Category Archives: DIY

Easy Felt Holiday Banner

December 1, 2015

This is my first tiny little spot of Christmas decor. I want to put it all up, but I have a big shoot this weekend and there can’t be anything holidayish up. So, we wait.

I’m a huge fan of a felt banner or pendent. They are easy to make, require inexpensive supplies and store rolled up small in between seasons.

Head over to Curbly today for the printable pattern and all the instructions.

Design / DIY

5 Flower-Less Arrangements for Fall

November 25, 2015

I love the look of real, fresh flowers in my home. Every couple of weeks I buy a inexpensive bunch of flowers at the grocery store. They immediately freshen a space and add life to my rooms. But, I’m always on the look out for arrangements that are no-fuss and can last for a long time. I teamed up with my favorite local florist, House of Flowers, in downtown Bakersfield to put together 5 very easy arrangements for Fall that actually aren’t flowers at all. (If you are local, be sure to follow them on Instagram, they host some really great workshops.) This fun mixture of berries and twiggy, leafy stems adds texture, life and color in a beautiful subtle way. And the best part is, you don’t really have to have any floral arranging skills at all.

All of these would look gorgeous paired with flowers or as fillers in an elaborate arrangement, but I love the simplicity of placing each item in it’s own container.

I started with a mixture of some old and new vases.

Copper Mugs // 3 Tall Vases (I’ve had for over 10 years) // White Pitcher // Short White Vase // Copper and Brass Vase (Thrifted)

Here’s my new favorites. Next time you are looking for some fun foliage for arrangements, be sure to ask your local florist for these inexpensive flower-less stems.

1. Moon Lagoon Eucalyptus

2. Cotton

3. Red Brunia

4. Silver Brunia

5. Privet Berries

DIY

DIY “Let’s Snuggle” Pillow

November 11, 2015

It finally cooled off this week and I’m so pleased with the weather. Now it’s time to make my home warm and cozy. No longer do we have to pump the AC and sit near a fan – YAY!

I’m giving my couch a little love with a new “Let’s Snuggle” pillow made from the softest flannel. Head overt to Curbly today to see the full how-to.

I used my trusty Cricut Explore machine to cut out these letters, but there is also a printable template ready for you to download.

Design / DIY / etc.

Nature Photography Framed

November 6, 2015

As we hit November, I feel the need to start thinking about all the Christmas gifts I need to buy. In our family, that is my job. And honestly, I don’t think anyone wants my biology nerd hubby picking out their gift. There’s always at least one person in the family that is hard to buy for and that person is the biology nerd. I really hate giving gift cards and there is no way I’m going to be able to pick out some scientific journal or ecologist biography that he’s been dying to read. So this year, I’m super excited about the presents I have for him. I had a few of my nature photographs, from our trip this Summer, framed at Framebridge. They turned out so good, and now I’m feeling like they are a present to me as well, I can’t wait to get them up on the walls. Well, to be totally honest, I already hung the eagle in the fog photograph in our living room. I made sure to say Merry Christmas to Lonnie when he saw it.

I took down all the smaller pieces on this wall and replaced them with this one big fabulous piece. I love the simplicity and clean lines of having just one frame on this little wall. As I Canadian, I was a little worried that this eagle image felt a little too patriotic, tee hee. Lonnie insists that we’re making nature photography cool again. What do you think?

Keep reading all the way to end of the post because I have a special offer for Oleander + Palm readers only.

So, in case you are new O + P, this Summer we took an epic road trip as a family. We drove all the way from Southern California to Alaska and back with our vintage trailer, Riley. It took us about 5 weeks, with some stops along the way of course. But, we put over 9000 miles on our truck. We are so glad we did this as a family. Lonnie grew up in Alaska, so we’ve been as a family a few times, but we’ve never driven the Alcan together. Yes, it’s a lot of car time, but the scenery and the wildlife is absolutely amazing. And nothing brings you closer to your kids then camping and road tripping together. One day in Northern British Columbia we saw caribou, buffalo, elk and a grizzly bear. That beats going to the zoo any day.

There’s nothing I like more then filling my home with memories from our travels. I have very few generic art prints in my home, I want my the pieces I hang on my walls to have meaning and significance to our family. Plus, I feel like I’m doing my kids a service, and when I’m long gone, they can inherit these framed pieces from our adventures together as a family.

Framebridge had so many great choice for frames in lots of colors, finishes and styles. I went with clean, modern frames called Carson and Irvine. I squealed when I unwrapped the Jasper National Park reflection image in it’s gorgeous gold frame. Green and gold are also so pretty together.

There’s a couple options for getting your artwork framed with Framebridge. You can simply send them a digital file, like even an Instagram image like my buffalo print, or you can mail in a special art piece or photograph and they will custom frame it for you. I opted for both options. I had already printed the reflection image at a local printer, so Framebridge sent me a specific box for the print and I simply packaged it up and sent it on it’s way with my postman. So simple and easy.

