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Showing posts with label junk makeover. Show all posts
Showing posts with label junk makeover. Show all posts

4.08.2023

published in Farmhouse Style Magazine!

farmhouse style, farmhouse, Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine, DIY, diy decorating, decorating, re-purposed, up-cycling, trash to treasure, outdoors, salvaged, junk makeover, original designs, published, spring diy, summer diy, spring decorating, summer decorating, diy home decor project, featured in Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine 2023.
my friends, i'm absolutely THRILLED to finally be able to share this news
that i've been keeping a secret for several months now...

my original design of a salvaged galvanized bucket fountain
has been published! 

farmhouse style, farmhouse, Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine, DIY, diy decorating, decorating, re-purposed, up-cycling, trash to treasure, outdoors, salvaged, junk makeover, original designs, published, spring diy, summer diy, spring decorating, summer decorating, diy home decor project, featured in Country Sampler Farmhouse Style Magazine 2023.
it appears on page 86 in the new Summer 2023 issue of
available on news stands now!

if you're visiting my blog via the magazine, welcome!

for those of you who have been reading homeward found for awhile,
you'll remember seeing this project in one of my all-time top posts.
my homeward found decor projects are all about using what i have on hand,
and coming up with new ways to use everyday items
as i create 'home decor that's not from a store'.

continue reading to see the details of my fountain project -
and others with farmhouse flair!

3.17.2022

repurposed bottle brush carrots

crafting, decorating, diy decorating, diy, re-purposed, up-cycled, junk makeover, Dollar Store crafts, Dollar Tree dupes, seasonal home decor, seasonal decor, spring, spring home decor, diy spring decor, spring decorating, Easter, Easter decorating.
i was out running errands this morning when inspiration hit me...
an item at the store i was in reminded me of something i had used before,
still had in my stash, and could use again to replicate the thing i saw - but in MY style.
(which is what my approach to decorating is all about!)

when i arrived home, i dug out the components in excitement, 
ready to 'hop to it' (see what i did there?!) and get this project done.
it took me all of ten minutes to make these cute lil' veggies!

continue reading to see what inspired me - and what i used to create my own version!

11.12.2021

fall paper leaf arrangement

seasonal,colorful home,Thanksgiving,diy decorating,up-cycling,trash to treasure,paper,fall,paper crafts,DIY, junk makeover,crafting,wall art,tutorial,re-purposed,fall florals,fall home decor,fall centerpieces.
i've had to get creative to bring a fall feel into my home
(there's not a fall leaf in sight outside and it's still in the 90's... sigh)
but i've managed to find a way! it's PAPER!

some of the leaves from the wreath in my last post joined with new ones
along with faux florals + leaves and a branch from my backyard tree
to create this lovely fall arrangement.
it's easy-peasy AND it won't fall apart! (hah. pun not intended)

continue reading for more details...

11.05.2021

fall wreath with scrap paper leaves

wreaths,wall art,up-cycling,trash to treasure,Thanksgiving,seasonal,re-purposed,paper crafts,paper,junk makeover,fall,DIY,diy decorating,crafting,colorful home,fall leaves,fall leaf crafts,fall home decor,fall wreaths,fall mantel decor, paper leaves
here in Southern California, we don't get 'fall leaves'. 
not at my elevation, anyway. up in the mountains it's a bit different.
the leaves down here in the flat desert turn from green to brown in July when the heat hits.
if they aren't blown off of the trees by the Santa Ana winds in September,
they hang on until January when the new leaf buds push them off.

it's harder yet when you've lived somewhere else that actually has a fall season.
i really miss being able to forage the forest for glowing red, orange, and yellow leaves.
since that possibility no longer exists for me,
i had to find another way to express a fall feeling in my home this time of year...
and i found the solution in my recycling bin!

continue reading for a quick tutorial on turning scrap paper into fall leaves - and more!

10.15.2021

repurposed planter pumpkins

pumpkins,outdoors,seasonal,fall,DIY,diy decorating,home decor,neutrals,farmhouse style,Halloween,junk makeover,trash to treasure,re-purposed,thrifted,up-cycling,garden art,salvaged,painting,fall home decor,Halloween decor,Halloween home decor,Halloween decorating, pumpkin decor,decorating with pumpkins,plant pot pumpkins.
i can't even say this is a 'craft' project...
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!

