Snowlady

I got this idea from a Pinterest post I saw forever long ago.  The only problem was, the one I saw was a snowman.  Who needs a snowman in their life? Only ladies in the house! Snowlady on the door!

This was a super easy project!  

Supplies:

Three different sized wreaths, floral wire, scarf, and a sparkly bow.

Step 1

Use the floral wire to attach each piece to each other.  The wreaths should have a wire circle around the  back which you can wrap the floral wire around to attach the wreaths together.

Step 2

Attach the bow to the top wreath with floral wire.  This was slightly more difficult because there was no obvious wire backing.  I just wrapped the floral wire around one of the branches of the top wreath.  

Step 3

Hang wreath on door.

Step 4

Put scarf on wreath.

See! Done! How easy was that!  I suppose you could put a top hat on him if you wanted a snowman, but I like my snowlady just fine!

Send me your pictures of Christmas wreaths you have made!

DIY Storage

About a year ago I invested in a set of airtight storage containers to use in my kitchen.  They are great, keep my ingredients fresh, and look adorable. 
The only problem was keeping everything straight and the ingredients separate.  I didn't want to slap a post it note on them but I wanted something equally as changeable. 
I decided to paint the top of the containers with chalkboard paint.  Now, I can change up what is inside the containers without having to print new labels every time. 

I've also started expanding the collection, this time without the added expense of purchasing new containers. 

We don't have glass recycling where I live and I constantly find myself with empty spaghetti sauce containers, bottled veggies, etc.  I didn't want to just throw away these things, so I decided to give them a new life!  I cleaned out the containers, took the labels off the jars, and painted chalkboard paint to their lids as well. 

I love having these smaller containers!  I am able to store herbs I buy in the bulk bin, make my own essential oils, make salt scrubs to put in them, anything I want! 

This project allowed me to reuse objects that would otherwise have been thrown away.  Reusing these glass bottles also gives me opportunity to contain other projects I want to start on!

Stay posted for more projects using food stuff containers in a new life!

Trick or Treat

I was inspired by a post on Woman's Day for this Halloween craft.

Supplies

Newspaper
Black construction paper/scrapbook paper
Glue
Twine
Silver Paint
Stencil
Paintbrush
Ruler

Directions

Cut the newspaper into large strips 4"x8 1/2"

Fold the newspaper into halves longways and glue the edges together.  Make sure that you don't glue all the way to the fold or you won't be able to string the twine through.    I used krazy glue because I'm hoping these will last for a few Halloween's past this one.  You could easily use regular glue or tape instead.

Cut the black scrapbook paper into pieces a little smaller than the folded newspaper.

Glue the black scrapbook paper onto the newspaper pieces.

Trace the letters to spell 'Trick Or Treat' onto the paper.

Paint the letters!  I did three coats, but you may need more depending on your paint.

Coat with clear coat to make it waterproof.  I did three coats on each side, letting each side dry before I would flip it to coat the other side. 

String up and hang on your porch!

Pictorial Directions



Strips of Newspaper





Fold and Glue Newspaper





Glue Paper to Newspaper









Trace Letters onto Scrapbook Paper

Paint the Traced Letters

String and Hang



Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Everyone! October is here and it is time to start decorating for a fun indulgant holiday!  October to me is Halloween month, so this month I'll be working on some crafts to celebrate Halloween! 

Pumpkin Painting

The first thing I wanted to do was get my pumpkins out front.

This year I decided to paint my pumpkins instead of carving them.  If you carve your pumpking you have to worry about it rotting through before Halloween arrives.  However, if you decide to paint your pumpkins they will keep through the fall. 

I went with a black/purple/silver motif.  As I continue to make or purchase Halloween decorations for my house I plan to stay in this color motif.  When I decorate I like to have a consistent color pallete.  If you keep the colors consistent you can play with texture and pattern.  I had one striped, one polka dotted, and two chunky striped pumpkins; I kept the same colors but chose different ways of decorating.  By keeping your colors consistent your decorations will look more cohesive and have a stronger impact.

To paint the pumpkins I used some acrylic paint I had left over from other projects and a 3/4 inch brush.  I used the natural lines on the pumpkin for the stripes on the last three pumpkins.  I used the cap of a small spray paint can to trace the polka dots on the first pumpkin.  I then went back and painted in the traced polka dot.  I also painted the stems of the pumpkin silver for a little extra sparkle. 

Pumpkin Shopping

I bought my pumpkins at local church's Pumpkin Patch.  They may be a little pricier than your grocery store counterpart, but to me the experience was well worth the extra cash.  Picture the following:

A chilly fall morning; the sun in shining, the wind is blowing, you are wearing boots for the first time this fall.

