Homefront: Colorful Spring Easter Mantel

There are few times a year when pastels can be made front and center, so I embrace it when I can. The mantle/ikea expedit shelf was done a few weeks ago, (shocker), but it didn't ever feel *just right*. When I brought this sweet smelling hyacinth home last night, I knew just what to do. I wrapped the flower pot in a scrap of burlap and tied it off with a pretty pink, polka -dot bow, just like how I did my mason jar craft (tutorial here).

I received this Velveteen Rabbit book as a gift when I was 7 years old. The Jesus picture came from this visit at a lovely antique shop. It appears that I like bunny rabbits. One day, I will add lambs and chicks to my Easter line up. But really, a beak mask just wouldn't be as cute as a bunny ear headband.

I used my white frame once again as a wreath holder. Makes a cute impact on an otherwise lonely wall.

 Do you need a quick and easy Spring Easter wreath idea? Visit my diy tutorial here!

Easy DIY Spring Easter Egg Wreath Tutorial

I have had this wintery wreath on my door since well, winter. I figured, I had better update it, but didn't have the time.  First, I tucked the berries and pinecones behind the wreath. I grabbed this egg garland I already had and tied it onto the wreath with twine and craft pearls to tame the pine needles back, and then I tucked some fake flowers in there. I think it turned out really cute! It took less than 10 minutes, required absolutely zero sewing or gluing, and I can take it apart in minutes if I want to reuse the materials again.

Recycling holiday crafts and supplies is the best!

You can also take a figurine, like my adorable little bunny here, and glue or wire it down. So, Easter is tomorrow... you have *plenty* of time to do something like this!

Also, tonight we will be planting a magical Easter jellybean garden, along with many other pinterest inspired families. In the morning, lollipops or peeps should arise in their place... hopefully these beans work!

via makeit love it

 

 
via my frugal adventures

Homefront: Valentine's Mantel Decorating

I shopped a 90% off Christmas sale recently and got tons of berry garlands and goodies for next year. So, I thought I would try and use some for my Valentine's mantel. I usually keep them fairly tame, like those from 2011, 2010 and 2009... but I really wanted to throw some pink fluff in this year. 

 

All I bought for this craft was the pink felt heart for $2. Everything else I had around the house, and it became this:

See? All it takes is a little bit of ingenuity, hot glue and random supplies to make something cute. That center heart is just a simple pipe cleaner. You can buy the jewels at craft stores, or order them from me here in silver or an assortment of colors!

This heart I made a few years back was cute, but I wanted to glam it up and pinkify it to match my other heart. I used red nail polish on the black outer edge and pink glitter.

 She's all new and pretty in pink.

 

Yes, my IKEA Expedit bookcase makes a perfect "mantel" for decorating, since I no longer have a fireplace. Hmmm... do you think I should have added more pink or red? (My husband firmly declares, "No.", though men can still like pink.) What is your color of choice for Valentine's Day?

 Here, I used simple flower vases with Valentine's socks pulled over them.

My shabby green candelabra I painted a few years is still going strong, and getting more shabby chic by the year. She has lost some prisms, so I have to do some replacing.

This is a vintage letter/napkin holder I got for .50 cents at a garage sale. I gussied her up with some ivory paint, than dry brushed her with a pinky red, (my tutorial here). Actually, I may have made the paint a little milky by adding water, but basically the same technique.

 Love this print, by The Black Apple.

Homefront: Christmas Firsts

 First discovery of lights.

First moosestache ever, in the history of the world.

First real, live Christmas tree.

 First kitchen sink bath.

 First neighborhood Christmas light hayride tour.

 First grade "Winter Holiday Program"

 First unimpressed faces

 First gingerbread houses.