9.24.2021

salvaged silver pumpkin coach

fall,DIY,diy decorating,re-purposed,up-cycling,salvaged,thrifted,home decor,pumpkins,Thanksgiving,Halloween,junk makeover,trash to treasure,vintage,vintage style,farmhouse style,fall decorating,fall home decor,decorating with pumpkins,salvaged pumpkins,junk pumpkins,upcycled pumpkins,repurposed pumpkins.
if you've been around for awhile, you know that i've got a thing for pumpkins...
it all began with my sweet Grandpa Ward, who had a nickname for me:
his little pumpkin eater. 
i have always thought he called me that because of my rusty, pumpkin-y auburn hair
and i sure wish i would have asked him about that before he died when i was 15.

because of that nickname, i've collected pumpkins for most of my life.
and every year when fall rolls around, as i decorate with some of them,
i can hear the echoes of his voice calling me that pet name.

this project brings together two special things about my Grandpa:
his nickname for me, and his time building many of the attractions at Disneyland.
and though i bet you can name the film and the Disney Princess connected to it,
there's another inspiration that helped to bring this idea to life...

continue reading for more!

9.21.2021

salvaged silver tray pumpkins

fall,DIY,diy decorating,re-purposed,up-cycling,salvaged,thrifted,home decor,pumpkins,Thanksgiving,Halloween,junk makeover,trash to treasure,vintage,vintage style,farmhouse style,wall art,wreaths,fall decorating,fall home decor,decorating with pumpkins,salvaged pumpkins,junk pumpkins,upcycled pumpkins,repurposed pumpkins.
salvaged silver trays paired with simple kitchen serving tools
become elegant pumpkins in this project,
and can be adorned with just about anything you choose...
the fall leaves here include yellow tones to fit my 2021 obsession!


continue reading to see how easy assembly is!

6.21.2021

sunny garden plant markers

garden art,wall art,art class,DIY,diy decorating,salvaged,re-purposing,up-cycling,trash to treasure,painting,summer,garden,Pantone color of the year,colorful home,junk makeover,outdoors,wreaths,farmhouse decor, farmhouse style,summer home decor,home decor,summer door decor,door hanger,galvanized home decor.
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...

6.14.2021

sunny yard art

garden art,art class,DIY,diy decorating,salvaged,re-purposing,up-cycling,trash to treasure,painting,summer,garden,Pantone color of the year,colorful home,junk makeover,outdoors,diy garden art,summer home decor,summer decor,re-purposed garden art
welcome to part two of my 3-post sunny garden art series!

today i'm sharing the fun sunshine 'sculptures' that i created outta' old metal...
things.
i honestly don't know what they are. i found them at a junk shop.
they were galvie, so i bought 'em and brought 'em home.
then i never used them. 
until i imagined them alongside the sunshine 'wreath' from my last post! 

continue reading to see the start to finish details...
not to mention a COMPLETE RE-DO of these with a Disney theme!!!
garden art,art class,DIY,diy decorating,salvaged,re-purposing,up-cycling,trash to treasure,painting,summer,garden,Pantone color of the year,colorful home,junk makeover,outdoors,diy garden art,summer home decor,summer decor,re-purposed garden art, Disney

6.07.2021

sunshine door decor

garden art,wall art,art class,DIY,diy decorating,salvaged,re-purposing,up-cycling,trash to treasure,painting,summer,garden,Pantone color of the year,colorful home,junk makeover,outdoors,wreaths,farmhouse decor, farmhouse style,summer home decor,home decor,summer door decor,door hanger,galvanized home decor.

talk about sun salutations!
i was staring at some junk that was sitting in the garage the other day,
decided it looked a bit like something from a place i love,
and came up with another way to make a sunny project
that's perfect on your front door, wall, or even garden fence!

this is an easy one to make,
using only a few pieces of metal junk, paint, a wreath hanger, and some zip ties...

*** as a matter of fact, it's SO EASY that i just RE-DID this project
with a *bit* more of the original inspiration included! ***
continue reading for details on the original project AND the changes i just made...

