Nostalgic Back to School Decor

I recently ran across some old photos that brought a past project to mind,
and it's PERFECT for 'Back to School' celebrating!
.

I don't know about you, but for ME, this time of year seems to stir faint memories of 

the smell of sharpened pencils and new paper

the need of a new tote bag, backpack, or lunch pail

wistful reactions to hearing school recess bells ring

and children laughing on the playground

hearing marching bands practice on the field

using typewriter fonts

and other nostalgic impressions.

Whether or not you have kids heading back to school right now,

it's pretty easy to pull together some items in a small display or tablescape

that will say 'back to school' in a whisper of neutral tones.

( If you want it to SHOUT, use bright color! )

I created this vignette in about five minutes,

by simply rummaging through my office and finding some things 

that could pass as 'school supplies':

a metal locker basket

two metal lunchpails

a small metal chalkboard

rulers and yardsticks

a large canvas satchel bag

a small metal memo board, magnet, and sheet music

a vintage vocabulary card that I treasure

 a tin can vase

scissors & pencils

a paperweight

several books in neutral tones
(total disclosure: they aren't school books - or even really old!

Two are Bibles. One is a library book. the other is a paper brochure. ;) )

The thing is, it's about creating a MOOD, a LOOK - by using what you have on hand!
If you have great vintage items, use 'em!

But if you don't, don't fret -

you'll be surprised at what you can create using everyday stuff from your desk, too!

Case in point:
I wish I had more pencils to fill up this vase, but I really don't USE pencils.
So I don't HAVE pencils, and that's ok - 

even though my designer eye wants to see a vase brimming with pencils.
Maybe I'll hit the Dollar Tree store and buy a pack for a buck. Maybe I won't. 

But I'll enjoy this little scene either way!

You can see my fave vocabulary card here, too - the back side says "Embellish". ;)
I've had that for about ten years now.

continue reading for more - in a darling vintage kitchen!

Save Vacation Finds in a NeSt

As Summer winds down and I am enjoying my social media break,
I thought I'd send you a 'postcard' of sorts...
with an idea for preserving your summer vacation memories.

I don't know how I started this practice, but years ago, I began making 

Found Item NeSts
(and no, I don't know why I capitalize it that way, either!)

When on vacation or even a day trip,
I'd pick up shells and sea glass at the shore, 

or tiny pinecones and feathers and leaves in the mountains,

and then find long grass nearby to weave into a nest.

The NeSt shown below also contained a wine cork, 

since the day had been spent celebrating a special occasion.
You can put anything into a nest!

The collected items would then go into the nest for display,

giving smaller items a lot more presence so that they were more noticeable on a shelf or table.

To my amazement, the nests never lost the smell of their place of origin -

salty sea air or pungent pine forests -

adding another level of enjoyment to them.

I've also made NeSts to observe each season of the year,

gathering up tiny mementoes of spring or fall  

like dried daffodil blooms and little russet leaves to place into the nests,

then displaying them on my mantel or entryway table...

I previously shared a simple tutorial for making a NeSt here,

where you'll see that this project isn't time-consuming or difficult at all...

a perfectly relaxing 'last day of vacation' craft!

It's truly a simple way to gather items from nature that will enhance your home

and bring sweet memories to mind whenever you see it.

Another easy idea for preserving vacation memories:

I also gather a small bit of sand from the beaches I visit, 

then place it into tiny jars with tags identifying the beach.
This would work with rocks, tiny shells, cones, and leaves, as well.
And the bottles don't have to be expensive or antique - 

in this photo, you can see that I used an empty Starbucks Frappacino bottle

and even salt & pepper shaker bases!

shared online:

Yesterday on Tuesday | Project Inspire{d}


Practically Functional | Creativity Unleashed