Rustic Pallet Wood Church Ornaments

With Advent here, and Christmas only a few weeks away, my favourite time of year is in full swing. I am happy to share with you a simple and rustic ornament that is relatively easy to make and costs next to nothing...

I am so excited to be part of this Christmas blog hop hosted by Hometalk.com and Country Living.com. A huge thank you to Donna of Funky Junk and Miriam of Hometalk for organizing this event that is sure to inspire you with lots of great ideas for your home for Christmas...

Inspired by little country churches and chapels in the woods, like this one...
St. Joseph on the Mountain in Mentone, Alabama, I wanted to make a stylized and simple church made with pallet wood.

What you will need for this project...

pallet wood (flat and without nails)
wooden clothespins (medium sized)
small twigs
stain for wood (glaze or watered down paint would work also.
faux snow (recipe below) (optional)
glue stick and hot glue
mini bottle brush trees (optional)

Steps...

1) Print out a paper template and cut out a cardboard shape to trace around.
2) Trace out the main buildings and steeples onto your pallet wood piece. 3) Cut out your shapes and find some thin twigs for the cross. The clothespins are on the small side and were bought at the Dollar Tree. (They are the perfect fit for the dimensions of the template above).
4) Darken the main piece with glaze or something else to give it contrast with the natural wood color of the steeple. (You could use watered down acrylics). Take apart the clothespin. It will be used as the roof. Cut the twig into two small pieces that will become the cross. Hot glue them together. Add the faux snow to all of the crosses that you have made for the number of churches that you plan on making.

4B) If you would like to add more detail, you can cut another clothespin and add to the top of the steeple.

5) Use hot glue to adhere the clothespin pieces to the top of the roof of the main part of the church, with the thinner sides on top. 6) Hot glue the steeple onto the front middle of the church, aligning it at the bottom. 7) With a small stiff brush, carefully add the faux snow beginning with the top of the steeple and then the clothespin roof. Once the faux snow has been added, sprinkle some clear glitter onto it while it is still wet. Stand the church vertically on a plastic or paper plate and let dry overnight. (This will help the drips to go in the direction of gravity). Hot glue the cross to the back of the steeple and if you want to keep it simple then you are done.

I had always wanted to make fake snow to use for Christmas decorations and found a great recipe on Pinterest via Amy of Stow and Tell U.

Recipe...

1/2 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup White Glue
2 tbsps. White Chalk Paint or Craft Paint
1-2 tsps. Warm Water (Only use if the mixture is too thick)

Amy's recipe includes water, but I found that in the end my mix was too runny and I had to add a lot more baking soda, so if I made it again, I would only use the first 3 ingredients. Add water only if it is too thick.

Directions...

Using a container of your choice add the first 3 ingredients. (I mixed mine in a plastic container that had a lid so that I could store it when not in use). Mix well with a whisk or fork, or hand held blender. The consistency should be like that of cream cheese frosting. Do a drip test on a piece of scrap wood. It should pretty much stay put. If it is too runny add more baking soda, if it is too thick, add a tsp. of warm water. It can be stored for a few days. The glitter is also optional, but should be sprinkled on top before the faux snow dries. (Wash out your brush when you are done with soap and water.)

From my first experience at trying to add the faux snow, a lot of it ended up dripping or falling onto the piece, so I added a paper apron to prevent that from happening.

Make sure to have the snow covered pieces dry vertically so that the drips will have gravity help to make them look more realistic. Add the glitter before the snow dries completely. Leave to dry overnight.

The next step is to add the snow covered cross to the back of the steeple using hot glue.

At this point you may decide that you are done. I actually love the simplicity of it just like this...

But the possibilities for embellishment made me add a few more steps... a snow covered stick awning for the entrance, a thin painted wood door and two snow covered mini trees...

I think it would look great on a wreath or as an ornament hanging on a tree...

I love how the glittery snow looks on the top of all the details... and the rough texture of the pallet wood.

It was a true labor of love that was a week in the making. It is definitely one of my favourite creations.

After a cloudy afternoon, and me scrambling to finish them in time, I thought for sure that there wouldn't be enough natural light for decent photos, but God was nice enough to see to it that the sun shone through at the last hour. I took it as a sign that he was pleased with my work... and I thank Him for the inspiration. :o)

Wishing you peace and blessings,
Lucy

Make sure to check out all of the other links to projects below and to look for the hashtag #‎homeforchristmas‬ on social media...

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing at these locations...

