I'm in LOVE with Mod Podge: LOVE blocks

I have been making blocks that say PRAY on them but thought I would finally post something new.  Here are my LOVE blocks in honor of Valentine's Day coming up.

Great for decor or a gift

How did I make these.  Easy.  Mine are made from 4x4x8 pieces of lumber that my lovely friend's husband cut for me into 4x4 blocks.  However, you can go up to Michael's and buy hollow blocks around the same size.  They run about $3 block.  You will need 2 of them.  You will need paper and Mod Podge, glossy or matte.

Find some cute Valentine paper you like.  You will need 8 different types of paper.

I cut my background paper 3/4" smaller than my block, but play with the size to fit your style.

Cut our your letter in coordinating paper.  I used my Cricut, but free handing is just as easy.

Now, paint your blocks and allow them to dry.  I only painted the entire bottom with paint.  The sides with paper I only painted the edges.  Saves time and paint.

Use the same color as the wood to distress the edges of the paper.  I use a dry brush and very little paint to do this.  It stresses me out to distress things because I always think it looks bad, but just go with it and I guarantee it will look good.

 Now for the assembly.  If you are new to Mod Podge you will want to put a coat on the wood and the paper.  I use my Pampered Chef stone scrapers to get out the bubbles once I have placed the paper onto the wood.  Let it set and dry for about 5min.  Do not put a top coat of Mod Podge on yet.  This is important to prevent bubbling but also we still need to distress the paper.  Once it has set for 5 minutes put Mod Podge in the center of the paper where you will place the letter.  Put the glue on the letter as well.  Once you have placed the letter down and it is where you want it start to distress the corners and edges of the paper with paint.  Once it looks the way you want it go ahead and put your top coat of Mod Podge to seal the paper.  Completely cover all the sides of the blocks minus the bottom.  Not too much though.  Just enough.  And there you have it.  LOVE blocks. 

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December 4th-Mantel Idea

My friend Charity emailed me her mantel this morning.  The picture looked better on my computer than it uploaded.  I'm in love with everything about it.  It makes me want to redo mine even though she helped me with mine and I love mine. I wanted to highlight the frame with vases in front.

This is how she made this little section of her mantel look amazing!!! 

 

(Old frame, scraps of ribbon, old ornaments, and random pieces of greenery and flowers.  It's just hot glued onto the frame and leaning against the wall.  I think it makes such a pretty backdrop.  I backed this one with burlap, but without the burlap it could be hung on a door as a wreath, or even mounted on the wall somewhere. 

So, that's my easy and cheap holiday decor idea.)

Thanks for sharing Charity!!  Hope this inspires you some more to get creative with what you have already in the house or the years of holiday decor stored in the attic.  Pull it out and get busy!!

Kelly

December 3rd-2 for 1, A gift and decor

A few years back a friend bought me this huge napkin if that is what one would call it.  It was Christmas themed and she had it embroidered with our name on it.  I loved it, no, I LUUUUVED it.  Never quite knew what to do with it until now.

I had a old canvas that was even painted on, but I staple gunned the napkin to it and hung it outside by the trees.  I think it adds a little extra something to the corner.  I used heavy duty all weather tape that you can find at Walmart in the hardware section.  Again, for me it was free, but getting this embroidered was probably under $10 if you find something similar at a store.  I hope this helps you think outside the box a little, whether you buys napkins and embroider them for someone this year or decorate with them.

Kelly

December 2nd-Decorating with vases, garland, and ornaments

My goal this year with decorating was to repurpose things that I already had.  I didn't want to "have" to buy many new decor items and that is why I love having creative friends.  They may see something in a different light than me and what they come up with is MAGIC!!  Here is an example of what you can do with some old jars, vases, candle holders, etc, some garland and ball ornaments. 

this is how the project turned out

Candle stick were used as base under the vases to give some height

All of these candle sticks I found at Flea Markets for cheap.  Do not pay more than $2 for them!

Keep searching and you will find them for $0.50 maybe $1.  Once you find them this cheap you will turn your nose up at pricier ones.  

A strand of garland was cut apart and the ball were placed in the jar with some ball ornaments.

I'm learning that layering is good when putting objects into jars.

This is really a easy fix if you need something new to for your decor this year.  The vases, balls, garland, were all something I had already.  The 2 candlesticks I found at Savers and a flea market.  I paid maybe a total of $3 for both.  Think about what you can alter.  Don't be afraid to cut things apart.  Get in there and revamp old decor into something MAGICAL!!

Until tomorrow...

Kelly

December 1st-Decorating with Silver Chargers

This idea, I really can't claim, but I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you all.  My Charity came over to help me duplicate a Pottery Barn mantel(saving for another post), and proceeded to work her magic on the rest of the house.  She brought over some silver chargers(you can find these at Hobby Lobby for like $10) and we used them to decorate with.
This is one of the ideas...

the silver charger, aka my blank slate

one has Peace on it and the other Joy

I cut the words out using my Cricut on some cheap contact paper(shelf liner).  You can get a huge roll at Walmart for next to nothing.  I'm too cheap to use my good vinyl on something I will remove once Christmas is done.  If you don't have a Cricut you can also print out the font you want on the computer and cut and trace onto the contact paper.  Because these were borrowed charges, FREE, and the letters cost me pennies to cut out.  I have them tacked onto the wall using the 3M Velcro( Velcro strips )tabs.  I just adore this wall.  Thanks to my Charity for your inspiration on this one.  PS:  She did the mirror and wreath too but I will post more on that another day.  Post links to your blog to share your inexpensive Decorating or gifting ideas!!

 

Happy Holiday Decorating!!

 

Kelly