3.15.2024
easy-peasy twine nest
3.01.2024
NEW! 'Sweet Sweater Nest' for Spring
3.25.2023
Easter egg mushrooms!
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!)
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!
3.10.2022
tiny thread nests
making a home fresh and clean as well as warm and welcoming.
today i am sharing a new nest i've created this month,
this was a truly 'fast, cheap, and easy'TM project that i think you'll love,
and it would make a perfect treat at each place setting on your Easter table!
3.12.2021
miniature wire nest charm
that's been in hiding for years...
when i saw it, i was inspired to make a larger nest using wire,
and i love how that turned out.
these miniature wire nest charms were an item i previously made and sold at vintage shows,
and this one is the original!
you can make one of your own, or as the perfect springtime gift!
continue reading for an easy tutorial...
3.08.2021
spring forward with a wire nest
recently, i played with a new material to see if it would work as well as i thought it would
to create a new kind of bird nest for spring decorating.
(the fact that it literally LOOKS like a spring evaded me until i was typing this post!)
i have to say, i LOVE the result!
can't you just see this nest as a decor accent in rustic, farmhouse, and boho style rooms?!
it's an easy project that i think you'll want to try...
3.05.2021
yes, you can make a bird nest!
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!
4.01.2020
easter eggs on parade
i hope you'll enjoy this slideshow of Easter egg decorating ideas
for more inspiration,
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...
9.05.2018
a fall wreath-hanging secret!
3.21.2018
Create a Vintage Spring Tablescape
everywhere you look, pastels reign supreme for spring + Easter decor,
but this year i just felt like breaking the mold.
i love neutrals, and it's SO easy to create a neutral setting then add in a pop of color.
i've decorated this way for years and years, and it's never boring or limiting.
using a basic three-color palette (varied hues of brown, yellow, and white)
i've taken my own spring farmhouse style in a new direction with this tablescape...
continue reading to see how!
2.22.2018
Capture Spring in a Jar!
continue reading to learn more...
10.18.2014
IKEA Lantern Cloche
Use a simple five dollar galvanized metal lantern from IKEA as a cloche.
Open up that lil' latched door and place something sweet, special and small inside,
You can sit the lantern ON something, as seen here, or hang it FROM something
as long as whatever you put in there isn't too heavy...
I used one of my original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins in mine this year.
In the past, I've also used a Nest, a large wooden Easter egg, and a snowball ornament,
Simple as can be, and ever so much more interesting than a plain glass dome!
10.11.2014
I Admit It, I'm Plain Ol' Vanilla....
Great. Now I'm hungry!
So anyway, each Autumn, while everyone else is decking their haunted halls
I am creating serene, luscious, warm & cozy vignettes from shades of vanilla and brown sugar.
In Autumn, my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins in neutral tones are ALWAYS on the menu,
and this year is very, very vanilla....
These provide a canvas for an ever-changing seasonal display for my collected treasures.
(that reminds me of my Grandpa Ward's truck each time I look at it)
BTW, the 'bottom shelf' you see in the photo below?
Not a shelf, actually.
It's a wood window box turned sideways, sitting on top of a bookcase headboard.
Using it this way gave me added display space AND storage for the piece.
My mom gave him to me over 22 years ago,
He's family <3 ... and he doesn't mind being dressed up!
Follow my original tutorials to make your own:
Sweet Sweater Pumpkins
Mini Clay Pumpkins
8.16.2014
Save Vacation Finds in a NeSt
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
(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,
The NeSt shown below also contained a wine cork,
You can put anything into a nest!
I've also made NeSts to observe each season of the year,
It's truly a simple way to gather items from nature that will enhance your home
Another easy idea for preserving vacation memories:
This would work with rocks, tiny shells, cones, and leaves, as well.
And the bottles don't have to be expensive or antique -
shared online:
4.29.2014
Sweet Simple Nests
I had endured the garish orange day lilies blooming there (planted by the owner of the house),
and now that they had finished, I was ready to eradicate them from my yard.
