2014 Halloween Decor Projects

With all of our moving and living situations, I haven't had the opportunity to build up our holiday decor much. This was a year I had the time to work on getting our house a little more festive for Halloween.

In addition to my very few favorites that I've had for years now, I followed this tutorial to make some pillow cases out of canvas and then stenciled in the words "boo!" and "eek!" with black fabric paint. This project wins the award for the most inexpensive. I used a $14 drop cloth from Home Depot (and there was tons of fabric left over).

I also made these yarn candycorns out of foam cones and yarn. This one takes the award for easiest project. Seriously, 40 minutes tops. I didn't even use glue. Just a few straight pins to hold the yarn in place.

And finally, this one wins the award for most time consuming. For a long time, I've always wanted to do some illustrated portraits of our family. With the intent of customizing them for each season or holiday. Since I wanted more holiday decor in our home, there was never a better time than the present.

Now it's important to note (actually, it' really boring to note): as someone who is trying to learn the ropes to graphic design, I have NO idea what I'm doing, so it's all by trial and error and trying to imitate what I see others do. I have no idea what my style is really, but I do know what I like, and like is a bit of an understatement to describe how I feel about Alison Oliver's Babylit Book Illustrations. Yes, they are super cute baby books, but being the weirdo I am, I see little works of art on each page that I just stare at for embarassing amounts of time. It was her inspiration that gave me an idea of where I wanted to go with these.

Here is what ended up in the frames. But after seeing them on the wall, there were a few edits I went back to make, mostly in regards to scaling (and Hazel's hair), that you can see below and I'll reprint for next year. (Phil and myself got skewed when I saved them as a JPEG and for the life of me I don't know how to fix it...anyone out there know why?)

 

Now I just need to get going on our Thanksgiving version...pilgrims perhaps?

Easter Time

Download free 8x10 image here.

It's 7:30 am and our house is quiet as a mouse. The only sounds I hear are the clicking keys on my laptop and the humming sound of my humidifier. It's a miracle none of my kids are awake yet--especially that sweet little boy. However, don't mistake my earlybird state as a sign of an industrious mother ready to take the Monday after Spring Break by the horns. Unfotunately, I'm much lamer than that.

We've spent the last couple of weeks battling mild colds bouncing from one person back to the next--however, nothing serious. Sadly, I woke up with a fever this morning and it seems the mildness is gone. During my sleeplessness, I couldn't help but dwell on the dozens of kisses I've liberally handed out to my family the last couple of days and will think it nothing short of a miracle if I haven't infected my entire family with this nasty illness right in time for all the Easter fun.

Speaking of Easter fun, I've been desperate for some Easter decor. All of my holiday decor is suffering in my efforts just to get my home decorated. My first idea was do to this really cute bunny bunting, with  little pom pom tails, but in the middle of me trying to finish it yesterday, my sewing machine quit on me. Just stopped. Not warning--nothin'. It was at this point I cut my losses and crawled in bed to take a nap. 

However, I do have one cherished item for Easter. I was lucky enough to get these marble eggs from my Grandma who passed away last spring. Aside from holding a lot of sentimental value, I just think they're SO cool.  To say I love them is a bit of an understatement.

I was inspired by their bright spring colors and knew I wanted some sort of Easter saying regarding Christ's resurrection. I initally thought "Christ the Lord is Risen Today. Alleluiah!" But then I saw someone use "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and loved the simplicity of that statement even more. Plus, it makes me think of the song every time I look at it. 

I love Easter and all that it represents. Did you by chance see this video? It's so wonderfully done. I can't help but think no matter your religious affiliation it's something I find most people would appreciate. 

Happy Easter!

A Basket for Each Egg

Baskets of Africa being featured in March 2014's issue of HGTV Magazine

I was looking at the definition of a fetish. The one most familiar to us all, I'd say is: "a strong and unusual need or desire for something". But I couldn't help but smile when I read that another definition is: "an object that is believed to have magical powers" because my friends, I'm pretty sure magic is what I feel when I buy one of these baskets. 

As soon as I started to enjoy decorating, I noticed my love for baskets. It's a textile that can be equally beautiful as it is useful. I started collecting my favorites here and there, as they are quite easy and inexpensive to come by (another thing to love about them). So when my Aunt Lancy introduced us to the company, Baskets of Africa* I was transported to basket heaven. 

Now, you'll see many options and styles, but nothing feeds my fetish quite like their Ghana Bolga Baskets. Farmer's Market anyone? Seriously. Who doesn't love a Farmer's Market? Not only can you use them for, well, pretty much everything, but I think they're some of the most affordable on the site (especially for the size). And since they're one-of-a-kind their stock is constantly changing. Scrolling through their site has the same effect on me as does breathing in and out of a paper bag. I know it sounds like I'm trying to sell you on them, but I love them so much, these are actually things I think about daily...probably trying to justify to myself a reason to buy just one more...

