Hand Crafted Archives | Page 11 of 15

Gift Wrap Inspiration: Red, White and Blue

July 1, 2013

Happy Monday and happy 4th of July week.

Sorry I was MIA the end of last week. I was a busy bee and blogging just had to take a back seat for a moment. Today I’m back, rested and full of new inspiration!

Since this is a short week and most everyone I know is looking forward to the fun and festivities on the 4th of July, I thought this week on ConfettiStyle would be all about crafting and DIY projects. I’ve been busy painting, decorating and getting crafty so check in daily to see what I’ve been up to.

Today it’s my latest gift wrap inspiration, inspired by the 4th of July.

I love to gift wrap and when glitter and sparkles are involved it’s even more fun. The 4th of July is a big deal for those of us that live here in the US and the symbolic colors of the 4th inspired these fun gifts.

Since the boxes I was wrapping were small, I decided to use 12″ x 12″ scrap-book paper as the wrapping instead of traditional gift wrap. There are so many more design options available in scrapbook paper so finding a fun combination of red, white and blue patterns was easy.

I wrapped each of the boxes in a different paper and used contrasting red, white and blue ribbons on top. I purchased all of my ribbon from Grosgrain Annie’s Ribbon Emporium at the Lakewood 400 Antiques show. Joanne has a great selection of unique ribbons and one of the best velvet ribbon collections I’ve come across.

To give my gifts and little extra something, I layered the ribbons and then added some fun embellishments on top.

Isn’t this red diamond ribbon fun? The diamond pattern reminds me of stars so it worked great with my 4th of July theme. To created the fullness in the bow I cut several strips of ribbon and tied multiple single bows together.

The red shimmer pom poms I had left over from a Christmas project looked great on this package.

The red and white damask paper looked great with this wide ribbon which I wrapped around the box to create a wide band. Then I added a few glitter stars and glued a white button to the center of the red star. Very festive!

For this last gift I wanted to create a DIY sparkler topper. All it took was a few Lollipop sticks and more shimmer pom poms. Layered stars finish off the top of the gift.

Wrapping these gifts have definitely put me in the mood for a hot dogs, fireworks and a fabulous 4th of July!

See you back here tomorrow for more DIY fun.

Gift Wrap Inspiration: Flower Bands

April 1, 2013

It’s SPRING and there’s nothing I love more than spring flowers, even when it comes to gift wrapping.

I’ve got a couple of special birthdays to celebrate this month, so I got a head start on buying gifts and got them all wrapped up.

I wanted these gifts to be bright and bold so I choose a yellow and white polka dot paper, red flowers and orange ribbon. I also wrapped one of the gifts in a green gift back using the same flowers and ribbon to dress it up.

To make the flower band, I pulled the flower bunch apart separating the flower heads from the leaves. The leaves were attached in pairs so I had to cut them apart.

Next I cut a length of ribbon to fit around my box and then hot glued the leaves and flower heads to the center of the ribbon. I layered the flowers and the leaves to make the cluster look fuller.

Then all I had to do was to wrap the ribbon around the box and tape it down underneath

I placed the flower band vertically on the outside of the bag and hot glued it to the inside and bottom of the bag.

This is a simple and easy way to create beautiful gift wrap and you can customize the look by changing the paper and flowers to fit your occasion.

For more of my gift wrap inspiration, head here!

Blog Connections and Some Amazing Artwork

March 21, 2013

As I blogger, it has always been somewhat of a mystery about who it is that actually reads my blog. I know that a larger percentage of my readers are women and many of you are designers like me. I also know that I have quite a few male readers (yeah men!) and that lots of you love the same things I do…fashion, entertaining, gifting and design. It is always nice to connect with my readers and I love it when one of you takes the time to drop me a note to let me know how much you enjoy what I write and share with you.

A couple of months ago, I got an email from one of my readers in NY letting me know how much HE liked my blog. Victor had a website listed at the bottom of his email and of course I checked it out. Come to find out that one of my blog readers is Victor-Raul Garcia, a very well-known abstract modernist painter from NY. Victor and I have traded a few emails and I have come to love his work and wanted to share it with you.

Here’s Victor in action creating one of his colorful and dynamic pieces.

Victor was born in Lima, Peru, raised by his grandmother and came to the US at the age of 8. He has long had an interest in interior design, visual expression and color therapy, all which led him to follow his passion of being an artist. Victor is known as an artist that explores new ways to create his work, often mixing traditional materials with non-traditional elements like coffee grinds and wood stains.

