The Christmas Mermaid

 This little project got it's start almost a year ago.  I was walking through TJMaxx last January, perusing the leftover Christmas merchandise, when I spotted her:  The Christmas Mermaid.  
It just so happens I know someone who loves mermaids, and a Christmas Mermaid?  Bonus points!

Welcome back to the 'Do It Over' Designers blog hop.  We are a group of bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY.  I'm so happy to host this blog hop and hope you'll visit everyone to see what they have to share with you.  Their links will be listed at the end of this post. 

This mermaid was originally a large gift sack.  
It came with two red rope ties that I pulled out before I took the picture.
I thought it was a shame to use it for gift-wrapping - never to be seen again, and it already had this wonderful channel sewn-in at the top:
So, out came the seam ripper and the side seams were gone in no time at all.  I cut the sack across the bottom and I now had two large pieces.  Here's the other one:
Each piece was approximately 29-30 inches long.
That measurement combined with that channel already sewn at the top meant this mermaid was about to become a banner.  All I had to do was hem the bottom and re-stitch the sides.  No pics, just trust me, I did sew them!
The next step was a getting a dowel and two wooden balls for the ends. 
The dowel needed to be cut down, so I 'eyeballed' the length I wanted and cut it with my trusty hack saw.
Everything was painted with gold craft paint and it was time to put the banner together...dowel through the channel, wooden balls added - use a little glue, tie on the rope, and it was done.
So much better than a large gift sack!
I think she's adorable and she's on her way to my daughter for her Christmas decorating this year.  Yes, she's the mermaid-lover, has been since she was a little girl.  
The moral of this story is make sure you dig through the leftover Christmas merchandise in January.  You never know what you'll find at a bargain price!  

I hope you'll pin, share, comment, and follow.  If you click on those 3 little lines at the top left of the blog (on the Home page), you'll see where to find me...or click on the icon below to share.


Now it's time to visit the rest of the team.  We have ideas, a Baker's Dozen actually, to share with you.  Be sure to stop by each blog for some amazing Upcycling/Recycling/DIY projects.  The links are listed below:













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Comments

  1. Cute recycle project! I am sure she will love it!

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  2. So adorable and a great tip to remember about shopping in Januar!

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    1. I've always shopped in January and have found some of the best deals!

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  3. That's so cute, I love Mermaids and she's adorable!

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  4. What a fun way to upcycle an after Christmas find! I'm sure your daughter will cherish it for years to come!

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  5. What a great find last year and so adorable. I like that you remade it to something that can be used every year now.

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    1. It just seemed a shame to just use it as a gift sack. I'm so glad you like it!

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  6. Oh my goodness, how cute is that! I know my niece will love seeing this. Wonderful hopping with you!

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    1. Thanks, Chas. Wonderful hopping with you too!

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  7. Ann, she is just darling...and I agree, way too sweet to be hiding under the tree. She deserves a spotlight!!

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    1. I couldn't agree more. This was one of those finds that I knew exactly what I was going to do with it as soon as I saw it!

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  8. What a great upcycle! Too cute:) I love taking things apart and making them into something else. xo Kathleen

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  9. Ann, this is too adorable! I love it, especially the ear muffs!

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    1. Yes, aren't they great? You're the first to mention them!

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  10. Such a better use than just wrapping. Like you say it is such a shame for her to be tucked away never to be seen again.

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    1. That was my thought as soon as I saw it, Anita. She's just too cute!

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    1. Thank you, Beth. I think she's just adorable!

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  12. I can't say I've ever seen a Christmas mermaid before! :) What a fun find, and I love what you did with it. Have a wonderful weekend Ann!

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    1. Thank you, Marielle. She really is adorable and my daughter loves her!

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  13. This is so clever, a great makeover.
    The Christmas mermaid seems very niche! But she's lovely so it just goes to show you can theme anything for Christmas can't you? :-)

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    1. Thank you, Julie, and yes, the Christmas theme can be extended to lots of different things. I was thrilled when I saw this gift sack!

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  14. I like your Christmas mermaid!

    Thanks for linking up and sharing this post with us on our Embracing Home and Family-link up!

    -Cherelle

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  15. Ann, your Christmas Mermaid project is so adorable - your daughter is going to love it!
    Thanks for sharing at Friendship Friday at Create With Joy.
    I'm happy to include you among our features this week! :-)

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    1. Thank you so much - it's so sweet of you to feature her!

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  16. How cute. I would never have thought of ever metting a Christmas mermaid :-D

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    1. Thank you, Cat. I guess mermaids can pop up anywhere!

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