Handcrafted Home–A Creative DIY Blog Hop

October 27, 2016

Today I’m joining a few bloggers for the Handcrafted Home DIY Blog Hop hosted by Jamala from Viva LaVintage For Your Home. And because this is a creative + diy themed blog hop, Jamala tasked each of us to transform an item using gold leaf.

Well, what’s a girl to do when the only craft projects on my mind are holiday related? Transform Christmas ornaments of course.

I dove into my holiday stash and found these two unfinished wood ornaments that I purchased from Hobby Lobby last year. They were the perfect candidates for a little DIY UpStyle.

After applying my gold leaf and adding a few vintage ornaments to the top of each wood piece, my ornaments went from plain to pizzazz!

This was a quick an easy DIY project and I love the way my ornaments turned out.

Tips for working with Gold Leaf:

Gold Leaf is easier to work with on surfaced that don’t have a lot of nooks and crannies. If you’re working with ornaments similar to mine, you’ll have to spend a little time smoothing the gold leaf on all the edges.
Wear latex gloves or put a few drops of talcum powder on your hands to make handling the gold leaf easier. This stuff is really clingy.
Use a soft bristle brush to smooth the gold leaf down. Smooth bristle will ensure you don’t tear the gold leaf.
Buy a high quality gold leaf paper and adhesive. I used the Gold Leaf Kit below (affiliate link) and think its one of the best out there.

Now it’s time to see the other fabulous DIY projects. Hop over and see how creative they got with their Gold Leaf.

Viva LaVintage For Your Home

M. Jones Style

Linda G. Loving Home

Fox and Finch Antiques

Holiday Candles: Easy Ways To UpStyle Candles For Christmas

December 4, 2015

via babble

Happy Friday! I am so glad that weekend is here and I can’t wait to sleep in a bit tomorrow. It’s been busy in my neck of the woods and while I still have some decorating to do, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m looking forward to relaxing and savoring the season.

Today I wanted to share some creative and easy UpStyling ideas you can use for your holiday candles. I love having candles in every room but buying a lot of my favorite candles can get expensive. During the holidays I pair this scented candle and this scented candle with basic candles and candle holders that have been UpStyled to get the look I want without blowing the budget.

Here are a few easy ideas that I hope will inspire.

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Last Minute Holiday Gift & Decor Ideas {with links}

December 22, 2014

Ok, it’s crunch time. If you’re still in need of a few Christmas gifts or need to add a few more decorative elements to your home, I’ve got a great round-up of quick and easy gift and decor ideas.

You are definitely going to be inspired so get ready to gift and decorate!

LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS

First up is this amazing DIY blanket scarf from Amy of the MomAdvice blog. Read this easy tutorial and then hop in the car and head to your local fabric store to grab supplies to make a scarf or two for someone on your list..including you!

tip: In a pinch you could also cut up a holiday tablecloth and get the same results!

This Grown Up Hot Chocolate is an easy gift to put together and is something both men and women will enjoy.

tip: you and find all of the ingredients for this at the grocery store

I showed you the Christmas Candy Tubes I made for my family a couple of weeks ago but wanted to share them again in case you need a quick gift for the mailman, grandkids or the hairdresser. Instead of filling your tube with candy like I did, fill it with money, lottery tickets or even a jewelry.

tip: if you can’t find mailing tubes at a store, cut up the cardboard inserts that are in your rolls of gift wrap

When all the big box stores are sold out of cold weather goods, head to your local thrift store on Christmas Eve and pick up a few sweaters so you can make some adorable DIY Mittens like these.

How cute are these DIY Wine Goblets. A trip to the Dollar Store and the Sharpies you already own and you’ve got a great gift. A

Add a bottle of wine or DIY Coasters to Up-Style your gift.

And don’t forget how easy it is to turn a plain mug into an awesome Ribbon Wrapped Mug Christmas gift.

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS DECOR IDEAS

When it comes to last minute holiday decorating, head to the yard and clip a few branches and sprigs of greenery. Coat a few of the branches with white spray paint and add the bundle to a decorative vase.

Yvonne over at StoneGable created these beautiful arrangements and has even more last minute decorating ideas to share with you over on her blog.

Take that left over ribbon you have lying around and wrap a few of your everyday pillows for a quick and easy Christmas Pillow update for your sofa like Cassie from HiSugarplum did!

If you’re holiday centerpiece still needs to be done, use a few of the wrapped gifts under the tree to create a Gift Box Centerpiece. So cut and so easy!

All it takes to create an ornament display for your mantel at the last minute is a few ornaments and a glass container.

ELEVEN Ways To Decorate With Leftover Cedar Branches

December 11, 2014

When ever I teach a holiday design workshop and talk about decorating with faux Christmas trees and garland, I always recommend mixing real cedar into your decor to give your home the scent of Christmas.

I also share the tip that if you go to any of the big box hardware stores and ask for the cedar clippingsfrom the Christmas Trees they sell, the stores will let you take it for FREE !

Whenever I share this tip, I’m always asked for other ways to incorporate cedar into Christmas decor so I decided to share a few of those ideas with you today on the blog.

1) Wire cedar sprigs to a monogram letter form for a unique door hanging

2) Use a cedar piece as a gift wrap embellishment

3) Add cedar to a flower arrangement to give a holiday feel

4) Bundle leftover cedar pieces together to make a chair swag

5) Add cedar sprigs to faux garland to add texture, highlights and a holiday scent

6) Use cedar sprigs as an hors d’ oeuvres pick

7) Embellish a chandelier with cedar branches

8) Use cedar pieces to accent the base of a candle holder or around decorative items on a tree

9) Fill an outdoor planter with cedar for a fall porch accent

10) Gather cedar pieces together and hand from the front door as a holiday wreath alternative

11) Make cedar candle rings for your tabletop candlesticks!

Oh what fun it is to decorate for free during the holidays!

Decorating with Magnolia Leaves During the Holidays

December 6, 2014

One of the easiest and least expensive (totally free) ways you can UpStyle your holiday decor is with magnolia leaves.

I use magnolia leaves a lot when I decorate for clients during the holidays and I use magnolia leaves in my own decor.

Magnolia leave add substance and fullness to trees and garland, and can even be spray painted to fit your holiday decor theme.

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Festive and Easy DIY New Year’s Decor

December 27, 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Well almost! I can’t believe how fast 2013 has flown by but I’m excited about welcoming a new year, new opportunities, new experiences and new friendships! I can tell already that 2014 is going to be stellar year and I can’t wait until the stock of midnight to celebrate!

I typically don’t decorate much if at all for New Years Eve but this year I thought I’d do a little something to welcome the year. I’ve rounded up a few easy DIY ideas that I’m considering and wanted to share them with you in case you want to add a little celebration to your celebration.

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This table-cloth is out of this world gorgeous and calls for a big party. Since that’s not happening in my home, I’m liking the idea of a couple pennant and circle garlands to celebrate under. Not only would this be a quick and easy project but it’s something that can be used year after year.

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A celebration is not a celebration unless cupcakes are involved. These fun tinsel toppers would be a great way to add a little cheer to the holiday treat.

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I love the idea of turning tin containers into new years party packages by adding a paper clock face to the top. These little cans could hold treats or wishes for the new year.

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One of my favorite party décor items is paper medallions. Using a black, silver and gold color combo along with the addition of paper clock faces turns these into fun new years party décor.

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Wow. Who’s up for adding a little glitter to your champagne bottle. I love the idea but wouldn’t want to open such a pretty bottle.

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Another fun and simple new years garland can be created using paper stars. Run them through the sewing machine to create lengths of festive stars and you’ll be able to welcome the new year under the stars, literally!