Category Archives: Decorating

decorating ideas, home accents, curtain rod, do it yourself,

Valentine Mantel {and thrifty treasure DIY}

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19

Yes! I’m decorating the mantel for Valentine’s Day after all but it’s still not too late…

“Owl You Need is Love & Chocolate”

Valentine mantel

Owl-you-need-is-love-and-chocolate-valentine-mantel Back when I glanced at the thrift store junk stash, I saw two of these calendar displays. I can’t pass them up – wood, great DIY material. Ya know?

wooden-calendar-frame

Bri had scored these fun wood cut out shapes. I snagged the ‘badge/crest’ looking one thinking it was a great owl-shape. {pardon the lighting in the dining room turned work station for the tutorial}

wooden-owl-shape

And a Valentine DIY craft and decorating idea was born.

owl-you-need-is-love-and-chocolate

Materials:

  • FrogTape
  • wooden calendar frame
  • badge-shaped wooden cut out
  • wooden heart shape
  • craft paints
  • wood glue

I started with tracing my camera lens cap for the owl’s eyes.drawing-owl

I drew a pencil line vertically down the center. Using 2 ” pieces of FrogTape, I created a chevron pattern on the owl’s body working from the center out…FrogTape-chevron-pattern

Once the tape was burnished (rub the edges of the tape with a credit card to activate the FrogTape’s paintblock), I painted my pattern. Then immediate removed the FrogTape…painting-with-frogtape

Once that was dry, I continued painting my badge to look like an owl.painting-owl

I used FrogTape to protect the frame and painted the background white and let it dry…painting-calendar-frame

My wooden heart was painted brown {FolkArt’s burnt umber}. Once everything was dry, I laid out the placement of the owl, heart and used adhesive stencils for my lettering…stenciling-sign

The owl and heart were attached using Gorilla wood glue. I let the glue dry for about an hour. gorilla-wood-glue

Then gathered some decorative accents…

painted candlesticksEaster, decor, do it yourself, faux chocolate bar sign, wood sign, centerpiece

…and styled my mantel using thrift store candle sticks, an ampersand and a fun faux chocolate bar DIY from last Easter. valentine-mantel Of course I was still in my pajamas and I asked Mr. DIY to pick me up a bouquet of pink flowers for my photo shoot and boy, did he ever…they.are.VERY.pink…. pink-flowers They’re perfect. My vase is embellished with clay tags and ribbon.

Did I mention that just regular days are like Valentine’s Day around here? Not only did he pick out pretty flowers for my Valentine’s Day mantel decorating, but he came home with these…

cupcake

decadent chocolate cupcakes

He hadn’t even seen my “Owl You Need is Love & Chocolate” theme yet but he reads my mind. most of the time. 

I’m not so into lots of Valentine’s Day decorating but hey, I am a fan of “Owl you need is love & chocolate”! diy-owl-valentine-mantel Affiliate links for similar materials:

*This is a sponsored post brought to you by FrogTape. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience. Results may vary.  FrogTape Blog Squad

Thrift Store Find: Just add paint.

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24

 

Out of nowhere in January, we were blessed with a day of spring temperatures (60s after single digit temps) here in Pittsburgh but unfortunately, April showers came along with it. It’s the kind of day perfect for sifting through the thrift-store junk stash and finally working on a project.

Thrifty Treasure Makeover

I grabbed the dirty serving tray from the bottom of the pile…{luckily that dark area was only dirt…not mold or a stain}

thrift store serving tray

and gave it a good scrubbing with soap and water…

cleaning tray

then headed to the basement to give it a coat of spray paint (Rustoleum Heirloom White)…

spray painting tray

Then I browsed some favorite blogs and caught up on emails while the paint dried.

Next I used my FrogTape in the .94  in. width to tape off the inside border…

FrogTape on border

and to create a fun bold imperfect {herrinbone} pattern…

FrogTape design

making sure to use my thumbnail along the edges of the tape to ensure the Paintblock barrier had a good seal…

burnishing tape edges

I filled in the design using an acrylic craft (Folk Art Burnt Umber) paint and a sponge brush…

acrylic paint

painted herribone pattern

and immediately removed the FrogTape…

removing Frogtape

Once the acrylic craft paint was dry, I gave the entire tray a light even spray of clear coat and let it dry.

Now time to enjoy watching the rainstorm from inside. The sitting room is all ready for a spot of tea,

Frogtape serving tray

planning,

Painted serving tray

Frogtape serving tray

and daydreaming…

Frogtape serving tray

Do you have a thrift store/yardsale stash full of treasures just waiting for a little DIY attention?

See this herringbone pattern using  FrogTape on an accent wall.

Sharing: Thrifty Decor Chick – Before & After party

Home Stories A to Z: Tutorials & Tips

*This is a sponsored post brought to you by FrogTape. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience. Results may vary. 

FrogTape Blog Squad

Subtle Valentine Decorating

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9

Love and hearts are February’s traditional decorating theme but at our home void of little ones, red and pink and over-the-top would look out of place. I do plan to work on something DIY-Valentine related. However, inspiration hasn’t hit just yet so I set about collecting some subtle Valentine ideas.

Subtle Valentine Inspiration

I added a frame to my turquoise ribbon heart wreath from last year for the focal point of the vignette on our dining room buffet and shopping from around the house discovered a few eclectic coordinating accents to tone it down…DIY heart ribbon wreath

I love Jessica’s creative idea, inspiration from a romantic movie {or book} is a perfect subtle theme for Valentine’s day. The Notebook inspired mantel at Mom 4 Real is so inspiring…Mom 4 Real The Notebook Inspired mantel

Why not turquoise for Valentine’s Day? We “love” the color right? This turquoise Valentine wreath spotted over at ModPodge Rocks captured my heart. It’s not extra-frilly or pink and red. Try adding a small Valentine related accent to a regular wreath … maybe inspired by a ‘conversational heart’? Turquoise-typography-valentine-wreath

 

Lyrics from a love song provide inspiration for all sorts of subtle Valentine decorating. This is DIY sign by Seven Thirty Three is one of my favorites…Seven Thirty Three All You Need is Love sign

Kim at Today’s Creative Blog adds just a touch of glittery red to her terrariums. Just the small simple embellishments look as if her pretty thoughts of spring garden display is sporting lipstick kisses.Decorating-for-Valentines-Day

Valentine DIY doesn’t have to be time consuming or messy. This sweet little DIY Valentine topiary at Celebrations is a great little Valentine gift for your every day decor. Just tuck it on a shelf, near books, lined up with your plants, mantel theme…any spot and instant touch of Valentine goodness. Does this topiarary remind anyone else of a Dove foil covered chocolate heart? Just had a sudden urgent craving for dark chocolate…Valentines-Day-Decorations-Topiary

Jennifer at Dear Lillie has big talent for subtle anytime decorating and Valentine’s Day is no exception. A simple neutral banner, splash of fresh pink flowers and Silhouettes reminiscent of vintage Valentines. Did your heart rate increase just a little too? pitter~patter~pitter~patter…

Dear Lillie Valentine

This sweet Valentine’s Day canvas by Doreen at Hymns & Verses is a great reminder any time of the year of what’s truly important. Love.Hymns and Verses Valentine's Day Canvas

Easy and full of Valentine charm – pop one of these adorable free Valentine chalkboard printables by Create.Craft.Love. into an existing frame…clutter-free, simple instant Valentine decor.valentine chalkboard printables

Do you decorate for Valentine’s day? Subtle touches or bold & traditional?