Combining Dollar Tree Flowers with Items I Already Have for the Perfect Fall Centerpiece
Can I let you in on a little secret?
I’m (kind of) over the whole decorating for fall with pumpkins. And more pumpkins.
Ok, before you throw rotten apples at me let me explain.
I get it, pumpkins are perfect for fall decor. I actually have a few in my kitchen right now as I’m writing this. But, I’ve noticed something the last few years.
After just a week or two of looking at those pumpkins scattered all over my apartment and practically hanging off the ceiling (I may overdo it sometimes), I start getting sick of them.
I decided I wouldn’t fall for it this year. I don’t want to get sucked into all the fall cuteness that always includes pumpkins. Maybe I’ll go back to them next year. But for now, I’m trying something new.
So I took a trip to the dollar tree and found a few faux flowers perfect for a fall centerpiece.
See, not bad for faux flowers!
I love the Dollar Tree. Sadly though, My Dollar Tree has a very small faux flower section. But you know what? With some patience and a little digging past the not so good looking flowers, I was able to find those pretty flowers you see up on top. So don’t get discouraged if your Dollar Tree is also tiny. With some patience, I’m sure you can find something too!
Oh, and don’t worry if you leave the store with only a few mix-matched items that you have no idea what you are going to do with. That’s usually my case. I rarely ever buy everything I need for any decorating project. I usually just grab a handful of items that catch my eye and then combine them with stuff I already own. This helps keep the clutter in check at home. But, aside from that I just don’t find it fun trying to figure things out while in the store. There’s way too many things catching my eyes (screaming buy me) and so many distractions with people walking around. Do you know what I mean?
So after picking out my faux flowers at the dollar tree, a bit of searching around my house for extra supplies, and some fun brainstorming I came up with this…
The perfect fall table centerpiece!
Here we go…
Combining Dollar Tree Flowers with Items I Already Have for the Perfect Fall Centerpiece
HERE’S WHAT I USED:
Two Bunches of Sunflowers
Two Bunches of Leaves
Two Bunches of Hydrangeas
(All of these flowers came from the Dollar Tree)
TIP: If you can’t find these exact flowers, don’t worry! Just grab something similar. The Dollar Tree actually had different colors of both sunflowers and hydrangeas to choose from and they were all beautiful.
Stick to two different types of flowers. Both of similar sizes like I have with the hydrangeas and sunflowers. Then grab some leaves or anything that can work as a filler around your flowers. Remember to grab two of each piece that you decide on so your arrangement is nice and full.
Ribbon (also from the Dollar Tree)
A Clear Vase (I already had this but most dollar stores carry similar vases if you don’t already have something at home)
A Few More Faux Flowers (already had these as well)
Most of these flowers were purchased over the summer for my summer centerpiece post. I loved those flowers so much that I honestly didn’t want to put them away just because the summer was over. Thankfully they blended in perfectly with this centerpiece!
Tape, Scissors and 4 Paper Clips
Ok now, it’s time to go get all your supplies before we move on. Go ahead, I’ll be waiting right here for you. I don’t want to build this beautiful centerpiece without you following along!
Did you go?
Back already? Yay! Let’s keep it moving.
HERE’S WHAT YOUR GONNA DO:
STEP 1
Grab one bunch of each flower and cut off the bottom where everything’s connected. So you are cutting down three bunches and keeping three connected.
You can use wire cutters here if you’d like but I never do. I just bend and bend until the wire breaks off. Easy peasy!
STEP 2
Take your ribbon and wrap it around your vase. (From the top of the rim, down and under the vase, then up the other side)
Secure the ribbon on both sides with a paper clip.
Step 3
Grab your scissors and cut the ribbon.
STEP 4
Repeat this again along the other side to create four vertical lines all around the vase.
STEP 5
Ok next, measure the circumference of the vase with more ribbon.
STEP 6
Cut the ribbon then measure out a second piece of ribbon the same size.
STEP 7
Remove the two longer pieces of ribbon that we secured earlier for now.
Wrap the shorter pieces around the vase and secure each piece with a small piece of tape.
Ok so, your looking at me right now like “Sindy isn’t there a better way to do this so I don’t see tape on my centerpiece??” I hear you loud and clear my friend. Don’t worry we’ll cover that tape up in the next step.
STEP 8
Grab the two longer pieces of string you first cut and secure them to the vase again the way we did earlier with the paper clips.
As for covering the tape, make sure you wrap one of the long ribbons over the pieces of tape so they are completely covered.
See, told you we’d cover up that tape 😉
This is optional but I also taped the two long pieces of ribbon under the vase just to make sure they stay in place.
Now for the fun part. The flowers!
