When decorating your home for the holidays, sometimes the simplest look is the most elegant (and romantic). Sure, big, glittery hearts have their place this time of year, but sometimes a more subtle decor option has the biggest effect.
This shelf vignette was posted by Jessica at Craftily Ever After and I love it! She designed the subway art herself and framed it. With the addition of a couple candles, candleholders, and flower balls, the look is complete.
Like most people, over the years I have acquired a ton of extra picture frames - in every size imaginable. Realizing nobody really needs that many frames, I was getting ready to donate a bunch to the Goodwill when I had an idea. I could keep just a few frames (for specific rooms/walls), and simply "swap out" the images each holiday making it seem as though I have a huge inventory of great seasonal artwork without having to take up priceless room in the garage!
enjoy the romance and elegance of simplicity.
-dw.
For the first time in my life I live in a rental home. And while most of the time it doesn't feel any differently than owning a home, there are some moments. With every nail hole I pound in the wall, I dread the day I have to putty them before we leave. And when the urge to add color to my walls strikes me, I realize they aren't really my walls.
Well, today I learned about a way to transform your walls in a completely safe and temporary way...by using liquid starch and fabric! It adheres beautifully and stays put until you're ready to remove it, then it peels away without any damage to the wall what-so-ever! Amazing!
I first heard about the idea while watching The Nate Berkus Show. Click here to watch the segment.
Matt and Shari have a great tutorial (and endurance testimonial) on their website too.
I can hardly wait to try this and I'm thinking there may be more than just walls to try this technique out on. Stay tuned!
enjoy recreating the look of your walls, permanently or temporarily.
-dw
It's so easy to transform your everyday decor into festive, holiday-scaped decor. And you can do it without breaking the bank!
* Slip holiday wrapping or scrapbook paper behind framed photos to create a quick, holiday-themed mat.
* Swap out everyday framed photos for pictures taken on previous holidays (with Santa, in front of last year's tree, etc.).
* Fill a basket with pinecones, fallen pine boughs, holly, etc. and for extra sparkle add a string of little white lights.
* Take down current wall art and replace with framed holiday prints (or old holiday cards, magazine photos, etc.) or wrap entire frame with holiday paper and ribbon to create a large package.
* Replace what's displayed on your plate holder with incoming holiday cards.
* Replace curtain tie backs with holiday ribbon.
enjoy the quick, easy ways you can add the holidays into your decor!
The great part about having my craft studio unpacked and organized again is that I can see what all I have. And believe me, after being in the papercrafting industry for over 15 years, I have more than I can probably ever use in my scrapbooks! That's why, when decorating for holidays around my house, I always turn to my scrapbook supplies first. There is a gold mine of great, seasonal goodies just waiting to be used and enjoyed.
For Halloween I wanted to send a little goodie-bag to my daughter who lives out of state. Nothing fancy, just a little sweet surprise to make her feel less far away. So I repurposed a gift box I'd been saving, added some raffia and a die cut (that has long since been discontinued). I hadn't found a use for it on my scrapbook page, but once I saw it in the drawer I knew it would make the perfect tag! I simply cut it in two pieces, punched a hole in the "new" piece and created a quick, cute gift tag. Total original cost .75, being able to use things I already owned...priceless!
Since I've never been one to decorate much for Halloween, I go right into fall/Thanksgiving decorating mode. I love the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon in the air and leaves and gourds everywhere around my home.
This year I decided to add a little flair to the photographs sitting on the bar next to the dining room table. To one, I added a simple little fall die cut on the outside of the glass, while the other I replaced the white mat around the photo with fall scrapbook paper. In a matter of seconds it looks as if I bought all new frames!
Then I took advantage of two FREE photo printing offers (Walgreen's 8x10 collage print and Walmart's 5x7 photo cards - after tax, total cost = .13!) I cut out the small collage pictures and placed them around one of my favorite decor items....a circular card/note holder. With the addition of a few quote die cuts in fall colors, it is now a Thanksgiving photo wreath! The only new purchase made for the entire bar top area, were the two candles.
enjoy bringing the colors of fall into your home! -dw.
I have always been a fan of saving money. I learned early on if I was able to acquire that one coveted item at a deep discount, there would be money left over for other items on my wish list as well! After all, more is better, right?!
I diligently shop with coupons to stretch my food budget, I peruse TX Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross incessantly to stretch my clothing budget, and I constantly frequent thrift stores and dollar stores to stretch my decorating budget. And the truth is...nobody can ever tell the difference!
My mantra has always been: Why pay more if I don't HAVE to?!
Today I thought I would share a few quick decorating ideas using items that have been re-purposed, re-designed, or purchased at a re-ally incredible price!!
* Give a quick facelift to unused wall decor.
This piece (purchased years ago at Marshall's for $5) never really fit just right at this house, so it was in a box in the storage room. When I needed a little something to liven up the hearth for Valentine's Day, I grabbed an extra photo of my girls, cropped it to size, and using removable adhesive, covered the original Eiffel Tower picture, and placed it on an easel.
