Last minute Christmas decoration

You still have time to decorate your front door for the Holidays. Click here for the full tutorial.

A fabulously festive kid table

Planning on doing a Christmas dinner party with family and friends (... and everyone's children)? I can relate to that strange feeling of wanting to push the panic button. The thought of having lots of tiny feet running around the house, up and down the stairs can make anyone flee to the nearest deserted island (but not just forever!).
While you might think it's going to be crazy to entertain the little rascals while you pass your delicious Hors d'oeuvre, why not make these tiny people sit on a separate table specially placed for them? I can guarantee that if you make it fun, you'll have plenty of time left for you and your visitors.
The first item in my kid's friendly table (the #FabulouslyFestive  one) is a runner made out of cupcake baking cups of different sizes and colors and also some paper doilies. You can find these at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

This easy runner was made by cutting the center of 3 doilies and opening several of my cupcake baking cups so they end up looking like full circles. To make this task easier, I ironed (in a low temperature setting) these cups after I opened them.
Having several cups ready, in a clean area I started arranging them side by side and overlapping some. As you can see on the image above at the right, I mixed sizes and colors in an orderly way trying not to repeat patterns side by side.
With an arrangement that fully satisfied my eye, I proceeded to join them by placing tape on their backs. Carefully I raise the cups (or doilies) one a time because I didn't want the arrangement to break apart. After they were all taped, I  did a final ironing to make sure they all lay flat.

I made sure to grab the children's attention by placing this colorful runner over a piece of white fabric (also from  Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores). Over the runner I put 3 different clear vases that, besides decorating the table, they also served as a place for fun items. One was destined to carry candy canes, while the others served as cookie cutter holders. These cookies cutters can later be use to draw forms over some brown packing paper where children can also paint and adorn these Christmas creatures.

The wooden Christmas ornaments from  Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores (besides being excellent decorative accents) are also soon to be painted by my little Picasso guests. All in all, I believed this table is going to be a great sensation among the young and creative minds. What do you think? Are you having little visitors this Christmas besides the elves?!? You can also visit the Jo-Ann Craft Catalog which is full of more great and inspirational ideas. Throw me a comment, you know I love those! Have a #FabulouslyFestive Holiday!

Don't forget to take this coupon for all your last minute Christmas or New Year's Eve shopping.

Winner of the "New Year's Eve Tablescape"

Thank you to all the lovely people that participated in the giveaway of the "New Year's Eve Tablescape". I'm so thrilled to announce that Jen Connelly (number 15) is the lucky winner of this prize. Hope to see you all around and Happy Holidays.

Bake something special for the host of the party

If you are planning on attending a Christmas party this weekend, this easy to do recipe (similar to the famous Linzer Cookies) will make him or her be the happiest person in the world (PS. these are the easiest and most beautiful cookies ever!). Click here for the whole recipe.

5 tips to configure a gallery wall for the holidays

Photo: Pottery Barn

By Tali Wee of Zillow
Transform stylish interior décor into tasteful winter wonderlands by incorporating seasonal decorations into a gallery wall. Before tackling the project, review these five tips for success.

1. Replace Existing Displays:
Begin by sorting holiday items before placing any throughout the home. Remove large paintings or clear a floating bookshelf so space is ready for festive décor. The addition of holiday decorations on top of year-round displays often becomes too cluttered.

Photo: Zillow Digs

2. Collect Tools:
With sorted décor and a cleared wall, collect project tools. Creating a gallery wall requires fasteners such as nails, temporary hooks, mounting tape or screw hooks. Gather a hammer, tape, a pencil, craft paper, a ruler, level and the gallery items.

3. Vary Media:
The best gallery walls are made of a variety of shapes, colors, textures, patterns and media. A holiday gallery wall might include a wreath, stockings, framed Santa photos, holiday cards on a display ribbon, religious paintings or ornaments. Other popular gallery items include clocks and faux flowers for additional texture. Include a floating shelf with candles or a mirror to reflect the soft light of the season.

