A fun topper…
plus some super fun ornaments…
equals …
My favorite Christmas Tree to date!
How do you decorate your tree?!
(Colored lights, white lights, random ornaments, etc?)
Merry Christmas!
Easy Peasy Mesh Christmas Wreath {Tutorial}
If you have been a JIAD reader for a while,
then you know that I am a SUCKER for Christmas décor!
This year I decided to make a new wreath for our front door because in my book, you can NEVER have enough Christmas Wreaths!
My friend Mandy, is a mesh wreath makin’ goddess so I called her up and we had a crafty Christmas Wreath evening!
This is what I ended up with:
Want to make one for your front door?!
These are super simple and fun to make!
Start with a wire wreath and tie wire onto it, like this:
TIP: Make the wire LONGER than I did… you can always cut excess at the end! You want to make sure you have enough length to hold all of the mesh so you won’t have to add more!
Once your wreath is all “wired up,” it’s time to add the mesh!
Start by tying the end of the mesh to the wreath using one to the wires…
(I used mesh that was about 2 feet wide)
twist the wire around the end of the mesh to secure it! Does that make sense?!
Then you poof and twist wire around, leaving the ends of the wire pulled apart.
(I twisted the wire twice around the mesh to hold it in place… see next few picture for clarification!)
If you are wondering what kind of wire to use…
this is what Mandy had and it was better than mine!
So get this kind!
See how I left the ends apart and twisted the wire the mesh around twice?!
Once you get all the way around the wreath and are back to where you started, add another color like I did below, or keep going around with the same color (if you want a solid wreath)!
I “weaved” the red mesh in and out of the green mesh.
Your wreath should now look something like this.
I went around one more time with the green after the red mesh!
So, after three “rounds” of mesh, your wreath should look like this:
Once you are finished with adding the second round of mesh, it’s time to make the bows!
Cut two pieces of ribbon the same length.
Mine were about 8-9 inches long… I didn’t measure…
Lay the thinner ribbon on top of the thicker ribbon like this:
And pinch the center.
Tie the center with a piece of wire like this:
I hot glued the pom poms on to the center of the ribbon to cover up the wire.
Make sure your wires are not visible from the front of the bow then add some hot glue to the center of the ribbon.
I used the ribbon bows to cover up the wire that holds the mesh onto the wreath!
The mesh was very thick and bubbly, so you do not HAVE to do this if you don’t want to!
I also placed mine at different angles.
Once you have added all of your ribbon bows,
your wreath should look like this:
Of course I HAD to add a “P” to my wreath,
so I painted a BIG “P” that I found at Hobby Lobby red then hand painted large lime green polka dots on it!
How much fun is this wreath?!?
I love how the ribbons add a fun POP of interest!
I think the “polka dot “P” takes the wreath to a whole other level of fabulous-ness!
Now crank up that Christmas music and make a super cute wreath!
Oh yea… Just incase you are feeling SUPER crafty…
here are some tutorials from the past: stockings, Rag wreath With Lights ,ribbon garland, A Play felt Christmas tree, A Christmas Wreath and an Acorn Christmas Tree!
Merry Christmas!
(Even though Thanksgiving is not even here yet…)
If you make a wreath using this tutorial, please share it on the JIAD Facebook Page or email it to me! I would love to see your creations!
Pallet Letter Sign {tutorial}
Hanging on the wall in our den is this fun pallet letter sign:
The Hubs took beat the pallet apart and I lined up 4 boards and used two smaller pieces that Ross cut for me to hold it all together.
I flipped the sign over and got out my awesome DecoArt Designer Series White paint that my friends at DecoArt sent me a pencil, and a few paint brushes.
Next I drew a big ‘’P” on the sign with the pencil.
Can you see part of it?!
Then I took a smaller paint brush and painted over the pencil line.
I used the big paint brush to fill the “P” in.
Once the “P” was all painted, I let the paint dry well then sanded it down to give it a distressed look.
Now we have a fun Pallet Letter Sign hanging in our den!
The best part, it was FREE!
Gotta love a free piece of custom art hanging on the wall that most people assume cost a fortune!
