I Made a Spring Wreath Too - Dolla Tree Style

*Pssst...  there is a Spring Wreath link party @ the end of this post. 

I really wanted a nice Spring wreath for my front door, but I didn't want to shell out the big bucks.  Also, most pre-made wreaths are too big for the space between my front door and the storm door.  I'd planned to do another ribbon wreath, but then decided I wanted something a little more professional looking.

A few weeks ago, when I went to a doctor visit, I noticed they had a really pretty grapevine wreath that was covered in faux ivy.  I decided to make one just like it.  I bought this sad little grapevine wreath from the Salvation Army for 99 cents.  Then I went to the Dollar Tree and bought four packs of ivy garland.  

I wrapped the garlands around the wreath, hooking each end to the start of a new "vine".   The I hung it up with some hemp rope.  It looked sooo sad and plain.  So sad that I didn't even bother taking a photo.

I looked around for some kind of flower that would look nice on my poor little ivy wreath.  I was thinking roses & ivy would look nice together. I Googled "rose & ivy wreath", looking for some inspiration, but found none.  Boo!

I finally stopped by the Dollar Tree last Sat and found these "magnolia" bushes.  I say magnolia that way, because the stigma (that fuzzy thing in the middle) on these are gray, and our magnolias don't look like that around here (SC).  I've never seen one that's gray and so I don't know if that's right or not.  You know, there is a reason stuff ends up at the Dollar Tree.   

Anyway, I still think my wreath is awesome, and for $7, you can't beat it.  Or maybe you can.


Gotta cheap DIY Spring wreath to show off?  Link 'er up here.




Linking to:
Hookin' Up With HOH @ House of Hepworths
Everything but the Kitchen Sink @ A  little Knick Knack

More Spring Decor

You know what's funny?  Since I decided to give myself a break on Etsy, I've listed several items.  I've done three Etsy projects this week.  The funny part is that I haven't been stressed out about it.  I worked on these things because I wanted to, not because I felt I had to.  I guess I just needed to stop pushing myself and make myself stop getting so caught up in it.

Here's the before shot of one of my latest projects.  My MIL thrifted this tray for me last week.

 Here's the after shot.

It looks great with those eggs and nests that I got from Target.  If you haven't seen where I've mentioned these before, you get three nests and a bunch of eggs for around $5.  You can't beat that!  You'll find them over with the vase fillers and Spring items.

Linking to:

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous

Cheep Cheep - Dollar Tree Decor

Thanks to all of you who left such sweet comments on my last post.  I really needed the encouragement!

My bedroom makeover is finished, but I'm not sure when I'll get the post up.  It's raining here today and I think maybe tomorrow too.  As soon as I get some sunshine, I'll take my photos and whip up a post.

I love rainy days like this (breakfast for dinner!).  I just want to curl up on the couch and watch movies or fall into a good book.  I've done a tiny bit of that today, but I also worked on a little project that I came up with last night.

This project, including the vase filler from Target cost me only $11.

The Dollar Tree has these glass tea light & round pillar candle holders.  I bought the tea light holders in graduating heights, but I think a collection of these all the same height or taller ones on the outside with a shorter one on the inside would look good too. 

Anywho, you need these holders and some type of adhesive.  I used clear Liquid Nails.  I don't think it would be a big deal to use a visible adhesive since whatever you put in these will probably cover the bottom of the bowl.

Following the instructions on your adhesive, glue the bowls to the stands.  I was thinking that it might look cool to put something in the tea light compartment before gluing the pieces together, you know, like colored marbles, stone or glass.  I didn't do that thought because I wanted mine to be plain.  Maybe next time.

Once the adhesive has dried, fill those suckers with whatever makes your heart go pitter-patter.  I used these.  You can get them at Target for about $5.

Linking to:
Hoo's Got Talent @ Night Owl Crafting
Transformation Thurs @ The Shabby Chic Cottage 
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple 
Under $100 Link Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence 
Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday On Tuesday
Friday's Unfolded @ Stuff & Nonsense  
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

FINALLY Finished!

Today I'm sharing a project that I've been working on for about 2 weeks.  It's a magnetic fridge calendar that I made after being inspired by the ones that Jenn, from Clean & Scentsible makes. 

Here's my February calendar.

