faux 'jadeite' pumpkin paint tutorial

i don't collect jadeite - real OR faux - but i love it!
the pretty seafoam - mint - jade greens of jadeite dishes and cookware
remind me of the color of our Shasta trailer (see my last post!)
and because of that, i've found these greens combine well with ANY color.

in late August i picked up a ceramic pumpkin mug at Dollar Tree,
and decided to try my hand at re-creating the luminous look of jadeite -
with paint.

and it worked! 
continue reading for my color-matching process and paint tutorial...

Pyrex pattern Easter eggs

these happy Easter eggs were inspired by vintage Pyrex bowls
AND by two previous projects i've created inspired by them.

'inspiration comes from everywhere' is a phrase many creatives use.
it's certainly true for me, as well as 'inspiration comes from nature'.
another source of inspiration for me is my own previous projects.
i love using similar concepts and elements from my stash
to create new 'home decor that's not from a store' in different seasons!

i hope you enjoy my last Easter decor project this year!
be a good egg and continue reading for a really easy tutorial...

Easter egg mushrooms!

my last post for  March Mushroom Madness  
wraps up with this creation... just in time for Easter!

why not decorate for spring with mushrooms, along with the bunnies and eggs?
ah, but these are no ordinary mushrooms - these are made from eggs!
you can use REAL eggshells, as i did, or simple plastic eggs to get this whimsical result.

(i know, eggs are really pricy right now! i always save the shells to use in my garden,
but i'm always happy to turn 'trash' into 'treasure' via crafting!)

 continue reading to see how easy they are to create...

cozy yarn winter flowers

it's still winter, and i'm staying warm in my studio

while working on some new spring decor projects for future posts...

but in the meantime,
i'd love to share one last winter project to finish off February!

i'm calling these 'yarn flowers', made by combining winter elements

with a few stems of faux flowers to create this fun bouquet. 

(and yes, my new favorite loopy white yarn IS in there!)
it's an easy, creative way to add some whimsy to these cold days...

continue reading to see the details...

boho chic: embellished hats

i know, i know... a fashion accessory isn't exactly within my purview here at homewardFOUND.
but if you hang it on a wall or a door, it's decor. wink.

i recently dolled up one of my straw hats to wear to a party at the beach,
and it was so easy and so much fun that i decided to share it here on the blog.
i have a feeling you'll be inspired to make your own -
for your head, or as a perfect summer home accent!

continue reading to see how easy it is to embellish a straw hat for summer...

Valentine's Day Projects + Tutorials

looking for some 'fast, cheap, & easy' TM ideas + inspiration

for making Valentine's Day gifts + decor using what you already have?

you'll find tutorials and photos for my TOP TEN best-selling and most popular original projects

- plus two inspiring valentine party themes - in the homewardFOUND blog archives. 

i've pulled the links all together here to make it easy for you ;)

TUTORIALS:
giant L O V E letter tiles  

embellished vintage bottles . wrapped glass vases

paper swedish hearts . paper flower heart

sweet pincushions . fabric sweet hearts  

  sweet gift tags  . heart gift tags  . charm bracelet

PARTY INSPIRATION:
sweet treat party decor . sweethearts soiree

have fun makin'! 

shared online:

funky junk interiors | diy salvaged junk projects #414

Tutorial: Faux Spring Blossoms

i don't know what kind of weather you are dealing with, my friends, 

but it's so hot here in SoCal that Mother Nature is reeeeeeeally confused...

the question seems to be 'to bloom or not to bloom' 

because it's not quite clear whether it's late winter, early spring, or full-blown summer.

(Olaf the snowman would love it here right now!)
in other areas, some of you poor souls are dealing with BELOW ZERO temps!

for those of us who are looking for some evidence of spring, i have a trick to share:

forget nature. make your OWN spring blossoms!!!

continue reading for my easy tutorial...

Have a Heart!

happy february, everyone!

five years ago, i shared a project here on the homewardFOUND blog
that began with a simple wood moss-filled garden planter.
 click here to see the planter-turned-door wreath post

i found another way to use that wood planter:
i decided to re-create the look of a floral heart using PAPER!
it was simple enough to cut petals and leaves and spirals out of old sheet music + school paper,
to fold and bend and twist them into shape, gluing them along the way,
and then to tuck them into the chicken-wire of the planter.

these flowers are so simple to make... just remember your kindergarten 'cut & paste' skills,
maybe even enlist some kids to help!

continue reading for more details...

a Heartful Welcome

this is a simple way to welcome your guests as spring arrives!

Bowl 'Em Over!

today i'm sharing a crazy repurposed decor idea

that will really SCORE:

 

use a bowling ball as a flower vase!

* start with a spiffy bowling ball, like the HOT PINK one shown above

or spray paint one in any color you want!

clean it up with windex, and then rub just a drop of olive oil into it

so it shines!

* sit the ball on top of a vase, urn, planter, or other object that will hold it in place

[you really don't want a heavy bowling ball 

to roll off of your table]

either use a heavy base, or fill it with sand or stones to weight it.

* make sure that the three fingerholes on the ball are facing upward.

place three plastic floral tubes down into the three holes

and add water - fill them about halfway

then insert your cut flower stems...

 flowers from the grocery store or the roadside are PERFECT for this -

we're not talking long-stemmed red roses for this look!

* you could also insert long taper candles into the floral tubes without water,

making the bowling ball a candleholder instead!

and that's all there is to it:

a fun, fast, inexpensive centerpiece or accent

that will literally BOWL THEM OVER!

shared online:

(2021) funky junk interiors | diy salvaged junk projects #563