The Hollis Wreath {aka Felt Wreath}
This wreath now hangs on our front door to celebrate the new addition to our family!
I decided to add a big “H” to the center of the wreath for Hollis!
(To make the dots, I used this method)
Doesn’t the pink make you happy?!
It would also be super cute in blue too!
Seriously, this wreath was so simple to make and I think I will make one for every season or occasion!
I just love the rufflie goodness!
Want to learn how to make one for your door?!
Check out my friend Mandy’s blog for the tutorial!
She made this one for the 4th of July this year:
How cute is that?!
Have fun making a super cute felt wreath for your front door!
{baby Hollis} The Nursery
I am sooooo super excited to FINALLY reveal Hollis’s nursery!
I am super bummed because as most of you know, our house was broken into and my laptop was stolen… with all of the step by step pictures and tutorials for the nursery.
Booo-hoo-hoo…
..that seriously stinks because I was soooo excited to share every.single.teeny.tiny.detail with you and literally walk you through every step of decorating this nursery.
Anywho,
we must move on…
…so I will try my best to share as many tips and tutorials as I can!
Now for the BIG REVEAL!!!
One of my favorite things in the nursery is this light fixture.
I found it a Goodwill for $5!
It was brass (not a “good” brass) and seriously AWFUL!
With the help of Krylon’s Watermelon spray paint, this light fixture went from drab to FAB!
One thing I loved about this light fixture right away was the sweet flower detail on the frosted globes!
I painted the ceiling medallion with a “dry” paint brush to give it a weathered look.
I used the same paint as I did on the walls (Valspar Aqua Glow) and love the way it turned out!
I decided to hang the chevron pennant banner I made for Harper’s Bow Tie & TuTu Birthday Party above the closet in the nursery!
This sweet pink dresser was a side of the road find from about 6 years ago.
With a little Valspar Sweet Pink paint, some Krylon Ivy Leaf Spray Paint on the handles and some glass knobs, this dresser turned into the perfect dresser for a sweet little baby girl’s nursery!
I am really loving the way the dresser pops against the aqua walls!
{tutorial on the HOLLIS letters coming soon}
I decided to use everyday baby items as décor in her nursery as well!
These burps add a fun pop of color on top of the dresser and are easily accessible at the same time!
{Burp Cloth Tutorial coming soon!}
Above Hollis’s crib are her giant monogram!
You can purchase it here at an awesome price!
I spray painted this one using Krylon Watermelon.
I also made the crib shirt using this tutorial!
When I walk into the nursery,
I instantly become happy!
I love the pops of pink, green and aqua!
Above the daybed hangs two old windows that display our favorite ultrasound pictures of Hollis!
Ross removed (more like beat) the glass with a hammer then added chicken wire to the back of the window panes securing it in place with a staple gun.
I used little tiny clothes pins to display the ultrasound pictures!
The “changing table” is an old super heavy oversized chest that I painted and distressed years ago!
Love it!
I used a shutter that I found on the side of the road to hold Hollis’s bows!
I was surprised to find that it works GREAT!
(and just incase you are wondering… this is not even half of the bows Hollis has waiting to be worn!)
Of course, this is a nursery,
so I wanted to make sure to keep it fun!
I saved these fun little sock animals that were in Cliff’s nursery and decided they were perfect to hang out in Hollis’s nursery!
I made this super fun, scrappy lamp using this tutorial.
Did you notice this guy?!
The mobile that hangs in the nursery had a seriously fabulous tutorial ready to go!…
…on the laptop that was stolen…
Don’t worry, I am trying to recreate the tutorial for you!
{Mobile tutorial/details coming soon}
There is a local artist here called “The Chicken Man” and I knew that I wanted to use his awesome work in Hollis’s nursery!
(This one was in my room when I was in highschool!)
I love this happy little corner of the nursery!
See the other Chicken Man painting?!
The pink bamboo table used to be green and would you believe me if I told you it is actually a planter with a stacked basket on top?!
This pom pom banner was super simple to make and added the perfect element of fun to the crib!
