3.22.2024
create a living nest
2.02.2024
'moss' heart topiary
as i was creating the large faux 'moss' heart in my last post,
i unearthed some small plastic hearts that i had previously painted.
(those posts are linked below this one)
i decided to recreate them to coordinate with the larger 'moss' heart.
covering these lil' hearts with moss-like green yarn and fuzzy fabric was easy,
then i turned one of them into a tiny topiary.
continue reading for an easy tutorial...
1.26.2024
plant a faux 'moss' heart
even though i'm not focused on creating for a specific 'holiday' now,
moss is a hot home decor trend this winter
and is showing up in many spring decor collections online...
from sculptures and floral designs to very large framed art pieces made of moss.
and with a lot less mess!
continue reading to see more details and my big 'secret' for moss...
5.24.2023
crepe paper dandelions
with Memorial Day coming up this weekend, many parties are being planned...
from backyard bashes to pool parties to picnics in the park.
that last one gave me an idea for a tablescape/party theme
and i'm revisiting a past project as part of it.
last spring, i participated in an art challenge on Instagram,
and making a paper dandelion was one of my entries.
today i'm sharing the easy process with you,
along with inspiration for a fun summery table decor idea!
continue reading for my easy tutorial...
4.19.2023
junky bloomz!
3.29.2023
garden light mushrooms
this last one is kinda' sneaked into the blog lineup...
perfect for your yard OR indoors, these mushrooms lamps
are whimsical ways to repurpose household items
while you light up your summer evenings.
continue reading to see what inspired them and my easy tutorial...
3.06.2023
pyrex glass bowl mushrooms
so let's continue with my
March Mushroom Madness!
sent me a surprise package containing two darling vintage-inspired versions
of Pyrex' 'Butterfly Gold' pattern.
I LOVE THEM! i love them so much they became 'Pyrex Pumpkins' last fall.
and this spring, they've been transformed into Pyrex Mushrooms!
there's not a lot of technical 'tutorial' involved, but
continue reading to see some of my tips for making your own versions...
2.25.2023
my FAVE spring decor projects
and it feels a bit like winter is never going to end,
it's time to start the spring season decorating!
looking back, i'm honestly surprised by
how many ways i've refreshed my homes at springtime over the years...
some of those projects have been successful in more than one home
continue reading for some of my FAVE past spring decor projects!
5.31.2022
what i did with all of my May flowers!
i decided that i wanted to enjoy them a bit longer...
so i combined almost all of them into one big flower arrangement!
but that's not all i included.
continue reading to see some interesting things tucked in with those flowers...
5.30.2022
May flowers: art challenge recap
the #flowermonth2022 challenge on Instagram
was sponsored by three artists,
with thousands of creative people around the globe participating.
each interpreted the prompts - an alphabetical listing of flowers -
in their own style and method.
it has proved to be not just a fun exercise for me,
but also an educational experience,
as i've seen many variations on the themes in many different art mediums.
my own creations for this challenge
were all made from materials & elements that i have here at home -
scrap paper, paint, paint pens, colored pencils, felt pens, fabric, gift wrap,
wood blocks, vintage crepe paper, tissue paper, wire, sweaters, yarn,
vintage jewelry, sewing pins, even plastic parts from dollar store flowers.
it quickly expanded to a plan for 14 blooms -
continue reading to see all 15 floral creations from my studio...
5.26.2022
May flowers: yarrow & zinnia
i don't have enough time left in the month to add more posts,
so this one is doing double duty.
the two last letters of the floral alphabet challenge - Y and Z -
just finished up on Instagram,
and i made a Yarrow blossom and some Zinnia blooms...
continue reading to see the easy ways i created these flowers
using everyday materials here in my studio...
5.07.2022
May flowers: gerbera
5.04.2022
May flowers: daffodil, daisy & dandelion
and thought i'd share them here, as well!
5.02.2022
May flowers: buttercup
5.01.2022
'month of flowers' May art challenge
3.31.2022
daffodil sun catchers
i have loved them since i was a little Debby,
and saw the happy, silly, bobbing heads in Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland' -
'Daffy O'Dill' made me laugh!
later in life, William Wordsworth's poem about dancing daffodils enchanted me,
and when i first saw hundreds of acres of daffodil fields in Washington's Skagit Valley,
my eyes filled with tears at the beautiful sight.
i used to visit those fields every March when i lived nearby.
now i take any chance i can to find other ways to enjoy daffies in spring -
even if i have to make it myself!
this simple craft project combines the sparkle of light via crystals with silk flowers,
and is a lovely way to add some spring fresh style to any room.
continue reading for my easy tutorial...
10.15.2021
repurposed planter pumpkins
it's more like an 'arrangement' project.
it's just stacking things together to make pumpkins!
SO easy - and flexible.
it will work in any color, any size, any style:
i'm into a black and white (with accents of yellow!) palette this fall,
but these would be elegant in gold & white, mod in chrome silver and white,
boho chic in terra cotta, and traditional in varied orange tones.
continue reading for the details - and more ideas!
9.07.2021
floral painted pumpkins
i recently went thrifting in Palm Springs
and found some beautiful vintage china with yellow roses and gray & brown leaves.
the moment i saw them, i pictured a new version of a project that i created last fall:
last November, i painted some of my ceramic pumpkins
with floral motifs that matched my brown English Staffordshire china collection:
they were a HUGE hit on social media (thank you all!)
and even won a creative 'pumpkin decor' challenge!
last year i also painted some mini pumpkins with the Jewel Tea 'Autumn Leaf' pattern
to match my grandma's ceramic collection.
i envisioned a similar paint treatment that would match the 'new' vintage yellow rose china,
creating the perfect additions to a beautiful fall mantel or table this year.
but i love to paint, and i'm able to replicate the design from the plate, so i do it that way.
honestly? it's not hard. and it doesn't have to be perfect.
the end result is a very elegant fall decor accent that i made myself - and that no one else has.
i LOVE that part!
6.21.2021
sunny garden plant markers
this 'sunny' summer project is the third in a series...
designed to bring a fun, colorful vibe to my garden this season
and hopefully to inspire you to try something similar in your home!
every gardener loves to ID the plants they grow,
and this cute plant marker project is an easy way to use stuff around the house
to make an artful impact in the yard!
continue reading to see what i used and how easily these are made...