Real Decorating for Real People
Don't you just love the change of seasons? Well we do and it gives us the chance to group together articles that make sense for the WINTER months. We have shop projects, sewing projects, crafts, food and more!
No two Valentine’s are the same, so why buy them all the same gift? This list helps you select just the right gift for just the right personality. OK, it’s time to update the list of gift ideas for Valentine’s Day this year. And since there are so many different personalities out there, we’ll break…
Instead of throwing away those beautiful winter scenes and holiday photos from your Chritmas cards, cut them up and turn them into fun puzzles to entertain both kids and adults! We all enjoy getting Christmas cards, but they are not without problems. Should you display all your holiday greetings, or just keep them all in…
Aside from tips on unqiue places to hang it, you’ll learn the history of the beautiful Christmas wreath. This year, I thought it would be nice to tell you a little bit of the history of the Christmas Wreath. Just consider its shape; the circle has no beginning and no end and some say this is…
That’s right! Use up those brown lunch bags and make yourself a great album for your holiday memories. As much fun to make as it is to look through! We all know scrap booking has been a popular hobby. Supplies are available almost everywhere and the array is amazing. There are papers, stickers, embellishments, die…
Sew up a lovely velvet slipcover for a headboard to give any room a fresh change – and the holidays are the perfect time to give it a try. This project doesn’t have to be for Christmas, but it certainly is the time of year when we pay special attention to the décor in our…
This Christmas album is a nice project for older children that need a little direction during holiday break. It takes some time and attention, but I think they will enjoy filling it up with photos of their friends and family. It might even be a project that they could attempt to make as a gift…
Stocking stuffers are difficult to figure out, but these candy coins will make every stocking searcher happy because they can use the cash to purchase exactly what they want! You’d expect me to show you several of these since they are so small, but it’s tough to hang onto money these days, even if it…
This is a holiday craft that looks great, helps to support the holiday season and works hard for you because they are more than just decorative, their kitchen essentials! Go ahead and admit it, these are adorable! And, I think they would be the perfect homemade gift for the woman who has everything. I say this…
Take some time this year to craft a few gifts and make some awesome Valentine decor for your home without spending too much cash. Valentine’s Day is the day we celebrate those that we love. Although it is most often associated with romantic love, why not make this Valentine’s Day extra special for your entire…
Try using rough hewn wood to make certain pieces of your winter garden angel to add texture and interest. The beginning of winter is time of year is my favorite time to get back in the shop. I feel like Santa’s helper putting together great projects that could soon be underneath someone’s Christmas tree. A project like…
Sometimes it takes the simplest of materials to create something very nice, and this Star of David garland is a good example of that. I think it is wonderful that the end of the year is full of celebration. With celebrations come decorations and with decorations come hand- made projects! Hand- made projects allow more than…
Inexpensive felt and beads come together to give your holiday table setting a special touch. Add embroidered names and they double as place cards. Go ahead and say it – I’m a crazy woman. I adore making holiday napkin rings as you’ve seen from the variety I have shown you over the years. Well, this is…
That’s exactly what this is, a wreath within another wreath and you could create all kids of combinations if you just let your imagination go! I love to take what is thought of as the traditional way to do things, and just mix it up a bit! Why not? Sometimes the results are a bit more…
With the Holiday’s just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to have our good friend Shelley from Single Stone Studios start this season’s decorating with one of her wonderful decals. Enjoy the following article and look for Shelley and Single Stone Decals in the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas Magazine. So without further delay…
What a tasty, creamy corn chowder that will warm you up on a frosty evening. Add in a nice salad and warm bread and you are done! Corn seems to get a bad rap when it comes to nutrition. Apparently it goes in one ear and out the other, (if you know what I mean),…
The art of knitting is known to be calming, while at the same time it produces everything from scarves to socks, sweaters and throws! Well, when the leaves start turning and the winds start blowing, its official; its scarf weather! Funny thing, even in Florida where I live, scarves are all the rage. Ours may be of lighter…
All you need to do to make it snow in a warmer climate is add snow accessories in just about every corner of your home! Finally, it’s snowing in Florida! I’ve missed the snow so much since my move to Florida a few years ago, that I’ve decided to use “snow” as my theme for my holiday…
This is a great opportunity to teach your kids how to sew on the sewing machine or even by hand and in the end you have a couple of adorable garlands for your tree, staits or fireplace! When Matt and I were young, we’ve talked about the fact that we were lucky to have a…
Advent calendars are fun for the whole family and you can customize one for yours with these easy instructions. The advent calendar is all about anticipation! And, it’s not just for kids. I too like the idea of counting down the days until Christmas since I think we are all just kid’s at heart! Our…