{Pom Pom Banner tutorial coming soon}
Apparently crib bumpers are a BIG no no now…
(It’s amazing Cliff and Harper survived with their fabulously thick bumpers in their cribs…Ha!… seriously these “baby safety” rules change so fast that I am out of the loop even though I had a baby 2 years ago…)
So, I decided to forgo a bumper and applique Hollis’s monogram in the center of her crib sheet!
I love the way it turned out!
The cornice board was created using this tutorial.
I decided to keep this one straight since the window is so large and I added pom poms to the bottom edge too!
Would you believe me if I told you it is made out of foam board?!
I can’t wait to show Hollis her nursery!
(…she better stay put for about three more weeks though!)
Paint Colors:
Wall: Valspar Aqua Glow
Dresser: Valspar Sweet Pink
Monogram, light fixture, bamboo side table: Krylon Watermelon Spray Paint
Lamp base, drawer pulls, hoop for mobile: Krylon Ivy Leaf Spray Paint
Fabrics:
Cornice board window treatment: Kumari Garden Jeevan Pink
Circle on crib sheet: Kumari Garden Tarika Moss
Crib skirt: Kumari Garden Tarika Blue
Yay for a finished nursery!
…Now what am I going to do to pass the time?!…
{Summer Mantel}
I am loving our summer mantel!
It’s fun, fresh and happy!
I decided to pull out these fun fish that a local artist, The Chicken Man, created.
Aren’t they funky and fun?!
I decided to throw a bunch of “P’s” on the mantle and love how they turned out!
The P’s came from the wood isle in Hobby Lobby and I painted them!
Summer is a time for color, light and happiness.
I really wanted to bring the feeling of “summer fun” into our home!
I love, love, LOVE the way I feel when I walk into our den!
Oh yea,
the windows were FREE!
Does it get any better than that?!
Happy Summer!
{Giant Ruffle Lampshade Tutorial}
Remember this fun lamp that sports a giant ruffle in our bedroom?!
Today, I am going to share with you how you can make your own!
Yippy!
Ok, so start by measuring the circumference around your lamp shade and multiply that by 3 or 4, depending on how “ruffily” you want your ruffle to be.
This will be your length.
For the width, measure the width of your lampshade and visualize how much of the actual shade you want to peek out.
I wanted my shade to show few inches on either side, but if you want to cover the entire shade then make sure you add at least 1 1/2 inches to the width of your fabric for seam allowance, etc.
Fold your long sides down 1/4 inch then 1/4 inch again.
Iron in place and pin, then stitch.
Make sure you backstitch at both ends!
(Do this for both long sides!)
Next set your machine to the longest stitch setting and stitch about 1 or so inch away from the edge. DO NOT BACK STITCH!!!!
(Do this for both long sides)
Next pull ONE thread at the end of the long stitch to create your ruffle at one of the sides then repeat for the other long side.
Use your shade as a guide to see how much or little you need to ruffle and adjust accordingly. You need to make sure to leave about an inch overlap.
Plug your hot glue gun in and lay your shade on it’s side.
Then lay the ruffle on top of the shade with the end on top of the seam.
This is where you will begin.
Run a long line of hot glue along the end of the ruffle and press into place.
Next begin by running a strip of hot glue along the stitch that created the ruffle and press into place. I found that it works best to run a strip a few inches long at a time, press into place and repeat on the other side.
Fold your fabric back and continue to run strips of hot glue along where the ruffle stitch will touch the lampshade then press into place…
Make sure your ruffle is straight!
And remember to glue a few inches along one side then a few inches along the other side working your way around the lampshade.
Continue this until your ends overlap and run hot glue the end into place.
Once your ruffle is all glued to the lampshade,
you can go back and “tack” any places that may stick out funny, etc.
Now you have a super fun lampshade for your home!
Isn’t it fun?!
Yay for giant ruffles!
(and little ruffles too!)
DIY Picture Frame {Tutorial} & Using Lacquer Spray Paint
Remember these fun frames that display the little’s photos in our master bedroom?!
They used to look ummmm not so cute…
I busted out removed the mirrors from the frames.
Then I whipped out a can of Rustoleum Black Lacquer spray paint.