STEP 9
Drop the three longest bunches of flowers and leaves into your vase (the bunches that we didn’t cut)
STEP 10
Grab all your sunflowers and hydrangeas (or whichever flowers your working with) that we did cut and drop them in. Keep your leaves off to the side for now.
Notice how I’m keeping all the sunflowers together on one side and the hydrangeas on the other side. Stick with me, it’s all going to start coming together now.
(I should mention that when I first started working with my flowers I had a really hard time getting them to come together. I was trying too hard to balance everything out. So I did what anyone does when we can’t figure something out. I googled it. My search took me to this website by Martha Stewart where I found tons of great tips. Check it out if you are interested. Anyway, always nice to give credit where credit is due)
STEP 11
Grab the rest of your flowers and use them to fill in any gaps.
Do you see that?
It’s the colors of fall coming to life right before our very eyes!
ok its time to finish up.
STEP 12
Start bending your flowers and moving them around slightly to bring everything together.
Bend a few around the rim.
Move things around in the back if necessary.
STEP 13
Time for those leaves that we haven’t used yet.
Stick them underneath your arrangement and all around the circumference. Bend them down slightly where ever you’d like.
annnnndddd…
That’s it!!
ok someone please drop the mic!
and stop the fall madness
BECAUSE…
We did it.
We put together THE PERFECT FALL CENTERPIECE!
Who knew summer and fall could blend so nicely together.
Hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!
Easy DIY Stackable Stretch Bracelets
Tell me one of your obsessions and I’ll tell you one of mine…
It’s jewelry.
I’ll (usually) enjoy it anyway it comes.
Beaded jewelry, silver, gold, homemade, store-bought, dirt cheap, just plain stupid expensive, shiny, dull, sweet and feminine or in your face bold, (did I forget anything) I’ll probably give it a chance, and to some extent, I will (probably) fall in love with each unique piece.
So I decided I had to blog about it.
I have always had an interest in jewelry.
(FYI: I’m about to chit chat for a bit about my obsession for jewelry. Feel free to skip this paragraph if you wish. I won’t be offended 😉 ) While in high school, I majored in jewelry making. Yes, you read that correctly, jewelry making! I dreamed of a career that involved jewelry. Somehow or another though, I ended up in dental hygiene. Not exactly what I had in mind back in high school, but that’s ok. As a young girl I remember always loving anything considered jewelry but I was especially drawn to beads. I loved that I could create something with just a few beads and some string. Well, I would actually just grab some of my moms sewing thread from her sewing machine. I didn’t even realize there were strings sold specifically for this little hobby of mine. I’ll never forget when this love for jewelry really started to grow. It was when my sisters friends mom gave me a bag full of beads that she had laying around her home. She knew I loved beads. I have no idea how she knew honestly, all I know is that I was in heaven. Little did this generous lady know she was giving me something that I would cherish and play with all throughout my childhood. I still have the collection to this day! Or at least whatever survived the many times I dropped those beads ALL OVER THE LIVING ROOM FLOOR as a kid. My poor mom, always having to pick up the mess! Eventually she bought me a case to store all of my beads. Probably in an attempt to save me, and the rest of my family from one day slipping on one of those beads and breaking a few bones! Well, I could go on and on about my love/obsession for jewelry but I really want to get back to what this blog post is really about. So let me stop, for now.
Today I’m sharing an easy DIY for stackable stretch bracelets.
I love stackable bracelets.
You can…
take ‘em apart and wear one or two at a time.
Wear them with your watch.
Mix them up with other bracelets.
Or stick to what they were born to do, stack them all up on to their life long best friend, your wrist.
Ok, let’s get started with this easy DIY.
Here we go…
Easy DIY Stackable Stretch Bracelets
Here’s what you’ll need:
Beads
I’m using silver beads of different sizes that I recently found at Walmart.
Elastic Cord
My cord measures 0.7mm.
E6000 Jewelry & Bead Adhesive
Scissors
Step 1
Decide which pattern you will start with first.
What I mean by pattern is how you want to string the beads if you are working with different sizes or colors. For example, you can do a large bead followed by a small bead then large again and continue with that pattern.
I’m using four different patterns (pictured below) but you can repeat the same pattern for each bracelet or mix it up however you wish.
Step 2
Grab your elastic string of choice and jump right into stringing your beads. Don’t cut any string yet. We’ll take care of that later.
Step 3
Measure the string of beads on your wrist as you go. Stop adding beads once you’ve reached the perfect size for your wrist.
Step 4
Make a few tight knots to secure your bracelet. I usually make about 4 -5 knots, sometimes I throw in a few more if my fingers need of a workout 😉
Step 5
Cut your string.
Step 6
Apply a few drops of glue for extra security.
