Jewelry Cabinet

 

I am so excited to be the new DIY Contributor at Rags to Stitches!

Today I am sharing my first project.  I’d love it if you would come say hi and check out all the details of this fun transformation...

 

 

linking up…

A Bit of Spring

I worked super hard to add some Spring touches around my home.  Like 20 minutes and a couple bucks hard;)  With a trip to the dollar store and shopping the house, here are some of the bits of Spring decor 2012.

I made a simply Spring garland from egg doilies I found at the dollar store.  All I did was clip the doilies to some jute twine with tiny clothes pins.  I already had the hooks up from my winter garland, so I just wove the twine through.  To dress it up a tiny bit, in the center I tied a bow out of some satin ribbon I had.

Nothing to fancy, but adds the touch of whimsy and Spring to our family room.

I hung my dollar store egg basket I made a couple years ago to the fireplace screen and wrote ‘Spring’ on the chalkboard tag of my $6 thrift store (new with tags from Target) basket.  Spring grasses I already had and the little yellow birdies were stolen borrowed from my little love’s bedroom.

I changed up my little vignette for Spring and added a new quote on my glass.  You can see my other season quotes HERE and HERE.

Love this quote.

 

I added some Spring twigs & greens along with my Moss Eggs {tutorial HERE} and tied an egg doily on my lamp shade with jute twine. Oh, a little butterfly I bought at Joann's a few years ago for $2.  All I did was lightly paint it. 

Everything I used I already had (except for the doilies) and by simply using things in a different way or changing them up a bit I have a new look for Spring!

Is it feeling like Spring where you are?

Linking up…

Spring Wreath Tutorial

I was cleaning out my craft room yesterday, became distracted (imagine that) and instead of organizing, I made a Spring wreath for my front door.  My winter wreath was looking a little sad and didn’t really go with the bit of Spring green that had started popping up in our yard.  Getting this cheery wreath up on the door made me feel excited for the upcoming seasons…

…and then, last night it snowed.  ???  Typical;)

Anyway, I thought I’d share a few tips for creating your own Spring wreath.

To create a Spring wreath similar to mine, you will need…

twiggy wreath base (I used a pussy willow, curly willow mix), spring berries, spring flowers, spring greens, ribbon of choice, moss, wire, hot glue

Some Helpful Tips…
1. First measure out your desired length of ribbon, loop around your wreath and tie in a bow.  *I used a green burlap wired ribbon & left enough length to clear the top of my twigs.
2. Next, stick in your berries and flowers going with the direction of the wreath.  Place them in a pleasing way, dispersing the color but not making them too patterned or placed.  Secure them with hot glue and/or wire. * I like them to look as if they are “growing”  right out of the wreath.
3. For added texture and color, fill in with sprigs of greenery in varying lengths. Insert the greenery at differing angles for a three-dimensional look.
4. Glue in bits of moss to add more texture and to cover any visible stems or glue.
5. To attach the birds nest, loop wire through the bottom of the nest and then wrap it around the wired base of the wreath to secure.
6.  If using a wreath hanger, loop a small length of just twine through your knot.  This will give you something to hang on the hook, but not cover up your bow. *You can use a shorter length than I have shown to minimize visibility.

And there you have it. 

   There is no right or wrong, as long as you like it.  Have fun with it.  Oh, and don’t be too worried about making it perfect…there is no such thing;) 

 

Happy Spring!!

Linking up…

Gray Washed {faux} Wood

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you may have seen this treasure I picked up for $2 the other day.  I am not quite sure what it’s previous life was…maybe sewing box?  It reminds me a little bit of {this guy} and I am seriously loving how beautiful it turned…oh, and it was so simple!

Here is the glorious before…

All I did was give it a good cleaning, of course, and then simply dry brushed a Martha Stewart paint sample I had (Bedford Gray).  I wanted to give it a worn gray washed wood like appearance, so the brown base was perfect.  I used a basic bristle brush.  I dipped just the end in a little paint, dabbed in on a paper towel then lightly and quickly brushed the surface.  It literally took me under 5 minutes.

I love how it picked up the amazing detail in the medallion and how the beautiful lines and curves are shown off.  It is a plastic material, but now has the appearance of carved wood. 

     

I am not sure what her new life will be…maybe house some hair stuff…maybe makeup?…storage for my Rustik Chic supplies in my craft space?

I am sure however, I love price (2 bucks people!) and end result.

Linking up!

   

Christmas Touches

As far as Christmas decor this year, I didn’t add very much ‘new’.  If you missed my Christmas House last year you can see it all {HERE}. 

I did add a couple new things though…

My Grandma gave me a box of ornaments and when I found these little guys I remembered I had seen {this} on Pinterest.  I have hung ornaments from my chandelier  before, but love the delicate simplicity of this look.

I also added this vignette.  I kept my Thanksgiving Sign up because I am very thankful at Christmas too…oh, aaaand, I love it;)  I created this little holiday “tree” in under 5 minutes with supplies I had on hand.  A few iced cherry blossom branches stuck in a French bucket and little Christmas signs pinned on with clothespins. A few Santa touches and this spot was finished.

I am feeling like next year I want to change up my Christmas Decorations.  With out losing the special pieces that we love getting out every year, experiencing that warm nostalgic feeling.  

What about you?  Do you change it up each year or keep things the same?

Christmas Kissing Ball Tutorial

 

 Christmas Kissing Balls are one of my favorite decorations to make during the holidays.  I really enjoy creating them & I have fun with all different custom orders.  I decided to bring you along as I created this custom ball for a sweet Etsy customer.  I posted a tutorial a couple years ago {HERE}, but decided an updated version was due…my picture quality has improved a bit, I hope;)

 

Supplies

• moss ball (you can wrap a foam ball yourself or purchase one pre-wrapped)
• pine sprigs, pine cones, acorns, berries, greens, etc.
• About 2 yards of ribbon(depending on how far you want it to hang)
• hot glue gun and glue (optional)

Steps

1. Get your moss ball.  I used a pre-wrapped 6 inch moss ball.
2. Take your chosen ribbon and wrap your ball, sort of like a present twisting at the bottom and wrapping back up to the top. *Leave one end longer to hang
3. Bring the ribbon back up to the top.  Make sure it is even with your twist at the bottom and then wrap it under itself.
4. Tie a knot making sure your longer side is the length you want it to hang.
5. Add in a couple more loops by wrapping wire around another piece of ribbon and stick it in leaving the other end to drape down.
6. Add in you pine, berries,  and other goodies keeping it somewhat symmetrical, but not too ‘matchy’.  You can simply stick them in the foam or I like to secure with a little hot glue as well.  Just keep adding in layers until you get your desired look and fullness.  Keep checking as you go to make sure it hangs balanced by holding it up from the top of your ribbon.  You can add weight around with your foliage accordingly.

Once you get the look you want, neatly trim your ribbons.  If you used wired ribbon you can manipulate it a little like I did with with this one.  Make a looped knot at the top for hanging… and there you go!

 

Hang from your ceiling, an entry chandelier (that’s where mine is), or wherever you see fit.  They make great  hostess gifts for parties too!

Here are a few more of some of the variations I’ve made…

The possibilities are endless.. Have fun! xoxo