I wanted the frames to look super shiny and elegant so the “lacquer” look was perfect for this project!
When using this spray paint, you want to take extra time to make sure that the surface you are painting is SUPER clean and free of dust, dirt, etc. This paint is SUPER glossy and a tiny spec of dust or sand will show up. After a thorough cleaning, make sure that your surface is COMPLETELY dry. Following the directions on the back of the can, paint your frames (or whatever you are painting). Use thin coats allowing the paint to dry completely before applying the next coat. Eventually, your surface will be super shiny and fabulous! TAKE YOUR TIME WITH THIS PART!
Once your frames are totally dry (I let mine dry overnight just to be super safe), get some twine, scissors and a staple gun.
(Note: you can use any type of wire, very thick string, etc)
Turn your frame over and staple the twine to the back of the frame leaving an inch or so sticking out on each end.
Then take the extra twine on both ends and staple it like this, pulling in the opposite direction:
See how they look from the front?!
I used tiny clothes pins to hang the photos!
Now you have super fun open back frames to display your favorite photos!
The best part is how simple it is to switch the photos out!
How to paint perfect letters on wood! {tutorial}
I made these fun signs for our Master Bedroom.
I ran across this on Pinterest and fell HEAD OVER HEELS!
I loved the simplicity and sweetness.
I was so inspired and wanted to create my own version for our room.
I began by cutting out the words in vinyl using my Silhouette.
Then I used the negative and applied to vinyl to the wood signs.
I had wood left over from when I created the little’s silhouettes for our den,
so I decided to use it for this project.
Make sure you press the vinyl down REALLY well so it is completely adhered to the wood and the paint will not bleed behind the vinyl.
Then you will dip a stencil brush in your paint and blot until the brush is “dry” just like I shared in this Monogrammed Pillow Tutorial last week!
Next dab and dab and dab the paint on!
Peel the vinyl off BEFORE the paint dries and…
… you have an awesome, simple but oh so very sweet sign!
(and your letters look fabulous!!!)
If you do not have a Silhouette or Cricut then you can use this brilliant technique.
Easy peasy, right?!
Happy stenciling!
Monogram Pillow {Tutorial}
On our bed, in our “new” master bedroom is this fun monogrammed pillow!
Today, I am going to share how to make it so you can make one too!
I cut two rectangles out of the fabric of your choice.
The size of the pillow is totally up to you and depends on where you it to be!
I cut my fabric 15 inches by 13 inches.
(remember to cut TWO rectangles)
Now using your Silhouette or Cricut, cut out the initials you want on your pillow.
(for our pillow the initials are nPr – this is our “married monogram” you put the first initial that is in the alphabet, then the initial for your last name, then the second person’s initial that comes later in the alphabet – So “N” in Natalie comes before the “R” in Ross – got it?!)
Take one of your rectangles and apply the negative of your letters for the monogram.
I cut my letters out separately and placed the negative part of the vinyl onto the fabric, starting with the middle initial.
Make sure to place some cardboard or a paper towel under the fabric so that paint will not bleed through onto your work area!
Get a stencil brush, dip it into paint and then “dab” the excess paint off so that the brush is almost dry.
This will prevent the paint from bleeding under the vinyl and ensure that you have straight, clean edges.
Dab the paint onto the fabric like this:
(See how light the paint it is?! This way it will not bleed!)
Apply numerous thin coats until the fabric is no longer showing through the paint.
Once your letter is completely stenciled onto the fabric, gently peel off the vinyl…
And then move to the next letter.
Peeling the vinyl off before the paint dries is key to achieving a clean look!
Once your letters are stenciled and the vinyl is removed,
you should have something that looks like this:
Once the paint is completely dry, place your two pieces of fabric right sides together and stitch around all four sides leaving a 4-5 inch opening at the bottom center of the pillow to allow you to stuff it!
Turn your pillow right side out.
(See the opening at the bottom?!)
Now stuff your pillow until you are happy with the fluffiness.
Then hand stitch or machine stitch the bottom opening closed.
And now you have a fun monogram pillow for pennies!
(seriously, this cost me less than $2!)
Yay for custom pillows!
Happy stenciling!
