Home Decoration | Art Crafts | Ethnic Decoration

>I bought a couple of old books at the thrift store to add to my Halloween decorations, but they needed a little altering.One book's cover was beginning to separate.Which made it very easy to rip the entire cover off and I didn't have to feel guilty for damaging a book (that's the teacher in me).I sanded the spine a bit to achieve a more worn look. Then wrapped it with jute twine. Next I cut and frayed a piece of burlap and used a permanent marker for printing a title. Now I have the perfect addition for my mad scientist's shelf!I was attracted to the second book because of the cover's textural pattern. I removed the label on front using a little water and a scraper.A cotton swab and some fingernail polish remover worked for taking off the wording on the spine.I added a new title using a paint pen and permanent marker.It's the perfect addition to my Halloween library.And it looks fantastic on my witchy inspired entry table!

>I know that it's one day before Halloween, but if you're like me, you're tweaking things until it's time to take them down. So I thought I'd share one last trick using these bags of skeleton garland I bought at the dollar store a while back. I could never find a place for them and then it occurred to me that maybe it was because they needed a bit of a makeover---a silver spray paint makeover.With a few decorative ornament hangers and my army of silver skeletons in hand I proceeded to the dining room.They're just the spooktacular accessory that my chandelier needed.I was so pleased with their gory to glam makeover that I gave a larger dollar store skeleton the same treatment. But while the paint was still wet I sprinkled on a little glitter. Tied with a bow he guards this shelf perfectly.
Be sure to visit on Monday. I have a wonderful treat in store---an exciting giveaway!

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Witches and Spiders
and Crows, Oh MY!

>I've decided that my living room needs a punch of color. That's one thing about blogging, when you post pictures of a room you start to notice where you can make improvements. Since my newest project is going in that room, it is the perfect place to add color. I like the paint color that I used on this project.

Speaking of this project,
it's now sitting on my front porch. I was able to harvest all of these
delightful fall goodies from my garden. I piled a bunch of the smaller ones into
some antique bowls
that I found years ago at the thrift store.And the larger ones look great outside.Since we're outside, I'll show you
some more of my Halloween decorations.

Some of you showed a real interest in my old PB light fixture.

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I saw this idea on a local TV show
and immediately thought,
"Why didn't I think of that!"
Just because I didn't think of it
doesn't mean I can't share it with you.
Although I really should have thought of it
because it involves eggs and
black spray paint.
Don't do this with boiled eggs you'll eat.
Use wood, or ceramic eggs,
or hollowed out real eggs.
There is only one thing better
than a spray painted black egg . . .

a spray painted black chalkboard egg!If you don't like them in black,
chalkboard paint can be tinted almost any color.
Wouldn't these be wonderful
for place settings at Easter dinner?Now, you're probably saying,
"Why didn't I think of that!"

>I have been having so much fun making pretty little fabric pumpkins to give as gifts. They're so easy and yet so cute!First use a plate or anything circular to make a pattern on light weight fabric.Cut the circle and sew a running stitch around the edge.Stuff with a layer of beans and then fiberfill (or use all beans or rice, or all fiberfill). Pull the thread to close the opening and make a few more stitches to keep it closed.Hot glue on a real stem from a pumpkin or squash and that's it!I added a few hand-stamped tags to give to friends and neighbors with the idea that they could gather their family and pass the pumpkin while sharing the things they are grateful for.These sweet little pumpkins were so fun to make that I couldn't help but make a bunch in all different colors and sizes just for me.

>Wouldn't this little tree look beautiful covered with handcut hearts containing handwritten sentiments of love to and from each member of my family, each handtied with pretty satin ribbon?

>Am I the only adult who loooongs for a recess break?!? I can tell it's time for my recess when, what is usually fun becomes tedious. I love to design and create and paint, but when that seems to feel more like a "have to" than a "want to", I know it's time to change the routine. And that only means one thing to me---thrift and dollar store shopping time. Oh Yeah!!!

I found these tall metal houses at the thrift store
for a dollar a piece.These sparkly cone trees are from the dollar store.Put them all together and what do you have?A simple little Christmas village
and a happy, rested little me!

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I began my mercury glass collection
last Christmas with a few items that were on sale. After Christmas my collection expanded.
Who can resist 90% off?!?

I pulled a pretty copper colored frame from my stash. Then I pulled out the heavy-duty foil from my pantry and started cutting out squares of foil. I wanted to achieve a look of
"silver-leaf collides
with antique mirror",
without the expense. I sprayed each sheet with adhesive and stuck them onto the picture,
in a random pattern, dull side up. I was doing the happy dance because I got the look I desired!All that was left was to glitz it up
with my mercury glass collection. I added a few sparkly items from dollar stores
(mirrored trees, big silver ornaments, and shiny garland).
And metallic leaves found at the thrift store.I am thrilled with my
glitzy-almost-over-the-top mantle/shelf
and the couldn't-be-a-more-perfect-backdrop frame.