Shelterpop

Extreme Recycling: Turning Bottles into Art

Gina Provenzano — 2010-09-17T12:44:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects

From trash to treasure: Check out these ingenious ways to turn an ordinary bottle into extraordinary art.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Repurpose. It's a message that after many years has (finally!) been ingrained in most of our minds ... separate the trash from the paper, the plastic, the metal and glass. Do it for your life, do it for your planet.

Some folks don't stop there. I don't know what it is -- a click, a flash, a moment of madness -- but some of us are inspired to the extreme. Here, the bottle is no longer just a discarded drinking vessel; it has been upcycled into art.

So go ahead, take a look, drink up. Let your creative gears start turning ...

The Buddhist monks from the Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple take recycling to the extreme. Photo: Greenupgrader.com

The Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple in the Sisaket province of Thailand is made almost entirely of beer bottles -- about one million Heineken and Change beer bottles to be exact. They're held in place with cement. After seeing this, I had only one question: Who drank all that beer?

At left and top right: The six-gabled house. Bottom right: A view from inside the round tavern, which sits nearby. Photos: The Bottle Houses

Down a lane in Cap-Egmont on Prince Edward Island, Canada, you will find a little six-gabled house. You might ask, "Is it made from brick?" Nope, guess again. Not wood, not stone, but glass bottles. More than 12,000 to be exact. Edouard Arsenault had a vision and realized it in 1980 with his first glass bottle house. More bottles and several buildings later, a landmark was born. I do hope the furniture is a bit on the softer side.

A new take on what to do with all those empties. Photo: Quitor

Speaking of furniture, pull up a bottle. Oh, I mean a chair. A bottle chair. This chair, seen above, is a fantastic example of imaginative thinking. It's made from green bottles on a curvaceous metal frame. And check out the SIE43 Chair by Polish designer Pawel Grunert on GreenMuze. It was designed in the shape of a flower and fashioned from hundreds of recycled water bottles. Not really the spot to curl up with a good book, but the recycling message is loud and clear.

Keep wine bottles on and above the table. Photos: Pottery Barn

Shannon Quimby from Oregon planned a modern take on the chandelier above her dining table using a straight line of empty wine bottles. Three cheers for her ingenuity. Meanwhile, home decor super store Pottery Barn fashioned the elegant light above with green glass wine bottles that twinkle with the evening light, $399.

A shrine for wine, built by Richard Pim. Photo: Splurch

This wine enthusiast chose to show his regard for the nectar in a different manner. Richard Pim, who lives in Pembridge, England, loved the way light reflected off an empty wine bottle. It inspired him to build a domed oasis in his garden. The 11-foot structure has four stone arches that lend support to the bottle walls held together with cement.

In the same vein, Japanese architect Tadao Ando incorporated a bottle wall into the design of Morimoto restaurant in Manhattan. The piece is made from 17,400 half-liter plastic bottles filled with mineral water and LED lights that glimmer with the ambient light.

Photo: Greg Grant/Felder Rushing

And who says trees can't get in on the fun? Felder Rushing seems to be preoccupied with the beauty that one can create through the juxtaposition of glass waste and nature. These bottle trees are just divine.

Photo: CollectionsEtc, CDChilds

When you've drank all of the bottles in your wine rack, you can either buy more, or turn the rack and bottles into a clever planter. Sound too taxing? Buy one instead from Collections Etc., $15.

From wine to wind, through an artist's hands. CDChilds's beautiful wind chimes are made from recycled wine bottles, and she sells them for a very reasonable price on Etsy. The clinking of one glass against another in a gentle breeze would certainly be delightful, but you better take it inside if the wind picks up.

Get lit. An illuminating torch made from a wine bottle. For a different take, pour beverages from your old empties. Photos: Design*Sponge, Greenhouse

Check out Erik Anderson's industrious use of a gorgeous blue glass bottle to make an outdoor torch. While the execution is exemplary, the proximity to the wood wall is a bit frightening!

And here's a novel idea: Use wine bottles to serve beverages. Altered a bit from their original state, the frosted or clear carafes and jugs are showstoppers on the table, $43-$55.

Beer bottle tumblers are a constant reminder of last night's revelry. Photo: Bottlehood/Etsy

For some additional spins on the bottle (ha!) check out Uncommon Goods, Green Living, Etsy and Viva Terra for clever tableware. Like the Four Seasons glassware ($40, set of 4) with etched seasonal motifs. Or maybe you'd prefer something a bit more casual -- the Sol beer bottle glass set? It's like getting a little Mexican sunshine with every sip. Bottlehood will even turn any of your favorite brews into fabulous tumblers.

And to think all I do is put my bottles in the recycling bin!

If you're feeling inspired to recycle, here's what you can make with old books, and take a peek at this hotel made of trash.

And check out some of our favorite stories from around the web!
Exclusive Interviews and a Tour of the Showtime House 2010!
Banter Banners To Set The Mood
Troubleshoot Your Coffee Grinder
Money 101: How To Buy Your First Home

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Daily Upper: Makes You Wonder

Gina Provenzano — 2010-07-27T12:03:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff

Art in the home of ReadyMade magazine founder, former editor-in-chief and all-around creative genius, Shoshana Berger. Photo: Gina Provenzano

Things that make you go "Hmm"...the young and hip equivalent of the religious shrine, this little sanctuary truly does make me wonder. I wonder which key unlocks the truth...I wonder if I can't eat an ice cream sundae every night and not gain any weight...I wonder if world peace is truly attainable...I just wonder...infinitely. And you? What do you wonder?

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The Dos and Don'ts of Outdoor Fabric Care

Gina Provenzano — 2010-07-05T09:39:00 00:00

Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Furniture

With Sunbrella outdoor fabrics, the living is easy. Photos: Sunbrella

Keep your outdoor cushions as brilliant as the summer sun -- without being damaged by it.

Dining al fresco or having drinks by the pool is surely sweeter when cradled in the comfort of cushioned seating. There's no denying it, great outdoor furniture makes summer living that much more pleasurable.

Unfortunately, over time the elements can wreak havoc on fabrics, even those made to withstand rain and sun exposure. We asked a few experts for tips on keeping outdoor cushions and pillows as pristine as the day you bought them.

Did you know that many fabrics for the outdoors are UV- and stain-resistant down to the actual fibers used to weave them? Pretty impressive.

Even still, they're often treated with a finish that helps resist stains and repel water. Two big players in the outdoor fabrics market, Sunbrella and Waverly Sun N Shade, are both made to endure the wrath of Mother Nature, and yet each fabric has vastly different properties and requires different types of care.

Read labels.
Make sure you know what you are buying. Look for acrylic or polyester fibers, filament or PVC threads and treated duck canvas. These fibers resist foreign substances like dirt and water. The fabrics should have some sort of mold and mildew resistance or be antimicrobial. Marine fabrics and performance grade fabrics are two types to look for.

Ask the salesperson to explain the details and differences in your choices and look at the labels to make sure you are getting what you asked for. Also note the treatment and care instructions on the label. Go with recognizable or recommended brands; knowing the company is a reliable source and stands by their products is a sort of built-in guarantee.

Keep fabrics clean.
Keeping outdoor fabrics looking good is easy if you properly maintain them. Gina Wicker, Design and Creative Director at Sunbrella Fabrics suggests, "simply brushing off dirt before it becomes embedded in the fabrics and wiping up spills as soon as they occur or spot cleaning soon after."

