Blue and White Fall Wreath

September 29, 2016, in ,
It's starting to feel a bit like fall here in New York!  The weather feels cool and some of the leaves are changing color.  Does the color blue come to mind when you think of fall colors?  Probably not!  I'm the type of person that thinks outside the box, especially when it comes to decorating. I used a curtain valance that I already had and purchased the leaves to make a fall wreath using my favorite color blue.   
  
blue-and-white-fall-wreath-lovemysimplehome.com


What You'll Need:

 Artificial Fall Color Leaves

Wreath Form

Curtain Valance

Pine Cones

Hot Glue Gun

Staple Gun

Scissor

Small Nails

Needle & Thread
   


HOW TO:

Lay the curtain valance on a flat surface and flip upside down.  Wrap the valance tight around the wreath form.  Corn wreath forms can be messy, so leave the plastic intact.  After you wrap the valance, secure it with a nail until the form is completely covered.


NAIL IT
A few nails will do it!   
I pulled the fabric really tight and used about four nails.


You can push the nail straight in or if the fabric is too thick you can use a hammer.



Now it's time to add the leaves and pine cones.




ASSEMBLE THE LEAVES

Pull a few of the leaves off the branches and arrange them in a C shape on one side of the wreath. Use a staple gun to secure them in place.  Now glue the pine cones on top of the leaves using a hot glue gun.



I made a loop on the back of the wreath for easy hanging.  I simply used a needle and thread to make the loop.

HANG
Hang the wreath inside like I did.  Or outside under a covered porch on your front door.





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Five crafty fall diy's

September 22, 2016, in , ,
Get ready for fall with five DIY crafts, that you can make in a pinch!  

MONOGRAM FALL WREATH

Be the envy of all your neighbors with this show-stopping monogram wreath. 


NATURE INSPIRED THANKSGIVING PLACE SETTINGS

Create nature-inspired place settings by using leaves and pine cones found in your own yard.  I created three different styles for you to pick from; Pretty, Simple, and Country. What's your style?

PLUSH PUMPKIN


Re-purpose a knitted doll's hat to make a plush pumpkin.  

EASY FALL DECORATING


Use scrabble letters to create fun fall vignettes.

COLORFUL & SIMPLE FALL WREATH


Craft a playful wreath by adding a handmade monogram made from sheet music.

I hope I inspired you to welcome fall into your own home!

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Fall Broccoli Gratin

September 14, 2016, in
Warm up the cool temperatures with this savory broccoli gratin. This recipe works well for large gatherings and well as for small family dinners.  The leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and heated back up in the microwave.  It is the perfect blend of creamy cheddar cheese and nutritious broccoli.  You will never know the main ingredient is broccoli.


INGREDIENTS:
one head of broccoli 
6 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese
one and a half cups of seasoned bread crumbs
1 stick of butter
1 cup of sliced onions
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup of vegetable broth


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Combine cheese, bread crumbs, and 4 tablespoons of butter in a bowl and set aside.  In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, add the onions and sugar; Stir often. After about 5 minutes add the broccoli, salt, thyme, pepper, and vegetable stock. Cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes. Transfer into a buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle with half of the bread crumb mixture and combine. Add the remaining bread crumb mixture to the top along with 2 tablespoons of butter.  Bake until topping is golden, about 20 minutes.







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Repurpose a cardboard soda carrier into a flower box

September 08, 2016, in
I am notorious for giving junk a fresh new life and incorporating it into my home.  I created a flower box using a cardboard soda carrier!  Yes.....that's right, something that was destined for the trash has a new life as a weathered wood look flower box.

  

SUPPLIES:

empty cardboard bottle carrier

small glass bottles

acrylic paint in any color

foam paint brushes

wooden craft numbers or letters

craft paint

sandpaper

hot glue gun

INSTRUCTIONS:

I used gray exterior acrylic paint that I had on hand to paint the carrier.  

Use a foam paint brush and brush on one coat of the gray paint & let it dry. Then cover the gray paint with turquoise and burnt umber craft paint; let that dry. Then give it a final coat of the gray paint.

For the last step, distress the entire carrier with sandpaper. Now the turquoise, burnt umber and some of the original colors on the box show through. This technique gives the cardboard a weathered wood look. 

Now it is time to paint the numbers. I purchased the numbers at Michaels. 

I used several different craft paints.{turquoise, white, green, black and gold metallic} Paint the numbers using all of the colors one at a time, let dry between coats.  Then distress the numbers with sandpaper.  Next hot glue the numbers on the front and back of the carrier.   


 Place the bottles filled with water inside in each divider and place flower clippings inside each of the bottles.  I used these pretty hydrangeas from my yard. 


This flower box would look pretty sitting on a front porch. 
You can personalize it by gluing your house number or your last name on it.


Have you completed a repurpose project lately? 
 I would love to know what you repurposed!

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