I admit, I haven’t got into making wreaths yet nor do I have a tree. Mainly because I’m flying home for Christmas, and theres limited storage space for seasonal decor (clothes are stacked like tetris in every closet) My kind of Christmas decor is the kind you can leave up all year such as these framed maps. These maps were masked with a coat of paint using downloadable stencils below. Thanks to Angela Hardison for sharing!
Download these Here: JOY TO THE WORLD and/or PEACE ON EARTH
Using chalkboard paint is such a fun way to add to a table setting. I really like the idea of these mugs that each person can personalize! I can’t tell you how often I “lose” my drink and accidentally pick up someone else’s. This cheese & wine placemat and table runner is so clever. Perfect way to create cheese and wine pairings without being stuck in the kitchen as the bartender/host. Sip up my dear!
//via:bloom//
I look back at some of my family Christmas cards that we did in the past and can’t help but chuckle. I remember having to pose in front of a fake backdrop that included a tree, and all of us wearing matching colors. Oh so corny but gotta love it! I scouted the web for some “couple Christmas card” inspiration that me and Aaron could send out (If I could get him to participate). I never thought I would say that posing for Christmas cards seem fun until I stumbled upon these. They are so adorable, with lots of personality. Can’t wait to give these a shot! So if you will ,excuse me and my self timer 
Via (top first)// Make it Do, Rock and Roll Bride, Swagbucks, Nicole’s Classes
Had an amazing day spent today at my “showmate’s” shower today. Me and Aaron met her and Sean on my 23rd birthday at a Bassnectar concert, we realized we had a love for music and festivals in common. We exchanged numbers and have attended many shows hand in hand since then! So when she asked me to be a bridesmaid, I was thrilled to be a part of something so special to a couple so special to me.
The shower was a blast! A group of amazing girls and sangrias was the perfect equation for sexy lingerie and good conversations. I love these printable photobooth props for spontaneous photo shoots. It was the perfect ending to a perfect shower. Congrats again Allie!
I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving! I’m glad to be back on here after a week long of being unplugged. It was a good break spent with family and of course lots of food! I came across these simple DIY wrapping paper and thought it was perfect for Christmas.
Wrapping Paper 1: METALLIC MARKERS
Wrapping Paper 2: STAMPS
Wrapping Paper 3: WASHI TAPE
This year I’m motivated to make everyone’s gifts. I hunted down my favorite tutorials so you can too! Anything that I would like to receive myself is always funner to make. I’m always so touched when someone makes me something, the thought goes a long way with me. I’m not much of a planner but I feel like if I start now it’s very possible to get them done by Christmas =)
1. DIY Wool Camera Wrap: If you’re making more than one, find a wool blanket or re-purpose that shrunken wool sweater!
2. Monogrammed Skewer Set: Perfect for gifting dads! And the tutorial works for any wooden utensils they use most.
3. No-Knit Scarf: I love how versatile this looks! And without having to knit is such a time saver.
4. Wooden Coasters: Tutorial includes paint by numbers template, oh thank goodness!
5. Cardboard Taxidermy: Sheet of foam, wallpaper, and Xacto knife
6. Screen Printed Pillow: Screen printing paint and tape. Make you own pillow or paint an old pillow! The layers of patterns can give your pillow more depth.
7. Spray Painted Silverware: By itself , displayed in frames, or bent and made into hooks. Anyway you go, you can’t go wrong with bright pops of color.
Here are some fun ideas for those hand-me down furniture, salvation army finds, habitat for humanity Re-store pieces, garage sale rendezvous, and for that guilty Craigslist habit. Fore those like me, its a constant battle of finding space for more things. So I’ve learned to re-use, and re-sell, yes these pieces are meant to travel, so let someone else enjoy them and pick up a new project piece! Aaron always makes fun of me for that, because he’ll come home to a completely new living room without spending a dime. I tend to sell and turn around buy/find replacement pieces, a vicious cycle and I love every bit of it!
Vintage school desks coated with different coats of epoxy gloss, so clever!
Old wagon repurposed into book storage, perfect for kid’s rooms.
A little bit of paint goes a long way to modernize a vintage dresser.
//click on images for sources//
Happy Halloween =) Celebrated over the weekend & had a blast with friends. Unfortunately the venue wouldn’t let me wear my antlers in due to “safety precautions” Oh well it was fun to make and surely I can find another occasion to wear these out!
Choose your antlers wisely, keep in mind the bigger ones are quite heavy and will feel like balancing books on your head. Use fake fur/fabric to wrap around base of antlers and to make ears. Wider headbands hold more weight and combs help for support. Lastly, glue some flowers to alligator clips, using both clips along with straps help stabilize your headpiece.
Pillow pattern & storage bucket tutorial shared by b.a.h. magazine makes me want to pull out my dusty sewing machine to create these simple & practical projects. Time spent on a project that promotes rest or organization is time well spent in my book!
Patch Up Your TOMS
With a full time job and freelancing on side, free time comes very far and few. I think that’s why I cherish my Sundays so much! I always spend one full day out of the week doing exactly what I want to do and today that’s playing on my sewing machine and yes of course, blogging =) After altering some of my clothing I decided to doctor up Aaron’s TOMS. I had some of my favorite fabric leftover from my last project and his poor TOMS had holes at the toes and in the heels! I’ve seen TOMS patched all the way around but I decided just to patch where needed.
Step 1: Gather your materials. Toms, fabric, fabric glue, thread & needle (hand sew or sewing machine) scissors, and pins.
Step 2: Measure and cut your fabric according to size and only hem top edge of fabric closest to you (away from your toes).
Step 3: Pin hemmed fabric along TOMS stich lines, and pin bottom half of fabric along the soles of the shoes. Using fabric chalk, mark along the lines of where to cute remaining fabric.
Step 4: Glue fabric along the stich lines, tuck and pin in place until dry.
Step 5: Measure, cut and hem additional patches.
Step 6: Glue,tuck and pin in place until dry.
Ta-Da! And you’re done! Have a lovely rest of the week..
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