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 <

Nothing but Pennies...

for your thoughts... 

                                 and your floor!

I would think that you have to be about as floored as I am....

 

Homesteading Self Sufficiency Survival

Homesteading Self Sufficiency Survival

Well, I came across this awesome cool idea today... 

and I couldn't help but share it with all my fellow "Home Deco Groupies"... 

Because this idea right here is way way cooler then collecting boatloads of 

Copper Pennies in big Jars & Cups all over the house... 

Now from what I understand there have been some questions and or doubts about if using "Pennies" for your flooring could be illegal... 

so I searched for info but the "Magic Google Ball" didn't really tell me anything... So I say... why the heck not!!! 

Plus - here is a "Penny for your thought" - this "flooring idea" will cost you around $2.50 - $3.50 per square foot and for that reason alone it has to go on your 

"DIY" Project list...

... as one cheap yet very clever custom flooring solution which in the end will undeniable make one luxurious statement considering that Pennies are more less one rather useless part of our American currency... 

which means we actually are giving our "Pretty Penny" a brand new "face value"

 

Well if this isn't worth something...

then I don't know what is

***** 

All you have to do is gather those forever dust collecting little "Piggy Banks"  find out from your local Home Improvement Store what kind of under lament you will need for your Copper Penny Project as well as what type of Clear Resin will work best...


Seen on & Compliments of ->
Homesteading Self Sufficiency Survival

How about giving the "Old Shady" one...

                          a brand spanking "New Look"

I am sure somewhere in your attic or basement you got one of those old and ugly lamps stashed away... and that poor ugly lamp is just waiting for you to find it so you can bring it back to live with a little paint and some beautiful fabric...

*****

All you need is.... 

• That "Old Shady Lamp"
• Your favorite Printed Cotton Fabric
• Spray Glue for Fabric
• Black Satin Paint
• Velvet Ribbon 
• Double-Sided Tape  
• Ruler, Fabric Marker, Scissors, Paint Brush, Clothespins  
• Sandpaper (for Metal)  

 >>>>><<<<<

Dress her up...

Place the fabric face down on a table... 
then take the lamp shade using your ruler as guide make several marks where the fabric needs to be cut in order to fit the lamp shade - cut the fabric to size...

Make it stick...

Next... apply your spray glue to the back of your fabric... wait a few seconds, then press the fabric firmly around the shade -
take the clothespins and temporarily secure the fabric to the shade.
Now take the double sided tape and apply it to the back of the velvet ribbon... place the ribbon to the top and bottom edge of the shade...

From Color to finish...

Take the sandpaper and slightly sand down the base of your lamp...
next apply two coats of the black sating paint... let everything dry

Voila... All done

 

Light up your Summer Night Party...

with Rainbow Glow Lights of the Deep Blue Sea....

Have you ever had a chance to experience the captivating glow of the 

mysterious jellyfish... those translucent creatures of the Deep Blue Sea...

Well how about turning your next Summer Night Dinner Party 

into one enchanting & captivating experience after dark...

by adding these stunning "Glowing Flowing Sea Lights"....

 ~~~~~~~~~

I know you can't wait to start this amazing project so here is what

You will need ->

• One round Plastic Bowl each - White or semi-transparent (approx 15" inches)
•  Textured Rice Paper in White and Pink (Arts & Craft Shop)
•  Organza ribbon in White and Pink, about 1-2" inches wide
•  Bookbinding Glue or Wallpaper Paste
•  Hot Glue Gun
•  Flat brush
•  Packing Cording - White
•  Scissors
•  Drill
•  Light kit for hanging Lanterns

Step by Step instructions ->

• First drill a larger hole in the bottom of each bowl, this is where your will string your lantern light kit through in the end

• Take Six (6) equally long pieces of the White packing cord and glue them with your hot glue gun onto the bowl. Place them so that the round surface is divided into six equal segments (see pic) 

• Now take the Pink Rice Paper and cut it into wide strips. With your brush apply the bookbinding glue and place your pink paper strips over each packing cords, it is OK for the paper strips to overlap about 4" inches at the end of the bowl. Repeat this with a second layer of Pink Rice Paper  

• Repeat step #3 with two layers of white rice paper, let everything dry completely

• Now cut your organza ribbons in three different lengths, take your hot glue gun and glue the organza ribbon strips inside the bowl - Start with the longest ribbon first and alternate colors - First White... then one Pink strip.

• Repeat this task with the second set of the organza strips and finally a third time with the shortest strips. Make sure to be very careful while working with that hot glue gun because it can easily damage the plastic bowl as well as the organza strips.

• Once all the strips are glued on take a scissor to curl your ribbons (same method as wrapping a birthday present)

• Finally, take your Lantern light kit and string it through the large whole in the center of the bowl. Also make sure you use halogen light bulbs that way your organza ribbons will NOT catch on fire

  

Look at this... simply breathtaking

There is something about a wall of 

Pictures & Memories that move....

I mean literally... a movable wall of Pictures & Memories :)

If that isn't unique or cool then I don't know what is! 

Because this is one of those "Do it Yourself'er" Projects...

which wont break the bank or require any super skills :)

----***----

Check out the step by step instructions below 

You will see how easy and fun this project is....

Step 1: 

Your Shopping list.... 

• One (1) large Particle Board (Plywood) aprx. 48" x 60"
  (thick enough to avoid bending)
• Three (3) - 4' ft Baseboard Mouldings (untreated)
• Primer Paint
• Acrylic Paint in any color of your choice (for Particle Board) 
• Small bottle of Acrylic Paint (Stencil design)
• Sandpaper
• Paint brush, Paint roller, Stencil Brush,
• Bowl for Stencil Paint
• Stencil (*Some Thing & *Nice)
• Screws

Step 2: 

Sand down the large board and the untreated baseboard moulding pieces... that way the following layer of paint goes on easier

Step 3:

Prime all wood pieces with Primer Paint... let everything dry

  

Step4:

Next paint everything with your favorite color paint (Acrylic) - like the main picture you can use two different colors - one main color for the board and another color for your shelving pieces...

 
Step 5:

Once all the paint is dried position your first Stencil (Some Thing...) 

...Secure it firmly in place with masking tape. Next pour a small amount of paint on a plate, dip only the tips of your bristles into the paint and remove any excess paint on a paper towel until the brush is "dry"... too much paint on the brush causes blotchy designs

Step 5: 

Screw the three wood moulding pieces onto the Particle Board about 15" inches apart...

Step 6: 

Finally decorate your new Picture Wall with your all time favorite   Photos and Memorabilia's

Voila - all done....

Happiness is a summer breeze...

with sand between your toes...

& Friends by your side...

I think I can say that many of us are so very ready for our summer fun at the beach to finally get here... and I guess depending on where you live for some the summer has already started while a few others anxiously awaiting for Miss Sunshine to finally arrive...


Either way I figured no matter where you are we all love beautiful Beach Decor... especially if it helps to ease that long wait until we finally get to feel the sand between our toes....

----***----

Gorgeous Beach Candlelight Decor....

Things you need:

• Large Glass Vase
• Sand (Michael's)
• Decorative Seashells 
• Medium Candle (size depends on glass vase) 

 Super simple....

Just fill the bottom of your glass vase with sand... 

next place your candle in the center of the vase...

then place your decorative shells around the candle...

Voila - All done... 

 

 

 

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 *