Christmas Crafting: DIY Countdown Blocks

November 19, 2013

I love the Christmas season and everything that goes with it. When December 1st rolls around, I anxiously countdown the days until Santa comes and this year I created a fun DIY piece to make the countdown more fun.

This was an easy and quick DIY project and would be a great one to get the kids involved in creating.

Supplies needed:

Clear plastic boxes from Hobby Lobby

Assorted holiday themed scrapbook papers

Chalkboard Stickers (Target $1.00 section)

Double Sided Tape and Foam Mounting Tape

Scissors and Ruler or Cutting Board

Simply cut your scrapbook paper in 4″ squares to fit each side of your plastic box. I used 4 different paper designs so there could be a different pattern on each side of my box.

Using your double-sided tape, attach the paper squares to the block.

Next you’ll want to layer on your numbers, using numbers 0,1,2,3,4,5. One of the paper styles I used featured blocks with different numbers on them and I cut out specific numbers to use as my number tiles. I also used the chalkboard stickers as number tiles.

Use the foam tape to layer decorative paper under your number tiles to give your blocks some dimension.

Each side of the two blocks features a single number which allows you to pair them together to countdown from 25 to 1!

When I finished making my Christmas Countdown Blocks I couldn’t help but smile at the finished project. I absolutely love how it turned out!

The only downside of countdown blocks is a reminder of how much I have to get done before Christmas 🙂

My Favorite Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas

November 18, 2013

Happy Monday! Sorry I’ve been MIA the last few days but my schedule kept me away from my desk which meant little time to sit down and write blog post. I’ve got a couple of super busy weeks ahead with lots of client Christmas decorating projects on the books, so before the Christmas madness takes over, I thought I bring you a round-up of my Favorite Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas.

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Mini pumpkins and gourds used as candleholders.

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A fall themed bar cart is a fabulous idea in my book (and so is a hot chocolate bar)!

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A Thankful Tree is a great way to remember and recognize all that you have to be thankful for.

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A pumpkin vase beats a glass vase anytime for a Thanksgiving tablescape.

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Mother nature has given us so many wonderful things to decorate with for Thanksgiving. Evergreens, pinecones and oranges = simple sophistication.

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The perfect way to personalized your table for fall is with real leaf name cards.

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Before you indulge take a moment to give thanks. This is a great way for the family to connect and creative way to decorate the table.

There are so many creative ways to decorate for Thanksgiving so this year have fun with your décor and….

I’ve got lots of holiday inspiration coming this week so stay tuned.

12 Pinecone Decorating Ideas (that will take you to Christmas)!

November 12, 2013

Even though my fall and holiday décor doesn’t lean toward natural or rustic I love adding a few decorative touches using pinecones because they remind me of the pacific northwest and because they are easy and inexpensive to decorate with. Pinecones are also one of those elements that you can decorate with during the fall, enjoy for Thanksgiving and then carry the look through to Christmas. To give you a few ideas I’ve rounded up TWELVE Pine Cone Decorating Ideas that will span the seasons.

Enjoy and be inspired!

This time of year mother nature is filling the ground with pinecones you can gather and get creative with. Many of these looks are easy diy projects so pull out the glue gun and get creative.

Since so many people hang wreaths on their doors this time of year, why not create an elegant pinecone door cone. Wrap wire around the base of pinecones to create picks that are easy to insert into arrangements.

I love the idea of creating a pinecone door charm. The mini frame could hold a welcome message or a simple graphic like in the photo. This is a great accent to hang on the guest bedroom door to greet holiday visitors.

You don’t always see a mailbox dressed up for fall but with a few pinecones, greenery from the yard and some burlap ribbon you can create this beautiful garland to add curb appeal to your home.

If you’re really crafty, this project is for you. Wire several small pinecones together to create pinecone candle rings to use with your Thanksgiving table décor.

Turn an old mirror into a fun fall look by framing it in a ring of pinecones. Hot glue, time and patience is all that is needed.

p.s. love the spice boxes on the wall!

This is a definitely a look that can work for fall through Christmas. Leave the pinecone tree unadorned for fall and then dress it up with ribbon or red berries to give it more of a holiday look.

Use pinecones to accent your dining room chandelier for an elegant but homespun look.

I’m a big fan of chair décor during the holidays and this look wins my vote. The pinecone and ornament clusters add a lot of impact to these chairs.