I have to admit, I’ve been making stretch bracelets ever since I could remember and I’ve never used any glue. BUT, I’m a mommy now, and my daughter is always playing with my jewelry and stretching my bracelets till her little heart’s content, so I need the extra security now. I never had any issues with my bracelets breaking without the glue so it’s completely up to you if you want to do this. I have to admit though I do like the extra security baby or no baby pulling at my bracelets.
Step 7
Now, the hardest part. Let your glue dry overnight.
That means you can’t wear them till the next day.
I know, the world is ending.
Step 8
Okay, you know what comes next, but I couldn’t end this fun DIY with “the world is ending.”
On the next day…
when the sun is shining and your coffee (or tea) is in your hand…
go grab your stretch stackable bracelets…
pull them onto your wrists…
and put a smile on your face my dear friend…
CUZ YOU JUST MADE YOURSELF A BEAUTIFUL STACKABLE STRETCH BRACELET!
Here’s a better look at the four different patterns I decided on:
(and yes, I had to give each pattern a name, why not have some fun)
the classic look
The kind of basic (but just as pretty as the rest) look
The lumpy bumpy look
And the no rhyme or reason look
Wear them all together, and they blend into one another perfectly
I hope you enjoyed this easy DIY!
Thanks for stopping by 😉
How to Line a Small Drawer with Printer Paper
Got a small drawer…
that’s looking kind of boring?
I’ve got a simple solution for that.
And guess what.
You probably already have it at home.
Oh, and it’s really easy to do too.
What is it you ask?
White Printer Paper!
Who doesn’t have some white paper laying around somewhere in their house?
Here’s how I came up with this simple DIY (I’ll keep it short, it’s not the most exciting story) I was organizing my vanity for a previous post Simple Decor and Organization for a Teeny Tiny Vanity and didn’t like how it’s small drawer looked on the inside.
See, kind of blah.
It needed some freshening up.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at first and considered leaving it alone. I was going to fill it with all my hair accessories anyway but I eventually came across some leftover printer paper in my closet.
I had a light bulb moment. Don’t you love when that happens??
So I got to work.
And now it’s your turn! Go ahead, grab some white paper (you know you have some somewhere 😉 ) pick out a drawer and keep reading…
Cuz it’s time for the fun stuff!
Here We Go…
How to Line a Small Drawer With White Printer Paper
Here’s what you’ll need:
A few white printer sheets (I only needed 2 sheets) a ruler, scissors, a pen or pencil and tape.
Step 1
Lay one sheet of paper into the drawer.
Grab your ruler, slide it down to the front (or end) of the drawer and create a crease.
Give the ruler a good push with your hand to create a nice clean crease.
If your sheet just so happens to fit perfectly into the drawer your in luck! Skip this step and move on to the next one.
Step 2
Measure how much space you have remaining to cover with the printer sheets.
Now, grab your second sheet.
Place a small mark with a pen or pencil on that sheet using the measurement that you just took so you know where to cut in the next step.
Step 3
Cut off the excess piece from your second sheet.
Step 4
Create a crease on your second sheet just like you did in step 1.
Then cut the creased stripe off of both sheets.
Step 5
Now, this next step is what makes this DIY very simple and easy for anyone to do with items that you probably already have.
Grab your tape, take a small piece and loop it in your finger.
Tape that piece down to one of the corners on your first sheet.
Repeat this step and place four pieces (or more if you wish) on each corner.
Do this for the second sheet as well (and any other sheets if you needed to use more than two sheets).
You may be wondering whether or not this will hold up in your drawer with just a few pieces of tape.
And I get you, I wasn’t sure at first either.
But I’ve had my drawer like this since I organized my vanity for that previous post and it has held up with zero issues since then 🙂
What I like most about using a few small pieces of tape as opposed to something stronger is that if you ever become bored of this look you can easily pull it up and start over again with something new. If you use something like contact paper (which I love so not knocking one bit!) or a stronger adhesive, you may not be able to remove it so easily in the future.
Step 6
Ok let’s finish things up here.
Lay all your sheets of paper into the drawers.
Press down on all the corners and where ever else you have tape and that’s it!
You my fellow DIY’er are DONE!
This is what it looks like when I filled it up with all my hair accessories:
Now you have an updated, bright and clean look for any small drawer in your home.
I hope you enjoyed this and decide to give it a try in your home today.
Thanks for stopping by!
3 Quick and Easy Summer Home Decor Ideas Using Mason Jars and Faux Flowers
Do you like changing out your home decor every time a new season kicks in?
Well then, keep scrolling through. This easy tutorial using mason jars and faux flowers may just spark some summertime decor ideas perfect for your home!
