I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy sending and receiving holiday cards. I especially love it because today people are getting personal with their cards. Because of some pretty cool companies, we can now create completely custom cards with pictures of our friends, families, or in my case, an ornament from my tree.
This year I got my cards from a company called Minted. I was super impressed with all of their designs and style choices. They truly fit my personality. So much so, that I was almost tempted to order several different types of cards. They even have customizable wrapping paper. It’s pretty much the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. And again, the designs are out-of-this-world awesome.
So today, I thought I would share my holiday cards with you and give you four tips to make them stand out from the rest. Sound good?
I ended up choosing this gold-foil pressed card (Yes, my gold obsession can be found in my Christmas cards as well) and uploading a picture I took of my vintage-inspired tree. The combination was magical. Don’t you think? And as unique as these cards are on their own, I decided to give them a few embellishments to make them extra special.
First, I bought some $1 lottery tickets, and using a piece of coordinating washi tape, attached them to the back of the card. I’m pretty sure everyone loves the thrill of scratching off a lottery ticket, so this was just a fun little touch.
Second, I actually wrote a little message inside. I am honestly surprised (No offense to anyone.) how many cards I got this year had nothing written on them. I think it’s so important, even if it is generic, to write a little holiday message and sign the card. It just makes the card a little more personal.
Third, to bring the whole design together I added a strip of washi tape to the back of the card where the envelope is sealed. It’s fairly simple, but it adds a special touch and a fun pop of color and pattern.
Finally, I spent a little more on postage and ordered some vintage stamps from this fabulous Etsy shop to make the front of the card truly unique and different. I did end up spending more money to mail these, but the results speak for themselves. Adorable!
So those are my Christmas cards for 2013. What do you think? Do you send holiday cards? How do you make yours stand out?
I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy sending and receiving holiday cards. I especially love it because today people are getting personal with their cards. Because of some pretty cool companies, we can now create completely custom cards with pictures of our friends, families, or in my case, an ornament from my tree. […]
Slowly but surely my office is taking shape. While it’s been a blast to work on the decor, I’m also enjoying the hunt for new technology. I mean, an office needs to look good, but it also must function efficiently.
For a while now, I’ve been looking for a new printer. When I discovered the Canon PIXMA printer I was kind of obsessed. I’ll admit that initially I was attracted to it because it came in white and I knew that would look ah-mazing in my space. The last thing I need is a big black box sitting in my happy new office. However, once I did a little research, there was so much to love about this printer.
First, it’s wireless. I set it up on this yellow rolling cart and I didn’t want to have another cord coming off my computer. The wireless feature will allow me to print from almost anywhere in my house. I should also mention it was a breeze to set up. The touchscreen guided me through the process, and I was printing photos in under ten minutes.
This printer is also a photographer’s / creative person’s dream. It’s equipped with PIXMA Printing Solutions. The printer can be connected to the cloud, allowing you to print directly from things like Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, etc.
For example, once you’ve connected to Facebook, using the touchscreen, you can scroll through your albums and just click Print. It’s that simple. This feature is fabulous as it makes sharing actual physical pictures with friends and family so easy. I rarely print pictures anymore, but I think this printer will change that. I was amazed at the photo quality, too. It looks just like a picture you’d have printed at a store.
If that’s not enough, this PIXMA printer also comes with a free mobile app. Using AirPrint, you can print directly from your phone.
Like a lot of people, I’m always snapping pictures when I’m out with friends or on my travels, but I never remember to print them. As you know all too well, I have yet to finish the gallery wall in my hall. (I’m continually showing displays around my house with empty frames.)
Well, not anymore. I had this picture of my family from back in the day. (I’m the baby.) My uncle scanned it and then messaged it to me. Using the PIXMA Printing Solutions app, I printed the photograph from my phone and framed it in under two minutes. Basically, I no longer have an excuse to have empty frames or an unfinished gallery wall. Right?
This printer is also going to be amazing in helping me collect thoughts for projects and inspired ideas, but I’m going to save that for another post.
Now that I’ve made a few technology upgrades, I need to continue beautifying this space. The printer is so pretty that I’m thinking I should have all of my electronics in white from now on.
What new pieces of technology are you loving these days?
Slowly but surely my office is taking shape. While it’s been a blast to work on the decor, I’m also enjoying the hunt for new technology. I mean, an office needs to look good, but it also must function efficiently. For a while now, I’ve been looking for a new printer. When I discovered the […]
**The giveaway below has ended. Congratulations to the winner Brenda B.!!
First of all, a great big thank you for visiting IBC for Christmas inspiration over past ftwelve days. As I mentioned yesterday, and at the beginning of the series, today is your day to share the fun projects and crafts you’ve been working on this holiday season. At the end of this post, there is a link party for you to link up your colorful Christmas decor.
Each of the 12 Days bloggers will be hosting a link party and each has a unique theme. You can share your project wherever it fits best. You can also browse each party to find even more holiday ideas. If you can’t find a link party where you project seems to fit, feel free to include it here.
Over the next several days we will be sharing YOUR projects on various social media outlets including our 12 Days of Christmas Pinterest board. We will try to share as many as we can.
But first, let’s take a quick look back at the projects weve covered on IBC since December 1.
Since it’s the season for giving and because I think IBC readers are fabulous (I honestly can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your awesomeness throughout the year.), I’m giving away a $200 gift card to Amazon! This is not a sponsored giveaway. It’s coming straight from my heart and my pocket. I went with Amazon so that I could open up this giveaway to IBC readers around the world. I also figured it was time for another worldwide giveaway.
As usual, I’m using Rafflecopter to manage this giveaway because it makes the process super easy. The widget will appear below; just give it time to load. If you want to see a video or read more about how to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway, click here. Ready? Let’s do this!
To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. (Those viewing this in an email or blog reader will need to visit the actual blog post by clicking here. The widget may not appear if you are on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.) Again, please allow a few moments for it to appear. Simply answer the question in the widget to be entered to win this wonderful prize! Bonus entries are available for following me and my fellow 12 Days bloggers on various social media outlets. You have an additional 12 chances to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway Best of luck to everyone! And thank you again for all you do throughout the year to support me and Inspired by Charm. It truly means the world to me. And don’t forget to check out the other five giveaways and parties. I’ll link them up here so you can easily find them.
With the recap and giveaway out of the way, its now time for you to share your colorful Christmas decor! All right, it’s your turn. Ready. Set. Share!
I’ll meet you back here on Monday. I hope your weekend is merry and bright!
The giveaway is available to readers worldwide. You must be 18 or older to win. Void where prohibited. This giveaway will end Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be randomly selected and announced at the top of this post.
**The giveaway below has ended. Congratulations to the winner Brenda B.!! First of all, a great big thank you for visiting IBC for Christmas inspiration over past ftwelve days. As I mentioned yesterday, and at the beginning of the series, today is your day to share the fun projects and crafts you’ve been working on […]
Welcome back to Day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas. It’s hard to believe how quickly the days have gone by. (Hope you’re having as much fun as I am.) Today, we are making some Colorful Wood Christmas Tree Decorations
Anyway, I’m back with the DIY project I told you about yesterday. You may recall that I was attempting to cut wood and was having some problems. I would love to tell you I rectified the situation, but I can’t. However, I did manage to finish the project without any major accidents with the saw. Check out these DIY Colorful Wood Christmas Tree Decorations.
Or, as I like to call them, my colorful little forest.
Totally cute, right? This collection was inspired by a gift I received last week from my Dad’s wife. She gave me a similar tree with a star on top. I loved it so much I decided to create an entire forest.
DIY Colorful Wood Christmas Tree Decorations
To begin, I started with a 2×6″ board. I measured and cut* the board to create eight triangles (a.k.a. trees).
Side note: I attempted to do this with a miter saw. That was probably not the best choice. It was difficult cutting the diagonal lines because I couldn’t hold on to the trees; almost took a board to the face, etc. It would probably be better to clamp the board onto a sturdy table and use either a jigsaw or circular saw to cut out the triangles. Being a bit of a power tool noob, I didn’t figure this out until after I struggled for hours. If I do make these again, I will update this post with more detailed instructions. Alternatively, you could have someone in your life who is skilled with woodworking do this step for you.
Once your triangles are cut, give them a good sanding.
Next comes the paint. I used acrylic craft paint in a satin finish. I cut the paint with a little water so that it would be less opaque and allow the wood grain to show through.
Once all of the trees were painted and dry. I added some snow (or lights, depending on how you see it).
Using the back end of a paint brush, I carefully added white dots to all of the trees.
And with that, my colorful colorful wood Christmas tree decorations were complete.
I think the final look is modern, yet still festive and whimsical. I’m not quite sure where these are going to end up in my house, but for now they are on the shelves in my dining room.
As I mentioned before, I’m hoping to wrap up my holiday decorating this week so I’m looking for a permanent home for these colorful cuties. On second thought, they just might stay right here.