Use a mild soap and water cleaning solution.
When more cleaning is needed, Wicker suggests using a solution of 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water to get rid of most dirt and stains. Use a sponge, soft-bristle brush or cloth to apply it, allow it to soak into the fabric, rinse off all soap residue thoroughly and then allow the fabric to air dry.

Anthony Noberini, Design Director for Home at Iconix Brand Group, Inc., the parent company of Waverly, seconds the mild soap and water solution, and also suggests upholstery shampoo as an alternative.

An assortment of outdoor pillows made from Waverly Sun N Shade fabrics. Photo: Waverly

Try a natural solution first on resistant stains.
If a stain is resistant, several methods can be used to clean it. Noberini recommends trying a natural solution first. For oil-based stains, like suntan lotion, he suggests rubbing in, "corn starch or baby powder to absorb the oil from the yarns." Allow the powder to soak up the stain, let it dry and then flake it off. (By the way, this trick works great on most fabrics, including clothing. Dribble salad dressing down your shirt? Try immediately rubbing in some baby powder.)

"A paste made from fresh lemon juice and salt" might also do the trick, he says. Again, rub it in, allow it to soak in and then wash it off with clean water.

Opt for a bleach solution on resistant stains.
"Using a solution of 8 ounces bleach and 2 ounces mild soap per gallon of clean water should work on persistent stains," Wicker says. Spray on the entire area, allow it to soak in, scrub vigorously with a soft-bristle brush, sponge or towel, rinse thoroughly and allow the fabric to air dry. The stain should come out easily. The company offers a complete guide for troubleshooting stains on their website.

Don't bring cushions in every night.
As for the question of leaving cushions out overnight, Wicker notes, "constantly bringing cushions back and forth deters from the enjoyment of your outdoor living space and is completely unnecessary for cushions made from true performance fabrics." I like her thinking!

While both Wicker and Noberini agree that the practice is completely unnecessary, leaving them out does leave them susceptible to leaves, pollen and other debris. While most outdoor fabrics are mildew resistant, mildew and mold will grow on dirt and foreign substances. That's why keeping them clean is so important.

But, bring them in if extreme weather is coming.
You may want to bring your cushions inside when you know inclement weather is on its way. It will help maintain fabrics and delay the need for vigorous cleanings by preventing dirt build up, and subsequent mildew.

Besides that, wet cushions can certainly spoil an outdoor breakfast or dinner when the sun finally returns!

Treat mildew with a cleaning solution.
If mildew does occur, Noberini suggests, "mixing 2 tablespoons of chlorine bleach to 1 quart of clean water, OR, 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 6 parts water," and using that as a cleaning solution. He recommends applying a test spot to the fabric before applying it all over (just in case your fabric reacts negatively).

For Sunbrella fabrics, Wicker recommends the same bleach solution as for persistent stains outlined above. The company offers a complete guide for troubleshooting stains on their website.

Let them bask in the sun!
Outdoor fabrics are meant for you to enjoy outdoors. That enjoyment should not be limited to semi-protected areas like porches and covered patios. "Sunbrella fabrics are designed to be fully exposed, year round," Wicker emphasizes. "There is no need to worry about fading."

She uses a carrot and radish analogy to illustrate her point. "Traditionally dyed or printed fabrics are like a radish. If you look at them through a microscope, the color is on the outside of the yarn -- much like the red color of a radish is only on its exterior skin." Sunbrella, she continues, "is like a carrot. No matter how you slice it, the color runs throughout. You can't peel it away."

Here's why it is important for you to know your fabrics. Waverly Sun N Shade fabrics are also lightfast, but to a degree. They are UV-protected for between 500 to 1500 hours of direct sunlight depending upon the collection. Therefore the polyester fibers are not the same. Noberini suggests "rotating and turning pillows and cushions around periodically, so they fade evenly." He too agrees not to limit use to protected areas, but does suggest, "moving items that may be in direct sunlight to more shaded areas from time to time."

Clean before storing.
When summer comes to an end, storing cushions indoors will prevent dirt build-up and increase longevity. The key words to remember are clean and dry. "Making certain cushions and pillows are thoroughly clean and dry before storing them will make taking them out at the beginning of the season a breeze," says Wicker. Store them some place where they will not get wet or dirty.

Clean them at the start of the season.
Upon pulling out the cushions for the warmer months, use the mild soap and water solution to remove any dirt or build up that may have occurred in storage. If they smell musty from being enclosed, "you may wish to add a little lemon juice to the water to freshen them up," says Noberini.

Enjoy the season!
Minor due diligence is all it takes to keep outdoor cushions and pillows vibrant this summer and for many seasons to come. So take a seat and enjoy!

Want more outdoor decor?
Best New Outdoor Gadgets
Decorating Tips for Outdoor Spaces From Leslie Segrete, Home Improvement Expert
Outstanding Outdoor Pillows
Shopping Guide: Outdoor Tablecloths
Pops of Color for Your Patio

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Decorating With Red, White & Blue

Gina Provenzano — 2010-06-25T11:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Color, Your Home, Projects, Fun Stuff, Holidays, Design, etc

Inject all-American color into your home with this pop of patriotism.

Summer is officially here. Take your cue from the brightly hued and boldly patterned stars and stripes that wave proudly overhead and go patriotic -- use the flag's red, white or blue as inspiration to redecorate an entire room or add some simple summer sizzle.

RED

Interior Decorator Amy Lau of Amy Lau Design thinks of red as "a perfect representation of energy and boldness." But there's no need to go all out when using a strong color. The richness of red is so dramatic that a little goes a long way. Use it in moderation. Wallpapering above a chair rail in red, for example, brings warmth to a room, adding depth and power.

Sprinkling several red accessories throughout a room will bring cohesiveness by uniting the elements to the eye -- a vase, a throw pillow, a painting on the wall. Red has that bonding power. As fashion and interior designer Donna Karan notes, it is the "color that brings everything together."

Clockwise from top left: Zatista; Anthopologie; Horchow; Crate&Barrel; IKEA; Cooking.com; Benjamin Moore; Valspar; Farrow & Ball.

Products, clockwise from top left:

Tulip #4 by Thurston Howes, 14"W, $350, Zatista.
Five Alarm Hook, 4"H, $14, Anthopologie.
Red Baroque-Style Mirror, 30"W, $475, Horchow.
Motel Double Glider, 49"W, $175, Crate&Barrel.
LJUSÅS UVÅS in Red, 17"H, $40, IKEA
Red Double-Walled Thermo Carafe by Chambord by Bodum,34oz, $40, Cooking.com.
Paints, Top to Bottom: Poppy by Benjamin Moore, Oh So Red by Valspar, Incarnadine by Farrow & Ball.

How to use red in your home
1. Add just a hint of color. Your accents will pop when they are used throughout the room.

2. Used in a foyer or entryway, red can be particularly effective. It will energize the space and draw people in.

3. An easy place to add the color is with pillows, decorative accents and lighting.

4. Colored glassware is a nice way to bring red into your home.

WHITE

"White," Donna Karan says, "acts as a backdrop." It can be a wonderful blank canvas on which to paint. But decorating with white can also be tricky. If you wish to create a modern and clean space, minimalism works best. If you're looking for a soft or romantic look, then layering is probably the way to go (adding lots of white in different textures and accessories). All in all textures in varying shades add visual interest to the non-color, while shades of white from ivory to pale yellow provide depth. All white rooms in a bath or kitchen is crisp, but I love it in a living room where it's open and inviting.

