DIY: How to Create a Pinecone Wreath

I was hoping to complete this project before Thanksgiving but I ran out of time. I wasn't worried though because pine cones are everywhere for Christmas too so there is always time to make your own pine cone wreath and incorporate it into your holiday decor.

See this pine cone wreath below - beautiful but is it worth $50 at Crate and Barrel or would you rather spend only $5 and make it yourself? That's what I thought, let's save the $45 and put it aside for another decorating project down the road.

All you need is a $5 styrofoam wreath, lots of pine cones from the backyard, brown spray paint, and a glue gun with tons of glue sticks. I had everything except for the styrofoam wreath which is why the cost was so low.

Step 1: spray paint the wreath a brown color to match the pine cones.

Step 2: start gluing the pine cones to the front part of the wreath. I tried to fit 2 in each row.

Step 3: glue pine cones to the outer edge of the wreath.

Step 4: glue pine cones to the inner edge of the wreath.

Step 5: attach bow and hang it up.

Step 6: admire your handiwork - it looks great! Even my hubby was impressed with it.

What do you think? I think it was well worth the $45 that I saved by making it myself. It took about 2 hours to make but I found it to be a very relaxing project to work on except the few times that a pine cone wouldn't cooperate. I hung it on the door but I've since moved it to hang over the mirror above our buffet, it looks nicer and now I don't have to squirm in fear that every time the door opens or closes that it may break. So far it's surprisingly sturdy and not a single pine cone has fallen over. I hope I've inspired you to try to make something yourself and save some money in the process.

Getting Corky in my Kitchen

We were in need of a bit of organization in our kitchen. The "catch-all" drawer and basket was getting a bit overwhelming and being a visual person that wasn't working for me. I decided to purchase some inexpensive cork tiles at Hobby Lobby for $6 and used the adhesive squares it came with to adhere them to the inside of a cabinet door that is frequently used -aka the snack cabinet. I was then able to pin up many things that I wanted to access to including our weekly dinner menu, coupons, and photos. It took only a couple of minutes and we then had a DIY cork board hidden within a cabinet.

I love that it was cheap, easy to do, and practical. Anyone else have any easy DIY organization tips for those items you don't want sitting in a pile. If so do share.

My Valentine, My True Friend

I didn’t get a chance to create a bunch of handmade Valentine cards this year but I did get a chance to make a few this past week. I didn’t want to post them before V-day, in fear that those receiving the cards would have the surprise spoiled.  Plus they got done at the last minute too didn’t help the cause but they were done just in time.

Above is the card that I made for the best hubby in the world. It took me a couple of tries before I got it just perfect for him.  I can’t believe that 9 years ago on 2/14/02 we got engaged during our trip to Daytona for the Daytona 500. I still remember how nervous he was and how relieved he was after he heard my “yes” after the big question was popped. I’m thinking we should head back there next year to celebrate 10 years.

The pink card above which was similar to David’s I sent to my littlest nieces back home. I included a couple of little treats for my little Valentine’s. Little girls love pink don’t they?  

 

This last card I made for some other Valentine’s in my life but it didn’t turn out as well as I would have liked. I should have used green as the main card color but they got done. It’s definitely not one of my better cards but having a few “not so great” cards help to create the next best creation afterwards.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Projects I’d Love the Nerve to Tackle

Maybe I should have titled this “projects I’d love to attempt but don’t have the nerve”. I think with a little help, encouragement, and guidance from some experts I can tackle most of these.

Centsational Girl made these adorable Crate & Barrel like poinsetta pillows for Christmas. I know it’s mid-January, but it’s never to early to start making them now for Christmas presents in December – right?

I think I’ll need my mom’s help with this one given she’s the quilting and sewing guru of the family. Interested in attempting this project – here’s the details.

A Soft Place to Land created the coolest Board and Batten treatment to the walls in their living room. I would love to have the guts to try something like this in our basement family room to give it some architectural detail it’s lacking.

Curious how to create this on your walls, the cost, and the amount of time? Click here for details.

Elizabeth Kartchner from Just Us created these super cool embellished tees using old tee-shirts and some fabric scraps. She shared her how-to’s on a local TV station and I’m really eager to try this one out. She even used a scrapbooking tool, Sissix, to cut the flowers out of fabric.

Susie over at Susie Harris’s blog created these DIY flower pillows on the cheap. Again I’d love to tackle this but I need a sewing machine and a little guidance from my mom too. Are you starting to see a theme? I love pillows, fabric flowers, and projects that are easy.

 

My new favorite DIY blog is Knock Off Wood and a special shout-out to Sherry at Young House Love for sharing this blog with all of us. Ana at Knock Off Wood has me thinking that I really can build furniture for the cost of peanuts that are sold at Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and West Elm. I am determined to make this coffee table when the weather warms up a bit. Intrigued by the idea of making your own coffee table – step by step drawings and instructions are here along with some testimonials from people who have built this in 2 hours and under $50 – yes that’s not a typo.

There are tons of detailed plans on how to build anything from a square dining room table, nightstands, beds, or entertainment centers. She creates plans that are easy to follow and people are always sending in pictures of their creations along with some tid-bit’s of advice that would be helpful to anyone else looking to build the same thing.

Honey, if you are reading this, will you help me make this coffee table pretty please? I promise not to yell or get bad if you make a few mistakes along the way – promise! I’ll even buy extra wood in case of any boo-boo’s.

Are there any projects that you want to tackle but are scared to use a jigsaw, table saw, or sewing machine? Did you end up with all of your fingers afterwards and a pretty cool project? Do share. I’m looking for the confidence I need to venture into unchartered waters.

