Best of the Blog 2014: DIY

Hard to believe 2014 is nearly over but what better time for a look back?  Here are the most popular DIY posts of the year.


psst: I'm a sucker for a recap - if you shared your own recap post on your blog, please share it in the comments.

In January, I put some finishing touches on the man cave ....



In Feb, the hallway got a spruce up


In March, I made a custom growth chart for Aggie...


In May, Aggie dipped her toe into the dog eat dog world of NYC playhouse real estate...


In June, I built this farmers marker inspired display stand from scratch


In July we finally got to start using our newly redone shore kitchen. Still haven't quite finished accessorizing but there is always this summer.


In August, I shared the tiniest kitchen renovation in the form of Aggie's play kitchen.


In August, I finally built my kraft paper roll message center (that was so easy and quick I wonder why it took me so long to do!)


In September, I made over this trunk I found on the sidewalk into something more personal


In October, I shared the how-to on making an artwork hidden jewelry organizer...


In November, the dining room got an update. And finally in December I made my very own Rudolph.

So that was my year in DIY and decor.  Stay tuned this week for a recap of travel and entertaining highlights!

Merry Merry Living Room

It's go time around here - us elves are making all the last minute preparations for the fun tonight and tomorrow. But before I sign off for a few days I wanted to wish everyone celebrating a wonderful holiday.  May we all honor Christmas in our hearts and keep it all year the year.

Christmas Mail 2014: Go Elf Yourself

It's almost Christmas so despite not being entire sure that the post office has actually delivered our cards this year, I'm going to blog share now.  This year's little treat was a pair of red and white striped socks perfect to elf yourself. Who couldn't use a fun pair of socks?

Wishing all of you the warmth and magic of the holidays this year!

ps: Our holiday photos were taken by the lovely Kayla Poole who also blogs at exquisite banana.

Want more?  Prior years' Christmas mail have included metallic markers (for a remarkable year), cinnamon (seasonings greetings), mints (merrymint!), chapstick (mistletoe ready), tea towels (for a fresh start), bookplates, cards, lottery tickets and cds.  I have absolutely no idea what I'll do next year (I usually have something in mind a year out) - good thing I have plenty of time to figure it out.

Giveaway: Balsam Hill Cast Iron Lanterns + Flameless Candles

I can hardly believe how fast this year has flown but this is it - time for the final giveaway of 2014.

Balsam Hill will give away not one but TWO of these fabulous Candela crossbar lanterns and Luminara flameless candles.

These lanterns are heavy weight and beautifully crafted - the type of decorative piece that can be used in so many ways indoor and out. I absolutely loved them and I know they will get a lot of use all year long.

So enter and enter often - you just might find an extra little light in your life.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY Lighted Red Nosed Reindeer Silhouette

Now that my outside Christmas decorations are up, I can rest easy this weekend with only a few last minute holiday chores. My favorite part of the decor this year is the lighted reindeer silhouette. I call him Rudy, the Brooklyn Reindeer!

Once I had the idea for this project I was very jazzed about it will admit it took quite a bit of planning to get right. First there was the issue of the silhouette - did I want something cartoonish and whimsical? or anatomically correct? should he face left or right or center? how much detail can I add without it being too difficult to cut? Then I had to figure out what kind of bulb and fixture to use and how to attach it to the frame. Now that it's complete it seems obvious but it didn't start out that way. For all of those reasons, I thought this would be a perfect project to share (and save you lots of head scratching) for anyone who wants to make their own.

Once the plan was sorted, it came together very quickly. As I've said before, some of my favorite decorations come from the lumber aisle at Lowes!

Materials: Plywood, liquid nails, wood stain wipes, exterior stake spotlight, red globe bulb, 4" jute ribbon  Tools: Jig Saw, clamps





Instructions: After drawing the silhouette on the wood, cut out with a jigsaw. The hole for the nose should be the same size as the circumference of the base of your stake light (I did a very rough cut and jammed it in there so it wouldn't fall out). Stain or paint the pieces and let dry. Glue top and bottom pieces together with liquid nails or wood glue. Clamp and leave overnight to cure. Insert your light and screw in lightbulb. I added a wide burlap ribbon for a scarf but you could use a real scarf or any embellishment you think would work well with your decor. Voila - your very own red nosed reindeer!

Christmas Stoop Decorated

There are few things as wonderful as coming home after a long day at the office to the the twinkle of Christmas lights shining a path to my door.  The finishing touches were done this weekend so I'm happy I can share my stoop tour and enjoy it for the next few weeks. (Or spring if I'm naughty)  I added a couple of DIY elements this year - a red light nosed reindeer and a simple painted banner.

Sources:  

Garlands from Green Valley Christmas Trees

Santa, Wreaths and trees from Lowes

Joy to the World Sign  & Lighted Nose Reindeer Cutout: DIY

Wrap it Up: Free Printable Gift Tags

I'm hoping to be able to get all of my gifts wrapped this weekend so I thought it would be a perfect time to remind you of the two free printable gift tags I've shared in the past.

