Christmas Wreath Make-over

My last house had a huge knotty alder stained door for the front door. And I had a cranberry wreath that looked just lovely on it. But since we moved and painted this door red-orange, the cranberries clashed. So I gave the wreath a little make-over with some silver spray paint. (Sorry I have no before photos). I much prefer the silver to the cranberry colored wreath!

I ran out of spray paint, so you can see little bits of cranberry showing through if you look closely. But I'll finish 'er off before she gets packed away for the season, don't you worry.

Merry Christmas everyone!

DIY T-shirt Wreath

I think I'm going to have to make one of these for next year. Merry Christmas!

 Head over to Cathie Filian to find the tutorial.

Pom-Pom Stocking

Just in the nick of time, here's a stocking I made actually like 3 weeks ago. Not your traditional color scheme, but I think it could be fun to work around. I'd like to embroider a name on it, in red thread, to really finish the look. (But I don't embroider.)

The top fabric is a grey linen, the stocking fabric is a home decor-weight fabric that feels a little tapestry-esque. And of course, yellow pom-pom trim!

Ornament Tree

What a wonderful idea, particularly if you have a small space or an aversion to pine needles. Or a love of great, creative design.

 Check out Not Martha for more fabulous pictures and explanations.

Birdcage Ornament

Found this darling birdcage ornament over at Pretty Ditty. She's got a full tutorial and lots more photos. Wouldn't this be a sweet little gift for coworkers and friends? Here's the link.

Lunch Bag Love

Heather Bailey has a new lunch bag design that kind of puts my lunch bags to shame. I think I might have to indulge and buy her pattern.

Edible Stars

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away.

And now you can eat your stars too! Just what I need to make the season bright. Edible star sprinkles, from Wilton.
Add some gilded doily/lace cups, and you've got a party! (theirs are glass votive cups, but I would try it on white paper party cups). Tutorial here.

Good Deeds Advent Calendar

Oh dear, where have I been? On holiday, I suppose.
I just had to share with you a darling tutorial about a service/good deed oriented advent calendar. Each day has a good deed to be performed (she even shares her list of deeds), and a piece of candy as a reward. I love this idea and I will be making one of these for my family! Here's the link.

From I Am Momma Hear Me Roar.

The Most Adorable Quilt Ever!

My friend Patti, of Talk of the Town, made the cutest quilt I have ever seen for her soon-to-arrive baby boy. What a lucky boy he is. I think if I made anything this cute I wouldn't let my child touch it until he was 13. And of course by then he would have nothing to do with it. Which would ensure perfect preservation!

Head on over to her blog for more photos (as well as other inspiring things). Sounds like instructions may be coming soon as well!
She's also the genius behind this amazing bird chandelier. I want one.

Mosaic Pottery Barn Art

If your house is in need of a little Umph (and mine is!), you might want to try this mosaic tutorial over at Remodelaholic. She takes her inspiration from Pottery Barn and creates a custom piece using scrapbooking paper. I might just have to do this for the large blank wall behind my bed.

The inspiration:

 

The homemade version:

Thankful Tree

I love love love this idea of a Thankful Tree for the month of November. I want to start this tradition in my family, though little A isn't old enough to understand any of it yet. Click here for the full scoop.

If you love me...

You'll buy me this book.

 

Actually, it wouldn't be for me, it would be for my little one.

You can read (and see) more about it over at Prudent Baby. I can only image the other fun pages that must be included. Wouldn't you have loved to have a book like this about your birth?

Kate Spade and Cake

I think Kate Spade would have liked Ava's birthday cake.
From Kate Spade's Spring 2011 Collection:

 Ava's birthday cake:

Do you see that the colors are pretty much exactly the same? Okay, so "pretty much exactly" might not be a real concept, but you get the point.

If I had a dog...

If I had a dog, this is what it would be wearing. It's almost worth getting a dog, just to put it in one of these coats.

From Etsy seller Rover.

Colored Spoons Tutorial

I found these amazing spoons over at Ladies and Gentlemen. But what if I don't want serving pieces, I want a full set of flatware instead? That is where the magic of spray paint comes in. Here's my version and how I did it.

What you'll need:

1. Flatware of your choice

2. spray paint metal primer

3. spray paint

4. painter's tape

5. sandwich bag

1. Wrap neck of utensil with painter's tape, being careful to make a straight horizontal line; also make sure you press the tape into any grooves to prevent bleeding or dripping.

 2. Wrap the head of the utensil with the sandwich bag and secure with more painter's tape.

3. In a well ventilated area, hold utensil by the head and lightly spray the utensil on all sides with the metal primer. Repeat. (As tempting as it is, don't spray one heavy coat of primer. It will create drips and also fill in the delicate carvings in the metal.)

 4. Repeat step 3 with spray paint color of your choosing. Allow to dry and remove tape and bag.

5. Stand back and admire.

Note: Should you decide to vary from this design, you probably shouldn't ever spray paint the part of the utensil the food sits on. I doubt spray paints are "food safe".

EDITS: Standard spray paints are not food safe. I used to have a link to some food-safe spray paint, but apparently the company doesn't carry it anymore. Anyone know where you can get some? 
I've been reading about powder coating and it sounds like that might be the best option for heavy use.


Also, I've had questions about how these have held up. I haven't used them enough to give a fair answer, but I will say they've made it just fine through 4 or 5 runs in the dishwasher. Thanks for all your interest!

Halloween at Work

Here are some photos of the Halloween festivities at my office. Thank you, co-workers, for making this day so fun. Everyone brings their kids in to trick-or-treat, there are costume contests, decorating contests, coloring contest for the kids, and a chili/soup lunch plus cookies for dessert.

 Bees and bee keeper

 Braveheart

 Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat

 Harry Potter and the gang. My favorites are Moaning Mertyl and Mrs. Trelawney, and of course, the snitch.

 Nerd on a Segway. He may not be Gob Bluth, but I still like it.

 Lord of the Rings group. Look for all the specific characters... even including the ring!

Snow White and the 7 Dwarves

My favorite costume: gorilla carrying Danny in a box

Masquerade Ball girls

and their magnifiscent decorations below