I just discovered Lisa's blog, the red thread. She has so many great ideas and projects! One of my favorites: paper wreathes. With all my Christmas decorations put away my house feels a bit boring. A paper wreath isn't necessarily holiday so maybe I will make a few to scatter around the house. Lisa has a great tutorial on her site to show us how. Below are some wreathes her readers sent in inspired by her creation.
If you live in the northern latitudes where it gets really cold outside...you have to make these! This super creative diy project comes from Margaret over at Resurrection Fern. So clever and simple! Using found doilies she covers them in a water dish overnight till it completely freezes. Seriously, it has to be really cold outside for these not to melt in the sun! Margaret where do you live? See more photos and directions on her blog.
p.s. margaret really likes to freeze all kinds of things including pinecones
Labels: diy
I've told you about my love for Ruth Cross's hand knits before. But now that I have mastered knitting a scarf I really want make the plunge and move onto pillows! Could a completely hand knit pillow be any more luxurious? Sounds like heaven to me. First, I need to find some yummy natural colored yarn...
I'm back from New York and I thought I would share a few holiday family photos. I got all my scarves done for the girls! I made 4 in less then 24 hours. Above is a shot of the scarves and below are a few of me and the girls modeling my designs. I also got my nieces guitars for Christmas which they seem to love. With all that knitting I now I have an pinching pain I refer to as, "Knitting Back." I must be really out of shape or just getting old. I guess I need to take a knitting break? Hope everyone had a safe and happy new year!
I officially finished my scarf I started last winter! I love the gray yarn it's so comfy and fuzzy. I started on a purple one for my oldest niece. Hopefully I can finish hers today because I have a pink one to make for her sister!
Labels: diy
I couldn't resist posting this adorable snowman photos from Martha Stewart. The above photos uses red food color to make rosy cheeks on the snowman. Below make a decorative hat using by layering molds of a bunt pan. So cute!
Budget Gifts Ideas Winner!
Stephanie from Even Cleveland is the winner of the budget gifts ideas sweepstakes! I absolutely fell in love with her diy snowflake ornaments. A sweet and cost-effective gift for the holidays. Stephanie was kind enough to share the instructions with all us. I can't wait to try out this fun craft.
p.s. my boyfriend said, "I think they're gorgeous"....he not a gorgeous saying kind of guy. I got him his own glue to help me make some.
This is how you make them:
1. Select your macaroni - I used large and small wagon wheels, small shells, and fiori (flower shaped pasta).
2. Come up with your designs - this part is the most fun. I like to spill a few macaronis out and move them around, until I find the most snowflake-like arrangements. This year, I came up with ten different styles - the possibilities are only limited by your imagination (and the strength of your glue!)
3. Using a good strong craft glue (Like Aleen's or Smart) and a small paint brush, apply glue generously to the edges of the pasta and attach the pieces to make your design. Once they are put together, I like to lay them out on wax paper to dry. Let glue dry completely, making sure to rotate your snowflakes periodically. This prevents them from sticking fast to your wax paper.
4. Using a large cardboard box, lay out a single layer of the snowflakes. Make sure that they are not touching each other. Spray lightly with glossy, fast-drying white spray-paint. Let dry. Re-apply in light layers, letting snowflakes dry in between, until they are completely coated. I spray the backs as well. As they are drying, give the box a few gentle shakes to keep them from drying to the bottom of the box. Make sure to keep the coats of paint light, or the macaroni will soften and start to lose it's shape.
5. Once they are painted and dried, it's time to apply the glitter. I thin my craft glue with a few drops of water, then use a sponge brush to lightly coat each snowflake with glue. Sprinkle generously with glitter, and let dry completely, Re-apply glitter as needed to cover any empty spots. I used large flake clear crystal glitter on these, but any glitter would look lovely - it's craft magic.
7. Attach a looped length of ribbon or monofilament, and ta da! Macaroni snowflake ornaments!
I made mine white, but I think colorful ones might be fun, too. They make great garlands as well. I also tie them on the necks of wine bottles as little presents.
Labels: $1 design finds, diy, holiday
I love these assorted paper garlands made by blogger Pam Garrison. She was inspired by a display she saw at Anthropologie. Super pretty for Christmas, a wedding, or for fun.
(via bohemianhellhole)
Super cute christmas trees made of layers of recycled newspaper. Would be pretty on a mantel or table. Martha shows you how!
I feel into an etsy coma this afternoon looking at felt ornaments after being being inspired by small object's tree. I came across all of these...some are a bit wacky and others just pretty. Great ideas for a crafty vintage tree.
I love chain link garland in fabric or in regular old school construction paper. Maybe I want to make some for my tree this afternoon? I came across a step-by-step guide on small object's site. So cute! I love her tree filled with felt decorations.
Do you have any clever ideas for super-inexpensive or even free gifts? If you do you could win all the blue and white china featured in my $1 holiday guide story at domino. The gift ideas do not need to be under $1 just relatively inexpensive. Think diy gifts or inventive finds. The winner's idea will be featured on my blog next Monday! Send a photo, brief description, and address (so I can mail you the prize) to me at elliott.katy@gmail.com. Sweepstakes runs till midnight on Sunday December 21, 2008. Good Luck!