Because my studio is such a disaster, I ended up buying everything I needed for this.  Thankfully, I was able to get most of it on the cheap.  I got most of my stickers from the dollar bins at Target.  My chipboard letters that spell FEBRUARY also came from Target and were only 99 cents a pack.  They also had some cute packs of Valentine papers that I grabbed.  I found the bottle-caps at Hobby Lobby and I think they were about $6 for 25 or so. 

I bought some round wood chips to use for some of the spots.  They're usually a little over a buck for five or six of them, which isn't too bad, but since I'm planning on making one of these for each month, that might get a bit pricey.  Good thing I found one of these at Goodwill for $1.  SCORE!

Jenn has a list of supplies that you could use to make these and she's got a tutorial.  I might do one myself for the March calendar, but in the meantime, check Jenn's out.

Linking to:

SNS @ Funky Junk Interiors

Cheater Yarn Balls

I started my blog in January.  By then, it was too late for me to share my Christmas decorations.  I've had to wait over 10 months to show these.  

I'd originally planned to make one of the yarn ball wreaths that Starbucks used a couple of Christmases ago. 

 image courtesy of Apartment Therapy

After wrapping foam balls in different red and green yarns, I decided that I didn't feel like dealing with trying to arrange and attach them to a wreath form so I ended up just tossing them in a basket, which I really liked.  I liked it enough to do the same thing with them this year.

Just like the Christmas Ribbon Wreath and the Ribbon and Yarn Trees, these yarn balls don't need a tutorial or instructions, really.  I'll just briefly explain what I did.  I've mentioned in  the past posts that I try not to use hot glue.  I can't stand those stupid strings of glue that form when you pull the gun away.  They annoy me to no end.  Anyway, I use straight pins when I wrap foam in something.  With these yarn balls, I used a good many pins throughout just to keep the yarn in place.  When you're wrapping these, you want to change directions every now and then and placing a pin right before you change directions will help you out.  You can just cover the pinhead by positioning a neighboring strand of yarn over it.


I also made these "snowballs" last year.  I had some fuzzy white yarn that I think came from Hobby Lobby and it makes the perfect snowball when wrapped around foam balls. 

I'm using a good bit of foam in my Christmas projects this year too.  I sure hope these things aren't toxic.  :-)


Linking to:
Sugar & Spice @ seven thirty-three
Hookin' Up With HOH 
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
Three or More Tues @ The Gypsy's Corner  
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts
Strut Your Stuff Thurs @ Somewhat Simple  
Show & Tell Sat @ Be Different, Act Normal 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch  
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog  
Show & Tell Sat @ Be Different, Act Normal 
 

Kids' Crafts - Holiday Houses

I love getting Han involved with the Christmas crafting that goes on around here. This weekend, she had a friend stay over and we worked on several things. This was the major project they worked on.

Han's house is on the left and bud's is on the right

Cute, right? I'd love to do one like a gingerbread house.

Supplies:

• bird houses
• crafts paints

Optional supplies:

• dimensional holiday stickers
• mini ornaments
• glitter
• glue gun
• spray glue
• pipe cleaners
• pom poms
• ric-rac
• ribbon

I'd like to suggest Hobby Lobby for everything. I only say this because you can get everything you need there.  They have an awesome mini tree section and that's where we found the wreaths and peppermint balls.  I bought that stuff on Friday and it was 50% off. 

They did everything themselves.  I supervised over the hot glue.  (ug)

It's hard to see, but we sprinkled clear glitter on the roof as snow.  It looks great in person. 

  Han's house

her bud's house

Han has a tree in her room and her ornaments are fuchsia, turquoise and bright green so she painted this mini house in those colors and embellished with some matching stickers and buttons.  I'm planning to have Charles add a screw-hook so that she can use this as an ornament.

Linking to:

Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter  
Handmade Holiday Hooplah @ Just a Girl
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
Sugar & Spice @ seven thirty-three
Make it Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden 
Hookin' Up With HOH 
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge
Strut Your Stuff Thurs @ Somewhat Simple 

Foam Tree Crafts

Did you know that the Dollar Tree carries this size of the foam tree forms?  I happen to think this is totally awesome because that foam stuff is expensive!  I try to use a coupon when I'm buying it from one of the big ole craft stores.

