Category: DIY


Mar
2022

DIY Lantern Using Photo Frames

categories: DIY, Spring

First of all, you all know just how much I love a really good DIY project.

That is exactly what I will be sharing with you today.

A lantern made from Dollar Tree photo frames, and some inexpensive wood plaques, from Hobby Lobby.

These frames, with the little detail around the edges, did prompt me to try this project.

To start, I removed the backing and glass from the frames, and painted them.

Although they were already white, I used white chalk paint so I would have a uniform finish on all pieces of this project.

When dry, using E6000 glue, I glued the frames together, one by one, making a box.

After an hour or so, when I knew the frames were secured, I replaced the glass using a bit of E6000 glue along the inside of the frames.

Paint all the wood plaques after sanding any rough spots.

Play with the sizes of plagues you use to get the look you want.

I used two plagues on the top, one smaller than the other, and one for the base.

To finish, I glued the two plaques for the top together, and screwed on a gold handle before gluing to the frames.

I love a little gold on my white pieces.

You will notice on the bottom, I placed a plague but did not glue it to the base, so I will have access to the inside of the lantern.

I love the simple look of using a white candle, but there are so many ways to decorate a lantern, especially for each season.

Be sure that you always use battery operated candles in this lantern.

My lantern is clean, bright, and simple.

It’s beautiful!

Lanterns can be used in so many ways, in almost every room, painted in the colors you love.

If you are looking for a DIY project for spring, this would be a good one.

Gather up some frames, have some fun!

Blessings!


Mar
2022

Spring Brings Hope

categories: DIY, Family, Spring

“Wait. Be Patient.

The storm will pass.

The spring will come.”

-Robert Shuller

It has been a tough five months, but we have made it through all the tests and doctor appointments, CT scans, and my husband’s three surgeries.

The outcome is positive and we are very hopeful.

Taking one day at a time, we survived the dark winter days.

Today, I know spring is on the way.

Just as the crocus come through the snow, our lives are showing signs of spring.

Yes, spring is coming.

Saturday we sat outside together on our crooked back porch.

The weather was 73 and beautiful.

Hopefully, just the beginning of warm days.

I also spent some time working on bringing a bit of spring into my home.

Using frames I already had, I simply printed out copies of spring flowers I found on Pinterest, beautiful cherry blossoms.

My sweet brother was the inspiration for this project.

When he texts me he attaches photos of flowers, all kinds, all colors.

It took very little time to finish this project, and now I have added spring colors and brightness to my living room.

Artwork is pricey, this is an inexpensive way to change art in your home.

Folks, we made it through five months of living in fear, but it is over.

Spring is coming and bringing with it hope.

Love to all for your prayers.

Until next time.


Feb
2022

“Love”-ly Valentine’s Day Heart Projects

categories: Crafts, DIY, Valentine's Day

Today I want to share a few simple and easy Valentine’s Day DIY decorations.

I realize lots of folks do not decorate for Valentine’s Day, but for me, it is fun to have a few special decorations out for this one special “love” day.

A reminder in my home of just how much love I have in my life.

This $1 store unfinished hanging heart has turned out to be one of my favorite Valentine’s Day projects.

It was just oh so easy to put together.

I printed some floral paper on my computer, traced around each section of the heart, and cut them out.

Using Mod Podge, I applied the paper pieces to the heart, and replaced the jute twine with pink ribbon to hang.

That was it!

It is so “love”-ly.

A piece to pack up and bring out every year.

Another $1 store find were these paper mache heart boxes.

These paper boxes have a vintage inspired feeling to me and are so fun to decorate.

My boxes are simple. Simple is the look I love in most everything.

I painted my boxes white and added some Valentine decals.

Using the same floral paper I used on the wood heart, I covered the top of another.

Perfect little gifts when filled with chocolates.

I have a childhood memory of a large ornate heart candy box my Momma kept and filled with bits of little things when the chocolates were gone.

Hope you all have a few heart treasures out in your homes, or maybe just take a few minutes to think about Valentine’s Day memories through the years.

Love to all of you!


