Reader Favorite Posts of the Year

Reader Favorite Posts of the Year
Top-Viewed Posts   I hope you all had a great Christmas with your family and friends! I took a long break from blogging and social media in general, and went a whole 5 days without it! It felt great. And I survived! Now that the New Year is upon us, I find I have all kinds of new ideas swirling around in my head and I'm motivated to DO stuff...move furniture around, organize and de-clutter, and start some new, big projects. Do any of you feel that urge? It must be a female thing because I know Mr DIY sure doesn't feel it. Unfortunately, ha, he's my muscle and I will need his full cooperation to bring my 'crazy-scheme' ideas to fruition. And of course, being the ever-impatient gal that I am...I want it done, like, yesterday! So I'm trying to slow down, calm down and enjoy the process! Today we're going to take a little look back at my top 10 posts of the year...these aren't necessarily my favorite posts, but they were the top c


Christmas Snack Mix (and free printable labels)

Christmas Snack Mix (and free printable labels)
This Christmas snack mix is last minute gift-giving at its finest! A snack mix combining the flavors of salty and sweet. It's easy, attractive, yummy, and totally affordable! I'm including the free printable gift tags.


Christmas Table Setting (Plaid and Polka Dots)

Christmas Table Setting (Plaid and Polka Dots)
Some designs are classics...they stand the test of time. Plaid and Polka Dots are two of my favorites, and I decided to combine them to set a pretty Christmas table, paying special attention to my thrifty budget and using many items that I already had on hand.


How to Build the Perfect Hot Cocoa Bar

How to Build the Perfect Hot Cocoa Bar
Hot cocoa is the iconic hot beverage that can be enjoyed by both young and old. Every winter I put together a self-serve hot cocoa bar so that it can be enjoyed anytime of the day (or night). It's easy...and just takes minutes. Here's how to make your own:


Christmas Decorating on a Budget

Christmas Decorating on a Budget
I'm sharing my Holiday Home Tour and tips for getting the most out of your Christmas decor  I'm sure a lot of you are like me... ...you have lots and lots of Christmas bins in your attic. And while shopping for new Christmas decor is very enticing... ...you're really better off to just shop the attic!


Parade of Homes Sneak Peek

Parade of Homes Sneak Peek
Nashville Parade of Homes Blogger Tour While writing and maintaining a blog has definitely made me question my sanity any number of times, there are definite perks! I was blessed to be invited to participate in the Nashville Parade of Homes sneak peek with other area bloggers. The four homes are located in the exclusive Kings Chapel community in Arrington, TN. This was my first-ever blogger meet up and I'll admit I was a little nervous because I didn't know anyone. I was a little star struck, not just because the homes were so amazing, but because I was meeting some bloggers that I've been following for quite awhile and it felt like a celebrity sighting, over and over! But everyone was so nice and I had a great time! The Kings Chapel Holiday Tour of Homes was a collaboration with Make-A-Wish Foundation and Kirklands, with all proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Middle TN. Our sweet hosts were Nancy and Dana of Forest Home Media . I'll keep my commentar


Tips for Decorating a Christmas Tree

Tips for Decorating a Christmas Tree
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree (and a Christmas garland tutorial) I'm dying to tell you a story! It's a true story, which makes it even better. Picture this.. Newlyweds living in an upstairs apartment filled with ugly shag carpeting... a dried-out Christmas tree that has barely survived their very first Christmas together...


Decorating a Flocked Tree

Decorating a Flocked Tree
It's the most wonderful time of the year! That  means you're going to see more from me in the days leading up to Christmas because I have SO many creative ideas to share with you! Let's start with this tree, shall we? I've wanted a flocked tree for a long time. When I stumbled across a small one at my local thrift store, I was beyond excited! After removing all the outdated tinsel, I realized I had a problem....the tree stand was broken.


Vintage Inspired Christmas Cloche

Vintage Inspired Christmas Cloche
One of my favorite memories from my childhood (growing up in Canada) is getting snowed in one Christmas. We lived on 20 acres of land on the Bow River in Alberta where the snowplows rarely ventured. I don't remember the cold. I remember all the fun we had. My brothers and I played outside for hours, building snow forts, sledding and having snowball fights. But my very best memory of that snowy Christmas?...


Cupcake Liner and Coffee Filter Christmas tree Craft

Cupcake Liner and Coffee Filter Christmas tree Craft
This craft might just be better than coffee and cupcakes! Did you know you can make beautiful Christmas trees using coffee filters and cupcake liners?


Pumpkin Topiary Decor

Pumpkin Topiary Decor
I have a bit of a pumpkin obsession, I admit it. They're just so charming. I love the plumpness of them, the uniqueness and the variety of colors (especially the heirloom ones). This fall, pumpkin topiaries were the newest thing. And what's better than a pumpkin topiary?


Thanksgiving Tree

Thanksgiving Tree
Today I want to share such a simple idea with you. It's a different take on a Thanksgiving tree.


Honeycomb Pattern Table Makeover

Honeycomb Pattern Table Makeover
A table makeover times two! Not every project goes according to plan. Even talented DIYers have a few flops and fails under their belts. It's just part of life. This project was supposed to be so simple!


