tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8414079312916469382024-03-17T23:03:46.395-04:00Turning a House into a Home {creating beauty on a budget}Turning a House into a Home focuses on budget-friendly decorating tips, inspirations, and tutorials. Stop on by if you're interested in easy DIY crafting projects designed to add beauty to your home using free, cheap, or natural materials.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-32744351971533449192011-12-12T11:46:00.000-05:002011-12-12T11:46:07.269-05:00I'm Still Here<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKSgmqozHUA9OUImGIOVgwderoV7BI15tFEghnWhVzJWeaRlHFSQibUXZC68N2q0yUiFNF0aYVjz20coKi8MxBd1KBnycx_QHqY-HEMDPAlSmsnAyyflebnX8p95nB2M8ZjGj0OANU43v/s1600/pinecone+christmas" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKSgmqozHUA9OUImGIOVgwderoV7BI15tFEghnWhVzJWeaRlHFSQibUXZC68N2q0yUiFNF0aYVjz20coKi8MxBd1KBnycx_QHqY-HEMDPAlSmsnAyyflebnX8p95nB2M8ZjGj0OANU43v/s400/pinecone+christmas" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/12/outside-in-pinecone-garland.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I know, I know...I've been a horrible blogger recently. I thought I'd rectify the situation with a beautifully inspirational post with lovely pictures and drool-worthy ideas but when I sat down to write, my mind was elsewhere. You see, we have an exciting opportunity happening right now that has me completely preoccupied. My free time has been spent researching, practicing, prepping, and preparing for some meetings. I'm too excited to focus on anything other than the importance of this opportunity and ensuring I don't screw it up. So I'm very sorry. Don't worry, the big day is tomorrow so after that I'll be able to refocus on the holiday season, gift planning and everything I've put on hold (including you).<br />
<br />
Until then, can I give you just one lovely picture that represents my love of using nature in holiday decorations? Will that suffice?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-28399269582214543852011-12-06T10:16:00.000-05:002011-12-06T10:16:17.561-05:00Christmas CardsAs a child, I loved staring at our card display every year and reading the various letters people wrote updating us on their year. Never did I ever expect to be "grown-up" enough to send cards of my own. That was something families and old people did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEb2bd4Y-FwJmLmqa4XEeIfA6uB2PxkkxbYl0h9cki1wjoMGtspiRp9IxXZVgMbINBexNon1JSnQmWikFg7Pv7-ucePr68xXmVsTmebdmdw3RSizwXd025iOyOI8RvsSfq3dHbaIm_A8G/s1600/100_4436_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEb2bd4Y-FwJmLmqa4XEeIfA6uB2PxkkxbYl0h9cki1wjoMGtspiRp9IxXZVgMbINBexNon1JSnQmWikFg7Pv7-ucePr68xXmVsTmebdmdw3RSizwXd025iOyOI8RvsSfq3dHbaIm_A8G/s400/100_4436_1024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Well, last year John and I sent out our very first round of Christmas cards. It was fun to go through a list of people we loved, some we spoke to regularly, some we hadn't spoken to since our wedding. It was a way to tell them we are thinking of you. I greatly appreciate the cards I get from friends and family and I know they do, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj297ZGp2GJYkTIeh6I887SjSonWzNsZTDG5qtDCRwLs316MboTp9Ayp6RlnGkc3mMrydW_HDiD_7TBH5xDCS67fcJnzA2F78VZMpDK_bzc4PPoZUnP_znrs2UiF17U_B5riIliP_vjzwta/s1600/100_4439_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj297ZGp2GJYkTIeh6I887SjSonWzNsZTDG5qtDCRwLs316MboTp9Ayp6RlnGkc3mMrydW_HDiD_7TBH5xDCS67fcJnzA2F78VZMpDK_bzc4PPoZUnP_znrs2UiF17U_B5riIliP_vjzwta/s320/100_4439_1024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This year, to further embrace our snowflake Christmas theme, I made homemade cards. With my newly developed awesome snowflake making skills (seriously, after cutting hundreds for our <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/non-tree-christmas-tree.html" target="_blank">non-tree Christmas tree</a> and other various decorations, I'm a pro.) I whipped out some teeny snowflakes. They were adorable and looked simple yet festive glued onto colorful cardstock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_40N8KvkzwxMAXLY5dslH_B69h6FaXRecRw3trU5Pklfj9Bbk_m9lfOvx6uto6sO_uTeZBkcdBNXK6dSx6Ricq8_VhWTuhbuU6H-MXgeMmJy-zIYmyqn94Edl__zydafZT7CCI_p6NGNB/s1600/100_4437_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_40N8KvkzwxMAXLY5dslH_B69h6FaXRecRw3trU5Pklfj9Bbk_m9lfOvx6uto6sO_uTeZBkcdBNXK6dSx6Ricq8_VhWTuhbuU6H-MXgeMmJy-zIYmyqn94Edl__zydafZT7CCI_p6NGNB/s320/100_4437_1024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-33437358455473177812011-12-05T09:33:00.000-05:002011-12-05T09:33:55.077-05:00Other Creative TreesWe have been greatly enjoying our Non-Tree Christmas Tree. (You can check out what a Non-Tree Christmas Tree is <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tree-day.html" target="_blank">here </a>and see our very own right <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/non-tree-christmas-tree.html" target="_blank">here</a>) It's beautiful and wintery during the day and romantic at night. I just love how the illumination on the snowflakes reminds me of watching snow fall beneath a street light.<br />
<br />
I was curious to see what other creative Christmas Non-Trees have been assembled after finishing ours and enjoying it for a few nights. Check out these awesome non-trees:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaA7FxIXeNFvxIulaemJTJ4OqYgJnWuWldw6Owfx1U4k1CoOkLKPOU7g0pbIjEKhyHBpLractLfPMcFsGYfu4gF-ioFMOwz5r9oyKKP0CJarxtR35Sl8KnjGYvE47tN9h4kTJqAskq-kzb/s1600/Christmas+Non+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaA7FxIXeNFvxIulaemJTJ4OqYgJnWuWldw6Owfx1U4k1CoOkLKPOU7g0pbIjEKhyHBpLractLfPMcFsGYfu4gF-ioFMOwz5r9oyKKP0CJarxtR35Sl8KnjGYvE47tN9h4kTJqAskq-kzb/s320/Christmas+Non+Tree.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2010/12/21/christmas-tree-ornament-mobile-how-to/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwi4mtaXE0o_sHlV31Eo5E2o9dCQOflI3wOuI73R8e8xBjOSqfO5boZr5rtx6bUNDcyzPyjlWhJJH0ojyNW_PYby0C92WXr30ePHcWdgY_P4j73omCSwmoay8I47WOJmKOdDiy9G-hGAn/s1600/Non-Tree+Christmas+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwi4mtaXE0o_sHlV31Eo5E2o9dCQOflI3wOuI73R8e8xBjOSqfO5boZr5rtx6bUNDcyzPyjlWhJJH0ojyNW_PYby0C92WXr30ePHcWdgY_P4j73omCSwmoay8I47WOJmKOdDiy9G-hGAn/s320/Non-Tree+Christmas+Tree.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.cb2.com/home/2010/10/14/how-to-save-a-tree.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYj_vHovIkOvS2Usf9yczXCSSrrIidjHG1ZzSShN22RyzFUajlHF9Wf5UEfTcjF2GGTfZ1uETeoc5pjVkk1kC9EJ6bc5AjHydOfA4N2p5elZBD2Fih5nZls7oM7lWch4U6son7XAOx1mFl/s1600/Wall+Christmas+Tree+Non+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYj_vHovIkOvS2Usf9yczXCSSrrIidjHG1ZzSShN22RyzFUajlHF9Wf5UEfTcjF2GGTfZ1uETeoc5pjVkk1kC9EJ6bc5AjHydOfA4N2p5elZBD2Fih5nZls7oM7lWch4U6son7XAOx1mFl/s320/Wall+Christmas+Tree+Non+Tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shelterness.com/diy-wall-light-christmas-tree/pictures/2216/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Have you ever had a non-traditional tree? If not, maybe you've known someone who opted for a non-tree? Thinking back, I've only ever known people who went the traditional route - Christmas trees, menorahs, etc.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-27223525945364412932011-12-01T18:07:00.001-05:002011-12-05T18:06:25.062-05:00Non Tree Christmas TreeNote: This is the final post in a series of posts. You can read the following here:<br />
Post 1: <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tree-day.html" target="_blank">What is a Christmas Non-Tree?</a><br />
Post 2: <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/snowflake-blizzard.html" target="_blank">Snowflake Blizzard</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqj5J9-xkNiQMnI6mcXtDSMnbLv1wNU2wmRJS2ceymNlMcnNm3IIfqynkOOZJXWI0fnxl3L2v5T-mrIjn8VxlHY79z1NXTJAp4ncztL34x1K0ZB03t9eVQ655v30dU-7re0qWriYaeIRo/s1600/100_4407_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="non tree christmas tree"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqj5J9-xkNiQMnI6mcXtDSMnbLv1wNU2wmRJS2ceymNlMcnNm3IIfqynkOOZJXWI0fnxl3L2v5T-mrIjn8VxlHY79z1NXTJAp4ncztL34x1K0ZB03t9eVQ655v30dU-7re0qWriYaeIRo/s320/100_4407_1024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We decided not to cut down a tree this year because we'll be heading to New Mexico to spend the holiday with my family for a week. It seemed like a waste to get a fresh tree and only enjoy it for a couple weeks before we head out and leave it all alone to die on Christmas Day. Instead, we decided to use the money we would have put towards the tree towards airline tickets.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, though. I love all things Christmas and that includes a Christmas tree. In an effort to save money, I decided to upcycle some things I had at home to create a Christmas Non-Tree. After picturing many different ways of creating a Christmas Non-Tree, I decided to use our tomato cage. It was the perfect shape and would be the easiest method.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpDEzMG7n-gfUJJWLWlvnyzAnhwjQmMhh2Mgc9OtrqO2DxE0mCSoKy4X-aUgoHKbpymlTevrdjz5M-Juc-iclZc8zMLa4xfyJhW9dxJhcY4JgAsldhLGqJrvxjaU8lRqQRvoE8SnO-K0F/s1600/100_4364_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="how to make non tree christmas tree"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpDEzMG7n-gfUJJWLWlvnyzAnhwjQmMhh2Mgc9OtrqO2DxE0mCSoKy4X-aUgoHKbpymlTevrdjz5M-Juc-iclZc8zMLa4xfyJhW9dxJhcY4JgAsldhLGqJrvxjaU8lRqQRvoE8SnO-K0F/s320/100_4364_1024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
After scrubbing it down and sanding some rust off, I got to work draping it with Christmas lights.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88fm8Qicu2tAbUtqTMssAXCDYYgXICk1iyjfUtv8jzRe4AQ_0xNwRl2I3uIPE-gMopcTOP0P5FKiZy3NaSCVmZ_eVMAeekOkAOtZ7OwEv8Is6n-lZVCUdF0j0uLAE2ivKaO8DmLEu7j_1/s1600/100_4366_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="non tree snowflake tree"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88fm8Qicu2tAbUtqTMssAXCDYYgXICk1iyjfUtv8jzRe4AQ_0xNwRl2I3uIPE-gMopcTOP0P5FKiZy3NaSCVmZ_eVMAeekOkAOtZ7OwEv8Is6n-lZVCUdF0j0uLAE2ivKaO8DmLEu7j_1/s320/100_4366_1024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The easiest way for me to do that was draping them vertically and weaving them in and out of the metal rungs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFmQ0hFD9yoSNJ0dzayG40Qp7lGxe7MOnYffbWHqapwlR2dpjyr4XCp6o5smRRdkUQjW4wVCxxGgHeH0iatzPJII7B0m7JZAHivJop7g0Huq1eu9WwcCtH2fgKX9KAv7_hqVpIb43RI0w/s1600/100_4402_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="non tree christmas snowflake tree"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFmQ0hFD9yoSNJ0dzayG40Qp7lGxe7MOnYffbWHqapwlR2dpjyr4XCp6o5smRRdkUQjW4wVCxxGgHeH0iatzPJII7B0m7JZAHivJop7g0Huq1eu9WwcCtH2fgKX9KAv7_hqVpIb43RI0w/s320/100_4402_1024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I then gathered my billion snowflakes and threaded them with fishing line. I made about 14 strands of snowflakes. After tying them together, I draped them over the tomato cage, arranged them carefully, and voila. A Christmas Non-Tree!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JATYd9ucdYyDMyZeYQf8pOXnHtVBI8Xx-WewKjxkCDNFVUJRsBLh1pF4ZrqyMn6h-BEND8SF9EfMs3a6QW-GMXhRut-acRoCX7VNm6-HF2l3Rov_lVuoSVgej3vd9aKhi9IpxFPmzJZ5/s1600/100_4405_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="snowflake non tree christmas tree"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JATYd9ucdYyDMyZeYQf8pOXnHtVBI8Xx-WewKjxkCDNFVUJRsBLh1pF4ZrqyMn6h-BEND8SF9EfMs3a6QW-GMXhRut-acRoCX7VNm6-HF2l3Rov_lVuoSVgej3vd9aKhi9IpxFPmzJZ5/s320/100_4405_1024.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uRAwwCBRIZ7X7pxuyGWTuq4ObV03VhCbR6oHkEg3BN9ToPI-FfZCcOzpC7FnD14ITRzWGwLwmnoiRyrr_tFfA9uuzdWbbl3XoxtoRbp96Xd0TFAqfmit8c6hoZn6wvPM8d7fWWSEF0Qu/s1600/100_4406_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uRAwwCBRIZ7X7pxuyGWTuq4ObV03VhCbR6oHkEg3BN9ToPI-FfZCcOzpC7FnD14ITRzWGwLwmnoiRyrr_tFfA9uuzdWbbl3XoxtoRbp96Xd0TFAqfmit8c6hoZn6wvPM8d7fWWSEF0Qu/s320/100_4406_1024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
It looks beautiful lit up and reminds me of watching snowflakes drift around in front of a street light.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR2Tma3a10fTcZmE2h2wuPjRz5HtPggei7xZ95MrXhoK0ManQjFR271_OOB9ZcY0oJtfHaClgozBIFvSksczvUueI15pauTgjhO025EedNOpkf8mzwNb8K0MNzfMskyzyVDquQ4ahdJ85/s1600/100_4414_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="non tree snowflake christmas tree"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR2Tma3a10fTcZmE2h2wuPjRz5HtPggei7xZ95MrXhoK0ManQjFR271_OOB9ZcY0oJtfHaClgozBIFvSksczvUueI15pauTgjhO025EedNOpkf8mzwNb8K0MNzfMskyzyVDquQ4ahdJ85/s320/100_4414_1024.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NP6rGbd-2FMWw4Sr7zY-LBMEU5q4c7RFZjoot14xTI_oI7zQ9FX1cBJUR5r3JDh5YPtzWqa4RQnK_DPcEoCBvE5DwToSWQl7EuesVKcb7s0DStNUctbxG72ODl0ZhZgeWDRQDLXuFrXD/s1600/100_4416_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NP6rGbd-2FMWw4Sr7zY-LBMEU5q4c7RFZjoot14xTI_oI7zQ9FX1cBJUR5r3JDh5YPtzWqa4RQnK_DPcEoCBvE5DwToSWQl7EuesVKcb7s0DStNUctbxG72ODl0ZhZgeWDRQDLXuFrXD/s320/100_4416_1024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Now that we have a Christmas (non) Tree, I can finally start to get in the Christmas spirit. I still have some other minor ways I plan on transforming our home but until then I think I need to light a candle. One drawback to a Christmas Non-Tree is that it doesn't smell like evergreens. I guess you can't win them all!<br />
<br />
Have you ever made a creative non-tree instead of going the tradition route? I'd love to hear all about yours!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-87379088865736936932011-12-01T11:00:00.004-05:002011-12-05T18:08:25.172-05:00A Snowflake BlizzardNote: This is the second post in a series of the unveiling of our first ever Christmas Non-Tree.<br />
To see the first post, go <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tree-day.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
I love snowflakes. Real snowflakes, paper snowflakes, glass snowflakes. They are a great way for me to enjoy the snow and winter wonder while staying warm and dry. It's also a great way to bring the winter wonderland into your home.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4E9YXJqk2RTdvarreCKI5VJC8PtAO4aWLOwmomnJ5CrmT4zuUPZumd50OFwhH_Qpvoc9PtQcO7YrAae9_kxAIKCovki6-YEFHFngzlEa9J7_CGjuUVXreZVoAX36KEReB1FsjnwCIC6p/s1600/100_4371_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4E9YXJqk2RTdvarreCKI5VJC8PtAO4aWLOwmomnJ5CrmT4zuUPZumd50OFwhH_Qpvoc9PtQcO7YrAae9_kxAIKCovki6-YEFHFngzlEa9J7_CGjuUVXreZVoAX36KEReB1FsjnwCIC6p/s400/100_4371_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When I began formulating my plan for our very first Christmas Non-Tree, I knew I wanted to incorporate snowflakes. If I was going to throw tradition (ours and practically everyone's) to the wind, I wanted to embrace the non-tree idea and make it completely different from any of our previous trees. Enter snowflakes. They were my life for the past week. Every spare moment was spent cutting tiny geometric shapes out of folded paper. At one point my thumb was swollen and purple from the scissors and my finger tips bruised from folding. Still, though, I persevered. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7DFl8Z73lUzR45AiPiVKaku22BgxB0jkp12sgWaCffOR6nGHuLtKrBaij1QvyYv9UhogWT1d8BKALH52qQtLqrqb4h1N4ldYdw4I3_gRn7a1zNgez4OrpTD2J7Oz3ts_oy9fG2YSePfo/s1600/100_4375_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7DFl8Z73lUzR45AiPiVKaku22BgxB0jkp12sgWaCffOR6nGHuLtKrBaij1QvyYv9UhogWT1d8BKALH52qQtLqrqb4h1N4ldYdw4I3_gRn7a1zNgez4OrpTD2J7Oz3ts_oy9fG2YSePfo/s400/100_4375_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Naive me thought about 75-100 snowflakes would be enough. Nope. I ended up cutting 193 snowflakes (yes, I counted). I think I may be a snowflake aficionado now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj389tWb2jrsglYx6KVw9ZTBi36wHeRGiqy2GzGEpGu90XC4ekisT39OCCOwpDjGSdGNTXCzwPrDANML6UDk_3grN_zsEYxJpjPYHYWHJCDzciq2AWFCh1-5qLU6cFYEWv6X-uljSJoEVbi/s1600/100_4377_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj389tWb2jrsglYx6KVw9ZTBi36wHeRGiqy2GzGEpGu90XC4ekisT39OCCOwpDjGSdGNTXCzwPrDANML6UDk_3grN_zsEYxJpjPYHYWHJCDzciq2AWFCh1-5qLU6cFYEWv6X-uljSJoEVbi/s400/100_4377_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If you've ever wanted to know how to fold a snowflake, here you go!<br />
<br />
1. Start with a square: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HgS5oviZob01HTl7yU4XqX5efcUn16l0iQUBfgcvs1TVT4FSwxewgbBGyhd0FBwO2xTV1l7I83twOs_a644R1IxBQiwQ8PLiEdjV6_3o2EyQixPR9KT7znzScSLNldRvOzyLB0enKk_w/s1600/100_4381_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HgS5oviZob01HTl7yU4XqX5efcUn16l0iQUBfgcvs1TVT4FSwxewgbBGyhd0FBwO2xTV1l7I83twOs_a644R1IxBQiwQ8PLiEdjV6_3o2EyQixPR9KT7znzScSLNldRvOzyLB0enKk_w/s320/100_4381_1024.jpg" width="320" /> </a> </div><br />
2. Fold in half diagonally: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw64njlZ_b9tMYA-nQfPTBXXOqm8yWWUzWHAw4Q4LUgXIoPjxwDHZJgRrmLuFWZu9xmfNW-k6b7EO2V_PryQigmEWihLkaVvovV2ihQ-yenUeuUX2UKPG9i6acO9nDxNsIuqGIGfahp4T9/s1600/100_4382_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw64njlZ_b9tMYA-nQfPTBXXOqm8yWWUzWHAw4Q4LUgXIoPjxwDHZJgRrmLuFWZu9xmfNW-k6b7EO2V_PryQigmEWihLkaVvovV2ihQ-yenUeuUX2UKPG9i6acO9nDxNsIuqGIGfahp4T9/s320/100_4382_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
3. Fold in half diagonally again: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i0d5nUAIqhTiRU10KsfnfbY8hFTZOihJmiSGQv24VQ9xDVEkyfyiKVMwTaEPUsr0UMsXMccrTRIqNSSbQHFqxOtRyEPmpstwuvSEpxApm5jPZxyDQTKocm4C_A35SaPAveXB9B917Owh/s1600/100_4384_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i0d5nUAIqhTiRU10KsfnfbY8hFTZOihJmiSGQv24VQ9xDVEkyfyiKVMwTaEPUsr0UMsXMccrTRIqNSSbQHFqxOtRyEPmpstwuvSEpxApm5jPZxyDQTKocm4C_A35SaPAveXB9B917Owh/s320/100_4384_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
4. You will have a smaller triangle:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ml2nOBXhQGD7wmW1yng4lcN6qkzgDIbS8P8w-uGYWz1qZpUAKWQHSDc6rD6q_pXaFAk3t4W_yiGvgZvMT-3RD7dkQVYrNfNZJkHtAcdmUG7Z6QVBfa6m1gv2hg7v9djQPchK5aOZIBK3/s1600/100_4383_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ml2nOBXhQGD7wmW1yng4lcN6qkzgDIbS8P8w-uGYWz1qZpUAKWQHSDc6rD6q_pXaFAk3t4W_yiGvgZvMT-3RD7dkQVYrNfNZJkHtAcdmUG7Z6QVBfa6m1gv2hg7v9djQPchK5aOZIBK3/s320/100_4383_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
5. Take one side of the triangle and bring in to the middle:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhV9z96qpKdgN05VxNsRbmPcx8SsPXyTixWHBOe8wJ85QObIDYBbP7YDGu77_0r2QmWpD1w_HoNxuDMUGoezszIDG1jy1-2DHU30YR5dSMbnY1ECzXDoVDJNSAfNfv7MePOwMQHlSHT2tW/s1600/100_4385_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhV9z96qpKdgN05VxNsRbmPcx8SsPXyTixWHBOe8wJ85QObIDYBbP7YDGu77_0r2QmWpD1w_HoNxuDMUGoezszIDG1jy1-2DHU30YR5dSMbnY1ECzXDoVDJNSAfNfv7MePOwMQHlSHT2tW/s320/100_4385_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
6. Bring the other side over so that the outer length lines up wiith the opposite outer length: *<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KvwCbyBPaK5cSDiZ0NAcsU21BETTVtVoNcz2OQZd4H_SxHOK1l7bF4HVws2jRnN8vwfSLtiAVbEwpjb_9VWY2scVGTks4genqPYzK9n-taHT1gIhF4NN_Vlau7MJJU8r91bnbzfb1vz1/s1600/100_4386_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="how to cut snowflake"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KvwCbyBPaK5cSDiZ0NAcsU21BETTVtVoNcz2OQZd4H_SxHOK1l7bF4HVws2jRnN8vwfSLtiAVbEwpjb_9VWY2scVGTks4genqPYzK9n-taHT1gIhF4NN_Vlau7MJJU8r91bnbzfb1vz1/s320/100_4386_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>*hint: sometimes you have to play around with steps 5 and 6 to get them to meet perfectly.<br />
<br />
7. Cut the top and a bit of the point:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE-87qWiZ7eO_YRHr3-RROoK8Wd2FFnFhpmhyphenhyphenhouaHZu6zxP7LGqGMlRaIDkbbWcHnX8ej2-uwQIxhSXd4IgfLYTITn3PVD1WOra0grrtvsN1iQ1TMUITJ70l3wQaqVKjkB9wfmf-Mo8s/s1600/100_4389_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="snowflake tutorial"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE-87qWiZ7eO_YRHr3-RROoK8Wd2FFnFhpmhyphenhyphenhouaHZu6zxP7LGqGMlRaIDkbbWcHnX8ej2-uwQIxhSXd4IgfLYTITn3PVD1WOra0grrtvsN1iQ1TMUITJ70l3wQaqVKjkB9wfmf-Mo8s/s320/100_4389_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
8. Cut random shapes out of one or both sides. Play around and experiment!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzZZVxlsLsZxvb7Vx8V7_MsqJVsWtiISzXzvvnWXb61CyRrA48qL6DkEtqp_CXnsABddPMVguKMGT8T_ODYRUvlLKTKindMju1dindMjn_aSPpujPjfSUk9g-UXGg1qzGdrTtKjOkd4kP/s1600/100_4392_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="how to cut snowflake"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzZZVxlsLsZxvb7Vx8V7_MsqJVsWtiISzXzvvnWXb61CyRrA48qL6DkEtqp_CXnsABddPMVguKMGT8T_ODYRUvlLKTKindMju1dindMjn_aSPpujPjfSUk9g-UXGg1qzGdrTtKjOkd4kP/s320/100_4392_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
9. Unfold and check out your unique paper snowflake:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK7GJDzq8WgKor0DXZ40Kdk6hlUqTW9aa13PfV8gregeyMiRoklZyxZfeGkqHiIpgRFL88rIEyLvqe2J-wbVzwyvXR2RRhTAqJf3AKOMZGjqDRe_EX4b7tfdBXhw96LVjepYhdETGCNiM/s1600/100_4400_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="snowflake tutorial"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK7GJDzq8WgKor0DXZ40Kdk6hlUqTW9aa13PfV8gregeyMiRoklZyxZfeGkqHiIpgRFL88rIEyLvqe2J-wbVzwyvXR2RRhTAqJf3AKOMZGjqDRe_EX4b7tfdBXhw96LVjepYhdETGCNiM/s320/100_4400_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Stay tuned to see how I used these snowflakes to make our very first Christmas Non-Tree!<br />
Part one - <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-tree-day.html" target="_blank">What is a Christmas Non-Tree? </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-36564759896941376152011-12-01T09:21:00.001-05:002011-12-01T12:55:52.352-05:00Christmas Tree DayNote: This is the first post in a series that will lead to the unveiling of our first ever Christmas Non-Tree.<br />
For part two, go <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/snowflake-blizzard.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ToJJH2PAQAlwuThGp_qQxfuXqd1XbgF9pKr28rJ_DSnb-8Z-j8x0_IcMsjTY2hOArElovnvpKZLNJhSjzKqBGTpXWbTeqafH9EVLG05xbdP_lgzqkBQeNylscuh_tv-y7qGnPI3EaRBF/s1600/100_1118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ToJJH2PAQAlwuThGp_qQxfuXqd1XbgF9pKr28rJ_DSnb-8Z-j8x0_IcMsjTY2hOArElovnvpKZLNJhSjzKqBGTpXWbTeqafH9EVLG05xbdP_lgzqkBQeNylscuh_tv-y7qGnPI3EaRBF/s400/100_1118.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Can you believe that today is the first day of December? I feel like September was just a few days ago! Growing up, I always loved the month of December. The sparkling lights around the city, glowing Christmas trees glimpsed through windows, Christmas music playing in the stores. Such a hopeful, optimistic month filled with love and goodwill.<br />
<br />
My family has created many many Christmas traditions and I hold each one of them dear. However, once I got married I knew I needed to create new traditions with my new little family. John and I were unable to fly home to New Mexico for our first two Christmas' which was sad and lonely, but I think it was also a way to drive home the point we are each other's family and we created amazing holiday traditions that we look forward to now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeaJhSu-l-hBqDrlBXXSLMbIQUZBjFn7xB0Qcj5uufH631_ck9dtPpPdOioOz444gqYf8xbViijwEt9oJzwgczRX4E-4H2AVveuD41Sw9aGaOYjQWJ4ciD1vQZ3HJP62F7dcudwEPf_bL/s1600/100_1105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeaJhSu-l-hBqDrlBXXSLMbIQUZBjFn7xB0Qcj5uufH631_ck9dtPpPdOioOz444gqYf8xbViijwEt9oJzwgczRX4E-4H2AVveuD41Sw9aGaOYjQWJ4ciD1vQZ3HJP62F7dcudwEPf_bL/s400/100_1105.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
One of the first things we did together for our first Christmas was chop down our own tree and decorate it together. That tradition, however, is going on the back burner this year. We are visiting New Mexico for Christmas and that has forced us to make some sacrifices both financially and with our traditions. We decided to use the money we'd typically spend on a tree towards our airline tickets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc5ynr6x0EAM6-_rxldSAx9Kv1DcoZJvAi82997P-jG2SJA0FJAhKN33FgID_tl6CuDcteDKCFXHE35sgGYZHEs9ygV_SwUjPY_EfV3ETwflVIK9V4kNE-_D7HnTECCqERhDizkm-2dhm/s1600/100_1838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfc5ynr6x0EAM6-_rxldSAx9Kv1DcoZJvAi82997P-jG2SJA0FJAhKN33FgID_tl6CuDcteDKCFXHE35sgGYZHEs9ygV_SwUjPY_EfV3ETwflVIK9V4kNE-_D7HnTECCqERhDizkm-2dhm/s400/100_1838.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Don't worry, though! That doesn't mean we aren't going to have a Christmas tree! We are simply creating a non-tree Christmas tree! What is a non-tree Christmas tree, you ask? Well, it's a tree that is constructed from upcycled things you have at home. It's a way to enjoy the lights and ornaments and other decorations without having a tree (real or fake).<br />
<br />
For the past week I've been cutting hundreds of snowflakes in preparation for the first ever Holt Christmas Non-Tree. Our house is covered in little paper flakes and my fingers are bruised and sore. Our computer paper has been diminished and all I can see are tiny triangles and circles and folded paper.<br />
<br />
By the end of the day, though, the Holt Christmas Non-Tree will be displayed for all to see. So, stay tuned for periodic updates on the snowflakes, the Christmas lights, the non-tree, and the holiday spirit!<br />
<br />
Part two - <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/12/snowflake-blizzard.html" target="_blank">Snowflake Blizzards </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-34275784308024247142011-11-22T13:29:00.000-05:002011-11-22T13:29:57.089-05:00Planes, Trains, and Automobiles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1i2nlJyovqxOrpWj9Geu1WnOnjwQvQlF5U4cQIJ-VYWgTMqBNUjbwIa9bGrK0e-fHkLxElkUuIgg5Eo1-dSUaAUG1QCErpttPuCqxfJ7QdzlQ70FZ3zOIXtxiMawVRJfd6rTwLp_ZbpI/s1600/roadtrip" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1i2nlJyovqxOrpWj9Geu1WnOnjwQvQlF5U4cQIJ-VYWgTMqBNUjbwIa9bGrK0e-fHkLxElkUuIgg5Eo1-dSUaAUG1QCErpttPuCqxfJ7QdzlQ70FZ3zOIXtxiMawVRJfd6rTwLp_ZbpI/s1600/roadtrip" /></a></div> <br />
John and I are hitting the road this afternoon. To prepare we downloaded The Hunger Games audiobook (if you haven't read this, READ IT!! I plan to force John to love it as much as me by making him listen during the 8 hour drive), packed peanut butter sandwiches and a water bottle, and double-checked the directions. To Maryland we go!<br />
<br />
Are you traveling this week? Do you plan on driving or flying? What do you do to ensure no one goes crazy on long trips?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-58880181301373512012011-11-21T08:28:00.000-05:002011-11-21T08:28:22.083-05:00Thanksgiving Place CardsJohn and I are getting excited about traveling up to Maryland for his family's wonderful Thanksgiving blow out. When I say blow out you may think I'm exaggerating but, really, I'm not. I think the last number I heard of family members expected was around 60. We'll have every bed filled, every couch claimed and every dark corner filled with an air mattress. John's as giddy as a little kid on Christmas Eve.<br />
<br />
Every year our little cousins are in charge of making the place cards and with our numbers that's quite a responsibility. The cards they whip up every year are always creative and fun (although we do switch around the seating arrangements right up until the meal starts...shhh). I've been thinking about what they'll do this year and started brainstorming some beautiful but simple ideas for Thanksgiving tables that will be crowded with family members on Thursday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc5-MmRFX5CUkzllVLnrezj26Xh55IEqfLCiu1PXhRvFe5Zf_NaluBfeuYI8WWKBl-1yxOLoDV3Mxdi6N-sWh9HqX928N4N7aQ5taV9GO19VP0K6AbEOG9Evh4yh339_D9vscojXDQyNn/s1600/pinecone+place+card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc5-MmRFX5CUkzllVLnrezj26Xh55IEqfLCiu1PXhRvFe5Zf_NaluBfeuYI8WWKBl-1yxOLoDV3Mxdi6N-sWh9HqX928N4N7aQ5taV9GO19VP0K6AbEOG9Evh4yh339_D9vscojXDQyNn/s400/pinecone+place+card" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-pinecone-seating-card-holders" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> With a simple swipe of the hacksaw these pinecones are ready to hold seating cards. What a great way to entertain the kids - send them out to gather pinecones while everyone else is busy in the kitchen. Of course, an adult would have to use the hacksaw, but what a simple and rustic addition to the dining room table.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgzCi23FpJ5HB80zWwMIDlJHqTYI0rHzxAIFc_R9j7za_0Y7fbKWx9N57Pes-lXsjErf2o_2XeEOIOrlAp5sWKmLnIJjjmFCWo2Bp5jUbcpb12H1-_R9J-6VoCYP11aJG4zKiWj8ID0L9/s1600/turkey+leg+place+card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgzCi23FpJ5HB80zWwMIDlJHqTYI0rHzxAIFc_R9j7za_0Y7fbKWx9N57Pes-lXsjErf2o_2XeEOIOrlAp5sWKmLnIJjjmFCWo2Bp5jUbcpb12H1-_R9J-6VoCYP11aJG4zKiWj8ID0L9/s400/turkey+leg+place+card" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting/Articles/Thanksgiving-Kids-Table" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> This just makes me smile every time I see the picture. There are no words for this playful name card.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosbSn2ybX0v0h4ZXiWT20MfSjIT6ee_oxm8p0C457PsUjAgsXMIDxK2PVc-hnUbfklACdXhgbiSKPgYPw8mbWWphmI7nWgvV3_Xrv9TAO1xGs5mVoPBqDo6-Z4tzj20ydL1X_qBd8wgos/s1600/twig+place+card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosbSn2ybX0v0h4ZXiWT20MfSjIT6ee_oxm8p0C457PsUjAgsXMIDxK2PVc-hnUbfklACdXhgbiSKPgYPw8mbWWphmI7nWgvV3_Xrv9TAO1xGs5mVoPBqDo6-Z4tzj20ydL1X_qBd8wgos/s400/twig+place+card" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/266399/table-decorations-place-card-holders?czone" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> Another way to keep the kids occupied is sending them out to collect twigs. As with all things nature, I love bringing in the rustic simplicity of this easy place card.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipul1_9Ot9NDKEC0m2tWxTMBoREjMj-uF0KROW8dU_jkWeXupe83S9c13mVeBQT0illFawoqPfKUzsJRVPHQdhTt1fv0gvzDxVLevHUaE0sacA5H88tgK9OoSuMLvEv0Z8Mb61a1H5xfa_/s1600/white+leaf+name+card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipul1_9Ot9NDKEC0m2tWxTMBoREjMj-uF0KROW8dU_jkWeXupe83S9c13mVeBQT0illFawoqPfKUzsJRVPHQdhTt1fv0gvzDxVLevHUaE0sacA5H88tgK9OoSuMLvEv0Z8Mb61a1H5xfa_/s400/white+leaf+name+card" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://eabdesigns.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/09/diy-fall-place-card-free-download.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> These may be my favorite yet. The elegance and simplicity.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBNtaxqUt2qlCFMQw0J2WKGIHXdBeAVnWzoKmKF8d4dqOKxmUXIcrivVnPoWRXioCPlDJNSq_Mnf-BtdrftAW1Z_Vxz5fiP_iS4BZc2nhAY6f5hgULhdfZtd75dT07RKaBfSZjadoJp1j/s1600/cardboard+pumpkin" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBNtaxqUt2qlCFMQw0J2WKGIHXdBeAVnWzoKmKF8d4dqOKxmUXIcrivVnPoWRXioCPlDJNSq_Mnf-BtdrftAW1Z_Vxz5fiP_iS4BZc2nhAY6f5hgULhdfZtd75dT07RKaBfSZjadoJp1j/s400/cardboard+pumpkin" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2011/11/diy-project-cardboard-gourd-place-settings.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> You know me and my love for upcycling. What a beautiful way to recycle cardboard while creating a simple but fun pumpkin place card. I love it...although to be perfectly honest, my fingers hurt just thinking of all the cardboard that would have to be cut for our 60 family members. Perhaps for my side of the family, though, where about 12 will gather to enjoy family and food it would be more reasonable.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxStk3xlJ6ATKbkxewoGuB3p4gH-lCY5rcprT33jTFD0-2mhC8pAGMCcJqPwSwgaToxey1zKhEtpMKIoIVuXibvpoFVUAa_xfc-VVRHZhEJBAVQVoYVYsy4HoN7XrtQV6SdAOnbJ4nxQZ/s1600/rock+name+card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxStk3xlJ6ATKbkxewoGuB3p4gH-lCY5rcprT33jTFD0-2mhC8pAGMCcJqPwSwgaToxey1zKhEtpMKIoIVuXibvpoFVUAa_xfc-VVRHZhEJBAVQVoYVYsy4HoN7XrtQV6SdAOnbJ4nxQZ/s400/rock+name+card" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.parents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/crafts/simple-thanksgiving-day-crafts/?page=11" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I think the kids would love to paint the rocks and they bring some color and whimsy to the Thanksgiving table. <br />
<br />
What are your family table decorations? Do you have any traditions when it comes to decorating or cooking? When I was a kid, I'd spend the night at my grandparent's house and help decorate the table for Thanksgiving. Of course, I didn't have 60 place cards to make, just a simple centerpiece and table settings to set for 12-15 of us.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-20413486195365862052011-11-16T09:17:00.000-05:002011-11-16T09:17:06.733-05:00A Cats and Dogs Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_bOa_pTjuvOUnWtHWXaapPNBWcQF5BWEKCXMcBMnEDLOZF1i5TRQKRUqeyKLkHTZOzz-ZSUaX6YAfJxQt2Bf22BVvxli-9_OhWVTH3nNLCuA9H4jClY8INCWfvAnb1fqndEYpKsGyGTB/s1600/RainyDayLeaves126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_bOa_pTjuvOUnWtHWXaapPNBWcQF5BWEKCXMcBMnEDLOZF1i5TRQKRUqeyKLkHTZOzz-ZSUaX6YAfJxQt2Bf22BVvxli-9_OhWVTH3nNLCuA9H4jClY8INCWfvAnb1fqndEYpKsGyGTB/s320/RainyDayLeaves126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's raining. Actually, it's pouring cats and dogs. Usually I get sad on gloomy and dreary days but today, after days and days of sunshiny weather, I'm enjoying the morose feel of this Wednesday morning. The windows are open and I'm sipping my espresso as I listen to the splashing drops. Layla is sleeping on my feet, keeping them warm and punctuating the rain drops with her sighs of contentment. <br />
<br />
I still have piles upon piles of projects in various forms of completion strewn about my house. This morning, as John was hurrying around, he tripped over a smaller pile. Being the supportive man he is, when I apologized for my chaotic explosions he simply smiled and said what you're creating is beautiful. I melted. <br />
<br />
On the phone last night, I was telling my mother how incredibly jealous I am of the recipients of these projects I'm working on. My sister's birthday is next week and she is receiving some amazing things that I've contemplated just keeping for myself. She'd never know. My other sister will be receiving the most amazing dorm-related present ever and I only wish I had had something like it in my own dorm room. I've stolen a few of my mother's Christmas gifts to use until I give them to her because they are too sweet to put away until Christmas. I suppose the definition of a great gift is giving something you'd love to have yourself. Mission accomplished.<br />
<br />
I hope you are all enjoying this lovely week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-90214112898796186262011-11-14T08:57:00.002-05:002011-11-14T09:09:59.525-05:00Drool WorthyA) I survived the <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/11/run-kristen-run.html">race</a>! Actually, I did better than the original goal I made back when I thought I'd spend months training which was surprising and exhilarating. I'm not sure if it was the endorphins talking or what, but John and I are now planning on running an even bigger race next spring. Um, please remind me periodically to train. Thanks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldQIY06FqQOB7swqB78-LjlxpcKjWKHcUUvEHEtoqynDFheCdZHU4jIq0JfO2yJreifP2G_Xz6hqJnF6GkNOH6BKB7c-20w7lYHQW87ukY4KfpLRjWYPkpCnCR9OdoAi91UqCoGnzdgmF/s1600/running" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldQIY06FqQOB7swqB78-LjlxpcKjWKHcUUvEHEtoqynDFheCdZHU4jIq0JfO2yJreifP2G_Xz6hqJnF6GkNOH6BKB7c-20w7lYHQW87ukY4KfpLRjWYPkpCnCR9OdoAi91UqCoGnzdgmF/s400/running" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those are my stripes sprinting by!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
B) I came across this bedroom on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/garzaka">Pinterest</a> and immediately began salivating and dreaming and wanting. Thought I'd pass it along. I just love the bird art, the layers of gray, that pillow, the side table, the lamp, the headboard...see, totally drooling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yrL0EgEW-Kef2zgDwfBgu62CwEsfVVN7Bvs5J9Zcr-F8uR0Vf9jaybAAJVTNkI3raFfhJR5rK5_eIQ35WTloL-7egNEYczB5VPLRDc9d74EomBFnVrOD883J3271ACbneezyVSk4upgT/s400/gray" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="302" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bellemaison23.com/2011/11/shades-of-gray.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>C) I am currently up to my neck in three different projects. I have a pile of streamers, cardboard and glue in one corner of my living room. I also have a pile of fabric, paint, and pins set up in front of the television. In the office is a mess of glitter, paint brushes and things waiting to be <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/11/glitterize-this.html">glitterfied</a>. I've apologized to my husband multiple times, but I think he likes when I'm the messier of the two of us...less pressure on him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfColNRJZ0kisCuWJKso8dnA9ljpUrQRggiAIoaIIF7ie72XM2PWuBPxBRJ990Twk160m-Kqiadt1qectsDNF2nJWwaYUnM4xFG-2Jv1KfL5S0GG62ol1XMIqxAeh-uA_Epmkjo8M4_WH/s1600/halloween-candy-bowl-step-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfColNRJZ0kisCuWJKso8dnA9ljpUrQRggiAIoaIIF7ie72XM2PWuBPxBRJ990Twk160m-Kqiadt1qectsDNF2nJWwaYUnM4xFG-2Jv1KfL5S0GG62ol1XMIqxAeh-uA_Epmkjo8M4_WH/s200/halloween-candy-bowl-step-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
D) Happy Monday! Today's forecast is sunny, 70's and beautiful. Hope your neck of the woods is sunny and beautiful, too!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-38014553794161458202011-11-11T05:59:00.002-05:002011-11-11T05:59:00.713-05:00Run, Kristen, Run!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR-CBtXDMpywMT3b98grNxgUkHMEg_TkeFRd17FMGKanG1anmRcz6BV3gq7tJD9U20v9e4hctwjz-gfeCSEMYlci_itBimPHAyuZiCAxK3-_WaP9niKruKfw2AYktoiIdZhHc2C6_3Nld/s1600/race" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR-CBtXDMpywMT3b98grNxgUkHMEg_TkeFRd17FMGKanG1anmRcz6BV3gq7tJD9U20v9e4hctwjz-gfeCSEMYlci_itBimPHAyuZiCAxK3-_WaP9niKruKfw2AYktoiIdZhHc2C6_3Nld/s320/race" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://facebook.com/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
John and I are in Richmond, VA this weekend for a little race. Please note that those last two words are said with sarcasm and wide eyes. You see, John signed us up for this race back in the spring when I thought, "Sure, there's time to train, let's do this!" Throughout my four years of high school I ran cross country and track so I'm not a stranger to the running sport. It has been 11 years since then, though, and I haven't run longer than the distance from the couch to the fridge or maybe from the front door to the car (but only when it's raining) during that time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3qm3oQ8eW4sE1Gdk1WRdOvMtNn3PbpeI_QBPdYamCE_MzksGYW7yxrKMWYeiOVk14fU3T1BXO9NL5v0dpFsUWAlDBrmZapjZWq4hBhjRwoF4hI8VM-J1Oa7vFizmLTRvFbCxdR5KaZ17/s1600/run" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3qm3oQ8eW4sE1Gdk1WRdOvMtNn3PbpeI_QBPdYamCE_MzksGYW7yxrKMWYeiOVk14fU3T1BXO9NL5v0dpFsUWAlDBrmZapjZWq4hBhjRwoF4hI8VM-J1Oa7vFizmLTRvFbCxdR5KaZ17/s400/run" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://facebook.com/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Remember the little voice in my head about saying there was time to train? Well, fast forward seven months and I never trained. Nope. John woke up every morning and went running and to the gym and boasted about how awesome he was (okay, maybe not the last part but it did rub me the wrong way that he wouldn't laze on the couch with me instead of going running). I blogged on the couch, ate food in the kitchen, and overall didn't run. Until two weeks ago. Then I got scared. So I ran a couple miles. A couple times. And then stopped. Yup, I'm about to run a race that is longer than the total distance I have run in the past 11 years combined.<br />
<br />
Wish me luck!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-44553717398724099222011-11-10T08:29:00.001-05:002011-11-10T12:39:06.201-05:00Meet the Hermaphrodite CowWhile perusing the dollar spot at Target last week, John and I came across a bin of plastic animals. As we started to play with them, we noticed the cow had both udders and horns. Laughing, we made some jokes about the cute hermaphrodite cow and how progressive Target is.<br />
<br />
Well, fast forward a week and I still found myself thinking about the cow with both a set of horns and a pink udder. He/She was calling out to me, wanting to be adopted. Late last night, I finally broke down and went to rescue he/she from the bin of mocking animals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7HSwQ7NOr8fTq_uQ4yR5PwRX4bIxrJZz6M3dnm6v6jcKUr3BtaHfdPJ9wsHDAYNBeaqugQ52pu6zl-aLacJRhTbiMhVEkH3Dm7nBcKjP-1QAmAKHxzZhCLO1WE6Goqhv4JVNsxM9DRlF/s1600/100_4351_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7HSwQ7NOr8fTq_uQ4yR5PwRX4bIxrJZz6M3dnm6v6jcKUr3BtaHfdPJ9wsHDAYNBeaqugQ52pu6zl-aLacJRhTbiMhVEkH3Dm7nBcKjP-1QAmAKHxzZhCLO1WE6Goqhv4JVNsxM9DRlF/s400/100_4351_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Allow me to introduce you to Pat (or Chris...we haven't decided on his/her name). John keeps referring to him/her as an it and I keep telling him he/she isn't an 'it" but a cow with an identity. Now he's referring to him/her as s/him. Close enough.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahLkWxp-OgNRkLPFxMNX6_Q1vRYPi4ns2DxeeBC8yrIiHaU3WeiX3xrDCZGK3WvQGRDPz8VQiqUr6zYyCyH55r7dTSN8FhLTZrvgT-iJL9GWFt2MrXnME_BOuwVnu06PnpfIN_JaFOukv/s1600/100_4350_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahLkWxp-OgNRkLPFxMNX6_Q1vRYPi4ns2DxeeBC8yrIiHaU3WeiX3xrDCZGK3WvQGRDPz8VQiqUr6zYyCyH55r7dTSN8FhLTZrvgT-iJL9GWFt2MrXnME_BOuwVnu06PnpfIN_JaFOukv/s400/100_4350_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Let's get a close up on the awesome pink udder. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oMD6iWA3GAi4JpqEyXz3Zb0O1E92rgvHKlvKkbg0sVtyhET25-xppkNk_1EnarWsdcFNzskUgmTPxMMvOp6Z3Ct4zusLg7I1XogzZAC75sgdtmvVQjHChJOWZq4K6hZs4VC9FBJsJgts/s1600/100_4349_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oMD6iWA3GAi4JpqEyXz3Zb0O1E92rgvHKlvKkbg0sVtyhET25-xppkNk_1EnarWsdcFNzskUgmTPxMMvOp6Z3Ct4zusLg7I1XogzZAC75sgdtmvVQjHChJOWZq4K6hZs4VC9FBJsJgts/s400/100_4349_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Check out the awesome horns. Very awesome horns. He/she likes to pose for photos - check out the flirty leg bend.<br />
<br />
As I was picking out Pat (or Chris), I realized I couldn't just bring home a single plastic cow, even if it was a hermaphrodite. That would just be silly. He/she needed some friends, a plastic menagerie if you will. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F9e3oLT4WfEh42WtnyLxAWH_JdFvr5CvUwQb1j9PhGmA2XITPJTvXgbkvCt2F06kD4GBTPPIKyy9a_Nr1cN9_udSftXnClKuiEtOXyB91W7tmr-uggw8vvgEnAKQm1h0K5N02z1_3G_H/s1600/100_4354_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F9e3oLT4WfEh42WtnyLxAWH_JdFvr5CvUwQb1j9PhGmA2XITPJTvXgbkvCt2F06kD4GBTPPIKyy9a_Nr1cN9_udSftXnClKuiEtOXyB91W7tmr-uggw8vvgEnAKQm1h0K5N02z1_3G_H/s400/100_4354_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Of course, at first they were a little shocked by Pat (or Chris). They, like John, weren't sure how to refer to him/her and they came across as a tad bit judgmental. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfiIa2oFv0RN9X4Deq3-b5tOIGOc5LKVw2cbjr39ItwO-gLeFdgUeXUebyNwx-XN0Qnac1aPof7d9Ev_ujZZseQdp_FFTergLbdhyR9Z35zugZVfRmhxxlcpsbtXXKPwlqibEuxJiHTBU/s1600/100_4352_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfiIa2oFv0RN9X4Deq3-b5tOIGOc5LKVw2cbjr39ItwO-gLeFdgUeXUebyNwx-XN0Qnac1aPof7d9Ev_ujZZseQdp_FFTergLbdhyR9Z35zugZVfRmhxxlcpsbtXXKPwlqibEuxJiHTBU/s400/100_4352_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Now, after getting to know one other, they are best buds for life. Which is good because after some paint they will be on display together as my famous plastic menagerie that includes a hermaphrodite cow.<br />
I did do some research online (7 seconds of googling) and discovered that there are a couple breeds of cows that do have both horns and udders. Who knew the Danish Red, the White Park, and the Texas Longhorn cows were so manly! Regardless, I'd still like to refer to Pat (or Chris) as a hermaphrodite. It makes me giggle and I enjoy having a diverse plastic menagerie.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-77658342437678462292011-11-08T08:22:00.002-05:002011-11-08T08:59:12.973-05:00Glitterize ThisGlitter has a natural ability to make anyone smile. Glitter chases the blues away. Glitter is happiness. For the past few months I've been drawn to glitter like a raccoon to a shiny coin and like a moth to a porch light. Everywhere I glance I see shiny happiness and I crave it for myself.<br />
<br />
I spent much of this weekend glitterizing secret things. The problem with making Christmas presents for family and friends is that I can't show them off here! Instead I will show off some glittery projects I've been appreciating from afar.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDXVDvj4FfQl6GbJ2OxRL-xbGvq4rkxIYz43EvB4aXEqPKAf5A0OPuMAThmzNCDgTZPaBuCbw-NiHDJVeEgrG2BLgyeSMAtOjW9GFTetWoGc0lFn2RURhXIP0R_5zEs8vFQoGDlKqova7/s1600/glitter" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDXVDvj4FfQl6GbJ2OxRL-xbGvq4rkxIYz43EvB4aXEqPKAf5A0OPuMAThmzNCDgTZPaBuCbw-NiHDJVeEgrG2BLgyeSMAtOjW9GFTetWoGc0lFn2RURhXIP0R_5zEs8vFQoGDlKqova7/s640/glitter" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theglitterguide.com/2011/08/05/5-fun-ways-to-use-glitter/2/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I am in love with this packaging idea! Since I don't have glitterized (oh, and yes, as of this morning glitterize is a verb) ribbon I bet I could accomplish the same thing with double sided tape dipped in glitter on one side.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInxU7S45npOfmiw8Ec3q0G1uWQzdfz6BVXXXC2ztv9yBHGN3h-9pJHEVDXekCdi-wm0F_X7YmTkRhT7CIOajK6JNWRNjHKQ-4NUTd8VnndeBOCn5f9W0W6t79uz2_n_czNzScV7QCDEd6/s1600/glitter2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInxU7S45npOfmiw8Ec3q0G1uWQzdfz6BVXXXC2ztv9yBHGN3h-9pJHEVDXekCdi-wm0F_X7YmTkRhT7CIOajK6JNWRNjHKQ-4NUTd8VnndeBOCn5f9W0W6t79uz2_n_czNzScV7QCDEd6/s400/glitter2" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thegreenbeanscrafterole.blogspot.com/2010/12/all-that-glittersminus-mess.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This project has been blowing up my pinterest homepage for the past week or so - just an easy, genius, glitterized project!! I'm picturing silver and gold and blue...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyNlvM14Y8R5SMSlPLPfh5EyJUlvnidghsi-7078b7gND67CmLauGGroP2olfcSq-7cRUceYIcHRUrMaxhTTyx_EC34uiaFqn97RBjbeTBRouAByjeDOKVk9ecFYqEJvc6pdk2_4xVeV9/s1600/glitter3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyNlvM14Y8R5SMSlPLPfh5EyJUlvnidghsi-7078b7gND67CmLauGGroP2olfcSq-7cRUceYIcHRUrMaxhTTyx_EC34uiaFqn97RBjbeTBRouAByjeDOKVk9ecFYqEJvc6pdk2_4xVeV9/s400/glitter3" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/274552/beautiful-christmas-decorations/@center/307034/christmas-workshop#/199000">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Oh Martha. Beautiful! Actually, these remind me of some candles I bought from Target about three seasons ago that were beautiful and glitterized. It would be a lot cheaper to make them myself!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr5Hg2SFNcOHMf0LPq5c260ME4SP2moF_GOGOhWiT1c9eoFtUS2ZP7inrsUuJCZYRGfXEU09llUd1dQ8oVL7FKmB8oE5hfzAY0q8mPsCsVeGjy6eYSkK-pri_aNUru83ej38asM4OPklo/s1600/glitter4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr5Hg2SFNcOHMf0LPq5c260ME4SP2moF_GOGOhWiT1c9eoFtUS2ZP7inrsUuJCZYRGfXEU09llUd1dQ8oVL7FKmB8oE5hfzAY0q8mPsCsVeGjy6eYSkK-pri_aNUru83ej38asM4OPklo/s400/glitter4" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/265290/glittered-pumpkin-table-decorations?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/halloween-decorating#close">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Glitterized pumpkins aren't just for Halloween, folks. Thanksgiving is begging for some bling this year!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt51TXjO8_CCkwdDLdE-0Pzuhp1w7bfOdEo83S17yYm2D_zvQYRrc9odv52KpiH0hc_xCgDpYb0yrHx9VjiwxBgfaqK7_HqgMOon08SFt7Rti9RH3MpEXhJaUNpEeiE_LbHosL8t5N2N5/s1600/glitter5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIt51TXjO8_CCkwdDLdE-0Pzuhp1w7bfOdEo83S17yYm2D_zvQYRrc9odv52KpiH0hc_xCgDpYb0yrHx9VjiwxBgfaqK7_HqgMOon08SFt7Rti9RH3MpEXhJaUNpEeiE_LbHosL8t5N2N5/s400/glitter5" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2010/10/diy-pumpkin-candle-holders-for-bhg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Oh, excuse me, I'm sorry, I just swooned. This photo makes me fall in love with glitter over and over and over again. Thanksgiving is going to be so blinged out!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1JFsCHjMnU0cEV3CF_GBT5z0lj5ppDOsq2V-pzSaXk4xTp0i7HAM0iT42h9UUjn95MKHnLd9fmrsWMrPn906msHMPAeNrgFygWXLRNjDe5nnCf4DaapvczIRsuRW5dNhYt0q3bC3cUiC/s1600/glitter6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1JFsCHjMnU0cEV3CF_GBT5z0lj5ppDOsq2V-pzSaXk4xTp0i7HAM0iT42h9UUjn95MKHnLd9fmrsWMrPn906msHMPAeNrgFygWXLRNjDe5nnCf4DaapvczIRsuRW5dNhYt0q3bC3cUiC/s400/glitter6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2011/10/glitter-disco-ball-diy/%20">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
When I have a little girl, her room will have many glitterized lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Every little girl needs glitter in her life.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGmCFiFRkFGQ0r0me97QE8iJpWZIHUYNxckpZAKQujW-CAPIsZr5dkgM7iC63LdIPNXRcioJHp-8du8uKsOuYMvRUZzsZYipAe29qZzvk2Dq-0hs_LczvglahQEHJrkM2_q99WyA2XyFn/s1600/glitterblast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGmCFiFRkFGQ0r0me97QE8iJpWZIHUYNxckpZAKQujW-CAPIsZr5dkgM7iC63LdIPNXRcioJHp-8du8uKsOuYMvRUZzsZYipAe29qZzvk2Dq-0hs_LczvglahQEHJrkM2_q99WyA2XyFn/s320/glitterblast.png" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.krylon.com/products/glitter_blast/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I have yet to experience this awesomeness-in-a can first-hand, but from what I've read online, people can't praise it enough. Perhaps this weekend Glitter Blast and I will have a fun date.<br />
<br />
I've learned that, while glitter is the herpes of craft supplies, it also just might be the heroin of craft projects. Once you glitterize one thing you're trapped and you'll find yourself wanting to glitterize your dog, your car, and your couch. What are some things you've been glitterizing?What color glitter do you think would make Layla like her collar of shame a little more? <br />
<a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2011/10/glitter-disco-ball-diy/"><br />
</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-2213035158852867692011-11-07T08:58:00.000-05:002011-11-07T08:58:42.304-05:00Poor Layla-Butt<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiu5xTY35o2tOw9kB-WdtJM0IzOH6Uv1uAQFgI0LlRv-8rMxEUv6U2Rh8i83KpxD__9K1yd57fP-5DrgM8S9504r0IEW1NWtnUdUfN71cas6mXxeF_ICT7rnbDXa9GeSgVYdPtoUcOBRk/s1600/cone" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiu5xTY35o2tOw9kB-WdtJM0IzOH6Uv1uAQFgI0LlRv-8rMxEUv6U2Rh8i83KpxD__9K1yd57fP-5DrgM8S9504r0IEW1NWtnUdUfN71cas6mXxeF_ICT7rnbDXa9GeSgVYdPtoUcOBRk/s320/cone" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/453556323/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We just returned home from dropping Layla off at the vet. Last week at her check up we asked about a lump that has been under her eye since the spring and they recommended having it removed. This morning bright and early we took her to her least favorite place in the world and had to help the nurse force her out of the waiting room and into the back room. The look she gave as we pushed her away is seared into my brain forever.<br />
<br />
I already have plans to make it up to her when she gets home. Some rice and chicken broth to ease her stomach after the anesthesia, her bed washed and plumped, and furniture moved so she can walk around easier with her cone of shame. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-40758051242616094872011-11-04T09:16:00.000-04:002011-11-04T09:16:17.659-04:00It's Not Thanksgiving YetI'm still a relatively new blogger and this is my first time blogging through the holiday season. I'm looking forward to sharing inspiration, excitement, and holiday cheer with one another and being the nosy person I am, I can't wait to see how others decorate their houses for the holidays. I've already seen some amazingly scary, fun, and classy Halloween homes and boy was that great.<br />
<br />
I worked for a major retail store one year and was shocked with how early the store began planning for Christmas, decorating for Christmas, and overall pretending it was Christmas. It seems as though every year the retail world decides to ignore more and more days between the end of summer and Christmas. I went into Joanns a couple weeks before Halloween and found more Christmas decor than fall and Halloween decor!<br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but I feel jibed when people fast forward. I personally like to experience the present rather than wish it was the future. When people around me are fast fowarding, skipping and ignoring an entire month, a month with a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday and tradition galore, I become saddened.<br />
<br />
And so, when I woke up on Tuesday, November 1, and noticed that many in the blogosphere had taken down their <strike>Halloween</strike> fall decor and are now sharing and planning their Christmas and winter decor, I looked wildly at the calendar and realized we still have an entire wonderful month to enjoy the pinecones, the rustic wreaths, the corn and pumpkin decorations and the tradition of being thankful.<br />
<br />
So, I just wanted to let you know that I will not be publishing Christmas and winter-themed posts on Turning a House into a Home until the day after Thanksgiving. With Christmas music blasting on the radio and the turkey in my belly, I will only then say goodbye to the fall, the wonderful holiday of Thankgiving, and embrace December and all that it brings.<br />
<br />
On that note, these are my latest love for the month of November:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL99Rxa6BOX4DuKJLdli7G5dDu67-VnmItVWpwhSIwANdQ66F0sjJeb1fFUssUk35HH6LM34q2wESeyOS0WVCpf84IY0W9pBAsXF06UHXr-8docBVrR8WkVHokkrtSEs-ro-2Zm7YXzpd/s1600/apple+candle" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL99Rxa6BOX4DuKJLdli7G5dDu67-VnmItVWpwhSIwANdQ66F0sjJeb1fFUssUk35HH6LM34q2wESeyOS0WVCpf84IY0W9pBAsXF06UHXr-8docBVrR8WkVHokkrtSEs-ro-2Zm7YXzpd/s400/apple+candle" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/crazy-for-fall.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOrIY2dFxrKMJTRQcz-foTM9bYW9GD3aggAQLtf5vfDa7ulPbqR-qqpPGwSGhOCYdkdUtjsEFbZFlkojrC31C4Q1Kn6BhsI9pBHOWptJbUfr_uu7SgAQsItCy86oz2EE9fmxsGrVvaqa3/s1600/felt+leaves" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOrIY2dFxrKMJTRQcz-foTM9bYW9GD3aggAQLtf5vfDa7ulPbqR-qqpPGwSGhOCYdkdUtjsEFbZFlkojrC31C4Q1Kn6BhsI9pBHOWptJbUfr_uu7SgAQsItCy86oz2EE9fmxsGrVvaqa3/s400/felt+leaves" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2009/10/08/split-stitched-felt-leaves/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0cTkZoBBscgZsUZ8Y30vkAiyVnsI5WhAbbZLp15WURcLOLZTRDKtnJXJIeGL7P2wy6jXcF8AhhZKWzTcd471yVFyCkxAagXb6_l2y0srdedOOfzaLZeIwYj02WwewfOCaxRvfIgqvyR4/s1600/leaf+garland" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0cTkZoBBscgZsUZ8Y30vkAiyVnsI5WhAbbZLp15WURcLOLZTRDKtnJXJIeGL7P2wy6jXcF8AhhZKWzTcd471yVFyCkxAagXb6_l2y0srdedOOfzaLZeIwYj02WwewfOCaxRvfIgqvyR4/s320/leaf+garland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/halloween/crafts/fall-crafts-with-leaves/?requestTemplate=full#page=19">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdXMfoCjYWC_Cl1SDlRVuJ4KNFf0Hp0g-H2IAb-dEIp3M_gg-sR45DPhD3rxd4NP5aPLzJfxWjcQ2dVXdLUHvdPmt5tIBhUlrETte4-LKoRzSeZQkUs9fUoGPlv14RbpW_jfFuJG_015P/s1600/pine" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdXMfoCjYWC_Cl1SDlRVuJ4KNFf0Hp0g-H2IAb-dEIp3M_gg-sR45DPhD3rxd4NP5aPLzJfxWjcQ2dVXdLUHvdPmt5tIBhUlrETte4-LKoRzSeZQkUs9fUoGPlv14RbpW_jfFuJG_015P/s400/pine" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://white-living.blogspot.com/2010/11/bezaubernde-adventszeit.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsdycniMhKCGMACkzWwFgVDSoqECxiG04tzm8TtR433TdNMxKwASzYi03kgvmLASri8jnYxPffW7nZMOfLm5XBIyE-Dk_P2wOSXZmsSm-0nkusg0FCGBv7Q9axD7OeGs4uEdvvoDt-l5t/s1600/pumpkin+candle" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsdycniMhKCGMACkzWwFgVDSoqECxiG04tzm8TtR433TdNMxKwASzYi03kgvmLASri8jnYxPffW7nZMOfLm5XBIyE-Dk_P2wOSXZmsSm-0nkusg0FCGBv7Q9axD7OeGs4uEdvvoDt-l5t/s320/pumpkin+candle" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://apumpkinandaprincess.blogspot.com/2011/09/pumpkin-candles-revisited.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Happy November!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-5799183418364354672011-11-03T11:23:00.000-04:002011-11-03T11:23:27.440-04:00Free DIY Wooden FramesGrowing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I am mildly obsessed with the Sandia Mountains. These majestic mountains can be seen from literally every spot in the city. Just look east and there they are. After moving to the east coast ten years ago, I still find myself scanning the horizon for my mountains much like a toddler blindly reaches for her blanket in moments of stress. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg401gO0qKYw6wtYmNm-KOk5ru3i5OQCtmdXtO96ugH5Gq2rAXRpQRw0_A-aoPxGfdEqgQwQ4H6mPff8WJgbTJfrxm8maUrIByknZpe322GL7UmdJuFmtVSxhNUNHMNyLP5Gu5nyfBDN5K4/s1600/100_4320_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg401gO0qKYw6wtYmNm-KOk5ru3i5OQCtmdXtO96ugH5Gq2rAXRpQRw0_A-aoPxGfdEqgQwQ4H6mPff8WJgbTJfrxm8maUrIByknZpe322GL7UmdJuFmtVSxhNUNHMNyLP5Gu5nyfBDN5K4/s400/100_4320_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When I went to college in Virginia, I tried to placate myself with photos of the mountains pasted on every inch of my cinder block dorm room. The above photo is actually a card that followed me to every dorm room and apartment until I graduated. For the past six years it's been in a box of mementos hidden from view because I now require my art framed instead of merely taped to the wall.<br />
<br />
After finishing my take on the recent pallet art phenomenon (check it out <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/11/wood-plus-stain-equals-art-tutorial.html">here</a>), I began brainstorming other ways of using paint stir sticks. With the help of my trusty miter saw I knew I could easily make a picture frame.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aqi3bdViRrjHXvacZS7pydVXYzIi2IQ_9PB81yJ_LPA7IOmpyv0mVRiaTW5YZ-wA42XUdgzR2gFknNXLG0PPFfwBMJg5tDZ4Bs52QFXnIiOH7QURUZjr9qB8HQSHNJr0KHr0XddYXnGB/s1600/100_4274_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aqi3bdViRrjHXvacZS7pydVXYzIi2IQ_9PB81yJ_LPA7IOmpyv0mVRiaTW5YZ-wA42XUdgzR2gFknNXLG0PPFfwBMJg5tDZ4Bs52QFXnIiOH7QURUZjr9qB8HQSHNJr0KHr0XddYXnGB/s400/100_4274_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After few 45 degree angle cuts I had the beginnings of a frame. I took the scraps of some stir sticks and used them to secure the sticks together at the angles with gorilla glue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKCl-TS1Dv3sDPSXhOsED6n-Dd5yQ8BfOpuxjB6pPAQi8huCOqr2hcdfMpP6YpR6byg1wM2HHKQsr0i5FhdNWDleRTPMMjjrkMfVBxnmyF26afp64zop53uID5PYa65jtVMUkiuL9U-ls/s1600/100_4297_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKCl-TS1Dv3sDPSXhOsED6n-Dd5yQ8BfOpuxjB6pPAQi8huCOqr2hcdfMpP6YpR6byg1wM2HHKQsr0i5FhdNWDleRTPMMjjrkMfVBxnmyF26afp64zop53uID5PYa65jtVMUkiuL9U-ls/s400/100_4297_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Voila! A simple frame was created...for free! Add some paint, glue on a sawtooth hanger, and throw in a picture - you've got yourself a piece of art worthy of more than a dorm room wall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPh4ZcEJ2z4pVQbJbm0Qm750Ju9raAeVLIvXuW3isxWohLWBxlq1A7pGDAWPnv3gMxBN17hrbj-A38rmdvJsWyUswINPijR_rp5BcIvF8belZxZv9Ze3NRZ98ERTCoCHN7eAkoaa45raa8/s1600/100_4300_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPh4ZcEJ2z4pVQbJbm0Qm750Ju9raAeVLIvXuW3isxWohLWBxlq1A7pGDAWPnv3gMxBN17hrbj-A38rmdvJsWyUswINPijR_rp5BcIvF8belZxZv9Ze3NRZ98ERTCoCHN7eAkoaa45raa8/s400/100_4300_1024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Now when I find myself homesick and needing some comfort, I can glance over at my mountains and feel a bit calmer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQUEejfbm7bR7hhASVTqQVCEiyHxF4a7qRgxAcrk8L1lAc-W6fUaFrEWTHfz4D7PwM6Y4ULG4RTtj74Tv8a8OWdBSKgOW2lvl-ClZnkYql1CQp40Ww-5osL8JZGOsnsG0OM1ef3MBQYNF/s1600/100_4319_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQUEejfbm7bR7hhASVTqQVCEiyHxF4a7qRgxAcrk8L1lAc-W6fUaFrEWTHfz4D7PwM6Y4ULG4RTtj74Tv8a8OWdBSKgOW2lvl-ClZnkYql1CQp40Ww-5osL8JZGOsnsG0OM1ef3MBQYNF/s400/100_4319_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-15249644350733045612011-11-01T09:49:00.003-04:002011-11-16T10:27:18.511-05:00Wood Plus Stain Equals Art TutorialI feel as though I could start every single post with the sentence, "I was looking at Pinterest recently and...." I spend entirely too much time on that amazing site (by the way, check out my boards on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/garzaka">pinterest</a>) but I love being awed and wowed and inspired by the amazing things I see there. All summer I kept noticing fabulous art created by pallets people were finding. After staining them and painting quotes or silhouettes, those free pieces of wood became beautiful.<br />
<br />
I was torn by these beauties. You see, I desperately wanted to make some art with wooden planks but, as a former manager of a store that used thousands of pallets a week, I saw what most planks are coated with, how unsanitary they are treated, and how disgusting many of them are. I did not want to bring disease-invested wood into our home so I decided to find another way to create some free wooden plank art.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCA4SC87B9Hp62U2WMepYpij-3uztoeJD-Jha14wdjq47qxt06KQ2kGMzCREAGyMnDpfvFPsV_bT4V9qAaGqsPeP0bWanKnkcPc1Qijkibx0vxUqMuLgdvhvgwoJXE9-sPU8Zir2slyoE/s1600/100_4291_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCA4SC87B9Hp62U2WMepYpij-3uztoeJD-Jha14wdjq47qxt06KQ2kGMzCREAGyMnDpfvFPsV_bT4V9qAaGqsPeP0bWanKnkcPc1Qijkibx0vxUqMuLgdvhvgwoJXE9-sPU8Zir2slyoE/s400/100_4291_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgsbTRNz_GnEyq2j1r2zQXBpvYTE72H1nNaSIhrvQKFmulRl4HtglEzLu_okk147B0F8wVbA3ixMiNJzu7hWhuhoJTD6twEdJpnSDdUY59Xv5BrOVDxjbnKzQCF89KNUGQSMXoFdi0_R6/s1600/100_4234_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgsbTRNz_GnEyq2j1r2zQXBpvYTE72H1nNaSIhrvQKFmulRl4HtglEzLu_okk147B0F8wVbA3ixMiNJzu7hWhuhoJTD6twEdJpnSDdUY59Xv5BrOVDxjbnKzQCF89KNUGQSMXoFdi0_R6/s400/100_4234_1024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Enter paint stir sticks. I had a handful of these awesome, crafty sticks leftover from a previous project and pulled them out of the closet. They were perfect for what I had in mind!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdP-8wRsmadRxH5Q7jVxglAyvuR3Y_LIW9DnRQxahAkvY6F4kcBUwiKAFteNpgfhhALofJrL9dHIscsNkfbI111SJyqjc0rbUj-ruxByeNE6t6v-IGFAd4KymnJ8H1aG6FohWokUth7jk/s1600/100_4239_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdP-8wRsmadRxH5Q7jVxglAyvuR3Y_LIW9DnRQxahAkvY6F4kcBUwiKAFteNpgfhhALofJrL9dHIscsNkfbI111SJyqjc0rbUj-ruxByeNE6t6v-IGFAd4KymnJ8H1aG6FohWokUth7jk/s400/100_4239_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After cutting off the beveled edges and picking out the most interesting sticks, I was left with the perfect little square of wood. Taking some leftover stain from our branch bench (check it out <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/05/4-upcycled-bench.html">here</a>), I stained each stick. I wanted to stain them separately rather than all together once they were attached to one another in order to get a varied and non-uniform stain. My goal was to make this look as rustic and plank-like as possible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6EcBZN9RvbO1VayNrIIt79xNRfiIV3Sd35FZ_2FZv2RYZcx6fnpuwwrwdYH7153pb1ajPpW71HJWoFuFR-0YksTMUlDKoLV5KL0vGSNpJoQ3deKM8LFEX4bM7dhmWwJa4EnWU9rGsX8G/s1600/100_4242_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6EcBZN9RvbO1VayNrIIt79xNRfiIV3Sd35FZ_2FZv2RYZcx6fnpuwwrwdYH7153pb1ajPpW71HJWoFuFR-0YksTMUlDKoLV5KL0vGSNpJoQ3deKM8LFEX4bM7dhmWwJa4EnWU9rGsX8G/s400/100_4242_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCLzaT2dnJ72efUqD-aIzsCWTX_l_TkU7QhobUldNULRyhMk-NB4H6dy_5xSBfLnOeRW-LU3OHz483-poexjRArCOHq6VPN6weGi2oAUyvnCw79xA1XSxCXEnkgQowWHRQd-6x64i7Kyl/s1600/100_4243_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCLzaT2dnJ72efUqD-aIzsCWTX_l_TkU7QhobUldNULRyhMk-NB4H6dy_5xSBfLnOeRW-LU3OHz483-poexjRArCOHq6VPN6weGi2oAUyvnCw79xA1XSxCXEnkgQowWHRQd-6x64i7Kyl/s400/100_4243_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The stain went on beautifully - check out the personality that little paint stir sticks can have.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDnUxetlIEXreFXxXCEhb9vXcWEb5eKKjLIBmtN2bfbDXRFtzkuZzKbZmWj-i01pLkEO3tuXp9i77SK6Usy5z6qNB9BKdbP7gcgOa8OVNHnTT7r8TKUtf4vKsFYivZGjMhYy_xZiLd2X5/s1600/100_4250_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDnUxetlIEXreFXxXCEhb9vXcWEb5eKKjLIBmtN2bfbDXRFtzkuZzKbZmWj-i01pLkEO3tuXp9i77SK6Usy5z6qNB9BKdbP7gcgOa8OVNHnTT7r8TKUtf4vKsFYivZGjMhYy_xZiLd2X5/s400/100_4250_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Once they were dry, I used gorilla glue to glue the scraps I had sawed off earlier. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBtwi8khO6XNJQZwAEdF3yQrJFu5j932vneGusf6wBinEyX9R4d48_iZUAGfQckoET9s_WE_6_uY4BBj378FjrEn7wikVq568kq5GxZfVfJ9YKLrU1vEwOmehEfgRJ7WuPy4hlgqc9Xf0/s1600/100_4278_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBtwi8khO6XNJQZwAEdF3yQrJFu5j932vneGusf6wBinEyX9R4d48_iZUAGfQckoET9s_WE_6_uY4BBj378FjrEn7wikVq568kq5GxZfVfJ9YKLrU1vEwOmehEfgRJ7WuPy4hlgqc9Xf0/s400/100_4278_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Waiting 2 hours for the glue to dry was torture but I used the time to decide what I wanted to paint on my lovely canvas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnyZ150hOhp75nWcJUROzx0XgRSlzYXb9vvZYwn41oV4mC_TQ1brDHlfnFj-dHKARdyVw99LL70m0x8HduZSIRq1qLlsX4hmWIdvZGfQD4ZhGwsBFpOxxw10qr0ECdSIvfwBuK5m4UX6N/s1600/100_4283_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnyZ150hOhp75nWcJUROzx0XgRSlzYXb9vvZYwn41oV4mC_TQ1brDHlfnFj-dHKARdyVw99LL70m0x8HduZSIRq1qLlsX4hmWIdvZGfQD4ZhGwsBFpOxxw10qr0ECdSIvfwBuK5m4UX6N/s400/100_4283_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlteEfh1hCYxFdOT3lIX5i_YfsL1wnRlv3pns7dLERvTpbIrUtLfcJtruqroX1z_dvn0cj7K5PAslzLmCDnA3QxT59rpL8ZyYdHmVLcad4A5jfp4pwVElnmQJApW3gFRcg430w004hRG9/s1600/100_4291_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlteEfh1hCYxFdOT3lIX5i_YfsL1wnRlv3pns7dLERvTpbIrUtLfcJtruqroX1z_dvn0cj7K5PAslzLmCDnA3QxT59rpL8ZyYdHmVLcad4A5jfp4pwVElnmQJApW3gFRcg430w004hRG9/s400/100_4291_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Now I have my very own faux pallet art! Oh, and while working with the paint stir sticks, I started a couple more projects...stay tuned to see what else I can make out of these free pieces of wood!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://thediyclub.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="DIY Club"><img alt="DIY Club" height="100" src="http://thediyclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/monthlydiyprojectparty-button-300x300.png" width="100" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-14650283369768873602011-10-31T10:51:00.000-04:002011-10-31T10:51:07.984-04:00Autumn BranchIf you've read any of my previous projects you know that I love incorporating <strike>sticks</strike> nature into our decor. We've made <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/05/4-upcycled-bench.html">benches </a>and <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/07/parsimonious-penny-pincher.html">plant stands</a>, <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/06/sticks-and-stones.html">art</a>, <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/06/mary-mary-quite-contrary.html">pom pom flowers</a>, and even a <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/05/jewelry-state-of-mind.html">jewelry holder</a> out of sticks. The most unique stick project we've done, however, has been the focal point of our living room. Above our television we have a huge branch. We've decorated it with spring-like <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-bird-its-plane-its-abranch.html">leaves</a>, summery <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/06/yellow-blossoms.html">flowers</a>, and now it's covered in fall leaves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNmdU3RcFLx2ZsPqGUloK6sqrzpbFhFX7YHyTc4I9qVNF_PfllEoGD0_2nhpjZpM5J4S3-9h2oC72yn5xc_kFMWD-2PttPSrwGN55OzixXSW9iItUsKwcG1ZKNBBzUXLuxo9hS1U4V7bj/s1600/100_4263_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNmdU3RcFLx2ZsPqGUloK6sqrzpbFhFX7YHyTc4I9qVNF_PfllEoGD0_2nhpjZpM5J4S3-9h2oC72yn5xc_kFMWD-2PttPSrwGN55OzixXSW9iItUsKwcG1ZKNBBzUXLuxo9hS1U4V7bj/s400/100_4263_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
My personal favorite is the brown, glittery leaf. It adds just the right amount of sparkle to keep the branch's fall leaves from seeming too sad and death-like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31-LzUjaq_lQWfmCsx8H8mCgBUBMJTnyG8w7LNE5UZC7i1-dK-r1yDdcIntkX4YGkSAfkXSLvwJsQQwxJ_XyEuWIli8G4Sv-OLpbvqh8vw77EnsFSlJbwlGi45INUWS7U9NJOjXUmG-bu/s1600/100_4266_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31-LzUjaq_lQWfmCsx8H8mCgBUBMJTnyG8w7LNE5UZC7i1-dK-r1yDdcIntkX4YGkSAfkXSLvwJsQQwxJ_XyEuWIli8G4Sv-OLpbvqh8vw77EnsFSlJbwlGi45INUWS7U9NJOjXUmG-bu/s400/100_4266_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I am already planning on our Christmas-themed decorations...I'm thinking a colorful garland and perhaps some lights....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK13bnhfrwhrfD4QPdorib5tSTax9YeqV0AULBIyWrFEVyz7jLYoY8jc9DGXpaHwtr3IerVzzVhDigppmExuhFv9psJbneTQ19aLC-r-0VfeMDQala9MfGqZydI0DVPGltARcviP79PLk/s1600/100_4260_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK13bnhfrwhrfD4QPdorib5tSTax9YeqV0AULBIyWrFEVyz7jLYoY8jc9DGXpaHwtr3IerVzzVhDigppmExuhFv9psJbneTQ19aLC-r-0VfeMDQala9MfGqZydI0DVPGltARcviP79PLk/s640/100_4260_1024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
But for now, we have welcomed the colorful autumn season into our home.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-72612479847424573772011-10-31T08:41:00.000-04:002011-10-31T08:41:50.492-04:00Happy Halloween<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3vY_ecMq00KYhipd9_yRSAfQ4IPBFThxqAl9iLOuG-IM0rFZsencGwR5IWoRe7yBSjXRx_6HfrpjXHYqOLR4694SyyPFWQtzapRBp8FWt8LUpBS9lH5KHxNtu7Jh80_e2vYBdSqnntoO/s1600/pumpkin" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3vY_ecMq00KYhipd9_yRSAfQ4IPBFThxqAl9iLOuG-IM0rFZsencGwR5IWoRe7yBSjXRx_6HfrpjXHYqOLR4694SyyPFWQtzapRBp8FWt8LUpBS9lH5KHxNtu7Jh80_e2vYBdSqnntoO/s1600/pumpkin" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lobo235/58965867/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Happy Halloween! I am off to accompany Layla-Butt to the vet but I will be back soon to show off the new branch decorations (take a look at the <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-bird-its-plane-its-abranch.html">original branch</a> and her <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/06/yellow-blossoms.html">summer decorations</a>).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-22128979724388338302011-10-28T08:55:00.000-04:002011-10-28T08:55:27.037-04:00Dreary Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD4XXkJusJtqmiFXL9s2IErNqoeihQ9x7Ugojajpql_rl6iSBOEhWaG662DY3gtBPqp6-ONHUZQorRG4q1IldRDtkXUE4-HnggEltvI5NiEu4B3Q3OYzUiRwWavWswNLBOBKBPab9G9j2/s1600/coffee" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD4XXkJusJtqmiFXL9s2IErNqoeihQ9x7Ugojajpql_rl6iSBOEhWaG662DY3gtBPqp6-ONHUZQorRG4q1IldRDtkXUE4-HnggEltvI5NiEu4B3Q3OYzUiRwWavWswNLBOBKBPab9G9j2/s400/coffee" width="391" /></a></div><br />
I had plans to take pictures of a few recent projects around the house with the bright morning light that streams in our windows. Instead I woke up to rain and dreariness so I chose to sip a homemade latte instead of finding my camera. I wonder if a good latte has the power to make the rain go away...<br />
<br />
Last night my mind was racing with creative ideas. I only wish I had jotted them down with a sketch because I'm worried my creative juices may have leaked throughout the night. I wonder where awesome ideas go when you lose or forget them? Someone somewhere must be hoarding them.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-17728131707776263322011-10-27T09:26:00.001-04:002011-10-27T09:29:52.101-04:00Small Bedroom Lessons<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt154gl7RFghBwd38tD5ThXtjwGiZWa1zlawtL3vQfKn9fPG3cyUoXskAsVTF9tYN_7b9dtOEonpuQ_wWDRIgZZGkLBZ5XMo1Szi9Ksuo2hCIlSLxT9C-Q-sXqT0Blud0jX_cAOYKP3rjv/s1600/candianhomemagoniline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt154gl7RFghBwd38tD5ThXtjwGiZWa1zlawtL3vQfKn9fPG3cyUoXskAsVTF9tYN_7b9dtOEonpuQ_wWDRIgZZGkLBZ5XMo1Szi9Ksuo2hCIlSLxT9C-Q-sXqT0Blud0jX_cAOYKP3rjv/s400/candianhomemagoniline.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://smallplacestyle.blogspot.com/2011/05/small-wonders.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I found myself loving this photo that I found of a bedroom and didn't realize immediately how small the room actually was. That, my friends, is how you know you've decorated a small room well. Despite the size of the bedroom, the scale of the painting doesn't overwhelm; instead it detracts from it and becomes the wonderfully colorful and playful focal point. Lesson learned - don't be afraid of size and colors when dealing with a teeny room.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG_fzilHWTbSh1K-cvfDflu2L7kGtjZX9nv7Lx_HiR3uLP1i4016QfIsT6ts8Fm-UIA8sA0qWdFMSaF9EEptem4MFVJItuE8mH5HOus0u90AUfe0YLUwVTAhZ22-k2KCtDyVWEXP0TYMi/s1600/343714554_1rWSX58p_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG_fzilHWTbSh1K-cvfDflu2L7kGtjZX9nv7Lx_HiR3uLP1i4016QfIsT6ts8Fm-UIA8sA0qWdFMSaF9EEptem4MFVJItuE8mH5HOus0u90AUfe0YLUwVTAhZ22-k2KCtDyVWEXP0TYMi/s400/343714554_1rWSX58p_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/343714554/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
