Projects for Another Day – 3
So many things I want to do! This projects for another day post will be Christmas themed. Â I have so many Christmas Decorations on my list but no time right now. Â One day…
1) Ornament Wreath
Before these were available for purchase on every Christmas Isle at every box store, my mother made one for our home. Â It hung above the fireplaces in houses in CA and TX and it is beautiful!
My parent’s just moved so I was forced to scour a photo from facebook, hence the reason the wreath is cut off. Â The scale is also off. Â That hearth is huge and the wreath is very good size though it looks standard wreath-sized in this picture. It’s 2 feet-ish across.
Here’s a picture of a not-nearly-as-good one from target:
For the wedding, I used vintage compotes full of a mix of vintage and new ornaments at centerpieces. I have enough ornaments for a pretty awesome wreath, I just need to do it.
2) Button Garland
I want this garland from Ballard Design for my tree. Â But I’d rather make it from buttons of all different sizes or even different colors.
I think brightly colored buttons would show up better and be a little more fun. You can buy big multi-packs of buttons from Oriental Trading for under $10.
For string, I’d use something fairly strong. I’m thinking kite twine.
or even rainbow string
3) Paper Tree Topper
This image is from an exceptionally good wiki-how page. (Click for link). I think it’d be awesome out of colored cardstock and glittered super well. The right Christmas cards would be pretty as well but I think with a real variety of cards it would end up looking a little dis-jointed.
4) Pinecones
I have a thing for pinecones. I think it’s partly because they are different everywhere. The pinecones up here are small, like an inch tall. Great for topiaries. The ones in Florida/Georgia are BIG like 8 in or bigger. Texas has nice round ones in the 3-4 inch range and CA is a bit devoid of pine trees. Turns out Stefan is also a pinecone fan. I love the glass ones:
but the natural ones have so much potential as well:
I’m digging the garland, the topiaries, and the pinecones as part of the mantle vignette. Pinecones are also great as bird feeders:
(click to link to source)
Just spread on the peanut butter and roll in birdseed. The birds love them and they look great hanging on a naked deciduous tree. Â I think most kids made these in elementary school at one time or another but I’m 24 and I still think they’re cool.
5) Tree skirt
I need to make a tree skirt. I’ve heard of people making them out of their wedding dresses but I’m a little scared to do it. Maybe if none of my children want it, I’ll make it into a tree skirt for them. For now, I think I’ll leave it hanging in the closet. But that means, I still need a tree skirt. I love these. Click for links to tutorials. Decisions, Decisions…
I remember my mom used just a big (like 4-5 yards) piece of cheap lace around the tree. Â It looked great and full and was super easy and flexible. Â I’ve got to figure out just what I want to do. Â We’re not “real” tree people so that makes things easier. Â No mess to contend with.
What about you, any Christmas projects you’re going to tackle before Chrismas? Â Any projects you wish you could tackle?
“May Your Days be Merry and Bright!,”
Sarah
Projects for Another Day – 2
These are mostly clothing/accessory projects to ponder.
1) Lacey jean shorts
Saw this on pinterest and I’d love to try it! I love the idea of being able to make these as long as is comfortable while still being feminine and cute.
2) Hex nut jewelry
I love the touch of metal and the structure without the bangle look. It’s impossible to type with a bangle but perhaps a layer of bracelets like this is something I could pull off. I’m working on building a wardrobe that is both casual and together. I’m getting there but some jewelry would pull me in the right direction I think.
3) Dip-Died t-shirt
here is a great tutorial/walk-through from wit & whistle .
4) T-shirt re-do
I have a t-shirt with a sequin stripe. It got me thinking, What else could I applique onto a simple t-shirt? Rick-rack, sequins, lace edging, ruffles, ribbon, etc. I almost always wear a cardigan to work so I can get away with a T underneath as long as it has a little pizzazz! Actually, I could just wear a t-shirt, shorts, and tivas like everyone else in the office but A: it’s too cold and B: I’m trying to look like a grownup.
Here is a similar shirt from J. Crew:
5) Spray-painted cowboy boot
I have my old, utterly worn out pair of cowboy boots lying around. I’ve decided it’s high time I do something with them. I’m thinking maybe purple. Pink is a bit much and I don’t want to be afraid to wear them. I’m planning on buying a pair of actual black boots so there’s no neat to stick to something so boring. Grey would work but equally as boring. Â My mother had a pair of navy boots for a long time. That’s an option.
Again, let me know if you try any of these! Â I’d love to see your progress and get some tips!
Sarah
Projects for another day
I have so many things I want to do.  There are so many fun projects to work on and I just can’t wait to see the house in ship-shape ready for fun decorating projects.  I’m going to share a few of the diy/craft/decor projects I am looking forward to working on this winter while we take a break from the construction aspect of the house work, some of you may not know this but going through a custom home construction process is exhausting.
1) Poof
I may be a year or two behind the times but I still want to make one of these beautiful simple ottomans. Â I think a nice leather one would be great in the library room. Â A pink linen one may be just the dose of pink the master bedroom needs. Â Better Homes and Gardens has a nice pattern that should make this a quick, fun, and satisfying project.
Click on the image for a link!
2) Upholstered back dining chairs
LittleGreenNotebook.blogspot.com had a great idea. The talented Jenny Komenda saw this image from Style At Home and pointed out the possibility of upholstering the backs of some vintage dining chairs. The dining room needs upholstered dining chairs to offset all that wood panelling and this looks like a great, inexpensive way to make that happen. I’m thinking a round wood table, cream chairs, and a mid-tone upholstery either tan, green, or something wild like lavender. I need to keep my eyes peeled for a set of chairs with an interesting shape.
3) roman shades from mini-blinds
This trick has been seen on several blogs but I’ll link here to my favorite tutorial for this project over at welcometoheardmont.com
I’m planning on these roman shades in all the bedrooms, probably the den, the kitchen if necessary, and the closet/laundry room. I’ll probably do something similar but balloon-y for the bathrooms out of sheer fabric. They probably won’t be raised and lowered so the operability is not super necessary. This project is certainly on the list. We need window-covering and this is a cheap and easy way to get higher-end treatments. I’m thinking of lining the fabric with curtain liner so that the blind lines are even less visible, I also want to get gold coast curtains. I’ll let you know how that works out!
4) Family Tree woven blanket
I’ve been talking about making one of these for a while, I just haven’t gotten around to it. It would be a great quilt as well but I’m looking for a faster version.
You can get images printed into these woven throw blankets:
They cost anywhere from $75-$100 but what a great gift! This one from shutterfly is on sale for $71 which is the cheapest I’ve seen. Wouldn’t this be great with a large image of a family tree. You could do pictures or just names. The text would have to be quite large but I think it would be a very unique and tasteful way to personalize a space. Great grandparents gift as well. I am (almost) a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I can trace my lineage back to a patriot in the American revolution: Beriah Bliss. I think having that all drawn out in a detailed family tree would be so cool!
5. Hypertufa Trough
Messy, dirty, and super fun looking, I can’t wait to do this! Maybe next summer.
6. Paper doll magnets
I am so not too old to have these on my fridge!
There are so many more but I’ll share those another time. Let me know if you venture on any of these fun projects without me. I’d love to see how they turned out!
Sarah