You walk up to a cute church green space that is covered with pumpkins!  There are kids playing, people mingling, and all shapes and sizes of pumpkins.

You puruse the field of pumpkins, people come to ask if they can help you and they actually know what you are looking for!

When you go home you not only have adorable pumpkins to decorate but you know that money you spent is staying in the community. 

One of the reasons why I wanted to get my pumpkins from a local patch vs the grocery store is where the money goes.  I like knowing that the church will use the money to fund local educational programs, services for the poor, and support for the homeless. 

Another reason I enjoy pumpkin patches over store bought pumpkins is the experience.  Getting a pumpkin is the kickoff of fall and I want an experience I can remember.  Three fourths of the fun comes from hunting for the perfect pumpkin in the crisp fall air, walking up and down the aisles, hugging your sweater to you for warmth. 

The church members who ran the pumpkin patch knew their wares.  They helped me find exactly the shape and size that I wanted. 

Pumpkin Presentation

I don't have a large porch or stoop area to display decorations.  This year I've decided to use my pumpkins as a door stop for my screened door.  You can stack your pumpkins on one top of the other, use pumpkins on either side of your doorway, down front porch steps, or wherever else you can find in your front yard! 

I'll keep you updated with other Halloween projects I create as the season continues!

Upcycle Fan

If you are like me, you shop online or go through magazines often. When you do, you sigh heavily over things you love but can't afford.  So when I find an opportunity to upcycle something I already have, or can buy cheaply, and make it look expensive I'm all for it. 

My apartment does not have central AC, we have window units and box fans.  My window units aren't the most effective; they blow out cool air but can't properly ventilate the room.  Enter bedside fan.

In the somewhat oppressive New Orleans heat, I find it essential to have moving air while I sleep.




(so I forgot to take a before picture, please use this picture as an example of what my fan looked like before I painted it)



This fan is fine and all, but doesn't have a lot of pizazz.  I like pizazz. 

Enter Pinterest and a tutorial by Starr Family Blog.

Now my fan looks like this!


After!


Look how much pizazz it has now!

This is super basic to accomplish.

Steps

1. Find a spray paint color that you love that will enhance the color palette already in your room.
2. Take apart your fan.  All the components should unscrew without any extra tools.  I had 6 pieces in total (front grate, cap for fan blade, fan blade, cap for back grate, back grate, base).
3. Wrap your cord in painters tape to protect it.
4. Lay out your newspaper/drop cloth and place your fan pieces on it.
5. Get to spray painting! At least two coats on each side.

Tips

Try to spray paint when there is little to no moisture in the air.  The more humid the atmosphere the longer it will take to dry, the gummier the paint will be, and the paint will be much more likely to clump.
If you live somewhere like I do, you just have to hedge your bets, keep an eye on the weather, and try to wait until a dry spell happens.

Keep an eye out for the crevices.  There are sneaky little areas you might forget about: the edges of the blades, the pivot spaces on the base, and the edges of the grates.

My paint did clump a little on the front grate, but I kind of like it.  It gives it a bit of texture.  If you really hate it you can cut a cover out of scrapbook paper, fabric, or sand it down and start over again!


I haven't had any problems with the gears gunking up, the fan not rotating properly, or a weird smell.
Good luck with spray painting and upcycling your own fans!

Flower Garland

 

Materials:

Paper Flowers



Hot Glue







Clear Coat



Twine



One of my very good friends got married over the summer.  For her bouquet she asked friends and family to create flowers that would make up a bouquet she could keep forever.  I used the tutorial at Under the Table and Dreaming to create the flowers.  After the wedding I had a lot of flowers left over, and they were just too adorable to throw away.  So I created garland with them!

Make this garland was super simple. 

I cut twine into lengths that would stretch from hook to hook on my porch and tied the ends into loops. 

I then hot glued the flowers onto the twine; I chose not to measure in between lengths but guestimated that the space between each length is about six inches.

After all of the flowers were glued onto the twine I spread all the strands onto newspapers.

I found this bottle of Color World in my parent's garage, but any version of a clear coat spray paint would do.  This step is the most time intensive of the entire project.  I sprayed the first side with 3 coats of Clear Coat, leaving 10 minutes in between each coating.  Then I flipped all the flowers over and did another 3 coats on the other side.

Now I have beautiful garland hanging on my front porch!







 As soon as holiday season rolls around I also plan on getting some twinkly lights to string with the garland to give it an extra special effect.