Even though I struggled a little bit with these guys, they turned out as I had envisioned! I’m loving the color combination, too.
Frohe Weihnachten! (That’s Merry Christmas in German.)
Welcome back to Day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas. It’s hard to believe how quickly the days have gone by. (Hope you’re having as much fun as I am.) Today, we are making some Colorful Wood Christmas Tree Decorations Anyway, I’m back with the DIY project I told you about yesterday. You may […]
We’re in the double digits! Welcome to Day 10 of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
I had a really fun and festive DIY project planned for today. Part of the project involves cutting 2x4s in a particular way. When I attempted it, I nearly shot a piece of wood through my face. Clearly that is not a good thing. So, I’m going to pick up some clamps and attempt the process again tomorrow. (I know everyone has failures so I’m not beating myself up about it. I’m just grateful I wasn’t injured.)
Since that project is temporarily on hold and my back door still needed a wreath, I used today to whip one up. I realize I already created a wreath in this series, so I hope you’ll bear with me as I share another.
This wreath started very much like my other one. I began with the same type of wreath from Target. I also used some leftover ornaments and a few new ones.
Did anyone else notice that Target is selling a bunch of ornaments that are new, but look vintage? They are pretty amazing.
Anyway, as before I used hot glue to attach the ornaments to the wreath. This time, however, I let the tops of the fancier ornaments show rather than tucking them nto the wreath. I wanted to be able to see all of those details.
As you can see, I also went little grander with my bow.
Lots of long tails extend from the main bow. I swept them down the left side of the wreath, tucked them in at the bottom, and trimmed them at various lengths. I saw this idea on Etsy and thought it was such a unique way to put ribbon on a wreath.
What do you think?
You have probably figured out that I really enjoy creating wreaths. In fact, I’ve been making them since high school. Kind of crazy, right? Some are clearly better than others, but the process is so much fun, I just have a blast putting them together. I guess it’s that idea of making something beautiful out of nothing.
And that’s it, folks. My second wreath of the season. Which one do you prefer? The traditional red and green or my more colorful creation?
Have you been keeping your eye on my fellow 12 Days bloggers? Don’t they have some fabulous idea? Be sure to check out their latest creations below.
We’re in the double digits! Welcome to Day 10 of the Twelve Days of Christmas. I had a really fun and festive DIY project planned for today. Part of the project involves cutting 2x4s in a particular way. When I attempted it, I nearly shot a piece of wood through my face. Clearly that is […]
Welcome back to Day 9 of the 12 Days of Christmas!
Today I have a fab holiday-inspired DIY for you: DIY Wood Slice Photo Ornaments!
And, as you probably also know from previous posts here on IBC (like this one, this one, and this one), I’m all about incorporating personal photos into projects and décor. I especially like to do this around the holidays. It’s a great way to reflect on the year, remember special moments, and think about the people we hold dear.
This year I decided to make some photo ornaments using wood slices. Aren’t they fun?
A while back I spotted wood slices on eBay and bought them in hopes they would inspire some project down the road. Thankfully, they did. However, if you’re slightly handy, you can just cut wood slices from a tree branch.
Today I’m going to show you how to make these personalized ornaments.
Here’s what you will need:
Wood slices
Photographs
Mod Podge
Foam brush
Drill and drill bit
Scissors
Ribbon
Pencil
Let’s get crafting!
First, get your photographs. I recommend an at home photo printer to print them out, but any photo will do.
Next, cut the photos to fit your wood slices. I just eyeballed it, but you can use a pencil to trace a circle around your wood slice onto your photo as a guide for cutting.
Once your photo fits nicely on the wood disc, grab your Mod Podge.
Using a foam brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge on the disc.
Then, place your picture onto the wood disc.
Once you are happy with the placement, apply another layer of Mod Podge over the picture.
Allow the first layer of Mod Podge to dry; then give it another coat.
Once your second coat is dry, use your drill to make a hole near the top of your wood disk.
Then slide a piece of ribbon through the hole and tie it in a knot at the top of the ornament.
Voilà!
In no time at all, you’ll have a collection of personalized, homemade ornaments for your tree.
What I also love about this project is that these ornaments can double as gift tags.
Use the picture of the recipient for the photo and tie the finished ornament onto the package. You’ll quickly know who the gift is for, plus the recipient will then be able to use the tag as an ornament. Who doesn’t love a bonus gift.
Once you have all of the supplies gathered, this project is easy to do. The is also a fun project to involve the kids in. They could make ornaments for their friends or classmates.
I hope you enjoyed this little DIY. What holiday projects do you have planned?
Welcome back to Day 9 of the 12 Days of Christmas! Today I have a fab holiday-inspired DIY for you: DIY Wood Slice Photo Ornaments! And, as you probably also know from previous posts here on IBC (like this one, this one, and this one), I’m all about incorporating personal photos into projects and décor. I […]
These Mini Cheesecakes in Mason Jars are such a quick and easy dessert everyone will love. Dressed up with chocolate garnishes, they make the perfect holiday treat.
Today I’m back to share another delicious and totally adorable recipe with you for these mini cheesecakes in mason jars. Around the holidays there is nothing better than being home and whipping up deliciousness in the kitchen.
Mini Cheesecakes:
Years ago, before buying a B&B and becoming a blogger, I lived in Philadelphia and worked for a hotel chain. The holidays were always so busy at work that I was never able to go home for Christmas. I can’t tell you how much I hated that.
Nowadays I’m so grateful and happy to be home. Plus, I can make as many sweet treats as I want because I have lots of friends and family around to share them with.
So, without further ado, on to the cheesecakes!
How to Make Mini Cheesecakes in Mason Jars:
I love making single serving food. While it takes a little longer in the kitchen, there is just something extra special about it.
Last year for our Christmas Eve celebration at my mom’s house I made these adorable mini cheesecakes in 4 ounce mason jars. They were such a big hit (and I failed to blog about them) so I’m recreating them this year as an idea for your holiday gatherings.
Obviously, you can make these any time of the year and adjust the toppings to your liking or the season. For these, I decided to make a few little chocolate trees and stars for garnish. They really amp up the cuteness.
I’m going to show you how to create the garnishes as well. But first, let’s make the cheesecakes.
Mini Mason Jar Cheesecakes
Here’s what you will need:
1½ cups crushed graham crackers
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup butter, melted
3 packs (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
3 large eggs
1 whole vanilla bean, seeded (or 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring)
24 mason jars (4 ounce size)
Let’s get baking.
In a medium bowl, combine crushed graham crackers, sugar, and butter. Press two large spoonfuls into each jar. Use a cork, or something similar, to press the mixture tightly into the jar. Set aside.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Slowly pour in the condensed milk. Beat until smooth. (It's important that there are no lumps.)
Next, add the eggs and vanilla. Mix well. (I really like using the vanilla bean seeds versus vanilla extract. I love seeing the black specs in cheesecake.)
Now scoop the batter into the jars until each three-quarters full. That's about 3 large spoonfuls per jar.
Place the jars into two 13x9" baking pans. Twelve jars per pan. Then fill the pans with hot water. (The water level will be about halfway up the jars.)
Bake for about 20 – 25 minutes. You’ll want to remove the cheesecakes from the oven before any browning occurs.
Carefully remove the pans from the oven. (The pans and the water will be very hot.) Using a towel or oven mitt, remove the jars from the water and allow them to cool completely.
Once cooled, add any topping you like. I used cherry pie filling and caramel.
Now that the cheesecakes are ready, let’s make some chocolate garnishes!
You’ll need about 1 cup chocolate melting wafers.
Line your counter or a baking tray with waxed paper. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate for 30 seconds. Stir, then microwave again for 20 - 30 seconds. Continue microwaving and stirring until the chocolate is melted. (If you prefer, you can use the double boiler method to melt the chocolate.)
Place chocolate in a heavy resealable plastic bag. Snip off a very small piece from one corner. Then pipe your trees or stars onto the wax paper. Be sure to make your lines thick so they won’t easily break after hardening. If you’d like, sprinkle with jimmies before they set. Chill, and then remove from the wax paper.
That’s it. Place your chocolate garnishes on your mini cheesecakes and they are ready to serve.
Print
Aren’t they cute? It’s the perfect size for a delicious sampling of cheesecake. These will certainly be a hit at your house over the holidays.
Also, if you are looking for a way to make it home this holiday, Campbell’s Homestyle Soup can help! With their Pin-It-To-Win-It Sweepstakes!
Today through December 16, 2013, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, any U.S. resident age 18 and above can visit CampbellsHomestyle.com to enter for a chance to win one of fifteen $500 airline gift cards.
Good luck everyone and happy baking!
Merry Christmas!
These Mini Cheesecakes in Mason Jars are such a quick and easy dessert everyone will love. Dressed up with chocolate garnishes, they make the perfect holiday treat. Today I’m back to share another delicious and totally adorable recipe with you for these mini cheesecakes in mason jars. Around the holidays there is nothing better than […]
Happy weekend, everyone! I am so excited that the weekend is here. As I mentioned yesterday, I’m doing a little holiday shopping today. Please keep your fingers crossed that I’ll find “that just-right-present” for people on my list.
