Tag: crafts

#AtoZChallenge | Enchanted winter ice display

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Easy with a big impact does not always describe the crafts that I attempt but this one was extremely easy although to make enough for that big wow factor it does take a little time. It also helps to do this one when the temps dip below freezing which was not a challenge in Maine during the winter.

I put this one together in February and it made for the perfect enchanted winter Valentine’s Day display.

Round One

While the craft itself is simple, I did a test run. Fortunately, our January was light on snow so I was able to collect some natural items from around my yard to use in my ice sculptures. There are so many amazing things to choose from outside and just about anything small will work. Continue reading →

#AtoZChallenge | Decoupaged glass plates to elevate my Grandmother’s recipes

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I have a little red notebook filled with recipes that my grandmother saved. I keep it in the kitchen with my other cookbooks. It has great sentimental value as the recipes are in her handwriting but I rarely look at it. It stays mostly tucked away. It was time to change that.

I’ve seen versions of reverse decoupage on glass plates in magazines and craft books. The layering of paper, memorabilia and other embellishments to create a cohesive art display was intriguing. I was nervous going into the project. It is a special skill to create art in reverse but fortunately decoupage is a forgiving craft.

I started by photocopying a couple of the recipes from the book. I picked the first recipe because of it’s simple, descriptive title of “meat”. It just made me smile. It seems to leave so many unanswered questions. It’s so broad and so specific at the same time. I picked the second recipe for whoopie pies since it’s Maine’s official state treat. Continue reading →

#AtoZChallenge | Book folding to add some Christmas tree love to Bedford Falls

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My favorite movie is It’s A Wonderful Life. I have a wall dedicated to memorabilia from the movie. Vintage pictures from magazines and behind the scenes photographs of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed hung together are a visual love letter to this Frank Capra classic.

While those pictures are on display all the time, I also have some decorations related to the movie that I only put out at Christmas. Each December, I relocate the pictures that line the top of the bookcase along the landing of my stair case and turn it into a miniature Bedford Falls. I put down a white fuzzy blanket and line up my Cape Craftsman village pieces along with a snow globe depicting the final scene from the movie. Porcelain ornaments hang from a garland that drapes down in front of the shelves full of more memories from my favorite movie. Continue reading →

#AtoZChallenge | Applique Pennants: Rah-Rah, Let’s go Maine!

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There is something so fun and collegiate about a felt pennant displayed on your wall. The sense of connection, of belonging to something and showing you’re love for your tribe, is a powerful pull. Plus, pennants are a great decorating accent.

While I’ve never had the urge to display any from my actual alma maters, I came across one that aligned well with my love of all things Maine. I picked up this Maine themed pennant from one of my favorite local Portland shops Pinecone and Chickadee. They have a fun, eclectic mix of home goods and personal accessories. Continue reading →

#AtoZChallenge | A Creative Theme Reveal

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When we renovated our house, our architect asked us to pull together pictures from magazines and books that would provide him with ideas for what we wanted from our new house. It was unnecessary advice. I already had an extensive stash of clippings that I had been saving since before I was even a homeowner. I was always planning and dreaming for what my home would be someday. I already knew what I wanted although the reality of building on a budget meant many of those perfectly preserved images never made it out of their page protectors.

But, there were a few ideas that did make it into the blueprints. One was simple but has had a great impact. We added a built in bookcase to the landing where our u-shaped staircase turns. We painted it colonial blue and it adds a fun pop of color against the knotty pine that spans the length of the wall behind it. The pine panels were salvaged from our original cottage. They’re a nice nod to the house that came before. I’m a memory keeper at heart.

Continue reading →