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Introducing Merry Mag Holiday + DIY Hot Cocoa Bar

December 1, 2015 by TheSweetEscape 13 Comments

Merry Mag Holiday 2015 - a Handmade Holiday Guide

This really does deserve a drumroll because it was an event to make it happen! I’m super (tired) and excited to introduce Merry Mag Holiday 2015!! I can’t believe we’ve come full circle and this crazy idea I had a year ago is back and still going strong. If you’re late to the game, Merry is an online magazine full of handmade holiday inspiration from some of your favourite bloggers including DIY’s, home decor, recipes, gifting and more.

And how about that cover!?! Dreaming up the cover art is always my favourite part of Merry. For this issue I experimented with laser cutting and made this deer thanks to the help of Hot Pop Factory. And the finished look was photographed by the talented Maya Visnyei. You can find this pretty felt wreath hanging on my own door at the moment. So fun!

Here’s a taste of what you’ll find in this holiday issue:

Merry Mag Holiday 2015 - a Handmade Holiday Guide You’ll also find this super adorable Hot Cocoa bar I put together with this custom DIY chalkboard marquee style sign. My friends at Home Depot Canada challenged me to come up with a holiday DIY project using these battery operated lights from the Martha Stewart collection and materials from their store. Challenge accepted!

I’ve been wanting to make a hot cocoa bar for ages and this was the perfect time – because every hot cocoa bar needs a sign…duh. I wanted to make people light up when they saw my hot cocoa bar, literally. I combined two popular DIY projects – marquee lights and chalkboards to make a lit up chalk baord sign and channeled my inner artist. The result is an extra special piece that can be used in so many ways or just as a piece of holiday art.

DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Chalkboard Marquee Sign by The Sweet Escape for Merry Mag

I love how it turned out and I think it’s pretty good for my first stab at chalk art. Making your own sign isn’t as hard as you think and it allows you to add details like the lights exactly where you want for you design. 

Here’s the materials you’ll need from Home Depot:
• MDF board 
• chalkboard paint 
• mini paint roller & tray
• Martha Stewart Battery operated lights
• drill
• a recycled picture frame
• chalk

I chose to use the MDF board because it’s a nice smooth surface that’s perfect for a chalkboard and it’s really affordable. There’s a few different sizes so pick one that works with the size of your frame and not any thicker than the base of the light bulbs. 

diy-hot-chocolate-bar-14

Here’s a photo step-by-step of how I made my sign. First have the nice people at Home Depot cut your MDF board to fit your frame before you bring it home. My board made enough for two pieces so I can make a totally different design later and switch them out when I want. 

HOT COCOA BAR STEP BY STEP HOT COCOA BAR STEP BY STEP2 As you can see, my chalkboard art isn’t perfect but I think that’s part of the charm. I purposely left it a little messy looking. 

DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Chalkboard Marquee Sign by The Sweet Escape for Merry Mag DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Chalkboard Marquee Sign by The Sweet Escape for Merry Mag

Adding the lights makes the sign so much more of a feature, especially if you’re using it in the evening when there’s less light and it will really glow. You can wipe off the text after your party and keep it up as a piece of holiday art. Bonus! 

Then comes the fun part, styling your cocoa bar. Keep it fun and give your guests a few different choices. 

DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Chalkboard Marquee Sign by The Sweet Escape for Merry Mag DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Chalkboard Marquee Sign by The Sweet Escape for Merry Mag

It’s that time of year to swap the mimosa bar for a something more warm and cozy. Wrapping your hands around a warm mug full of chocolately goodness and topped with something sweet really is like a hug. Don’t forget to add lots of marshmallows.

DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Chalkboard Marquee Sign by The Sweet Escape for Merry Mag

DIY Hot Cocoa Bar Chalkboard Marquee Sign by The Sweet Escape for Merry Mag

There you have a great DIY that will satisfy both your handy and crafty sides. I’m always inspired to come up with creative crafty ideas while wandering the isles at Home Depot. It’s so satisfying to turn all those practical materials into something so fun and creative. 

If you agree and liked this project then definitely go check out Merry to find so many more great handmade holiday projects. 

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Filed Under: DIY, HOLIDAYS Tagged With: holidaydiy, hot cocoa bar, merry mag

About TheSweetEscape

Comments

  1. Christine says

    December 1, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    I need this hot chocolate bar in my life!!

    Reply
    • TheSweetEscape says

      December 1, 2015 at 5:05 pm

      You can have it! Do it!

      Reply
  2. Virginia Fynes says

    December 1, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    Looks amazing, love how it all came together! great job

    Reply
    • TheSweetEscape says

      December 9, 2015 at 11:07 am

      Thanks Virginia and thanks for letting us feature your awesome bags!

      Reply
  3. Amy @ Love On Sunday says

    December 2, 2015 at 8:40 am

    The Merry Mag looks incredible and that laser cut deer by Hot Pop is insane! Great job, Melissa! I hope you can get some much needed R&R now! It’s much deserved :)

    Reply
    • TheSweetEscape says

      December 9, 2015 at 11:07 am

      Thanks Amy! I’m addicted to laser cutting now, I see ideas everywhere I turn. Don’t worry, I turned into a sloth the minute the mag was done ;)

      Reply
  4. Adena Leigh says

    December 2, 2015 at 9:03 am

    This year’s issue looks fab! Congrats xox

    Reply
    • TheSweetEscape says

      December 9, 2015 at 11:05 am

      Thanks so much Adena! I hope you’re inspired to get your craft on this season ;)

      Reply
  5. Andrea says

    December 2, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    So excited that this issue of Merry Mag came together! That hot cocoa bar is too cute!!

    Reply
    • TheSweetEscape says

      December 9, 2015 at 10:57 am

      Thanks Andrea, we pulled it off! It’s a perfect reason to host a winter or apres skate/ski party!

      Reply
  6. Jordana says

    December 2, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    Love this! Congrats on Merry Mag. It looks beautiful. Your DIY projects are always so inspiring. Time to get crafting :)

    Reply
  7. Jordana @WhiteCabana says

    December 3, 2015 at 7:37 am

    Congrats to you and your team, Melissa! The mag definitely is MERRY! So many fab ideas. Thanks for making something so pretty for the rest of us to enjoy!

    Reply
    • TheSweetEscape says

      December 9, 2015 at 10:55 am

      Thanks so much Jordana! I hope you’re inspired to get creative this holiday season!

      Reply

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