Framebridge also sends you instructions and a picture hangers so you can hang your framed pieces right away.

I’m pretty excited to check one person off my Christmas shopping list. Lonnie’s gifts are done!!! And he’s going to love them.

Ok, I promised I had a little something special for you too. How about a discount code just for Oleander + Palm readers. Don’t wait to frame those special pictures locked on your phone or the art work you’ve been wanting to hang on your walls. Head over to Framebridge right now and check out all the amazing options.

Enter the code OLEANDER20 to save 20% on your first order! (expires 1/31/16)

This post is sponsored by Framebridge. Thank you for supporting the amazing companies that help make this blog possible.

DIY

Alice in Wonderland Halloween Costumes for Siblings

November 3, 2015

I know Halloween in long over now, but I really wanted you to see this year’s costumes. My kids are really really great sports and go along with my crazy themed costumes. I’ve always dressed them in costumes that go together in some way. As Denali gets older, I’m always sure it will be the last year. This year the Alice, Queen of Hearts, and White Rabbit costumes were a hit with each of them.

Olivia has the perfect blond hair to be Alice in Wonderland. I actually found the dress at Old Navy and the tulle skirt at Target and then my mom made the adorable little apron for her. I added a felt red heart to tie all the costumes together.

Denali has the Queen of Hearts look down. She never cracked a smile and kept that stern look most of the evening. For her costume, I added black and white felt hearts to a red lace dress I found on clearance for $4.99 at Forever 21. I made her fun collar with a pack of playing cards and some bias tape. I simply fanned them out and then sewed them together. It worked out perfectly and stood up stiff and straight, just as I had hoped.

Dylan is our cool White Rabbit. Instead of a fancy ruffled collar, we opted to make him a little more distinguished with a bow tie and vest. I made felt ears for Dylan and attached them to a head band, he cut out and painted his out clock, and I bend some wire and painted it gold to make him some spectacles.

I love the pop of red to tie all the costumes together.

I bet started thinking about an idea for next year’s costumes. It’s going to be hard to top this look. I’m open to suggestions, if you have great ideas for costumes that go together, I’m all ears.

DIY / etc.

DIY Sassy Trick or Treat Bags

October 27, 2015

If you haven’t figured out your kid’s Halloween costumes yet, don’t feel bad, I still need to make my kid’s costumes this week. But, if you have planned ahead and have costumes already made or bought for your kids, you might like to make these super easy, somewhat sassy trick or treat bags.

These bags can be made in just a couple minutes, with just a few supplies. And you can add your on custom saying, like “Smell My Feet”, “Just Treats”, “Gimme Gimme”, or “Treat Yo Self”. Halloween is the perfect occasion to be a little sassy pants and rude in a fun way.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Design Master’s Colortool Spray Paint in Flat White
Black canvas bags
2″ letter stickers
white craft paint
a small plastic cup and plastic fork

Start by adhering your letter stickers on the front of the bag. Be sure to press firmly on the edges of all the letters, so that paint can’t get under the edges.

Place newsprint or cardboard inside the bag to insure that the paint doesn’t run through to the other side of the bag.

Start at the bottom of the bag and layer the paint moving towards the top of the bag. Allow the paint to dry between coats. I love Design Master Colortool paint for this reason, it layers in nice even thin coats and dries very quickly. To achieve the dusty white effect of these bags, I sprayed the bags with 3 coats of spray paint.

I wanted these trick or treat bags to have an erie night sky effect, so I added a little speckling of white splattered paint. I mixed 2 part white craft paint with 1 part water and then splattered it with a fork.

When the paint is dry, you can remove the letter stickers. And now you are ready for trick or treating in style.

I had fun hunting down black and white candy that wasn’t black licorice!

Be sure to check out the some of the other fun DIYs I’ve created using Design Master Spray Paint – DIY Sassy Trick or Treat Bags, 3 Tiered Hanging Planter, DIY Modern Decorative Plates, DIY Faux Copper Vase, DIY Ombre Give Thanks Banner, Metallic Dipped Taper Candles, Dala Horse Salt Dough Ornaments, DIY Ombre Shoes and Laces and the Gold Dipped Yarn Hanging.

I buy my Design Master paints and my local Michaels. Design Master paints can paint the most delicate of surfaces, such as silk and fresh flowers, fabric, ribbon, tulle, lace, paper, foam board and Stryrofoam TO the sturdy hard surfaces such as wood, metal, masonry, terra cotta, ceramics and plaster. Design Master is a great resource for products and ideas. Be sure to check out all the craft and project ideas on their blog.

This post is sponsored by Design Master. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

DIY

Buffalo Check Table Makeover

October 20, 2015

For last couple of years, as soon as the weather gets cooler, I want ALL THE PLAID! I think it’s because I am a child of the 90’s and it feels so right to my grunge beginnings. But, the fairest of the plaids is definitely black and white buffalo check. I just can’t get enough of it’s graphic, high contrast pattern.

