DIY Wood Slice Family Picture Ornaments

Christmas christmas craft christmas project

DIY Wood Slice Family Picture Ornaments

April 07, 2021   

I did it...and for once it wasn't because I wanted to. It was because my kids kept bugging me and asking why our Christmas decor wasn't up yet. They have been watching Christmas movies since July....yeah, I know. And they have been listening to Christmas music since the day after Halloween. You guys, even my husband turned on a Christmas movie for them willingly...and watched it last night! Serious. Something strange is going on in our house! ha! He's the one that always says that we killed another reindeer if we listen or watch anything Christmas before Thanksgiving.

So, I put up our first Christmas tree and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I have a few trees, one dedicated to the handmade ornaments or the yearly ones my littles pick up....like ballerinas, doughnuts, shopkins, etc...ones that I don't necessarily like to adorn our main trees. I know, I know. What's the fun in that, or where's the tradition? As I said, we do have a special tree just for that :) But, I did want to add a little family connection to our main trees this year. I decided to make some wood slice ornaments with our family pictures on it. They are definitely a more subtle way to add the family touch. 

Today I'm joining 6 other amazing bloggers on some DIY ornament inspiration in perfect time for the holidays hosted by Heidi from Honeybear Lane. You can see the full list of tutorials at the bottom of this post. But, for now....here's the tutorial on how I made mine :)

Supplies you'll need:
Wood slices. I got a set of 4 from Michaels for about $2. 
Black and white family photos printed on normal print paper in size that will fit the wood disc.
Decoupage(I used a kind from DecoArt)
Sandpaper 
Jute
Hot glue gun

Here are the types of wood slices I found. The largest is about 3.5" wide.

 Step 1: Pick a picture you want to use, and trace around the wood disc. Cut out.

 Step 2: Brush on some decoupage onto the disc. Place the cut out picture on top of it. Smooth out any bubbles and wait to adhere completely. 

 Step 3: Brush the decoupage onto the top of the picture, just one layer will do it. Let harden and dry completely. I used a blow dryer on it to speed up the process.

Step 4: Using a fine grit sandpaper, gently rough up the edges of the picture. 

 Step 5: Cut a piece of just about 8" long. Tie a knot on each end. Hot glue the ends onto the edge of the wood disc.

 And that's it. It's a pretty simple ornament to make and looks so good in the tree! ..Well, simple if you don't run out of ink and have to go to the nearest print store just to print one page! :) haha

Now for the other fun DIY Christmas ornament ideas. Be sure to check them out and give them some love :) 

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Cute and Cheap Farmhouse and Boho Style Pillow Covers on Amazon

farmhouse farmhouse decor farmhouse style modern farmhouse decor pillows

Cute and Cheap Farmhouse and Boho Style Pillow Covers on Amazon

January 19, 2021   

This post contains affiliate links.

I'm sure like many of you, my shopping has been completely online lately. I've been in a search for some new pillow covers to update a couple of my spaces. So, over the past week, I've been adding all the ones I liked to my shopping cart. When I say I scoured Amazon in search of these....it's no lie. I literally came to the end of it ha! Like, there was no "next" button after my 50th page or so of searching :) I decided that my endless (technically one that did end on that 50th or so page) search may be of value to you all! So, I'm sharing my 21 top faves. I have already purchased some of these, and are expecting another few in the mail in the next week or so. When I get them, I'll definitely update this list with my pictures and review. I tried my best to pick ones that have high reviews of 4 stars or more. I've noticed that these are going fast, I had about 5 on this list that I added over the past few days that are already unavailable. Looks like lots of people are trying to get their home decor fix on Amazon! I didn't add the prices because those change up or down pretty often, but most of these are under $20 for 2 covers...and even the majority of those are under $15. Hope this gives you some inspiration and ideas on updating your home during this time :)

Cotton/Linen Striped Frayed Covers, 2 pack

Tufted Abstract Design Cover

Triangle Tufted Cover

Linen Covers, 2 pack

Striped Faux Leather Cover

Boho Style Cover with Tassels, 2 pack

Stripe and Plaid Set of Covers, 4 pack

Ruffle Pillow Covers, 2 pack

Cream Plaid Pillow Covers, 2 pack

Textured Velvet Pillow Cover

Boho Tassel Pillow Cover

Fridge Plaid Pillow Cover

Tartan Pillow Covers, 2 pack

Tufted Woven Covers, 2 pack

Faux Fur Designed Covers, 2 pack

Striped Faux Leather Cover

Double Striped Covers, 2 pack

Linen Burlap Trimmed Covers, 2 pack

Lace Striped Linen Covers 2 pack

Tartan-type Plaid Cover, 2 pack

Thick Striped Cover

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Summer Dining Room Decor {My New Chandelier and Tour 2020}

buffet table chandelier dining dining room farmhouse farmhouse decor farmhouse style modern farmhouse decor summer

Summer Dining Room Decor {My New Chandelier and Tour 2020}

January 19, 2021   

This post contains affiliate links.