Speaking of which, I actually came up with a reason to buy three of their baby-sized ones. It came when I was over on Etsy looking for some cute Easter baskets. (Since before now, my kids have been the ones running around at the Easter egg hunt with plastic grocery sacks). I almost felt a little stupid for not arriving at the conclusion sooner. I immediately forced Ryder and Penny to each side of my computer so they could pick out what "treat basket" they wanted. And a treat basket it shall be. For Halloween, for Easter, for Christmas, for Valentines...for St. Patrick's Day...I mean, I'm pretty sure every other day is a holiday that brings them home from school with some sort of treat and therefore a need for a decorative place to put those treats. Bam.

And there you have it. My name is Jasmine, and I'm addicted to Baskets...of Africa...of the Ghana Bolga variety.

*I must take a pause to talk about his company for a sec. Not that I haven't already--but just in case you love them as much as me (in which case, we should be friends)-- aside from having spectacular customer service (free shipping with every purchase and I have yet to have an order that takes longer than three days--usually less-- to arrive, even during the holidays) they are a Fair Trade company who offers African weavers sustainable wage, most of whom are women working to support themselves and their families. Each basket is also one-of-a-kind, so you're getting a unique piece of artwork with each purchase. And their affordable! (I remember eyeing similar baskets in shops in Sydney woven by Australian Aborigines and one basket the size of a breakfast bowl cost $80 AUD!) Sorry, the unpaid commercial is now over. 

Profile Silhouettes + Gold

So I'm totally diggin' gold lately. Deep down, I think I always have...

Now, where were we?

 I don't really remember whent the profile silhouette made a comeback in the interior design world, but it was one trend I was more than happy to copy. I think they are such a fun way to document a family in a home. Especially, when you have little ones who keep changing. I had first done these about 2 years ago when we first moved to New Jersey. However, there hasn't been an update since. I kept procrastinating because I knew I couldn't remember how to do them in Photohop so I'd have to go back to Youtube to sift through all the tutorials again to figure it out.

As it turns out, I was right. I had procrastinated for a really good reason. Not to mention doing Hazel's (from start to finish) was no picnic. Notice her mouth is open...because apparently it is ALWAYS open. Unless she's sucking on her pacifier...or doing her cute little kissy face, well then its in the shape of a kiss and I could totally deal with that....

(Let's vote. Who doesn't like my DVD's there?  Aye.)

Anyhow, where were we?

Oh yes, they were a little tricky to do for someone who is as inept as myself at Photoshop. Luckily, I didn't have to do Phil and I's. Until his hairline has receded enough to make a difference or until I've accumulated a significant amount of additional chins, we shall remain immortalized in our late-twenties. Or more importantly, me in my bangs. So that I may live vicariously through a hair-do that I have such a love/hate relationship with....

Now, where were we again?

Ah yes, but we got 'er done, printed them and popped them into their newly golden-plated (spray painted) frames and there we go. I kept going back and forth on the gold, but in the end I couldn't resist. And I'm happy I didn't. So there we have one more project crossed off the list and slowly with a few more wall arrangments and small changes, this room is almost where I want it.

Next on the list: My Living Room End Table Conundrum (that is, if I ever find a solution).

Creative Notes: The Cave

Do any of you have random, what some might consider decorative, alcoves in your house? There might be one in your entry way for perhaps a vase with some sort of stick thingys. Most commonly, I seem to find them above fireplace mantels, for what I think was originally intended for a television.

BUT.

WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO PUT A TV OR VASE WITH STICK THINGYS THERE?!?!

The best "Before" picture of The Cave that I could come up with.

Obviously, we have one. Above our mantel. And its massive. I mean like 4 foot cube. We have come to lovingly call it "The Cave". And its been a decorative crux of epic proportions.

I mean what can you use this space for, if not for a TV? A statue perhaps? Ya know, since I'm really into statues. I even thought I could line the bottom with a mattress and make it a bed for when guests visit.



Realistically, I just wanted that thing covered.  However, I didn't want to invest a lot of money. We're renting right now, so not only can't I mess with the structure, but I don't want to invest my time and money on customizing something that I can't take with me when we leave this lovely home one day.



There were a number of different ways I could go about covering it. But I knew I was onto the solution when I  happened upon these huge mirrors at Hobby Lobby that were 50% off. A harmless committment that ended with me having fun shopping for a mirror. I was even hopeful, this would solve the problem entirely.

After placing the mirror. I loved the look but hated that I still had about 10 inches of The Cave showing on each side.

Something more had to be done.

I had a lot of "light" going on with the cream walls, mirror and white mantel, so I knew I wanted something darker with more texture, which quickly led me to dark, grainy wood. In order to make it slightly more interesting than a few boards hammered together, I wanted to add some sort of creative element to it. Nothing overpowering, so I thought the two-toned stain with a very simple aztec design did the trick. Plus, it ended up tieing in nicely with this IKEA rug I have in the room.



So far, I'm quite pleased. I decorate and re-decorate my mantel almost every day trying to figure how what combos work best for my new solution, so we'll see. In case I ever got sick of the aztec design, I thought it would be nice just to flip the panels over for a simpler look...buuuut I totally messed up the back sides, so that's not an option unless I want to make two entirely new panels. :)