Wreaths are a big deal here in the South! Gracing almost every door in the city, I developed a little wreath envy so I took floral shears in my own hands and decided to make one myself. I wanted to create something simple and elegant using seasonal evergreen and winter berries for an organic holiday wreath. An assortment of flowers can also be used, but keep in mind that the evergreen will last longer. Keep reading for instructions on how to make your own wreath…

Organic Holiday Wreath

Materials

• assortment of evergreen, cut to size
• winter berries, cut to size
• 1 grapevine wreath (any size)
• floral wire (if needed)

Instructions

1. Using the grapevine wreath as a guide, weave evergreen into the base, making sure to place heavier pieces toward the back. If floral wire is needed, weave through the back of the grapevine and then wrap around the stem so it does not show.
2. Add winter berries along bottom and each side of the wreath, for a balanced look.
3. To keep greens fresh and last longer, mist with water daily.

As the mad dash to finish last minute shopping, wrapping of gifts and holiday parties continue I’m taking a moment and sharing one more DIY for the month. I couldn’t let the season pass without getting glittered and that’s just what happened over the weekend. Glitter, glitter everywhere! To jazz up the tree a little bit more, I made these glittered snowflake ornaments that perfectly complimented my woodland critters. Keep reading for instructions…

Glittered Snowflake Ornaments

Materials

• foam brush
• glue
• glitter
• jute
• scissors
• wood sticks
• hot glue gun

Instructions

1. Brush glue on one side of the wooden stick.
2. Sprinkle glitter and set aside to dry. Repeat with remaining wood sticks.
3. Using a glue gun, make a star out of four wood sticks.
4. Turn star over, place a dab of hot glue in the center and glue down jute.
5. Wrap jute around the center and hot glue the end down. Trim off excess.
6. Loop jute on one snowflake point, wrap around a few times and hot glue the end down. Trim off excess.
7. On each snowflake point, wrap jute around a few times and hot glue the end down. Trim off excess.
8. Continue on until all points are complete.

Happy Thursday! The temps have dropped once again today and streaming in the twenties. Even though it’s pretty cold, we are nowhere near snow. So I’ve taken matters into my own hands and created this wintery homemade glitter snow globe. The shimmering magic of snowfall right in my hands without the chill of the season. Keep reading for the instructions…

 Winter Glitter Snow Globe

Materials

• superglue
• sandpaper
• glass jar
• glycerine
• glitter
• plastic tree figurine
• distilled water (not pictured)

Instructions

1. Sand the inside of the lid until the surface is rough.
2. With superglue, adhere the figurine to the inside of the lid, and let sit to dry.
3. Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water.
4. Add a dash of glycerin, to keep the glitter from falling too quickly.
5. Add a couple pinches of glitter.
6. Screw on the lid tightly, being careful not to dislodge the figurine. Turn the jar over and back again — and let it snow.

Happy Tuesday lovelies! If you’re planning to pass out little sweets this Valentine’s Day look no further for a fun and simple way to hand them out. Inspired by the infamous and my favorite little pastel conversation heart candies, these heart stamped muslin bags will win the hearts of many. With a red sharpie you can write your own conversations for a personalized touch. Keep reading for the instructions…

Heart Stamp Bags

Materials

• paper (cut to size to fit into the bag)
• muslin bags
• heart stamp
• ink
• red sharpie
• conversation heart candy

Instructions

1. Place paper inside the bag, this will help prevent the ink from leaking through.
2. Press stamp onto the ink pad.
3. Make sure stamp is fully inked.
4. Then stamp it onto muslin bag and let dry for 1 minute.

5. With red sharpie write your own conversations and then fill with candy! (be sure to place the piece of paper inside the bag first, to prevent the ink from leaking through)

Get ready, as tomorrow we officially welcome the first day of spring! With that, also comes one of my favorite things to do this time of year, spring cleaning. Yes, I’m one to get over the moon excited to give my home a deep clean and perhaps a tad bit more giddy to make my own all purpose cleaner. It’s an all natural citrus infused spray that I use on just about anything, from door knobs to countertops. Keep reading for the instructions…

All-Purpose Citrus Cleaner

Materials

• peel of 1 large lemon
• 16 ounce mason jar
• 2 cups white vinegar
• 26 ounce spray bottle

Instructions

1. Cut the pith off the lemon.
2. Place the peels in a mason jar and cover with vinegar. Put a lid on the jar and let it sit for about a week, in a dark and cool place.
3. Strain the vinegar and transfer it to the spray bottle.
4. Fill the rest of the bottle with water.
5. Will last about three weeks. Check a small are first to be sure, but vinegar is generally safe on most surfaces, just not on marble.