4. Arrange Layout in Advance:
Lay out a large piece of craft paper on the floor as a backdrop to test arrangements. The paper should be as large as the desired gallery wall. Check where studs are located on the wall, which dictate where heavy items can hang.
Arrangements follow no hard-set rules; go with what’s appealing. It’s recommended to start an arrangement with the most prominent piece anchored just off center and around eye-level for gallery balance. Next, place the remaining pieces at a uniform distance from each other for symmetry. Create color balance by including an equal amount of dominant colors throughout the gallery. Consistency of colors and shapes is preferred by some, where varied styles create intriguing galleries. Struggling with inspiration? Check out homes on Zillow for trending home designs and explore images of interiors on Zillow Digs™.

Photo: Zillow Digs

5. Fasten with Temporary Fixtures:
After completing the arrangement, trace each item on the craft paper. Measure the distance from the tops of frames to their hooks and mark measurements on the paper. Remove the artwork and tape the paper to the wall. Install nails or screws right through the paper over the pencil marks. When finished, pull away the paper and hang artwork.
Avoid hammering holes in the wall with this variation. After measuring hook placement for each piece, poke a small hole where the fastener should be instead of a pencil mark. Tape the paper up to the wall and make pencil marks in the small holes, right on the wall. Remove the paper and install removable hooks over the pencil marks. Hang keepsakes using a level. Add a couple strips of mounting tape to heavy pieces for extra reinforcement.
Holiday gallery walls are popular focal points for visiting guests, plus festive favorites get major exposure for residents.

Simple cardboard gingerbread house

No molasses, no problem. I've got your problems solved. How about making (not baking) a village of gingerbread houses? It's a very easy task with no previous experience in baking required. All you'll need is a piece of cardboard (I got mine from one of the tops of a Pampers' box), a piece of brown paper or any other paper for covering the back of the box (if it's got any design), spray adhesive (available at Michaels), chalk and Matte Spray (available at Michaels) to preserve the drawing.

1. Basic materials needed for this project: a piece of cardboard, brown packing paper, chalk, spray adhesive and Matte Spray. 2. Cover the design of the box with a piece of brown paper or any other paper you decide. 3. Bend the piece of cardboard to divide the houses. 4. Draw the housetops of the village. 5. Design your perfect village windows and doors!

I'm sharing a similar pattern here for you to download and trace your village. I hand drawn mine over the lid of the box but before that I cover the back of it with the brown packing paper. Bend this piece in an accordion form so you'll have what will be the divisions of the different houses. To cut the the form of the housetops, I used an X-acto because the cut was neater one. Now, for the drawing I took some ideas from various photos in Pinterest. To seal the chalk I use the Matte Spray from Krylon and let it dry. Now we have a village of gingerbread houses, Christmas trees included. Hope you enjoy this quick tutorial.

Re-using driftwood

For some time now, I was the proud owner of an abstract driftwood sculpture I bought a long time ago on +HomeGoods. I loved how good it looked everywhere I put it. This sculpt beauty from the sea travel far and long through my home; from the bathroom to my ever changing shelf, to my room and even my receiving area. She was very happy every placed I put her.
But, like many things around here, it was her time to make a transformation; a huge big change. I had great plans for her, and so I decided to turn her into a frame for a mirror.

Today I'm sharing with you the transformation of my driftwood sculpture into a beautiful and gleaming mirror frame. For this task you'll need some driftwood (that is if you don't already have an item made out of that material and that is in need of a really cool transformation!), Liquid Nails (a powerful adhesive available on +The Home Depot), a mirror (I bought my octagon mirror on +Michaels Stores) and a metallic spray paint (also from Home Depot).
I first dismounted the sculptured and took my time to take all the nails from each little driftwood piece (believe me when I say, this was the longest part). After all this was done, I took my wood and placed it over a cover area so I can spray paint my way! Lately I've been infatuated with the Rust-Oleum Specialty Metallic in Gold, to the point that even after painting I just love how the color looks on my nails (I know, its crazy!!!).

After all the painting was done, I took my mirror and my painted driftwood and started gluing the pieces with my Liquid Nails. The trick here was to do this in levels, I first glue what was the base of my entire frame and from there on, the other "levels". Remember to leave some time after applying the glue it will dry well.
At the end my entire frame took 4 levels and, to make it shinier (and to see again the beautiful Rust-Oleum Specialty Metallic in Gold in my nails!!!) I added another coat of spray paint covering the mirror with old newspaper.

Though I took my precautions on covering the mirror, some paint fell on it. But with a blade, I carefully remove the stains and clean the area with some regular mirror cleaner.
I just love how it all ended looking at the end. It feels like having a new accessory at my home! What will you re-use today? Share your ideas and comment with me.

