Gallery Wall How-To: Create a Focal Point with Framed Art

Create continuity by choosing one or more common element.

I chose black frames and square/rectangle shapes.  I also spaced all of my frames about 2 inches apart.

  

Create interest by adding variety.

My frames have different textures – some are ornate and some are simple and sleek.  Some have mats, some do not.  I used a variety of media to create visual interest.

 

Choose a theme for your grouping.

Because my grouping is in my bedroom, the first theme is “Lyndi” – things that represent me and a secondary theme is serenity, peace, comfort – because I want a relaxing and rejuvenating atmosphere.  I also chose subdued tones.  Your theme might be nature, Victorian era, abstract art, your children, the ocean, yellow – possibilities are endless.

 

Arrangement

Either keep things symmetrical, even and straight or go with an odd number placed  in a more free, organic shape.  I chose the organic approach for my wall.  If going symmetrical, the frames should be all the same.

Laying frames on the floor on top of craft or wrapping paper lets you choose the look you want without a bunch of nail holes in your wall.  When you are happy with the arrangement, tape the paper onto the wall and then put the nails through the craft paper.  Then tear the craft paper down and the nails are ready for all your frames.

 

If you love the photo, it's available for purchase in my Etsy shop, TheBurlapFlower!

 I started with a small grouping and have added frames, as I made or found new art pieces.  I have also made it kind of a game to find the least expensive frames I can – check out antique stores, thrift stores, garage sales, Buy, Sell, Trade groups, Craigslist, your basement and store sales.  The frame around my lilac photo was in a pile of trash, so that was my least expensive find – I painted it black and now I love it! 

Dollar Store Cupcake Stands

Step 1:  Search through your dollar store to find items to make your stand.  Check the party supply section for trays, the candle section for candle holders and the dish section for plates, cups, trays, etc. that could be used for your cake/cupcake stand.  Here are the materials I ended up with.  I looked for a plastic martini glass to use, but apparently there isn't a demand for them in January.

 

You will also need super glue and spray paint.

 

Step 2:  Glue your pieces together.

 

Step 3:  Spray paint.

 

Step 4:  Add embellishment. (optional)

Step 4:  Serve your cake or cupcakes in style!

 

Favorite Things Gift Exchange

At a Christmas party with a group of friends, we decided to do a favorite things gift exchange.  Kind of like Oprah.  We didn't have to draw names or shop for a specific person or wrap the presents. 

We just chose something that we love and bought 3 of them (they had to be under $6 each). 

Then at the party, we wrote our name on 3 slips of paper and then drew three names that would be the recipient of our 3 gifts!  The gifts at my party were EOS chap stick, a Ghirardelli peppermint bar, fine tip Sharpie pens, snowman ornaments and a mason jar drinking glass.  It was so fun, sharing our favorite things and making people happy. 

As the hostess, I made gift bags for people to take home their gifts in and it was my first time using washi tape - I love it!

I actually wanted to print on the bags, but they were way too thick for my printer, so I went to plan B and printed my design on normal white paper and tried out my new washi tape.

Another great thing is - this exchange doesn't need to be at Christmastime - you can plan a Favorite Things party any time of the year!

∞Infinity Scarves∞

Jordan, modeling her new scarf!
 

Hadley, modeling Jordan's scarf!

 

My sister Jordan requested an infinity scarf (above), so I started researching them and making practice scarves.  Here is what I discovered:

1.  Use soft, lightweight fabric - knit or flannel.  Jordan had a specific look she wanted and I could only find cotton fabric and that turned out well, just a bit more stiff than other fabrics.

2.  My first attempt ended up too wide, but not long enough.  Length is probably the most important part of the scarf. 14 x 67.5 is what worked for me, but it is really a matter of preference.  H is for Handmade is the tutorial I used and she prefers 22 x 63.

3.  Cut two lengths of fabric 14 x 67.5 each - these can be the same fabric or coordinating fabrics

4.  Lay right sides together and sew the two long ends, leaving a 3 inch opening on one side.  Be sure to backstitch before and after the opening. 

5.  Reach through the tube of fabric and pull the short end through, until the two short ends meet.

6.  Sew all the way around the short ends.

7.  Pull the scarf though the opening.

8.  Hand stitch the opening closed, using a ladder stitch.

The planning is the most work - once you know the fabric you'll use and the right length - it is very easy to make!


My mom, front row, modeling an infinity scarf I made for her - gray fabric with silver metallic chevron print.
That is me, top center with my gorgeous family around me!

Free Printable 2014 Calendar - Wishing You a HAPPY New Year

I wanted to say

Merry Christmas

and

HAPPY NEW YEAR

and

Thank You

for reading my blog!

I designed this calendar as a gift for you!

Free Printable 2014 Calendar

DIY Yarn Star Ornaments

I wanted to find a craft for my Bible Study girls to make at our Christmas party.  My requirements:

1. easy

2. not too time consuming

3. inexpensive

4. something cool they would actually use

I don't ask for much! 
I think I found the perfect thing - a yarn-wrapped star ornament (don't think "kindergarten project", think "Pottery Barn, rustic chic").

For this Project, you'll need:

printed star shape (or hand-drawn, if you can)

scissors

cardboard (mine was literally a Crate & Barrel box from a recent order)

hot glue gun/glue sticks

twine

yarn

 

Decide on the size and shape of star you want and print it.  You can find a customizable shape Microsoft Word under Insert<Shapes.

 

Then cut it out and place it on top of your cardboard and trace around it.

 

 

Cut the star out of the cardboard.

 

 

Hot glue a length of twine to the star, to be the ornament hanger.

 

 

Hot glue the starting end of the yarn - then start wrapping - there is no right way to wrap, as long as you cover all the cardboard, you will be successful!  I found it helpful to hot glue the yarn at each of the star points.  When you've finished wrapping, cut the yarn and hot glue the end to the back of the ornament, tucked under. 

The stars can be used as ornaments or as a decorative element on gifts. 

 

Look how great it looks on my tree (bottom right)!

 

All the girls in Bible Study did a great job!

Look how cute Gayle looks while crafting!

I can just picture these stars on a garland or on a rustic-themed tree!!

Since this is my last blog before Christmas,

 

Homemade Christmas Gifts

For the last few years I have given homemade food gifts to my co-workers and friends.  It's become a really fun tradition for my mom and sisters to come over to my place for an annual baking day, then I take them out to dinner for all their help! 

 

The first year was Gourmet Cookies

Second year was hand-dipped pretzels

 

 

Third year was peanut clusters, peanut butter balls and holly clusters.

And this year, I decided on gourmet popcorn.  I searched different recipes on Pinterest and online and decided on:

this Reindeer Crunch recipe by Framed Cooks. 

 

We popped popcorn,

 

made the sauce,

baked it,

 

melted chocolate chips,

 

 

drizzled,

 

 

and packaged!

 

 

It was a lot of work, but it was great!  The recipe turned out AMAZING!  The best part was spending the entire day just hanging out and working in the kitchen with my mom and sister.