Showing posts with label centerpiece. Show all posts
Showing posts with label centerpiece. Show all posts

Monday, April 12, 2010

Easy, Easier, Easiest Displays

Ever since I started publicly showcasing some of the things that I make on this and my personal blog, I have been hearing the following comment in some form or another, “Well, I would make stuff too, but I’m just not crafty.” I then start into a tirade logical explanation on how, a lot of the things that I make don’t involve an ounce of craftiness or artistic training, but that sometimes it just involves me literally putting a few things together. Whomever has just received my verbal lashing quickly retreats with a “Well, I don’t know…” but it seems that they are secretly thinking that I possess some secret knowledge that they don’t. Therefore, I wanted to share a few of my most recent assembling-of-goods-into-something-pretty as a reminder that sometimes a little luck in the thrift store is more useful than a little talent.



Example #1: Easy


 

I neglected to get a before picture of this because I wasn’t planning to do a tutorial on it, given that the detailed instructions would be, “Buy these 2 things. Glue them together. The end.” I found the wooden plate and glass cover for $2.50 at Goodwill, headed over to the candlesticks, found one with a similar color of wood for $.69, headed home, added some Gorilla glue to the mix, and was done. The glass was heavier than I had originally thought, and with my toddler currently on a grabbing rampage I wanted it to be a little more stable. So I bought this little round wood piece for $.40 from Jo-Annes, stained it, and then glued it to the bottom of the candlestick.

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Tada! This would be the end of the story, but since I can’t leave well enough alone/wanted a little more contrast with the wood in my kitchen, I painted mine a dusty blue from a leftover paint sample.

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Total time: Not including shopping, maybe 15 minutes. Craftiness: Not an ounce.



Example #2: Easier


 

What do you do when you see cute spring plates, but don’t actually need any plates? Buy a dinner and salad plate, add a candlestick, and turn them into a tiered display!

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I got these plates at Walmart, and the candle stick at Goodwill. I painted the wood on the candlestick white to go with the plates a bit better, then used my Gorilla glue to glue the big plate to the bottom of the candlestick, and the little plate to the top.

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Total time: 8 minutes, only because I was trying to be careful not to get the white paint onto the silver of the candlestick. Craftiness: Nada.



Example #3: Easiest


 

Go to thrift store on the day that they receive the truck, go straight to the glassware/house wares, buy darling glass containers that were previously unappreciated and vow not to make the same mistake. Bring them home and fill with goodies.

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Total time: I don’t know, how quickly do you commit to your decor? I am indecisive and my displays are constantly evolving, but I promised you displays without craftiness not quick decorating! :) Craftiness: None whatsoever.

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I hope these little projects have instilled a little bit of DIY confidence into you non-crafters. I will be linking to some fun parties here, so please take a look and support these amazing ladies! Have a great week!


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Friday, March 26, 2010

Eggshell Herb Garden

Spring is here folks! The flowers are blooming, the grasses are greener, and the sun is shining (well on most days). So, onward we go with our week of Easter crafts using none other than the good ole Easter egg.




Today's craft is an oh so simple herb garden. Some suggested materials are in the picture above. Various ideas can be used here; that's why I like this project so much! Any herb will do, and the sky is the limit on decorating eggs. That's pretty much the project in an eggshell (ha!)




The first thing you want to do is blow out the eggs and decorate to suit your fancy. I kept it simple this time. Once you've blown out the yolk, start chipping away the shell creating your vase. A good way to add extra support to this fragile craft is coating the entire egg with clear fingernail polish once you've finished chipping.



Next you'll want to fill the "vase" with 3/4 dirt (use a tsp or something similar in size). Once the egg is full you may use herbs from your garden or fresh herbs from the grocery. I am using basil for this particular egg.






To complete this herb garden I found this bird cage at the Peddlers Mall ($5.00) which I spray painted yellow. The bird on top was $1.00 (which I couldn't resist) and some shredded wood fibers for $1.49 (from Micheal's) for my "nest" and support of my eggs. Inside my garden you will find basil, mint, and both curled and flat parsley. This project ran me about $9.00!




This garden would make an excellent center piece...I'm thinking Easter dinner. But, please note this is not something that will keep very long and I am not encouraging or suggesting growth here..this is pure decoration folks.

I'll be linking up to these parties this week. Stop by and check them out!

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