Today, I’m back with Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas. Although I’ve managed to complete a few projects and get my trees up, I still need to decorate the rest of my house for Christmas. Since I’m shopping this weekend, that task is scheduled for next week. (I’ve never had a chance to do a full holiday house tour on the blog, so I’m hoping to squeeze that in before December 25.)
I was able to do a little decorating on my dining room table and thought you might want to see what I came up with. I really had no idea what to do so I’m pretty pleased with the outcome
As much as I love my gold polka dot runner, it wasn’t quite working with the other Christmas decorations in my dining room. After a quick search online, I found this runner from CB2 and knew it would be the perfect piece to inspire a little festive decorating.
I tucked my collection of white trees amongst the candlesticks to make it look a little bit more seasonal.
Then, to add more color and interest, I swapped a few candles out for glass ornaments. (If you’ve been around IBC for a while, you might remember a similar display that I created three years ago.)
And that’s pretty much it! Kinda cute and totally Christmasy, right?
I was really glad I was able to use those brass candlesticks I made. The collection looks beautiful.
I found all of these vintage brass candlesticks on eBay. You have probably noticed that I’ve been finding a lot of inspiration for my decor and designs from eBay. Remember all of the Christmas goodies I bought?
Recently I developed over 20 collections via eBay in an effort to inspire myself. I also wanted to give you an idea of where I find some of my treasures and why certain pieces stand out to me. I often read in the comments that people have difficulty finding pieces like I do. My goal was to bring these pieces to you. You can check out all of my collections and follow them here.
I also think it works nicely with my vintage-inspired tree, but still ties in with my other tree and the rest of my decor. My budget is pretty much busted for any more Christmas decorations this year, so I’m trying to use what I have in new ways and places.
One room completely decorated for Christmas!
I’m off to check out what my 12 Day blogger friends are up to. You can join me by clicking on the links below.
I’ll see you back here tomorrow for a yummy little dessert.
Holiday greetings, my friends!
My eBay collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay. As always, the thoughts and ideas are all my own. #FollowItFindIt
Happy weekend, everyone! I am so excited that the weekend is here. As I mentioned yesterday, I’m doing a little holiday shopping today. Please keep your fingers crossed that I’ll find “that just-right-present” for people on my list. Today, I’m back with Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas. Although I’ve managed to complete […]
Dear friends, we are halfway through the 12 Days of Christmas. We are certainly chugging right along. Since it’s almost the weekend, I thought you might enjoy a fun and easy cocktail.
Last Sunday my friends and I inaugurated my new office space (even though it’s not quite finished). I had some extra food on hand from things that I made for the blog so it was the perfect excuse to hang out together and eat. My BFF Krista made Buffalo Chicken Dip and it was amazing. I’m not sure why that dip is so delicious, but I couldn’t help but stuff my face. I love me some buffalo chicken.
With this new place to entertain, I especially love experimenting with new cocktail recipes. Easy drinks that taste delicious are a big plus in my book. I recently received two bottles of Freixenet (pronounced fresh-eh-net), and thought it would be fun to come up with a celebratory holiday cocktail. I’m sure some of you are familiar with Freixnet.They are well known for the “Black Bottle Bubbly” Cordon Negro. It’s wonderfully crisp, clean, and well balanced so it pairs well with most food. However, today I’m using their Sweet Cuvee. It’s the latest addition to their collection. It’s a little on the sweet side (but not too sweet) and goes well with seafood, desserts, and even pizza. I’m sure it would also be great with Buffalo Chicken Dip!
Anyway, with just a few ingredients, I came up with this Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail.
Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail
Here’s what you’ll need:
Freixenet Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvee
pomegranate juice
seeds from a pomegranate
sprigs of fresh rosemary (optional)
In a champagne flute, add a tablespoon of pomegranate seeds. Then add about an ounce of pomegranate juice. Top with Freixenet!
I know I say this all of the time, but it really doesn’t get easier than that. It’s festive, fun, and delicious.
The small addition of the pomegranate gives a little punch to the drink. The sparkling wine is still the main event.
I decided to tuck a few pieces of rosemary in the glass for garnish. Doesn’t it look like a pine needle?
In other news, Freixenet has a fun sweepstakes happening with MINI Cooper. You can enter for a chance to win a two-year lease on a brand new MINI Cooper. There are a bunch of ways to enter to win with hidden bubbles with reward codes throughout the Freixenet website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest pages. Be sure to check that out. You can get more information or enter the codes at www.findthebubbles.com
That’s it for today, folks. I’ll be doing a little Christmas shopping this weekend with my mom. I have yet to start buying or making gifts and barely have a shopping list, so I better get in gear. I’m running out of time. What do you have planned?
While you are poking around the Internet today, don’t forget to swing by my fellow 12 Days Bloggers and see what goodies they have for you.
Who says the holidays are the only time for bubbles? Make it your resolution to sparkle 365 days of the year with Freixenet cavas. Our sparkling wines come in a variety of different styles to suit any moment or mood. Cordon Negro Brut, our classic Black Bottle Bubbly, is great as an aperitif before a night out on the town or at home with takeout pizza. Our brand new Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvee is the perfect match for brunch favorites like pancakes and eggs benedict. Visit FreixenetUSA.com for more information about where to buy Freixenet sparkling wines and learn how you could win a 2-year lease on a new 2013 MINI Cooper.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Freixenet. The opinions and text are all mine.
Dear friends, we are halfway through the 12 Days of Christmas. We are certainly chugging right along. Since it’s almost the weekend, I thought you might enjoy a fun and easy cocktail. Last Sunday my friends and I inaugurated my new office space (even though it’s not quite finished). I had some extra food on […]
First, thank you so much for the tree love yesterday. It means the world to me! I was very pleased with how the tree turned out and even more pleased that you love it as much as I do. Now, welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas! Can you believe it’s already Day 5?
As you may have guessed from the title, I decided to make a wreath to match my tree. Check out my Gradient Rainbow Christmas Wreath!
So today, I’m going to quickly take you through how I put together this Gradient Rainbow Christmas Wreath.
I started off with this wreath. It took me some hunting to find the wreath I wanted. These days wreaths tend to look so fake and cheap. I stumbled upon one at Target and fell in love. I think a variety of pine needles in a wreath makes it look much more natural, so I knew this would be a winner.
I then gathered all off the extra ornaments I had from my tree, plus some new ones I had purchased. Again, I stuck with solid colors but mixed up the sizes and finishes.
I quickly laid out the color arrangement on the wreath. I had this amazing turquoise ribbon (which I found at Walmart), so I knew I wanted blue at the bottom. Since I was working with six colors in all, I just spaced them out evenly around the wreath.
I hot glued on one ornament of each color and then I just started filling in.
I randomly added ornaments of each color and continued to fill in until I thought it looked good. When you’re adding ornaments, don’t forget the inside and edges of the wreath. This helps to give it dimension and fullness.
After that, I whipped up a quick bow (I’m hoping to do a bow and wrapping tutorial one of these days. Stay tuned), attached it to the wreath, and hung it on my front door.
I have to admit the red door really makes it pop. It kind of reminds me of the wreath on BHG’s December issue.
Gradient Rainbow Christmas Wreath
I decided to use glass ornaments which I realize is a little risky given the fact that they’re outside. However, my porch is covered so I think they will be okay.
As you’ll notice below in today’s Quick Tip, I really like how this wreath ties together my indoor and outdoor decorations. Plus, it gives guests a little preview of what’s inside. Kinda fun!
First, thank you so much for the tree love yesterday. It means the world to me! I was very pleased with how the tree turned out and even more pleased that you love it as much as I do. Now, welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas! Can you believe it’s already Day 5? […]
Okay, I’m warning you. This post has way too many pictures of my Gradient Rainbow Christmas tree. Prepare yourself. Or, as Britney Spears would say, “Don’t hold it against me.”
Anyway, I was finally able to decorate tree #2 yesterday. For those of you who were following IBC last year, it’s going to look pretty familiar.
Please welcome back my Gradient Rainbow Christmas tree!
Hands down, this is my favorite holiday decoration. I did, however, make a few changes to this year’s version. First, and probably most noticeable, I have a new tree. My friends at Treetopia sent me this gorgeous Slim Spruce Christmas Tree. Not that I’ve owned a lot of Christmas trees, but this is by far the nicest artificial tree I’ve ever seen.
It’s so full, and I love how the branches are set up and stick out of the tree. It makes decorating much easier.
I also added a star to the top of the tree. As you might have guessed, it’s vintage. I found it on eBay. Shopping eBay can be a great source for beautiful vintage ornaments and tree toppers.
The topper is kind of perfect. It’s easy to see why I’m loving how this tree came together.