Happy almost summer! It's weird to say that, considering it feels like it should be August already :) We have been blessed with amazing weather during these quarantine months, and with home schooling, it totally made it feel like summer in April. I'm looking forward to this "long" summer since the weather all last summer was dismal and awful...like wearing a winter coat on the 4th of July, awful.

I'll be sharing some rooms in my house that have been updated with summer decor in the coming weeks. Up first is my dining room! I'm joining Marty from a Stroll Thru Life and 29 other talented bloggers this week sharing their home full of summer decor. If you are hopping along the tour, welcome from Fox Hollow Cottage. Shannon's house has been a long time favorite of mine! If you haven't checked her home out yet, be sure to do so! You can find a list of all the home tours at the bottom of this post. But for now, let's get on with some updates I've been making in my dining room. 

 If you are a regular reader of my blog or follower on social media, you may notice something different in here. I finally changed out the chandelier! 

Jute rug: Amazon    Farmhouse Chairs: Amazon    Faux Beam: Tutorial     Shiplap wall: tutorial

The one we had in here before has been in since the house was built. I tried to "farmhouse" it up a little bit by taking off the shades and adding some beads. It worked for a short time. Then I bought a beautiful completely beaded one from World Market, but my husband said it looked like a taxi cab's seat covers, and swore not to hang it haha. I finally talked him into hanging it as my Mother's Day present. The day came, and he apparently didn't pay attention to where I wanted it hung and put it up in my front living room. I didn't hate it in there, but didn't want it in there. Then after turning it on and seeing how the light got dispersed by the beads, I knew I would hate it in my dining room. So, it was a happy accident, and I got to find a new one for this room :)  I was randomly searching Home Depot one day, and came across this beautiful thing on sale. It seriously only cost me about $70 shipped! 

 I love the style and how it instantly made my dining room feel a little bit more elegant...farmhouse elegant. 

Now for the rest of the changes in here for summer...

 My tablescape includes lots of my fave things to decorate which include candlesticks, terracotta pots, faux greenery and beaded garland. I corralled them all up in this vintage crate. 

 As for the place settings. I found these distressed chargers at Hobby Lobby at their end of Christmas sale. They were on sale for like $2 each. It's amazing how many non-seasonal transitional pieces I find during Christmas clearances. 

 I continued the beaded garland theme and added these little ones into the bowls. I made them last year and forgot all about them! Since the settings were all white, I decided to add a little bit of color with the faux magnolia leaves. 

My buffet is usually my favorite thing to decorate. I feel like it's the one place I can keep pretty full and totally get a way with it. 

 These cute drawers are from DecorSteals. I filled them up with terracotta pots, a candlestick, and extra napkins. 

 One of the mainstays on here is my 3-tier tray. I decorated it pretty simple with my coffee mugs, and then added a beaded garland on the top. 

 A few of my cutting boards are also displayed on the buffet along with my extra plates and bowls. 

Faux Vintage Cutting Board: Tutorial

 I took down my lavender gallery wall and put up these window frames. The bottom two are actually picture frames that I took out all the glass and backing. The top one is from Kirklands. I added a little pop of color with the swagged lambs ear garland.

 I love mixing my chairs. I have the three metal ones in front to open up the space, and then have the fuller, bigger ones in the back and sides to give a little more traditional feel.

 For some reason, pillows and a throw blanket belong on the head chairs for me. It adds a little more comfort and a relaxed look.

 It's been awhile since I shared this room! Besides the chandelier, I have also updated the curtain rods to the same ones I did in my front living room with the wood corbels (tutorial here). And I changed out the decor above my french doors. The original one that has been there for over 10 years just competed with the chandelier too much. So, I took it down and put this one up from Hobby Lobby. 

I always love a good before and after of rooms, especially when something a little more substantial has been updated. Check this picture out from when we first moved it about 11 years ago:

A lot has changed besides the table! That table is a rockstar..ha! It's been through sooo much. It's definitely not as nice and pretty as the before picture. It now has lots of wear and tear...paint...glue...marker...etc etc. 