This is how Victor describes his work…”Layers are the distinction between past and present, old and new, buried and rediscovered. The process I use in my work I call ‘art archeology’ since I am stripping away layers to unravel a hidden mystery or putting on layers to add mystery to what’s hidden. I believe we all have a physicality, a personality and an essence, which is what I hope to portray in each piece.“

Victor’s work has been collected by people all over the world, has been shown in many galleries and has been featured in many magazines. Here’s a look at some of his current pieces.

ASUNCION

BABEL

INRI

RED ENVY

TORMENTA DE FUEGO

What I love most about Victor’s art is the intense use of color and the bold statement each piece makes. I hope to one day own a piece of Victors work.

The blog world is an amazing space. While I may never know who each and every one of my readers is, I love when I can connect with someone, make a new friend and find a whole new source of inspiration. As someone who has always wanted to dabble in painting, I’m inspired by Victors art.

Thanks Victor for reading ConfettiStyle and for reaching out and saying Hi!

To learn more about Victor you can visit his website here or connect with him on Facebook here!

p.s. I’d love to get to know my readers better so leave me a comment and let me know your name and where you are from.

Holiday Wreaths–Easy DIY Looks

November 14, 2012

I ran into Hobby Lobby over the weekend and was amazed at how much of their Christmas decor has already sold. It’s obvious that people are trying to get a jump on the holiday so, if you are the DIY type, now is the time to start planning and making your holiday wreath. To give you a some inspiration, I’ve rounded up 5 of My Favorite Holiday DIY Wreath Projects to share with you. What I love about each of these wreaths is that they are unique, elegant and EASY!

How to: Wire different sizes of silver stars to the upper part of a fresh wreath! I love that the entire wreath is not decorated, giving it a more whimsical feel.

Paper Christmas Wreath {tutorial}

Isn’t this paper wreath magnificent? You can learn how to make one for yourself here!

How to: To craft this door adornment, wrap Styrofoam balls (in two different sizes) and a Styrofoam wreath form with colored yarn. Then use a glue gun to affix the balls onto the form. Note: If you’re hanging your final creation outdoors, be sure to spray it with a protective finish.

Here’s the same concept, created in different colors with a few glossy ornaments added in for contrast!

How to: Wrap small boxes in coordinating papers, tie with a simple ribbon and glue to a wire or wood wreath form.

And finally, the ever popular book page wreath. I love the organic feel of book page wreaths and that you can create different looks just by how you place the roll and place the pages. I created my own version last year which you can see here!

For instructions on making a basic book page wreath, head here!

Happy Crafting!

all images can be found on my Merry, Merry Pinterest board!

Country Living Fair 2012

October 31, 2012

Last weekend my friend Dorothy and I attended the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain outside Atlanta. This is the 3rd year that Country Living has brought the fair to Atlanta and the weekend couldn’t have been more ideal.

What I love most about the fair is seeing all the amazing handcrafted and vintage goods. The selection ranges from rustic to chic and there is something for everyone.

Here’s Dorothy standing by the signature pumpkin stack at the entrance of the fair.

There was lots of original hand painted art. I love the bowl of red flowers on the red background.

Every year the Country Living shop has some wonderful tablescapes on display!

I spotted those round wine barrel corks with the numbers for only $2.00 at a vendor.

Love this pumpkin flower vase. A hole was cut into the pumpkin and the bottom of a plastic water bottle was inserted to hold the flowers.

All of the Country Living Books were on sale at the CL store. These were two of my favorites!

There were so many incredible pieces of jewelry for sale Lots of beautiful junk, vintage pieces and findings repurposed into beautiful necklaces.

If you love “junk’ this was the place to be.

Lots of industrial furniture and accessory pieces.

These handcrafted pillow covers were so cute.

An old door knob turned picture holder.

These wings made from rolled sheet music were stunning!

I loved this vintage iron wall sculpture!

One of my favorite vendors, Happy Chair was back again this year with some awesome designs. Check out the wood pediment on the top of this chair.

This floor clock was made from various machine parts and vintage pieces. Crafted by Jill Schwartz.

I so wanted to buy this vintage sign. Too cute!

The Sisters on The Fly were there again with their amazing trailers.

More industrial pieces.

This vendor had so many cool vintage scales for sale.

And, everywhere you looked there were bins and baskets full of vintage goodies.

I’m already looking forward to the Country Living Fair next year. It makes for a great outing and I always get my fill of design inspiration!

