Bring On The Gold Trees.....

Ok I have a super easy, inexpensive and FUN DIY project for you today.  Its so easy that it will amaze you...prepare to be amazed...hahahaha! Just joshin' with you a bit, but it is very easy to do and it's a fun project that kids can help with too (minus the epoxy part).

These gold napkin rings literally takes less than 30 mins and costs between $12-18 to make 6 or more, depending on what you may already have on hand.

Supplies:

Wood Ornaments

Acrylic Paint

Glitter Paint (optional)

Gold Floral wire (12 gauge)

5 Minute Epoxy

I bought these wooden ornaments at Michaels...they are usually a $1 each but I got them for $0.59 each..BARGAIN!  I got 12 of them but only made 6 napkin rings...I always have extras if I need them right?  They had lots of pretty options for ornaments but I loved these swirly trees and knew they'd be beautiful on the table.

I had gold paint and gold-glitter paint already but you can usually buy them for under $3 at most craft stores.  And in any color you want to match your decor or holiday table.  I didn't end up using the glitter paint but it would be a fun option to add on top of your painted ornaments if you wanted more sparkle...sparkle is always a good thing!

I like to paint things like this on wax paper as the wood ornaments won't stick when they dry. I just squirt a blob of paint onto the side of the paper and paint away.  I painted both sides with 2 coats so they'd look nice from any angle..they dry quickly.

Now I didn't take a photo at this point....I was caught up in watching "When Harry Met Sally" and totally forgot...forgive me!  This gold floral wire can be found at most craft stores and online...it also comes in lots of other bold colors too depending on what you want.  But it's 12 gauge & easily snipped with wire snips.  I wrapped the wire around the paint bottle (clever yes haha) 3 times and then snipped.  This gives you a nice mold for the wire rings.  It retails for around $5-10 depending on how big the spools are...use a coupon if shopping at Michaels, AC Moore or Hobby Lobby.  My motto is "NEVER PAY FULL PRICE" :)

Then you need some 5 minute Epoxy which most home improvement stores have and some craft stores do as well.  You don't need anything stronger than this since the ornaments are super light.  This part I think an adult should do if you are making these with your kids...just for safety's sake ok? Add a bit of epoxy to the backside of your ornament in a couple of places, then press on your wire ring and hold for a few seconds until the glue takes hold.  Put to the side and let them dry.

TA-DA!

And you end up with these beauties for your holiday table.  Pretty easy right?  You could make so many different versions, in pretty colors to mix and match as well.....lots of fun options for not a lot of money.  I think a set of these wrapped prettily in a box would make a great hostess or holiday gift as well.

I set up an impromptu holiday table in my kitchen for photo reasons only...usually we eat holiday meals in the dining room.  But I loved the way they turned out & am already thinking of making another set so I can mix-n-match them myself.

Nothing better than an easy & inexpensive DIY craft in my opinion!

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Paper Scrap Pumpkins..DIY!

This is a fun little project to do in your spare time to dress up your home this Fall.  You can use things found around (and outside) the house.  Everything I used were scraps from my craftroom...a great way to recycle and reuse!  And just by changing the colors/patterns of your papers you can change the theme of your pumpkins.  So if you want creepy scary, bright & sassy or rustic and vintage...that's all up to you!  Have fun with it!

I went with more rustic colors and papers that fit in well with my home decor so I could move them from room to room if I wished.  

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SUPPLY LIST:

Empty Toilet paper or Papertowel rolls (OR) rolled construction/craft paper 

Strips of scrapbook paper or other papers 

(use a paper with a good weight)

Glue for paper (I use Scotch 3M Quick Adhesive)

Embellishments or accessories of your choice

Tree bark, thick sticks, or some other item for the stem

If you are squeamish about using toilet paper rolls for any reason just use a paper-towel roll or create a tube roll with thick construction paper.  I don't have any issues with using toilet paper rolls from my bathroom...my son's however, ummmm NO....lol!

Cut a "trial" strip of paper to see how long you want each for your pumpkins.  If you want a more squat pumpkin then make the strips longer, for a taller/thinner pumpkin cut them shorter.

I made two different sizes of pumpkins...for the smaller one I cut about 1/3 off the toilet paper roll.

I used the whole roll for the larger pumpkin.  I wrapped both rolls with coordinating paper so that it looks nicely through the strips of paper.

All my papers were from an older My Minds Eye line...I used a mix of Halloween papers and just regular everyday patterns that fit my scheme.  Because I used two patterns per pumpkin I spaced the strips out as I worked and then filled in varying the pattern so it was even around the pumpkin.  When you use a thicker paper it holds the "curve" of the pumpkin better than a lighter weighted paper will.

I cut a circle of paper for the bottom of each pumpkin and glued it once I was done adding all my strips.  This gives the pumpkin a nice base to stand on evenly when you are finished.

Then you add your decorations as you see fit.  I got sticks and thick bark pieces from my woods for my stems...I liked the more rustic look.  And I used burlap and tulle for the "leaves".  The toilet paper roll give you a nice area to add you elements to...I stuffed the bottom of the roll with tissue paper and then added the stem and burlap/tulle to the top so it didn't sink.

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I love the way they turned out & they cost me a total sum of $0.00...can't beat that!!

Also a fun project to make with your kids....pre-cut the strips of paper and let them have fun with it!

Happy Scrappy Fall!!

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Score For Less!

