a year of DIY.

Hello blog readers!

I hope you had a wonderful New Years celebration! Happy 2011!

I thought I'd take a look back at all of the DIY projects I completed in 2010 - it was more than I even realized! Here's a recap of my favourites...

- ray-ban pillows.

- jersey car visor cd holder.

- tribal print skirt.

- side table makeover! before.

- after.

- custom duvet cover (fabric by mood).

- floral print skirt.

- jersey tube top.

- 70s chair makeover.

- Christmas centrepiece.

Here's to even more DIY in 2011! (including my wedding - biggest DIY of life...)

Decorating for Christmas!

As a first time home owner, I'm sooooo excited about decorating :) Here's a few things I did for Christmas (for very little $$)...

There's nothing like a real garland wrapped in lights. This is the extra that Bryce's dad had after he finished his own garage. We even had enough to double it up! The lights are borrowed as well :)

Homemade window boxes. The boxes were 6.99 at Belgian Nursery, and I got a bunch of spruce? (sorry, I don't know my trees very well...) for 6.99 as well. The little berries were half price at Michael's. So for 2 window boxes (I have one on the other side of the door as well), I think I spent $25? Maybe not even. Oh, and the twigs are from a tree on our yard.

That 6.99 bit of evergreen stuff went a long way...I even got a (wreath? what do you call this?) out of it as well! And I attached this stick/pinecone/straw thing from Dollarama to it with a piece of wire. Added a few more dollarama berries to the top. It's just hanging by a piece of wire to a door wreath holder.

I also had some trimmings from the garland + more evergreen stuff (I told you it went a long way!) + some left over from the Divine Dessert night that Bryce brought home for me = centrepiece. I just laid little pieces on a dinner plate, got a few tealights for the centre, and a few more of those dollarama berries. My table is the same width as a roll of wrapping paper, so I cut a piece of polka dotted paper, and laid it on top, then I cut a runner-width out of the other paper. This is my favourite :)

HAPPY DECORATING!

wanted.

Can anyone help me? I need a few things things for wedding decor, and I was wondering if anyone has them kicking around their homes, and might be willing to lend/give/sell for a small amount?

Wooden rain barrels - need 3, all the same height

Wooden ladders - need 4, doesn't matter if they match

Galvanized pails - need a variety, mismatched, varying heights

Wooden crates - need a variety, mismatched

Let me know!!

empty frames.

I'm always on the look out for unique wall decor ideas, and this is my latest favourite. Pretty cheap too. Just find some old, interesting looking frames in different shapes and sizes and paint them all the same colour (or complimentary colours) and hang them however looks best. In other words, just do whatever you want with them - foolproof right? I especially like the white frames on white walls, just adds texture. And the frames with the ribbon through them, with pictures clipped to the ribbons. Above beds and dressers, and up staircases. The possibilities are endless.

Erin ever after

lifeandstyleatoz.blogspot.com

thenester.com

tipjunkie.com

myoldbluesuitcase.blogspot.com

fireplaces without fire.

I just recently stumbled upon this interesting article in Real Simple - a magazine about home and food and fashion. The photos show ideas for how to fill an empty fireplace hearth, when it's not in use for the warmer seasons. They fill it with plants, unique vases, a mirror, birch wood, and a ball of lights. Gone are the days when you only displays pretty things on the mantel of your fireplace, I suppose? I'm okay with that...

tea party.

I want to have one.

With personalized tea bags. With interesting and unique details.

With tiny cute appetizers.

And with a beautiful, elaborate centrepiece.

Someday.

Images from Style Me Pretty

pinecones.

Just the word pinecone is interesting. I just love how effortless and natural they look - they make a statement on their own. Combine that with a unique display idea - brilliant.

cute spaces.

Lately I'm all about these little breakfast nook areas. Someday...

a little dinner party.

For my 21st birthday last year, I decided to have a little dinner party. Setting the table for this affair was an absolute thrill. I found some cute wrapping paper at Chapters which I used as a table runner. I also got some a stalk of bamboo for each of my guests which I put in little dollar store candle holders with some aquarium rocks from the pet store. The favours doubled as centrepieces as well. For the main centre piece I found some almost-expired peonies, which they were selling for 50% off at the grocery store. The mirrors were a gift from my boyfriend, which I hadn't yet taken the time to put on the wall. I'm really proud of how it turned out...