Inspiration for a joyful and creative life

This time of year gets busy with all the extra things to do but if you do a bit of planning and set aside a little time, you can make some simple and fun gifts.

I just recently ran across this blog that has all kinds of tutorials. It’s called Just something I made.

She has several fun ideas and some free graphics to create some of the projects too.

Food Gifts

Food gifts are always welcome.

Make your own quick and easy Lemon Olive Oil   with only 2 ingredients, lemon zest and a good olive oil.

 

Create a beautiful herb basket.

You can find pots of herbs at the garden centers, home centers, Whole Foods http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

or the grocery store.

 

Each year for the past few years, the Whole Foods here has a great Rosemary topiary which is shaped like a Christmas tree.

You could put it in a simple pot or add some simple decorations to it, although it is beautiful as is.

I have an antique red bucket that I put mine in.

It is beautiful and useful and smells wonderful!  It would make a great gift or an alternative to bringing wine as a hostess gift.

 

Baked Savory Treat

How about making a homemade loaf of bread that doesn’t even require kneading or a bread machine

like Irish Soda Bread?

 

 

Breakfast or Dinner Kit

You could assemble all the ingredients for a delicious meal.

Muffins and jam, with coffee or tea and a pretty tea towel

Soup ingredients like a bean soup ready to make, cornbread and honey.

 

Or all the dry ingredients mixed for cupcakes, pancakes, or muffins with instructions

on adding the wet ingredients and baking.

 

Semi Homemade

You can also embellish a ready made item for a little instant gratification and an easy, unique gift.

 

Something to Wear

How about hand sewing a few sequins on a cardigan sweater or a trim around the neckline of a long sleeved T-shirt?

 

Something for the House

How about painting some candlesticks or a lamp base a beautiful pewter or metallic color

or wiring some beads around the neck of a simple glass vase?

 

Check out my embellished cake stand  for an easy update on something you
might find at a discount store that could jazz it up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are some of your favorite things to make?

Filed under: creative projects, Fabulous Food, Holidays
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I’ve had this 3 tiered cake stand that is gold with wheat stalks for a long time.

I love using it for parties where you can fit a lot of desserts or appetizers.

It is too big to store and I keep it out but I have to admit I was getting rather tired of it and wondering if I should keep it.

Then inspiration hit.

When I was getting ready for my winter wonderland open studio party, I pulled out  these white pearl sprays that have wired stems. I thought I might be able to wire these on.

My sister was helping me and simply attached them.  You can still see the wheat but it looks fun and dressed for the holidays.

And since it is very easy to take off, I think I’ll try adding other things for different seasons so that it will look nice to keep out.

 

What do you have that could use a simple embellishment to transform it?

 

 

Filed under: Entertaining, Holidays, Home Decor
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I have a special guest post for you today by Megan Gates. 

The weather outside may be frightful, but your living space needn’t be. A few minor changes will brighten up the season and offer a cozy respite when temperatures drop and the sun takes a vacation. Bring the colors of the holidays indoors with festive fabrics and inviting accessories so, when Jack Frost comes nipping at your nose, you’ll be warming your body and soul with the comforts of home.

The Colors of the Season — When winter skies turn dark, the glitz and giddiness of the December holidays can lift your spirits and brighten your mood. Zap the chill outside by adorning furniture with pillows, throws and slipcovers in deep, cherry red, forest green, and winter wonderland blue. Accents in gold and silver add pizazz and glamor without going over the top.

The holidays are perfect to change your wall hangings and kitchen decor, too. Bring out the Christmas-themed stars and manger scenes and replace your autumn stoneware with plates and mugs in blue and white snow scenes or cheery red ornaments and pointy-eared elves.

Festive Fabrics — Use fabric to bring the delight and warmth of the season to your abode. Cotton tablecloths, chill-blocking window coverings and woolen throw rugs can take the place of the minimalistic decor of summer and early fall. Let the heavier fabrics in deeper colors draw you indoors to enjoy the wonder of warmth, family and friends as you weather the winter season in rapturous comfort. As the year draws to a close and the anticipation of a new year begins, let your cares slip away between soft, flannel sheets as you dream under a dense, down comforter. Even your bathroom can invite the wonder of the season with new towels, bold, richly-scented candles and pine, eucalyptus or orange-clove scented room fresheners.

Exciting Accessories — Besides changing the colors and textures in your home to reflect the nip in the air, your accessories can brighten otherwise overcast days. Natural accents, such as pine cones, tree boughs and evergreen wreaths tantalize both the eyes and the nose with their rich colors and fresh scents. Accent your winter table with fresh greens, surrounded by candles scented with pine, cinnamon or mulberry. You can still decorate with flowers since bright red, soft green and winter white poinsettias are in full bloom starting in early December. Other winter flowers include Christmas cactus and Christmas rose.

Don’t forget to change your everyday decor to reflect the changing season. Bring out the snowman salt and pepper shakers, change your plain, wooden picture frames to shimmering silver and gold, and bring light into dreary quarters with twinkling lights wrapped around pictures, plants and windows.

Don’t forget to update your flooring to keep toes toasty. Bring out the holiday-themed welcome mats to keep ice, snow and mud from dirtying the rest of the house. Place a heavier, textured mat outside and and a thick warm one inside the main entrance. Cover your bare hardwood floors with rich, soft area rugs in dark, bold colors and replace skimpy bathroom rugs with deep, plush foot-warming memory foam rugs.

With a few minor changes, you can dramatically alter the ambiance in your home to reflect the joy and warmth of the season. Let the wind blow; watch the snowflakes fall and revel in the beauty that your home reflects. Feel free to share your interior design tips for a wonderful winter here!

Megan Gates is an active blogger who provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York Luxury Real Estate,Nassau Rentals, home improvement and the latest architecture, design and fashion.  Follow her on twitter @MEGatesDesign.

 

Filed under: Holidays, Home Decor
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