Tag: DIY

Autumn, Seasonal Inspiration

A Spookilicious Halloween

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Happy Halloween!

Halloween has such potential for bringing out the kid in us.  Join in the fun with these ideas:

1.  Spider Parade:  This creepy trail of spiders startled my own family (even though I’ve done this before)  So, that was a dollar well spent!

 

 

2.  Add some eerie to existing elements:  Most of the year, Beethoven adds some dignity to the family bookshelf.  With the addition of some funky glasses, he becomes “vintage spooky.” 

The versatile apothecary dish joins the haunted fun when filled with plastic bones and moss. This display is mostly filled with year-round accessories, like the large book and various candle holders.  The strictly Halloween-themed additions are few, small (ie. requires little storage), and inexpensive choices.  If you like the spooky globes, find the tutorial from Flamingo Toes here. 

 

 

3.  Add holiday fun to unexpected places.  This adorable teddy turned bathroom attendant is a light-hearted surprise for guests.

 4.  Make some ghostly snacks, like these Cookie Ghosts & Mummies:  Check out my YouTube video for complete instructions.

Enjoy!  Hope your Halloween is “Spookilicious!”

DIY, Seasonal Inspiration

DIY Blooming Branches

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I love the look of forced spring branches.

As winter comes to a close, people bring budding branches indoors to tease open the blooms and beckon a much-needed spring.

I’ve always wanted to try this, but I live in the desert.  While the desert is beautiful, bringing in branches from my mesquite tree would declare “BBQ!” more than “spring.”So, I’m making my own.  This arrangement only cost $2 to make.

Supplies:

  • 1-2 bouquets of artificial flowers that speak “Yay! Spring!” to you.  For the most organic look, shop for flowers which naturally have smaller blooms.  Determined to spend as little as possible on this untested brainstorm, I found mine at the Dollar Tree.
  • Twigs or branches (presumedly free)
  • A large vessel.  I used an antique ceramic pot, but a tall vase, metal florist’s bucket, watering can, or anything tall and sturdy could work.

Directions: 

This is so easy to make, it’s hard to keep a straight face pitching this as a tutorial.  Seriously.  Two steps.  Both rather obvious, but here we go:

  1.  Pull the buds off the stems.
  2.  Hot glue them to sticks and twigs.

Tips: 

  • Arrange branches in your vase first.  This allows you adjust the twigs into an even arrangement and see where blooms should be added to make the most natural looking display.
  • It helps to select twigs small enough to fit into the holes under the artificial blooms.  Dab hot glue into that hole, and pop the bloom atop a twig.  A few blooms in my arrangement are glued directly to the side of a branch, but the ones that fit directly on top of the twigs look the most natural.
  • I also glued the petals of some blooms together to look like younger buds.)

Admire your handiwork and a happy dose of spring anytime of the year!