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Halloween Decorating Ideas for Your Home – Many DIY & Inexpensive

 
 {image via Martha Stewart}
As summer comes to an end, soon we will be pulling out  eerie decor such as  bats, jack-o-lanterns and spider webs to greet Halloween trick-or-treaters to your home. Whether you’re a minimalist or prefer a little bit of everything, here are some Halloween decorating ideas you may want to consider. And best off, most are inexpensive DIY projects.
Greet your guest with illuminated mini pumpkins. This DIY project from Country Living, is fairly easy. First, pencil letters on hollowed pumpkins and carving out  an opening from the bottom. Using a 1/2 inch drill, create holes to form each letter. Then string Christmas tree lights, gathered in small bunches to light up each pumpkin and remove bulbs where the string descends to the next row.
 
Decorating your doorstep for Halloween can be as simple as adding a spooky doormat. This bat-themed doormat is another easy DIY project. For the “how to”, visit Better Homes and Garden. Bif! Baf! Pow! Batman!
 
Decorating your fireplace mantel is way to decorate  the inside of your home for Halloween. This mantel with greeting from the grave is from Delish. The “boo” pumpkins {in a size that will fit on the width of your mantel} can be either bought that way or spray painted with white enamel paint. A black marker was used to draw out the letters B-O-O. The creepy ivy is simply real or artificial ivy spray painted black. Use black spray paint to color artificial ivy from the craft store or real ivy from your garden. Love this simple DIY idea!
 
These bewitchingly cute, Halloween Revelers are impeccably dressed for a night on the town. The spooky trio is another great option to decorate your fireplace mantel, buffet or dining room  table. Each character is handmade and available at Gump’s San Francisco.
 
Battery-operated candles are a kid and pet-friendly way to decorate your home for Halloween. These battery-operated candles with eerie Halloween landscapes are available at Pottery Barn Kids.
 
Hanging spiders or placing them on tables is cute way to decorate a home for Halloween. It is also a fun DIY, inexpensive project you can do with your kids. Here’s what you’ll need: 1 skein black yarn (not shiny or metallic), 5 pipe cleaners per spider, scissors and 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch green or orange buttons for the eyes. The directions are here at eighteen25.
 
Displaying a spooktacular “subway” sign is a darling way to get your home in the Halloween mood. I would create one for a menu or activies at a Halloween Party. Crafty blogger, A Glimpse Inside shows us how to make a subway sign using a machine cutter here.
 
A tree with mini treat bags in festive prints is a fun way to distribute treats to guests. For instructions for this DIY craft, visit Woman’s Day
 
Many of us look to Martha Stewart’s creations for inspiration when decorating for Halloween. This black chest is loaded with Halloween treats. Brilliant idea! Pumpkins decorated with candy top large glass jars filled to the top with more treats. For the “how to” on decorating a pumpkin with candy, go here.
 
Simple cupcakes are ready for Halloween guests when ghoulish skulls and boo greeting is added. Download the printable images for free at Paper Glitter
 
Not a decoration, but these trick-or-treat bags at Pottery Barn Kids are too cute to pass up. These three are my favorites and can be personalized! PBK has lots of fun Halloween costumes for your little one this year too.
 
Speaking of cute kids Halloween costumes, Chasing Fireflies has an amazing selection. {loving the Queen or Hearts and Viking Warrior first image above} They are not inexpensive, but the fine detailing can’t be ignored.The baby and dog costumes are the best!
Need more ideas? Visit, this link for even more Halloween decorating ideas.
What is your favorite Halloween decoration or craft?
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Read full story By on September 12, 2010 in baby and children, Entertaining, Halloween, holiday decor

Red, White and Blue Color Palettes for July 4th Decorating

On July Fourth Americans will be celebrating Independence Day with favorite customs like fireworks, parades and backyard barbecues. To show our patriotism we decorate by waving American flags, hanging stars and stripes banners and draping red, white and blue garland proudly. 
As I started to look around at incorporating a little red,white and blue in my own celebration, I noticed the varied palettes that are available. Here are a few examples.