Clockwise from top left: Jonathan Adler; Graham & Brown; IKEA; DecoyLab; Brocade Home; Ballard Designs;Benjamin Moore; Valspar; Farrow & Ball.

Products, clockwise from top left:

Charade Bath Set, $18-$48 per piece, Jonathan Adler.
Concave White Wallpaper, 33 ft. roll, $70, Graham & Brown.
Lack Wall Shelf, 51"W, $30, IKEA.
Kirie 01 Bamboo Clock, 7.5"W, $78, DecoyLab.
Bent Wood Chair in High Gloss White, 35"H, $199, Brocade Home.
Garden Seat, 18"H, $139, Ballard Designs.

Paints, Top to Bottom: White Zinfandel by Benjamin Moore, Sawyer White by Valspar, Pointing by Farrow & Ball.

How to use white in your home
1. Use textured fabrics such as silks, linens, wovens, faux furs, cut velvets and damasks to bring visual interest to a room. Adding tones and shades of white to keep it from looking sterile and cold.

2. Transparent fabrics can arouse feelings of romance and softness.

3. Paint wood pieces white to lighten up the space and make it appear larger.

4. A white kitchen is a canvas on which an ever evolving decorating plan can emerge again and again.

BLUE

In contrast to the fire of red, there is the stability and calmness of blue. Lau notes that it is "a calming and relaxing color." Blue, especially dark blue and navy, can be strong and steady, deeply rooted within a palette, or soft and soothing lending barely a hint of color. Whether paired with white or other colors, it is always evocative of the sea. Blue and its many hues and tonalities is an easy-to-use color and works throughout the home. Using blue in fabrics, rugs, paint and wallpaper will ground any design scheme.

Clockwise from top left: Alessi; World Market; Benjamin Moore; Valspar; Farrow & Ball; Carrot & Stick Press; Anthropologie; Williams Sonoma Home; HSN.

Products, clockwise from top left:

Parrot, Sommelier corkscrew, 5"H, $60, Alessi.
Rio Collapsible Storage Basket in Blue, 20"H, $18, World Market.
Paints, Top to Bottom: Santa Monica Blue by Benjamin Moore, Quarry Pond by Valspar, Drawing Room Blue by Farrow & Ball.
Whale folded notes, 8 for $16, Carrot & Stick Press.
Louisa Settee, 59"W, $2,498, Anthropologie.
Outdoor Graphic Links Rug by Thom Filicia, 6"L, Williams Sonoma Home.
Studio Sofa by Nate Berkus, 46"L x 34"H, $499,. HSN.

How to use blue in your home
1. Pair it with white for a crisp, modern look.

2. Use varying shades of blue, from the palest ice blue to the deepest dark blue, to create layers and depth.

3. Blue in the bathroom further invokes the feelings of water and serenity.

4. Use darker tones in pillows and rugs to create the greatest impact.

5. Provide contrast to your decorating palette with colors that will not overwhelm, but rather enhance your theme color. For example, pair yellow with dark blue; bright peony pink with medium tones; and softer neutral shades such as ivory, taupe and linen with light blues.

You'll see more 4th of July ideas on ShelterPop next week but you should also see the fantastic things going on at Holidash!
Craft a 4th of July Flower (Adorable)
Throw a Retro 4th of July

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Garden Edging: Beyond the Brick

Gina Provenzano — 2010-06-22T14:26:00 00:00

Filed under: Your Home, Projects, Gardening, Garden Tours, How-To, Fun Stuff

Eye-catching garden borders don't have to be ordinary. These ideas are packed with personality. Which would you try?

Pavers, bricks, railroad ties, rocks...go to any landscape designer and these are the edging options you'll find. Where oh where has all the creativity gone? While lush lawns and gorgeous landscaping are sure to raise the resell value of your home, a little whimsy could go a long way while you are actually living there.

Give it up for the folks that created these landscape edgings. They were definitely in touch with their inner artiste -- expressions of hobbies, eco-consciousness and eclectic sides all around. Be inspired by these crafty ideas then think about how your garden could be an extension of yourself!

Large quahog clam shells line a flower garden near the sea. Photo: Gina Provenzano

Seashells: Rim your beds with your seashore finds. To keep them from toppling in a heavy rain, dig narrow, 4-inch-deep trenches and fill them with cement. Before the cement sets, place the shells in your desired pattern.

Flickr user: Gary Lennon

Bowling balls: The Big Lebowski would be all over this garden lane. Using retired bowling balls as a landscape border yields striking results. While probably best if displayed in moderation, don't spare any of the psychedelic swirling colors from the mix.

Perhaps cars rev your engine more than throwing strikes. Junk yard hub caps have been lining fences for years. Why not update and polish up the look by burying them halfway down along the garden edge?

At left, mosaic border edge, Kaffe Fassett. At right, recycled glass bottles, ReadyMade.

Broken plates: If your favorite plates are beyond repair, fashion a mosaic trim. It's truly special when the borders are made from something with a bit of kitsch 'n history, like Great Aunt Maggie's old china.

Bottles: Forgo the five-cent return and take your drinks to a whole new level. Recycle bottles by inverting them and burrowing the necks at least halfway into the ground. Whether you work in orderly rows or along a meandering path, the colored glass bottles catch the light and send lovely reflected light onto your garden.

Ceramic plate border, Flickr user: MJIphotos on Flickr

Chipped plates: Chipped vintage ceramic plates and tag sale bargains are wonderful expressions for a cottage garden. Unify the look with matching plates, or go eclectic with a mix of patterns and colors. Be sure to secure plates by embedding them at least half way into the dirt, or setting them in a narrow cement trench.

If fashion plays a bigger role in your life than food, opt for a quirky display of shoes or garden boots instead. Shop thrift stores and tag sales, and fill them with cement to line you beds, otherwise your decorative trims may end up on your neighbors' lawn.

At left, oven willow border, Gardener's Supply Co. At right, nautical roping, Photo: Caralee from Outdoor Resorts and Properties.

Willow branches: For a more traditional approach that is anything but run-of-the-mill, try shaping willow branches in a lovely crisscrossing pattern and setting them in the soil. Secure each intersection with wire. The overall effect is free-spirited, yet contained.

Don't have the patience to craft your own garden path trellis? Woven willow edging can be found at better garden shops and online.

Roping: A homeowner wanting to meld her vegetable garden with the nautical theme of her child's play pirate ship used heavy-duty marine roping and wooden posts to line the edge. The look can easily be incorporated in a more grown-up location situation.

Old ski fencing, Telestar Logistics.

Skis: Mountain cabins don't need fences. Trim down old skis and bury them alternating the tips and the bottoms to accentuate landscaped beds. Are you more of a boarder? Try outcast or broken snow boards instead.

Wagon wheel fencing, 1.bp.blogspot.

Wagon wheels: Feeling like taking a walk on the wild side? The wild wild west that is. Well, start swinging the ropes, pull out the wagon and line your trails with old wagon wheels. Secured to a wire backing they act more as a fence. But cut in half and buried in the ground, they're a show stopper.
Swap the wagon wheels for bicycle wheels if cycling is more your speed. With radiating spokes and shiny rims your yard will be riding high.

Whatever your style, whatever your quirk, channel the spirit and express it in garden borders and trims that say something more than standard. Strive for spectacular.

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DIY: A Pin-Punched Paper Lamshade

Gina Provenzano — 2010-04-21T12:25:00 00:00

Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Living Room, Projects, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Design, etc

A hidden motif is illuminated in shadow on this pin-punched paper lampshade. Photo: Gina Provenzano

Instructions for an easy-to-make decorative lamp shade.