Jan
2022

Heart Button Pillow

categories: Crafts, DIY

Sunday was my birthday!

It was snowing, and with Covid crazy in my state, celebrating out was not an option.

So I spent my day with my son and husband, inside, by the fire.

We celebrated with warm brownies and ice cream, yummy!

Decided to start a project that has been on my list of things to try, a heart pillow, using old buttons.

I love old buttons!

My Momma and Grandmother both had button boxes.

I don’t think they ever discarded an old worn out garment without removing the buttons first.

Using a plain small pillow cover, old white and cream colored buttons from my stash, a heart template, and a hot glue gun, I started.

I traced the heart on the pillow and started gluing on the buttons.

One by one I glued the buttons around the heart pattern.

I continued gluing buttons until the heart was full.

It was like putting a puzzle together, choosing the right button for each spot.

I was totally amazed just how great the glue worked.

This is going to be a decorative pillow with little or no use, so I felt good about using glue.

No way could I sew on each one!

I tried pulling the buttons off and it was very hard to do.

To fill in some gaps I even glued a second layer of buttons in spots.

A birthday gift to myself.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Look at the yellow pillow on my sofa, see the buttons, love them.

It was a great birthday, lots of love and heartfelt messages from friends, and my beautiful family, I love them all so much.

Hugs.


Jan
2022

A Winter Craft on a Cold Day

categories: Crafts, DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

We had our first bit of snow this past week and the temps have been so very cold.

Brrrrr……….

On one of these stay inside days I tried a snowman project that I have seen on Pinterest for many winters, painting a cute snowman face on burlap.

I had all of the items needed.

A thrift store frame, a piece of burlap, scissors, Mod Podge, craft paint, and brushes.

I cut a piece of burlap to fit the glass on the frame, added a coat of Mod Podge to it, and then the burlap piece. This holds the burlap in place and stops it from fraying on the edges.

I drew a snowman face on the burlap and painted.

First the white for the face, and then the black hat.

I drew the mouth with a black marker, added a nose, and of course painted it orange.

When completely dry I added a piece of ribbon to the hat and two button eyes.

Pained the frame black to finish up the project.

Seriously, how cute is he?

Just perfect to keep out during the winter to hang in a special small space.

I have a confession about this project that I want to share.

When I had finished the entire piece, I somehow dropped black paint on the burlap, so to cover up my boo boo I added another piece of plaid ribbon across the burlap to hide my paint accident.

Is that being creative? I don’t know, but it saved all my work and my sweet snowman project.

Love my snowman burlap picture. It was so much fun!

Hope you all stay warm.

Until my next post!

Blessings.


Oct
2021

Halloween Paper Crafts

categories: Crafts, DIY

Sunday was a rainy, cold, and gloomy day.

A perfect day to stay home, stay warm, and be creative.

With hot cocoa in my pumpkin mug, I gathered all my Halloween papers and images to make some spooky cards.

Cards can be very expensive, so making my own not only saves money, but allows me to make unique, one of a kind greetings.

I search online, especially Pinterest, to find and print images for my cards.

Using colored cardstock, scissors. glue, and my paper cutter, I start creating.

It is so fun to see how each simple card turns out.

I love to add a little something to seal each envelope too!

Many times I add crazy puzzles inside along with the cards.

I believe as we grow older we need some sillies in our lives.

As I create, I think of childhood Halloween memories.

My cards are ready to mail, I hope those who receive them love them!


Oct
2021

Decoupaged Pumpkins

categories: Autumn, Crafts, DIY

Sunday was such a beautiful day.

I sat on my back porch, no shoes, with the warm sun on my feet, just relaxing after returning from several days away with my family.

Any amount of time I spend with family fills my heart with joy.

There were lots of routine chores that needed to be done, but not on that day.

I decided to set up shop on my porch, so I could enjoy the day, and work on a fall project that has been on my list, decoupaged pumpkins.

I found these beautiful fall napkins at TJ Maxx. They had the perfect colors and floral images I was looking for to try this project.

Using faux pumpkins I purchased at the end of the season last year, I painted the pumpkins with white chalk paint first. I used chalk paint but you can use any craft paint you have on hand.

