I love a good DIY project, and most of the time when I get an idea for them I’m starting with inspiration for what the end product is going to look like. Every once in a while though, my inspiration comes from the actual materials I’m working with. An interesting material can spark the thought, “hmm, what can I make with this?” – and that’s exactly how this DIY project started.
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Here’s the thing — those glitzy crowns and party horns that we all buy for New Year’s — they’re super corny, but so very necessary. I like the annual challenge of finding new ways to update these simple party-store finds into something a little bit more special. Last year I used glitter letter stickers to write out messages on simple paper party horns — and this year I took the same concept and revamped it. With some metallic Sharpie markers and a little bit of patience I carefully hand-wrote silly New Year’s resolutions on a set of big party horns. I plan to pop them all in a vase for some table-decor, and let my guests pick a resolution that matches their personality (and sense of humor!).
With all of my recent wedding planning tasks, I nearly let the opportunity to do some decorating for the rehearsal dinner slip through my fingers. Until of course, I stumbled upon these pink, red, and orange napkins with metallic foil polka dots and decided they were begging for a spot at the dinner. And the kicker? They’re on sale, a set of 4 for $5. You can get them here, and you’d be crazy not to.
Be still my polka-dot loving, metallic obsessed heart; could these two be a more perfect pair? A little tiered hem and a peter pan neckline make this Modcloth top absolute perfection; and the Caitlin Wilson pillow exudes the same level of cuteness in home decor form. One of each please!
I spruced up our bedroom recently with a few new accessories that were under the Christmas tree! We have slanted ceilings in our bedroom which can make decorating a challenge — but my parents gifted me the perfect little gold starburst mirror that fits perfectly in the in the spot above our bed that I’ve been trying to fill for a year and a half. And I added a new Dwell Studio citrine zebra pillow that has been on my wishlist forever; it’s the perfect pop of color against the poppyseed walls!
A poor selection of flowers at my local Trader Joes this week inspired me to whip up a sparkly centerpiece for our annual New Year’s Eve party. I hit the Christmas sale section at the craft store and gathered up some tinsel garland and metallic tissue papers. With a hot glue gun in hand I wrapped some tinsel garlands around foam cones to create two tree-like pieces. With the silver and gold mylar tissue paper I layered strips of hand-cut fringe around the third cone. I topped all three with sparkly drink stirrers that I also found in the Christmas clearance bin at Target to finish them off!
And of course I couldn’t pass up all of that discounted tinsel, so I used the extra pieces to outline some cardboard cut-outs of 2013 and strung them up on the wall — it’ll be a perfect backdrop for some festive photo-ops!
I know that this is a major faux-paus, but while everyone is excited about decorating their tree, my mind zooms straight past Christmas and to my favorite holiday: New Years Eve. While my annual New Year’s shindig may be a month away, I already have my wheels turning gathering inspiration for some fun little touches. Tinsel and drink toppers are on the DIY to-do-list, and I’m seriously eyeing those numbered rocks glasses — aren’t they cute?
Sources: countdown glassware, curly-q DIY, caspari party crackers, tinsel drink stirrer, party hats
The snow started falling in Boston on Saturday and it made me feel like the holidays were officially here. I snagged some really cute metallic wrapping paper and tinsel bows while I was out shopping — I can’t wait to start wrapping presents with these. And Sunday I found the holy grail at Trader Joes: Peppermint Mocha macarons in a bright shocking pink — this box was just a ‘test’ to make sure they lived up to expectations for some holiday entertaining — and they certainly did!
Next up in the Handmade Holidays series is a set of glitter coated hangers, the perfect gift for a stylish friend!
In my opinion, you can’t go wrong when you coat something in glitter — am I right? I started this project with inexpensive wooden hangers, and painted them with a layer of mod podge. Quickly, before the glue dries, sprinkle glitter until you coat the wood. After this layer dries, go back over with another layer of mod podge to coat the hangers and seal in the glitter — you might need more than one coat depending on the thickness of your application. And there you have it, some sparkly gifts for your favorite clothes horse! (I love these so much that I might save one to hang my wedding dress on this Spring!)
Next up in the Handmade Holidays series has a little bit of glitz — a decorative candle holder with gold polka dots!
I love the idea of using this handmade holiday gift for a little hostess treat when you’re visiting friends for the holidays. To start I used a craft punch to cut out circles on a piece of thick cardstock, then taped the cardstock around the candle holder to create a stencil. From there, it’s as simple as filling in your polka dots with a metallic sharpie — you can add-on an extra layer of metallic marker after the first layer dries if you’d like the color to be a bit more opaque. Then pair it was a pretty scented candle and some fun matches (I love these ones!).