Cast shadows over plain lampshades with a pin-punched one you craft yourself. It's easy to make and a real eye-catcher when you flip the switch and reveal a hidden motif. Follow these step-by-step instructions for glowing results.

First, buy a lampshade. You can purchase a shade frame from websites like Lampshop.com. However, it's often cheaper to head to a discount store to find an inexpensive lamp or lampshade that fits the bill. I found a square shade at TJ Maxx and removed the fabric. Check out Kmart, Ikea, Target, Walmart and HomeGoods.

Second, gather decorative paper. Lighter weights of paper work best, but note that gift wrap is too flimsy and flammable for this project. You can also use a lightweight fabric like linen. If you go with linen, stiffen the fabric by ironing with spray starch before you begin the project. This will make it easier to handle. Also, be sure to use fabric glue to secure fabric ends.

A tall square lampshade frame is perfect for this project. Photo: Gina Provenzano

What you'll need:

- Rectangular lamp shade form, about 6" x 6" x 12"
- 20" x 30" decorative paper, lighter weights work best but gift wrap is too flimsy
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Scissors or straight edge
- Plain paper
- Adhesive-backed double sided tape, heavy-duty
- Contact metallic adhesive-backed shelf liner
- Embroidery needle, large
- Lamp base and lightbulb
- Clothespins

PHOTO #1: Measure frame and mark paper leaving excess for wrapping edges. Photo: Gina Provenzano

Directions:

1. To determine the height of your paper shade, place the paper horizontally with the wrong side face down, on a well-protected surface. Lie the lampshade frame on paper 1" below top edge and 3/4" from left vertical edge. Measure and mark the lampshade's height, leaving 1" excess at bottom edge as well (see PHOTO #1). The 1" of paper on the top and bottom is EXCESS used to wrap around the frame in a later step.
2. To determine the length of your paper shade you will need to carefully rotate/roll the lampshade frame, across the paper, so that all four sides have been accounted for (think of it as wrapping a present). Mark the placement of each corner of the frame at the top and the bottom and leave 3/4" excess at the vertical edge. Cut out paper. The 3/4" on each vertical edge is a tab to secure the paper to the frame.
3. Using a ruler, lightly draw vertical lines at corner markings to indicate the folding lines for the four panels of the shade frame.

PHOTO #2: Trace your motif on the back side of shelf-lining paper. Photo: Gina Provenzano

4. On a piece a plain paper, draw or trace a simple motif, making the motif the same height as lampshade frame. (I hand drew a squiggly stem and added plain leaf shapes.) Cut out motif to use as a pattern. On the wrong side of adhesive backed shelf liner, trace the motif four times (see PHOTO #2). Carefully cut out motifs.
5. Slowly remove the backing from the motif. Starting 1" above the bottom edge, affix the motif to the paper between first panel markings, slightly left of center. Repeat the procedure for each motif on each panel. This will be the INSIDE of the lampshade.
6. Affix a piece of tape to the OUTSIDE of paper along the TAB on the left vertical edge. Affix a second piece of tape to the INSIDE along the TAB on the right vertical edge.
7. Affix a piece of tape along the entire length of the 3/4" paper EXCESS at the INSIDE BOTTOM edge. Repeat at the INSIDE TOP edge of shade.
8. Fold over left vertical edge 3/4" to make crease. Fold over the right vertical edge in the same manner. Lightly fold paper at each panel marking.
9. Lie metal frame on the paper aligning the frame to first left paper fold and centered top to bottom. The taped TAB should fold over the corner. Use clothespins at top and bottom to help hold in place.
10. Holding paper in place on the frame, carefully turn frame along paper. The frame corners should match up with folds in the paper. Crease the corners as you go. If necessary, use clothespins to help hold the paper in place on the frame. The ending TAB of the paper will overlap the shade at the beginning corner.
11. Remove the adhesive backing from the first TAB and gently press to adhere the tape to the paper. Next, remove the adhesive backing from the other TAB and gently press to adhere the tape to the paper.

PHOTO #3: Remove adhesive backing from tape and fold over excess. Photo: Gina Provenzano

11. Snip the excess paper at the corners with a vertical cut (see corner above in PHOTO #3).
12. Working one side at a time, remove adhesive backing (see PHOTO #3) and fold over excess to INSIDE of the shade. Press to secure.

PHOTO #4: Use a large embroidery needle to gently punch holes in paper shade outlining underside motif. Photo: Gina Provenzano

13. Working in a well-lit area, use the embroidery needle to punch tiny holes about 1/4" apart around the motif (see PHOTO #4). Gently apply pressure from the underside when pushing needle through paper to avoid tearing shade.
14. Place the shade on the lamp base.

When unlit, the punched shade displays the subtle motif -- it is transformed when lit. Photo: Gina Provenzano

EASY VERSION: If making the shade seems like too much to handle, you can achieve great result with a store-bought shade. Simply make a motif as instructed above, apply the motif to the inside of the shade and punch according to directions.

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Luck o' the Irish St. Paddy's Day Door Ornament

Gina Provenzano — 2010-03-15T17:21:00 00:00

Filed under: DIY: Done in a Day, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Holidays

Bring some Irish luck to your home with this shamrock door hanger. Photo: Gina Provenzano

You don't have to be a leprechaun to enjoy the festivities, because "everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day." So, don those green tights, that funny little hat, and muster up your best Irish accent, because it's time for some fun. And while your decorating yourself, by all means, don't forget to dress the house.

Who knows? Besides welcoming all with the promise of green beer, corned beef and cabbage, a sweet shamrock door ornament could bring a little bit of luck your way...

Putting it all together is easy. I used wooden hearts from Michael's, some ribbon and gold toy coins...how I wish they were the real deal!

So here's what you'll need:

Materials:

-3 wooden heart-in-heart shapes, about 6 inches OR plain heart shapes and heart-shaped cookie cutter
-1 scrap piece of balsa wood
-Pencil
-Utility knife
-Sandpaper
-Brushes
-Paint, dark and light green
-1 round wooden shape, about 4 inches in diameter
-Hot glue gun and wood glue sticks
-Decorative paper
-White glue
-Gold coins, about 24
-Ribbon
-Scissors

Directions:

1. On a well protected work surface, lie scrap piece of balsa wood in front of you. Place one heart atop the balsa wood at the center top. Place the remaining two on either side of first heart, so that points meet in center to form leaves of shamrock. With pencil trace along heart edge and then down to draw a triangle-like stem onto balsa wood. Remove from under hearts.

2. Using utility knife, cut out stem.

3. Sand all wood pieces and wipe clean.

Step 4. Paint hearts to form shamrock leaves. Photo: Gina Provenzano

4. Paint edges of hearts and stems with light green paint. Let dry. Then, paint fronts of hearts, stems and round piece dark green. Let dry.

5. Place round wooden piece on surface in front of you. Layer on hearts as before and add balsa wood stem. Use hot glue gun to glue hearts in place on round base.

6. Place decorative paper over center heart and rub to indicate shape on paper, or use cookie cutter to trace small heart shape onto decorative paper. Cut out three hearts. Use white glue mixed with water to adhere decorative paper hearts to center of each heart/shamrock leaf. Brush top of paper and entire shamrock with glue. Let dry.

