I've decided to focus on very simple projects this month, sharing a few tips that will quickly and easily impact your decor as you warm up your winter homes.
This particular tip isn't mine - it originated with a very special shopkeeper, entertaining guru, visual stylist, decorator, and author who has been inspiring me for decades now: Ted Kennedy Watson (no, we're not related!).
Ted owns two stores in Seattle - Watson Kennedy Fine Living on Pine Avenue (across from Pike Place Market), and Watson Kennedy Fine Home on First Avenue. Both stores boast a wealth of beautiful items to enjoy in your decor and entertaining, and the displays Ted creates in the shops and the window displays are absolutely some of the best I've ever seen. I could (and did) spend hours taking in every detail in both shops during the 18 years I lived in Washington.
This particular stylist's 'trick' is SO easy - and by adding just one little detail, it makes a huge difference!
continue reading to see HOW easy...
view ALL winter content click here
1.10.2025
WINTER: a stylish & EASY taper candle tip
12.06.2024
holiday 2024: mini Christmas tree farm!
all i had to do was add in a few trees i already had -
11.15.2024
holiday 2024: repurposed Christmas card wreath
O CHRISTMAS TREE
this year, i'm using 'artful' elements from my studio and my stash
to bring this holiday decor theme to life in my studio...
yes, green fits my current 'green era' color obsession,
AND it allows for a re-visit / re-style of some of the
elements that i have used for holiday decor in the past.
follow along for the next few weeks as i share
easy tutorials using stuff you already have on hand
to create a whimsical, magical holiday mood in your home...
and you can choose any color YOU love!
first up, an easy-peasy paper project that even the kids can get in on!
continue reading for tutorial and links to other similar projects...
3.29.2024
simple paper strip nest
remember back in 2020 when my theme was paint chip crafts ALLL year long??!
to fit your own style, this project could easily be done using vintage sheet music,
it's a fun way to up-cycle any paper you have on hand!
PLUS a tip for filling your Easter baskets easily!
8.22.2023
TROPI-fall woven palm leaf pumpkins
i'm not making something from scratch or giving a total makeover.
this time, i'm simply adding one new detail to an existing item
and making it MUCH better than i found it!
i was at my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore looking for something else
when i came across a pile of fake fruit on a shelf...
...continue reading to see what these looked like when i found them
and what i did to them!
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...
5.10.2023
giant paper flowers
i can also see them decorating a lovely Mother's Day brunch setting,
or as decor in a nursery or girls' room.
12.13.2022
gingerbread theme Christmas tree
11.01.2022
realistic paper leaf tutorial
i get to this point every year, and struggle with it. why??
i feel like i need to keep up with the popular bloggers and influencers
and start posting holiday / Christmas content earlier every year.
but... i can't do it. i honestly can't. my brain revolts against it.
after spending 45 years as a retail visual merchandiser / designer / stylist
and pushing every season months beforehand,
i want to just enjoy the season i'm IN. that inspires my creativity!
and it's one of the reasons i started this blog a decade ago.
so here we are on November 1st and Deb is not even dipping a toe into Christmas decor.
instead, i'm gonna' share some simple ways to decorate your home this month,
for Thanksgiving, for Friendsgiving, for the fall season.
because if you're looking at this the way i am, we can just enjoy this month
and the chance to embrace the lovely autumn atmosphere
before the holiday hullaballoo kicks in!
and let me show you how to craft some pretty paper leaves in a jiffy...
1.20.2022
show 'em some love!
this project didn't make the blog last winter
and since I'm not currently making new things,
I thought I'd share it for your Valentine's Day inspiration!
we've all become familiar with offering a little 'thank you' to the many service people
who deliver food and goods to our homes - especially during a pandemic.
our isolation is made more comfortable by them bringing us what we order online.
last year, I created one with a Valentine theme
from an old wall mailbox, all 'shooszhed' up with hearts
to express my gratitude to our USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Instacart delivery people...
continue reading to see how!
12.20.2021
sweater-wrapped gifts
11.12.2021
fall paper leaf arrangement
11.08.2021
honeycomb paper mushrooms!
11.05.2021
fall wreath with scrap paper leaves
continue reading for a quick tutorial on turning scrap paper into fall leaves - and more!
10.22.2021
harvest moon shadow box
10.12.2021
paint + paper picture frame pumpkins
and if 'cute' isn't your vibe, picture these made from elegant gold frames
filled with vintage book pages or wallpaper, with gold-painted wire 'stems'.
i want to inspire you to make it yours!
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,
3.29.2021
be a good (repurposed) egg
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...
1.25.2021
diy paper hearts wall art + garland
the freebie hearts cut from magazine pages and other scrap paper in my studio
have also become wall art and a mantel garland.
this is a really easy way to add a fun seasonal touch to your home
using what you have on hand already
(that's really been my Modus Operandi through this whole pandemic)