4.26.2021

send a message with stamped dishes!

wall art,up-cycling,trash to treasure,thrifted,tablescapes,spring,re-purposing,Mother's Day,junk makeover,inspiration,garden art,flowers,DIY,diy decorating,art,antiques,vintage,dishes,vintagedishes,thrifted decor,thrifted dishes,stamping,stamp crafts,crafting,edible art,spring decor,Mothers Day decor
sometimes an idea comes outta' nowhere.
sometimes, nature is the inspiration.
and sometimes, another creative person does something new
that makes me realize a possibility that intrigues me...

that's the case with this 'just for fun' diy project.
i saw something on social media and laughed.
then i thought 'i have a few china dishes that i could do something like that with....'
and so, i tried it just to see how it would look.

my approach is temporary art, as most of my decor projects are.
(actually, i came up with TWO ways to do this project that are temporary)
when i tire of this look, i'll be able to 'erase' it
and return the dishes to their original condition.

and when it was all done, another approach occurred to me!
...continue reading to see where my mind took me...

3.26.2021

re-purpose glass light globes as candleholders

vintage glass light globes,candleholders,spring decor,spring decorating,vintage lighting,battery candles,vintage,up-cycling,re-purposing,lighting,thrifted,outdoors,salvaged,junk makeover,glass globes,DIY,diy decorating,decorating, flower vases,candles,salvaged materials, diy home decor
i've used glass globes from light fixtures in many ways over the years,
from turning them into pumpkins in fall, making snowmen out of them in winter,
and using them as flower vases in spring.

my favorite globes are the old ones, with ridges and details that catch the light
no matter how you use them... but those are getting really hard to find.

miraculously, i found one on a recent trip to a nearby thrift shop...
and the moment i saw its shape, i knew what i wanted to try with it.
i paired it with another globe and a few more elements,
and they worked just as i had hoped - in TWO different ways! 

continue reading to see how easy this spring/summer decor accent is to create...

3.22.2021

the daffodil queen

DIY,jewelry,junking,junk makeover,original designs,Mother's Day,re-purposing,seashells,trash to treasure,up-cycling,vintage,spring,flowers,daffodils,daffodil crown,crowns,tiaras,Junk Queen crowns,spring decor,spring gifts,birthday crown, spring crown.
it's my birthday week ;) 

and if there's ever a day that a girl deserves to wear a crown,
it's on her birthday / week / month. no matter her age!


a tiny wire crown (that i made over a decade ago)
has been embellished with tiny faux daffodils... my favorite flower...
and though i am not nor have ever been a bona fide 'daffodil queen',
i think maybe for today, i shall proclaim myself one!

continue reading for the simple transformation...

3.05.2021

yes, you can make a bird nest!

nests,garden,trash to treasure,DIY,diy decorating,tutorial,re-purposing,salvaged,junk makeover,crafting,winter,spring,garden art,wreaths,boho style,rustic style,farmhouse style,coastal style,inspired by nature,birdnests,diy bird nests,birdnest tutorial,found objects,yellow and gray home decor,Illuminating Yellow,Ultimate Gray, Pantone 2021,Pantone colors of the year
bird nests seem to me to be a sign of springtime...

over the years, i've been lucky enough to have found a few real ones, 
incorporating them into my home decor in spring. and fall. and on my Christmas trees!

i've also made quite a few - 
from elaborate to simple, from small seasonal versions sold via an enchanting online boutique
to an enormous one made for a client to hold a precious gold-embellished ostrich egg,

making them always connects me to nature.

this year i've made one with the slightest hits of gray and yellow elements
unearthed in my bins and boxes of saved materials,
and i thought i'd share the easy process of making them with you.

if you're sitting there thinking 'whaaaaa? MAKE a bird nest?!', continue reading!