Step 7. Glue Coins to ribbon ends. Photo: Gina Provenzano

7. Turn shamrock so right side is face down. Cut 12 strips of ribbon varying in size from 8 inches to 12 inches. Use hot glue to sandwich ribbon ends in between two gold coins.

8. Group coins into four bunches of three coins, and use hot glue to adhere the ribbons to back of shamrock. Cut a small strip of wood, about 4 inches long, and use it to secure the ribbons.

9. Cut one 12-inch length from two different ribbons. Fold in half and knot end to form a loop and secure to back of shamrock at top center.

Step 10. Tie a bow and glue to shamrock center. Photo: Gina Provenzano

10. Cut two 18-inch lengths from two different ribbons. Gather and and tie a bow. Glue center of bow to center of Shamrock at front.

Hang on a door or door knob and wait for your pot of gold to come...I am still waiting.
Happy St. Paddy's Day!

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The Next Generation of Green Products

Gina Provenzano — 2010-02-26T15:22:00 00:00

Filed under: Green Design, Solutions, Cleaning & Storage, Design, etc, News & Trends

EcoStar's slate roofing tiles are made from recycled products. Photo: EcoStar

It's not easy being green, but with innovative design, it's getting a whole lot easier.

The new crop of environmentally conscious products on display at the Green Products Expo last week gave us hope that things are getting greener in 2010. Each exhibitor in attendance at the expo strives to find eco-conscious ways in which to produce, improve and/or deliver the products and services we use everyday.

Here are some of the innovative green products on display at the show:

Recylced Materials
Building suppliers like EcoStar, make slate and shake roofing tiles, among other things, from 80 percent recycled materials. The synthetic products look amazingly real, divert millions of pounds of waste from piling up in our landfills, come with a 50-year labor and material warranty and contribute to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) requirements for tax credits. Just check out how amazing they look (above), which just goes to prove it's all in the re-thinking.

Plastics
TekPak, a packaging manufacturer has re-examined and re-thought the manufacture and degradation of plastic in our landfills and found that the introduction of certain microbials in the making of plastic yielded a product that breaks down naturally in the environment. This company's goal is make all our water bottles and take-out food containers 100% biodegradable in any environment -- we wish them luck!

Using plant-based plastics (PLA) is a different way to tackle the problem of plastic. Polylactide materials (PLA) also yield a product that can be recycled quickly and reduced back to their original form. One company using PLA materials, Re:newal, produces plant-based water bottles, with plant-based labels filled with pure water that are being distributed in Cancer Treatment Centers of America nationwide.

Four Conserve tablets fill one spray bottle four times. Photo: Conserve Cleaners

Re-usable Packaging
My first thought about Conserve Cleaners from BaumGartens was that they had designed a cleaner that effectively reduces the amount of product consumers will buy from them -- which must mean they really believe in saving the earth.

However, I realized I was mistaken: They are not reducing the amount of product, but merely the amount of waste. Their cleaners (multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, etc.) are sold in tablet form. Four tablets come with one plastic spray bottle, and one tablet dissolves in enough water to fill the bottle.

Think of the amount of plastic saved and the transportation waste eliminated with this simple concept! Plus the cost of the product is about 40 percent less than other cleaners!

Green Cleaning
Ecover has recently improved their formula to be safer and more effective in cleaning. The company has developed a green version of a surfactant (surfactants are the petroleum-based chemical ingredients that make cleaning supplies work).

This new "eco-surfactant" is made from a biochemical process activated by yeast that proves to be a powerful cleaner. Package all that in a polyethylene and refillable bottle and you have a company making huge strides in the reduction of chemicals in our eco-system.

Another greener cleaning choice is the Ionator HOM, a new appliance spray bottle from Activeion Cleaning Solutions. It ionizes tap water, rendering it an agent that kills bacteria and cleans without chemicals. The housewares industry has been using this technique over the past several years in the form of ionized water baths and sprayers to clean produce. This spray bottle takes the technology one step further in that it is always readily available.

Just how effective is it? Tests have proven it is effective in killing harmful bacteria, including the H1N1 virus. Personally, I'm not sure I'd be completely comfortable cleaning my bathroom with it, and that is a psychological hurdle an innovative company like this one ultimately faces.

Bissell's steam mop requires no chemicals. Photo: Bissell

The same is true with steam mops. Bissell demonstrated their newest steam mop that works magic on floors with results that can actually be seen, and with no chemicals. However, there's the hurdle of the unseen; customers will wonder: Is the bacteria gone? Is is really clean enough for the baby to crawl on? Going green is a battle of education, and I encourage you to try it yourself and see.

Freshwave, another exhibitor with a rather sweet-smelling booth, produces odor-neutralizing products made from water and plants. Extracts of lime, pine needles, aniseed and cedar wood are combined with water. The charged molecules attract and "grab" the odors in a room and neutralize them. The product is effective with a fresh scent that might take some getting used to, but lacks all the harsh chemicals of a traditional air freshener.

Caroma's hand-washing toilet uses gray water for each flush. Photo: Caroma

Conserving Water
What about rethinking the royal flush? Kohler, a premier faucet and fixture company, has released a redesigned flushing mechanism that does not rely on the traditional flap style of draining and refilling the tank, but rather on a cylinder which pops open and closed much faster. The mechanism allows for a powerful flush with less water.

Caroma displayed a fixture with a hand-washing sink mounted atop the tank of a dual-flush toilet. The idea being that the clean water would flow from the faucet and the gray water drained into the tank to be used to flush the toilet. Hmmm... we're not sure consumers will buy into this idea.

Another water saver was the LeakAlertor, a small, simple device that attaches to your tank and determines if there is a leak. The device periodically flashes with an indicator light and an audible alert. Fixing leaks can save both water and money.

As I would say to Kermit, it may not be easy to be green, but it is certainly getting easier -- and we must each keep doing our own part to help conserve and preserve our planet.

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Table Transformation: From Blah to Blossoming

Gina Provenzano — 2010-02-16T12:10:00 00:00

Filed under: Decorating, DIY: Done in a Day, Your Home, Projects, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects

A simple side table is transformed with masking tape.

Jazz up a plain table with a reverse-stencil technique. Photo: Gina Provenzano

Raise your hand if you have ever owned an IKEA LACK side table. Okay, I might not be able to see you, but I know there are quite a few extended limbs out there, and why not? At $10 a piece, the composite wood, faux-finished tables are a real bargain -- they're also an excellent blank canvas for the DIYer.

One way to dress up a simple table is to use a reverse-stencil technique shown on the blossoming table above. Instead of actually stenciling a motif onto the table surface, I made a reverse-stencil out of painter's tape. After painting over the entire surface, the motif is revealed when the tape is removed.

If you'd like to create your own painted table, first find a graphic motif to use. Keep it simple: Intricate designs take a longer time to cut out and shape in tape. Once you've found your motif, you're ready to roll. Here's what you'll need: Materials:
- Simple side table, like IKEA's LACK
- Motif, enlarged and printed out to fit on table surface
- Steel wool
- Painter's tape
- X-acto knife
- Cutting mat
- Scissors
- Thin marker
- Satin finish latex paint
- Paintbrush
- Pastry cutter or other flat hard edge
- Acrylic sealer

Directions:
1. Use steel wool in a circular motion to lightly scratch the surface of the table. Wipe clean with damp cloth.

2. Cover the top surface of table where motif will be placed with painter's tape.

3. Cut the motif out. Position it over the section of the table covered in painter's tape and trace the outline with marker onto the tape.

