I {Heart} How Easy This Was

My family was equally pleased with the new tabletop,

and the fact that I'd found the Diablo Manual.

Geeks...

 But that's not where we're stopping.

After dinner, with the lights still glowing, I pulled out a few decorations.

 I nabbed these on clearance last year at Joanns,

but I saw something very similar at The Dollar Tree.

They're thin foam with sticker backs.

 These are foil cardstock hearts with ribbon hangers.

Duh.

 So this is a simple idea, and we'll just throw it together.

You aren't going to need complicated instructions.

 

 

 I added a couple of glittery birds from Christmas for some extra sparkle.

 Simple, and not permanent.

Me and my commitment issues.

It makes a nice, loving statement on our table, a nightly reminder

that in my house, you're loved for who you are,

no matter how weird you might be.

And speaking of trees...

 

 ...remember this little creation in the kitchen for Christmas?

I got copied!

My real life best friend, Michael Reilly of New York, a Mister Mom and aspiring chef,

fell hard for my tree and whipped up his own version!

He wasn't able to find my plastic playset cookware

 (and trust me, we were texting like maniacs trying to track it down up there),

 so he did the next best thing...he ordered his 1:12 scale dollhouse pots and pans

online, picked up a tabletop tree at Home Depot,

and raided his local dollar store for red and green beaded garland.

All in all, he spent only about $20!

The part he likes best?

The whole thing went in a plastic bag and up to the attic for next year.

Anytime you do one of our projects, send me a photo and the details!

You did the work...show off a little.

Branching Out

 I'm cleaning my room.

My mother has been storing a dresser in here, and by storing, I mean

Sam's clothes are in it.

It's moving with her though, and since it's heavy, dark, Early American

and not my style, I'm off scouring for something to take its place.

In the meantime, some stuff has got to go.

I planted these branches as an organizer for bracelets and sunglasses.

The it got moved so high, I have to jump to get a blue stretchy bangle.

You don't work here anymore. You're fired. Buh. Bye.

 My lovely icy tablescape had acquired some elements that

I know I didn't put there.

You also don't work here anymore. You're fired. Buh. Bye.

 Let's start over.

Enter my ceramic sweater vase gleaned on clearance at Target.

We'll just recycle those bare Wintery branches...

 ...and some lighted branches.

When you choose some, look for two things:

1. The fact that you can separate the branches, and

2. A flippin' clearance sticker. I'm not paying $10

 Insert the lighted branches in with the twigs.

As you bend and arrange, turn them on so you have a clear vision 

 of how it's turning out.

 Now tuck some scraps of paper in to anchor the arrangement.

 Tuck the wires out of sight, and add some black river rock to the top.

 Tweak it a little.

 

 Done!

 Add a nice crisp, simple runner...

...plus the sweater hurricanes we made a few weeks ago...

 ...and I think we're good here!

 I...um...did fold and buy these when they hit $6.

I'm weak, so weak. 

Now, let me get the rest of the dining room done.

You know that clutter in the background means I've been busy 

with fresh arrangements!

 

 Or it means I'm a crappy housekeeper.

 Let's go with genius blogger wallowing in creativity, shall we?

Please?

What's Blooming?

Happy Sunday.