When my grandmother passed away Matt and I inherited a lot of her Christmas decorations. Including two large nutcrackers. They stand about 2′ tall, and are very pretty.
While searching the net I came across these beautiful white Nutcrackers by West Elm.
I’m pretty sure my eyes lit up, “I want to do that to my grandmothers nutcrackers!” Matt - “No way, don’t even think about it”.
It took him about 2.5 seconds tell me no haha.
Fast forward a few weeks and a quick visit to Target and I see these beauties!
Obviously still thinking about this idea… hehe
I asked again and once again got vetoed.
That was until I was at the Dollar Tree and came across the plethora of nutcrackers.
Granted they are about 8″ tall, they are only $ 1.00 each, they are not my grandmothers, and there was no way Matt would veto me painting these lil guys!
So I bought three.
(I’m incapable of buying just one of anything I like pairs and groupings)
Aren’t they cute?
This is Alfred
Newman
And this is Bob.
Apparently I did not look at Bob to closely when I was picking him out because he is indeed missing a hand …
Whomp Whomp Whomp!
Moving on!
Before I painted them I went ahead and removed their hair and beards and all the hot glue that accompanied them. I chose a spray paint with a primer in it thinking that would give me a better coverage. In theory this was a great idea, what I did was underestiate the ability of the red on the $1.00 nutcracker to bleed. I never thought I was going to get that red covered! 3 coats later I forged on to the Gloss top coat.
Are you ready?
Without further ado, I present to you Newman, Bob, & Alfred!
Aren’t the precious?
Newman’s makeover consisted of Bahama Breeze spray paint by Krylon.
Alfred was little more difficult so he got a few (6) coats of White w/ Primer by Krylon
And last but most certainly not least we have Bob. Bob got a bright coat of Colonial Red!
I was trying to distract people from his missing hand … poor guy!
I think these Nutcrackers are a great addition to anyone’s Christmas Decor. Total cost for this project was a whopping $ 3.28. I used spray paint’s I already had at home, talk about thrifty!
If you are looking for more Dollar Tree Christmas inspiration head on over to Debbiedoo’s.
Click below the image to see more!
And for my lovely friends who always wonder what everything around us looks like when we do a photo shoot … This one is for you!
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This is such a great idea. I’ll be doing this one for sure.
Danielle @ 2 Little Superheroes recently posted..A Creepy Crawly Boys Bedroom
I have a smile from ear to ear on this one girl. FABULOUS. Now I can see why you had to wait for drying and just the right photo ops. Thank you so much for joining in on the fun party!
debbiedoos recently posted..Junk chic cottage home tour in Chicago
These are so super cute! I pinny-pin pinned them. Darling
))
I love this!!! And $1 a piece is right up my alley!!!
Love these little guys! Your photo studio is awesome
Have a great weekend!
Fresh Deb recently posted..A Handcrafted Home
Wow! I saw these at the Dollar Tree and the ones at Target. This is super creative! They turned out beautifully!
Gotta love the Dollar Tree! Yay!
So cute! I’d love for you to share this or any of your great ideas at the link party going on now (and every Tuesday – Saturday) at ‘Or so she says …’ Hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
Mariel recently posted..Hello, Weekend: Past Posts & ‘Your Great Idea’ Link Party
I remember seeing these at West Elm last year…and yours are perfect! Love the dollar store – and more importantly: I love your creativity!
Laura / The Shed blog by Pet Scribbles recently posted..Easy DIY Gilded Ornaments
I was totally there today and didn’t see any! you lucked out! I loove how they turned out
Carissa recently posted..Newborn Photo Shoot: Lincoln Jack
Jacque,
You are the BEST! I love this idea! I am totally copying your brilliance and making these for upstairs. Poor Bob….sorry about the missing hand!
blessings,
karianne
Thistle recently posted..12 Days of Christmas Day 4-Christmas in the Dining Room
Wow! You have totally made me want to spray paint all of my nutcrackers! I have a growing collection of them but they would look so cool all in one color. They look great and way to crop those pics!
Love your painted nutcrackers…super cute!!! Your photo of garage photo shoot made me laugh out loud…ahhhh the things we do for a “good shot”
These are just fab, Jacque! I actually just bought my first ever nutcracker from Target. A huge white one, on clearance for $17. I thought I was getting a smokin deal until I see these darling ones you DIYed! So lovely!
Chelsea @ Making Home Base recently posted..Tutorial: Ruffled Christmas Tree Onesie
I’ve never been a nutcracker fan; however, I think I am with the newly revamped modern spin on them!!! Need to go buy some stat!
Katie recently posted..Washi Tape Joy Letters
Poor Bob!!! He looks good now though!!!Great idea, love them. Thanks for swinging by our Christmas party
Julie recently posted..Stay Safe & Be Thankful
Those look wonderful! And I totally understand about buying more than one thing, I always have to do that too! Three of a thing always look great stacked or placed at odds with each other.
Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
Jessi @ Practically Functional recently posted..Fabric Gift Tags {And Winter Link Party!}
Stopping by again to let you know I featured this today on my blog! You can check it out and grab a Featured button here: The Fun In Functional link party
Jessi @ Practically Functional recently posted..Simple Flower Hair Clips
So cute! I love them. Featuring them in the Spotlight this weekend over at Domestically Speaking. Thanks for linking up to the PoPP.
great idea! bravo.
hope you’ll find a moment to stop by (if you haven’t already!) and enter a giveaway i am hosting: http://www.hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2012/12/personalized-lovely-giveaway.html
smiles and happy weekend to you.
michele
michele@hellolovelyinc recently posted..personalized lovely & a giveaway!
Very smart to go the Dollar Store. I love them.
These are gorgeous! So glad you shared them with the knock off decor party. Sure to inspire many:)
debbiedoos recently posted..2012 Holiday Knock off decor party {2nd annual}
CONGRATS!!
You have been featured at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality! Come on over and grab your featured button.. you deserve it
http://thediydreamer.com/from-dream-to-reality/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-46/
What a fabulous idea-I’m featuring this on my Saturday Holiday Faves-Have a great weekend-Claire
Yep Yep Yep– featuring these bad boys tomorrow! Thanks again for linking up! Merry Christmas!
Jen
Jen @ Four Marrs & One Venus recently posted..Top 5 Family Fun Christmas Games
Greetings. New follower across the board here. I love your DIY tutorials. Your studio is flippin’ awesome. However this particular tutorial…idk about it. It feels like you have destroyed the traditional nutcracker. Blasphemy lol. I will pin it nevertheless for my followers. Idk if I would have the guts to do this to my nutcrackers because they are not just a dime a dozen to me. They are each all unique and special and each have particular meaning to me and each have a memory attached to them. It is a particular interesting DIY though, nevertheless. Very creative. Yours turned out very lovely and unique. I guess if mine did not have a sentimental value or love attached to them I would do it. Your other DIY’s are awesome and I think it is just smashing that you are able to pick things right out of Dollar Tree and make them into unique and beautiful crafts. Goes to show that you have a good eye and a creative mind to take a chintzy piece and turn it into a beautiful thing. You see the beauty in something that someone else would not otherwise see. I pray that you and yours have a prosperous and safe new year. I will continue to follow your posts with interests! Have a lovely one, dear! xo