springtime paper flower garland. easy and inexpensive.

(Spring has been in full swing here this week here in the Midwest – my apologies for the rainy day photos.)

Not sure I’ll ever outgrow paper flowers or paper anything for that matter!  When sprucing up for Spring and cleaning out my workroom in the basement I found one of these tissue paper garlands that I’d used to decorate for Tate’s first birthday party.  I was at first just going to hang it as bunting (it’s original design), but thought what better way to say “Spring” (and detract a little from 70’s wall-consuming mirrors) than with flowers.  Plus, they make every day feel a bit more festive!

Supplies needed:

• Green cover or cardstock  (you could even paint or color some white pieces green if that is all you happen to have on hand)
• Adhesive  (Double or Single-sided tape will work)
• 1 Ivory (or whichever color you prefer) tissue paper bunting or garland (linked above) or you could also purchase a set of these and hang them up seperately

 

Instructions:

So simple, but just in case . . .

1 – Fold.  Spread the garland out and lay it on the floor or on a hard flat surface.  Then, fold the left side over on top of the right side.  Line up the centers of the top portion with the centers of the bottom portion.

2 – Adhere. Use tape to adhere the bottom most top pieces with the top most bottom pieces.  Making sure they are flat and very secure. 

3- Hang your flowers.  I already had command hooks fastened to my wall (mirrors) so I just used the distance and height that they were at, but place them enough distance apart that you get a sag (so that they middle flower hangs lower than the outer flowers).

4 – Cut your leaves/ foliage.  I didn’t even use a template for this.  Just cut some leave-like pieces from your cardstock and then fold them in half so that it gives them a little dimension.  Place adhesive on them and hang wherever you choose.

And one with Tate in the frame . . .

So simple!  So inexpensive!  And can carry my not-so-pretty mirrors through Spring and even Summer! 

Happy March and almost Spring to you!

 

 

 

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diy valentine carrier. using an empty oatmeal container.

Many years ago (when I was young), making your Valentine’s Day box and seeing what others created was always one of the highlights of the school year for me. I was always truly amazed at the creativity others had. In not only what their end product was but even more so at the materials they used to create it. Remember this was not only pre-Pinterest but pre-internet days!

With my littles, not as much emphasis has been placed on creating or even needing a Valentine’s Day box. And I’m definitely ok with that – we’ve been doing good some years just to get the cards made and signed! With that being said, if your little one DOES need an easy and inexpensive idea for carrying and/ or receiving their cards this year, decorating an empty oatmeal container works perfect for this. Mine are definitely not contest worthy and I’ve kept them rather simple but you can do as much or little as you please. Just a little color makes everything cuter – especially if you add hearts!

In addition to the oatmeal containers, the only supplies I used were paint, glue, scissors, paper, mod podge, a paint or foam brush, a heart punch, and some scrap fabric and ribbon.

We made the red gingham container from two pieces of scrapbook paper and a little mod podge (watered down Elmer’s glue will work). And as for the pink one, we simply painted it and added some heart confetti that I had punched out of some scrap paper. Place holes on two sides of the container at the top with a scissors or a hole puncher, thread some fabric or ribbon through them and then knot it on the inside of each to create your handle.

And one with baby legs in the background . . .

It’s really so simple! Just use what you have around the house. Add a cute little tag with their name on it or have them write it across the front. If you need to, you can even add a slit in the lid or don’t use the lid at all.

I hope you are feeling loved this week!

~xoxo~

a pretty spring mix. via an unlikely inspiration source.

As of late, while scrolling Facebook various Wal-Mart home decor ads keep popping up in my feed. In the past few weeks the ones that have caught my eye have been farmhouse, mid-century, and boho themed. I have been nicely surprised by some of the pretty furniture and decor that Wal-Mart is now carrying and/ or that you can order from other companies via the WM website. I feel like they have really upped their game. Maybe it’s been “upped” for awhile and I’m just now catching on. 🙂 These ads have caused me to detour to their website more than once in the past month. Because temps have been hovering in the low twenties here recently – spring is on my mind (and less than six weeks away)! Therefore, a pretty spring mix brought to you by Wal-Mart. Yes, Wal-Mart!

( hobnail canister // dotted pillowcase set // ribbed glass bowl )

( pink juice glasses // dining chair // jute rug )

( pom pom curtain // caged table light // amber canning jars )

( stoneware canister // string lights // round floral jute rug )

( kids sheet set // mod chairs // enamel bread box )

( drinking glasses // round mirror // succulents )

word & type. a little new year inspiration.

. . . for the first full week of twenty-nineteen!

And just one more (one of my favorites) – “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

(all of these, their sources and many others can be found here).