tis' the season

just finished this garland....not sure what I think about it...it looks a little lopsided and kiddish...but I kind of like it.

Easy to make, just trace the letters with different colored papers, punch holes and tie with yarn!

It's (almost) the most wonderful tiiiiime of the yeaaaaar!

oh yay. my husband and I have this debate every year at this time....when is it okay to put up Christmas decorations? We figure we have to at least get through Halloween.

 So.....November 1st?

I know, I know, it is getting ridiculous, but I love the Holiday Season. I think besides the standard reasons to like Christmas (building a snowman, lighting the fire, drinking hot chocolate, spending time with loved ones) I love it because there is so much fun stuff for me to DO! Making gifts, wrapping them, DECORATIONS!

 And I have a REALLY good excuse to make a mess b.c. if anyone loves Christmas more than me it's my husband: "But babe, it's a Christmas decoration!"

 I've already got a list going of Christmas DIY ideas and if I can't put them up on November 1st, I can at least start making them, right? RIGHT??

I love anything that incorporates branches! I found this on pinterest but unfortunately it didn't have a credit. I think I've seen it in a decorating magazine (like that narrows it down)

 This is from the amazing website craftaholicsanonymous.com, you can go there for decorations. I was thinking of doing the pom poms out of tissue paper, but then it couldn't go outside...hmmmm decisions, decisions! 

 This lovely craft comes from Craftynest.com. I love how simple it looks but it makes a big statement, and I think I could do something like this with the kids in my art class! 

 This beautiful Christmas mantle and garland comes from Dottie Angel's Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dottieangel/5212171753/ if this is her home....I am AMAZED and jealous. 

another easy ornament idea from greatgreengoods.com.  

I LOVE this DIY idea! It is just the the project I could get obsessed with...time consuming but so cute! Hmm....maybe I'll start on this one first. from hiphiphoorayblog.com

any diy projects you can't wait to get started on? 

fantastic felt!

So, I've heard and read about the wonderful world of felt crafts but for some reason never tried any UNTIL I came across Curbly's "Easy Fall Garland" (found here: http://www.curbly.com/craftmel/posts/11262-stitch-it-easy-fall-garland) and Thrifty Decor Chick's "Hardest Easiest Fall Wreath Ever" (found here: http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/09/hardest-easiest-fall-wreath-ever.html)
The following pics are my "interpretations" of those two craft projects...

Both are SUPER easy to make and perfect for the Autumn...I found some really cheap felt sheets at Michael's ($.29 per sheet) in great Fallish colors..plus some blues...cause I always gotta have something blue. 

Nature Inspired DIY Decorations

via diyideas.com 

I love AUTUMN! I love the colors, the smells, the preparation for the upcoming holiday season...Autumn means lots of inspiration for nature crafts and projects. Here are just a few I've found that have me chomping at the bit! I've already started collecting leaves and branches..my husband will probably wonder why I have half of our garden inside the house! oh well, one of the good things about nature crafts is that if they don't work out, or break, you aren't wasting much money and the supplies are endless! Click on the link below the picture to view the website these projects came from and how to do them!

Branch Jewelry Display via apartment therapy

Life Size Birch Tree Wall Decor via curbly via  nuno magazine

Leaf Printed Linens via Martha Stewart

Botanical Rubbing Calendar via Martha Stewart

Fall Yarn and Twig Wreath via The Spotted Fox

Felt Leaf Garland via Curbly

"Paper Botanical Prints" via Design Sponge via David Starke

Tree Branch Chandelier via Apartment Therapy

"Twig and Leaf Mobile" by Lushlee

wonderful wallpapers and wall decals.

"Frames" by Taylor and Woods $45.00 a roll

"Daydream (Blue)" by Hygge & West $125.00 a roll

"Happy Nature" by Fiona 58 euro a roll

"Rain Days Vinyl Wall Decal" by tweetheartwallart $19.00

"Family Tree Wallpaper" by ferm living $110.00 a roll

"Skyline Rythm" Wall Decal by artist Rex Ray via blik $45.00 

"Framed Chalkboard" by wallies $15.00

"Dry Erase Message Board" by SimpleShapes $34.00

my wall art work in progress....

So I took the DIY wall art project idea that used thumbtacks and coffee filters and ran with it. Since our walls were white, I spray painted the various sized coffee filters and doilies a couple shades of blue.

Also, I ended up having to to use foam board and mounting it to the wall using those velcro sticky tabs...it's still a work in progress, but at least this way, I can change it up if I am unhappy with the way its looking and not have to worry about poking millions of little wholes in the walls. :)

10 Cheap and Brilliant DIY Wall Art Projects.

Okay, so as I mentioned the other day, in the house my husband and I are renting, we have MORE blank wall space than I know what to do with! My landlady is a little hesitant to let us paint and since the house is over 100 years old, I've been looking for DIY wall art projects that will cause little to no damage to the walls. Here are my favorites so far! 