10 DIY Starburst Mirrors

October 2, 2012

Love the look of Starburst Mirrors but don’t love the high price of those found in home decor stores? No worries…here’s a line-up of 10 fabulous DIY Starburst Mirrors that will get you jazzed AND save you money! Enjoy.

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Crafted from wood shims available from your local hardware store! Wood makes this idea for hanging outdoors.

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Another wood shim starburst mirror with the pieces laid on the short side.

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This beauty is made for collected pieces of driftwood. What a great look for a beach house.

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Start saving all those plastic spoons you come across and you too can make this artful mirror.

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Wood dowels create a wispy starburst mirror.

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Look what you can do with a bunch of small mirrors and some wood skewers! WOW!

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I love the Grecian feel of this mirror made from square mirror pieces and pieces of wood.

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Construction paper! Who would have thought something so magnificent could be made with a grade school craft material?

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Vintage silverware turned mirror! Such fun.

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Crafting materials can come from just about anywhere. This mirror is made from garden plant stakes you can get at the nursery and wood skewers you can buy at the grocery store.

Wow such inspiration these mirrors are!

A few Things I’m Loving

September 27, 2012

In addition to loving the crispness in the air as Fall sets in, I’m also loving a few little luxuries, DIY projects, fall inspiration and stuff that’s been added to my must-have list!

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Loving the idea of decorating with classic wool plaid blankets for fall.

This adorable DIY burlap covered stool created by Sarah from Upscale Downhome has me itching to create! (notice how Sarah used plaid blankets to decorate her tabletop)

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A definite on my must-have list! This awesome leopard tote from Emerson Fry.

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I’m hoping to start decorating for fall next week and will be using this as a source of inspiration! Stunning!

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I can’t wait to try a shade on grey on my nails for fall!

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And, I’m loving the idea of more walks in the park to embrace all the beauty of fall!

What is on your LOVE LIST these days?

5 Things I Can’t Live Without

August 23, 2012

Last night I attended an alumni event for the University of Louisville with my brother at this gorgeous house, owned by a prominent doctor and pilot here in Atlanta. The property was amazing and the inside was beyond incredible… just envision lots of beautiful textiles, antiques, amazing furniture, Carrera marble floors and so much more. I wish I could have taken pics to show you.

As I mingled with guest I struck up a conversation with a woman and over the course of our conversation we ended up talking about things in our lives that we can’t live without. It’s enlightening to hear about someone elses life and what makes them happy and joyful.

I shared some of the things I can’t live without and to give you a little peek into my life, I thought I’d highlight 5 Things I Can’t Live Without here on the blog today!

Nouvelle Candles

If you’ve followed my blog for a while you know I love candles and have one burning just about every day at home. My favorite candle of all times is the Nouvelle Crepe Myrtle candle. I love the strong floral scent and that the scent burns clean and is strong all the way to the end. No wasted candle here!

Here’s how Nouvelle describes their CREPE MYRTLE candle: Narcotic in its allure, a landmark in southern landscapes for centuries. This unique intermingling of white honeysuckle, light citrus and exotic green wood is truly captivating. Our best selling fragrance.

You can buy Nouvelle candles here!

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Body Creme

I think every girl needs a signature scent and for me it’s Donna Karan’s Cashmere Mist. I wear both the fragrance and body creme everyday! I wish you could smell the scent through the screen but take my word for it, it’s amazing and sexy. Head here to check out all the Cashmere Mist products.

Chobani Greek Yogurt

Just about every morning I start the day with this oh so yummy yogurt and a cup of green tea in one of these adorable tea cups (below).

Handpainted Tea Cups

I add a little granola to my Chobani Yogurt (my favorite flavor is the Apple and Cinnamon) and enjoy a hot cup of tea in one of these mugs from Anthropologie. Last year at Christmas, one of these mugs was on my wish-list and over the course of the year, I’ve massed a collection of them in different patterns. They make me happy!

And, finally…

My To-Do List and Clipboard!

I am an organizer and can’t start my week without my to-do list outlined…it’s a Sunday evening ritual. I stumbled upon this free downloadable to-do list early in the year and love it to death! It makes outlining all the things that need to get done in my life quick and easy. And, to keep my list and papers close at hand, I use one of my handcrafted clipboards. I carry my clipboard everywhere with me and love that it adds a little style to my organization. This awesome To-Do list is courtesy of A Pair of Pears and you can download it from here! And, if you want a chic clipboard of your own, head over to the ConfettiStyle Design Etsy shop here!

So there you have it…5 Things I Can’t Live Without. While they may be little things, they are things that make my days a life sparkle!