Pink Sugarplum Reindeer (DIY)...

... and visions of sugarplums danced in my head..."


(enlarge photos to see glitter effect)
Pink frosted sugarplum reindeer that is!

These little 'dears' are the latest addition to my cottage Christmas decor...


Can you ever have too much pink for Christmas? I don't think so!


Just look how they sparkle and glitter with freshly fallen 'snow' on their backs... But they didn't start out this way.


I found them this spring in a junktique store (while searching for these Staffordshire dogs!). They were so inexpensive that I had to get them. I loved their graceful lines and although I thought they looked beautiful as brass statues, I couldn't stop thinking about how fantastic they'd look painted in a soft cottage color...


... so I applied a nice coat of all purpose sealer to them (so the paint would adhere to the brass)...

... and after they were dry, it was time to paint them. (I originally painted them pale pink but then changed my mind and mixed a few colors together to come up with my favorite shade of peachy-pink!)

It took about 2-3 coats to completely cover the brass.

When they were dry, it was time to brush on a high gloss craft varnish.

And when that was dry, it was time to give them some pizzazzzzzzzzz!!!

Working in sections, I brushed on another layer of varnish and while it was wet, I sprinkled each area with glitter, then tapped the reindeer to remove the excess (I used waxed paper so I could fold it and pour all that excess glitter back into the container.)

After the varnish and glitter dried, it was time to add some Diamond Dust to the top of their heads and backs (I think it makes them look as though they have a dusting of snow on their heads and backs!). Again, this was done by applying varnish to the top of the heads and backs and then spooning Diamond Dust over the wet varnish. And again, I tapped the deer to remove excess Diamond Dust and then poured it back into the container. (Diamond Dust is actually ground glass so I don't ever handle it with my bare hands!)

Voila! Sparkly cottage reindeer! This whole process can be used on most any type of surface, so if you happen to find a wood, glass, ceramic, paper mache, brass, etc. deer (or Santa, Snowman, angel or whatever!) that you love, but you're not crazy about the finish or color, then by all means - seal it, paint it, varnish it, and glitter it! (Avoid picking up your finished projects where you've applied diamond dust glass glitter - ouch! I always pick these guys up by their legs or antlers since the diamond dust is just on their backs and the top of their heads.)

Now be sure to head over to Beverly's How Sweet the Sound to see her Pink Saturday item and to find a list of all the other pink loving bloggers who are sharing some of their PINKS today!!!

And thank you so much for all of your get well wishes for our Spotty. We are so thankful that he seems to be doing much better! I'm sure he'll be up to posing for the blog again in no time!!

Donna