Come on over to Remodelaholic to see this project and many more on her last year Link Party.

New trends in cable knit

Now evolving from your typical winter sweaters is the cable knit. This holidays warm up with the coziness of cable knits for your living room, kitchen, stationary and more. Not only will you amp up the snuggle factor with this cold-weather inspired print, you’ll crank up the style!

Tricot Vase Jars from Liba Style $15-55. Cable Knit Letterpress Cards & Envelopes from RedBirdInk $18. Cable Knit Lampshade from Buubok $81.59. Cable Knit Serving Bowl from ReShape Studio $145.

New Year's Eve tablescape (Giveaway)

2014 is coming this way pretty soon (just five weeks from now) and I'm just starting to prepare for this upcoming year. Since 2013 was a great one, we should say goodbye in a rather elegant way. And to do so, today I'm sharing with you my New Year's Eve tablescape; but besides sharing it visually, I'm sending this "New Year's Eve Tablescape in a Box" to one lucky reader which I'm going to be selecting randomly.

This year I'm saying "farewell" to 2013 with some sparkly gold accents. For this task I went to HomeGoods to buy most of my table decorations which are going to be part of the "New Year's Eve Tablescape in a Box" giveaway. Gold reminds me of the words abundance and success, and because both are things I'm hoping to accomplish during the New Year, I'm surrounding myself with this color.

Although my table's main color is gold, to keep it balanced I'm adding some browns (in the centerpiece) and natural details with the napkin decorations. As you can see the tablecloth (from HomeGoods)  has some gold accents, but because these are sublime, it can be reuse for other occasions. The napkins, also from HomeGoods, have some gold designs that go just perfect with the tablecloth and the plates. 

These plates (a #HomeGoodsHappy find) are hand decorated glass made from Turkey and the price was just to die for, only $3.99 each! 

And now for the goodies inside my "New Year's Eve Tablescape in a Box":

4 Villa Collection plates 

1 tablecloth

4 napkins

1 centerpiece gold dish (and the accents I placed inside)

4 napkins decorations (made by me)

In order to have a chance to win this giveaway, all you'll have to do is leave a comment under this post and I will randomly select one lucky reader on December 13, 2013. Good luck and and enjoy the Holidays ahead!

Disclaimer: HomeGoods kindly send me the gift card that was used to buy the items in this "New Year's Eve Tablescape in a Box" giveaway. I don't know how she does it is responsible for the shipping costs of this "New Year's Eve Tablescape in a Box" giveaway. Although the packing of these items are being done with great care, I don't know how she does it is not responsible for the mishandling of the box and its content. This giveaway is open to U.S.A. residents with a U.S.A. address.

Thanksgiving centerpiece (#turkeytablescapes)

The centerpiece of a dining table always plays an important role in decoration. Depending of the season, this special spot can help set the mood of the area. If it's Spring, you can use vivid tones; but for Thanksgiving most definitively you'll find yourself using a neutral palette where maybe browns and golds are your main colors.
This year Jo-Ann send out a fun theme to some bloggers (I was one of them) to be used as the main inspiration for the Thanksgiving tablescape. Today I'm sharing my ideas for the theme #TurkeyTableScapes that involves some items you might already have around your home.
My first project will be painting with some food coloring and Mod Podge (both available at Jo-Ann) some used sauce jars I've been putting away.

The method is very simple; combine on each jar 1 tbs of Mod Podge and 1/2 tbs of water plus 7-10 drops of food coloring. If you still have the lids, cover and mix by shaking the jars. Wait until everything inside seems to be covered with the mix and there are no weird streaks of the coloring. Then empty the solution and dispose of it. Let the jars rest upside down over newspaper for around 10 mins (note: I waited around an hour and almost all the color came off, so I had to do it all again). On a baking tray place some wax paper and the jars open side up (make sure the rims are clean). Then put this tray on a preheated oven at 250°F for 45 mins. Take them out carefully and wait until they are cool.

Because I was aiming for a neutral palette I used brown and green food colorings on my jars.

Another easy project that will complement my #TurkeyTableScapes is a turkey made out of cork. At Jo-Ann I bought a pack of 4 inch cork squares and drew on one of them the silhouette of a turkey. You can download it here but remember to re-size it to fix your cork. With an X-acto, I carefully cut the form of the bird and then did a small aperture so I can pass some twine. Later I hang it on one of my jars for an added touch.

