Dressing It Up

2009-10-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

One thing I always notice as I stroll through home shows is that it really is the little things that make a difference.

I've also figured out, that I can usually use odds and ends around the house to make simple things stand out a little bit more.

Take this candle and candlestick, for instance.

I've had the candle for way too long. Picked it up on clearance (I'm all about cheap!) at Pier 1.

I found the candle stick at Kohl's department store for 1/2 price. I'm still kicking myself for only buying one.

I looked around the house and found this pretty gold ribbon in my craft box. I tied it in a simple square knot around the candle, leaving the tails long. I love me some square knots. I enjoy clean lines. I think square knots add such a touch of class to things.

A few days later, I was at the hardware store with my sweet husband. Usually a somewhat boring store, but someone there got an idea to set up a corner of the store with lovely girly things. It's a little slice of heaven right there in hardware-land. You'll find all the ladies in the "girly section" while all of the men are doing whatever it is they do in the hardware store. So I picked up this little "wreath" for $2.99. People always ask where I found such a thing. Then they chuckle when I tell them I found it at the local hardware store.

Well, this little beauty of a wreath fits perfectly around the base of the candle stick.
I had to slide it over the top, but it worked!

And there you have it! A plain candle and candlestick with a whole new look. I love it! And, when Christmas rolls around, I have a cute little Christmas wreath to go around the bottom which will change the whole look. So charming ;)

Pumpkin Decorating

2009-10-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

I've long admired all of those beautifully decorated pumpkins. You know the ones....those that look so festive and fun weeks before they are due to be carved. I've always just thrown a group of pumpkins on our porch and felt like I was doing my part decorating for Halloween. This year, however, I decided to make the pumpkins a little more spectacular.

You will need:
Craft glue that dries clear
Glitter
Ribbon and tulle

Finger paint the glue onto the pumpkins in any design you wish. Sprinkle glitter over glue. For the striped one, I just "drew" on the pumpkin straight from the glue bottle rather than using my finger. Brush off excess glitter once the glue has dried. And....wah-lah! Pretty pumpkins! Tie some ribbon and tulle around the stem to add even more "cuteness".

Here are a few more fun ideas I've found. Maybe next year I'll get a little more extravagant!

Copper Leafed Pumpkin

15 Pumpkin Ideas (be sure to click on "next" to scroll through the ideas. there are some FAB ones!)

Charmed

Dressing It Up

Pumpkin Decorating