Faux Stacked Books Card Box

They say that necessity is the mother of invention and this is no less true than on the eve of a family wedding. 

We needed a card box, stat! 

So, I made one out of stacked boxes made to look like a pile of big books.

I had some boxes in my stash that were just the right dimensions so I proceeded to make them look like books. I used the same techniques that I show in this the link to my DIY on making vintage style editions....

http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-to-restyle-books-to-look-like.html

I added front and back "covers" to each box using pieces of cardboard. I added spines to each book with hot glue. Then, using watered down school glue I covered each book shaped box in Dollar Store tissue paper. I used three silvery/wedding style patterns so they would complement each other.

Starting with the bottom book box, I cut a rectangular hole in the top cover. I cut holes through BOTH covers of the middle box then stacked it and secured it with hot glue on the bottom book. The top book only needed a hole in the bottom cover and a slit in the top cover so cards could be slipped inside. Don't be shy with the hot glue. Use plenty to make sure all three book boxes are secure.

I had the labels in my stash and they were perfect for these books!

I dry brushed all the edges with silvery grey paint and also a tiny bit of black to bring out all the textures in the spines and in the crinkly tissues. I faked some pages with sharpie marker then dry brushed those edges, too.

The big book stack measured 12" tall x 14" wide and looked elegant and REAL. Touch up your edges with additional glued tissue paper and a bit more paint to blend your stack together. Remember that in dry brushing, a little paint goes a long way!

Two wine corks and skewers and a handmade banner completed the project. We didn't have to run out and spend money on a card box for the wedding and the fake book stack looked great. I call that a win win, and that's my favorite kind of project!

Glittery Silvery Snowflake Chandelier DIY

Ah, time for the wintry holiday season and bright Christmas decor. Also, another restyling of the brass and glass chandelier that the Welding Man loves.

Can't get rid of it so I decorate it to a fare thee well every chance I get. Forthwith, this year's pretty snowflake chandelier project.

With many thanks to the Dollar Store, thrift shops and yard sales for a nice variety of glittery snowflakes and faux icicles.

Here's how I redid it for fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

It's even prettier when it's all lit up. 

Purty!

When it's all decorated all pretty and shiny and glittery and silvery like this, I can totally forget that it's all brass and beveled glass.

Now I have to figure out how to decorate it for Valentine's Day!!!

Tree Branches and Leaves for Bright Autumn Corner Decor

I know this is hugely late but I'm posting it anyway. Life and projects have eaten my time for months!

Here is the corner of my living room where I keep this urn and painted branches almost all year. The square corner table is perfect for the space and easy to dress up for every season. I change the table cloth and the decor with stuff I have on hand and, of course, bright silk foliage from The Dollar Store.

But first let's go back a bit when the corner was looking a bit cluttered at the end of summer. These two couches form the favorite lounging corner in our house so I try to change it up seasonally. 

Ah, Number One Son likes that spot.

And here it is again, all fluffed up with autumn decor. I added a vase of leaves in a basket on the coffee table

I added a stack of my restyled books which I've crafted to look like vintage editions.

And here's a link....

         http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-to-restyle-books-to-look-like.html

Then I just played around with everything until I liked the design as a whole. That's the fun part!

                          

I have muslin curtains hanging over lace panels on my window wall. So I added my big coffee filter wreath (made from a Dollar Store hula hoop!) and more leafy garlands.

http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2013/11/oversize-wreath-from-hula-hoop.html

Here's a link to that easy rosette and autumn leaves wreath decor....

http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2014/09/quick-change-wreath-decor.html

All done fussin' and ready to start enjoying. I love how the corner decor looks with my own paintings on the wall and the ever changing pillows I made for the couches. Holiday season, bring it on!!

Autumn Garlands Styling Up a Brass and Glass Chandelier

The Welding Man LOVES this dining room chandelier so you know it's not getting replaced anytime soon. We've been married 43 years and counting.

 You have to pick your battles, ladies.

Ahem.

Back to the big, bold, BRASS chandelier. I'm always looking for ways to change it up. I saw this beauty on Martha's website and glommed onto it's creative prettiness right away.

Of course she used real leaves probably harvested by her minions and real mini pumpkins holding real candles all balanced on a real grapevine wreath. But still, pretty and clever!

Martha envy has motivated me more than once but moving on....

Our Dollar Store has these very colorful autumn leaf garlands every year at this time. I have at least a half dozen sets I use every autumn.

Here's my first gorgeous leafy chandelier in 2011. I LOVED how this looks! Almost as pretty as Martha's and it won't catch on fire or drip wax on the table PLUS it cost less than $5 for garlands.

Win win!

Here's THIS year's version in the daylight. So colorful!

I took the beveled glass off the hangers and twined the garlands around the brass hooks. It's so pretty!

Here is is all lit up during the "blue hour" at sunset. This just makes me smile and smile!

 But....those bulbs are hot and the leaves are very close to all that heat. I'm going to redo it with the glass hanging between the bulbs and the silk leaves. I hope it still looks full enough.

Hey hey! The glass hanging between the lights and the garlands actually makes it brighter and prettier! I like it!

Here it is during the day and still lovely!

Oooh aaaah! I think it's a quick and lovely and CHEAP fix to give this brass and glass light a bit of color and bling going into the holidays.

Win win!

Matching Storage Boxes with Book Pages

You don't have to spend lots of money to get pretty and practical craft room storage boxes. Just use the containers you already have and cover them with old book pages.