Download the Woodland Gift Tags and Naughty or Nice Gift Tags for your wrapping pleasure.

If those aren't your style, there are endless other free printable gift tags generously offered up by talented designers all over the web.  (So much so I wonder why I even bother to make my own each year!) Check out a few of my favorites:


sources: poppytalk | kelli murray | petit pippin | lia griffin

GIVEAWAY: WIN A FRESH CUT CHRISTMAS TREE!

Few things can transport me back into my childhood like the smell of a fresh tree.  Just one whiff and I'm right back in the 1980s throwing on tinsel we just dragged back from the lot. Our family was very far from perfect but Christmas was always a happy time. With that in mind, its time to bring bring back the Green Valley Christmas Trees fresh cut tree giveaway!

Whether you just haven't had a chance to make a tree pilgrimage just yet, want an extra tree to double down on your decorating, want to give this tree as a gift for someone who needs it or you are just need an infusion of holiday cheer - I've got a giveaway perfect for the season today.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO ANYONE IN THE US!

A 7 foot Fraser Fir fresh cut from the Green Valley Christmas Tree farms and delivered straight to your doorstep!  Everyone has time for that! Simply enter using the widget below and I'll draw a winner at the end of this week.

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Obsessed: Refrigerator Boxes Playhouses

We all know there is truth in the old saying that no matter how fun the toy, the kid just wants to play with the box but this is taking that idea to a whole other level.

the coolest parents behind these masterpieces can be found at

a beautiful mess | a girl and a glue gun | rust and sunshine |  my makedo

My latest obsessions has been to find a refrigerator box I repurpose as a temporary indoor playhouse for Aggie's second birthday party  (She loves her outdoor playhouse but its too cold to use it right now).  Whenever I walk around, my eyes scan the curb for the prize.  Sadly, no luck. Anyone in the area with a new fridge and an unused box reading?

Elf (Not On a Shelf) Takes NYC

It's that time of year again - when the world fractures into two discreetly different kind of people. Those who enjoy the elf on the shelf ruse in all of its different incarnations and those who despise this little voyeur.



Shocker, I am cleanly in the former category. Up until now I have enjoyed watching my friends share their elf adventures without even a hint of irony.  Now I get to join in on the fun. And I scratch my head to wonder how anyone could resist it?  (Just like Im sure the anti-elf camp can't possibly figure out the allure.)

I realize its not at all cool and some may roll their eyes and warn me off. While Aggie absolutely loves to find the elf in a new spot each morning, I enjoy her delight even more. I'll happily trade my hipness for that any day. I understand the holidays are stressful and its perfectly justifiable to skip it but it's the highlight of my mornings so I'm on team elf all the way!

We are doing it pretty simple for now - just moving elf spot to spot each night (I see no need to put our elf in hilarious positions just yet but I will certainly do it in the future as Aggie gets older). I'm also having elf stowaway in my purse so I can snap her photo all over town at it's most magical time of year. This way Aggie can also "find" her elf on my phone via the camera roll. So if you want to watch as our elf takes on New York City, follow along on instagram and facebook.

So spill it!  Are you on team Elf Not On a Shelf or Elf Take a Long Walk Off a Short Pier?

Giveaway: Black + Decker 3 Piece Power Tool Set

Last month I had the pleasure to play with some new Black + Decker tools for a project featured on their blog.  Using a drill and pallet wood, I made this rustic lighted centerpiece box. It was very quick and very easy (find the full tutorial here)


Thanks to this cordless drill being extra powerful (20V vs. my old 12) but still in a compact package, it's my new favorite toy.  So I'm absolutely overjoyed to be able to host this giveaway with Black + Decker.  The prize is a 3 piece power tool set that includes that includes a circular saw, sander and a cordless drill for one lucky winner.


And yes, that is glitter on my drill handle.  That's just how I roll.

Enter using the widget below. I'll draw a winner next week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Making The Dining Room Merry

The holiday spirit got crackling this weekend here in the form of a merrified dining room.  I'm going for a woodland cottage look this year with a scattering of interpretative Rudolphs all around the house.





My favorite new additions are these cast iron lanterns and flameless candles.  They look very festive surrounded by fresh greens but will be beautiful all year long.

The Baby It's Cold Outside Sign from last year's outdoor decor and the hot cocoa chalkboard from Aggie's first birthday party has been reused this year inside.

Fresh green wreaths and garlands are from Green Valley Christmas Trees.  I added my own reindeer horns out of craft paper along with a wooden red nose and ribbon scarf to make it a little more rudolph like.

Woodland Oak tree picks are in the arrangement on the wine rack and these Winter Frost jeweled spray picks hang from the chandelier for a little sparkle.

The pair of wooden reindeer are also new this year but I can't recall what store I found them at - all I remember was that they were 50% off.  Anyone recognize them?

And for anyone curious - the table and two end chairs are from Restoration Hardware and the round back chairs are from World Market.

Thanks to the lovely people at Balsam Hill and Green Valley Christmas Trees for some of the goodies seen here. We are teaming up with two great giveaways this month so keep an eye out!