SCORE FOR LESS!

I love looking at catalogs, magazines and online stores for home decor....I do it everyday always searching for fun ideas to add to my home.  Lots of times though the prices don't go along with the budget so I either TRY to forget about it...or brainstorm a cheaper way to make it.

Or beg the hubs....that doesn't always work though ;)

About 2 months ago I saw this picture above in a magazine (I cannot for the life of me remember where) and they wanted $75 for this...OMG!  No way!  And I've seen similar ones on Etsy since then for $40-65 as well...too rich for my blood!  I knew it would be perfect for the center of my kitchen table during the Spring & Summer filled with blooms from my garden (or the store..hahaha).  So I did what I could....and asked my mom if my dad could make it for me LOL!  

So my dad made it for me for my birthday and I LOVE IT!  

My dad used some kind of exotic wood from Africa that he had leftover from a project...its super heavy and sturdy but you could use anything you had on hand.  He stained it a nice color that matches the other woods in my house but you could paint yours a color if you choose.  

I'm thinking about distressing it with a chain & hammer just a bit and adding some Annie Sloan dark wax to it...do NOT tell my dad cuz' he will DIE if he knew I wanted it distressed hahahaha!  

The vases I got at the Dollar Store for a total of $6 and he cut the holes in the wood to fit them specifically.  I went back and bought 6 more JUST IN CASE we have any breakages...always be prepared!

Of course I had to pop some tulips in it because they are my favorite flower.  And they matched my new yellow table coverings that I just got as well.  Nice & cheery...makes me happy!

Gorgeous right?  I just love it!!  And at a total cost of $6 for me its a definite SCORE!

I had my dad drill the holes a bit deeper because I have 6 CATS...that like to jump and eat flowers...so I couldn't have vases wobbling around.

I just love these yellow placemats with a bit of a ruffle to them...a bit more feminine and perfect for summer!  The runner came from Amazon.com and I adore the sunny yellow print!

See that rug under my table...I love it but its over 10 years old and has basically seen the last of its good life.  So I have a new rug coming from Ballard Designs this week that I will share once its in place.  Think sea grass with terracotta designs......

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The DIY Party

Pastel Spring Pretties!

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Spring Table Settings & Ideas

I love a beautiful table setting. I may be slightly addicted to tableware and decorations...just slightly.  We don't eat in our formal dining room often enough and in the next house we build I will not have ANY formal rooms at all....we just don't live that way and its wasted space in our house.  However I still will dress our table in the kitchen up as often as I can...I have different color themes for each season and keep adding to it ;)  So I'm just loving a beautiful Spring colored table.  

Its no surprise that winter was WAY too long and it actually snowed again on Sunday...whattttt...crazy stuff!  So I'm going to pull out all my pretty dishes soon and get some fresh tulips and decorate my table to bring some Spring inside.  These beautiful tablescapes and ideas inspired me so I thought I'd share with you in case you need some enabling inspiring as well!

The pops of fresh Spring green paired with white make me happy...and love those fun polka-dot eggs!

I'm all for the all natural look and love those cute bunny ear napkin rings...too cute!

Soft pops of pastels on the Easter Eggs add just enough color too!

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Love the soft almost neutral colors of this setting with the frilly edges of the dishes...so pretty!

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All white paired with pops of lilac...and those colored mercury-glass eggs are so gorgeous!

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A more natural & rustic feel to this Easter setting. Love the pops of pale pastels and those bunny napkins are fabulous!  I have a huge collection of Depression Glass that is perfect for Easter!

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Pretty in Pink....love the gingham ribbon and soft pinks used!

Those daisy dishes are awesome....yellow paired with pale green are always pretty to

use on your table all Spring & Summer long.

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For anyone that loves blue, this is a gorgeous setting with all those pretty white bunnies and flower holders. Love the soft touches of coral too!

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Or a shabby chic version with a vintage tablecloth, pale blue accents and lots of antique dinnerware.

Let me count the number of cool things about this table...(1) the carrot makes this setting (2)the chalkboard place setting label (2) the rustic twine (4)the orange soda in glasses (5) the dark green accents....JUST LOVE ALL AROUND!

Peaches & Cream....gorgeous colors, tulips and matching pretty bowls of jelly beans!

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Gorgeous shades of blues scattered around this table.....yummy!

Love using cracked egg shells to create mini vases at each place setting or grouped together.

Now I gotta buy myself some of those egg holders {wink}!!!

How gorgeous are these Sequin Eggs?  Looks a little tedious to make, but the payout is great!

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Fun Easter favors made from recycled baby food jars and filled with sweet treats.  Could use any glass container you have on hand or find...so pretty at each place setting too!

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Or some fun carrot favors....wrapped up lollipops made with paper napkins, tulle and ribbon!

Quick & easy to make and fun project to do with kids too!

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These would make gorgeous Easter gifts for your guests as well! Pale aqua strawberry baskets filled with an Easter cookie, rock candy stick and fun pinwheel.  Lovely!

And these are darling aren't they?  Fruit & nut cups made into mini Easter Baskets filled with treats.

Cute for each place setting or scattered around your table or buffet. You could cut pastel colored paper cups in half as well and use.  So easy to make up!

These would be darling with each guest's name written on the egg or even stencil
a monogram on each one.


Anyway I hope this gives you some Easter/Spring table decorations!!
I can't wait to get started--will share pictures when I do!