I must admit, I’ve never done much to decorate for the summer. Changing out the curtains, comforter and maybe the kitchen towels is as far as it always goes for me.
But I really enjoyed working on my spring centerpiece post. It left me wanting to do more with faux flowers. Plus, I was really inspired by this blog post I recently read from the clean and scentsible blog. Jenn’s pretty pink peonies really made me want to bring something similar into my home for the summer. So I eventually took a trip to the dollar store (I have a black thumb so I don’t do fresh flowers 🙂 ) and found the most beautiful faux flowers!
I couldn’t just walk away with the pink flowers reminding me of that post that inspired me. There were so many to pick from. I had to buy a few more.
Look at that vibrant color!
(Oh and in case your wondering, yes, those flowers are laying on our apartment radiator. When my precious 1-year-old is about to wake up from naptime I hustle to get things done and throw perfection out the window)
Ok, let’s jump right in and get started!
Here we go…
3 Quick and Easy Summer Home Decor Ideas Using Mason Jars and Faux Flowers
Here’s what you’ll need:
Faux Flowers
As I just mentioned, I got mine at the dollar store but you can also find a great selection of faux flowers at craft stores like Michaels, Walmart and of course the dollar tree.
I picked three bright coral faux flowers that resemble peonies. One yellow and another light pink flower resembling forsythias. The light pink flowers were exactly like the yellow (one piece) but I cut all the stems apart before taking this photo.
So in total I’m working with five faux flowers.
Mason Jars
I’m using two large jars and a smaller jar. These were another dollar store find.
A Few Fun Accessories
I love making use of items I already have at home when I’m organizing or doing any sort of DIY.
So here I’m using:
A yellow necklace I haven’t worn in some time.
A long pink beaded necklace, another necklace I hardly ever wear.
My daughter’s headband that doesn’t fit her anymore.
Don’t worry if you can’t find a matching necklace for your flowers. A strand of white pearls can work. I’d use fake pearls, don’t pull out your good stuff for this! 😉
Consider an adjustable bracelet as well in place of a necklace similar to my yellow necklace.
Use ribbon or burlap for a more rustic look if you don’t have a headband like mine.
Rocks and Fairy Lights (or any other fillers you may already have at home)
I purchased my rocks at Home Depot a few years ago for a separate project but this is another item I’ve seen many times at craft and dollar stores.
The fairy lights came from Amazon. Here’s the link if you’re interested: Led string lights.
Tape
Here’s what I did with the yellow flowers:
NOTE: this centerpiece will work best in an area where the back part will not show if you use a necklace similar to mine. You’ll see why next.
Step 1
Wrap your necklace around the top part of the mason jar and secure in place with two pieces of tape.
I’m using the yellow necklace for this centerpiece and as you can see the pretty stones are only along the front part of the necklace. The back part only consists of the chain. This is why you may want to place this somewhere that won’t allow the back part (and those two pieces of tape) to show.
Step 2
Gently place the rocks into the mason jar.
Arrange most of your rocks in a way that you are leaving some space in the center. You are basically forming a funnel like shape. This is so that you create an area for your flowers to go into.
Step 3
Drop your flowers into the mason jar.
Bend and move the stems and flowers around to create the look you want.
Done!
So pretty…
So bright…
And summery…
Suddenly my home is summertime ready!
Moving onto the light pink flowers.
Step 1
Wrap the headband (or ribbon) around the center of the Mason Jar.
Step 2
Drop in your fairy lights.
Leave the battery pack outside.
Step 3
Secure the battery pack in the headband along the back part of the mason jar.
Step 4
Cut your flower into separate pieces like I did here.
Step 5
Add your flowers to the mason jar and…
You’re done!
So sweet!
Anyone else in the mood to go catch some fireflies in a jar?
Ok now on to those pretty coral flowers.
Step 1
Wrap the beaded necklace (or a long strand of pearls) around the mason jar.
Step 2
Gently drop your rocks into the jar. Place them the same way we did with the yellow flowers, leaving some space in the center for the flowers to rest in.
Step 3
Bend the stems so they are the perfect height.
I also cut off some of the stems before bending them because the flowers were way too long. You can use a wire cutter if you wish or just do what I did and bend the stem like 20 (thousand) times back and forth til it breaks off.
Who doesn’t enjoy a challenge every now and then?
Step 4
Bend your flower a bit. This will make them look much nicer once they are in the mason jar.
Step 5
Drop in your flowers AND…
You’re DONE!
Oh my…
C’mon…
I’m in love…
There you have it! Three quick, easy and beautiful summer home decor ideas with inexpensive faux flowers and mason jars!
I really hope you enjoyed this and hope it inspired you to come up with a few of your own easy home decor ideas that are perfect for summer too.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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