SPRING: Easy Crepe Paper Spring Leaves

..

Spring cleaning gets me into trouble...
I unearth things I have forgotten about, the Muses jump into action with ideas, and the next thing you know, Deb is busily crafting something instead of cleaning something. Anyone else out there fall victim to this malady?! 

As I pulled a box off of the shelf in my closet studio, a roll of bright chartreuse green crepe paper fell on my head. (The Muses are not concerned with niceties when they want my attention.) I sat it on another shelf, turned around, bumped a small branch lying on the closet floor - and the roll of crepe paper fell off of the other shelf to land right next to the branch. I kid you not! 

The unruly Muses put an idea into my head, and I gave up on cleaning to give that idea a tryout. It worked, was FAST, and so I'm sharing it here in this unplanned blog post! (It's the first day of Spring, which I assume is why the Muses are in action)

Continue reading to see how to bring a touch of spring to your decor in a jiffy - even if the trees aren't budding where you are...

SPRING: A Portable Potting Table

..

You just never know what you can do with a piece of junk!

I found a vintage wood ironing board really cheap about a year ago at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in my area. I happily forked over FIVE DOLLARS for it and hauled it home, knowing that I would come up with a plan for it eventually. 

Even before I had a plan for how I would USE it, I knew how I wanted to spiff it up: Paint, of course... so I painted it. Last year. Since then, it's been folded up and leaning against the wall in my studio, only pressed into service - pun intended! - when I set it up to help store the elements of last year's holiday projects while I was photographing them. 

I recently began working on our backyard, doing all of the spring cleaning and prep for new plants - and that's when I decided that it would work splendidly as a portable potting table! And it couldn't have been easier...

Spring Inspiration for March 🌱

D is for Daffodil. And Delight. And Deb!
This month, in honor of my birthday, I'm sharing some of my favorite things about Spring with you...

I've included a lot of references to flowers to get you into a springtime mood. I'll be picking up some bunches of daffodils and a basil plant at Trader Joe's, as well as wandering through some plant nurseries and garden centers, selecting annual herbs for our garden. 

There's also some beautiful music, a few inspiring quotes, a candle that I can smell even when it's not burning, a sip of something delicious, places I love visiting in springtime, and of course a few decorating ideas and tutorials to help you bring spring inside your home right now... 

WINTER | SPRING: Easy DIY Yarn Nest

 .

After Valentine's Day, some people leave their red and pink heart decor up until the end of the month. Others remove theirs and bring in spring decor. Which do you do? I didn't decorate for Valentine's Day this year, but wanted to have something that bridges the 'winter to spring' season we are in right now...

This week has been filled with cold, windy, wet, rainy days here in So Cal, with a few 'sunbreaks' along the way. It feels very much like Winter, but I'm still hanging on for springtime to arrive soon... and I love using nests in my spring decor. So I chose to create a cozy 'wintery' nest in the easiest possible way!

Continue reading to see how insanely FAST & EASY this project is, along with some tips on how to style it...

Winter Inspiration for February 💗

February has become synonymous with romance, love, hearts, Valentines, and cupids. While we're still in the depths of winter, the focus on 'love' brings hope and warmth, guiding us toward connection.

I recently learned something about this month's history, and it led me to an expanded understanding of what the end of the winter season has to teach us... but I still don't get why February isn't pronounced the way it is spelled!

Continue reading for what's inspiring me in this last month of winter... 
(links included for your convenience, they are not paid ads)

Why It Matters to Me to Speak Now

Life is NOT normal in the United States of America anymore, 
and I can't pretend that it IS.

I can't craft my way out of this overwhelming fear or decorate my way out of this daily anxiety. I can't post uplifting quotes any longer, or draft a blog post to 'inspire' anyone. That worked for me in 2020 during the pandemic shutdown... but it won't work now.

Before I attempt to share anything else here, I am compelled to share my thoughts on what is happening. 

You don't have to agree with me, but I have to speak up about this. Now. Here.

Because at this point, staying silent seems like complicity and consent. And I most definitely do not consent to the direction our nation is heading. 

There are many reasons why I am sharing this now. Keep reading to find out one of the most important ones... saved here on the blog in a permanent page. If you wish to know how I feel, and why, click to read more.

~ Deb