Tulip Arrangements

I love tulips! And while they aren't in season right now, I can't help but smile when I think of their long slender stem, and big bloom.

Some people like their tulip floral arrangements to look more like a bridal bouquet, tight and filled to the brim with tulips galore. Others, like the casual sway of drooping tulips. Whatever your preference, you can follow the instructions in THIS ARTICLE to make your tulips droopy (or just to the opposite to make the tulips stand more erect).

For more tips on floral arranging check out THIS BOOK or read up more on tulips themselves with THIS BOOK.

Making Felt Coasters

I confess... I love the craftiness of Martha Stewart, but don't always feel like I can compete with what she creates. UNTIL NOW! I can do this, I just haven't taken pictures myself.... I openly admit I'm not too good with connecting my camera to the computer and actually downloading pics! But I honestly HAVE made THIS CRAFT— making felt coasters — and would make it again and again as a housewarming project.

Decorating Banquet Tables

Decorating tables for a banquet might seem daunting at first, but once you learn where everything goes it's simple, and remember everything has a place!

Nicely decorated tables help set the mood for your event, and shows the guests that the details are important. Follow the tips in THIS ARTICLE for information on how to put what where. Whether its a formal wedding party or a church function, the tips you'll find here will help your table look terrific.

Spool Dolls

If you like old-timey crafts then you've got to try out THIS CRAFT IDEA on how to make an spool dolls from old wooden thread spools (check out pictures & references HERE).  It's the perfect craft to make on a rainy day, or especially when your kids want a one-of-a-kind toy.

And since we're on the subject of cute wooden dolls, check out the Wunderments of Wonderkind blog for other great ideas on how to decorate wooden dolls. I found this blog today and I'm LOVING the cuteness! Visit the etsy store HERE.

Choosing Molding

Does your home need a pick-me-up? Why not install some crown molding (they even have some varieties that just sticks on.... that's right, no nail and hammer required!) Just make sure you get the right proportion of molding to the size of your room, and try to match up the overall style too.

Read THIS ARTICLE for tips on how to decided on molding.

Potpourri For Me!

I remember distinctly the first time I discovered potpourri —it was a mulberry mix in my mom's friend's house — and I was in love with the scent! Who knew that something so weird looking could have such fragrance?!

With that in mind, I write to you about one of my current favorite mixes, "country apples with oranges" — it smells like a cup of warm apple cider!

Follow the instructions HERE for tips on how to make the potpourri and then do further reading on THIS ARTICLE for how to keep the potpourri clean and dust-free.

What Size Place Mats?

Planning your table for a gathering may entail not only creating a seating chart, but it may also require you to buy or create new place mats. If you're trying to determine how large your place mats should be for your table there are a few things to consider. You'll need to know how large your table is and also how many people you want to have at the table. Although there are some general guidelines for how many people comfortably sit at a table, using place mats helps keeps people contained in one area and may allow you to sit people closer together than normal. Check out THIS ARTICLE for info on how to determine how to measure your table for place mats.

Measuring for Drapery Panels

Liven up a room with a splash of color — it's easy to do with new drapery panels. If your windows were naked previously, don't worry, ensuring you get good-fitting window treatments is simple with a few easy steps.

You'll need a friend to help you hold the tape measure though. Follow the step-by-step instructions in THIS ARTICLE to show you what to do and how much extra fabric to allow for hemming and positioning of the drapes on the wall.

Who's Got the Button?

Who doesn't love button collecting? I'll admit, I have a sort of fetish about buttons, I LOVE them! But I don't have a collection, mostly because I'm not willing to spend tons of money on buttons, and because I don't really have a spot for them, but I really, completely, UTTERLY enjoy viewing buttons. In fact, sometimes I selected clothing for my kids based on the buttons- tiny little baseball decorated buttons for my boys, and huge hot pink buttons for my daughter.

And while I'm not the biggest button collector myself, I still enjoyed researching and writing a little bit about the fun hobby of button collecting. If you're interested in starting your own collection, or just want to know what the hub-bub is all about, check out THIS article of mine published on Bright Hub.

Reindeer Wreath Cuteness

Reindeer wreaths are an ultra-cute way to decorate for the holidays and are very simple to make yourself. Start with a bunch of fallen pinecones and a wreath form, or purchase a ready-made pinecone wreath from the craft store-- look for a plain wreath with no glitter or paint on the pinecones. (Inspiration taken from the book Family Fun Homemade Holidays.)