In addition to the new tree and topper, I also have a brand new tree skirt. Last year I used a table cloth, but wasn’t completely satisfied with the look. This year I found this incredible tree skirt from Red Envelope. Unfortunately, they are no longer in business, so I will treasure this purchase.
The detail in it is stunning. I also love how it ties in with the bottom colors of the tree. What luck, right?
All of the balls on the tree are glass. I have a bit of a glass ornament obsession. (As you can see.) If you’re wondering, I tried to count and there are over 300 ball ornaments on this tree. Say what!?
There are all different types of ball ornaments on this tree. Some are matte, some are shiny. Some are small, some are large.
There are event some glittery ones tucked in here and there. The only qualification is that they were glass and a ball.
Wait, I lied. I have a few glass bird ornaments tucked in here and there.
Okay, now for a few more pictures. Ready, set, go!
Gradient Rainbow Christmas Tree
She’s a beauty, right?
Oh, in case you’re wondering, my vintage-inspired tree has been relocated to the dining room. (You can learn how to make those candlesticks on the table here.)
Initially I tried this tree in there, but it was just a bit too big for the space. This is a much better fit.
Thank you so much for indulging me as I posted way too many pictures today of my gradient rainbow Christmas tree!
Feliz Navidad!
Okay, I’m warning you. This post has way too many pictures of my Gradient Rainbow Christmas tree. Prepare yourself. Or, as Britney Spears would say, “Don’t hold it against me.” Anyway, I was finally able to decorate tree #2 yesterday. For those of you who were following IBC last year, it’s going to look pretty […]
Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas! Have you visited the other fab bloggers who are part of this festive series? To make things especially convenient, I’ve include links to all of them at the end of this post. They have some spectacular ideas so be sure to swing by and say hello.
Today I’m sharing a colorful project that is certain to come in handy this holiday season. Whether giving a gift, decorating your house, or serving cookies, it’s always nice to have a few colorful boxes around. To make these, I started with plain paper-mache boxes from the craft store and gave them new life with a bit of bling and color.
Using some paint and gold leaf, you can quickly create these boxes to make gift giving and entertaining even more special. Aren’t they awesome?
DIY Gold-Leafed Holiday Boxes
Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
paper-mache boxes (available at any craft store)
craft paint
gold leaf sheets
gilding adhesive
painter’s tape
paint brushes
Begin by painting all of your boxes whatever color you’d like. I chose cheery colors. I suggest giving the boxes two coats for even coverage. Allow the boxes to dry completely.
Then using painter’s tape, mark off areas on the boxes that you want to gold leaf. Have fun and be creative with your shapes.
Once taped, apply the gilding adhesive with a paint brush. Allow it to dry. It will be clear and tacky.
Next, add the gold leaf. If you’ve never worked with gold leaf, it can take some getting used to as it’s very fragile. Where you can, apply whole sheets; then fill in other areas with portions of sheets.
Once the designated areas are completely covered, use a larger paint brush to get rid of any excess gold leaf.
Then remove the tape.
After I removed the tape I went over the gold-leafed surfaces with my fingers to make sure everything was flat and that there were no loose pieces.
And that’s it! In a couple of hours, you’ll have a collection of gorgeous boxes. Aren’t they beautiful?
Like I said, you can use these for almost anything. If you’re not a fan of wrapping, just tuck your gift inside in a bed of tissue paper, close the lid, and tie the box up with a ribbon. Wrapping complete.
Don’t the round boxes look great stacked together? The color combination makes me weak in the knees.
I think they also look wonderful as part of seasonal decor.
I used gold leaf with a patina for this box (and the round teal box) and I’m obsessed with the way it turned out. It may be my favorite. The pattern is unique.
Doesn’t it look sweet just sitting on the shelf? Plus, it can double as storage for a deck of cards, Post-It Notes, or whatever needs a home.
You can also use a box to serve holiday cookies. Place a coordinating napkin inside and fill it with your favorites.
What do you think?
Don’t forget to visit my fellow 12 Days of Christmas bloggers. This a sneak peak of the ideas the are sharing today.
Well, I’m off to decorate my second Christmas tree this year. Join me here tomorrow to check it out. That is, if I can get it finished in time. I may need to borrow a few of Santa’s elves.
Merry Christmas, friends!
Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas! Have you visited the other fab bloggers who are part of this festive series? To make things especially convenient, I’ve include links to all of them at the end of this post. They have some spectacular ideas so be sure to swing by and say hello. Today […]
Welcome to Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas! Yesterday I was so excited to finally introduce the series again and even more excited to include a fun little giveaway to start things off! In case you missed that, you can check it out here.
I have lots of crafty ideas to share with you over the next 12 days. Today, I thought I’d kick off the series with a cute and super simple DIY ornament. Last year Land of Nod was selling these amazing scalloped ornaments. I was obsessed, but never got around to buying any. (Guess, I thought $30+was kind of crazy for six ornaments.)
Anyway, this year I was shopping at Lowe’s and stumbled upon these plain off-white ornaments.They immediately reminded me of the ones I loved so much but they didn’t have the fun pattern. As a member of the Lowe’s Creative Blogging Team, this made me think they’d be the perfect project for December.
So, I picked up two packs of eight. Each pack was under $5. I grabbed some colorful paint pens (available at any craft store) I had on hand and went to work.
Although the scallops took a little practice, in no time I had some adorable handmade ornaments. As you know, one of my trees is already complete, but I have some special plans for these ornaments.
I even played around with a few other patterns. I really like something as simple as tiny circles.
This would be a fun project to do with kids as well. On Instagram I’ve noticed that some families set up a small tree and allow the kids to decorate it with ornaments they’ve made over the years. How fun is that? With plain ornaments and a few paints, you can have fun creating whatever designs you like.
For more inspired ideas visit my fellow 12 Days of Christmas Bloggers:
And that’s it, folks! What do you think? Do you DIY your ornaments?
This post was created as part of my collaboration with the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Network (along with some other fantastic bloggers). As always, all of the opinions, thoughts, and ideas in this post are my own.
Welcome to Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas! Yesterday I was so excited to finally introduce the series again and even more excited to include a fun little giveaway to start things off! In case you missed that, you can check it out here. I have lots of crafty ideas to share with […]
I feel like I blinked and the first few weeks of November flew by. It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only a couple days away. That also makes me a little nervous since Christmas is going to be here before we know it. While I’m not hosting Thanksgiving (All I have to do is show up with an empty stomach.), I thought it would be fitting to share a few ideas I always like to keep in mind when entertaining. To help spark my inspiration for Thanksgiving and the holidays ahead, I’ve collaborated with Glade® to share how you can create the best feelings in your home year-round!
This past weekend I was inspired by some beautiful blooms I saw at a local grocery store. I threw together a quick and colorful Thanksgiving-inspired tablescape in order to walk you through a few tips for stress-free entertaining. I realize that a LOT more goes into throwing a celebration, but these are just a few of my favorite tips.
1. Pick a theme.
When I’m hosting a get-together, I think it’s always important to start with a theme. For my table, I was not only inspired by the flowers I found, but I pulled inspiration from this Apple Cinnamon Cheer candle from Glade. The smell of apple and cinnamon always reminds me of home and the fall. Plus, the candle would add a little sparkle to the table. I tied in the apple theme with a few fresh apples on each place setting.
2. Use things that you have.
I have a bad habit of spending way too much money when I entertain. I just want things to be perfect. Over the years I’ve learned, however, that perfection is ultimately unattainable. Now, throughout the year, I collect interesting and unique things when I’m out shopping and use them when I’m entertaining or decorating. I know you’ve seen these polka dot napkins a million times on IBC, but I just love them. They add color, sparkle, and they even match my table runner. To display my little flower arrangements, I used some mini glass canning jars I had on hand. Trust me, your guests aren’t going to remember some fancy thing you bought specifically for a party. They are more likely to remember a unique way you used something you had.
3. Plan ahead.
We all know that waiting until the last minute seldom works out well. Taking a few minutes ahead of time to pick a menu, make your guest list, and decide on your theme, helps you plan a better party. I planned ahead by creating a seating arrangement. I knew I wanted a fun way to mark where guests will be sitting, so I used a few left over Instagrams I had had printed and just tucked each of them in a numbered table marker. So simple, but if I didn’t have those pictures printed beforehand, I wouldn’t have been able to add this personalized touch. (Yes, that’s my mom vacuuming my grandpa last Christmas.)
4. Keep things simple.
As much as I love an adorable craft, sometimes simple is best. Yes, I could have tied something to my apples or made some fancy centerpiece, but with the craziness of the season, I know it’s not necessary. Sometimes, keeping things simple allows the focus to be on your friends, family, and the enjoyment you’ll have around the table.
5. Most importantly, have fun.
At the end of the day, this is a celebration. Enjoy it! Put on some happy tunes (Right now I’m loving this collection from 8tracks.), grab a glass of wine, and savor this time with the wonderful people in your life. After all, that’s what this holiday is really about. There’s no sense in entertaining if you can’t enjoy the party, too!
