Valentine’s Swag Dollies

 

So Valentine’s Day is right around the corner (and I have yet to finish making mine!). I came up with this simple swag. It took me about 5 minutes to make and another 2 minutes to hang (had to adjust spaces between hearts). It would make a great surprise on Valentine’s Day morning. I hung mine in my bathroom mirror for a little cheer in the morning as I am getting ready!  Check out my previous Valentine’s Day Decor!

Materials:

9 Dollies

Baker’s Twine

Needle

Canvas Art: Recycling Trees!

So Lotti and I fell in love with that Thankful tree. We adored the shape and the little leaves. Yay, inexpensive decoration! It stayed up in our apartment through the holidays until about a week ago. We just couldn’t bear to part with it. One day, when I was staring off into space, (Okay, looking at pinterest) I saw these trees on canvases. Most were one tree in four sections, each section a different season. I liked the idea of it, but the Thankful Tree ( Or a Wishing Tree) could not be divided like that. I stumbled upon some leftover canvases from this art project and this one. I had an idea!

I took took the tree down carefully and then laid it out on various canvases. Once I decided how I liked it, then I decided how many to space them. About 3/4 of the inch apart, so I had to adjust where the canvases were so that the branches lined up. Next I glued the branches down after using an craft knife to cut them.

Then I used the handy dandy boyfriend to hang them up.  I did what I do best: oversee! He hung them up and I critiqued where he put them. About 45 minutes later, we had our tree and one tired boyfriend! Enjoy!

P.S. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway and help a poor lonely blogger!

Pretty Pretty Boards

   
  I am always saving little mementos from trips be it ticket stubs to museum guides, but I never know what to do with them. Often they just get filed away in labeled shoe boxes at the back of my closet for what occasion, I don't know. My friend, Lily (of the cranberry compote and brie bites fame) has some great ideas of how to show off your little mementos or other important things. These cute boards look great when lined up or alone on a wall, and since they are made from foam board, you can use 3M wall adhesive so you don't have to use nails (a big help for those who are renting a place). With all the different themed papers out there, you can find something to match just about anything!

I just cut the boards in the center, they were the perfect small size!

Materials:

Modpodge

Foam brush

Scrapbook or other decorative paper

Foam Board

Scissors/ knife

Directions:

1. Cut the board and paper to desired sizes, the paper can be left a bit bigger to cover the sides of the board.
   
2. Modpodge the board with a light coat, then press down paper. Go slowly, and use pressure of fingers or ruler (be careful) to work out any bubbles. Lightly modpodge the paper as well once smooth.
   
3. Let dry, then coat the paper with a second and if needed, a third coat of modpodge.
   
4. Enjoy! Use push pins or ribbon to help decorate your board!

This one is for my roommate, Charlotte, who loves old keys. See you can match any theme!

50 dollar fix: Kitchen Hallway

      My breakfast nook is small. My kitchen is tiny. I like cooking stuff, thus I have an organizational nightmare trying to get all my dishes and stuff to fit without it looking like a hodgepodge mess. I needed something to hold extra bowls, cups and a few odds and ends. Plus I needed some way to spruce the place without painting.

    
     First I found this DVD case, which sleek black shape worked perfectly in the narrow space. It's just deep enough to hold bowls but shallow enough that it doesn't impede the walkway. The shelves adjust so that I could have more room on the bottom to place taller things. The doors keep it looking neat and clean even when I am in a rush to clean for company and just shove things in there.

    
       Second thing is this vintage English World War Two propaganda poster in a vibrant pink color. I could have ordered it online and paid a fortune for it. Instead, I found the image online and took it to my local print shop. They were able to print it out on glossy poster paper (about 18 by 24) for fewer than 20 dollars. Next, I went to Target and picked up a poster frame for about 5 dollars (it was on sale).

Voila! Another 50 dollar fix!

Weekly Wanted Wonders

     As many of you may already know, next Monday is St. Valentine's Day, unless you are my boyfriend (It's February 14^th, dear). It seems that so many of my friends and family members have birthdays around that time, making the holiday extra important. These are the things inspiring me this week.

1. Pear-Raspberry Heart Pie
   
   

    

   Heart Pie

    It almost looks to pretty to eat. ALMOST. I love the heart cut outs for the pie crust. Maybe this will be a weekend project…
   
   
2. Florist Measuring Cups
   
   
    
   Measuring Cups
   I wish I had something to bake deserving enough of these cups! I feel I would just place them on a shelf and never want to get them messy, which isn't really the point of them.
   
   
   
3. Marchesa Gown
   
   

   
   I know this has nothing to do really with décor, but I so want this dress and somewhere to where it. Any ideas on how I could possibly justify it?
   
   
   
4. Damask Flocked Wall Paper
   
   

    

   wallpaper
   I don't really know where I would put this, but I know it would be beautiful. I love the soft purple offsetting the more modern foil behind it, making it more whimsical than stuffy.
   
   
   
5. Heart Shaped Valentine's Bejeweled Box
   
   

    

   Bejeweled Heart

    My boyfriend wouldn't appreciate it, so I might have to end up making this for my best friend and giving her a bunch of homemade goodies to fill it with à la Martha!
   
    
   
   What's inspiring you this week?
   

Welcome to First Apartment Living!

So soon, I am officially moving into my first apartment! And while really excited, I am also very nervous, and when I am nervous, I tend to over prepare. (Think 5 review books for one subject preparedness) Thus I have done tons of research for apartment living. Now that I have all this information, I wanted to share it with you and hopefully, you will find all my tips useful as well! I will try to experiment new ideas of all kinds, be it decorating, cooking, cleaning out there so you don't have to! So sit back, relax and get ready for more information than you could ever need about apartment living.