That's what I do!

I painted this tall ice cream carton with white craft paint to cover up the bright design. Once it was dry  I brushed Dollar Store school glue over each section and laid down pages torn from a throw away book. In this case, an old paperback. The older books have nice golden hued pages that look great overlapped like this.

I smoothed the pages down with the same stiff brush dipped in more school glue. Let it dry thoroughly.

Then you can seal the box with spray acrylic or a layer of Mod Podge in whatever sheen you choose. I especially like their gloss hard coat for finished projects.

I add chalkboard labels so I can list what's inside my boxes.

I use a mix of lots of different kinds of containers in my studio and also use loads of book pages, Dollar Store contact paper and Mod Podged tissue or gift wrap on my storage. Even plastic coffee containers look good with a bit of contact paper and a new label! I like how all the designs blend with my jars full of supplies.

Here are bankers boxes we used for our move which I have covered and prettied up for my craft room. Now I just need to add labels and fill them up!

Once you start recycling containers with book pages and other papers, you will save money and have a neat and practical way to store your stuff.

I call that a win win!

DIY Pretty Lace Pumpkins

These are not your ordinary plain orange pumpkins. Nope. They are covered with black lace! Here's the simple DIY for these pretty gourds and they are also cheap to make. 

Win win!

Whenever I find black lace remnants or lace on sale, I grab it. I also get black lace clothing at yard sales and thrift stores and recycle it. This lace was $2 a yard at Walmart a while back and this project took less than half a yard left from a different project. 

This project couldn't be easier. Lay your contrast fabric over the black lace and cut out a long rectangle  about 8" wide by 20" long.  I cut out both layers at the same time.

Using the longest stitch and loose tension on your sewing machine, stitch the two pieces together at the top and bottom of the long sides. Turning the lace to the inside, sew the two short sides together. You now have a tube of material with long stitches at the top and bottom. You can also sew this by hand if a machine isn't handy.

Thread a long sewing needle with strong black thread, like quilting or crochet thread.  Gather one stitched side of your pumpkin and pull the stitches tight. Use the needle and thread to sew the gathered end tight and secure the gathering with a couple of good knots. 

Here's a neat tip....stuff these little pumpkins with a handful of crumpled up plastic shopping bags. Most of us have dozens of the things and they are perfect for a poufy filler for these pretty pumpkins.

Make sure your needle has a long piece of string and tie a big knot at the end. Stick it right through the middle of the gathers of your stuffed pumpkin and out the other side. Make a big loop around the pumpkin and draw it up til your pumpkin squishes down and poofs out. Draw it tight and tie it in a knot. Do this five or six times and adjust your big loop around each section of your pumpkin for a pleasingly plump effect.

Voila! Fat, lacy pumpkin!

Hot glue a stubby twig or even a cinnamon stick in the middle of the gathers and add silk leaves (these are from the Dollar Store). If you wish you can also give it a light touch of glittery spray for a bit more gleam.

I LOVE how these come out! And you can also make pumpkins with no lace just by using your choice of fabrics. I made the white pumpkin at the top left using muslin and twine. And of course, I stuffed it full with plastic shopping bags!

For a neat look, why not layer white lace over burlap for some rustic chic pumpkins? Or black lace over purple fabric, or mustard gold. How pretty that would be? Now I have to make some!

Pier 1 Napkin to Fab Pillow DIY

I LOVE the look of script on fabric but I haven't found any that is just right, so this fabric napkin at Pier 1 was perfect! Alas, it was the last one. But at $4.95 for a generous 20" square napkin with pretty black crocheted edging, it was a real find!

As you can see, the writing is wonderfully done with the theme of being thankful. 

I hemmed a muslin square all the way around then

carefully sewed it to the napkin so the pretty edging would show.

And here SHE is!

I crashed my stash for a down pillow in just the right size then put the cover on it.

LOVE IT!

She is relaxing now with her pillow family on my bed. This is where I put all my pillow cover designs to see if they fit with my whole eclectic collection decor theme and are worthy of my Etsy shop. I really am pleased with this project! She was quick and easy and low cost and fits in perfectly with her siblings.

Win Win!

Come visit these parties and enjoy the fun!

http://www.playpartypin.com/2014/09/weekend-re-treat-link-party-86.html

http://www.simplenaturedecorblog.com/fabulous-friday-partyfall-features/

http://www.pluckys-secondthought.com/link-up-52/

Super Simple Shivery Paper Halloween Bats

Each year when I decorate by black tree branches for Halloween, I always make sure to add these tiny paper bats to the display.

They are perfect for an indoor display at Halloween time. They are so light that they swing and sway with the slightest passage of air as you walk by. Such fun!

And they couldn't be simpler to make.

What you will need is black crepe paper and very thin florist wire.

Cut your paper bats from folded over crepe paper so both sides are identical. Curl a 6"-8" length of florist wire around a pencil and with a small dab of hot glue attach one end to the back side of your paper bat.  Stretch the wire out slightly to wrap it around the tree branch, wreath or arrangement then stretch it out a bit more to position your bat. The more you stretch out the wire the more shivery the bat will be! Blow on your tiny bat and see it dance and wiggle!

I grouped mine 3 at a time for this display. I LOVE the way they came out. This would be a fun kids' craft and your could go all out, making LOTS of these bats for your house. Crepe paper is recommended since it is so light. Copy paper or cardstock is too heavy.

Try it out and see how easy but neat these bats look in your holiday house!