Valentine Projects to do with Kids

Valentine Projects to do with Kids
Four Awesome Crafts! These are my versions of adorable ideas that I found and made my own. During the month of February I'll be leading a craft club one night a week for kids at my church ...so I was looking for some terrific crafts that had that 'WOW' factor but were also easy enough to complete in about 30-45 minutes...so I modified ideas I found and made them my own. SO, are you ready to see each one up close and personal?? First... The Tissue Paper Votive Jar The original idea came from Carolina over at 30 Minute Crafts and rather than reinvent the wheel, I encourage you to visit her site for the full, easy to follow tutorial. I did basically the same thing, using strips of tissue paper and mod podge. However, before my glue dried, I sprinkled silver glitter over it all (kinda hard to see). But believe me when I tell you it's really pretty when it's all lit up! Carolina added a big button to her jar. The kids will be usin


Decorative Graphic or Leave it Plain?

Decorative Graphic or Leave it Plain?
I Can't Decide... I was feeling too much PINK in my posts lately! It was time to share a furniture post with you :) I've long been a fan of the Shabby Chic style. And when I first started painting furniture, everything got a coat of white.  It kinda drove Mr. Diy nuts. I think he had visions of me slowly transforming our home and its entire contents into the inside of an igloo :) So I branched out into other colors. However, there is something so soothing about the neutrality of white. And it goes with everything! I have 3 pieces of furniture that I recently gave either a first coat or a fresh coat of white paint to. The first is an antique sewing cabinet that I bought for less than $10 at a thrift store a few years ago. It is a little wonky and the top has some cracks, but I love it as a little table. It used to be hunter green, ew! I so wish I had a picture to share with you! I love it for its legs and the applique. The second is


Mini Valentines Garlands

Mini Valentines Garlands
Deck the Tree with Hearts and Pom Poms! Do you recognize it? The tree? It's my burlap and drop cloth tree that I just couldn't bear to put away after Christmas because I love it so much! Seriously, have you ever seen anything so cute? Okay, I may be a little biased, but it did get an entry into the online Christmas 2013 Decorating Guide in Decorating Life  (pg.25 in case you're wondering). How cool is that? I didn't even enter :) Anyway, all that to say... In case you didn't already notice... I decorated the tree for Valentines!! I made the sweetest little garlands for this tree and my pleated drop cloth tree. And the best part? They were easy peasy! Here's how I did it... I took my red yarn and laid it out. And then I simply hot glued pink and red pom poms, chipboard hearts and tiny crocheted flowers to it.  Once the glue had dried, I just lightly wrapped the garland around my tree.  Did you spot the tiny vial of 'L


DIY Valentines Swags for Your Mantle

DIY Valentines Swags for Your Mantle
Adding a Softer Touch I chose to go all-out for Valentines this year...we're talking sudden and dramatic influx of PINK. I have a lot of white and neutral furnishings so they balance the unexpected infusion of pink quite nicely. Just don't ask my teenage sons what their opinion is!  (Don't worry, I kept it confined to the main floor for their sake) I needed something to spruce up my mantle...and remember...I was doing this entirely on the cheap, no trips to the store, just shopping my house and my stash for supplies. So I came up with two different swags to make...and, I'll be honest...you gotta have some "girly girl" in you to appreciate these :) The bottom swag is made using the technique found here  and a roll of crepe paper (birthday streamers). It's the same technique I used on my ruffled crepe paper Christmas trees . I love the ruffles stretched across my mantle! The second swag took longer to make but is still super easy. I si