Anyway, I wanted to share some of my little trees with you today.  The only things I had to purchase for these were the pom poms and the tree forms.  Isn't it awesome to be a crafter?  How many times have you been able to throw a last minute school project together with stuff you had lying around?  Please tell me I'm not the only one who has a child that waits until the last minute to let me know that she's got a project due like, TOMORROW.  

For these trees, I used the leftover ribbon I had from the Christmas Ribbon Wreath.  Like I mentioned in that post, I HATE using hot glue (those dang strings!) so I used pins to hold everything in place.  What's great about this is that you can reposition things until you get them just right.  This also means that the backs of your trees will look like this.

I'm cool with this because it means I don't have to deal with hot glue.  I did, however, have to use hot glue to attach the pom poms to the top of the tree.  The other day, when I was at AC Moore, I saw that they'd made some ribbon trees similar to these only they used those itty bitty foam balls, coated in glitter, instead of pom poms.  I have to say that I really liked they way that looked.  If I hadn't already made mine, I'd have done that.  Another good thing about using those foam balls is that they can be stuck to the top of the tree with a straight pin.  No hot glue! 

I made these yarn trees last year (they didn't have pom poms until this year) with some scrap yarn, some buttons (hot glue, ick), some sequins and some beads.  The tree on the right has red beads with red sequins under them, pinned onto the tree.  Cute!

We're working on Christmas crafts this weekend so look for a flurry of Christmas craft posts next week.  

Oh, have I mentioned how much hate hot glue???



Linking to:
Fab Friday @ Frugal & Fabulous Design
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello  
Crazy Christmas Crafter @ i heart naptime 
Show and Tell Sat @ Be Different, Act Normal
Handmade Holidays Hooplah @ Just a Girl
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
Sugar & Spice @ seven thirty-three
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts
Show & Tell Sat @ Be Different, Act Normal 
 

Christmas Ribbon Wreath

I loved the Halloween Ribbon Wreath so much, I just HAD to make one for Christmas.  I made this one way back at the beginning of Oct and have been dying to hang it up.  I might just have to start sneaking the Christmas goodies out early.  And by early, I mean T-O-D-A-Y.

I'm sure that you can tell by looking at this, how to make it so I won't post instructions.  I will say that I loathe hot glue and do my best to avoid using it and so when I'm wrapping foam in something, I use straight pins to keep everything in place.  

* To see what I did with my leftover ribbon, click here.


Linking to:
Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest 
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Fab Friday @ Frugal and Fabulous Design  
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello 
Crazy Christmas Crafter @ i heart naptime 
Show and Tell Sat @ Be Different, Act Normal
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter 
Handmade Holidays Hooplah @ Just a Girl
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
Sugar & Spice @ seven thirty-three
Make it Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden 
Three or More Tues @ The Gypsy's Corner
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts
Strut Your Stuff Thurs @ Somewhat Simple 
Show & Tell Sat @ Be Different, Act Normal 

 

Mousie Walnut Ornaments from Clover Lane

When I left my job and became a stay-at-home last Dec, I really ramped up my blog reading.  I mean, all of a sudden, I had all of this free time.  What better way to spend it than being nosy and reading about other people's lives, right?

One blog I discovered, Clover Lane, I found on Today's Creative Blog sometime in late Dec or early January and I've been reading ever since.  When Sarah first posted these adorable ornaments, I bookmarked them immediately.  How cute are these???

images courtesy of Clover Lane

These are so on the list for this weekend's holiday crafting projects!

You can find the tutorial for making them here.  

Because the Heat Kicked on This Morning

And because I really really am so tired of Fall and Halloween decor.  So tired of it that I'm not even going to share anymore of my Halloween projects.  I think I might do a post on costumes and maybe a Halloween post on the 31st, but that's it.  I think all of us blogger babes just started too early with the Fall stuff and now it's worn out it's welcome for me.  Oh, but after Halloween, I'll be bringing the Fall stuff from Sept back out because we host Thanksgiving here and I can't not have any seasonal decor out.  Oy..  :-)

Our tradition is to decorate for Christmas on Thanksgiving night, after everyone has gone home.  Sometimes, we're just to dang tired to do most of it and so, we do some that night and then the trees (yes, I said treeS) the next day.  I'm sure most of you have more than one tree.  I would imagine that women so into projects and decorating, like myself, would have more than one tree theme.  Am I right?

