Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here is a sweet DIY project to create a paper heart wreath. A heart-shaped punch from a craft supply store is critical for this one!
paper heart wreath via Better Homes & Gardens
I love when you can recycle and reuse things around the house. Like how about recycling paint chips with these cool DIY craft projects? So clever and fun!
how about orange bookmarks
the sweetest occasion egg garland
Danny Seo wine tags
heart garland from oh crafts
Lil Sprout Creations mobile
Pysanky
These traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs are elaborately decorated using a wax-resist (batik) method. Beeswax is melted into a special writing tool called a “kistka” which is then used to draw the design onto the egg. The egg is placed into a colored dye bath which covers all areas of the egg shell that have not been protected in wax. This process is then repeated with subsequent wax applications and darker dyes; each application of wax protects the previous dye color. When the last color has been applied, the multiple layers of wax are melted to reveal the final intricate pattern.
Read more about the Pysanky art form.
Pysanky eggs via The Hungarian Girl
Dyeing Techniques
Some simplified egg dyeing techniques use vinyl adhesive tape, stickers, or leaf clippings instead of wax for elegant masked designs.
Stenciled dyed easter eggs via Martha Stewart
Botanical dyed eggs via Martha Stewart
Decoupage
Another easy egg-decorating process, decoupage, involves gluing decorative papers onto eggs. Origami paper, tissue paper, and even printed paper napkins make excellent material to use to decoupage eggs.
origami-covered Easter eggs via Martha Stewart
Tissue paper eggs via Martha Stewart
Egg ornaments via Martha Stewart
Egg tree via Martha Stewart
Fletcher
My husband and I got a puppy this week. Her name is Fletcher and she is a 9-week-old black labrador retriever. We think she is pretty darn cute which will go a long way when she is whining and barking at 3:00 a.m. just because she wants to play!
She came home with a collar and leash but now we need to get an ID tag for her. I spotted this DIY tag idea on Martha Stewart and may just give it a try. There are many playful designs to choose from in a variety of colors. Which one should I try?
Martha Stewart DIY Pet ID tags
Wine charms are helpful ways to indicate whose drink is whose, but these numbered coasters are an even cooler way. Designed by Mod Cottage, the coasters are modern chic and a great DIY project to use for entertaining.
modern numbered coasters
I love this idea for Fall wall hangings that look like pages from an encyclopedia. Pressed leaves, cardstock, a few twigs and voila! Instant, nature-inspired wall art! They’d also make a great accent resting against the wall on top of a sideboard at a Fall dinner party.
Leaf wall hangings via Better Homes and Gardens
Do-it-Yourself Customized Napkins
I spotted these napkins yesterday in Food Network’s magazine and loved them so much that I immediately looked to see where similar ones could be purchased. I was excited to read, instead, that these customized napkins can be made at home in three easy steps:
1) Create a message or image on your computer.
2) Use your home printer to print the image on iron-on transfer paper (found at craft stores).
3) Iron the labels onto fabric, towels, or napkins.
Now you can whip up some clever napkins just in time for your Labor Day picnic!
My mother and stepfather were in town recently and, as when any houseguest is coming, I tried to check off a list of items that tend to make the guest room and guest bath comfortable and welcoming for guests.
In the bedroom, I set out reading material, an alarm clock, and a fan. I emptied the closet to make space for their clothes and left a variety of hangers. I set a tray on the console with two glasses and some bottled water…
In the bathroom, I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned! The bath mats were fresh out of the dryer. The mirror was spotless. I set out toiletries and placed a vase with some flowers and aromatic herbs on the sink…
After my parents had arrived I walked past the guest bath and noticed a new box of tissues. My mom had found a stash of them in our supply cabinet and brought one up to the bathroom. Tissues! Of course! Why hadn’t I thought of that?
So that got me thinking about tissue boxes (I confess, this is the stuff that keeps me up at night!). The trouble with them is that, generally, they are pretty unsightly. They come in packages with funky patterns and colors and I cringe each time I set one out.
The solution to masking the ugly boxes is to hide it with a cover. Tissue-box covers, have a reputation of being really tacky, but I have found a couple that are surprisingly stylish.
This one from Restoration Hardware’s metal apothecary collection could work not only in a bathroom but also in other rooms around the house.
Restoration Hardware's tissue-box cover from the Metal Apothecary collection
How about this one for a little tike’s room? Adorable!
monkey tissue-box cover from Target
I love the idea of being able to customize a cover to complement the decor of a room. That’s why this project featured on Design*Sponge (one of my favorite, “go-to” blogs) caught my eye.
tissue-box cover by Brett Bara, featured on Design*Sponge
Brett Bara provides step-by-step instructions on how to sew a cover with the material of your choice. Pick a fabric that coordinates with your room, bust out the sewing machine, zip-zip…. you’ve now masked an ugly box and created a pop of color in your room!
Every Halloween my husband and I stock up on mountains of candy in anticipation of an onslaught of trick-or-treaters. It never fails the next day we’re left with a ton of candy. You’d think we’d learn!
I love this idea from Martha Stewart on what to do with leftover candy — particularly the wrappers. Absolutely brilliant! I could see the cans used as a decor for a children’s birthday party or used next year for trick-or-treat pails.
Martha Stewart's candy-wrapper buckets
Looking for a way to add a little punch to the tablescape at your next party? Try a tablecloth embellished with magnet-fitted flowers, a craft courtesy of Martha Stewart. The magnets allow for changing out the flowers according to the season, color, or theme of your soiree. I could see this feminine tablecloth working very well at a bridal shower or afternoon tea.
Martha Stewart Craft: Magnet-Flowered Tablecloth
The Rex & Regina Blog shares both trendy and traditional ways to extend gracious hospitality through weddings, other social occasions, and at-home entertaining. Learn more about Rex & Regina.