3. Use an X-acto-knife to cut the motif out of the masking tape; avoid marring table surface by using medium pressure. Remove excess tape, leaving the motif in painter's tape on the table. Use a pastry cutter or other flat, hard edge to press down and ensure tape edges are adhered to table top.

4. Use painter's tape to mask-off the side edges of the table, positioning the tape line flush with table top. Again, use a pastry cutter or other flat, hard edge to ensure tape edges are well-adhered.

5. Paint table top with satin finish, latex paint and allow to dry. Apply a second coat and allow to dry thoroughly.

6. Use your X-acto-knife and fingers to lift up and gently remove the tape motif, which will reveal the unpainted table surface beneath.

7. Apply sealer to entire surface of the table and allow to dry thoroughly. Remove tape from table's sides.

Want more DIY inspiration? Here are two more posts about craft-tastic tape:
- Craft Ideas for Japanese HappyTape!
- A round-up of patterned tapes

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Give Warmth This Valentine's Day

Gina Provenzano — 2010-02-11T09:32:00 00:00

Filed under: DIY: Done in a Day, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Holidays

Heat things up this Valentine's Day with a microwaveable, heart-shaped pillow.

Photo: Gina Provenzano

Tired of chocolate? Okay, maybe not. In addition to the standard sweet treat, a homemade gift is a wonderful Valentine's Day surprise. Perfect for covering the eyes while you sleep, coddling a sore muscle or as a prelude to a massage, a heat therapy pillow can come in any shape and color, including the symbolic shape of love: The heart. Here's how to make your own heart-shaped warmer:

Materials:
- 2 - 10 x 12 pieces of a favorite fabric
- Ribbon or pom-pom trim
- Fabric glue
- Needle and matching thread
- Pins
- Scissors
- Flax seed
- Lavender seed
- Chamomile seed
- Scrap paper
- Pencil

Directions:
1. Draw a heart-shape onto scrap paper. If you want it to be symmetrical, fold the paper in half lengthwise and draw half a heart shape, then cut through both thicknesses of paper. (Personally, I like a more asymmetrical shape, so I drew each side separately.)

2. Lie your two pieces of fabric on a flat surface with the right-sides facing one another. Trace the heart-shape onto wrong side of the top fabric. Pin the two pieces of fabric together and cut out the shape through both fabrics.

3. Sew around heart-shape with a 3/8" seam allowance, leaving an approximately 4-inch opening on one side for turning. Snip around rounded edges, tip and crutch of heart-shape, being sure not to cut your seam. Turn the heart right side out.

4. Use fabric glue to adhere a length of trim to edge of the heart. Allow to dry. (If you are an adept sewer, you can sew the trim into the seam in Step 3, by sandwiching it between the two right sides and abutting the raw edges.)

5. Fill heart with a mixture of flax, lavender and chamomile seeds. Do not overfill.

6. Pin opening closed and hand-sew shut with needle and thread. Embellish as desired.

To warm the pillow, simply place it in the microwave (do not put any metal embellishments, including any pins, in the microwave) for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, depending upon your model. Check temperature to make sure its not too hot before placing it against your skin.

For more Valentine's Day ideas, check out these posts:
- Decorating for Cupid's day
- An easy V-Day centerpiece
- A quick, DIY Valentine

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Easy Crafts: Circle Stickers Make Good Art

Gina Provenzano — 2010-01-21T22:52:00 00:00

Filed under: DIY: Done in a Day, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects

Turn stationery store sticky dots into creative wall art. Photo: Gina Provenzano

I can't tell you how many times I've sat at my desk looping paper clips into a silvery metallic chain in an effort to avoid the blank computer screen in front of me. Ah, procrastination.

If you're like me, next time a bout of put-off-til-tomorrow-what-you-can-do-today comes along, you'll be looking for a distraction, any distraction. So why not make something beautiful for your home?

I have an idea: Grab some sticky dot labels to craft a trompe l'oeil art piece for the wall.

The brightly colored stickers are so much fun, they pop off the page. And, depending upon your design, it can truly fool the eye. I'll admit, mine were pretty bleary by the time I finished, but I loved the end result, which reminded me of the examinations with which they used to test your vision in kindergarten.
To get started, choose a design. I opted for my initial, but don't rule out a flower, heart or any other simple shape. Choose your sticker colors and grab some graph paper. Note that the sticky dot colors vary from one manufacturer to another, and therefore give you nice shades and tones of colors.

1. Figure out the size of your sticky dots and how much space you'll need for each row. Next, measure your paper and figure out how many rows and columns you can fit on your paper.

2. Map out in pencil the number of rows and columns on the graph paper. Using marker pens, sketch your design in dot form at the center of the graph paper and then fill in around the design in a contrasting color.

3. When you're satisfied with the pattern, start placing sticky dots onto the paper using the graph paper pattern. Continue row by row until the picture is complete.

4. Frame the finished art in a picture or poster frame.

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12 Days of Christmas Crafts: House Number Sign is a Great Gift

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-24T12:13:00 00:00

Filed under: DIY: Done in a Day, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Holidays

Photo: Gina Provenzano

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift for a special friend? A mosaic house number sign, made from assorted remnant tiles is a truly personalized gift. But you'll want it to complement the home, so make sure you have a sense of the friend's decorating style and house color scheme in order to match the tiles used to create it.

What you'll need:
A plate or platter
Tiles, in complementary colors, about 3 in each of four colors
Tile adhesive
Putty knife
Gloves
Protective eyewear
Premixed grout, small container
Grout sealer

Tips:

Check out thrift stores to find a platter or plate with a slight well, or depressed center. You can usually pick one up for less than five dollars.

Buy single tiles at a home center--they're less expensive. Look for tile in a color range that will complement the color scheme, and include some with textural surfaces. Also choose lighter shades for the background colors and a darker tone for the numbers, or go the other way and opt for darker background colors and a lighter color for the numbers. Either way, the idea is to make the numbers stand out.

How to make it:

1. When you've got all your supplies, take the tiles outside. Don those ultra-chic protective glasses. Wrap the tiles one at a time, in a rag or cloth, keeping each color separate from one another. On a hard and well protected surface, smash the tiles with a hammer to create small pieces about 3/4 inch to 1/2 inch in size.

2. Prepare the surface of the plate by cleaning and drying it thoroughly. Find a number template for the house number address, or simply enlarge a font on the computer and print it out as a pattern. Cut out the number patterns and play with them inside the well of the plate to center and space them evenly.

3. Use an indelible marker to slightly mark the placement above and below the numbers. Spread some adhesive onto the surface between the markings. Using the template as a rough guide, piece together bits of either the lightest or darkest tiles to create the numbers. Place each into the adhesive and slightly push down.

4. When finished with the numbers, add more adhesive onto the surface and begin fitting and placing the other tonal tiles in and around the numbers as a background fitting them into the well of the plate. Allow to dry for the appropriate time as written on the adhesive packaging.

5. Next, using the pre-made grout and a putty knife, spread the grout onto the surface, squishing it into the spaces between the tile bits. When finished, wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth until the tile surface is clear. Allow to dry according to manufacturer's directions, then seal the surface with a brush and sealant.

The sign can be hung with a plate hanger in a protected outdoor area with an overhang or enclosure.

Happy Crafting!

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12 Days of Christmas Crafts: Kids Will Love This Crayon Box and Pencil Frame

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-23T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: DIY: Done in a Day, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Holidays

There's no staying inside the lines with these colorful crafts. Photo: Gina Provenzano

Crayons and colored pencils can bring out the child in all of us. Give me a piece of paper and a box of crayons and I can color for hours. That's what makes these cheerful and bright crafts so adorable. Kids will love the end result, and adults will love to help create them. So get the kids really involved in the holidays by crafting handmade gifts to give to a special friend or teacher.