I hope you liked these tips. Thanks to my friends from Glade for helping me share them with you. They have some really cool new products for the season including their Apple Cinnamon Cheer and Sparkling Spruce scented jar candles. I’m also a fan of their Cashmere Woods Sense & Spray for keeping rooms in your home constantly smelling fresh.
Glade Giveaway
To help inspire your holidays, Glade is giving away a few items to one lucky Inspired by Charm reader! It’s a fun little holiday bundle which includes:
Glade® Sparkling Spruce and Apple Cinnamon Jar candles
Glade® Sense & Spray® Automatic Freshener (Cashmere Woods)
$100 Shutterfly Gift Card
As usual, I’ll be using Rafflecopter to manage this giveaway because it makes the process super easy. The widget will appear below; just give it some time to load. If you want to see a video or read more about how to enter a Rafflecopter giveaway, click here. Ready? Let’s do this!
To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. (Those viewing this in an email or blog reader will need to visit the actual blog post by clicking here. The widget may not appear if you are on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet.) Again, please allow a few moments for it to appear. Simply answer the question in the widget to be entered to win this wonderful prize! Bonus entries are available for following along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram
While comments below are always appreciated, you must use the Rafflecopter widget above to be entered to win. For more information about these Glade products, click here. You can also follow Glade on Facebook and Twitter.
Happy entertaining, everyone! What tips do you have for keeping your celebration stress-free?
This post was created as part of my collaboration with Glade. As always, the thoughts and ideas are my own. The giveaway is available to readers in the United States. You must be 18 or older to win. Void where prohibited. This giveaway will end Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 11:59 pm EDT. The winner will be randomly selected.
I feel like I blinked and the first few weeks of November flew by. It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only a couple days away. That also makes me a little nervous since Christmas is going to be here before we know it. While I’m not hosting Thanksgiving (All I have to do is […]
It’s been a while since my last Drinks & Links post, so I thought one was due. Especially since the holiday season is upon us and entertaining is a big part of the season. As you know, whenever possible, I like to keep things on the simple side. A few weeks ago, when I was in NYC at the Target Holiday House they served a cocktail that I thought was killer.
I was even more surprised to learn that it only contains three things. Simple, delicious, and still totally unique? Sign me up!
A big part of this drink is a beverage available at Target. It’s called Simply Balance Sparkling Cranberry Cherry. To that you simply add a little vodka and a rock candy swizzle stick. Yeah. I know. It’s really that simple.
However, to jazz things up a bit, I decided to use cherry vodka.
This will likely be my go-to drink for the holidays. I just love the taste and the look. The rock candy swizzle stick is so basic, but it really makes this drink stand out.
Not that you actually need directions, but let me show you how to make this.
Cherry Vodka Sparkler
Here's what you'll need:
1 can (8 ounces) Simply Balanced Sparkling Cranberry Cherry
2 ounces cherry vodka
Rock candy swizzle sticks
In a glass filled with ice, add 1 ounce cherry vodka. Top with Sparkling Cranberry Cherry. Add a rock candy swizzle stick and stir.
Print
Yep, folks. That’s it.
To add an extra festive touch, I used a piece of washi tape to add a little pendant on the swizzle stick. If you don’t have washi tape, you could use a piece of ribbon or twine. Anything that will help tie the theme of your party to the drink.
Now, grab yourself a drink and join me for my favorite links of the week.
Have you heard of Onefortythree? They make THE coolest light fixtures I’ve ever seen. I’m pretty sure I know which one I want for my office.
And last but not least. I’m serving up another cocktail over at RedEnvelope. This Caramel Apple Martini is beyond amazing. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, these are a must for your bar. And, as you may have guessed, they are so simple to make. You can get the recipe here.
And that wraps up another week. What’s on your agenda for the weekend? If all goes according to plan, I’ll be busy working a little holiday magic around here.
This post was created as part of my collaboration with Target. As always, the thoughts and ideas are my own. #MyKindofHoliday
It’s been a while since my last Drinks & Links post, so I thought one was due. Especially since the holiday season is upon us and entertaining is a big part of the season. As you know, whenever possible, I like to keep things on the simple side. A few weeks ago, when I was […]
Are you guys sick of seeing my office? I certainly hope not because I have a few more updates, and there’s probably going to be some more down the road. I know it’s taking time to get the office in shape, but I hope these posts offer inspiration and ideas for your next room makeover. Thanks for bearing with me.
As you may have guessed from the title of this post, I finally have shelves and curtains and that excites me greatly!
I opted for these wall-mounted bookcases from CB2. There are two of them. They couldn’t be more ideal for the space.
I quickly managed to loosely style them with a few pieces I had and some recent finds. When I ordered the bookcases, I also picked up this modern village set and these pinch bowls. Upon receiving them, I thanked my lucky stars I decided to order them because both are amazeballs.
The green and blue acrylic grapes were another “souvenir” from my trip to Portland. I’m also kind of obsessed with those.
I picked up this adorable mini-tree display from the Etsy shop 2 of 2. I’m just loving them. Although there are no more tree sets in their shop at the moment, Dan and Mer also make adorable little houses. You can check them out here.
Moving on to the curtains.
Originally I intended to make curtain rods from pipe and paint them gold. However, I dialed back my gold obsession a bit and went with these cast iron rods from Pottery Barn. They still give me that industrial look without all of the trouble of creating them myself. Plus, I had a gift card and a coupon so I got them at quite a steal. I also opted to buy the curtain rings from Overstock to save some dough. I’m really happy I decided to go this route because I love the look and quality of the cast iron.
For the curtains, I went with white. I really wanted something neutral and somewhat sheer for the space. This will help me control the light a bit when I’m taking pictures for the blog. I stumbled upon these Royal Velvet Ally curtain panels from JCPenney. I actually ordered a few different options, but ultimately fell in love with these. Besides being semi-sheer and not too bulky, they,drape beautifully and are machine washable.I mean, I couldn’t go wrong.
I do love the white as well. When this space is complete, there’s going to be a lot going on with fun accessories. The white panels provide a neutral background that won’t fight for attention. Because my radiators are directly under the windows, I won’t be able to use the curtains for privacy. I’m pretty close to the road and my neighbors, so I ordered some bamboo roman shades. I should have them up by next week so I’ll show them to you at that point.
The curtains are about 6 inches too long which means I’ll need to hem them up. Plus, they could use a good steaming to remove the wrinkles from beinig in the package. When I hem the curtains, I might add a border detail to the top, side, and/or bottom just to jazz them up a bit. I still haven’t made up my mind about that.
In other news, I’ve decided to paint my stools. I got this amazing gloss white trim paint from Glidden. I’m hoping to get the stools painted this weekend. I’m also planning to add a little gold detail to them. It should be fun! The gold will brighten up that work area and tie it in to the rest of the office.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to see this section of my office come together. During the next week I plan to work on the back part of this room. It’s been a little neglected. On Monday I actually ordered a fab rug and am crossing my fingers it will arrive before Turkey Day. I also have placed an order for a sectional, but unfortunately it won’t be delivered until after the new year, I’ll have to figure out what to use in interim for holiday entertaining, but I’m okay with that. I can’t wait to get this space dressed for Christmas!
What do you think of the latest additions to my office? What’s your favorite part?
Are you guys sick of seeing my office? I certainly hope not because I have a few more updates, and there’s probably going to be some more down the road. I know it’s taking time to get the office in shape, but I hope these posts offer inspiration and ideas for your next room makeover. […]
A few weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of traveling to southern Oregon to be immersed in a world of delicious gift giving with my new friends at Harry & David.
In case you have not heard of Harry & David, stop what you are doing (well, right after you finish reading this post) and head over to their website. If you have any hard-to-shop-for-folks on your holiday list, Harry & David just may be the answer to your gift-giving dilemmas. They sell everything from chocolate truffles to whole turkeys, gift baskets full of goodies to monthly fruit and cheese clubs. Most recently, they started selling wine and are now shipping cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. To honest with you, I’m surprised I left Oregon and came back to Pennsylvania!
We started off the trip in beautiful southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley at one of Harry & David’s Pear Orchards near Medford. It was simply stunning to see it in the fall. Absolutely picturesque!
From left to right, this is the fabulous group of bloggers that I had the privilege to spend a few days with in Oregon.
I was so excited to see some familiar faces, including Julie and Robyn!
Harry & David is well known for its pears, and they grow most of them right in this area. I was amazed at how much care and work goes into growing their fruit.
Later in the day we visited their pear sorting and weighing facility. They are rigorous about providing only the best pears to their customers. I know this because my brother gets them for my grandparents every year for Christmas and they always rave about them.
Time for another group photo!
There was obviously a lot of delicious food involved in this trip. We had a fabulous lunch at at Deja Vu Bistro. Of course, pears were included in the menu.
Harry & David is also a wonderful source for sinfully good chocolate so we spent some time in their “Chocolate Factory” as well. While there, we met Charlie. Yes, Charlie of the chocolate factory.