So, when I found this little table for $8, I knew it was time to go big with my buffalo check pattern.

Head over to Curbly today to see the full how-to and all the befores and afters.

Oh and remember the Christmas tree I decorated for just $10 using a lot of black and white buffalo check and gingham. This isn’t the last of the plaid pattern, you’ll be seeing more soon.

DIY

Mini Rose Gold Pumpkin Planters

October 16, 2015

Spray paint is the best. It’s an instant makeover in a can. The last couple of years, my halloween and holiday decor has been a little more on the colorless side, with lots of black and white. Orange pumpkins just won’t do. But, a quick coat of Design Master’s Rose Gold paint, and I’ve got fancy mini pumpkins.

All good parties have a favor, and these cute little Jack O’ Lantern succulent planters are sure to be a hit. I added simple black paper flags with guest’s names so that these favors could double as place cards as well.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Mini Treat Sized Plastic Pumpkin (available at party supply stores)
little succulents
potting soil
Design Master Rose Gold Spray Paint

This is as easy as it gets. Simply spray paint the entire plastic pumpkin. Design Master Premium Metals paint goes on evenly and these bright orange pumpkins only needed two coats.

When the paint is completely dry, you can plant the succulents in the pumpkin planters. Because of their wide bottoms, be sure to add extra potting soil to the bottom half of the planter and then place the plant. Pack the soil in around the plant and water them.

Now you can set your table and add little flags with your guest’s names on each one or just a generic “BOO” or “EEK”. I used some black card stock and a white chalk pen to label my flags.

Be sure to check out the some of the other fun DIYs I’ve created using Design Master Spray Paint – 3 Tiered Hanging Planter, DIY Modern Decorative Plates, DIY Faux Copper Vase, DIY Ombre Give Thanks Banner, Metallic Dipped Taper Candles, Dala Horse Salt Dough Ornaments, DIY Ombre Shoes and Laces and the Gold Dipped Yarn Hanging.

This post is sponsored by Design Master. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

DIY

DIY Cement Pumpkin Candle Holders

October 14, 2015

I’ve been playing with cement a lot lately. It’s fun to experiment with a new material. I made ‘BOO’ garden stakes and a few ‘&’ symbols for sitting on mantels and such. And these cute little pumpkin candle holders were so easy to make.

And if you are local friends. This Saturday’s workshop at my Studio, downtown Bakersfield, is making these spooky chic, candle sticks. Get your ticket HERE.

Copper is everywhere. And I love that it’s really just an inexpensive material you can pick up at your local hardware store. I love these with sleek black taper candles for halloween, but for a lighter airier look, they also look great with white candles.

Ok, here’s what you’ll need.

quick dry cement
plastic container for mixing the cement in
plastic spoons
gloves
mini plastic jack o lanterns (I found these at the party store)
1″ copper fitting (found in the plumbing section at the hardware store)
x-acto or pocket knife
needle nose pliers

Start by mixing a small amount of cement in your plastic container. This Rapid Set dries extremely quickly, so you have to work fast. Mix 4 parts cement to 1 part water, like a thick milkshake consistency.

Remove the handle from the plastic pumpkin and fill the pumpkins with cement by the spoonful.

When the pumpkin is full, tap it firmly to remove any air bubbles.

Next, insert the copper fitting piece into the center of the cement. Press it down so that half of the copper is in the cement and half is out. Make sure that it is sitting straight in the cement, you don’t want your candles leaning one direction.

Allow the cement to set for at least 15-20 mins. Then using a knife or x-acto, cut a small slit in the top of the plastic pumpkin.

Then using the pliers, peel away the plastic from the cement.

Allow the cement to cure completely over night and then place pretty taper candles in each little pumpkin.

DIY

Bold Patterned Modern Quilt

October 13, 2015

I’ve been itching to make a quilt for a while now. And when I saw this rug at Anthropologie, I knew the pattern would work well as a quilt. I tested out the pattern with a simple wall art piece using colored triangles cut out of card stock.

Over the years, I’ve made quilts for all my brothers, Joel, Joash, and Josh and one for my dad. I decided it was about time I made one for my hubby. So, this quilt is for Lonnie.

You can see all the pictures, instructions and pattern over on eHow today. This really was much easier to make then it appears. It’s all straight line sewing. My mother in law was in town last week, so we worked as a team to get this made in a couple of days. I sewed and she cut squares and triangles and ironed seams open. I’m so grateful for her help. I haven’t decided where it’s going to go yet, but instead of just making a throw size, I went big and made this to fit a queen sized bed. So, maybe it will go on our bed or even just hang on a wall as a graphic bold statement.

Here’s a few other simple quilts I’ve made: Pairs in Squares, Chevron Baby Quilt, Hawaiian Quilt, and Whale Quilt.