DIY Christmas Staircase Garland for $25!

 There's nothing that makes a house more cozy than the Christmas season. With so many decor options at hand, it can sometimes be overwhelming to decide which areas of the house to decorate while leaving other areas on the back-burner, especially if you're on a budget like me. It goes without saying that the living room is always the epicenter of everything Christmas. Thus, choose focal points in this room that you & your guests will notice first. My staircase is the most focal part of my living room. If the same goes for you & you have $25 to spare, then this DIY will definitely interest you! Why buy those overpriced, overrated, boring looking garlands in store when you can blow those out of the water with this one? ;)

You will need the following materials:

Garland $2.99 - Michael's

Poinsettias $2.50: Michael's has the best ones!

Garland Ties $2.50 - Wal*Mart

Ornament Balls $4.98 - Wal*Mart

Mini Lights $2.99 - Target

Ribbon $2.47 - Wal*Mart

Glitter Stems $0.74 each - Michael's
Pine Cone bag - $2.50 each - Michael's

*Note: sale + coupon price shown above*

Measure your staircase in order to determine how long of a garland you should purchase. My staircase measured 5 feet long & I purchased a 7 foot long garland. Take the garland and weave it in between the railings. Secure it with the garland ties. I did one on each end & two in the middle. Secure your ornament balls with the ornament wire and place them as shown below. Alternate colors & finishes (glitter, matte, shiny) throughout. Don't forget the backside!

Taking the poinsettias, detach them from their stems.

 Then, taking your ornament wire, slide it in-between the bottom of the flower & plastic stem, as shown:

Proceed to secure each poinsettia to the garland with the ornament wire. The cream poinsettias add warmth to this piece. In my opinion it is what makes it unique & cozy.

Next, take the individual glitter stem pieces and simply slide them into the garland - alternate colors throughout. You can secure them with ornament wire if you like, but it is not necessary.

Take your string of lights, plug them in, and place it to your liking. I suggest having them lit while you weave them onto the garland so that you can maximize the amount of surface area to be covered in lights & to ensure you do not miss any spots.

Add your ribbon of choice (I suggest a sheer ribbon - it makes the lights pop more!) & some pine cones and you are done! So simple & inexpensive, but it most certainly doesn't look that way ;)

 

 Here are some close-up shots for more detailed placement.

It's also a great place to add your stockings!

 

 And for impromptu Christmas card pictures ;)

I had such a fun time creating this & I hope you do as well! If you re-create this DIY, please leave a photo in the comment section below - I'd love to see them! Share this with your family & friends!

Colorful Aspen-Inspired Fall Wreath Tutorial

 When it comes to Thanksgiving, the first thing that comes to mind isn't composing what the big holiday dinner will consist of. No. No way. Lets get real here - I hate cooking. Cooking gives me anxiety. Just so you grasp how much I loathe cooking - I rather clean the kitchen, dishes & all, instead of cook! Instead, the first thing that comes to mind is how can I make my home scream unique, festive, autumnal decor? I want my guests to see things that that wouldn't typically see at a retail store. Today's DIY embodies exactly just that.You will need the following materials:

Aspen Leaves(Michaels); 6 Pine Cones(Hobby Lobby); Ornament Hooks; Glue Gun; Wire Cutters; Twine; Towel

An autumn bouquet of your choice w/lots of foliage at the top (Michaels); Long-stemmed flower of your choice (Michaels)

First you will prep your pine cones by removing their tops using wire cutters. Doing this will create a flat/semi-hallowed out surface for the pieces that will be glued there. Do this for 6 pine cones.

Next cut 6 strings of twine - each 16 inches long. Loop it around the top underside of the pine cone twice. Secure it tightly with a knot.

Next, cut 12 Aspen Leaves, paired & color-matched, and cut to the length shown below.

Taking your glue gun, place glue into the top-center of the pine cones. You will then place 2 color-matched aspen leaves on the left & right side. Looks like a cute & magical pine cone butterfly, right?! :P I went a step further & added a rose hip in between the leaves. This not only hides the glue that was placed there, but also adds a little extra flare :) Alternatively, you could use berries, mini-pumpkins, acorns, etc. 

While those are drying, take your long stem daisy and cut most of the stem off leaving 2 inches. Place the daisy in the middle at the base of your autumnal bouquet. Secure with 2 ornament hooks and glue.