There we got a chance to craft our own chocolate leaves.
This was such a joy! I had never had the chance to paint chocolate before. I’m actually hoping to recreate this at home and host a chocolate painting party with friends. Once I do, I’ll share the details so you can paint your own chocolates, too.
Walking through the chocolate factory we got to see where they make Moose Munch. It took all my self-control not to break through the glass and dive into that pot of deliciousness.
We also saw where the chocolate truffles are made.
Another part of the trip involved visiting their basket-making facility. As some of you may know, I used to create baskets as part of my gift shoppe, so I was really impressed to see how this place functioned.
You would not believe the speed and efficiency of these folks. It was unreal.
To test our skills, they had us put together our own baskets. It was such fun to see everyone create their gifts. Harry & David even shipped our creations to the recipient of our choice. Needless to say, my grandparents are enjoying their basket.
Each basket includes a gold pear which is a signature for Harry & David. And you know me, with my gold obsession, this was a favorite. It’s basically just a pear in a gold wrapper, but we clearly know that’s the best one.
Rogue Creamery was another stop during our travels. They provide the cheese for Harry and David.
While there were so many highlights to the trip, being a cheese lover, this was among my top ten. Their cheese, especially the Oregon Blue, was out of this world.
I was most excited to see a powdered blue cheese. Yes, you heard me right, powered blue cheese. You can bet I’ll be in the kitchen whipping up something delicious with this stuff.
Speaking of favorites, I was completely enchanted by lunch at the fabulous Penny & Lulu’s Florist Studio in Medford. These two ladies, who are brimming with spunk and personality, gave us a gorgeous space for a magical lunch. The food was catered by Fresco and perfectly complemented the space these two created.
The table setting was nothing short of a masterpiece. That buffalo check tablecloth literally gave me goosebumps.
As you can tell, Angie, Melissa, and I were excitedly enjoying the design and the food.
If I could have, I would have packed these two ladies and their entire studio into my luggage.
We wrapped up our trip with a visit to the Harry & David Country Village Store to do a little shopping. I mean, after sampling their treats for the past two days it was imperative that we bring a few home. What do you think of my shopping cart?
I also wanted to mention that we stayed at the picturesque Winchester Inn. Their restaurant, Alchemy, served us the most fabulous breakfast every morning. If you are ever in need of accommodations in southern Oregon, I strongly recommend their establishment. Even if you are just passing through, stop for a bite to eat.
I cannot thank Harry & David enough for a truly incredible experience. Visiting Oregon has been on my wish list for quite some time. I couldn’t imagine a better way to experience such a beautiful state. Hats off to Sandy for organizing this fabulous event with a truly amazing group of people.
For more about Harry & David, check out their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. They also have a new blog where you’ll see some of these talented bloggers posting all kinds of delicious things!
This post was created as part of my collaboration with Harry & David. As always, the opinions and ideas are my own.
A few weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of traveling to southern Oregon to be immersed in a world of delicious gift giving with my new friends at Harry & David. In case you have not heard of Harry & David, stop what you are doing (well, right after you finish reading this post) […]
Okay, I think I have a problem. Creating my vintage-inspired tree has put me under a bit of a spell. For some reason, I feel compelled to buy every vintage beaded ornament that I can get my hands on. Someone stop me.
This past week I was searching eBay and found a seller who listed about 15 sets of these vintage ornaments. Although I did show some restraint, I still ended up buying six sets of six. That’s an additional 36 ornaments.
I always enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I think that’s part of my problem. However, I do get an incredible amount of joy whenever I go thrifting or shop online for vintage treasures. So, in my book, that makes the whole process worth it. Does anyone else feel the same way? Please tell me I’m not alone. I guess if I had to choose a vice, hunting for treasures isn’t so bad.
Anyway, today I just wanted to share a few of my new-to-me favorite ornaments.
The detail in these almost makes me want to start creating some of my own. Almost. Can you believe people actually took the time to make such detailed and beautiful ornaments? I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to give them a new life.
I posted a picture of these on Instagram and Pinterest. I was truly touched by all of the memories the image stirred up. Folks were remembering these from there childhood. Some people even told stories of their parents or grandparents making them. Some even talked about making them themselves. Others were excited to dig through old boxes to put their own vintage ornaments back on display. I love that!
For me, that’s what design is all about. Stirring up memories and emotions – making people feel something. And what better time to so than the holidays.
I hope you don’t mind me sharing my new collection with you. Have I inspired you to dig up some of your own vintage treasures? I’d love to hear your stories. Let me know in the comments below.
My eBay collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay. As always, the thoughts and ideas are all my own. #FollowItFindIt
Okay, I think I have a problem. Creating my vintage-inspired tree has put me under a bit of a spell. For some reason, I feel compelled to buy every vintage beaded ornament that I can get my hands on. Someone stop me. This past week I was searching eBay and found a seller who listed […]
Learn how to make this DIY Colorful Bulletin Board!
It’s fun to be able to just buy things, but there is a certain satisfaction that comes with making something yourself. If you can’t find the right size, style, or color, you can create exactly what you need. Plus, DIY is a wonderful way to try different products and tools.
DIY Colorful Bulletin Board:
This month those of us on Lowe’s Creative Blogger’s Team were challenged to spruce up a guest room for the holidays. Since I currently don’t have a guest room, I figured I’d tackle a little project in my office as that’s where most of my guests will be spending time. Remember, my office is also doubling as party central.
You may remember from previous posts that the walls in this space are looking pretty empty. After spending days and days painting, I’m always hesitant about putting that first nail in the wall. However, I’m thrilled to report the walls are officially getting dressed.
In the office section of this space, I wanted to have a cork board. This would function as a designated spot for me to post inspiration. As much as I love Pinterest, I’m dying to make time to tackle the magazines that have gone unread around here for months. Once I go through the magazines, I’m going to need space to display little tidbits I’ve pulled from the pages.
I searched online for cork boards, but couldn’t find one that was just right. So, I decided to build my own.
With clean lines and lots of bold color, it’s the perfect addition to the space. What do you think? Today, I’m going to walk you through the steps of creating your own. Let’s get going.
Colorful Bulletin Board Tutorial:
Here’s what you will need:
2 1x6x8* pine boards
sheet* of plywood
sheet* of cork board
mending braces
nail gun and nails (you can use a hammer and nails instead)
table saw
circular saw
miter saw
staple gun and staples
screwdriver
sandpaper
paint – two colors
painters tape
tape measure
pencil
*size may vary depending on the dimensions of your finished piece
First, you will need to create a channel in your boards so that when assembled, your cork and plywood will sit flush with the back of your frame. I don’t currently own a table saw, so I popped over to my dad’s house to use his.
I don’t have pictures for this, but you want to set your circular saw so that it will cut 1-inch into the board. Standing the board on it’s side, continue running it through your saw until you are 1/2- inch into the board. The resulting pieces will look like this.
Next, we are ready to cut the frame. You’ll need a miter saw for this. I knew that I wanted the exterior of my frame to be 40×54. I began by cutting my longer pieces. Using a tape measure, I measured out 54 inches on the side of the board without the channel. I then made a cut at a 45 degree angle. Once that cut was made, I made another 45 degree cut on the opposite end of the board. These two cuts essentially made the board look like a long trapezoid. (If you’ve never made cuts like this, I recommend practicing it a few times on some scrap pieces of wood until you feel comfortable).
Repeat these steps for all four pieces of your frame.
Once everything is cut, set your pieces front side down on a flat surface. You’ll want to match up all of your corners as closely as possible. Using the miter saw, if needed, trim a bit off until you get a good fit. Go slowly and take off only a very little each time until things start to line up. (Since this is going to get painted, however, it doesn’t need to be 100% perfect. We will fill in some of the smaller gaps with wood filler in a later step.)
Next, join the corners together. To do this, I used a battery powered nail gun I got at Lowe’s. I’ve been wanting one of these for a while and I finally had an excuse to buy one. If you don’t have a powered nail gun, no worries. Just pre-drill a hole and use a trusty hammer and nails to get the job down. I suggest at least one nail into both sides of the corner.
To make sure the corners are tight, add two mending braces to each corner.
Once those are attached, flip the frame over and fill any gaps and the nail holes with wood filler. Allow the filler to dry and sand until smooth.
While it dries, cut your cork and plywood. Begin by cutting the plywood. Measure your opening and cut the board to fit using a circular saw. (I’m using this awesome handheld one form Rockwell.)
I’m a huge fan of Rockwell products by the way. You can find them here or check them out on Facebook or Twitter.
Once your board fits snugly, set it on your cork, trace it, and then cut out the cork. I was lucky enough to find a piece that was sticky on one side. If yours isn’t, just apply a little glue to adhere the cork to the plywood.
Next, we’re ready to paint the frame. I chose a combination of white and lime green. Initially I tried to spray painting, but that didn’t work as well as I hoped so I just opted for standard wall paint. I used a gloss finish.