Add a few fun accessories, such as a ski cap, gloves, and pom-pom balls, and you're ready for a cute door decoration that shows your holiday spirit. Check out THIS article for step-by-step directions.

Decorating Votive Candle Holders

Votive candles, you know- those tiny little candles- look cute all on their own, or when placed inside glass candle holders. If you're table needs a little pick-me-up or is just screaming for some personalization, you can easily decorate those votives to suite your needs and tastes.

Don't worry, these ideas don't break the bank, and they don't take forever either. Just gather together some of your favorite supplies in a coordinated color and you're ready to start adding some personality to those plain candles. Check out THIS article for great info on how to decorate votives.

Making a Fresh Flower Corsage

This summer I had the opportunity to work with my friend Denise with her floral business TruSo Weddings. Thanks to her training, I learned how to make corsages and boutineers, which actually aren't that difficult to make.

For step-by-step info on how to make a corsage check out THIS ARTICLE on one of my new writing clients, Bright Hub.

Potato Prints

You say "potato" I say "paint."

Okay, so that's not how the song goes, but it is how the craft goes! That's right... I said craft and paint together..... and here's the mind blower... on fabric!

Instead of buying some fancy stamps you'll use once (if ever) you can create your own "stamps" by cutting shapes into potato haves, dipping them in some fabric paint, and then stamping them onto fabric. Find step-by-step instructions on the article HERE, watch a Martha Stewart video HERE or check out a crafter in action, with great pictures HERE.

How to Cover a Wall Patch with Paint

Patching walls is a normal part of home maintenance, especially if you ever move furniture or have children. Patching the wall is only part of the process. Unless you plan on covering the patch with a piece of furniture or a picture you'll need to match the paint and paint over the area.

Although it's easy to paint over the area INcorrectly, it's also simple to fix it the correct way, once you know the proper techniques. Follow THIS article for info on how to paint over wall patches the right way.

Making Pleated Curtain Swags

Although you can purchase ready-made window treatments from the store, why not make your own?

Simple swags, which drape over the curtain rod, are easy to fashion, and even pleated curtain swags aren't difficult to create either. Designing and sewing your own curtains allows you to better match fabric around the room, and feature a particular theme in color or pattern.

Check out THIS article written by egghead for info on how to make pleated curtain swags.

Extending Curtain Poles

Window treatments enhance the design and turn a plain room to into a room with pizazz!

Although many curtain poles are telescoping, which adjust to the width of your window, from time to time you might have to adjust the pole yourself. Check out THIS article for info on how to extend curtain poles.

Making Wired Star Christmas Ornaments

So Christmas might be over, but in all the rush to get things done during the season, I forgot to complete some of the super-cool decorating ideas I'd collected over the year. One of the nifty ideas I found from Family Fun Magazine was a rustic-looking wire star-shaped Christmas ornament.

Check out THIS article for ways to create a similar ornament and then alter it slightly to fit the color scheme of your Christmas tree.  (I'm still trying to figure out if there is a way to add lights inside... so let me know if you have any ideas!)


(Photo from the Family Fun Website)

Installing Rain Barrels

Rain barrels add a rustic charm to any home, and also help conserve water- talk about a Win-Win!

Although many homeowners might hesitate to fiddle with the downspouts on their home, swapping out a portion of the spout is easy when you check out THIS video and read the instructions on THIS eHow article.

Don't think you are limited to just the traditional wooden-style of rain barrel though. Today's homeowners have many options for collecting water. you can also purchase plastic-style tubs, or more designer rain harvesters such as THIS  THIS or THIS.

PVC Lighthouse Birdhouse

Birdhouses are both fun to make and functional for birds. Instead of breaking out the ole hammer and nails, why not try to make a fun lighthouse themed birdhouse from PVC pipe instead. It's already round, which obviously looks more like a lighthouse, and will make for a great conversation starter with your friends who visit the house.

Follow THIS LINK for info on how to create your own birdhouse from PVC pipes.

How to Care for Bonsai Trees

If Bonsai trees conjure up images of Mr. Miagi and the Karate Kid trimming a small tree, you're not alone. Tiny mature trees, knows a Bonsai trees take years to cultivate, but can last up to 100 years.  Check out THIS article for steps on how to plant and then care for bonsai trees.