I may not be the most crafty person like my husband, but I enjoy crafting with my family. This holiday season, I had the idea to make a DIY Rustic Holiday Wall Hanging Ornament.

My daughter and I spent a few enjoyable hours creating these ornaments. We’re not the most patient people, but we managed to make the best of it. We had Christmas music playing in the background, her cookies baking in the oven, and this DIY holiday project that I’ve been wanting to make since November.

I think the ornaments turned out great. I spent only about $10 on materials. I found some dry pine branches at the park, which added a touch of green. If you can’t find them outdoors, you can always buy them from a craft store.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any pinecones because of the unusual amount of rain we had so I think they decomposed. I was lucky enough to find them in our craft store, but you can certainly buy them in Dollar General stores, and I believe in the flower departments of your grocery store.

I have a few other DIY ideas so hopefully I’ll share them this or the next winter season.

A Simple DIY Guide:

Add a touch of nature to your holiday décor with this charming wall hanging made from natural elements. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and adds a warm, rustic vibe to any space.

Materials Needed:

• A small dry branch or twigs

• Fresh or faux pine sprigs

• Dried orange slices

• Pinecones

• Small bells (optional)

• Twine or string

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks, if needed

• Scissors

• Fake Snow Spray (optional)

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Take a walk outside to collect sturdy branches and pinecones (you can also buy them at crafts stores, and dollar stores), or use craft store materials. If you don’t have dried orange slices, you can easily make them:

• Slice oranges thinly (about ¼ inch thick).
• Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, but you can also bake them on a non-stick baking sheet without parchment.
• Bake at 200°F (90°C) for 4 to 5 hours, flipping halfway through, until dried. Alternatively, you can use an air fryer to dehydrate the fruit. Whatever is easier for you.

Step 2: Assemble the Base

• Choose a branch about 12-18 inches long, depending on your desired size.
• Use twine or hot glue to attach the pine sprigs to the branch, arranging them so they look full and balanced.

Step 3: Create the Hanging Elements

• Cut pieces of twine to your desired lengths (about 6-8 inches).
• Tie or glue one end of the twine to dried orange slices, pinecones, and bells.
• Attach the other end of the twine to the branch, spacing them evenly.

Step 4: Add Finishing Touches

• Adjust the arrangement to ensure everything hangs evenly.
• Optional: Spray a bit of faux snow, or glitter on the pine sprigs for extra holiday sparkle.

Step 5: Hang and Enjoy

• Tie a longer piece of twine to both ends of the branch to create a hanger.
• Display your rustic wall hanging on a wall, door, or above a mantel for a festive touch.

Tips for Customization:

• Swap the pine sprigs for eucalyptus for a fresh, modern look.
• Add ribbons, mini ornaments, or fairy lights for extra flair.
• Use cinnamon sticks or star anise for an added festive aroma.

This DIY project is simple yet stunning, perfect for creating a cozy holiday atmosphere. 

Let me know how it turns out!

Happy Crafting,

S A N N A

You can follow me on Instagram @mugofreality & Pinterest @mugofreality

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Book Pub Day: December 10, 2024

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult Fiction

Trigger Warnings: Grief, death, loss of partner/husband, betrayal, manipulation, deception.

MY THOUGHTS:

I might be a bit biased because I adore this author, but When We Had Forever was an incredible read from start to finish!

Shaylin Gandhi has a way of weaving stories that are deeply emotional and yet feel entirely relatable. This book is no exception. It masterfully explores the complexities of love, grief, and rediscovery, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

The story kept me hooked with its well-paced twists and turns. The ending, in particular, took me completely by surprise. It was one of those rare moments where the twist was both shocking and perfectly logical once all the pieces fell into place. Gandhi’s ability to blend emotional depth with compelling revelations is a true testament to her storytelling prowess.

What struck me most was how real the characters felt. Grayson’s reflections on grief were raw and poignant, capturing emotions that resonated deeply with me. The line, “Grief. It’s the most challenging emotion in the human experience, isn’t it? The hardest to deal with. You’re not alone in that,” stayed with me long after I finished reading. It encapsulates the book’s profound exploration of loss and the courage it takes to move forward.

This novel is a beautifully written and refreshingly original take on love and loss, yet it carries a sense of familiarity that makes it impossible to put down. If you enjoy books that stir your heart and make you reflect, When We Had Forever should absolutely be your next read.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publishing house for granting me the incredible opportunity to read this ARC. It’s truly appreciated!

What will you find:

• Family Drama
• Romance Suspense
• Dual Timelines
• Open Door Romance
• Mystery
• Second Chance
• Love after Loss
• Insta Love
• Road to Self-Discovery
• Healing from Childhood Trauma
• Forgiveness

Here’s some rock-inspired playlist that captures the emotional intensity and themeof the book:

“Everlong (Acoustic)” by Foo Fighters – Captures the longing and deep connection Mina feels as she unravels her emotions.

“November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses – A sweeping epic about love, loss, and healing.

“With or Without You” by U2 – Represents the complicated, push-pull dynamics of Mina’s relationships.

“Broken” by Seether ft. Amy Lee – Reflects the pain of loss and the hope for connection amidst brokenness.

“Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence – Represents Mina’s awakening to new feelings and rediscovering herself.

“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day – Mirrors Mina’s solitary journey through grief and self-reflection.

“You Found Me” by The Fray – Highlights the serendipity of finding Grayson and the secrets that change everything.

“Shadow of the Day” by Linkin Park – A poignant track for themes of love, loss, and moving forward.

“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star – A dreamy, emotional song that reflects Mina’s pull toward Grayson.

“Patience” by Guns N’ Roses – A soft rock ballad about taking time to heal and find love again.

“Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down – Represents the lingering connection to Michael and the journey of letting go.

“All Apologies” by Nirvana (Unplugged) – A raw track reflecting forgiveness and the imperfections of love.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

An emotionally powerful roller coaster of a novel about losing and finding love, perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Lucy Score. Six months after her husband died in a car crash, Mina Drake is still mired in a haze of grief. Reminders of her years with Michael are everywhere, but beneath her heartache lies an even more painful emotion. It’s a guilty suspicion she can hardly admit to anyone, even herself that her marriage was over long before Michael’s accident.

They were good together once, she’s sure of it, sharing a connection so deep that Mina couldn’t understand how it unraveled. That is, until a chance discovery in her husband’s office, and the reappearance of Michael’s estranged brother, Grayson, a notorious bad-boy photographer-awakens her to possible answers. More shocking still is the pull Mina feels to tattooed, scarred Grayson, who’s nothing at all like the man she married.

But as feelings stir to life again, so do secrets, changing everything she thought she knew about her marriage, and about the risks and rewards of loving with no limits.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

SHAYLIN GANDHI is a traveler, scuba diver, and pianist. She lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, their identical twin daughters, and two rescue dogs. When not finagling words onto paper, Shaylin can be found hiking, biking, scheming up ways to add another stamp to her passport, or ingesting enough coffee to power a small city. Shaylin once spent forty-six days riding her bicycle from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.

Authors Website:

www.shaylingandhi.com

Instagram: @AuthorShaylinGandhi 

Gandhi’s other books:

Once Charmed, Twice Cursed: A Standalone Fantasy Romance, Song of the Hundred-Year Summer: A Fairytale Romance Novella, By the Light of Embers, etc.

Happy Reading!

Sanna

You can follow me on Instagram @mugofreality

Latest post: Finding Myself

P.S.

I’ve taken individual images from Pinterest that were used to create a “poster” image in this post. If you’re the owner of any of them, please let me know so I can credit you. These were used solely for creative purposes.