First, find a small trinket box and/or a frame. I found the box -- about 8" x 5" x 2" -- at an A.C. Moore Craft Store for one dollar. And the frame was about three dollars at Michaels. Rather than steal the crayons out of the hands of a child, check craft and discount stores for inexpensive crayon packs. You'll need about 100 crayons and about 24 colored pencils.

Next, gather paint, glue, a brush, cutting board, sharp knife and a good, preferably electric, pencil sharpener. Paint the box and frame in your desired color and allow to dry thoroughly.

Photo: Gina Provenzano

To Make the Frame

1. Using the cutting board and knife, an adult should cut several pencils into two uneven pieces. Sharpen the point of the second portion of pencil length.

2. Let your child arrange the pencils on the frame, and the adult can cut or further sharpen the pencils to make the pieces fit in line. Vary the lengths and colors.

3. When the layout is complete, let child glue each pencil in place on the frame.

To Make the Box

1. Using a very tacky glue -- I love this one from Aleene's because it grabs instantly -- start kids off by gluing on a bottom row. To make the end crayons fit, an adult can use the knife and cutting board to cut the crayon to size.

2. Continuing building up the crayons, varying the placement for each row. When completed, glue on two buttons, one atop the lid and the other on the front.

3. Use a small colored rubber band to keep the box closed and secure.

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The Flight of the Butterfly Tree

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-22T13:33:00 00:00

Filed under: Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Holidays

Photo: Aimee Herring

Why is it that the butterfly, an insect similar to the other creepy crawly creatures living outside our four walls, has never brought on the same type of disgust and hysteria when alighting upon our skin? Instead it is coveted and sought after. Is it the colorful wings and graceful flight that has us so enamored of its fragile beauty? Perhaps it is exactly that -- its fragile beauty -- that keeps us in awe. After all, the average life expectancy of an adult butterfly is only two weeks, reminding us all of the fragility of life.

To that end, I have often heard, yet never been a part of, the spectacular scene when migrating butterflies simultaneously take flight. What I imagine that sight to be, I tried to capture in this one-of-a-kind tree -- a celebration of our lives and the lives of our friends and loved ones.

Credit: White tree, from K-Mart

Photo: Aimee Herring

While each butterfly, with its vibrant hues, is unique and special in and of itself, painting them all black to show they're all equally beautiful, no matter what shape, size or color.

The solid-colored butterflies look best Simply spray paint artificial feather butterflies with matte black spray paint in a well-ventilated area. When dry, repeat a second coat. Use the attached wire to secure butterflies to the tree to complete.

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12 Days of Christmas Crafts: Puzzle Piece Table Wreath

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-22T13:01:00 00:00

Filed under: Decorating, Party Ideas & Table Settings, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Parties & Entertaining, Holidays

A not-so-puzzling gift solution. Photo: Gina Provenzano

You know all those games and puzzles stashed in the closet with missing pieces and parts? The ones that the kids no longer play with because it's just no fun to put together 473 pieces of a five hundred piece puzzle.

Well, it's time to break them out of hiding and put them to good use, one that even the kids will enjoy.

Use them to make this really creative tabletop wreath. It's so easy to do, costs hardly anything and makes a charming gift.

To make the wreath, trace a large circle -- a dinner plate size works great -- onto a piece of sturdy cardboard. Let an adult cut out the outer and inner circle, which should be about 3 inches in diameter. Let kids paint the puzzle pieces cardboard side up with green paint, reserving about 15 pieces. Paint those red for the holly berries.

When dry, children can use a paintbrush and tacky glue to adhere the green pieces around the cardboard wreath base. Finish one bottom layer and then decrease the size slightly in width on the next layer. Continue until there is one piece in the layer. Glue on the holly berries red pieces in clusters of three around the wreath. Let the ring dry and give it as a gift with a candle or a bow for hanging.

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12 Days of Christmas Crafts: Postcard Pillow

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-21T11:24:00 00:00

Filed under: Decorating, DIY: Done in a Day, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Holidays

Sew up a personalized "postcard" pillow. Photo: Gina Provenzano

Forget e-mails, IMs and texts. Who needs an electronic holiday greeting anyway? Instead, give new meaning to the words "special delivery" and send a personalized greeting in pillow form. This sweet linen cushion is the perfect way to get your message across, whether it's "I love you" or "Best Friends." Plus, you'll save on the stamp.

What you'll need:
Decorative pillow form, about 9- by 12-inches (about $8)
Natural linen fabric, 1 yard (about $12)
Iron-on fusible web tape, 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch wide
Tape measure
Pencil
Scrap fabric, blue, white, red
Red ribbon, about 6 inches in length by 1/4 inch wide
Iron
White paint
Paint brush
Rubber alphabet stamps
Stamp pad
Indelible black marker

Here's how to make the pillow:

1. To start, measure the decorative pillow form. Add 1-inch to both measurements and cut two pieces of natural linen fabric to this size. With right sides together, sew around three sides of the pillow cover, leaving the last long side open.

2. Turn the cover so right sides face out. Slip a piece of paper between the top and bottom to protect the back fabric. Using iron-on fusible web and scraps of fabric, create a stamp. The one I made had a white backing fabric about 2- by 2 1/4-inches in size and then an inner face about 1 3/4- by 2-inches. Sandwich the tape between the layers of fabric and the pillow front at the top right corner, making sure no tape is visible, then cover with a paper towel or light cloth and use a hot iron to secure in place.

3. Next, make an "AIR MAIL" sticker from blue fabric (you can paint it later) and a dividing line from ribbon, and apply them in the same manner as above. Now you're ready to decorate and personalize your greeting.

4. I used typewriter font letter stamps to print "CARTE POSTALE" across the top. You can too, or try "POST CARD" or "SPECIAL DELIVERY." Then, using an indelible black marker, and two circle templates (a bottle cap for example), I created a round cancellation stamp, and simply printed the city and date in block letters. Squiggly lines finish off the cancelled stamp.

5. Using some white acrylic paint, I printed white block letters for the "PAR AVION" or "AIR MAIL" stamp. And sketched in a simple shape for the stamp face.

6. Finally, use the black marker to address the card like you would a postcard and write your simple greeting. When the paint is dry, remove the paper and insert the pillow form into the cover. Fold under the open seams and pin together. Hand stitch the bottom edge to close.

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A Very Pretty in Pink Tree

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-16T15:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Decorating, Fun Stuff, Holidays

Photo: Aimee Herring

If you think Prada is a deity and Kors is divine, then this tree is for you. You needn't be a lover of all-things fashion to appreciate this oh-so-pretty-in-pink tree. Take inspiration from the scriptures of your favorite fashion bible, then raid the toy box (and dollar store) for the goods. Go classic or hip, the style is all yours when it comes to the theme. Then choose a color palette -- from bright pink to racy red, or passionate purple to blazin' blue. Take your pick. Add glittering gold accents and perky red bows to bring it all together in a seamless scheme. So, channel your Barbie days and get crafting...it's like playing dress up with a tall, green doll.

Photo: Aimee Herring

In the Bag Ornaments (above left)
When you scale down the purse to fit the tree, just about anything can fit the bill. Scrounge the closet for wallets, cosmetic bags and mini clutches. Next wire pieces of chain into loops for the straps, then snap, zipper or wire them into the bag for hanging. The look is temporary, so you can reuse your loot in January.