                                                  

                             Curbly via Christina of City Pix

This one is my ABSOLUTE favorite. It's understated and beautiful AND the best thing about this project is how its made (I was shocked when I found out). It's made with coffee filters, cupcake cups, and paper doilies and they are held up by THUMBTACKS! So the total price of this project is probably under $5.00, even less if you drink coffee and eat cupcakes.
To view detailed directions click the Curbly link under the photo and to see more of Christina's amazing and inspiring photography click the City Pix link.
I started this project yesterday and there is one small tip I might add....for some reason I am having a hard time pushing the thumbtacks into my wall. The thumbtacks either bend or break and I had to use a hammer to get them to stay. SO, instead, I bought a large piece of FOAM BOARD and am going to do the project on the foam board and then hang it using stick tabs.

                                                    the nest

I love the idea of framing wallpaper. Especially if you're like me and you are unable to wallpaper a whole wall. Also, this way you can choose from several of your favorites instead of having to choose one and stick with it. When you are bored of it, you can switch them out (a little easier than re-wallpapering a wall when your bored of it).

                                          curbly via emily on sunday

Awwww...YAY for Autumn! My favorite season of the year. This felt leaf garland is colorful, cheap and easy to make. You just need to cut various colors of felt into a leaf shape of your choosing and if you and sew them all together.

                                                       curbly via how about orange blog

This is another great DIY decorating project for those who are renting. Jessica Jones, the author of the super cute blog: www.howaboutorange.blogspot.com, uses a simple mixture of ingredients to paste the fabric onto the door. For the detailed instructions you can click the "how about orange blog" link under the photo or here!: http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-wallpaper-using-fabric.html

                                          oncewed

I think I just really like garlands. They are usually easy to make and can be put anywhere. This one is especially sweet because it is so delicate and the colors they use are more subtle. For this project all you need is: Fabric, a needle, scissors, thread, and a pencil. Visit oncewed at http://www.oncewed.com/23104/wedding-blog/diy-wedding/diy-miniature-fabric-flower-garland/ for more on the instructions.

                                                     Two Girls Being Crafty Blog

When I first saw this "Intersecting Circles" wall art project by Two Girls Being Crafty, my heart skipped a beat. I love all the different colors they used. It also looks easy to make and relatively cheap (Which also makes it dear to my heart!) Click on the link below the picture to see more on what you need and how to make it.

                                          Stephanie Lynn (Under the Table and Dreaming)

This "Custom Natural Wall Art Piece with Wood Shims" by artist Stephanie Lynn is a classic piece for any wall. :) Although it requires a little more time and materials than some of the previous Wall Art projects.
For this Art Piece you will need:
a piece of cut plywood or 1/4 inch thick scrap wood
molding, trim or scrap wood
8 inch wood shims
Gorilla Wood Glue
Wood Finishing Stain

you will also need the following tools: a glue gun, a stapler and clamps.

Visit Stephanie's site to see how she made this beautiful piece! http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/01/create-custom-natural-wall-art-piece.html

Sabbe Interior Design

This "Contact Paper Chevron Wall"by the lovely Interior Designer, Stephanie Sabbe, is trendy, chic, unique and cheap. Like so many of us, Stephanie rents, and came up with this idea as a way to decorate her walls without painting. Visit her website for materials and instructions: http://sabbespot.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-contact-paper-chevron-wall.html

                                                   Kathryn Anderson via re-nest
Another one of my favorites.... by artist Kathryn Anderson. Made with....drumroll.....STRING and THUMBTACKS!

                                          ixxi
Okay, so this last "diy" project isn't so much "diy." ixxi is a wall art company based in Sweden. You can choose your sizes (or number of squares) and either choose from their wide selection of photos and art pieces or you can upload your own individual pictures.

O Happy DIY day!

My husband and I have just moved into our first house at the beginning of this month. It's an old English style cottage complete with a huge backyard and lovely garden.
Just looking at all of the blank walls and empty spaces  to play with makes my heart beat a little faster.

I've always been a huge crafter, DIYer, and maybe I'm even an "artist." I have had so much fun accumulating DIY decorating tips and project ideas throughout the years but because our apartment was so small, I have never had the chance to really do some big projects until now....

And just got back from Michael's where I spent over $250.00 on all sorts of goodies:

 

- colorful ribbon and yarn
- several different colors of spray paint cans
- hemp and string
- colorful felt
- pom poms
- decorative stencils
- buttons and beads in various colors
- cardstock paper and die cuts
- glue sticks, spray adhesive and spray finisher
- two wreaths
- doilies and tissue paper
- a roll of stickback chalkboard roll
- paper lanterns
- new brushes

I think that's most of it...except for some odds and ends, oh and three small squishy world globe balls...not sure what I'm going to do with those yet....

I'll be back shortly with my 10 favorite DIY Decorating Projects!