* Think beyond an items intended use.
I have always loved plate holders, although ironically, I have never had a desire to display plates. I found this one at a thrift store for under $2. It was already black and matched my decor perfectly. So I had to buy it! This past Christmas I decided it would make the perfect holder for my holiday cards.After the holiday was over, I removed the cards and replaced them with pictures (from an old Paris calendar) mounted on black cardstock.Now my "postcard" holder makes a beautiful addition to my Parisian-themed room.
* Decoration pieces can be used for more than one holiday.
I purchased these jumbo, black heart ornaments a couple of years ago at IKEA after Christmas for next to nothing (I think it was $1 for a set of 3) and this year decided they needed more pizazz. I broke out my silver metallic Sharpie marker and went to work. I used them on my Christmas tree and was happy with the way they turned out.
After Christmas, however, I couldn't see putting them away. I decided instead to place them in the top tier of the fruit stand with some red hearts (Dollar Tree) and now I have the perfect Valentine's Day decoration. Since my home decor all centers around black furniture and appliances, it was just right.
enjoy the ways you can give new life to old items around your home. -d.
Every year at this time - Craft & Hobby Assoc. Trade Show time - I get a little sad. It's like reverse home sickness. After spending YEARS attending and working this incredible show, where all the latest and greatest in the scrapbook industry are unveiled, I've been away from it now for about three years. And I miss it. Terribly. Yes, I came home exhausted and blistered each time, but it was WORTH it! Because each time, I also came home incredibly INSPIRED! Nothing turns on my creative energy more than being drenched in fresh new products and surrounded by other artsy souls. It is my heaven on earth. Aahhhhh.....
To help me survive my show withdrawls {thankfully} are the many sites that release "sneak peaks" of the newest products being released. I love that I can peruse pages and pages of what I would have seen and touched on the show floor (and certainly nothing beats that, but this is a nice back-up alternative).
With that said...I have a confession to make. This year I'm not quite as sad that I won't be there. I have not been jumping for joy at the lines being released this year. And let me be the first to say...I have NOT seen them all. But the industry seems to be leaning heaviest toward cartoony and flowery designs this year. And well, that just isn't my style. It is for some - and that is great - it's just not me. So I'm not finding tons of inspiration out there this year. Well, that was until I saw these......
Prima is releasing adhesive felt strips, reminding me of the Queen & Company rolls I LOVED. I can't wait to start adhering these to EVERYTHING!
And if that wasn't enough to make me start drooling...Donna Downey has designed some incredible jumbo, foam stamps! I can already see the layouts in my head. Inspiration achieved.
I'm sure there will be more great things to get me fired up, but for now...that's all I have on my shopping list. I'll let you know when I find more!
Since I mentioned Queen & Co.'s awesome felt borders, I thought I would share a couple ways I've used them. Most recently added to a candle to give it that romantic touch. My initial use of the border was for a bedroom mirror. I bordered the sides with the felt and used rub-on words to create a border along the top. Unfortunately, the mirror has since been broken and I do not have any photos of it after it was completed. This in-progress picture will inspire me to re-create it.......someday.
Enjoy the things that ignite your creative energy. -d.
I once saw a cute little phrase posted at a craft bazaar and it has always stayed with me.... "Of course you could make it yourself, but will you?!"
I often hear those words in my head as I gather inspiration from retail stores, decor catalogs, and websites. And truth be told, my collection of ideas FAR surpasses my list of completed copy-cat projects, but I find comfort in the belief that many will someday reach completion!
I get a LOT of decor catalogs delivered to me. I receive a TON of advertising e-mails. I do this so I can constantly be inspired. Many of my decorating successes are due largely to the creative sparks set off by advertisers. Among my favorite sources.....Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Ballard Designs. I saw this adorable Valentine pillow from Ballard Designs (the one with the number 2 applique) and immediately thought, "I could make that!"
A pretty bold statement given that I am not a sewer! So, for myself and all the other sewing challenged artists out there, I also found this fabulous blog showing easy-to-follow instructions for making pillows!
enjoy the process of making it yourself! -d.
I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown
2009 brought a lot of change to my life. Some loss. Some gain. Some scary things. Some sad things. And, yes, some happy things too. For me, it was a true celebration to see 2009 come to an end.
But now that 2009 is wrapped up and put away, it's time to focus on the year ahead! And you know what that means.... It's time to select a new Word of the Year.
For those of you not familiar with the word of the Year, here is an excerpt from last year's blog entry: Every year I, along with millions of other scrapbookers, select a word to focus on throughout the coming year. A word that embodies how I feel, what my goals are, and what I strive to accomplish in my life. It is different for everyone. There really are no rules of selection other than it should motivate and inspire YOU. And like most goals, you are asked to write it down, keep it in sight, and weave it into your life throughout the months ahead.
I have a few words rattling around in my brain, but I haven't made a final decision yet. I have, however, stumbled on an incredible idea to keep our 2010 words in the forefront of our minds and daily living.
