Handcrafted items with rustic inspired design.
Clothespin Snowmen
_These are so much fun to make. As ornaments or stand-alone winter
decorations, this is probably one of the only clothespin projects I've
seen that doesn't look ridiculous. These little guys are CUTE! Check
out the blog to see how you (and your kids) can make these.
Grapevine Wreaths
_We have 2 grapevines in our backyard and every year I trim them back to
about 2 foot above the ground and throw away the trimmings. This year I
decided to try making wreaths. I got 4 wreaths out of the 2
vines, which I thought was pretty decent...until I started looking at
the wreaths people had hanging on their doors. Those
wreaths are a little bigger and MUCH thicker. So, these might have to be
indoor wreaths, or candle accents.
Decorating the wreath was much more difficult than I expected. What material to use, how much to use. I went through several iterations before I settled on this. I kept hearing Tim Gunn's voice (from Project Runway) in the back of my head warning me about "self-editing" my work. *sigh*
In the end...a "less is more" approach won in decorating the wreaths. I wonder what Tim would have to say about that philosophy? *smile*
Decorating the wreath was much more difficult than I expected. What material to use, how much to use. I went through several iterations before I settled on this. I kept hearing Tim Gunn's voice (from Project Runway) in the back of my head warning me about "self-editing" my work. *sigh*
In the end...a "less is more" approach won in decorating the wreaths. I wonder what Tim would have to say about that philosophy? *smile*
Gift Bags & Gift Tags
These are SO much nicer than store-bought. I took the basic idea from Dawn at The Feathered Nest and added my own splash of whimsy and creativity. Have fun! The possibilities are endless.
Nested Snowmen
These are a great gift idea! There's a bit of prep work in painting the rounds, but after that is done, the decorating is REALLY fun. So many possibilities here - each snowman emerges with a personality all his own. I will blog later about how to create these li'l cuties.
Cookie Cutter Ornaments
These are simple, quaint ornaments to make - and you & the kids can do these together! Whether mini's or regular sized (last photo on the right), they can be decorated to fit just about any style: from rustic to country-chic.
Button Wreaths
All those buttons you have collected over the years now have a purpose. You guessed it, another DIY/Craft that you & the kids can make together. These little wreaths are...cute as a button. Original idea is from Martha Stewart herself; check it out!
Jingle Bell Spools
Spools, jingle bells, buttons, homespun cloth, and twine - can it get any better than this? These are so fun to make (quick and simple, too)! I have the sneaking suspicion that I'm beginning to sound like a broken record: "Yes - you and the kids can make these!" But it's true....
Snow Spools
The original idea for these came from Peggy's Palette - a custom order website gallery operated by Peggy Caauwe from Nebraska. Peggy does tole & decorative painting with exquisite detail & artistry. I saw her Gingerbread Spool ornament & just had to give it a try myself. I replicated Peggy's ornament and then added my own creative touch to call them my own.
Alphabet Blocks
I think almost every American home has had a set of these blocks at one point in time or another. I thought they might make cute, nostalgic ornaments. After aging them a little, I added a simple bow, a rusty jingle bell & a piece of twine. There are probably more options...I just haven't had time to dream them up, yet.
Rag Ball Ornament
This is another great find from The Feathered Nest. Dawn's tutorial on these rag balls is easy to follow & there are several variations you can experiment with. The balls pictured here are 2.5 inch; I have also made "mini's" using 2 inch balls that turn out just as adorable.
Distressed Finish - Accessories
This is probably my favorite type of DIY project. We built bookshelves out spare lumber, then I painted them with what we had on-hand and distressed the finish. FUN! A distressed computer desk and misfit dining room chair has been added to our collection. We enjoy making custom wood accessories.
Footprint Art
These art pieces are fun to make and great ideas for gifts to family members. Not something to do on a day when your little one has "the wiggles." It's a great way to experience a "moment" in time.
Custom Cornhole Boards
I've painted several sets of boards now and they always leave an impression. Why not customize a board for your own enjoyment. It's a great way to personalize something that is fun, easy to paint and an opportunity to "express yourself."
Pallet Scarecrows & Snowmen
These were easy to make and so much fun to have brighten our entry way for the holiday season. Stay tuned...I'm working on a spring themed decor item made from pallet wood: fence-line birdhouses!
Pallet Shelves
Simple and oh-so-rustic. I love these shelves! I'm not convinced I like how I have things displayed on them...but I LOVE the shelves!