Fifth Step –
Taking the white craft paint we will paint the entire log even the tissue.
Sixth Step –
Make a gray wash using 1 part paint to 4 part water. I am using Apple Barrel Country Gray.
It will be very runny. Brush the gray wash all over the logs even the tissue area. Do not throw any of the gray wash out, we will be using it again.
Seven Step –
Taking the gray wash adding black craft paint. I used a couple of drops at a time until I got a dark gray. I am using a 1/4 inch paint brush.
Add paint to the brush and dab off excess to prevent running. Making dashes on to the log randomly.
Taking the same dark gray wash and painting the tissue paper. I pushed on the tissue paper to pack it down more.
Last step –
This step is optional.
I am going to add iridescent glitter to my logs. I added some tacky glue with a sponge to the log around the tissue paper, both ends and a couple other places, sprinkled on the glitter.
Another optional….I added Mod Podge all over my logs to help with the glitter from falling off.
Let your logs dry well before styling them.
I made three larger logs (in my stories on Facebook and Instagram). I tied a flannel ribbon around the three logs and added a piece of evergreen to the top.
This DIY Birch Log project was so fun…it took a lot of steps but so worth it. I added the smaller logs to our bedroom Christmas tree.
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Decorating our home on a budget is my thrill. I think a home can look beautiful without breaking the bank. Your home should bring the best out of you and make you feel happy. You should smile every time you enter your home. 🙂
This is so creative! I had no idea they weren’t real until I read how you made them. Such a cute idea to use a pool noodle. I really love this!
They really do look so real. I love how they look with glitter but for the winter season it would work without the glitter. I might have to make another set. Hope you have a great weekend
This is such a great idea Terrie! What a great way to save money, birch logs are so expensive!
It was such a great way to save money for sure and a great DIY. I just love both so much! Thanks for stopping by Danya!
Terrie
Amazing job and you did a fantastic tutorial on Instagram. You rocked this girl👏.
Pinning
Cindy
Awe thank you so much Cindy. You are so sweet.
Such a fun project, Terrie! You did a beautiful job with these! Thanks for sharing!
It was a really fun DIY Linda. I love how they turned out. I even made smaller ones to place in our Christmas tree. I love them.