I wish I could say I thought of it, but I didn't. The credit goes to Pottery Barn's Clay Ide.He orders personalized doormats from Williams Sonoma and instead of using a last name, he personalizes it with a word of meaning. What better way to stay connected to this year's word than to see it every time you cross your threshold?!
enjoy the possibilities of a fresh, new year! -d.
For more ideas on honoring your Word, read Ali Edwards' blog entry HERE.
I started a new job as an Office Manager at a small publishing company on Valentine's Day and have been training, learning, absorbing...and adjusting to being gone all day, every day again. I have been self-employed and doing contract work for so many years, that it is a big change to be sitting at a desk five days a week! But I am really enjoying it! And steady paychecks are an awesome perk!!!
My training is now complete and I can settle into my new position comfortably. And with a more routine schedule, I can get back to blogging again! I have missed connecting with you all through your blogs as well as my own.
In celebration of my return to the internet world, I headed for my favorite on-line store.....Pottery Barn...to check out their clearance sale. I had this little voice that kept nagging at me to open the e-mail they sent earlier this week. I am SO glad I did! I discovered an item I have been coveting for about a year and unable to get my hands on. I had checked PB sale after sale, e-bay, craigslist, etc. with no luck. But today, somehow it resurfaced on the PB Clearance site!!! WooHoo!!!! Here is what will be arriving soon and heading straight for my studio....
a 3' drawing compass!!!
While it may not excite everyone the way it excites me, I simply LOVE it! It reminds me of my first introduction to art and drawing. I loved playing with my Mom's old compass when I was little. Of course, I grew tired of merely drawing circles and went on to bigger and better things eventually, but I never see a compass without recalling that very first one, a bit rusted and aged. That compass is like a piece of my own art history.
Normally retailing at $99, it was a bit more than I could allow for my decor budget, no matter how sentimental, so I waited. Apparently too long. I never saw it appear on the clearance site it was just gone. Until today! When I scooped it up for a mere $19.99!!!!! What a great way to start the day!
While out treasure hunting this week, I scored some incredible deals and found some great sources of creative inspiration!
As I walked down an aisle of my favorite thrift store, a Paris t-shirt popped out at me. It wasn't my size, but I knew I had to have it! Before the shirt even hit the bottom of the cart I knew just what to do with it!
I have a ton of canvases at home waiting to be painted, covered, altered (used) and hung up! I knew this shirt would make a fabulous covering for the canvases and a great addition to my newly transformed, Parisian bedroom! What a score!!!!
So I thought I would share with you the first steps in the process.
I plan to adhere the shirt to the canvases with iron-on fusing and then add black satin ribbon around the edges. Add some embelleshments and a little glimmer mist for color, and viola, new wall hangings for my room!
I even salvaged the sleeves to use on some smaller canvases!
I'm soooooo excited!!! I'll post completed pics soon!
enjoy discovering inspiration everywhere around you!
I have a decorating obsession...with apothecary jars and footed vases! It began a few years ago when my even worse obsession began; the day I fell in love with Pottery Barn.
Every time I would be in the store they would have the coolest things filling their jars and vases. They had tall ones and little ones, skinny ones and mammoth-sized ones. No matter what season or theme they were selling, these containers made fabulous additions.
So, I began to search for some jars to call my own; hoping for a little smaller price tag. I found my first one at Marshall's (I love this store!), but unfortunately it didn't even make it home in one piece. Two lessons here...watch the thickness of the piece you buy (thicker is better!) and watch the clerk who wraps it up for you. If I had been aware how poorly it was protected I would have asked for more paper and re-wrapped it myself.
While moving into my new townhouse, my Grandmother asked what I would like for a house-warming gift. It took me only a brief second to yell out, "...a Pottery Barn jar!" She got me a PB gift card, I happily headed for the mall, and my collection was underway.
I found another at a discount store and purchased it for next to nothing. I began watching for them everywhere. Discount stores, clearance sales, thrift stores. The better the price, the happier I was!
I added in serving pieces as well. Glass trifle bowls, footed candy dishes, etc. They all make great additions to the collection by adding more variance in height and shape.
I have filled them with sand and shells, pine cones and leaves, decorative snow and glass ornaments, candy and more! I use them many places throughout my home and for every holiday! I think they are one of the most versatile decor pieces one can own. And they add just the right touch of elegance and simplicity.
So I've searched the web for some of today's greatest sources for jars and thought I'd share what I found.....
Kohls has a couple great pieces for $8 each (reg. $30).
Stonewall Kitchencarries the large gallon and 2-gallon jars that work great for sand and shells, or flour and sugar canisters in the kitchen. ($19-$25)
Save On Crafts has a few (and it is a great site for other craft and wedding decor supplies as well!
16" $15. (reg. $30)
A few other stores and sites that carry them (although for a bit more $$$) are: Pottery Barn, ChefsCatalog.com, and EnglishCreekGardens.com.
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