The bunk room above by Arkansas’ Bear & Hill Interiors {love the red accent ceiling and fan} and the cupcake toppers by The Tomkat Studio pulls together a classic patriot look.

Turquoise is the Pantone 2010 color of the year and not typically what you associate with “red, white and blue.” But I love the fresh, airy feel it provides. This charming little girl’s room in “Tiffany Blue” and watermelon accents  by San Francisco interior design firm, Massucco Warner Miller is one of my favorites. Amy Atlas‘ ribbon candy and Etsy’s Sparkle Power‘s La La Love You poster also use this soft, retro color scheme.
Benjamin Moore’s Ryan Red, Cloud White and Watertown offer a more subdue July 4th color palette. Here Thibaut’s Lighthouse wallpaper from their Boat House Collection is paired Martha Stewart’s Fourth of July clip-art streamer – here’s the how to.
All paint samples displayed above are from Benjamin Moore via Color Check.
Wishing you a safe and enjoyable July 4th!
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Read full story By on July 2, 2010 in bedrooms, boy's bedroom, Entertaining, Fourth of July, holiday decor

Happy Memorial Day: Decorating with Stars & Stripes

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. 
~ Elmer Davis

A special thank you to the United States Military for protecting our freedom and way of life. 
Happy Memorial Day!
 
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Read full story By on May 31, 2010 in holiday decor

Easter and Springtime Decorating Ideas

Springtime blossoms and sunshine are just around the corner. Many will be celebrating the joys of Easter by hunting for eggs and hosting a Sunday brunch with family and friends. Here are some festive decorating ideas to help you welcome Spring and the Easter holiday in style.

This is an easy, inexpensive way to dress up a woven basket with silk flowers and leaves. Just need a hot-glue gun for this project by Martha Stewart.

Fill those darling Easter baskets with decoupage eggs. It is a fun way to create keepsake eggs without having to be an artist. Simply cut small images from magazines, scrapbooking supplies or old greeting cards. You can also download some here.

These vintage Easter images are available on Etsy for only $2.75 and would also be adoable on eggs.

 

These eggs are slip-cast from pure white clay in the same dimensions and smooth texture as a real egg, making it quite the little piece of “trompe-l’œil.” Each is hand stamped in black ink with the word, phrase or text of your choice. Another great option to help fill your Easter baskets. Available at Paloma’s Nest on Etsy.

These darling farm animals from Williams-Sonoma are fudgy brownies in a white chocolate shell. Perfect addition for your Easter baskets.

An Easter tree is a delightful way to decorate a buffet, console or dining table this Spring. The branches of this tree by Martha Stewart features egg and carrot ornaments hanging from loops of silver thread, as well as pipe cleaner baskets filled with Easter goodies. Learn how to make it here.

These DIY sweet blown egg bluebird, bee and dove ornaments would also look darling tied to a small potted tree or bare branch. Here’s how to make these decorative eggs with wings.

Can’t seem to find the time to DIY? Pottery Barn Kids has an adorable Easter tree and sweet egg ornaments featuring classic scenes from Beatrix Potter’s Tale of Peter Rabbit™.

This beautiful cotton/linen tablecloth features an intricate Jacquard pattern of woodland bunnies, leafy vines and blooming flowers. It’s vibrant green would work well with almost any springtime color palette. Available at Williams-Sonoma.

Show off your beautifully decorated Easter eggs in these antiqued tin rabbit egg cups. Perfect to add to a tablescape for Easter Sunday brunch.

These hand-painted ceramic carrot dishes would add a bit of whimsy to your table setting. Perfect to hold jelly beans, condiments or use as place markers for an Easter brunch. Available at Gumps.

The personalized Beatrix Potter™ chair backer by Pottery Barn Kids is a festive way to store Easter surprises, decorate the Easter table and let everyone know where they are sitting.
 

Are you ready for Spring?


*first image courtesy of Country Living
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Read full story By on February 22, 2010 in baby and children, Easter, holiday decor