Big cheer in a small dose

Hi friends. First, I apologize for not being consistent on my blogging lately.  I'm away from home, from my computer and the days have been hectic around here.  Tomorrow, we fly back to Florida, where I have a baptism to plan right before Christmas Eve, and the details involved in the process are countless.  I will show you pictures of the day, since I also left my camera back in Florida.  I have been bad at checking my favorite blogs lately, since I haven't had much time to sit around in the computer.  But Christmas is just around the corner, and so many lovely things have been passed around the web lately, I couldn't resist posting a few of my favorites. Have a wonderful day and enjoy these sweet holiday trees.

(Source:  1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 )

Inspiration: Small Christmas trees

Ahh the Christmas tree!  Who doesn't love a beautifully decorated tree.  I love putting up the Christmas tree, and for the sake of joy and inspiration we are putting them earlier every year.  But for many, small is not always the right choice, however, when it comes to the holidays, small Christmas trees can be as good as the old traditional ones. Although we are spending our holidays away from home, I made a small Christmas tree that we got to enjoyed for a few days and the inspiration came from the West Elm catalog.  This is our small tree at home:

 

My mother is crazy about Christmas trees as well, these are a few from her home in Miami:

How about you? Do you have one or several small ones throughout the house? It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas, isn't?

Handmade jewelry

I have been quietly working on some beaded necklaces for some time now.  I love beads, always have, because they are so organic and bohemian. My favorite pieces of jewelry are necklaces and bracelets.  I have learned to create unique pieces that maybe one day I can sell.  Some are more minimalist, others more boho-looking.  This is a sneak peek of what I have been working on:

 

Would you buy these necklaces? Anyway, I have fun making them, and will gift them to my girlfriends and family.

Three crafts

These are three crafts I'm currently working on. They are simple, easy and budget friendly. 

burlap table runner

a magazine prism

a jewelry branch

DIY ombre paper mobile

I have been thinking on a craft using the ombre technique, so trendy right now, and finally came up with a cute one to share.  It's so easy, and fun, and if you don't have a scallop punch, you can use any other one.  In fact, it would look as fancy in any other shape. For the tutorial, keep reading.

DIY nursery banner

I'm making a few changes to our bedroom, which we are still sharing with Emilu.  By moving the crib to the opposite side of the room and flanking it with two sets of wall shelves, there was an empty space above it, which I thought could use some dressing, but it had to compliment the shelves and crib bedding, as well as making look cohesive. I settled on a simple banner, here's how I made it:

 The final resting place is just below the wall shelving, I think it looks better there, don't you think?

Kids Zone: Papercraft alphabet

Are you good with paper crafts? I have yet to try them. And this would be the perfect first time project. It might look intimidating, but I'm up for a challenge: 26 paper craft templates for each letter of the alphabet in cute shapes. Isn't this fun? Here's where the magic happens (and it's free!)
 

Source: digitprop.com via Patricia on Pinterest

DIY: Just do it

You know that procrastinator vein we all have? Well, as of lately mine was getting thicker until I decided it was enough.  Enough of having all these projects in my mind, and not doing something about it.  Until I stopped thinking, and got to doing.  I mean, what's the point of all those pins on Pinterest if you don't put them to work?  I tend to collect things, so it wasn't my intention to start collecting pins as well.  One project a day for a whole week. And guess what?  I did it!


Day 1:  Open shelving in the dining room nook
Day 2:  Washi tape decorating 
Day 3:  Scalloped pendant light for the dining room nook
Day 4:  Ombre beaded necklace
Day 5:  Martha Stewart vanilla cake with chocolate frosting
How about you friends, any projects lately?

DIY: Confetti rug

I first saw this DIY on a tablecloth on Oh Happy Day. But I decided to make a rug for my newly painted kitchen.  I chose the same blue color of the wall in another shade for the rug.  Here's what I did and how it turned out. 

Originally my intention was not to photograph this DIY, hence the lack of step by step photos, but since it turned out so great I decided to post the final result.

Food labeling

Let's talk food labeling.  Do you label your jars and containers?  I always did this,  even when it wasn't a trend.  There's something old village-like about food labeling, which makes me want to run a small market of homemade goods.  My current jars need a label makeover.  Now that I've repainted the kitchen in a beachy bright blue, I'm leaning toward chalkboard labels.  But I'm still wide open to other designs.
MY CURRENT JARS:

Browsing through Pinterest, I found inspiration for the new labeling system.  I could go with simple manila cardboard tags tied around with cord (1st image). Or I could also use a printable like this clear decal sticker (2nd image)  It's neat and more modern. But, I also love the rusticness of the Snapple jars labeled with simple off white painter's tape (3rd image).  And lastly, a twist on the chalkboard label: Painted chalkboard.  Find image sources at the bottom of each picture.

INSPIRATION:

Source: storagegeek.tumblr.com

Source: thepaintedhive.blogspot.com

Source:

Source: wisdomofthemoon.blogspot.com

How about you? Are you itching for a mini-makeover in the house? I will be posting my kitchen makeover soon.