While my pumpkins were drying, I cut out images from the napkins.

You will need to separate them from 2 ply to only 1 ply to decoupage.

Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the pumpkin, large enough for you image, apply and smooth out with your fingers.

Smoothing out all the wrinkles can be tricky, but remember it doesn’t need to be perfect.

I continued adding the tissue pieces all around the pumpkins.

When dried, I added a coat of Mod Podge to each pumpkin to seal.

They turned out so good!

The colors are so bright and I feel I added just the right amount of cutouts.

Simple, not so cluttered.

I am looking forward to using them in my home each year.

Hope you all are doing a bit of fall decorating and crafting.

Enjoy these beautiful fall days before they are gone.

Blessings, until my next post.


Aug
2021

A Place for my Journals

categories: DIY, Flea Market Finds/Thrifting

Hi there!

I have been busy for the past three weeks working on a family gathering with my sister.

We decided on a circus theme with booths, games, prizes for adults and kids.

It was a success, so much fun for all.

But when one event ends in life we begin something else, so I am back to working on my projects and my blog.

The wannabe art teacher in me loves anything chalkboard, which is probably why I picked up this $2.00 bargain at the thrift store.

I have been needing a place for all my journals and notebooks, and this seemed like it would be perfect.

After cleaning thoroughly, I painted the entire piece including the chalkboard section.

I decided to cover up the chalkboard section with scrapbook paper.

Selected a soft print, cut to size, and used my Mod Podge to apply.

I finished my piece off with an old wood knob painted black.

This piece is perfect on my desk, and there is lots of room to hold all my journals, and more.

Writing in a journal is something I try to do every single day.

Just a few sentences, especially before bed, writing of my day.

The blessings, the ups and downs, with hopefully no sadness.

Giving thanks to God for all.

I feel happy that I am back to my blog, sharing simple projects with you.

Blessings to all on this Monday morning.


Jul
2021

Trying Something New

categories: 4th of July, Crafts, DIY

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Ours was quiet.

We had all the usual yummy cookout food and watched some neighborhood fireworks from our back porch.

I did make some super easy cupcake toppers.

I found this American flag on Pinterest, downsized it, and printed some on my printer.

Cut out two together, folded over, and glued them to a toothpick.

They added a bit of fun red, white, and blue to our table.

As the title of my post states, I did try something new this weekend.

I made some citronella candles for our porch.

It all started with these cute pots I found for less than a dollar each at my local Meijer’s store.

I ordered a candle making kit on Amazon, soy wax pellets, and some essential oils.

There are many different kits available for many different prices.

I have never made candles before and I was surprised just how easy it was to do.

My kit had everything I needed, a melting pot, wicks and stickers to hold them in place, and a metal guide to keep the wicks straight when pouring the wax.

They came out perfect.

I added lemon eucalyptus oil and citronella oil drops to my melted wax.

I read someplace that lemon also helps to keep the bugs away.

The pots are the perfect size to place around outside.

I love them and will for sure make more.

How fun it will be to make them in different containers.

It always makes me feel so good to learn something new.

Blessings and love to all!


Jul
2021

A Simple 4th of July Wreath

categories: 4th of July, DIY

Hey folks, hope you all are ready for the holiday weekend.

Are you showing some red, white, and blue around your home to celebrate our country’s birthday?

I am sure lots of families will gather now that most are vaccinated and feeling safe.

Today I am sharing a very simple 4th of July wreath.

Using a styrofoam wreath, red, white, and blue pinwheels, a glue gun, and less than 30 minutes of your time to put together.

I had the pinwheels from a past 4th of July event, but I am sure any dollar store sells them.

The wreaths are available at Michaels or Hobby Lobby.

The first step was to remove the sticks from the pinwheels.

I then added glue to the back of each pinwheel and pressed them down on the wreath.

In my case, I alternated the red and blue pinwheels all around the wreath.

That it!

So simple and festive for your front door, or any place in your home.

Love it!

Enjoy all the good food, fireworks, and everything red, white, and blue that this weekend brings.

Happy Birthday America!

See you all next time!