Hallo Halloween......

Candles - Candles - Candles ....

I love candles, well who doesn't ... they just make everything so much cozier especially around the holidays and since it is almost Halloween I thought this idea would be cute little fun project 

You will need:

• Several small & big glass cups (check your local Dollar stores)
• Orange translucent paper 
• White translucent paper
  
• Black craft paper
• Scissors 
• Glue 
• Tea light candles 
  
  .... and here is how you do it 
   
• Take the orange translucent paper and glue it around the small glass cups
• Next take your black craft paper and cut out little Pumpkins, Ghost's or Witches then glue them on top of the now orange glass cup
• Then take the white translucent paper and wrap it around the big glass cups (If you have one of those "zick-zack scissors" you can use them to cut the top of the translucent paper)
• Place a tea light candle inside the small glass cup and place the small glass cup inside the big glass cup.

 *** Voila - all done ***

Falling in Love with Autumn all over again ....

I think most of us are soooo ready for that cool crisp Fall Weather to arrive ...

Don't you agree :)

Well, I know I am ... so how about we whip up some pretty "DIY" Fall Decor 

and get you in the mood for that colorful season to come .....

"Picture Perfect Fall"

Create a special Fall picture wall.

On your next stroll through the park

collect a bunch of pretty colorful leaves.

This can also be a great family fun project Place the pressed leaves into various picture frames and as a final touch add your favorite "Fall Poem"

"Fall Bizarre"

Only nature creates some bizarre looking things....

Candle holder made with tree stumps

"Bright Fall Glow"

Give "Fall" a bright glow...

I am sure somewhere in your house you have a bunch of different vases or some pretty decor bowls sitting around not being used...

Just place a couple of them together on i.e. your fireplace mantel, add a couple fall twigs and some candles ....

 "Glitter Ball"

Place a simple wreath on a deco plate -> add a little glitter and a few tiny leaves to the wreath....

Next take a large glass ball (Christmas decor) fill it with a small string of Christmas lights and some more glitter and set it in the center of the wreath...

"High on Fall"

Again on your next nature walk collect various different "Nature Treasures" - i.e Twigs, Roots, Pine Cones, Nuts etc. 

Place them in a circle on a deco plate add a few shiny glass balls in the center ...

"Forrest Paths"

Take a fish bowl or a big round vase, add some leaves, pine cones, small twigs maybe a few Pecans then place a glass candle holder add a candle / tea light in the center of the bowl.....

"Fall Dawn"

Love this one ....

Take a pretty deco glass ball add a tea light and place it on a deco plate.

Then take some soft moss, a few twigs & nuts and lay them all around the glass ball......

 "Matters of the Heart"

Add some extra decor to your candle sconces.

Take a couple hearts made of twigs then add some Mulberry's and a few Green leaves, then tie them with a pretty ribbon to your sconces....

"Fall Glamor"

Give your Fall decor some glamor....

Take a couple big vases, spray paint them with antique crackle finish paint, then simply add a few "Mulberry" branches and to top it all off hang a couple silver leaves on the branches...

"Candled Cones"

Take a wooden deco plate, add some soft green moss and maybe a little silver string place a few Pine Cone Candles .....

> I hope you will enjoy the beautiful Fall... 

I know I will, it is my favorite time of the year <

For that someone special ....

You know it's almost someone's Super Special Day... 

Well and everyone knows there is NO excuse...

not in this world or any other world...

to not have something special to give on that day!

Sooo, 
here is another neat idea that wont rip a gigantic whole into your wallet!

Check out this gorgeous "Handmade Jewelry Box", isn't it just too cute... 

***

Well and here is how you make it:

• First you have to take a trip to your local Lowe's or Home Depot. Go to the "Lumber department / Picket fence section" to find a couple classic Fence post caps - You will need two Fence post caps per jewelry box.... 
• Next apply the primer to the wooden pieces - let it dry 
• Once the primer has dried take your pain and apply one coat of paint - let that dry as well
• Now take the brass hinges and connect the two post caps by affixing one  pair of hinges to the back side of the box - make sure they are about two (2") inches apart (per the manufacturer’s instructions)
• Next attach the brass box catch to the front side of the box - Make sure you secure the upper portion of the catch flush with the box surface and install the lower portion leaving a small space between it and the box. This will compensate for the curved edge of the post caps. 
• Take a hot glue gun and secure a piece of fleece inside the box (bottom only) 
• Next add your fabric - Again take the hot glue gun and secure the fabric... But be careful some fabric may show stains of the hot glue, so I recommend that you test the fabric first just to be sure. Of course it is your choice to only add fabric to the bottom of the box or if you like to cover the entire inside.... 