Pinecone wreaths are classic and I love that different color pinecones have been combined to give this wreath more style.

A fun take on a holiday star.

Pinecone ornaments are easy to make and look great on a tree with traditional Christmas ornaments.

You know that pinecone mirror you saw earlier, how about taking it off the wall and using it on the table as a centerpiece. Two looks in one!

Will pinecones be making an appearance in your holiday décor this year??

all images via pinterest

SIX things I’m Loving for Fall!

November 8, 2013

Happy Friday!

Just a few things I’m loving for Fall and Winter!

Zara Two-Sided Scarf

C. Wonder Tres Chic Gloves

C. Wonder Mini Appetizer Plates

Anthropologie Marbled Glass Ornaments

Anthropologie Felted Bow Garland

Restoration Hardware Faux Fur Cases

DIY Sweater Top Table

October 29, 2013

It’s not everyday that I jump on a design trend but after writing about the trend of cable knits in this post, I decided I loved the look and wanted to do a little diy project so I could add this trendy style statement to my home for fall.

This cute flea market table (actually its a stool) was the starting point

and after covering it in a thrift store cable knit sweater and adding nail heads it looks like this.

The perfect little beverage table for fall.

The table had a wood top and metal legs and it folds up flat for storage (bonus)!

The table is the perfect size to sit next to a chair and the top is the perfect size for mug of hot chocolate and a favorite book.

I used antique bronze nail heads I picked up at Hobby Lobby ($4.99 less 40%) to detail the top edge and I painted the tips of the legs antique bronze to make the table a bit more sassy!

It took me and my husband working together to get the nail heads positioned and nailed in. But if you want to try this, my friend Tina shared a great tip for placing nail heads on a rounded surface. Cut a piece of plastic cross-stitch mesh to fit your surface area and use the open squares as a guide for placing your nail heads. Brilliant!

I couldn’t be more pleased with my table and I absolutely love the texture of the cable knit and the cozy touch it adds for fall.

Cost Breakdown:

Flea Market Stool $4.00

Cable Knit Sweater (Goodwill) $4.97 less 50%

Nail heads (Hobby Lobby) $4.99 less 40%

Ant. Bronze Rub-n-Buff (from my stash)

Total cost less than $ 10.00

design tip: never pass up a small stool, bench or table if it’s a good price because they can be used in so many areas and in so many ways.

I’m using the rest of the cable knit sweater on a few other projects and will show you those soon.

Fall Tablescape Inspired by a Woodworker

October 4, 2013

Do you have one of those friends whose talent is just off the scale?

The kind of friend that possesses a skill as a sculptor or ice carver or something that blows you mind every time you see their work?

Well, I happen to have several of those friends but one in particular happens to have some mad woodworking skills. He is so good at crafting things from wood that every time I see him I find myself saying the words “that’s amazing” about 100 times.

Meet my friend Jeff.

Along with managing a woodworking store and building all types of amazing things for folks around Atlanta, Jeff is in the process of setting up an Etsy shop to sell some of the smaller decorative pieces that he makes.

Not too long ago Jeff and I were having lunch and he was telling me about these candle holder centerpieces he was making. He described them to me and based on his description alone, I knew I had to get my hands on one and use it as part of a fall tablescape.

Here’s the piece that Jeff created. It a chunky slab of wood that has multiple circular holes that can hold different styles of glass vases and candle holders. I love that the piece is large and substantial and the versatility of the holes makes it even that much cooler.

The piece is crafted of mahogany and has a dark stain finish.

And here’s the Fall tablescape I created inspired by this beautiful centerpiece, made by my friend Jeff, a master Woodworker!

Instead of a fabric tablecloth, I decided to use this faux bois gold and white gift wrap I picked up at HomeGoods. Isn’t it just awesome? The pattern plays beautifully with the handcrafted wood centerpiece and the width is perfect as a wide table runner.

The wood centerpiece was a great size for the center of my table and offers just enough height so that it won’t interfere with conversation across the table.

Again the really cool thing about this centerpiece is that it can hold different types of candle holders and small glass vases. The holes are about 2″ in dia. and about 3/4″ deep so any container in that size works. Lots of the candle cups available at Ikea are the perfect size.

