Sunday, January 29, 2012

Parties Handmade with Love...

Create a party made with Love...
handmade decorations for your
soiree will surpass anything
you find at local discount
store...
Here are some great party ideas to
get you inspired..

Previous posts have great directions
for the pom poms and buntings

groupings with lanterns
and pom poms look amazing!!



Love Love Love the paper drink straws...



and what is better than pairing the cute
straws with mason jars for guests
to drink from...

These adorable straws can be
found at:




Here is a new fun type of pom pom..


seems simple..cut pieces of
tissue into many circles
and glue onto lantern..


look at these adorable cones
made from cardstock and added
frill!!!
or simple to hold snacks..


Not feeling crafty
this etsy shop will take
good care of your handmade party needs


banners are timeless for homemade parties...







This above setting has it all...

 pinwheels add whimsy..
and make great additions and
are easy to make yourself...


cute on the wall too!





What You’ll Need (for the pinwheels)
Several sheets of 12" x 12" double sided scrapbook or decorative paper (a lighter weight paper, not stiff, heavy card stock)
Round-headed pins
12" wooden dowels
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
A push pin
Flower shaped craft punch
A pair of scissors
A ruler
 
Pinwheel Instructions
1.  Begin by measuring and cutting several 6" inch squares out of your paper.
 
2.  Find the center of your one of the squares and mark it by poking a hole through it with your pushpin.  (see figure 1)
 
3. Lay your paper pattern side down, and use your ruler to draw
diagonal lines from each corner to make an "X".    (see figure 1)
 
4.  Cut along the diagonal lines, from all four corners,  stopping
one inch before you meet the hole in the center of your paper.  (see
figure 2)
 
5.  Use your pushpin to make a hole in the right hand corner of
each side of the square, just to the left of the line you just cut.
(see figure 3)
 
6.  Use your punch to cut out a paper flower.    Stick your round-headed pin through the center of the flower.  (see figure 3)
 
7.  One by one, bring each of the four pin-holed corners to the
center and stick the flower and pin through each of the four holes.
(see figure 4 and 5) 
 
8.  Next, put the pin through the hole in the center of the square and set aside.
 
9.  Make a pilot hole, using your pushpin,  1/2 inch down from the end of the dowel.    
 
10.   Put a drop of hot glue on the hole, and quickly insert the
pin that runs through the pinwheel center into the glue and dowel. 
(see figure 6 and 7)  Be careful not to let the pinwheel paper touch
the glue on the dowel while it’s drying.  If it sticks, it can’t spin.
 
11.   Arrange your completed pinwheels in a vase or container like flower stems. 


Themes are endless but most of these
decorations can work for any theme...
use your imagination and create with
love...




 
 

Friday, January 20, 2012

Living Rooms Inspired by Anthropologie...


With the weather blowing rain and cold in the Pacific Northwest
I feel the need to make my most used room in the house
 Anthro Inspired!
Each of us have different uses for our living room. 
I personally have the need to
create a space that I can cuddle with kids or read a good
book on a rainy day with my sweetheart...

Hopefully these pics will give you some great ideas as well!!!

A couple of main rules of thumb to create
Anthro style is:

1. Vintage: furniture that have the look and feel
of a different era (the 18th, 19th, 20th centuries)

2. Worn look: as in washed out look for fabrics and furniture

3. Patterns: look for fun floral or ethnic (prints from India or Boho style) for rugs, curtains
and throw pillows, and if your bold a chair or sofa

4. Raw: Leaving materials rustic,  both wood and metal. Such as
table, frames, shelves, lamps...



Some prefer warm tones and darker colors:





Which gives the look of a warm and cozy...

If you need a space with more bright colors and
the illusion of light...








I am a bit of an in-between girl...
Here are a few of my fave items to pull in..





Love this...this ebay seller
has an eye for refurb furniture





Another great place to check out fun furniture
besides garage sales
and flea markets is retro furniture stores
they are becoming more popular in larger
cities!!!

This sofa is from a great store in Portland


Check out this link:




Some more of my faves:





There are several books on decorating
that fits into the Anthro Inspired
category, Anthropologie itself
often carries great idea books!!