                      Voila all finished, 

what a perfect little gift...

________________________________

Shopping list (per jewelry box):

- 2 Fencepost caps

- One pair of 3/4- by 1-inch narrow brass hinges

- Primer

- Paint (so many colors to choose from) 

- One brass box catch

- Small piece of fleece
- Small piece of fabric, velvet or silk would look very pretty

Tools:

- Hot glue gun

- Scissors

- small hammer 

- Paint brush

Giving you a reason to hang it up.....

Check out this awesome little hang out up spot ...
You know we all could use one of those neat corners, 
if anything at least we would never have to search for our key's again because they finally have a place where they belong...

Of course as far as I'm concerned with all of our cool DIY projects there are no rules as far as what colors or theme's you prefer this or any project to be .... 
Our general rule of thumb is "whatever floats your boat" 
However just to give you some ideas I figured why not list a few really unique fabrics and hooks that I found on Etsy and I think would work really well with this project....

Fabric - Landmarks in Europe on Linen (Etsy)

Fabric - Vintage Paris Cotton Blend (Etsy)

Toile Fabric Antique Landmarks (Etsy)

Antique Pink Paris (Etsy)

Toile Fabric Blue European Landmarks (Etsy)

***

While searching up and down the "Etsy coast"...

I also happened to come across some really cool hooks 

that would work perfect with our little project...

So what do you think...

You ready to rock n' roll with this awesome project???

If so then here is everything you will need:

- Three (3) Natural Wood Particle Board (12" x 4' - Lowes/Home Depot)
- Decorative Fabric preferable with a Theme of your choice (1.5 yards)
- Solid Fabric (1/2 yard - preferable matching the background of your other fabric)
- Printable Iron on Fabric sheeting (JoAnn's or Michaels)
- Batting
- Three (3) Decorative Hooks
- Scissors
- Screws & Screw Driver
- Staple Gun
- Iron
***

This is how you do it:

• From your decorative fabric cut out one of your most favorite scene or building 
• Take it to your closet Kinko's/Copy shop and ask them to copy the design of the small fabric piece onto the larger printable fabric sheet (8" x 11")
• Now take one of the wooden particle boards and cover it with a thin layer of  batting material
• Next take your decorative fabric and place it on top of the board (&batting) 
• Fold the fabric neatly over the edges of the board and staple it in the back When pulling the fabric over the edges make sure you keep the design straight and without wrinkles...
• Repeat the same process with the second wooden board...
• Take the third board and cover it the same way as the first two except this time use the solid fabric
• Next take your previously printed iron on fabric sheet and place it close to the bottom center of the board - then take your pre-heated Iron and carefully go over the sheet several times until it completely sticks to the solid fabric 
• Finally screw the decorative hooks into the board (center/top) 
• Now find a good spot in your house for this awesome creation...

          Voila... all done
Happy hanging....

Most of us have one of these....

 

...who is about to have a extra special day!

So here are a few neat & nifty idea's to make that special Mommy Day even more special....

Hearts & Roses 

One pretty "Mommy Day Centerpiece"
Quick and of course super low budget...

Squeaky Clean Hearts...

All Mommy's like cute smelly things...
but remember it has to smell good not!

                           

            

  

                               Flaming Hearts ...

Just set her heart on fire.... 

    

  Sweet Hearts of Sugar...

Would you like some sugar with your tea.... 

Well like I said... pretty "nifty and neat", don't you agree
What are you waiting for - "Special Mommy Day" is right around the corner, then again it really should be every day... either way here are the instructions and all the things you need ->

***

Hearts & Roses:

• Floral Foam - White & Pink
• Heart shape cookie cutter
• Big Glass Vase
• Small Roses in White and Pink
• Knife

This is how you do it:

1. Take the Pink floral foam and cut them into several 2" inch thick pieces and then with your heart shaped cookie cutter cut out the hearts
2. Out of the White floral foam cut several small 1" x 1" cubes
3. Soak the Pink hearts and the White cubes in water
4. Take the Pink hearts and the White cubes and stack them into your vase, you may want to add a bit more water
5. Then take your pretty small Roses and arrange them neatly in your vase, don't forget to cut the steam with your knife

Squeaky Clean Hearts:

• Glycerin Soap & your favorite smelling left over soap pieces
• Soap perfume (optional)
• Heart shape cookie cutters
• Flat Soap dish

This is how you do it:

1. Take the soap pieces and melt it either in hot water or in the microwave
2. Add about 3-4 drops of your favorite soap perfume
3. Pour the melted soap in a flat dish and let it cool down
4. Then take your cookie cutters and cut out little heart shape soap pieces

Flaming Hearts:

• Old pots or cans
• Heart shaped Cookie Cutter
• Candle Wick
• Toothpicks
• Flower Petals
• Big Glass Bowl or a Etagere with a high edge
• Aluminum foil

This is how you do it:

1. Melt the candle wax in hot water - use separate pots/cans depending on your colors
2. Place your cookie cutter on top of the aluminunm foil, press down hard so the wachs doesn't leak out of the bottom
3. Pour the melted wax into the cookie cutters
4. Let it harden just a little bit then place the candle wick in the center of the cookie cutter - use the toothpick in order to keep the candle wick in place
5. Let everything cool down
6. Push the wax out of the cookie cutter
7. Fill your large glass bowl with water and arrange the heartshaped candles with your flower petals 

Sweet Hearts of Sugar:

• White Sugar
• Green Food color (or Pink ,.... or Red)
• Heart shaped ice cube tray (Silikon**)
• Spoon
• Small Bowl

This is how you do it:

1. Mix the sugar with a small amount of water, just enough so it is sticky but not too much so it will melt the sugar (for 200 g sugar ca. 1 tsp water)  mix throughly
2. Take part of the sugar and add a few drops of the food color, keep stiring until you are happy with the color  - Remember: The color will be lighter once the sugar is dry 
3. Take the Sugar "sauce" and pour it into the Ice cube tray - push everything down really well
4. Let it dry over night

* Happy Super Mommy's Day *

It's Summer Summer Summer time ....

I am sure you are about as ready as I am.... and you can hardly wait for this years relaxing beach summer fun time  to start. 

So I thought... while we are waiting we might as well get a  head start with a little bit of the beach fun stuff right here at home with some of these gorgeous...

Ocean themed candle lights

What a quick and easy deco idea... and all you need is:

• Tall Drink Glasses 
• Glas coasters or dessert plates 
• Some pretty Ocean theme pictures or post cards 
• Transparent or Tracing Paper (Printable kind) 
• Superglue
• Tea lights 
• Sand 
• Sea shells 

Easy does it...

• Copy your Ocean theme pictures onto your transparent paper 
• Take the super glu and dap a little onto the back edge of your transparent picture 
• Place the glued side of your picture onto the glass then add a little more glue to the second back side of your picture 
• Wrap it tightly around the glass and wipe off any access glue 
• Place the now pretty decorated glass onto the coaster or dessert plate - sprinkle some sand and a few decorative shells around it.... 

                 Voila all done....  

                             Quick and easy as always

Summer + Sun + Fun + Friends = Party time

Guess what... It's almost Summer Sun Fun time....

Which means you are probably going to have a few super awesome summer fun party's over the next several months or at least I hope you will....

So I thought I could throw you a few unique and outstanding decorating ideas for your next summer fun gathering ->

So how about it.... here are a few "cool" ideas that most likely are going to be a "Named Hit" ..... 

Hello & Welcome from the Deep Sea's  .....

  

Tonight we are making Memories ......

 

Pasta anyone....

Isn't this cute.....

For the Sushi Lovers .....

Lemony fresh.....

Ice Cold Summer Blues ....

Well and here are the things you will need for each "Summer Cool" Plate settings....

Enjoy and I mean really enjoy your "Summer Fun Party Times"

Seashell.... Plate setting:

• One large Shell
• Clear Tape
• Pretty Plate
• Napkins
• Silverware 

Making memories... Plate setting:

• White Paper
• Small Wooden Bowl
• Small Rocks & Sea shore finds
• Feathers
• Blue Ribbon
• Blue Marker

Pasta anyone... Plate setting:

• Small Laboratory Glass
• Colorful Pasta (uncooked)
• Colored Poster board

Isn't this cute.... Plate setting:

• 2 Pages of natural Poster board (medium size)
• Pen (Calligraphy)
• Zick Zack Scissor
• Needles & Silver Floral Wire
• 1 Bag of Doll House Silverware

For the Sushi lover... Plate setting: 

• Large Leaves (at the Asian market)
• Chinese Sticks
• Toothpicks
• Permanent Marker

 Lemony fresh... Plate setting:

• Lemons
• Yarn
• Colored Paper
• Black Permanent Marker
• Small Wooden Clothes pins

 Ice Cold Summer Blues..... Plate setting:

• Clear Foil (for Gift baskets)
• Silver Permanent Marker 
• Paper clips