Tuesday, February 8, 2011

happy looks good on you

It has been awhile, I'm aware. I've been busy working on a new project with my very good friend Alison. She and I have started a blog together. It's happy looks good on you and it's full of inspirational ideas for decorating, holidays, recipes, pretty much anything and everything that makes us happy. Head on over there and check it out!




Wednesday, December 15, 2010

garland mecca

As promised, garland mecca! I enjoy garlands, but something has happened this year. I have been completely taken over by them. I cannot get enough. I'm not sure what's causing this, but I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I think the only reason I've slowed down in making them is because I've run out of places to hang them. I'm guessing that I'll be able to eek out a couple more before christmas. Fingers crossed. Well, let the garland mecca begin!


Festive strips of paper sewn together. Easy peezy.



This one looks more complicated than it it. It's just different sizes of triangles strung onto yarn. I strung them snuggly to make the paper bend causing this fun effect.



A small snowflake garland. You can never have too many of these.



This is a fun one! I cut up strips of fabric and sewed them together. Simple as that. I then draped them across our bookcase.



I like to call this one the snow flurry garland. It's made using tissue paper.



This little beauty made an appearance in the last post, but I love it so much I had to post it again.



I used my Criket and paper punches for this one. Any shapes would work great for this garland.




This was one of those projects that accidently turned into something else. When I started, I had this idea in my head that apparently wasn't very good because it was quickly scrapped and this door hanger was born.




More snowflake garland. This also showcases a garland made from sticker labels colored different shades of blue. It's a good thing I hung up some snowflakes because, as you can see, there's no snow outside.



Another snow flurry garland. The red garland is made from sewing folds on crepe paper. Yep, you can sew crepe paper.





Another sewn crepe paper garland, but no folds this time. I layered three strands of crepe paper together, sewed them, then made cuts along the sides.



More snowflakes. Like I said, no such thing as too many.


This garland isn't really a christmas one, but I decided I'd show it anyway. I thought it perfect for the kitchen since it's made from mini cupcake liners.



This one probably took me the longest to make. It was easy, just time consuming. I cut strips of fabric and tied them onto jute. It was worth the time it took to make it, I love how it turned out.


I had an idea of putting a garland in our basement, but I wanted to string it across the entire ceiling so I would need a lot of garland. I knew it would have to be easy, quick to make, and cheap. Then it came to me. What's cheaper than newspaper? And it was also quick and easy. I cut strips of newspaper then strung them on some black string in a ribbon candy fashion. Who knew newspaper could look so good. I love it.



And finally, more sticker labels in shades of blue. It reminds me of falling snow.




Well that concludes this episode of garland mecca! I can't promise there won't be more garland-ing though......


Saturday, December 4, 2010

tis the season!

Happy Holidays! Isn't Christmas the absolute best time of year?! I love everything about it! Especially decorating. (As evident in the following pics.)


Our mantle. I love it! (And yes, you see stockings for Duke, Jada and Maggie. Don't judge.)



My christmas banner I made last year.



All my candle holders came from the D.I. They were an ugly gold, I just spray painted them silver. Spray paint, by the way, is heaven sent.



I took some ornaments I already had and put under a cloche jar I got at Tai Pan (also heaven sent).



Our little Charlie Brown tree with only paper ornaments.




I'm crazy about our chandelier this year! I made the garland from vellum circles and I bought the vintage inspired ornaments from the dollar store for .25 cents a piece! Then I just strung them on some ribbon with a few jingle bells.


I think it's full of christmas whimsy!



If you haven't noticed by now, I love using jars for decorating. And the best place to get great jars and vases and such? The D.I.



This year I've been on a big kick with evergreen branches. Luckily for me, we have a plethora of pine trees at our house. I've been filling vases with pine branches and putting them all over the house.





More pine sprigs and more dollar store finds.



Curt calls this "the christmas candy table of cheer".



Just yesterday I was at the D.I. and found the glass candle holders and thought, "Add a few tea lights and some evergreen sprigs and this is a great little centerpiece."



Even my christmas cactus is all dressed up for the season. Isn't it a beaut?!



My china hutch looks so festively fun! And for the record, I love using turquoise as a christmas color!



Our tree!



This is my lovely new ornament from Curt. The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Looove it!



And this is Curt's. Star Wars Rebel Snow Speeder complete with movie sound bites like
"Watch that crossfire boys! Stay tight and low! This is it! Aahhh! I've been hit!"
and
"That armor's too strong for blasters, Rogue group use your harpoons and tow cables! Go for the legs, it might be our only chance of stopping them."



Dollar store ornaments in another great D.I. find.



I even spruced up the bathroom with a little holiday cheer.




Happy holiday decorating!
Stay tuned for part II of tis the season with "garland mecca"!