MONDAYS
Something to Talk About @ Spain Hill Farm
Inspire Me Monday @ Sand and Sisal
The Scoop @ Stone Gable
Project Inspire @ Cupcakes and Crinoline
Before and After Linkup @ Thrifty Decor Chick

TUESDAYS
Moonlight and Mason Jars @ Cherished Bliss
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Vintage Inspiration Party @ My Salvaged Treasures
Dream Create Inspire @ Refresh Living
Swing into Spring @ DIY by Design
What's It Wednesdays @ Ivy And Elephants

WEDNESDAYS
Creative Spark @ Two Purple Couches
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Share Your Style @ The Vintage Nest
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours

THURSDAYS
Brag Worthy Thursday @ Bless'er House
Think and Make Thursdays @ Little Red Brick House
The Creative Circle @ Up to Date Interiors
Vintage Charm @ Charm Bracelet Diva
Shabbilicous Fridays @ The Shabby Art Boutique
Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted In Thyme
The Inspiration Gallery @ craftberry bush
Creativity Unleashed @ Practically Functional
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
the weekend retreat @ AKA Design
Inspiration Friday @ The Painted Drawer

FRIDAYS
A morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market
Upcycled Link Party @ Funky Junk Interiors

SATURDAYS
Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes
Share it One More Time @ One More Time Events
DIY Sunday Showcase @ The Interior Frugalista
Sundays at Home @ Love of Home

SUNDAYS
Silver Pennies Sundays @ Finding Silver Pennies
Inspired By You @ Reinvented
Inspiration Monday @ What Meegan Makes
Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings

27 comments

Jo-Anna@APrettyLife06 December, 2015

What gorgeous ornaments...they are so cute and look great on your wreath! Love them!
Angie Chavez06 December, 2015

This is such a precious ornament, Lucy - pinned it!
~Angie @ Knick of Time
Chatfield Court07 December, 2015

Loving these Lucy and they are perfect on your wreath! Awesome idea!
Jeanette Chaney07 December, 2015

Lucy, great tutorial. I would have never guess the roof was clothespins but they are perfect with the little bumps and covered with snow. I've got to try making snow! Pinning and sharing everywhere!
Cat Golden07 December, 2015

Lucy,

Your churches are truly adorable! I love everything about them! I'm pinning!! Thank you for sharing.

Cat
Karen @ karensuponthehill07 December, 2015

So adorable and charming! And your faux snow looks so good! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy holidays!
Uncookie Cutter07 December, 2015

Very cute! Looks great with your style!
Jill Flory07 December, 2015

Lucy this is so adorable! I love it and I love the way that snow looks! I've got to do this - if not this year next year for sure!
Meg Hemmelgarn07 December, 2015

What a clever idea! I love the faux snow!
Charm Bracelet Diva {at Home}07 December, 2015

You are very talented my friend! It's just the right amount of rustic. And you're right, I can see it on a wreath just as easily as on a tree. Yes, I believe God smiled down on this one:) xokathleen
Emily, our house now a home07 December, 2015

This is so cute! I love it! Perfect addition to a wreath of other holiday decor.
Julie Nichols07 December, 2015

You are very creative. These are so cute I love the way they look on the wreath!
Cathy Carroll07 December, 2015

Very cute Lucy - love the rusticness of these little churches. The faux snow is awesome. Cathy
One More Time Events07 December, 2015

Lucy this is so cute and thank you for sharing the snow recipe!
Laurie Dickson07 December, 2015

That is beyond darling! Pinning and sharing!
Tara Lehman07 December, 2015

Lucy, this church ornament is fantastic. I love that it can be made with pallet wood. Pinning:). Have a wonderful week and take care, Tara
Lucy Auburn07 December, 2015

Thank you so much for stopping by ladies and for all the kind comments! ;o)
Marie Blackburn07 December, 2015

Oh my gosh Lucy, I adore the little church you made and it looks so awesome in your wreath. Love Love Love!!! Pinned to share :)
Roxanne08 December, 2015

These are just adorable, what a great idea!!
bon bon08 December, 2015

Wow....I love these little churches. The clothes pin roof is wonderful. What a great project. Pinning and sharing.
Tiffany - Dream Design DIY08 December, 2015

This is cute! And so excited that I know how to make fake snow now.
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures10 December, 2015

This is SO cute! Thank you for sharing your excellent tutorial at Vintage Inspiration Party.
Amy Ellis12 December, 2015

This is so classic and rustic. It's beautiful and what a keepsake this will be! I'm so glad the faux snow recipe worked for you, it looks great!! Thank you for the mention. Pinning and sharing
Postcards from the Ridge15 December, 2015

This is really cute! And you shared such a great tutorial for it! Thanks for linking up at our Inspired by You party!
Creatively Homespun17 December, 2015

This looks sooo great!!! What a fun idea! I was so excited to see the huge amount of link ups for this hop! There is so much eye candy!! :-) Pinned!!
karen@somewhatquirky18 December, 2015

These are adorable! Great idea!
Linda Bouffard21 December, 2015

LOVE them. Pinned to my Christmas board. Don't you wish we had a longer season for all the Christmas ideas? I'd love to have your join our party also. It opens on Thursday at 10 P.M. Best wishes, Linda http://www.craftsalamode.com/