10.24.2023
easy 'dot' candy pumpkins
10.10.2023
have a ball with these pumpkins!
3.24.2022
paint palette eggs!
this one came to me one day while i was going through my bins of spring decor.
back in 2020 i made some simple Easter eggs with varied finishes on them,
and as i saw those in the bin, i realized that their shape was very much like
the paint palettes that artists use... and a new creative idea was born!
10.29.2021
last-minute 'pumpkin party' decor
here's an example of the crazy ways things connect in my brain:
while in the process of cleaning up my studio
(an Herculean task, let me tell you....)
i found a plastic bag filled with some yellow paper party supplies
that i had picked up while out thrifting - and promptly forgot about!
the paper goods were immediately removed from the bag,
so i wouldn't forget about them again - i'm in that drawer at least once a day.
just hours later, i scrolled through social media and saw a photo of a big fat bow,
thought 'that's cute', and kept scrolling. then i stopped.
in my mind, the big fat cute bow merged with the paper party supplies,
and became 'a pumpkin party' in my imagination...
pumpkins bedecked with ribbons and bows in a 'party' setting.
the combination of the two - plus some stickers and more party decor -
turned out cheerful, happy, and so easy to create
and it took me just minutes to assemble the vignette shown above...
which makes it a PERFECT last minute decor idea,
and a great 'no carve' pumpkin decorating project for kids.
continue reading for the details...
10.26.2021
give 'em pumpkin to talk about!
they're a bit different that what that word might cause you to expect...
because they are all for pumpkins!
i dressed up my white pumpkins in hats, glasses, bow ties, lacy ruffs, masks, crowns,
and one spectacular wig.
they're ready for the costume parade - and they serve as great inspiration
if you're still looking for last-minute decor ideas!
continue reading to see how i raided the costume box and dressed up my punkies!
10.19.2021
decorate pumpkins with stickers!
7.27.2021
yarn + twine pineapples
(shared in my last post - link below)
i came up with a few more ideas for easy-peasy pineapple crafts...
continue reading for the two-step tutorial -
PLUS another way to make a 'sweater' pineapple!
7.06.2021
Sweet Sweater Scoops!
6.28.2021
sunny paint palette wall art
i know, we're barely into summer vacay. but i know kids!
if you're looking for simple, cheap, 'trash to treasure' craft projects to keep 'em busy,
3.19.2021
pop art paper posies!

a recent creative challenge i am part of called for participants to share
how we've invoked the spirit of spring in our art.
then i thought of another idea, and wanted to play with it...
since i love making somethin' outta' nuthin', i chose to use plain cardstock paper!
the result of my afternoon 'playtime with paper, paste and scissors' is something
that reminds me for all the world of pop art, like Andy Warhol's famous pixilated works.
it also makes me think of the art of Sina Trixx, an inventive design firm
(view their astounding pop art architectural creations on Instagram)
can black + white evoke springtime? yes!
continue reading to see how...
11.30.2020
paint chip advent calendar
i've used paint chip squares, since they coordinate with my theme this year,
but other easy ways to create something similar include manila tags and post-it notes!
the process is very easy - everyone can get in on the fun!
continue reading for the how-to and suggestions for personalizing an advent calendar...
9.21.2020
'paint chip' painted pumpkins

three styrofoam pumpkins were easily painted in the same style as paint chips,
continue reading for tips on how to make these easy painted pumpkins...
9.14.2020
paper 'paint chip' pumpkins

these happy pumpkins sprang into my head one night,
last spring, i shared a few projects that are based on paint chips.
i then came up with a way to make my OWN paint 'chips': paint them on paper!
not only is it a perfect way to get the right colors for a specific use,
(frequently!) or needs a do-over (sometimes!).
.
continue reading for details on making your own painted paint chip paper
9.10.2020
3 upcycled paint palette ideas
it's a magical substance that can easily and inexpensively change everything it touches.
want a dark room to seem more light and spacious? paint it a light hue.
want a damaged piece of stained wood furniture to look fresh and new? paint it.
want to create stunning decor in a room without spending a lot? paint a mural or wallpaper effect.
i've been painting things all of my life, and along the way, i've learned a few things...
like supplies for painting & crafting don't have to be new and from the art supply store.
just like in diy home decor, it's easy to upcycle / repurpose household items!
continue reading for my top three ideas for paint palettes...
4.03.2020
NEW! Sweet Sweater Bunny Tails!
introducing the springtime creation that has evaded me for years:
Sweet Sweater Bunny Tails!
including a pink sweater Santa hat!
using the same method as my famous Sweet Sweater Pumpkins, it all came together fast.
i actually spent more time snapping photos and editing them than making the bunny tails!
continue reading to see just how quickly you can make these for Easter...
4.01.2020
easter eggs on parade
i hope you'll enjoy this slideshow of Easter egg decorating ideas
for more inspiration,
3.24.2020
paint chip easter eggs - over easy!
3.20.2020
painting the daffies yellow!
3.16.2020
the art of nesting
as part of our newly-required 'social distancing' practices,
we're all spending more time at home right now.
the organizing & purging that we began with gusto in January
has become a flurry of cleaning & disinfecting in March.
confession: i am not a person who loves cleaning. i DO it, of course,
but my main motivation has always been that i clean the house so i can decorate the house.
restyling. refreshing. we sometimes call this 'nesting'.
mama's about to have babies do this. newlyweds do this.
and sometimes, angry/frustrated people do this.
(deb raises her hand).
yeah, i'm one o' THOSE people. i clean like a banshee when i am mad or feel out of control.
the physical activity - and the loud music i play as i engage in it - really can help re-set my mood.
plus it accomplishes something good (a clean house), so it isn't wasted energy.
i think this applies when we are a bit scared and uncertain, too...
cleaning, conquering clutter, completing a project, expressing some creativity
are positive things we can do with the pent-up energy that threatens to overwhelm us.
in times of stress (like we're all experiencing right now), it can be helpful
to set ourselves to the task of gaining some control over a part of our lives, like our homes.
and yes, that includes crafting and creating and decorating -
all facets of 'the art of nesting'.
these pursuits can re-set our mindset and give us a respite in the midst of chaos.
it can help us engage our brains in a positive thought pattern -
and if you have littles at home, you can teach them how to focus on what is possible
rather than on limitations.
in light of that, i've been puttering around the house as i clean,
and decided to update & refresh a few projects from the past.
since my whole 'thing' here at homewardFOUND is 'use what you already have'
i looked around at my stash and found a way to freshen up an original project
that i created over a decade ago. it needed a facelift. and so did i!
the creative process made me smile (the best kind of facelift) as i was working on this,
and now the finished product makes our home smile with its presence...
a good reminder that old can be made new, new approaches can be taken,
new things can be accomplished. at any time.
i think NOW is a good time to put those principles into practice, don't you?
continue reading for a colorful re-furb and a link to my nest-making tutorial...
3.02.2020
paint chip shamrocks!
so now i can divulge the second decor project that i came up with
after creating my 'painted paint chip' paper <<< click for tutorial
(this project was actually the REASON i came up with that alternative to using actual paint chips)
inspired by my own pink 'paint chip hearts' shared back in February,
i tweaked that process to make shamrocks to decorate with, in honor of St. Patricks' Day -
and it's SO easy, even your kids can do this!
continue reading for an easy-peasy spring decor craft that your little leprechauns will love...