You can paint your frame however you’d like. I wanted a really graphic looking frame. I started with the white and did three coats. Once that was dry, I taped off a strong diagonal line and then applied the green.
After the paint is completely dry, it’s time to attach the cork board. Flip the frame over and set in the cork. Using more mending braces, attach one side to the frame and one side to the back of the cork board. Be sure to check that your wood is thick enough so that the screws do not come through the other side. The mending braces come with screws, but I purchased additional shorter screws to insure I wouldn’t have any issues. I used 10 mending braces to hold my cork board in place.
After that, your colorful bulletin board is complete!
All you need to do now is hang it up on the wall and start filling it with inspiration.
As you can tell, this project is a little on the advanced side. However, if you have the tools and some experience, it comes together pretty quickly.
I couldn’t be more pleased with the results! I really love how thick the frame is and the graphic color combination is perfect in my space.
I’ve been looking for a way to incorporate that green color into my office since the stools I’d wanted didn’t work out. This was just the thing.
Now that the board is finished, I’m off to tackle those stacks of magazines and catalogs I have sitting all over my house.
What do you think of my new colorful bulletin board?
This post was created as part of my collaboration with the Lowe’s Creative Ideas Network (along with some other fantastic bloggers). As always, all of the opinions, thoughts, and ideas in this post are my own.
Learn how to make this DIY Colorful Bulletin Board! It’s fun to be able to just buy things, but there is a certain satisfaction that comes with making something yourself. If you can’t find the right size, style, or color, you can create exactly what you need. Plus, DIY is a wonderful way to try […]
Well, it’s November 8 and my Christmas tree is up.
I know some folks dislike seeing anything remotely holiday-related so early in November, but my mind is in full -blown holiday mode at this point. So, welcome to an Inspired by Charm Holiday! As I mentioned when I showed you my Peace Wreath, I hope my earliness gives you time to recreate or be inspired by these ideas for your own decor. So with that said, on with the show!
The reason I put this tree up so early is that the awesome folks at Treetopia offered to send me one of their trees to decorate. Originally, I’d wanted a traditional green tree, but they talked me into doing something with more pizazz. I looked through their colorful tree collection.- Their selection is unbelievable. However, after spotting the All That Glitters Gold / Platinum Tree, my search was over. When gold is an option, it’s the hands-down winner.
After selecting the gold tree, I needed to devise a decorating plan. I went back to my eBay collections and started gathering inspiration. After some searching, I decided to go all vintage. I wanted to get ornaments that on their own would seem sort of old and tacky, but when put together, would tell a story of tradition and vintage holiday cheer. I also knew I had to have color!
My go-to source for vintage Christmas decor is eBay, so I began building a collection of vintage lighted tree toppers. (You can follow my eBay collections here by the way to get a sneak peek of what I’m up to. In fact, I have a collection for vintage ornaments, tree toppers, and other holiday goodies.) I thought, instead of placing the tree toppers in their traditional location, I would to scatter them around the tree for a little color and sparkle everywhere. Cute, right?
I then started collecting the ornaments. The goal was to get really interesting and unique ornaments. I didn’t just want plain glass balls. I found an amazing collection of these beaded and sequined ornaments. It was such a score.
A few of my favorites are this stove / chimney with a little fire and stockings.
I also got a set of six felted and sequined ornaments. Three are snowflakes and three are birds. The detail on these is amazing.
Finally, I got these gorgeous mercury glass beaded ornaments from this fab eBay seller. They may be small, but they make this tree extra special.
I finished things off with a pink and gold vintage mercury glass garland.
I saved my favorite tree topper for the top.
Okay, now that I explained things to you, let me show you how I did it!
And yes, I totally pulled inspiration from Young House Love and their fun tree trimming time lapse videos. They are so fun, and it certainly was good practice for my first video.
While I plan to gather a few more ornaments, I’m so pleased with the way this tree came together. I’m positively in love with the actual tree as well. As you can tell from the video it was so simple to set up. Plus it’s pre-lit and that saves tons of time. I will say, though, that my favorite part is the color of the branches. I’m so glad I was encouraged by Treetopia to try a non-traditional tree for this challenge. The mix of gold and platinum needles almost makes this tree look like vintage silver and I just can’t get enough of that.
I may end up moving this tree into my dining room and setting up my Tree of a Different Color in this space. Given their color schemes, I think that would be the ideal, but time will tell.
I’ll also be on the hunt for a tree skirt. Right now I’m just using an old tablecloth. It works, but I can do better.
And that about wraps it up. What do think of my vintage-inspired gold tree? What are your plans for your tree this year?
A huge thanks to my new friends at Treetopia for this fun challenge. Be sure to say hello to them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
My eBay collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay. As always, the thoughts and ideas are all my own. #FollowItFindIt
Well, it’s November 8 and my Christmas tree is up. I know some folks dislike seeing anything remotely holiday-related so early in November, but my mind is in full -blown holiday mode at this point. So, welcome to an Inspired by Charm Holiday! As I mentioned when I showed you my Peace Wreath, I hope […]
I’ve spent the last couple days exploring Portland, Oregon and I am nothing short of inspired.
The amazing stores, beautiful architecture, and epicurean delights have sparked so many ideas I can’t even begin to put them into words. As I travel home tomorrow, I will be making notes to keep these ideas fresh.
I plan to share more details about my travels, but I wanted to share a few photos today of places and things which have inspired ideas for my home. Even though pictures and real life are not the same, I hope you enjoy them nonetheless.
What places have you traveled that have left you feeling utterly inspired?
I’ve spent the last couple days exploring Portland, Oregon and I am nothing short of inspired. The amazing stores, beautiful architecture, and epicurean delights have sparked so many ideas I can’t even begin to put them into words. As I travel home tomorrow, I will be making notes to keep these ideas fresh. I plan […]
As you know, I’ve been talking all about home this month on IBC. I certainly hope you’re enjoying it! It’s been a fun challenge for me.
In keeping with this month’s theme, today I’m going to share a DIY Vase, but I’m also throwing in three cocktail recipes! These recipes are all unique in that I made them using a Soda Stream. I’ve been seeing these cool gadgets everywhere and today, I’m putting one to the test.
Being a new Soda Stream user, I must say I had a great time testing all of the delicious drink options available. I love creating new things (and a good party) so coming up with a few drink recipes was a blast. I even invited my BFF over to sample my creations. It always helps to have a friend nearby when taste testing.
I was inspired by the season to create this little collection. An elegant Halloween evening would be the theme behind these cocktails and my craft. Leave the witches and cobwebs outside, snuggle up with your special someone, and sip on a cocktail or two. Let’s get this party started.
Pears are one of my favorite flavors of the season. The smell of them literally makes my mouth water. The Black Currant & Pear mix was the perfect base for this cocktail.
The pear vodka really enhances the flavor, while the St. Germain (one of my favorite liqueurs) brings a botanical flare to the mix.
Let’s get shaking!
Black Currant & Pear Martini
2 oz. Soda Stream Black Currant & Pear Sparkling Soda
3 oz. pear vodka
1 oz. St. Germain Liqueur
Lemon wedge
Pear slice for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add Soda Stream Black Currant & Pear, pear vodka, St. Germain, and the juice of one lemon wedge. Shake vigorously.
Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a pear slice.
This next drink is a little out of my comfort zone. Typically, I’m not a big fan of bourbon or whiskey. I want to be, but I’m just not there yet. Maybe when I’m 40.
Even so I gave this cocktail a try and I’m pleased to report that I love it. The Country Time Half Lemonade & Half Iced Tea mixture really toned down the flavor of the bourbon. And the orange and mint add a bright freshness to the combination.
This could be a new fall favorite. Let me show you how to muddle one.
Sweet Tea Bourbon
4 oz. Soda Stream Country Time Half Lemonade & Half Iced Tea Sparkling Drink
2 oz. bourbon
1 oz. agave syrup
1 orange, quartered
4 mint leaves
Orange slice and mint leaves for garnish.
In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, add agave syrup, orange quarters, and mint leaves. Using a muddler or the back of the spoon, mix these ingredients together. Add a generous scoop of ice. Then add the Soda Stream Country Time Half Lemonade & Half Iced Tea and bourbon. Shake well.
Pour over a glass filled with ice, orange slice, and a couple mint leaves.
Okay, I know what you’re thinking; grapefruit really isn’t a fall fruit. Humor me for just a bit. Once you put this drink to your lips, you’ll quickly change your mind.
What I really like about this cocktail is the spicy kick that comes from the cayenne pepper. That alone makes this drink ideal for fall. As the weather starts to cool, it helps to have something that warms you from the inside out.
I also like the fact that the Diet Pink Grapefruit mix cuts a few calories from this margarita. That works for me!
Okay, now it’s time to get our mix on.
Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
4 oz. Soda Stream Diet Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Soda
2 oz. tequila
1 oz. cayenne simple syrup*
1 lime wedge
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Grapefruit slice for garnish
On a small plate, mix together the salt and cayenne pepper. Run the lime wedge around the edge of your margarita glass. Dip your glass in the salt and cayenne mixture. Set aside.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add Soda Stream Diet Pink Grapefruit, tequila, cayenne simple syrup, and the juice from one lime wedge. Shake well. Pour the margarita and the ice into your salt-rimmed glass. Add more ice, if needed.
* Cayenne Simple Syrup – Bring ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to a simmer over medium-high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. I usually let the mixture summer for about 10 minutes to create a thicker syrup. Remove from heat. Allow syrup to cool completely.
Pretty fabulous recipes, right? Based on the descriptions and pictures, which one are you loving the most?
Now, if you have some of the above supplies on hand, go mix yourself up a drink and join me back here for a little craft time.
Before I got a Soda Stream, I had a bunch of plastic bottles lying around, ready for recycling. Instead of sending them out the door, I decided to do something with them.
In keeping with the elegant Halloween evening theme, I decided some flowers were in order. And since flowers require a vase of some sort, my plastic bottles were about to get a new life.
Plastic Bottle Vase
For this craft you will need:
plastic bottles (I’m using six, but this could easily be done with two.)
washi tape
rubber band
bouquet of flowers
First, group your bottles together in the way you’d like your final vase to look. Place a large rubber band around all of the bottles. This will keep everything in place for the next step.
Then, grab your favorite colors of washi tape and start wrapping it around the grouping of bottles. I went with a uniform horizontal stripe pattern in varied colors. Use your imagination and get creative.
Next, fill each of your bottles with water.
Finally, tuck in your flowers.
What I really love about this vase is that it makes flower arranging super simple. If you are using a variegated bouquet, tuck a few of each color / type into each bottle. If you are using all of the same color / type, just tuck the same amount into each vase. It’s really that simple.
I think the resulting vase and arrangement is super special. You really wouldn’t even know they were plastic bottle until you closely inspected the vase.
After my vase was created, I quickly set the table to bring all of this awesomeness together.
Some gold flatware and brass candlesticks upped the elegant factor. Plus I included a few white mini-pumpkins for a festive Halloween touch!
With my Black Currant & Pear Martinis served and my arrangement in place, the table is complete.
There you have it! Three cocktails and a quick, easy, low cost vase! Which one of these cocktails sounds the yummiest to you?
This is a sponsored post thanks to my friends at Soda Stream. Remember, I only post about products or companies I love. All ideas and opinions are my own.
As you know, I’ve been talking all about home this month on IBC. I certainly hope you’re enjoying it! It’s been a fun challenge for me. In keeping with this month’s theme, today I’m going to share a DIY Vase, but I’m also throwing in three cocktail recipes! These recipes are all unique in that […]
I’ve been so excited to share today’s post with you. I’ve been working on this project for a couple weeks now. Not that it took that long to do, but it did require a little planning.
Before going any further, I must apologize because clearly the only creative thing my brain can come up with these days involves gold, candlesticks, or both. I promise that my brain will soon move beyond this type of project. In the meantime, please just enjoy these pretty candlesticks. (Plus, technically these aren’t gold, they are brass, so maybe I’m off the hook.)
Gorgeous, right? I can’t even. I was also so excited to set these up against my new wall color. It really made them pop!
You have probably noticed that gold and brass are back in a big way in home decor. I am completely obsessed with gold and couldn’t be more excited. Today I’m sharing a tutorial for an insanely easy way to give boring brass candlesticks new life with a little color. Plus, if you’re not so keen on brass yet (notice I said YET), this allows you to ease into the look with a little color for a modern touch.
Let me walk you through what I did.
Paint Dipped Brass Candlesticks
You will need:
brass candlesticks
spray paint (primer and color)
Bartender’s Friend Cleanser
brass polish
First, you’ll need brass candlesticks. Check your local thrift shop if you don’t already have some. I paid $.50 – $2.00 for each of mine. Not too shabby. I actually found all of them on eBay. More on that after the tutorial.
Most older brass candlesticks are designed so that each section screws off. I’m not sure why this was done, but it made this project that much easier. I decided to paint just the bottoms of my candlesticks for a dipped-in-paint-look. So, I began by unscrewing all of the bases. If for some reason your bases don’t screw off, just cover the areas you don’t want painted with painter’s tape.
Next, spray the bases with primer. I did the bottoms as well so that everything was covered. This really makes it look as if it was actually dipped in paint. Once everything is primed and dry, add your color. I used Krylon’s ColorMaster Satin paint in pistachio and jade.
As I always say with spray painting, take your time. Multiple thin coats will give you a much better look than one thick coat.
While your paint dries, polish the other parts of your brass candlesticks. I prefer brass to be as clean and shiny as possible. If you would rather have a nice patina, skip this step.
Start by scrubbing everything with Bartender’s Friend. Then follow the instructions on your brass polish to give the candlestick parts a really good shine. The combination of these two things will have your brass looking like gold!
Once everything is dry, screw the painted parts back onto the polished pieces and you are finished!
Now, tell me these don’t look sensational!
As I mentioned above, I’m especially loving the whole collection against my freshly painted fireplace wall. The color combination literally gives me goosebumps. This is a great project too because it’s completely customizable. You can paint whatever part of the candlestick you’d like with whatever color you want. I’m already thinking about making a few more – pink and red for the holidays.
I found all of these vintage brass candlesticks on eBay. You have probably noticed that I’ve been finding a lot of inspiration for my decor and designs from eBay. Remember all of the Christmas goodies I bought?
Recently I developed over 20 collections via eBay in an effort to inspire myself. I also wanted to give you an idea of where I find some of my treasures and why certain pieces stand out to me. I often read in the comments that people have difficulty finding pieces like I do. My goal was to bring these pieces to you.
I also have three collections to help deck the halls this holiday season. For this post, I have a collection of brass candlesticks, plus details on the cleaner and polish I used to get these pieces sparkling like diamonds! Beyond that, you’ll see so many other things that are IBC-inspired, including vintage glassware, must-have crafting supplies, air plants, and much much more! If you’re looking for inspiration or just wondering how I get inspired, this is one of the places to visit.
You can check out all of my collections here. You can follow along to keep up-to-date when I post new items or collections. How cool is that?! I’d love to know which one is your favorite or if there is a particular collection you’d like to see me curate. Let me know in the comments below.
I hope you loved this quick and easy tutorial and have been inspired to give it a try. Good luck!
My eBay collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay. As always, the thoughts and ideas are all my own. #FollowItFindIt
I’ve been so excited to share today’s post with you. I’ve been working on this project for a couple weeks now. Not that it took that long to do, but it did require a little planning. Before going any further, I must apologize because clearly the only creative thing my brain can come up with […]
Welcome back to my soon-to-be-office! I’ve made some progress with painting, so I thought I’d show you were I’m at.
First things first, the ceiling is finished. I think that is cause for a celebration! Ceiling painting is the worst. I also started repainting all of the gray walls. Can you tell that I change the color a bit? Originally, I planned to keep the same gray that was in the shop, but something was just off when I added the other colors to the space. It made that gray seem dingy. (I’ll show you in a second.)
Luckily, when I was waffling on this decision, Emily Henderson posted a room makeover on her blog. As soon as I saw the walls, I knew that was the color I needed. (You have to check out her design by the way; it’s amazing.) So, it was goodbye Heron Plume and hello Aloof Gray!
Well, I got this little area in the entryway painted – and the walls at the front of the office. Doesn’t it look fab? I’m immensely pleased with the results. It’s a cooler gray so it immediately brightened the space up. It also plays much nicer with the other colors in the room.
You’ll also notice a new countertop for my workstation. I ordered a butcher block countertop to give me more workspace and an even surface. The counter needs to be trimmed and stained and have brackets attached, but it’s been so handy having this extra space. I’ll share more on that when I get it completed. This is going to be my craft and entertaining superstation!
Okay, let’s check out the color. Ready?
Tada! I’m loving it! The wall to the left is Lighter Mint and the area above the fireplace is Larchmere. They just may be the happiest and most serene colors I’ve ever seen.
Please ignore the mess everywhere. Clearly nothing has a home. However, I did manage to throw together a mantle-scape for you. Oh snap!
You may remember that at the beginning of this project, I was slightly on the fence about these colors. That has changed. Now I am loving them. Plus they will work so nicely with the colors of the furnishings and accessories I’d like to bring into this space.
Light, bright, and happy
But don’t let these pictures fool you. The painting is not complete. As you can see, the back area of the room still needs attention. I should be able to wrap it up in an afternoon, but I’ll be traveling over this next week so it will have to wait.
I’m just dying to know. – What do you think of the new colors?
Welcome back to my soon-to-be-office! I’ve made some progress with painting, so I thought I’d show you were I’m at. First things first, the ceiling is finished. I think that is cause for a celebration! Ceiling painting is the worst. I also started repainting all of the gray walls. Can you tell that I change […]