My place settings also included wood. The square wood charger plates I found at a consignment store. I layered square white plates (purchased last year at HomeGoods) on top of the charger and then added floral napkins from Target. They were one of the clearance items I recently picked up (4 for $4.88). The gold-plated silverware was given to me by my mom and it coordinates great with the gold of the paper tablecloth.

Instead of using just candles in the centerpiece, I used a combination of candles, flowers and mini pumpkins.

Small glass votive cups hold bouquets of fresh flowers and I painted the mini pumpkins gold and white.

The taper candles are placed in flared glass candle cups that fit perfectly into the holes.

You all know I’m big on layering my décor and a table setting is no different. Layers are what give the tablescape depth and dimension and the mix of materials and finishes add visual impact.

My fall table was really quick to pull together and Jeff’s centerpiece was the perfect starting point for it all. I love the way the entire table turned out.

I know Jeff is working on lots of other items for his shop so I’ll be sure to share more of them soon and let you know when is shop is open for business.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you’re enjoying fall as much as I am.

Decorating with Trophy Urns

October 2, 2013

When you go to flea markets and thrift stores, do you have items that you are always on the hunt for? I surely do and one of those treasured pieces is a vintage trophy urn.

Back in the day, trophy urns were given as the prize to the winner of a competition. The names of the winners were often engraved on the urn and the urn was passed from winner to winner. At some point in history, trophy urns were also put into use as a champagne cooler. Today, trophy urns offer much decorating versatility which is why I search them out.

Here’s a look a different ways you could use Trophy Urns in your home for fall. Be inspired!

Most often you will find trophy urns in silver-plate or brass finishes which look great against the leaves of a plant or mini shrub that offers an easy filler.

For a more casual, rustic look, branches look great in an urn. I use to look for trophy urns without wear and pitting but I’ve come to love those that show age and wear.

Trophy urns are a great way to add a little sparkle and shine to your kitchen counters as a utensil holder. This piece looks great on the kitchen counter of Kim over at Savvy Southern Style.

I love the idea of using an urn as a pedestal for books.

And nothing is more fitting for fall then an urn filled with a beautiful fall arrangement or even a pot of mums.

And for a stylish take on Halloween, plop a white pumpkin atop your urn and surround it with cascading greenery.

Do you have a trophy urn in your home and if so, how to you use yours?

Welcoming Fall!

September 25, 2013

Happy Hump Day!

I’ve seen so many amazing fall home tours around blog land and today I wanted to share the little touches of fall I’ve added at my place. Fall is not really my big decorating season but I always feel compelled to pull out the pinecones and pumpkins and embrace the season in my home.

My Front Door…

Since the front door to our townhouse is black, I knew that fall colors would look great against it.

I made a monogram leaf wreath to hang on the door. This was a really easy project. I placed a piece of burlap in an oval embroidery hoop and hot glued fall leaves to the frame. Then I painted a wood letter gold and glued it on top of the fabric. The wreath hangs from a piece of burlap ribbon. I love that the shape is different from a traditional wreath.

To add a touch of fall at the base of the door I hand painted a fun pattern on a doormat I picked up at Ikea and then placed mums, fall flowers and a pumpkin flanking it.

I wasn’t thinking about it at the time but the doormat will work for Halloween too!

My Coffee Table…

When it comes to decorating my coffee table, I love layering the pieces I put on it.

As the focal point of the table I used a large wood basket I had and filled it with faux pumpkins, gourds and pinecones that I gathered when I lived in Seattle. Washington State pinecones are the real deal, big and plump!

To fill out the basket I added a silver champagne urn with fall flowers and a mercury glass candleholder.

My gold Scoppio starburst sits on a stack of my favorite books,

and I added a piece of tree slab with an antler magnifying glass on top.

The last fall accent in my home involved my barcart. During the spring and summer I have a colorful tray and multi-colored glasses on the cart but for fall I decided to change it up a bit.

My Barcart…

Little changes added just the right amount of fall cheer!

I made the acorns using real acorn tops and felt ball bottoms I purchased last year at Tinsel Trading Company in New York.

The gold-rimmed glasses I found thrifting, $2.00 for all six. The deer mugs are from Ikea and I just couldn’t pass them up.

The tray on the bottom shelf was a diy project that your can read all about here.

I’m enjoying the fall touches I’ve added to my home and have one more big project left, that I’ll be sharing that one with you next week. Until then, enjoy the season!

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