Repurpose Test Tubes as Flower Vases

the strangest things show up at thrift shops, and it really pays to keep an open mind....
because you just might find something that gets your creative chemistry going!

continue reading to see what i did with the glass test tubes i found!

Capture Spring in a Jar!

one of my most popular pins + posts is my 'beach in a jar' project

 but long before i ever came up with THAT one, i created another: 'SPRING in a jar'!

i'm not sure why i haven't shared them here on homewardFOUND before, but it's time to change that!

continue reading to learn more...

Salvaged Tabletop Herb Garden

you've all heard that phrase 'best laid plans', riiiiight? sigh.

last Thursday morning, as i was loading up my truck to restock the homewardFOUND shop, 
i cut a very deep gash in my finger...
and it was immediately apparent that no bandaid would suffice.
it required a visit to the ER and five stitches, then being immobilized for several days.
as a result, i've been working on things behind the scenes here on the blog
(with one hand. do you know how hard it is to type with one hand?!!!)

much as i don't like accidents, there was that time a happy accident 
became a spur-of-the-moment project: a tabletop herb garden...

continue reading to find out how this happened!

Winter Into Spring Decor

 wondering how to decorate for the change from winter into spring?

try combining the hues and textures of winter with a touch of spring flowers, 

like the clear & white glass, burlap, and cherry blossom combination above.

this is a really simple way to take an everyday item and make it work as decor...

yes, those round things in the photo up above ARE what you think they are:

glass light globes

from old porch lights and overhead hall lights!

continue reading to see what i've done with them for spring!

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...