I had been on the hunt for a vintage sled for a long time. But every time I found one, the price was just a little too high for me to pull the trigger. Finally, FINALLY I found one in rural Georgia that would work perfectly as wooden sled decor, and I knew exactly how I wanted to achieve that.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I loved the idea of incorporating these antique sleds into porch decor for Christmas. And many of them are decorated with traditional wreathes or a pair of vintage ice skates.
Like this “wreath” I recently made…
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
But surely I could make my wooden sled decor a little different, right?
So, I reminisced about my sledding days and thought about where I went sledding, who I went sledding with, and what I wore (snowsuit or snow pants, hat, mittens).
Mittens. Red mittens. Red mittens with a string connecting them.
I wasn’t about to go hunt down some vintage red mittens- and I definitely didn’t want to purchase new ones. But I had just thrifted a red sweater recently…hmm…
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Sweater Mittens to Hang on a Vintage Sled
The sweater I had thrifted wasn’t all that special. A very basic cable knit sweater by Tommy Hilfiger.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
But it was red and ripe for repurposing, as far as I was concerned!
First, I turned the sweater inside-out and grabbed a Sharpie. Surprise, surprise, Cottonball insisted on helping.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Then, I placed my hand at the lower edge of the sweater, lining up my wrist with the bottom sweater banding. Using the Sharpie, I traced along my hand in a mitten shape.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
On the other bottom corner of the sweater, I did the same thing with my right hand. Then, I cut out my “mittens”, still with the right sides facing each other, and pinned the raw edges closed.
Next, I lined the cut edges with specialty glue, and set them aside to dry.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Lastly, I quickly (i.e., not perfectly) hand-stitched the sweater mittens closed with embroidery floss.
Decorating the Wooden Sled Decor
When all was said and done, I turned them right-side-out, and ta-da! Red mittens that were just perfect.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Maybe not perfect enough to wear, but certainly good enough to use on the wooden sled!
First, I propped up the vintage sled in the corner of our porch and snipped some nice branches from our plethora of cypress trees. Next, I tied them to the sled with some jute twine.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Look at that! I even did a little yard work with some tree trimming – ha, ha!
Over the branches, I hung some large bells. I’ve had these suckers for years but never knew what to do with them.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
They FINALLY had a purpose on my wooden sled decor!
Then, I wrapped the sweater mittens around the wooden sled.
Since I didn’t have any red yarn, I simply safety-pinned a short red ribbon to each knit mitten to “connect” them, which also held them in place around the antique sled.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
One final touch and my wooden sled decor would be complete!
Wooden Sled Decor with Sweater Mittens
Finally, I added a large bow at the top of the vintage sled. I’m not much of a bow person and I’m certainly not skilled in bow-tying, but I was happy with how it turned out.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And I am telling you what- I LOVE HOW EVERYTHING TURNED OUT! It is just so darn cute, and I love that I upcycled the sweater mittens, too.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Hurray for finally finding a wooden sled, too! So tell me, what will your front porch Christmas decorations look like this year?
If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for front porch Christmas decor, then you’ll love these candy candy decorations, too!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And, don’t forget that my first book, “Crafting with Flannel”, has an entire chapter dedicated to Christmas projects, as well.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Love it! I’ve been searching for a vintage sled. My sister in Colorado found one for me, but the cost for shipping was far more than the cost of the sled so she sent me a pic of “my” decorated sled on “her” front porch. The smittens are adorable.
Thanks, Alli!
cute! we have a sled that i’d like to use like this, but i don’t trust the amount of people who walk by house.
b
I have my Dad’s childhood sled from the 40’s, but sadly I think like you so maybe I can put it next to the fireplace!
I LOVE vintage sleds, and you’ve made this one look so pretty with the handmade gloves. And those bells could not be more perfect for hanging in the greenery!
Thank you so much!
Beautifully done! That sled was a great find! 🙂
Thanks, Katie!
That is beautiful!! I so want to find a sled like that, but up here in the mountains, people are still using theirs and not selling them! 🙂
LOL, I can see that dilemna!
I love your sled and your smittens. Thanks for linking up at the #HomeMatters linky.
~Bonnie
Oh, your Sled & Smittens is adorable! I love it. There is just something wonderful about vintage decor at Christmastime. Thank you for sharing at the Home Matters Linky Party. Pinned and shared. 🙂
~Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai
#HomeMatters
This is such a cute and creative idea for a porch decoration. Enjoy the holidays! #WWDParty
So, so cute! I love this fun holiday decoration. Thanks for sharing. PINNED!
I know this post is really about the mittens, but I really love those super large bells! Lovely display 🙂 Thank you for linking up at the Make it Monday Party! Join us next week for one last party in 2014.
I love everything, everything about this, Sarah! Red, smittens, bells, vintage, porch….and only YOU could include a cleaning project in with your decorating project! 🙂 Thank you for sharing this with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinned!
Thank you, Joy!
Clever idea, re: mittens!
Cute idea – love the sled!
Thank you, Shelley!
I love your different décor for the vintage sled! The smittens are fabulous and have a vintage look to them. My sled is left plain with my childhood skates in their original plaid bag sitting next to it. I didn’t wear my skates while sledding either!!
LOL I’m glad I’m not alone!! 😉
Adorable vignette!
Thank you! ‘Tis a lovely way to welcome me home everyday. 🙂
Such a pretty vignette. Sleighs are hard to come by in Florida, although I saw a lady buying one where my booth is. Had I been there 5 minutes earlier…anyway your porch decor is very welcoming.
Thank you, Debra! Yes…I can imagine not many folks bring their sleds with them when they migrate to Florida. Guess you just need to go pickin’ in North Georgia (which is where I found mine!). 😉
very sweet. An d I love the cat!
Thanks, Jenny! He can’t help himself, he’s always got to help out. 😉
I’d say you really lucked out! And I love the name smittens, and what a cute helper you have! Thanks for sharing this on Throwback Thursday – I’ll be pinning it to our board, so make sure to follow! 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Yes, he is adorably “helpful”. 😉 Thank you!
This is so adorable! I have been looking for decor porch ideas. Now to get lucky and find an old sled!!
Thank you, Stormie!!
This is such a cute idea! I love this!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J! Merry Christmas!
Great sled decor idea. The mittens are adorable. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.
What a great welcome to your home, and reminds me of the days gone by with sledding!!
Thanks for stopping to share on the Oh My Heartsie Girls Wonderful Wednesday!
Merry Christmas!!
Your sled turned out really cute. I see mittens at all the craft shows made from sweaters and think they are very popular! Wishing you are very Merry Christmas!
Thank you- Happy Holidays to you, as well!
They really add a pop of colour to your display – love it!
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger
What a fabulous find, and I especially love, love, love way you did to it.
Thank you so very much, Ivory!