Now that I have my own home, I am really getting excited about decorating for the holidays (the addition of a basement to store out-of-season decor has been a huge help)! So when Brother asked me to create a some home decor for Christmas, I ran right out to the craft store and loaded up on dried/faux greenery and embellishments. I came back home and tinkered around for a while using different combinations of supplies to create a bunch of wreaths, and these simple braided ones were the clear winner.
I grabbed the wire rope as I was leaving the floral section, not quite sure how I would use it, but after braiding it together and realizing how easy it was to mold and glue the greenery to, I knew I was headed in the right direction. I kept the embellishment simple with a few of my favorite things: dried eucalyptus and unfinished wood with a little pop of color. This finishing touch is a personalized message on satin ribbon using my handy Brother P-touch Embellish Ribbon & Tape Printer, to create the perfect hostess gift for holiday parties.
I played around with size, and the small ones are light enough to be a great ornament, I just love the idea of making new ones with the family every Xmas and adding the date and a little memory to the ribbon to remember each year. Ok, I am running out to get more supplies, because I invited the girls over for a craft night to make more wreaths. Let me know if you do the same, and get creative with the embellishments, I would love to see how they turn out! 
Steps and supplies after the break… (more…)
I have to admit, I have never been too excited to decorate for Thanksgiving because I never loved the color palette…orange, bleh! But mixing a little orange with pale pinks and greens…yes! But mixing a little orange with pale pinks and greens…yes! I partnered up with Brother™ to create a tablescape inspired buy these new Fall hues! Finding decorations that fit my color scheme was so much easier than I thought: the craft store has plastic pumpkins in blush and mint, the grocery store had a bunch of decorative gourds, giant pale green squash, and I spray painted little pumpkins with a matte cream color.
I started by laying down this gorgeous pink runner – I LOVE how light it is, and the movement it brings to the table. I played around a bit with the pumpkins and gourds, originally adding candle stick holders, then a floral arrangement…but ended up scaling back to just the pumpkins and gourds, with a simple table setting.
Next, my favorite part! I finally got to play with my P-touch Embellish Ribbon & Tape Printer. That’s right, you can print your personalized messages on a selection of satin ribbons! Honestly, I have not even scratched the surface of the insane amount of different fonts, symbols, patterns, borders this little machine has. Since there is so much happening on the table I wanted to keep it simple with a lower case font on a white ribbon with gold text (complete with a heart). Very clean, very classic.
I started with my guest’s names, and pinned each ribbon to a little pumpkin on their plate for placeholders. Then I was having so much fun, I decided to include a message for passing the bread…I had to stop myself before tying a little ribbon on to everything! It’s just such an elegant (not to mention quick) way to add an extra little touch. Brilliant! (more…)
Can you believe its almost 2017 already?! Where did the year go! I am super excited to be hosting a New Years party, and want to wow my guests with some fun decor. Today I’m going to show you how to transform a space in your home into a bar area with a resolution wall. I have white walls in my apartment and wanted to do something a little more dramatic, but temporary for the occasion. I got some chalkboard cabinet liner and cut it into long strips to create a graphic black and white wall. Not only is the wall a great focal point, but it also doubles as a functional party activity! Your guests can write their resolutions and goals for the year right on the wall. Next, I took a wooden bar cart from Walmart.com and decked it out in all the ingredients to make Moscow mules, including some fun copper cups. I added a few more chalk board paint accessories, like the bowl and the vase, so guests could write on multiple surfaces. Finish it off with a fresh fruit and flowers, and you’ve got the perfect bar area! The new year is all about transformations, and I love who bold this area looks now. I can’t wait to see your take on this DIY project. For more tips and pics head to Walmart.com! (more…)