Tips and Ideas for Using Wood Slices

Tips and Ideas for Using Wood Slices
Have you seen all the wood slices appearing in stores, around blog-land and on Pinterest lately? I love them because they add texture and a natural element in decor. I have some ideas to share today that will show you how to use wood slices in home decor.  If you read my post about Wood Slice Pumpkins , you'll know how I came by my wood slices. And no, I didn't buy them at a craft store....they're real, DIY wood slices...as in sawing a log (not to be confused with sawing logs ...although I do love my sleep!). I've decorated a lot of wood slices, and learned a few tips along the way that I'm happy to share with you so you have the best experience crafting with your wood slices! I've included affiliate links for your convenience (you can find my full disclosure policy here ). Tip #1: Make a wood slice into a chalkboard My first wood slice project was something I did for the new coffeehouse at our church. I painted wood


Thanksgiving Tray from a Cupboard Door

Thanksgiving Tray from a Cupboard Door
My Thanksgiving decor this year consists mainly of pumpkins, candles and leaves ! So when I knew I needed to come up with a turkey-themed tutorial for this month's #Makeit Challenge, I decided to make something that would be functional as well as cute - a turkey bread/cheese tray! I'm including affiliate links for your convenience. My full disclosure policy can be found here .


How to Paint Over Old Artwork (painted pumpkins)

How to Paint Over Old Artwork (painted pumpkins)
A couple weeks ago I was sorting through stuff for our community yard sale. At the same time, I was crafting like a mad woman for my booth in a local craft show. It caused me to look at items I was ready to discard with a new eye because I needed more pieces. Take these prints for instance. They were adorable in their time, but I decided to remake them into suitable decor for that long stretch between September and December.


Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe

Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe
These soft sugar cookies have been a family favorite for years! I'm so grateful to my friend Laura for sharing the recipe with me. Her trick of dipping the cookies with frosting is a keeper too, and makes decorating these sugar cookies a breeze! If you're like me, you've tried many different sugar cookie recipes over the years to find that perfect one.  Maybe you like a crunchy sugar cookie with a soft center. My favorite is a big, soft, puffy sugar cookie. You might be surprised at what keeps these sugar cookies moist...


DIY Checkerboard Table

DIY Checkerboard Table
When I was growing up, board games were a big part of our family nights.


Fall to Halloween Decorating Tips

Fall to Halloween Decorating Tips
Bonus Post: Decorating Tips for Fall to Halloween Transition I want to share some simple tips with you today. Tips for making the transition from Fall to Halloween in your decor.


Pikachu Costume

Pikachu Costume
DIY Pikachu Costume Face painting . Reminiscent of Carnivals, Parties, Festivals and other fun occasions. When my 10-year old daughter, known as Little DIY on this blog, asked for a Pikachu (Pokemon) costume for Halloween, I wasn't sure I could pull it off.


White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe
I'm sharing our family's favorite recipe for White Bean Chicken Chili, an easy and savory recipe that can be made in 30 minutes!


Wood Slice Pumpkins

Wood Slice Pumpkins
DIY Wood Slice Pumpkins If you were driving down Gallatin Rd in middle TN about half past two on a steamy day this summer..... ....you may have noticed two gals rolling, lugging, huffing and straining to lift two large and heavy logs into the trunk of a silver Honda Accord Coupe.


Fall Decor

Fall Decor
Simplifying my Fall Decor Sometimes...I love going all out. From big hair in the 80's...to tanning until I fried in the 90's...to amassing a large collection of thrifted items in the 00's (ask Mr DIY about the state of our home in FL...and the amount of furniture I accumulated from Goodwill!) Sometimes it's just AWESOME to go big or go home! Sometimes though, sometimes simple is best. This year I have felt overwhelmed with clutter and stuff ', and along with decluttering my home a little at a time, I decided to keep my Fall decor to a minimum, with just the odd touch of orange. Most of my decor is still in boxes in the attic - I just desired a cleaner, simpler look this year!


Dollar Tree Anniversary Celebration and a DIY Tablescape

Dollar Tree Anniversary Celebration and a DIY Tablescape
Bonus Buys at Dollar Tree (I'm thrilled to be partnering with Dollar Tree to share their special Anniversary Event Bonus Buys with you today!) I love shopping at Dollar Tree! I love that everything's a buck. I always find something that I turn into unique home decor, like my easy DIY pumpkin . And I love finding inexpensive cleaning products that really work! Dollar Tree is having an Anniversary Celebration Event now through October 11! This is a great opportunity to get special Bonus Buys throughout the store! With many products offering 58% more for the same low price, you'll save money with every purchase! These are some of my favorite products at Dollar Tree: Totally Awesome - an amazing spray cleaner for just about anything. Laundry stains, carpets, counter tops. My favorite use - baseboards! That sticky, icky residue doesn't stand a chance with Totally Awesome! Party Supplies - from tabletop coverings, plates, napkins, plastic u


How to Antique a Mirror

How to Antique a Mirror
When I stumble upon mirrors at the thrift store for a good price, especially if the mirror itself is beveled , I love to pick them up. Mirrors are one of those decorating gems that can be used in so many ways! Hanging, leaning, even flat on a coffee table, they reflect light and make a room appear larger. If the mirror's frame has a few dings and scratches, it doesn't deter me. When you paint the frame, all of those 'deformities' become much less noticeable. And if your goal is to antique or distress the mirror, dings and gouges work in your favor! This mirror started out as a plain, boring, dark wood mirror with several gouges. Marked down to $8.99, it was a great buy because the beautiful, beveled glass was in great shape. After cleaning all the dust, grease and unknown grime off it, and taping off the mirror, I painted it with two coats of DIY chalk paint in my favorite vintage white, 'Cotton Whisper' by Behr . It's like an 'instant face lif