St. Patrick's Day Countertop Vignette

 I've always had mixed feelings about faux flowers, but these lily of the valley bunches have me convinced that they can liven up the place. I just wish they would smell like the real thing...ahh, wouldn't that be heavenly? Until then, I'll just patiently await the real thing's arrival in my garden next month.  In any case, just wanted to share this cute St. Patrick's Day vignette from my kitchen.  I don't have a lot of decorations for this holiday (even though my husband is half Irish), but I think a wee bit is just what the leprechaun ordered!  

Sources: Garland, Hobby Lobby. Lily of the Valley stems, Michaels. Pitcher and Candle, Home Goods. Ribbon, JoAnn.

109,000 to be exact! Thanks for stopping by...and be sure to leave a comment on your favorite projects!

 

Holiday Decorating...Gearing up for Easter!

    March may seem like an odd time to post a couple of Christmas decorating photos, but as soon as I'm past St. Patrick's Day on Thursday I'll be putting up Easter and I thought it might be fun to talk about how to use simple items to make a big impact on your holiday decorating scheme. A few highlights from the photos...decide on a color scheme, add clear canister jars filled with colorful candy (inexpensive and easy), tie ribbons (a favorite of mine, the more the better!), layout dishware, and use crisp classic table linens.  Another addition...whimsy.   I like to add collectibles gathered over the years from family, estate sales, and after-season sales to fill in the scenes I create around the house. Hope these images get your creative juices flowing, and I'll be back next week with some ideas on Easter decorating that will celebrate the true meaning of the season and have the Easter Bunny hopping with excitement!

A touch of vintage adds to the curated feel...vintage napkins, goblets, and Santa, of course!

Notice how the long tails on the chandelier ribbons add drama!

BFF Friendship Bracelets

 Okay, the last one for today! This is a super simple personalization of some store-bought (Fred Meyer) friendship bracelets I found on clearance after Valentine's Day.  Of course, you could make your own bracelets to attach to the FREE printable card as well. And, as I post this, I've realized I don't have a picture of the finished product. But, basically, all you're doing is making a new version of the card they came on. A quick punch of a standard hole punch on each end of the card will give you the little notches you need. Friends are the best, aren't they?!

Dollar Tree Sleep Mask Upgrade...Dancer Style!

 Here's the second project of the day, including a FREE printable tag (sized to fold and fit over the original tag)! These sleep masks are just a basic black satin version purchased at Dollar Tree (earplugs included) that I've embellished with some iron-on glitter vinyl lettering made on my Cricut using the "Market Deco" font and a brush lettering font. If you don't have one, you can always purchase pre-made letters at the craft store or use puffy paint if you've got a really steady hand.  Sleep tight!

Free Printable Tags!

Upcycle...Dancer's Mini Hair-do Kit

 Hello! I know it's been a while...okay, a long while. But, life in 2020 comes at us fast, right?! I've been going through my photos and realized there were a couple projects I never shared before leaving my dance team days behind me last spring when our schools closed for the year due to Covid-19.  The first is an upcycle using plastic chewing gum containers (Extra brand). I did use my Cricut machine to embellish the mini hair-do kit, but there are lots of options for those without one including stickers, paint pens, or permanent markers.  I started by cutting a cute piece of bow print scrapbooking cardstock paper to 4" x 2-1/2" to hold the hair elastics and bobby pins.  To hold the elastics in place, I used a hole punch just on the edge to create a groove for them to sit in.  Obviously, you could fit a lot more supplies inside (like hairnets, mini-elastics, etc.) but, I was making them to sell so it was just for demonstration effect. I think these would make a really cute "Welcome to the Team" type gift, or a secret sister gift, or even a stocking stuffer for your favorite dancer. The list goes on, but needless to say, if you start collecting these plastic gum cases they're useful for many purposes from first aid supplies to business cards. The possibilities are endless!  

Bath Loofah Ballerinas!

Here's another quick and easy favor/motivator/gift for the dancer in your life...and, surprise (not!) it starts with a trip to Dollar Tree. I know, I know, pretty much every one of my projects begins there, but when you're making things for resale at fundraisers it's the best place to start! I've attached photos as directions, and the image for your FREE printing use...twirl on!

Loofah's 4/$1 at Dollar Tree

Print and trim to size (so the card fits inside a cellophane bag, also Dollar Tree), and make an X
opening with an Exacto knife at the waist of the ballerina.

Gently insert the loofah rope through the hole created with the X marking, tape down.

Finished product....Bath Loofah Ballerinas!

FREE PRINTABLE! Print landscape orientation, one image (two ballerinas) per 8-1/2"x11" sheet.