Now we will secure our 6 pine cones to the autumnal bouquet. Lay the bouquet on the floor and place the 6 pine cones at various lengths for a cascading effect. Alternate sides and aspen leaf colors-pairs for dimension and color vibrancy.

Secure each individual pine cone to the branches on the backside of the bouquet with an ornament hook. Make sure they are not visible from the front and discard the extra twine.

Using 12 inches of twine, secure it to the top-middle and bottom-middle of the back of the bouquet. The support in these two specific places will prevent it from tipping forward. Doing this will allow the wreath to hang upright and straight.

And your wreath is complete! 

 

I hope this DIY inspires you to go beyond the Thanksgiving menu & to create an Autumnal atmosphere outside the kitchen. If you re-create this DIY, please leave a photo in the comment section below - I'd love to see them! See you in my next blog!

Super Easy & Inexpensive Last Minute DIY Gifts for Mother's Day

I don't know about you, but I seriously struggle to find a gift that's perfect for my mom. I think I feel this way because no matter what I come up with, it just seems impersonal, cold, & materialistic. There are only so many watches, necklaces, earrings, perfumes, makeup gift sets, lotions, face creams, & comfy pajamas with slippers to match I can give to her before it starts to get old - it just doesn't come from the heart.

However, there's no disputing a mother's sacred love & appreciation for her children's keepsakes. My mother has kept every single project & craft (even arbitrary things like homework assignments...I know I'm not the only one!!!) I ever made tucked away in a special place. She hangs onto these as a memory of that little girl she sacrificed her own needs, goals & desires for. Those are true gifts to a mother's heart that she'll never want to let go of.

So this year, why not try something a little different and make your mom something for Mother's Day. What mother doesn't love anything craft/decor related?! ;) The following are links to my DIY tutorials that are all very easy & quick to make, super inexpensive, & nothing short of classic :) Enjoy! And Happy Mother's Day!! 

http://jessicarosehomedecor.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-to-diy-framed-antique-skeleton-keys-2-ways.html

http://jessicarosehomedecor.blogspot.com/2015/04/craft-beer-inspired-spring-wreath.html

http://jessicarosehomedecor.blogspot.com/2015/04/easy-cheap-cottage-inspired-diy-lilac-flower-pot.html

http://jessicarosehomedecor.blogspot.com/2015/03/easy-and-inexpensive-orchid-arrangement-only-10.html

http://jessicarosehomedecor.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-perfect-springtime-wreath.html

Craft Beer-Inspired Spring Wreath Tutorial

Like any self-respecting Coloradoan, I am a full-fledged beer enthusiast. My husband & I love going to breweries, especially during the Spring & Summer months after a long day of hiking or fishing. We even brew our own beer...well, Grant does. I mostly just sit there & enjoy those amazing mash-boil aromas ;) So the inspiration behind today's tutorial was an inevitable one. Within the past 2 years as the craft brewery industry has exploded, I began to notice that craft stores were starting to carry variations of hop plants - a key ingredient in most if not all beers. The second I saw one I knew I had to incorporate it into some type of decor for my home. I mean, what could encompass my personality/interests more than combining my love for crafting with beer?? Needless to say this tutorial has been years in the making & I'm excited to show you what I've come up with. In fact, so excited that I actually filmed a tutorial on this & put it on my new YouTube Channel!!! I will insert the video here >> https://youtu.be/YFkrSZOUmAs

You have the option of either watching the tutorial in a video format, or reading through it here on my blog. Lets get started! You will need the following materials:

Flowers purchased at Michael's. All were 40%-60% off IN ADDITION TO a 20% off everything including sale item coupon. WINNING!!!

 You know the drill - simply take each flower & start trimming. Leave 1/2 an inch to 1 inch of stem so that you can insert each piece within the grapevine securely.

Next is placement. I tend to go in a pattern when placing the flowers, which you can tell in the image below. It makes it more fluid & put together.

Once you have filled your wreath, go back & fill in addition spares areas. This will make your wreath look more full & lush. It will also give the illusion of a bigger wreath.

With spares areas

Spares areas filled in

From here, glue each piece at the top-base of each stem & you are done! Here are some close-ups for more detail:

 

 I hope you guys enjoyed this tutorial! It's the perfect amount of soft, subtle color to add inside or outside your home! Please subscribe & check out my Youtube video on this tutorial -  https://youtu.be/YFkrSZOUmAs - Your support is greatly appreciated!