Labels: $1 design finds, diy, holiday
New Navaglow tape designed by Stella Bugbee. Stella is our genius design director at domino magazine! Remember her awesome lace tape she designed a few years ago? Both tapes are great products to jazz up your holiday gifts. Navaglow tape, set of three rolls, $20 igloostore.com.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by lobster boat this morning to kick of the holiday season here in Marblehead. So cute. I'll share more photos of Santa's arrival later today. My favorite part of the day was the Gingerbread Festival hosted by the Jeremiah Lee Mansion. Four rooms of the mansion were decorated with homemade gingerbread houses designed by local families and business owners. The mansion smelled of sweet sugar, cinnamon and spices! An event that's sure to get you in the holiday spirit. The houses are on display through the weekend. Visit marbleheadmuseum.org for information and directions.
Labels: diy, holiday, marblehead, on the streets, sweets
A cute diy project for the little people in my life. Maybe I won't put the tooth? The tooth pocket is for their first tooth...
Dress up holiday packages with these festive paper garlands. Assorted colors, $2.25 each for 6 yards, onehundredwishes.com.
I am dying to make this adorable paper doily wreath via Martha Stewart Living. So freakin' cute! I have the directions pinned up on my bulletin board. Would be so cute on my mantel. Does anyone know if you can buy have christmas lights with a battery? I want to hide the cord. I'm sure they do! I'm off to look....For full directions check out: marthastewart.com.
I am trying to decide what I want to do to decorate the outside of our house for the holidays. I like this simple swag around the door. Simple and budget-friendly.
I came across Bazaar Bizarre yesterday and was thinking about checking it out this weekend. Sounds like fun. I do love a good craft fair. Has anyone every been? I'm new to the Boston area so if you know any other holiday craft fairs or art shows coming up please let me know!
Bazaar Bizarre
The Castle at Park Plaza
Arlington St. & Columbus Ave
Boston, MA
Sunday December 7, 2008
Noon-7pm
Labels: boston and metro, diy
I've been dying to make a terrarium but I just haven't found the time. I was inspired last night to start making a few after reading a how to on domino's website. Blogger Amy Elizabeth Merrick shares a step by step guide on how to make terrariums using found objects in your home. I want to make few for me and gifts. So pretty! Check it out now: dominomag.com.
Be the first to go and check out my $1 holiday gifts story over at domino. With this $1 story I tried to concentrate on more handmade gifts and vintage finds. Many of the gifts were made from things I had lying around the house. As my boyfriend always reminds me, "You don't have to go out and buy everything new!" I remind myself in these tough economic times to spend less and really think about what I spend my money on. Check out the my $1 story for inspiration and budget saving gift ideas: dominomag.com.
For more budget friendly decorating ideas including my first $1 design finds story click here.
p.s. I had a sweepstakes for budget holiday gift ideas. The winner: macaroni snowflake ornaments. Make them now!
Labels: $1 design finds, accessories, diy, gifts
I think most all of us can agree that we are probably not going to rush out and buy whatever we want for holiday gifts. I feel like majority of people that I give gifts too don't really need them anyway. It's more of nice gesture. So why does it have to be expensive to show how much I care?
I've been gathering some budget friendly diy gifts that I will continue to share throughout the holiday season. I love these simple stripe string bracelets from Martha Stewart. You can buy the bracelets from places like Claire's for just $2.50 each. I want to make a few to give to my sister. Who doesn't love having a gift that is totally original and made by your sister?
This is great new way to recycle old boxes and make them into reusable cute gingerbread houses. I found this this fun diy project in the recent issue of Craft: magazine. The mag suggest you use the gingerbread houses as gift boxes. Or you could work on the projects with you little ones. I am sure they will love playing with the homemade houses all winter long.
I love the idea of making my own wallpaper using old carved wood printing blocks. Maybe I will give it a try? But you can also use the blocks for cards, making wrapping paper, and art. I found this store that sells on etsy.com and ebay.com. On etsy you can buy 10 blocks for $49 or choose individual version at their ebay store.
I used a couple I picked up at Brimfield to make simple artwork for our bathroom in our old apartment (below). Super easy and cheap. I stamped different shades of pink paint onto watercolor paper in a loose grid pattern. After the artwork was dry I placed the paper into a store bought Ikea frame and hung for a simple display. I would love to make some larger versions that cover a long hallway. The possibilities are endless. Stock up on a few now to make inexpensive holiday gifts for friends and family.
Labels: affordable artwork, diy, gifts
Happy Halloween everyone! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because it involves lots of sweets and things made with squash. Yum. I'm making a few fall leaf wreathes for the house and the front door this afternoon. Eeek! I have to run over and pick up some pumpkins too before the trick or treaters come! Here are a few shots of my mantle I decorated with squashes, bittersweet, and a leaf wreath. I found the leaves around my house. I have to make one more for my front door...so I have to run! Have a great weekend!
I have been searching forever for duvets that I could actually afford. Seriously why does a simple white duvet have to be over a 100 bucks! My mom promised she would bring down a sewing machine she scored for me at a quilting party. I need to stop thinking about buying things and remind myself I can make it. I feel like I get caught up in a buying trap. Making it myself is so much more rewarding! Here are two projects from marthastewart.com above and below. Above is a shot of duvet made with two flat sheets sewn together and below is a no sew embroidered pillows project.
Labels: diy