For my last craft I took one of the small jars and filled it 3/4 parts with mini pine-cones (I bought a nice box of them at  Jo-Ann). I then inserted an unscented votive candle an carefully added more pine-cones to the sides to cover the metal part.

To finish my tablescape I just played with the arrangement of the jars, and decorated them with dry maple leaves and spray painted mini pumpkins.

I really enjoyed making this centerpiece and playing with the natural colors and textures of each of the items I selected.

You can give these jars so many uses. Maybe place the utensils on one of the tallest jars or even your beautiful napkins. The possibilities are endless.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones. But before you go to have your "gabble-gobble" feast, remember to visit Jo-Ann's craft catalog which is so full of great ideas for the Holidays. Also, don't forget to print your coupon from Jo-Ann valid until November 30, 2013 for all those last minute project materials.

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Woodland themed birthday

For this acorns I bought some Kisses chocolate, a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, Nilla cookies (in mini size) and some Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy Milk Chocolate to glue the parts together.

This past weekend I celebrated my youngest child first birthday. I've always been of the thinking that the first birthday should be different and unique. So after searching far and wide, I decided to make this celebration with the gnome and woodland theme. Pinterest was a great place to get some ideas and as you'll see from my acorns, I visited some great websites to get some of my snacks in in order.

Pops of red made a huge difference in this woodland themed birthday. 

I already owned some of the items I used for this decoration: the clear vases, the wood pieces, cake stand, flowers and dried branches. One of the vases I placed some red apples to add color to the table. On the vase where I placed the dried branches (left side) I used some mini pine-cones to hold them in the center. I had a clear vase with a neutral gray color based (on the right side) which I used for placing a real orchid for and some more mini pine-cones.
As you'll see I try varying the heights of the elements I placed and also the used of red as the main color to revive the browns arounds. The center piece of this table was the girl's cake which I let in white so it could stand out. I adorned it with another gnome (in white also so I could appear to pop out of the cake) and a bunting I did with some scrapbook paper and dried branches.

To eliminate the emptiness or blackness of the background, I cut two banners (the exact size) from brown paper and drew halved butterflies. Then I cut this drawings with an X-acto resulting in a 3D butterfly image. You'll notice I did them in different sizes and forms on both this photos and the second one.

The red acorn vigilant gnome (from Target), cardboard deer (from HomeGoods) and  hedgehog (also from Target) were the small details that I considered made this table more appealing to young eyes. Also the pop of reds here and there (with the Kisses, straws, plates, balloons etc) made this even a happier setting for all the guests resulting at the end in a very happy celebration to be remember for years to come.

HGTV Furniture Collection new pieces on High Point Market

This past October, HGTV Home Furniture Collection brought a pop of color into the High Point Market. Their striking and colorful aniline pieces (a translucent dye mostly used in high end musical instruments) allows the natural grain pattern to show through. This collection, inspired in mid-century modern styling and crafted with maple veneer, is a splash of beautiful and brilliance comfort that brings your decorating vision to life.

A simple Christmas craft

I've been dreaming about Christmas season the whole year, and now that it's so near, I can't contain myself on doing my first merry craft. Today's tutorial is a quick one. All you'll need are some cinnamon sticks available on your nearest supermarket and a glue gun.

First I cut my cinnamon sticks in half and glue this halves together in sets of four. After doing this 4 times (2 sidewalls and 2 roof wings), I start putting the cinnamon house together. To make the roof, I used one of the cinnamon sticks as the center beam. For the side walls I used the same method as the roof (using beams). You'll noticed this on the second photo. For the wall on the back of the house, I glued some more sticks and, for the front, I used 4 long sticks and  4 smaller ones so I could leave an opening. The door was made from 3 cinnamon sticks. Of course an itsy-bitsy chimeny was a must!
This project was so fun to do and inexpensive too! Hope you've enjoyed this as much as I did, and don't forget to leave me your feedback. I really enjoy reading what's on your mind!

Autumn colors

Had a blast during this weekend pumpkin carving with this sweet little darling. Love the ivory color on this pumpkin and stamping some leaves was the best way to go. Hope you have a wonderful week fill with gorgeous colors and happy events. 

Photo: Gloribell Lebron