2.19.2021

painting the globe...

winter,white,up-cycling,trash to treasure,salvaged,painting,neutrals,junk makeover,DIY,diy decorating,Disney,Disneyland,crafting,color palettes,chalkboards,boho,industrial,Pantone 2021,Pantone color of the year,Pantone Ultimate Gray,Ultimate Gray,gray,painted globe,old globe makeover,It's A Small World,embellished globe,winter home decor,winter decor.
today i'm sharing a project that uses the OTHER 'color of the year',
Ultimate Gray.
(since most of my recent projects have been all contained Illuminating Yellow,
i thought it was time to give the second color some attention!)

i finally came up with a way to restyle an item that i've had tucked away for years...
it was a banged-up, scratched, faded (but not in a good way) paper world globe,
and using gray and white paint to transform it was the perfect solution to update the look.
note: this is a globe from the 1990's. not vintage or antique. not valuable.

now it fits into my decor, and is a sweet reminder of special people each time i look at it.
isn't that better than keeping something stashed in a closet
because although it means something to you, you don't know where to PUT it?

continue reading to see the before, during, after... and AFTER!

2.15.2021

snowbuddies!

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do ya' wanna' build a snowman?!
(given the current weather conditions across the continent, maybe not!)

nothing around here is safe from my current obsession with Illuminating Yellow...
not even projects & products that i made yeeeeeears ago.

i grabbed a few of my Original Sweet Sweater Snowmen TM  
and used some craft supplies to create a brand new winter wardrobe for them.
now they can be in display in my office for the rest of this wintery month!
(even though it's cold here, it never snows. so this is all the 'winter' i get)

i love how adding a few new details can update decor - on a budget, naturally. 

continue reading to see the before & after...

2.12.2021

more embellished hearts!

art,painting,crafting,DIY,diy decorating,decorating,Valentine's Day,winter,junk makeover,colorful home,color palettes,Pantone color of the year,dollar store crafts,Pantone 2021,Illuminating Yellow,Ultimate Gray,yellow and gray decor,home decor,home decorating, winter decorating,Valentine decor,junk,use what you have decorating,Dollar Tree crafts,hearts,painted hearts,heart decor.
the last two 'embellished' hearts i have to show you are quite simply
 'junk makeovers' of an old glass heart-shaped dish and another heart-shaped tin.
and one of those includes an easy-peasy way to add glitter to ANYTHING!

a tiered tray (made by stacking white dishes from the kitchen!)
holds a pretty yellow and white assortment of hearts - with a touch of gray -
and i love how cheerful it is in my studio 'photo spot' by the faux fireplace.

enjoy my last Valentine decor post!

continue reading to see a few 'before' and 'afters'...

2.01.2021

create a valentine's day buzz!

crafting,DIY,diy decorating,painting,re-purposing,junk makeover,color,colorful home,Pantone color of the year,Valentine's Day,winter,garden art,Illuminating Yellow,Ultimate Gray,yellow and gray decor,gray and yellow palette,home decor, winter home decor, Valentines Day home decor,Valentines Day mantel decor,BEE mine Valentine,bee theme Valentines Day decor, Valentine heart decor.
you've seen my unusual yellow heart decor in previous posts.
now that it's February, i'm taking the Valentine's theme a BIT further... 

BEE my Valentine, won't you?!
i'm having fun with this and can't wait for you to see what i made...

continue reading to see what inspired this happy theme, and how to make those buzzin' bees! 

1.08.2021

diy silver tray snowman

.art,wall art,re-purposing,decorating,DIY,diy decorating,junk makeover,new year,winter,tutorial,up-cycling,vintage,winter home decor,home decor,winter snowman decor,snowman,silver tray snowman,repurposed silver trays,junk snowman,january home decor,Illuminating Yellow,Ultimate Gray,yellow and gray decor,gray and yellow decor,2021 color of the year palette 
as i was placing three silver trays on my mantel (see my last post),
an idea for using them in a different way crossed my mind...

i love using unusual materials to create seasonal decor accents,
and then using & reusing them again in many ways.
this unplanned project certainly fits that M.O.! 

continue reading to see how easily i turned those trays into a snowman...

10.29.2020

screen dome pumpkins & leaves

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rummaging through a cabinet one day, i rediscovered four screen food covers.
they came from Dollar Tree and to be honest, i don't think we've ever used them.
so.... me being me.... it was time to turn these unused items into something else.

continue reading to see how easily i transformed them into pumpkins!
(i feel a bit like the Fairy Godmother in reverse.....)