A Crafty Gift Card Package

I love shopping for Christmas presents for my family but as much as I try to fight it, sometimes I have to purchase gift cards because that is what they really want - especially those teenage nieces/nephew. I was trying to find a fun way to package those gift cards that just aren't the same when you give them in an envelope. Below is what I came up with - a stocking that holds those gift cards and it doubles as an ornament for the tree too.

The top of the stocking flips up to conceal the gift card inside.

(I love Target's gift cards with the cute puppy)

Supplies Used:

• Paper: real red cardstock, old olive cardstock, whisper white cardstock, Heidi Grace Designs Jolly & Bright patterned paper 
• Punches: eyelet border, scallop oval, large oval
• Accessories: white gel pen, bazzill red/white ribbon, silver elastic cord

Note: all products are Stampin Up unless otherwise notes

DIY: Bookcase Revamp with Burlap

I have been itching to play around with some burlap after getting some inspiration from the Queen of Burlap. Sarah has a blog called A Beach Cottage and her home is just my style and full of inspring projects.

One day I was looking at our bookcases and feeling like the back of them needed a little DIY to help my decor on the shelves to pop a bit. I got a few yards of burlpa for $1.99/yard from Hobby Lobby and got to work. I worked on this project when my hubby was at work because I wasn't sure if he would like the idea or not. Turns out he loved it and noticed it right away when he got home. 

BEFORE

Using a staple gun I just stapled the burlap to the back of the bookcase. We got these bookcases a long time ago from Ikea so I wasn't too worried about putting staples into them.

I just love the texture and the brightness it brings to the bookcase.

AFTER

The texture of the burlap makes my white pottery really pop off the shelves.

Don't you think?

AFTER

I love that this project was quick and cheap with a big impact on our ho-hum bookcases. I have extra burlap and I am eager to put the scraps to use. I was thinking of making a table runner, wrap some candles, or possibly make a memo board. Stay tuned because with the weather getting colder, I'll have more time on hands for some indoor projects.

Can I have some Cheese with my Wine?

Do you remember these Wine & Cheese party invites that I made last month? The invites were so much fun to make for my friend Sue's party and setting up for the party was just as much fun. Move over Martha because Melissa and Sue are in the house!

Look at that beautiful spread. Do you feel like you are at a vinyard or what?

Lots of cheese to try (all properly labeled of course).

and a little bit more cheese in case you want more for the palate.

Here's a sampling of the red wines we drank tasted.

In addition to the cheese there was plenty of crackers, breads, grapes, fruit, and hummus to go along with the wine and cheese tasting.

And one last photo for those that missed the festivities.

Helping with the invitations and party planning was so much fun. The best part was that since my friend hosted, I just got to do the fun stuff and not the not so fun stuff such as cleaning. I'd love to host a similar party down the road so that I can taste even more of my friends favorite wines.

P.S. Sorry but no pictures from the actual party because what happens at the party stays at the party! (i.e. No blackmail photos of me people!)

Fall Votives and Some Spooky Decor

This weekend in addition to getting the house and yard ready for winter, I was able to sneak in a little decorating time as well. I love fall but I also wanted to add some Halloween fun as well without going to overboard or looking hoaky. I hope you will agree that I accomplished that with my coffee table display.

First I took some cheap votives I had around the house and wrapped them with some leaves I had leftover from our wedding (7 years ago) and tied them with twine. It's that easy and I'll be able to use these all the way through Thanksgiving. Cost = $0 so you can't beat that!

Then I decided to add a bowl full of wine corks with a creepy spider and a bowl of bones for some fun. The only purchase here was the skeletal hands which I got at the Dollar Tree for $1 and I couldn't beat that either.

Now that I have the coffee table decorated, I need to finish up the rest of my displays and I'm eager to share those with you too. Have you created any spooky displays in your home? Please share.

P.S. Don't forget there is still time to enter my $20 Starbucks giveaway celebrating my 1st Blogiversary. The drawing will take place on Saturday.

DIY: How to Paint an Existing Picture Frame

I recently changed the artwork in the guest bedroom and am putting the final touches on that room but this picture below was not working out for me. All of the artwork and frames in this room are black and this frame needed to be no exception. So do I go to Ikea and buy a different frame or use the existing one? You guessed it, I'm way too thrifty to buy a new frame when a can of spray paint will make it look like new.

BEFORE

Add a couple of coats of black spraypaint and watch the magical transformation occur.

(Ok, I know it's a bit dramatic but I'm lovin spraypaint! Where has it been all of my life?)

AFTER

What a difference, I may have to use that spraypaint on a few other projects around the house.

I'm really tickled pink over this $3 can of paint transformation.

And it looks a lot better with the black and white photo too.

Now the new frame and artwork match the rest of the artwork in the room. All the frames are a bit different so not too matchy/matchy but definately more cohesive.

Now that I'm falling in love with spraypaint, can you please share with me what you like to do with a can of spraypaint? The possibilities are endless and I'm looking for some inspiration.

P.S. Don' forget you have until Saturday to enter my 1st Blogiversary giveaway. You could be the lucky winner of a $20 Starbucks gift certificate.

Wine, Cheese & Chatter - party invite

My friend Sue is having a Wine and Cheese Tasting Party at her house and of course I jumped at the chance to help out. I had a few ideas in mind for the invitations and she let me run with the idea of something simple like an invitation that looks like swiss cheese. I love the simple look of the invitation because it speaks to the sophisticated type of party that she is trying to create. The invitation sets the stage for the party and I think the simple black and merlot colored font is the icing on the cake. All we need are merlot colored envelopes and they are all set to go off in the mail.

To create the swiss cheese look, I used two different sized punches including the standard paper punch and then a 1/2 inch punch. My hand got quite the exercise with punching, and punching, and punching a few more holes in the invitea. Not only did I get the invitations done, I also have a big pile of confetti too. Hmmm......what could I do with that?