Anyway, since Thanksgiving is only a little over 5 weeks away, I've already gotten a start on my Christmas crafts.  What I'm showing is actually winter stuff, but it'll be going out Nov, 25th too.

This is just a styrofoam wreath form, wrapped in white yarn (yay for stash-busting!) and then in various blue-ish ribbon.

Styrofoam tree forms wrapped in white yarn and then embellished with ribbons and buttons.  The Dollar Tree has the small trees, which is a steal.

 I made these "snowballs" last year.  Just wrapped styrofoam balls in a fluffy white yarn.  Easy Peasy!

Just wanted to add that the only time I used a hot glue gun (hate 'em) on these was to glue the buttons onto the one tree.  I do all of the wrapping with straight pins.  A lot less messy AND can be undone easily.  

Anyone else gotten a jump start on their Christmas/Winter projects?



Linking to:
Sat Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table and Dreaming

Check ME Out Sat @ A Vision to Remember
Sat Soiree @  A Little Lovely
Sat is Crafty Day @ Along for the Ride 
Sundae Scoop @ i heart naptime 
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff 
Craft-O-Maniac Monday
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple
Making Monday Marvelous @ C.R.A.F.T. 
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff 
Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter 
You're So Very Creative @ Me Making Do
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog 
Lucky Linky @ Lucky Star Lane
Take-a-Look Tues @ Sugar Bee
Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
Look What I made @ Creations by Kara
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts 
Make it Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden 
Crazy Christmas Crafter @ I heart naptime 
Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative 
2nd Annual Holiday Highlights @ The DIY Showoff 
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts 
Hookin' Up With HOH 

DIY Candy Stand

Sorry about the missing Foodie Friday link party today.  I've been on the GO all week which is why I've only posted twice up until today.  I've been cleaning today to make up for not cleaning much during the week and I'm hope, hope, hoping that I'll be able to chill out this weekend.  

I've got one quick Halloween-ish project to show you before I sign off for the weekend.   

I got my plate and bowl from Target, back in their Halloween section.I used the melamine ones that cost under $2 each.  I just used a brass candlestick that I'd picked up awhile back.  All I had to do was spray paint the candlestick and then glue it to the plate and bowl.  The worst part of this project was that I just HAD to go and buy THREE bags of CHOCOLATE.  Oh, the horror!

 Y'all have a good weekend and don't eat too much pre-Halloween candy!



Linking to:
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Sat Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors 

Sundae Scoop @ i heart naptime 

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff 
Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter 
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog 
Make it Yours Day @ My Backyard Eden  
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts

Decorations of Halloweens Past

Before moving into this house, a little over three years ago, we never really decorated for Halloween.  After we moved here, we decided that since Han is an only child, it might be nice for her to have a Halloween party every year.  So far, we've done this for two years; 2008 & 2009.  I thought I'd share with you, a few of the decorations we've had out for these parties.

Halloween 2008

I'm so lucky to have a fella who's even more creative than I am.  He set all of this up.  I was the purchaser and he was the mover and shaker.

I'm pretty sure my inspiration for a Boneyard came from the Martha Stewart Living of Oct 2008.  I remember finding lots of ideas in that mag and making a scrapbook to show Charles some of the things I wanted.

 Charles made the tombstones from cardboard boxes.  

 How cool is this grave??? 

 

We had this creepy guy up for a couple of weeks before Halloween and he gave me a fright several times.  I got the jeans and shirt from GW and the mask on clearance from Party City, the previous year.  Charles made the frame and put him together.

 I really loved how it all looked at night.  The ghost was inspired by the Martha Stewart Living from Oct 2008.  You just make a kind of cross from some wood and then wrap white tree lights around them, then use a balloon or something for the head (Charles cut head shapes from plywood).  Wrap in a sheet and there you go.

Halloween 2009

We planned to do pretty much the same thing last year, but Mother Nature had other plans.  It rained, and rained, and rained.  So, we had to cram all of that stuff inside.  Again, Charles did all of the work.

 Is he not creepy?  It's our scarecrow from the year before.  He looks so real!

Tomorrow, I'll be posting some of our Halloween costumes from the past few years.

Linking to:
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff