Category Archives: wedding

easy backyard party decor for this holiday weekend

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paper cone decor- amy+mayd

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

Kick off summer the right way this weekend by adding some easy, handmade decor to any memorial day party! These paper cones make a perfect colorful addition to welcome summer. You can hang them on chairs or on the wall and fill them with flowers or utensils. I love projects that are simple but add so much to the feel of the party, this project definitely adds a laid back touch.

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

Things you will need:

  • scrap booking paper 12×12, heavy weight, with desirable prints (you can get a pad of these with a variety of patterns and colors at a craft store)
  • scissors
  • tacky or white glue
  • twine or string
  • ribbon if desired
paper cone decor- amy+mayd

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

First, simply roll a sheet of your 12×12 paper into a cone shape and glue into place. Pressing firmly for a few minutes. You can also use hot glue but if you are having an outdoor party and there is a lot of direct sunlight or heat, hot glue will tend to melt and the paper will pull apart so I prefer plain old Elmers or Martha Stewart craft glue. Next, use a whole punch to make two holes, one on each side. Go ahead and tie a handle with a string or a piece of twine and cut off the excess.

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

If desired, you can add extra embellishments like a large bow or buttons.

Find a suitable place to hang your cones, a wall, a tree, the side of a chair…etc. Fill them with seasonal flowers, napkins or other light-weight goodies. I did this project for my wedding in all different prints and lined the aisle chairs with one cone each.

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

paper cone decor- amy+mayd

empty perfume bottles, too pretty to toss

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Perfume Bottle Vase – Pink with Cream Rose- pearlylace

I was glancing at my perfume collection the other day and noticing how many of my scents are dwindling down to the last drop and was thinking I guess its time to toss these but how can you toss a beautiful, teeny tiny little bottle?

Victorian French Blue cut to Clear Glass Perfume Bottles- GrandVintageFinery

Surely, there has to be something cute these bottles can be upcycled into? If you have three or four bottles you could use them to hold little buds on a console or coffee table. This would also be a great vintage inspired decoration for a wedding or party.

Usually, the bottles are made of beautifully designed glass so they work perfectly as vases, you could even use them to add a cute sparkle to your garden or for a small, sweet mothers day gift! Too pretty to toss! Have any bottle upcycle projects?

a letter for simple charming decor

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Letter Customizable Typography- RivalryTime

Great decor can be as simple as the letters in your name or monogram. There are all sorts of letter options on Etsy from monograms, to wall art to a personalized wooden letter name… it’s all there. Using your last name in your kitchen on a small shelf or using just the first letter of your last name somewhere unexpected like your china cabinet can really bring a warm welcoming atmosphere to your home.

8 inch Alphabet Wall Letters Whimsical - woodwallletters

Additionally, letters or your baby’s name in a nursery are great decorations as well as learning opportunities. Children become accustomed to seeing their name and/or the alphabet and begin to interact with the letters on the wall.

Lowercase Letter g in Gulf Blue Teal Wooden Distressed- SlippinSouthern

Lastly, a fun place to put a letter is outside on your fence or in your garden space, maybe even hiding along a flower path. I just love using these fun pieces in unexpected places. They are whimsical and a small delight. Easy decor that goes a long way. Incorporating letters into a gift basket, wedding gift or baby shower gift is also a great idea. I have received a few letter’s in gifts and really you can always find a special place for them.

how to arrange flowers and make your own bouquets

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Floral Arrangement Centerpiece Silk Flower Bouquet- JuliesHomeCreations

For today’s post, I’d like to introduce the basics of flower arranging.. something I have always been interested in. There are many things to learn and perfect in this art but for now I will start with the basics. I love colorful arrangements that really showcase unique or bright flowers, they really do bring life into a room.

Blue Hydrangea, Tiny flowers arrangement - Mycraftgarden

One of the first things that you will need is a cool container, I love old tins or striking white ceramic pieces but this is  a part of the arrangement you can be creative with. Next, you will need some green styrofoam for silk arrangements and/or green floral foam for fresh arrangements. After gathering some pruning shears and decorative moss you will want to select your flowers. I like to use a hierarchy of main flowers, secondary flowers, filler flowers and filler greenery.

Spring Bouquet- honeytree

When you get all of your supplies in order you will want to cut each silk or live flower from its bunch to create separate stems which are easier to arrange (do the same with your greenery and filler flowers also). Cut your Styrofoam or floral foam to fit the top of your container (slightly larger than your container) so that it rests in place on top of your vase, you may also opt to glue it in place. Next, pin in some moss on the top to cover the styrofoam or floral foam for a more natural looking foundation.

Multi Colored Eco friendly Bouquet Spring Garden- seragun

I then begin arranging my flowers with the larger main flowers and work outward from the middle. Try to mix your main flowers with your secondary flowers to create a cool shape or overall theme. You can place them in a horizontal arrangement or an L-shape by arranging longer stems to one side. This is the fun part and if you don’t like the direction your piece is going, just start over!

For the finish, add your filler and greenery in the spaces that are leftover to give the entire arrangement a cohesive, full look. You can be extremely creative with this project and you can manipulate your arrangements with fabrics, paper, branches or other unconventional materials to come up with something really unique. I like to change my arrangements for dinner parties, holidays and seasons.

This is just an abbreviated introduction into flower arranging so if you have any comments, questions or tips of your own, I would be happy to answer them and provide an update post in the future if there is enough interest!

how a tray can simplify your life

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Bubbles Holder Rustic Tray- Morgan Hill Designs

A tray is a great addition to almost any tabletop. It adds instant storage and dynamic to an otherwise flat tabletop. You can use a simple tray, like one of these, to not only serve food in the traditional sense but also to serve yourself some morning simplicity! Think keys, wallet, cell phone… all in one place.

Reclaimed Barn Wood Tray- DoubleEDesign

The cool thing is there are so many different types of trays. I really like these rustic inspired trays but how interesting is this hardened crochet tray shown below? Intricate and detailed, trays don’t have to be matchy matchy with your chosen tabletop. For instance, in my entry way, I now have a travel inspired tray that hold all of my last-minute leave the house goodies, some inspirational reads, and a few personal photos, however, it is all atop a vintage dresser that has a different color and design completely. The two contrast but compliment each other in an unexpected way.

Crochet Tray Basket with Handles- BudgetonaHeartstring

Textured trays like these are great for breaking up larger furniture pieces and add instant interest.

Parlor Tray - Menswear Inspired- SomethingBeachyStore

And how cool is this simple frame tray idea?

 

 

your journey of love comes home

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beaded bridal sash- LittleWhiteDresser

how do you incorporate your love of family, your favorite personal pictures and effects without going gaga all over your house and leaving visitors wondering if you are self-obsessed?

Vintage Keys with Engraved Word "Love"- Pretty Petal Studio

Well, the old adage “Less is More” holds true in this situation but that is not to say that your favorite items should not make their debut around your house. After all, personalizing your house is the best way to incorporate your style. What I think is cool are personalized pictures that reflect a unique moment in your life. Have you ever been parasailing or do you have a baby photo that just makes you smile every time you see it? These types of unforgettable moments blown up to an unexpected 8×10 or 11×14 format really help others connect with you and your family.

My Greatest Adventures 8x8 Fine Art Print- TheLightFantastic

Besides personal photographs, I love to display things collected on trips. A unique statue or a map, a certain travel ticket to a foreign country. Anything unique mounted on your wall or matted and framed raises its context and presents a story others may also find interesting. Also, think of local items the two of you or you and a friend have grabbed together, something from your favorite shop perhaps? Or an antique that caught your eye?

Sisters of Science Steampunk Adventure Ring - steampunkuniversity

I have put together a list of some great love keepsakes, in honor of our looming Love Day, called Journey Home  I hope you enjoy it and leave me a comment if you have any ideas on presenting your journey through decor.