These textured fabric trees make for a nice decoration in an entry, on the back of the commode, even on a dresser to bring a little Christmas spirit to every room in your home! Don’t you love setting out all your holiday decorations? As you unwrap each item, memories seem to come flooding back, making…
Dress up any plain glass candle with felt wrappers that can be in any design you like from a Christmas tree to Menorah, holly wreath and more! The use of candles seems especially appropriate for the holiday season. The warm glow of candle light can welcome guests on a dark winter’s night, and their scent…
Use an old cookie sheet to make a fun magnetic advent calendar so the kids can keep track of how many days are left!! This year I went a little crazy with Advent Calendars because I think everyone enjoys counting down the days until the holiday. You might want to check out the felt Christmas…
This lollipop tree is good the entire year, but it has a real Christmasy feel to it when painted green and filled with colorful ornaments…I mean lollipops! One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is snack, especially on lollipops. Maybe that’s because, as someone once told me, the effort involved in finishing…
If you are looking for a sweet treat to give as gifts this year for the holidays, how about whipping together some chocolate bark? I must admit, I have a sweet tooth, and this time of year is tough because I can never decide, do I want cake, pie, cookies, or candy? Well, at the holidays,…
It takes only 5 easy steps from the tree to the ornaments to put together a Christmas tree you will be proud to call your own! Are you worn out from your holiday shopping? Stuck on what to get the kids? Why not give your family the experience of an old fashioned Christmas this year? Shari…
It’s the holidays, but keep safety in mind when you are working with your tree, lights, candles, space heaters and more. These tips will help make it a happy, incident free holiday! Trees -If you are using a real tree, make sure it is fresh, because a fresh tree is less of a fire hazard. To…
Walking around my home on October 9th, I would have never thought that winter was around the bend. The temperature had reached 53 degrees and it felt like it was a perfect spring day. If the trees weren’t showing their magnificent colors, I would be considering buying a new swim suit. That is, until October…
Everyone knows that the secret to a perfect snowman is in the personality, and you can get that by creating eyes, a nose, and a mouth in the shop! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow……one of my favorite songs for the winter and boy do I love winter… especially all the snow! I…
Hooray, when the Super Bowl is upon us, that is great because it means party time! What could be more fun than having a bunch of guys over to watch the game, yelling and carrying on and breaking up your furniture? Hahaha, oops, did I get carried away there? Actually, I enjoy the Super Bowl…
Pink, red, lavender and white are the colors of Valentines Day. Let them be your guide as you make decorating for Valentines Day a family affair. There are so many decorating ideas that can get the kids involved. Here are several for you to consider or vary as needed to make them your own! Front…
Aromatic and attractive, hand made Valentine sachets are a thoughtful and unusual gift, sure to be remembered. I have owned this valentine sachet for quite some time now and I thought I would share it because it would be very easy to make. Whip up a couple of these on your sewing machine, or even…
Running out of time to surprise your sweetie with a special Valentine gift? Here’s 28 ideas to get your creative juices flowin…good luck! I must reveal that I am not a hopeless romantic. I’m a more practical person and because of this I think I’ve missed out on some meaningful moments. However, every sad beginning…
Anyone can make heart shaped cookies, but why not use that cookie cutter on brownies and krispies treats? Here’s something wonderful to whip up for your Valentine this year. I know I’m going to make another couple of batches for the kids and probably my neighbors. After all, who doesn’t want a sweet treat? And, if…
Use them in garlands, on a mini Valentine tree, as gift tags or smaller ones could be necklases or pins, it’s all in the personalization! This idea came to me when my son was just born and my daughter was still interested in doing fun crafts with Mom! We had recently moved into a three story…
Tired of scrapbooking? Well hang on to your materials and turn them into greeting cards for every special occasion! I do enjoy a bit of scrapbooking from time to time, but my daughter is crazy for it. She has accumulated quite a selection of patterned papers, stick on designs, lettering and much, much more. As I…
Why not plant your Christmas trees in your yard instead of chopping them down and tossing them in the tree lawn after the holidays? Growing up, my mom, my brothers and I would always have a live Christmas tree. It was, to me, the beginning of the season when right after Thanksgiving we would all go…
These cute yarn cards are perfect for the holidays but make one up for a special birthday or Mother’s Day! Truth of the matter is that you probably won’t be creating 100 of these cards for your greeting card mailing list. These cards are for those “special” people that have touched your life this year, or…
Beautiful Christmas stockings can be expensive, but they are very easy to make if you have a littel time, some fabric and trimmings! Yes, there are a lot of stockings there to fill. No, I don’t fill all of them. I have two children who love to have their stockings filled by Santa, and the…
Use up leftover ribbon or grab several spools of gorgeous Christmas ribbon and create one of a kind ornaments for your tree this year. This ornament is one of my favorites to make. It has a very classy appearance when finished and doesn’t look home made. It would be a lovely hostess gift if you’re…
Paper snowflakes are a fun and inexpensive way to make your home look like a winter wonderland! Looking for a low cost way to dress the house up for the holidays? Why don’t you grab a pair of scissors and a ream of copier paper and get busy! The whole family can get involved and…
