Displaying Holiday Cards with Minimal Effort and Damage

Use Holiday cards to your advantage and make them part of your decor. There is no need to damage your walls either! Best part is that it only takes a few minutes to do. 

Arrange cards so that they all face down. Place them all at the same angle.

Hot glue ribbon to the back of each card. Let dry.

Staple the ribbon to the wall and tie a bow. I have found that stapling some non permanent items creates the least amount of damage to my walls! Now I don't have to worry about large holes after the season is done.

Happy Holidays!

DIY Plaster Leaf Ornaments

These ornaments were so fun and easy to make. I love how they give a natural and organic element to my Christmas tree. Follow the instructions below to make your own DIY Plaster Leaf Ornaments

What you will need:

• Plaster of Paris
• Faux leaves
• Hangers
• Ornament hooks
• A container to mix in   

Attach an ornament hook to the leaves

Mix plaster and water in a container according to the directions on the back of the plaster

Dip the faux leaves in the plaster, make sure to evenly coat the leaves.

Dry the leaves over night by hanging them from a hanger. Make sure that they do not touch each other while drying.  

Enjoy!

My cat Voodoo under our Christmas tree!

5 Tips to a Stress-free Holiday Table Setting

There is a lot of stress during the Holidays, especially when it comes to creating a warm and inviting space for family and friends. Holiday get togethers should be fun and stress free. I have put together my top 5 tips to a stress-free table setting.

1. Mix and matched patterns and colors 

Don't worry if you don’t have a set of 12 matching place settings. You can see here that I mix and matched patterns and colors of dishware that I already had. You can use 2 sets of dishes, just alternate colors for a cohesive design.

2. Use your own sense of style

My second tip which relates to mixing and matching is to use your own sense of style. You don't have to use traditional color schemes. It's your home, family and friends.  They already know your style – decorate with colors you like.

3. Use natural elements in your table setting

 My third tip is to use natural elements in your table setting. Don't be afraid to go in your backyard and find items like these pinecones.

These pincone name tags are such easy DIYs for your dining table. Start off by cleaning your pine cones. I did this by soaking them in warm water and vinegar. After you let them dry, you can then add a name tag or a tea light candle.

4. Create mood lighting 

 Create mood lighting by using warm colored light bulbs in your chandelier. You can also use candles. Just remember to use unscented candles so that they don’t fight with the smells of your dinner

Find how to make this DIY at this LINK

5. Make a DIY Project

This is an extremely easy DIY! Check out this LINK to learn how to make it.

Floating Cranberry and Tea Light DIY

Are you looking for an easy DIY for your Holiday table centerpiece? Look no further! To get this look, float fresh cranberries and tea light candles an oblong bowl with water. 

This DIY is gives off great mood lighting, just remember to use unscented candles so that the smell doesn't fight with the smell of your dinner! 

DIY Cranberry Topiary

Cranberries are the finishing touch to any holiday meal. This DIY is a great way to highlight them. I am planning on using this centerpiece on my buffet table, but you can also use it on your dining table if you keep it short. That way, your guests will be able to see over it.

To make this DIY all you will need is:

• Foam ball
• Red paint
• Cranberries
• Toothpicks 

Start off by painting your foam balls red

When your paint is dry, you can start to break toothpicks in half.

Insert toothpick halves into the foam ball and leave a ¼ inch of the toothpick exposed.

Now you can add the cranberry to the toothpick. 

Try to keep them as close as possible. So that there are no gaps

 

You can now display your cranberry balls on top of a vase to create a topiary effect. 

Enjoy!

DIY Haunted Lady Halloween Decor

 I'm always thinking of spooky Haloween DIYs for my front porch, this one will surely frighten any trick-or-treaters who will be knocking on my front door. Follow the instructions below to make your own Haunted Lady.


What you will need:

• Styrofoam heads (I found them at my local arts and crafts store for $5)
• Mod Podge or clear drying glue
• Cheese cloth
• Instant coffee  
• Black and white paint
• A bowl and cookie sheet
• String

Start off by mixing some instant coffee in some water. You will need about half a cup of water and 3 tablespoons of coffee. Ball up the cheese cloth and dunk it in the coffee. Take it out right away and squeeze out any liquid.

You can wait for your cheese cloth to dry - but I have no patience. Quick dry your cheese cloth by putting it in the oven for 15 mins on 240 degrees.

As your cheese cloth drys, you can start to paint the face. 

Paint the Styrofoam head where natural shadows would be.

When your cheese cloth and paint is dry, drape the dyed cheese cloth over the Styrofoam head. Now you can use mod podge to stick the cheese cloth to the head. 

I put two layers of cheese cloth on my haunted lady. Cut a 12 inch piece of string to wrap around your haunted lady's neck. This will help the mod podge dry.

Let dry over night.

Voila!

Happy Halloween!