Sparkling Jewels Ornaments (above right)
Crystals, glass, yes...even plastic reflects light and casts pretty shadows throughout the room. Have a little princess? Borrow her dress up jewelry, or check out the dollar stores for some sparkly bling. Wrap a wire hook around the piece and hang from the boughs.

Photo: Aimee Herring

A Step Above Ornaments (above left)
The glitzier the better when it comes to the shoes you hang upon your tree. Rhinestones, feathers, glitter and sequins stand out among the branches. Search toy shops and discount stores for the perfect pairs, then hang them up by gluing or tying ribbon at the heel. Then fashion a garland from chain link easily found at craft and even at hardware stores. Embellish the shiny stuff with cuffs and bangles from the dollar store. If you want more flash, paint them and dip the rings in sparkles. Then attach them to the chain with pieces of wire.

In the Shade Ornaments (above right)
Don't forget a key fashion statement...the sunglasses. Hit the dollar stores and dress up aisle for these shades too. Nestle them among the branches or perk them up with bright bows.

Photo: Aimee Herring

Cha-Ching Topper (above left)
Hey big spender, spend a little time with...the tree. Craft store foam comes in all colors including bright pink. Use it to fashion some plastic of your very own with simple rectangle shapes and markers. Glue on wire or a pipe cleaner in back to secure to the top. Worship the card.

Keep in Touch Ornaments (above right)
Every fashionable girl has to keep in touch...how else would we know when there's a terrific sale? Wrap ribbon through the opening of the phone to hang. Hold on...Santa's calling...

Credit: artificial tree, tree skirt, glitter shoes, red string lights, red and gold globe ornaments, all from K-Mart.

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A High Roller Tree

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-16T14:17:00 00:00

Filed under: Decorating, Fun Stuff, Holidays

Photo: Aimee Herring

Let's put aside for a moment the true religious meaning behind the holiday and embrace the sheer adventure of it instead. In short, "Go Vegas baby." After all, when you think about it, there are quite a few similarities between the nation's famous Sin City and the evergreen symbol of Christmas. Both have blinking lights, sparkle and shimmer. Plus, with the excitement of the unknown and the expectation of unbridled joy, the illustrious city and the glittering holiday have the ability to put a smile on just about anyone's face. We bet it all and put the two together in this salute to all things bright and shiny. So if you're up for a big stakes holiday this season, check out these high rolling ornaments, recreate them for your own tree and let what happens in Vegas come home with you from Vegas.

Photo: Aimee Herring

Vegas Sign (above left)
The lights will never go out in Vegas. Not as long as the iconic Vegas Marquee sign brightens the way. Make your signature topper with foam sheets and pom-poms. It's fun and so easy to make.

Sin City (above right)
The Devil made everyone do it. Use rubber stamps to stamp and create an outline for this sign. Trace it onto cardboard, then apply glue and glitter for just the right amount of glitz.

Photo: Aimee Herring

In the Cards (above left)
In Black Jack, the dealer holds on seventeen and in Poker, a Flush is hard to come by. Play your cards right and beat 'em every time with a hand like any of these. Use tacky glue to paste the cards together. Let dry, then punch a hole and add a ribbon to hang.

Dice (above right)
No visit to Vegas would be complete without a few rolls of the dice. You never know what might happen. Shoot for...aka glue together...sevens and elevens even if there's an extra die.

Photo: Aimee Herring

Suit Up (above left)
Pay tribute to the hand that feeds you...or the cards that let you win. Recreate the four card suits in larger-than-life size with foam sheets and a touch of glitter glue. Punch a hole at the top to tie on a hanging ribbon.

Poker Chip Garland (above right)
All bets are off when you use the chips to create a mega millions garland. Simply sandwich string between two chips with hot glue or tacky glue and let dry.

Credit: artificial tree with multi-colored lights, tree skirt, Elvis guitar ornaments, globe ornaments, all from K-Mart.

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12 Days of Christmas Crafts: Place Mats from Santa's Helpers

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-16T11:34:00 00:00

Filed under: DIY: Done in a Day, Party Ideas & Table Settings, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Parties & Entertaining, Holidays

Sepia-tinted images from shared vacations are easily transformed into extra special place mats. Photo: Gina Provenzano

An after-graduation trip to London, a family ski trip to Park City, Utah, a girls-only hike through Yosemite -- Capture the special times you've spent with a friend or loved one in a set of personalized photo place mats that you can make yourself. These place mats make great gifts.

Pull up the images from a special trip or trips and select a few for reproducing. Mind you, they need not be the expected shots of tooth-filled grins. Who needs to stare at themselves over their morning coffee anyway? Opt for scenic shots. They can call to mind the amusing events from a past adventure with just a glance.

Once you've selected your images, choose four or six for a complete set and adjust the images on the computer. Use your camera software or Photoshop Elements to enlarge the images to fit 11- by 17-inch matte heavyweight paper. If you can't find matte heavyweight paper that size, try cover weight paper from a stationery store. It can usually be purchased by the piece for a few cents.

The prints look extra professional when you strip out the color. Read your software instructions, but it is usually pretty easy to change a color print to black & white or sepia (a brownish, antique like hue). Remember to save a copy of your original shot before you change anything.

Next, print the photos, making sure to scale the image to fit the paper. Now use laminate sheets to cover and protect both the back and the front of the printed pix. You can find laminate sheets in an office supply stores or art stores. Check out these from B&H. They are 11 x 17 inches, 50 sheets cost about $23, and they'll fit the paper perfectly.

Wrap up your creations with a bow. The thoughtful gift is sure to please.

Ready to put some homemade Christmas cookies on your placemats? Find recipes here!

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12 Days of Christmas Crafts: Nifty Napkin Holders

Gina Provenzano — 2009-12-14T11:01:00 00:00

Filed under: DIY: Done in a Day, Party Ideas & Table Settings, Fun Stuff, Crafts & Projects, Parties & Entertaining, Holidays

Raid the cabinets and comb through the drawers for creative napkin embellishments. Photo: Gina Provenzano

Looking for a last minute gift for the ultimate entertainer? Instead of surfing the net, try scouring the cabinets and turning ordinary household objects into unique napkin accoutrements. With a dab of paint, a pair of scissors and a little creative thinking, even the most mundane of objects can look pretty jazzy.

First stop, the stationery drawer. Put bullfrog clips, sticky dots and even the cancelled stamps from all those holidays greeting cards to use by pasting them to paper towel rings. Now hit the laundry room and gather up some clothespins. When brushed with a bit of paint and adorned with dots, or even rhinestones, the wooden clips are elevated to haute couture. Got a craft room or sewing box? Pull trims and tassels from the depths and wrap them around a set of six napkins for a lovely homemade gift.

Even pretty hair accessories and costume jewelry can be repurposed as napkin decor. A ponytail holder with baubles can easily wrap around a rolled linen while a bejeweled bobby pin can hold more than hair in place. Try it with a place card. It's easy.

Next look to the jewelry box. Pins and other inexpensive jewelry can add sparkle and shine. But don't stop there...let these ideas be your catalyst to think outside the circle (ahem, box)...then start creating a set for you or a friend. And the best part of all, the cost is minimal.

For other great 12 Days of Christmas Crafts, see Laura's post on an easy wreath alternative.

What good is a napkin without a delicious meal? Get Christmas recipes from AOL Food!

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