It’s been years of many fatal attempts but thanks to practice and much research I’ve managed to put my plant killing days behind me. One living green that I’ve always seemed to have success with are succulents. With easy care, watering every 10 days to two weeks and lots of sunlight, it can make any serial plant killer have more of a green thumb. After an afternoon spent at the nursery, picking up some plants, I thought it would be fun to show you how to repot a single succulent and add a stylish new house plant to your home.  Keep reading for instructions…
Single Succulent

Materials

• potting soil
• box or pot
• gravel rocks
• succulent

Instructions

1. Start by filling the bottom of pot or box with a layer of gravel rocks.
2. Then add a layer of potting soil.
3. Remove succulent from original container, place in pot or box and fill with more soil; making sure to leave room for gravel.
4. Add a final layer of gravel rocks.

Going on hikes and walks always leaves me feeling inspired and while usually I come home with a head full of ideas, a few hikes back a handful of rocks came home as well. I love the idea of bringing the outside in, in terms of décor and had originally planned on keeping them on my bookshelf, but that didn’t last long after a breezy afternoon was spent working outside trying to keep papers in place. So, I came up with a super easy and colorful way to keep things from flying away with these rockin’ paperweights! It’s a fun afternoon project (especially if you get the kiddos involved), and kept my design simple but bold with a color scheme that will give my monochromatic workspace a pop of color. Keep reading for the instructions…

Rockin’ Paperweights

Materials

• paints
• brushes
• rocks (rinsed and dried)

Instructions

1. Squeeze a dime size amount of paint onto one side of the rock.
2. Paint the entire surface.
3. Set out in the sun to dry for 30 minutes.
4. Repeat with a second layer of paint for a deeper color.

Tassels are currently having a major moment in the world of fashion. From shoes to earrings, everything seems to be adorned with this threaded ornament. I’m hopping on this tassel wave too with a fun bracelet. The steps couldn’t be easier and the final look couldn’t be more adorable! Keep reading for the instructions…

Tassel Bracelets

Supplies

• 10 mm wooden beads
• jewelry cord
• assorted color embroidery thread

Instructions

1. Cut jewelry cord to desired length and string beads.
2. Wrap embroidery string around three fingers about 20 times (or to desired thickness).
3. Cut a 6 inch piece of embroidery string and place between your fingers and string. Tightly tie a double knot.
4. With another 6 inch piece of embroidery string, wrap the thread around the entire shape several times beneath the cinch and knot to secure.
5. Cut bottom end and trim as needed.
6. In the middle of your stringed beaded bracelet, loop under string from the top of the tassel.
7. Secure with a knot, trim off excess and tie on wrist for some fun arm candy!

It’s no secret that I adore stripes… If I had my way everything would be in this classic pattern! But I have to be realistic and take it where I can get it, like this DIY striped doormat. It’s a simple way to jazz up any plain doormat in an afternoons time. Keep reading for more…

Simple Striped Doormat

Materials

• painter’s tape
• plain doormat
• foam brush
• ruler
• acrylic paint

Instructions

1. Using a ruler and painter’s tape, measure desired stripe width.
2. Apply paint with foam brush in a dabbing motion.
3. Let sit to dry for a few hours, then remove tape. (not shown)

Ghosts hanging from trees, jack-o-lanterns lighting up pathways and witches on their broomsticks watching over front doors is what you’ll currently find around the neighborhood. Needless to say the Halloween spirit is definitely in the air and with the spookiest holiday in just a couple of weeks I can’t think of a better time for today’s DIY. Since it is the most frightful time of year these scary spider straws are the perfect way to get into the spirit of things. Attach them to pens, pencils or my favorite, straws to give guests a scare while they sip at your bash. Keep reading for instructions…

Scary Spider Straws

*makes 4

Materials 

• glue gun
• scissors
• pencil
• 4 12-inch black pipe cleaners, cut in half
• 8 wiggle eyes

Instructions 

1. Align 4 pipe cleaner pieces and place the pencil in the center.
2. Wrap 1 side of the pipe cleaners all the way around the pencil and pull tight.
3. With hot glue gun, dab a little glue onto the back of the wiggle eyes and place them on your spider.
4. Separate the “legs” and bend the ends to create little feet.

Beware as these scary spiders may pop up again later in the week!