After seeing the fabulous yellow room, I became inspired to check out some other marvelous small rooms. The bed barely fits in this room, but it feels so comfortable and homey that size doesn't matter. The layers of blankets, the mirror headboard, and the pillows galore help to keep your eye traveling around and noticing the many patterns and colors. Lesson learned: use patterns to keep the eye busy and create a comfortable sanctuary with layers of blankets and pillows.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwNdrxZYnyKbYYpQzDFQ1To7ialKcO1Ca1MbmMbgX2N3yqK5qxHT7sB5TngmDUBbM_jJuL56lXSdyULgJgZeyolb00k9cspXsOd2hSt37r6NJft6uH66Vj2unG5XMpsGm8WBlbb4lCD1U/s1600/0806_small10_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwNdrxZYnyKbYYpQzDFQ1To7ialKcO1Ca1MbmMbgX2N3yqK5qxHT7sB5TngmDUBbM_jJuL56lXSdyULgJgZeyolb00k9cspXsOd2hSt37r6NJft6uH66Vj2unG5XMpsGm8WBlbb4lCD1U/s400/0806_small10_rect540.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/bedroom/small-bedroom-inspiration-123841">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'm sure I'm not alone when I share that I was always under the impression that dark colors make a room seem smaller. So, why would one decorate a teeny room in dark colors? It seems the photo of this lush purple room shows that dark colors create cocoons of luxury. The deep colors, the gold lampshades, the various fabrics on the bed make you feel like royalty. Lesson learned: when dealing with a small room, create a cocoon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAavMqZXu_iurau82bWbt_J_ykg5XNPdfKnYCpMUm2OxM-3g2ncKG4L8JyK82SRMkikDn3S-DRWGItM3U7GzenMqGRFSDWa9GHrKsjANMoY7t3-_OlBhLebqD8PLU6MzTpFPafhfosfnMO/s1600/301746753_5WxlIz15_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAavMqZXu_iurau82bWbt_J_ykg5XNPdfKnYCpMUm2OxM-3g2ncKG4L8JyK82SRMkikDn3S-DRWGItM3U7GzenMqGRFSDWa9GHrKsjANMoY7t3-_OlBhLebqD8PLU6MzTpFPafhfosfnMO/s400/301746753_5WxlIz15_c.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/301746753/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Here we have another large focal point in a teeny tiny room. This room is different from the first, in that the room is bathed in neutral colors and accessories...all but the lively goldfish on the wall. Lesson learned: Punch up a small, neutral room with a quirky piece of art.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnPtoy-mNUqqWiWl_IKttIh48w30svEm3EsFVApHdvkaQQFU8N9DddMdJX2TAAa9xwUbkeNMQEtToAQW_comBdOezO8kS8DuDM_3QEjfvr6pESxLWrm8J6L48odbdELANqjx1mnbLXRBO/s1600/172082518_4iWb4pdl_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnPtoy-mNUqqWiWl_IKttIh48w30svEm3EsFVApHdvkaQQFU8N9DddMdJX2TAAa9xwUbkeNMQEtToAQW_comBdOezO8kS8DuDM_3QEjfvr6pESxLWrm8J6L48odbdELANqjx1mnbLXRBO/s400/172082518_4iWb4pdl_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/172082518/">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This room just feels like a sanctuary to me. From the lighting to the headboard to the enveloping use of colors, I feel like I could spend all day in this small room and not feel boxed in. I can't decide on my favorite feature of this room - the fun curtains, the fabulous chandelier, the plush headboard, or the painted ceiling. Luckily these many features work together rather than compete against one another and you're left with a room you can't get enough of. Lesson learned: just because it's a small space, don't be afraid to accessorize with glamorous chandeliers and beds. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSlQX3sgGILxiN9eqLSUZJHRsEnbSBQ9L2yKKfR6AAEDTS8LTZM-GhwJ851TtwMKWayKF_yHW7DazG12JE6d7BaAIsHamz_OJT_vCdCl8nECws_bDtcY3AGDz5Al_9BhUNaYxjFp41KTL/s1600/Lettered_Cottage_Reading_Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSlQX3sgGILxiN9eqLSUZJHRsEnbSBQ9L2yKKfR6AAEDTS8LTZM-GhwJ851TtwMKWayKF_yHW7DazG12JE6d7BaAIsHamz_OJT_vCdCl8nECws_bDtcY3AGDz5Al_9BhUNaYxjFp41KTL/s400/Lettered_Cottage_Reading_Room.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/our-house/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This is the definition of teeny tiny room. Despite the physical limitations, this room features a bed, storage, and awesome accessories. With a feature wall of wood from an old gym floor, they decided to keep everything else light and airy. Color was added to increase interest and I love the mini gallery wall. Lesson learned: Accessories, when done right, don't cramp or clutter a small bedroom but create a legitimate bedroom.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeYfoLL2X7fQQOtrLHzbhAwC_2blZ8yomqKDkm5iSeOMl60nlbObqVlwPi7jZNc6OnoMl0Ay1OcnovTPqQwODRu7EfGbsIHdLdBtk7p3uGQOPIOu-ufZJ07nhwUdeIAPPMXc5wcOmSzH3/s1600/0806_small01_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeYfoLL2X7fQQOtrLHzbhAwC_2blZ8yomqKDkm5iSeOMl60nlbObqVlwPi7jZNc6OnoMl0Ay1OcnovTPqQwODRu7EfGbsIHdLdBtk7p3uGQOPIOu-ufZJ07nhwUdeIAPPMXc5wcOmSzH3/s400/0806_small01_rect540.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/bedroom/small-bedroom-inspiration-123841">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Here is another example of accessorizing a small bedroom without cramping or cluttering the small space. A mirror is useful in using optical illusion to create more space. The gallery wall is a wonderful focal point, but notice that even the photos take on a neutral tone to match the subtle gray walls and airy, light curtains. Lesson learned: Maintain a neutral color palette when using many accessories to help combat a cluttery feel.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-45952359846615437882011-10-21T09:42:00.004-04:002011-10-23T11:06:23.072-04:00Sweater Pillow TutorialAfter showing the first <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/10/pinspiring-sweaters.html">sweater pillow</a> I created, I got several emails asking for a tutorial. Not that I needed a reason to make a second pillow...these pillows are soft and cuddly and perfect for the cooling weather. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73tJcDV2EsDsapLBLKoZ1lFTsob7dPXN3kw4JJJF9qOrLBisEPT10h6pshIvnn3fNwqyKQlp7pfL4Zj6HS1mCs_b6eGvVuvVLcJcKzU8RqVU0ObMPR9BOtz2nELyAG3pFVu6ARVD1Xqx-/s1600/100_4139_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="goodwill sweater pillow tutorial diy" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73tJcDV2EsDsapLBLKoZ1lFTsob7dPXN3kw4JJJF9qOrLBisEPT10h6pshIvnn3fNwqyKQlp7pfL4Zj6HS1mCs_b6eGvVuvVLcJcKzU8RqVU0ObMPR9BOtz2nELyAG3pFVu6ARVD1Xqx-/s400/100_4139_1024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Allow me to introduce you to my Goodwill sweater. This colorful guy was tired of seeing the back of closets - with his busy patterns and unique color scheme he had little hope of making it out of that closet. Until I found him. I recognized the greens and blues and yellows and creams that are right at home in my living room color scheme. Better yet I recognized the tans and oranges as a hint of fall that I've been looking for. So that, my friends, is how this sweater made it home with me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdao6CtjBX-4RMKJsOn3qJUmB38vB9lN4LGIYS_T0m8wEB0UdpIG6n9YXZi5mqmH29dkEM6CMS40n9QodH5SI8__IkjxYZY79q3rIP7Qq9gMJL1HOTFFtOIrWQeBtd0op0pDQYMXHcqsO/s1600/100_4143_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sweater upcycle pillow diy" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdao6CtjBX-4RMKJsOn3qJUmB38vB9lN4LGIYS_T0m8wEB0UdpIG6n9YXZi5mqmH29dkEM6CMS40n9QodH5SI8__IkjxYZY79q3rIP7Qq9gMJL1HOTFFtOIrWQeBtd0op0pDQYMXHcqsO/s400/100_4143_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
As with all fabric I bring home from Goodwill, I washed him in hot water. Washing and drying the sweater allows for some felting to occur. I prefer the slightly felted look - it ensures the sweater is close-knit and won't gape and show the stuffing or pillow insert. It also gives me peace of mind that the yarn won't unravel. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl1HBz8BaKmmZZWGa9BMuuGz1_V7A7Wxj63S33uo0gBeffOaEMWQLl5p8WYBG8j0zKUYbNZb2_g5yxnnPyuZ8m4L7QfVQmpRGNpWrVQLM_qYh17cYPc8y3c1hBsobpL8eNpqQsutc5bNY/s1600/100_4144_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sweater pillow tutorial diy" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl1HBz8BaKmmZZWGa9BMuuGz1_V7A7Wxj63S33uo0gBeffOaEMWQLl5p8WYBG8j0zKUYbNZb2_g5yxnnPyuZ8m4L7QfVQmpRGNpWrVQLM_qYh17cYPc8y3c1hBsobpL8eNpqQsutc5bNY/s400/100_4144_1024.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
After he was dry (I put him in the dryer for a little bit and then allowed him to finish air drying), I took off the arms. I did this because the size of my pillow was going to force me to go slightly above the body of the sweater and past the arm area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFcMI5dSRyyDVLmRoxQFc7lDulDCSoQ6ra_j-uBPQsVG5qbBiLEqi2fg0u1kiwOiVbnIQ4HZeVLqdqXYXxA6JqudxzTrNbyiHqf03KWjNKsvH-8QCInu7w_AgVz01BJrO-2DrKbeexpy2/s1600/100_4145_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sweater upcycle pillow diy" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFcMI5dSRyyDVLmRoxQFc7lDulDCSoQ6ra_j-uBPQsVG5qbBiLEqi2fg0u1kiwOiVbnIQ4HZeVLqdqXYXxA6JqudxzTrNbyiHqf03KWjNKsvH-8QCInu7w_AgVz01BJrO-2DrKbeexpy2/s400/100_4145_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The arms are sewed on with a long piece of yarn. It's easy to determine which yarn once you <strike>squint </strike>put on your glasses and get a good look. Using a seam ripper, I worked my way around both arm openings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3PL2U04bdC1Ct4YFrL5sjL8j8LR4CZMD2LWxD-ge-38FDoOvNdwMNpIBnoE0_GJ5mk77jzCqMoz7dqZTIl__CRVkfATy5zvvgcTPbS2PyKMbYYHwpFZmi29GooaXisndeNfnXKYkR8sb/s1600/100_4150_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pillow upcycle knit sweater diy" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3PL2U04bdC1Ct4YFrL5sjL8j8LR4CZMD2LWxD-ge-38FDoOvNdwMNpIBnoE0_GJ5mk77jzCqMoz7dqZTIl__CRVkfATy5zvvgcTPbS2PyKMbYYHwpFZmi29GooaXisndeNfnXKYkR8sb/s400/100_4150_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Don't worry if you lose track of which yarn is the yarn you are ripping. I just skipped that section and started up again when I found a spot that was obvious. Once you are ready to go back and work on the skipped section, it's easy to rediscover the yarn used to sew both pieces together. You can see how I skipped a small section in the photo below. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV_lvEhEftS4ciYMP-v0Q641FtkXPKxUN7LZxMPHaba9evamcVsgLdjcoAI0PLhmdckeE7sA8NKYl7zdNvMPBSuSE7-jMcJFwjwKYMamVkBbEYmxE2ppXHeMbLBuLYwZMN_nrIODbfu09/s1600/100_4153_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="goodwill sweater pillow upcycle diy" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV_lvEhEftS4ciYMP-v0Q641FtkXPKxUN7LZxMPHaba9evamcVsgLdjcoAI0PLhmdckeE7sA8NKYl7zdNvMPBSuSE7-jMcJFwjwKYMamVkBbEYmxE2ppXHeMbLBuLYwZMN_nrIODbfu09/s400/100_4153_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
With the arms off, you're left with a lovely sweater vest that you may just decide to keep as it. Kidding! But ripping out the seams, you ensure that the yarns are not going to ravel because you are keeping the knitting and its hems intact at this point.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNrvXBeK1Ti6s-gyCqMJH1cEvgBeSd0Owwf-4vQzOTMurZtRF1PN41HM5_vqk7PWmxx9FStUmfpgjsHNO-jTM8zKnrkPs7uWUBlSEzfF7VbLOR8MMrKeGx3srCzQtJ5LMnnuw4cldBhu3/s1600/100_4154_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sweater pillow tutorial diy" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNrvXBeK1Ti6s-gyCqMJH1cEvgBeSd0Owwf-4vQzOTMurZtRF1PN41HM5_vqk7PWmxx9FStUmfpgjsHNO-jTM8zKnrkPs7uWUBlSEzfF7VbLOR8MMrKeGx3srCzQtJ5LMnnuw4cldBhu3/s400/100_4154_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Now it's time to determine the size of your pillow. I wanted a 15x15 pillow which unfortunately meant that I would have to cut off some of the sides and go up into the arm area. If your sweater is larger than mine, you could just close up the bottom and the top of the sweater and call it a day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRUdSRNDu6LcCXnhkCE9pT3mQsPzN1imN-9Mcs_JxYplIABxFNTeii3D5fSlgESGpx7ymAkHHhCwi3XfpqPcRXzMmNTV20J4XXTZfxNZyZxP4FrJ_NJoVETp8jcZo_Lg_ou17sd-Az0_N/s1600/100_4189_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sweater pillow tutorial diy" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRUdSRNDu6LcCXnhkCE9pT3mQsPzN1imN-9Mcs_JxYplIABxFNTeii3D5fSlgESGpx7ymAkHHhCwi3XfpqPcRXzMmNTV20J4XXTZfxNZyZxP4FrJ_NJoVETp8jcZo_Lg_ou17sd-Az0_N/s320/100_4189_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I used a couple pins to keep the sweater together and mark the path I was sewing along. I then changed my stitch length to the smallest length possible. I did this to ensure that I caught every single piece of yarn so that unraveling wouldn't be a problem. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk2uVFcGInzxMvGOYWNxeYLdS8dsTiAZnjpgNfQiAk5Hi1hoVyrCDS1jB8tJcGeVoGRtDBoyVXQztEJBAxLBKXSAt_Jcid3FMTO9kNfEiadxWKqFwzh6VAxQf1dIMsgNXjpXr_ItmDcIF/s1600/100_4191_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sweater pillow upcycle diy" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk2uVFcGInzxMvGOYWNxeYLdS8dsTiAZnjpgNfQiAk5Hi1hoVyrCDS1jB8tJcGeVoGRtDBoyVXQztEJBAxLBKXSAt_Jcid3FMTO9kNfEiadxWKqFwzh6VAxQf1dIMsgNXjpXr_ItmDcIF/s320/100_4191_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you look very closely at the photo below, you'll see the white stitching running horizontally across the sweater. I chose to put in two lengths of stitches running parallel to each other to provide extra protection against unraveling. Once that is done, cut your sweater.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWv8TcwZgsyfJ86nYPSVEFXXFeL02hshLYmEmV8JTp61Ruw-2OIXrTw_6LUze5tdhVknisxd9eH7S1PC97wI9s57Dhk2diA_P5CESTpRhObnp_tCiukFbFvasvYdg8rwWzAyWE7cibR1y/s1600/100_4197_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diy cable knit pillow tutorial" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWv8TcwZgsyfJ86nYPSVEFXXFeL02hshLYmEmV8JTp61Ruw-2OIXrTw_6LUze5tdhVknisxd9eH7S1PC97wI9s57Dhk2diA_P5CESTpRhObnp_tCiukFbFvasvYdg8rwWzAyWE7cibR1y/s320/100_4197_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Once you've completed your pillow, fluff and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7Z7g9On5HxzCyXdyPEiwomVEWcENwfz9vFwG96Lf13lVY4ylsZzv18GRNTAZkcHS3zr51NOhnbg1ZhpHvzOveNzuIPOR_rofXvVrmemdk5d0k3KXRqwCDqT-ovlJNzqmA5zRqkQg-HiV/s1600/100_4206_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diy knit pillow tutorial" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7Z7g9On5HxzCyXdyPEiwomVEWcENwfz9vFwG96Lf13lVY4ylsZzv18GRNTAZkcHS3zr51NOhnbg1ZhpHvzOveNzuIPOR_rofXvVrmemdk5d0k3KXRqwCDqT-ovlJNzqmA5zRqkQg-HiV/s320/100_4206_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
You can see my pillow needs some much needed cuddling to get the stuffing in all the right places. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3DI3h5DB9jSmotjTGddMfX0r4wYGM-yKF_eI3m6HrREN9kssoK1EkeMrDXEA7oeOZJJTSoou9K_6Ly9ay2IsG6VgfAI-AWVeyg_Mt77rW9lk-gCrlTu4N2Od1a8a1-wG0lZQLv4vDoLZ/s1600/100_4216_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diy knit pillow tutorial" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3DI3h5DB9jSmotjTGddMfX0r4wYGM-yKF_eI3m6HrREN9kssoK1EkeMrDXEA7oeOZJJTSoou9K_6Ly9ay2IsG6VgfAI-AWVeyg_Mt77rW9lk-gCrlTu4N2Od1a8a1-wG0lZQLv4vDoLZ/s320/100_4216_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My living room is slowly becoming ready for the colder months. I just need to incorporate some darker, more saturated colors (I'm thinking a hunter green and/or navy blue to darken up the color pallet) and a <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/09/cuddling-weather.html">knitted throw</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuPE3CmieReeYvN9fjJ10PeOOQDRpv69jxqvaQswoJY8PC0U4pBpQmFhBpdZbqLLIX294MT7hJtxaSDsIwmhj1Y7LwbKvzKYgkwrA9DWmC7Gl-0k5xZYOA9XlA3XPt9KwTAz6vyMC2Cxf/s1600/100_4211_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diy knit sweater pillow tutorial" border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuPE3CmieReeYvN9fjJ10PeOOQDRpv69jxqvaQswoJY8PC0U4pBpQmFhBpdZbqLLIX294MT7hJtxaSDsIwmhj1Y7LwbKvzKYgkwrA9DWmC7Gl-0k5xZYOA9XlA3XPt9KwTAz6vyMC2Cxf/s320/100_4211_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Last night this little guy was my go-to-pillow while watching television. He makes a much better pillow than sweater, don't you think?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMSJeUHvGiVjPrsVTqo0kF7rzTRJUDSzERfcVU-7RG-YY1jA_ZkjveXm9cXBIsnoTAHdA0aZV3_gyydQSaHbWguvxASWMlkKtaqxIfaxNEYqNRA-zuQAVyYnMtIj1Y1tErov_6ci2oCVU/s1600/100_4205_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="knit sweater pillow upcycle diy" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMSJeUHvGiVjPrsVTqo0kF7rzTRJUDSzERfcVU-7RG-YY1jA_ZkjveXm9cXBIsnoTAHdA0aZV3_gyydQSaHbWguvxASWMlkKtaqxIfaxNEYqNRA-zuQAVyYnMtIj1Y1tErov_6ci2oCVU/s320/100_4205_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="float: right; margin: 4px;"><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/green_tea/pin.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-1767129765508112302011-10-20T10:47:00.001-04:002011-10-23T11:05:01.450-04:00Styrofoam Upcycle #4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6CiFpCpTXb4ODOPBylIUXCv2ruV5ytrwFhdw7-qMlirMFuf3queo31VUFviQuShZ2XLlmM4OHxowHQqJgFampp_vcHboQcduA3S31PTWywJO6JNQC2yBAY2SlkVCdcNVbjBc0KS06Nx_/s1600/100_2711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="twine photo frame diy" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6CiFpCpTXb4ODOPBylIUXCv2ruV5ytrwFhdw7-qMlirMFuf3queo31VUFviQuShZ2XLlmM4OHxowHQqJgFampp_vcHboQcduA3S31PTWywJO6JNQC2yBAY2SlkVCdcNVbjBc0KS06Nx_/s400/100_2711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Last spring we were cleaning out our storage shed when we found a styrofoam cooler that was merely taking up space. Instead of throwing it away, I decided to upcycle as much of it as possible and proceeded to make a <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/05/upcycling-project-part-2.html">couple frames</a> and a few awesome letters for my gallery wall (seen <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/05/upcycling-project-part-3.html">here </a>and <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/05/upcycling-project-part-1.html">here</a>).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiY4pY0iMDG9MfhUgojJvtgBhL1XvpO1IUHPP2FrrULeT0sbwgi7KQuNEIPAr6FOm3ZC_PlWQGGeJuqNTCzKyUyCZ8aWbTSU3NATw36I3z0ZZObTacPnd_f2I-V4Dl_5PDqifB6j6n1Ex/s1600/100_3972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diy frame upcycle" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiY4pY0iMDG9MfhUgojJvtgBhL1XvpO1IUHPP2FrrULeT0sbwgi7KQuNEIPAr6FOm3ZC_PlWQGGeJuqNTCzKyUyCZ8aWbTSU3NATw36I3z0ZZObTacPnd_f2I-V4Dl_5PDqifB6j6n1Ex/s400/100_3972.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Well, that styrofoam cooler produced more styrofoam that I thought possible when I was dissecting it and I finally got around to upcycling another piece of the cooler.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDsntDbRJGP7PsvSgGp8EFErBrv9FMtX-aHoA1iNE1R6I37XbXiaGkd3QmBri3lC1nEqXFe0E-s1UKqjtx-sOmhUBQunn1_9d3uw8bwKtqNAI3Vms08lx8OVv8wEtuSGY-w7SQ4s4INsX/s1600/100_3971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="twine wrapped frame diy" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDsntDbRJGP7PsvSgGp8EFErBrv9FMtX-aHoA1iNE1R6I37XbXiaGkd3QmBri3lC1nEqXFe0E-s1UKqjtx-sOmhUBQunn1_9d3uw8bwKtqNAI3Vms08lx8OVv8wEtuSGY-w7SQ4s4INsX/s400/100_3971.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I had cut out a variety of rectangles knowing I wanted to make some textured frames. I have many frames displayed on our gallery wall, but aside from my <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/06/sticks-and-stones.html">twig art</a> and <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/04/cork-aholic.html">cork heart</a>, texture and natural fibers were missing (and we all know how much I love bringing natural fibers and organic matter into the mix)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija7ZDTdlSqAYEAZP-LiC8_ms9uq5PFqT_YIY_b3HQ9Ix7Eq1rojroSKYL4MOnD7H3vdeyda5WuZOfskYaOR7lCHhU3YqZ8q87C4ce06nhLHFtecEL9G6uQhJt4Z5HHTYZJNluTEuk4x_T/s1600/100_4163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="wrapped picture frame diy" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEija7ZDTdlSqAYEAZP-LiC8_ms9uq5PFqT_YIY_b3HQ9Ix7Eq1rojroSKYL4MOnD7H3vdeyda5WuZOfskYaOR7lCHhU3YqZ8q87C4ce06nhLHFtecEL9G6uQhJt4Z5HHTYZJNluTEuk4x_T/s400/100_4163.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Using some hemp twine I had from a project gone bad, I began wrapping and gluing (with hot glue), wrapping and gluing, wrapping and gluing. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8NUnEAvldxMhjr8k5PyWD-fZplJ5zLq3tG8yH89Ank-smSFzg-COtNyb2g5LNU-IjL3N18kAVhMHU7npuXF0w9bQACVf6jfpq3nB_SLIuCROiKyHtMgrfJyqYX0NG4CPIsEUGEqO5-n1/s1600/100_4173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="twine frame diy upcycle" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8NUnEAvldxMhjr8k5PyWD-fZplJ5zLq3tG8yH89Ank-smSFzg-COtNyb2g5LNU-IjL3N18kAVhMHU7npuXF0w9bQACVf6jfpq3nB_SLIuCROiKyHtMgrfJyqYX0NG4CPIsEUGEqO5-n1/s400/100_4173.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I love how some of the smaller details turned out. The V pattern at the corners and centers of each long leg add additional interest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPDQYGwbDV3sUWJcN_phkj8IkqCpExkn7GS06pSmCppoI_55fzlIIMCb4y_Zqb5jvp_xDElirmnIjAxLIMT-S2c9XBHMrNcLwPVtyBCndJhHcTdg1QWYyiYqGHA7b6voepmSEpjVHSUKW/s1600/100_4174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="styrofoam upcycle frame" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPDQYGwbDV3sUWJcN_phkj8IkqCpExkn7GS06pSmCppoI_55fzlIIMCb4y_Zqb5jvp_xDElirmnIjAxLIMT-S2c9XBHMrNcLwPVtyBCndJhHcTdg1QWYyiYqGHA7b6voepmSEpjVHSUKW/s400/100_4174.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
It feels good to create something out of what would normally be thrown in a landfill and left to blow around for hundreds of years. Instead, I have a lightweight, textured frame to add to my gallery wall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVokIOwuIzzksjxXB6ToFAjTFHPrEgHYx6fHwGCvj_tgcQ46hD5if5QUoHYG8oPdsCDhI-Y5UGZf4wiKobuBkQaj3rt8EJPYPNXGPRRqF5fma0hjS2DoD04zZePWSSuHS9kic0r28e_AS7/s1600/100_4169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diy frame upcycle styrofoam" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVokIOwuIzzksjxXB6ToFAjTFHPrEgHYx6fHwGCvj_tgcQ46hD5if5QUoHYG8oPdsCDhI-Y5UGZf4wiKobuBkQaj3rt8EJPYPNXGPRRqF5fma0hjS2DoD04zZePWSSuHS9kic0r28e_AS7/s320/100_4169.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I'm still deciding if I should leave it empty or add some art. What do you think? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUFkMz60EjX5qpQO8p1JSzE54EYtIL_ozA9nmBlPg41hgfttGF_T9juQbMDmCozSXYAdz8Kqfz74IL-bLpflkEl8u50jkvZ_BX11mFuNjn9tv-JU90ArSAjdSnzzZkpTOaQB6uohFWZ6B/s1600/100_4178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="styrofoam upcycle picture frame" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUFkMz60EjX5qpQO8p1JSzE54EYtIL_ozA9nmBlPg41hgfttGF_T9juQbMDmCozSXYAdz8Kqfz74IL-bLpflkEl8u50jkvZ_BX11mFuNjn9tv-JU90ArSAjdSnzzZkpTOaQB6uohFWZ6B/s320/100_4178.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-64629384695040481972011-10-18T10:32:00.005-04:002011-11-02T12:50:44.203-04:00Pinspiring Sweaters<div style="color: blue;"><b>Edit: Pssst...check out the tutorial <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/10/sweater-pillow-tutorial.html">here</a>!</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q074jW4C3ifR687U8JAJD-sV5wc_NZSHqgdtc6w-qfMPvMl9U0l4WkjadcbejiX4nuEVIskqYjtaasa3pOxiL20uTg1t11TjBs1TVN1OtWpqw5gtfR85wf8YyxkR6c3H4JgIBdsQrtiO/s1600/100_4097_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cable knit pillow" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q074jW4C3ifR687U8JAJD-sV5wc_NZSHqgdtc6w-qfMPvMl9U0l4WkjadcbejiX4nuEVIskqYjtaasa3pOxiL20uTg1t11TjBs1TVN1OtWpqw5gtfR85wf8YyxkR6c3H4JgIBdsQrtiO/s400/100_4097_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A long long time ago I shared that I was obsessed with Pottery Barn's amazing knitted pillows and <a href="http://decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/2011/09/cuddling-weather.html">blankets</a>. Well, after being pinspired (yes, I made up a word just for <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/garzaka">pinterest</a>) by <a href="http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2011/01/diy-sweater-pillows-cozy-up.html">Brassy Apple</a>, I decided I needed to do something other than drool all over the pillows at the mall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYjgdWFj2RgpsAzgN5WqdKBYXTlyi0BDRJT3RQXXYhuOYCJAqofj_b1RClWfQ3KjLgzcU-9Dbh2Hcsd48KnYWaKyD6qZOr3_kDEC1NKj1FblHz24bUsOlBYUQ8MfRP3-Q4Uh9E3b5Athp/s1600/100_4102_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="knit pillow" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYjgdWFj2RgpsAzgN5WqdKBYXTlyi0BDRJT3RQXXYhuOYCJAqofj_b1RClWfQ3KjLgzcU-9Dbh2Hcsd48KnYWaKyD6qZOr3_kDEC1NKj1FblHz24bUsOlBYUQ8MfRP3-Q4Uh9E3b5Athp/s320/100_4102_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
A trip to Goodwill, some slight felting, some seam ripping action, and a little sewing later I have myself a cuddly pillow. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vCoHnMWbc3uXVfdZlXR2ZOgSkPpXpyxkAJAjYUjv0TNe3p8Rjif7Sp3gMsFe245VNefuV_ASwYg9Z_HGq2Pi9gA480bPxev0fFgsYnKhDSODXSyVmGV4HhYWLuligIrb8Uk_QbfYTY22/s1600/100_4105_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cable knit pillow" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vCoHnMWbc3uXVfdZlXR2ZOgSkPpXpyxkAJAjYUjv0TNe3p8Rjif7Sp3gMsFe245VNefuV_ASwYg9Z_HGq2Pi9gA480bPxev0fFgsYnKhDSODXSyVmGV4HhYWLuligIrb8Uk_QbfYTY22/s400/100_4105_1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841407931291646938.post-70668847737327431962011-10-12T09:01:00.001-04:002011-10-12T09:01:58.341-04:00Vacation is Over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm back, I'm back! After a crazy non-stop road trip, some car repairs (yes, my DIY skills are moving over to cars now), and a major washing machine diy fix, I'm back!<br />
<br />
Oh, but I guess I need things to talk to you wonderful blog people about, huh? And perhaps some pictures...a fun idea or two would make you happy, too, huh? Hmmm...<br />
<br />
Ok, I'll be back in a little bit. I must first go find something...to...you know...show you. I'm sorry I must run off like this so soon after returning. Don't go far...I'll be back soon!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div/> Thanks for reading <a href="http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com/">Turning a House into a Home</a>!</div></div>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06639186510728472589noreply@blogger.com1