DEAD foliage.
I created a whole bunch more, and decorated my home with them.
Then I made even more, and sold them at vintage shows.
When those ran out, I found pots of dead daffodils at the nursery,
So in case you'd like to try this, here's my SUPER SIMPLE method to
If the foliage is still attached to the plant, in the ground or in a pot, make this easy on yourself...
The uneven ends of the foliage should be on the outside of the nest,
OPTIONAL STEP:
Add pieces of thread, ribbon, twine, etc. to the strip of foliage before creating the nest
This will hold the nest together and keep it from unwinding.
Then cut the string ends off.
I just sit mine in there because I like to change them,
Then display your sweet nest as part of your Spring decor!
Here are two ways I displayed the nests I made:
You can see more of my nest creations on HOMEWARDfound
Here . Here . Here . Here
shared online:
Yesterday on Tuesday | Project Inspire{d}
(Malia Featured my sweet nests!)
1.14.2014
Creative Winter White Decor
Since you liked that so much, I thought I'd share a little MORE on that subject...
I don't make resolutions. I choose a 'Word of the Year' instead...
[While resolutions just seem to feel like never-achieved, guilt-inducing lists]
Not just due to the long-overdue revelation that 'I can Create the Life I want to live',
My post about the mannequin form made from a tee shirt was part of that approach:
I just made it for ME and had fun in the process.
Then when it works, I can go ahead and share it here on the blog!
When I removed all of the holiday decor from my office last week,
You've seen the one on the far left in my post about framing a sweater remnant.
The large and small baroque frames holding my word 'Create' used to say 'Dream' -
as they did in this post.
This is a great way to focus on my Word of the Year.
The two white ceramic Space Needle figurines are salt & pepper shakers -
Problem was, every ornament in the shop was just plain TACKY. Not my style at ALL.
These shakers fit right in with my white and neutral decor scheme for everyday enjoyment,
The white ironstone creamer and mug are among the last few remnants of a HUGE collection.
[ I shudder at the thought of how many pieces shattered when the new kitchen shelves fell off the wall.
Priceless, special sentimental pieces - gathered and given to me by friends.
I posted about that project on HOMEtalk.
I snuggled a rhinestone crown around the mug, just to add some icy sparkle.
The little white truck is very close to the same truck style that my Grandpa Ward used to drive...
That little truck has been around for a LOTTA' years...
Thankfully, I was smart enough to grab two of these for myself before they were all gone!
I have happy memories attached to the little tin cans they are made in,
So, anyway, you can see that very nearly everything I used in this vignette
Actually the hardest part for me is editing, because I always unearth more stuff than I need!
Sounds like a great way to start the New Year to me!
So, what's YOUR word or resolution?
What decor projects are you planning for this new year?
As you read this post today,
I am busy taking a HUGE STEP forward in pursuit of a life-long dream...
please send good thoughts and prayers my way, won't you?
I'll share more as soon as I can!
UPDATE: I interviewed for a job that I have wanted for over 30 years.
and I GOT IT!
.... at Disneyland!
5.21.2013
Tutorial: Coffeepot Birdhouse
It was a product that I made and sold in my small home decor store and at street markets...
Birdhouses made from Vintage Coffee & Tea Pots!
aluminum coffee or teapot (vintage or new)
one tea or soup spoon (stainless steel)
one small screw & nut
steel wool
[OPTIONAL: hot glue the spoon into place!]
These should be on the body of the pot - NOT on the lid.
Feed the bottom 4" of the baling wire through the upper hole, into the pot, then out the other hole.
[this prevents the wire from slipping back through the holes]
4. Drill one small hole above the pot spout using the small bit.
Feed the bottom of the other end of the baling wire down into the hole, and out the spout -
Bend it upward to look like steam escaping the spout!
Remove the lid at the end of the season to clean out the birdhouse -
You might want to name the birds who nest here