 Hope you enjoyed the tour! Next in the tour hop is 11 Magnolia Lane. You will love her beautiful home. To follow along with the rest of the tours, here's the list below: 

Monday

   A Stroll Thru Life, Clean & Scentsible, Far Above Rubies,  Remodelando La Casa,  It All Started With Paint , Life On Virginia Street 

Tuesday

Setting For Four, Duke Manor Farm, Decor To Adore, House By Hoff, Inspiration For Moms, Pink Peppermint Design

Wednesday

Modern Glam, Fox Hollow Cottage, Thrifty & Chic, 11 Magnolia Lane, Grace In My Space, Hymns & Verses 

Thursday

Seeking Lavender Lane, StoneGable, Designing Vibes, Citrineliving, Our Southern Home, Southern State Of Mind

Friday

The Woodgrain Cottage,  Life On Cedar Lane,  Thistlewood Farms, White Arrows Home, Follow The Yellow Brick Home  

Follow me on my social for sneak peaks, live videos, and fun new things that are going on!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

DIY Vintage Corbel and Wood Distressing Technique

corbels DIY farmhouse finishing technique home decor

DIY Vintage Corbel and Wood Distressing Technique

June 20, 2020   

If you look around my house, you know my obsession with corbels. They were one of the first things I started collecting home decor related. Corbels are the perfect addition to most any place in the house. I use them on my mantels and on table displays. They are also super versatile, where you can use them to hold up shelves, or underneath cabinets or counter tops. They are tough to find though ...especially at a decent price. The larger you want requires a bigger price tag too. I made my first corbel last month, and seriously love it. I didn't realize how easy they are to make! So, I decided to try my hand at another one. This one though was being made as a gift for Mother's Day. 

I went a little bigger with this corbel than my previous one, but simpler also. It's about 13" high and 10" wide. My plan in the future is to just keep going bigger and bigger with these, until I can make one that looks like it came off an old building. Getting the design that large has just been a bit harder than I thought.

Here's the design I used for this. Sorry, pretty bad, right? But it works. Just when you cut it out, make the curves even and the straight lines straight:) ha! 

As you can see from this design and the below picture, I ended up adding just a little big extra to the ends. The design above can be printed out on two pages and then taped together to get the template needed to cut this out. I wanted to use the whole width of the 1x12, so I hand drew a little more. I ended up using my new scroll saw to cut these this time around. Truthfully, it would have been so much easier with my jigsaw. Seriously. I know my way around a jigsaw! The scroll saw will take some getting used to :) I cut three pieces out used a 1x12 pine board.

 I then glued the pieces together, and added a weight on them overnight to make sure they were secured. One of the pieces was a little bowed at first, so this weight helped tremendously in the end.

 I then sanded all the edges. I used my palm sander at first, and then switched to just a piece of sandpaper with my hand to get in the curves.

 Next, I cut a piece of 1x4 at 13 inches.

 I used wood glue to secure the 1x4 to the rest of the corbel. I kept the bottom side flush, and had about an inch on the top. I made sure that the decorative piece was right in the middle of the 1x4. If you don't like waiting for the glue to try, this is a good time to use a nail gun and 1" nails into the piece from the back

 Finishing the piece is my favorite part of any diy project. It gives it a whole new look. I actually had no clue what I was going to do with this piece...I just kind of went with whatever felt right at the time. First, I stained it Dark Walnut from Minwax.

 I then added my tried-and-true method of distressing...petroleum jelly. Using a little amount of my fingers, I went over the edges and flat sections with it. Wherever I placed it, I knew the paint would come off of it in the next step. So, I used it sparingly, but enough to get a good used/vintage/distressed look.

 I then used some white paint. The color was Swiss Coffee by Behr in their satin enamel. You know, the kind you use on walls :) I brushed on one coat...

 and then quickly used a paper towel to try to rub it off. Seriously...I was just rolling with the punches on this idea, and it ended up working pretty good! I rubbed the towel harder on the spaces that had the petroleum jelly to get a deeper color. I did this outside, so the paint dried pretty quickly, so I had to do it fast!

 Here's the complete look of the finish...and the corbel. It's kind of crazy how it pulls more grey when all I used was dark brown stain and white paint.

 Making these corbels is just the best. This one would have cost me at least $40 to buy somewhere, and it literally cost me maybe $5 worth of wood...maybe.

 I moved it around my house to find a good spot for pictures...and to get more ideas for spaces I want a corbel :) It ultimately has ended up at my mom's on her amazing bookshelf.

 Here's the finish from this angle. Where it's a little darker, is where the petroleum jelly was placed...just to give an idea of how it ends up looking. It's a totally weird thing to do, but works amazingly.

My next corbel? Totally going to make one at least 2 feet tall...if not more. Just have to figure out how to design it!