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DIY: Fall Tree Button Art (Plus Scrabble Tiles)

September 22, 2011 By Debbie 11 Comments

I have been wanting to make a cute art project with buttons for the past few months. I finally created a Tree Button Art for my fall décor. I originally planned to do a pumpkin shape with fall colored buttons but then I got inspired by something unexpected.

I recently was sorting through some papers and found this sweet card a friend sent me (see picture above). I was admiring the picture of the tree on the front of this card. It then came to me to make an art project based on this design but with a fall theme.

(Side Note: I love the thoughtfulness of a card sent the old fashioned way. In case you are reading this friend…THANK YOU so much for the card and for being such a great friend!)

The card has the word “Friend” but I used the word “FALL” instead. I used Scrabble tiles for the words to add another dimension. I happen to have an old Scrabble game from when I was a kid. I saved all the letter tiles thinking someday I may use it in a craft project. Someday has arrived. I love that my Tree Art has both buttons and Scrabble Tiles.

Along with the buttons and Scrabble letter tiles, the other materials I used for this project were a square frame, dark brown cardstock paper, kraft paper, pencil, scissors and glue.

Want to know how to make this Button and Scrabble Tree Art? Keep reading…it’s super easy:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, Fall Ideas, House to Home, Paper Crafts

DIY: Easy Fall Wreath (Spray Painted)

September 15, 2011 By Debbie 4 Comments

I had a 10 year old Fall Wreath that needed some updating. It was a classic grapevine wreath that had a bow and a few fall-themed accessories. It was time for a change but I didn’t want to spend too much money. I also wanted something that was both simple and beautiful. I came up with this easy Fall Spray Painted Wreath.

I had spray paint left from my Kids Artwork Gallery project. I figured I could make the Cherry Red work with a fall color scheme. I decorated the wreath with a felt leaf garland I purchased at Michaels. It originally cost $1.99 but I had a 25% off coupon so it was only $1.49.

The materials I used for this wreath were Krylon Cherry Red Spray Paint, a grapevine wreath, and a pre-made felt leaves garland.

Want to know how I created my Spray Painted Fall Wreath? Here’s my Tutorial:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, House to Home

DIY: Kids Framed Artwork Gallery

September 11, 2011 By Debbie 6 Comments

I love all the artwork my children make and I love to display them. I used to hang some of it on our refrigerator. The problem was the size and the number of these creative pieces quickly became overwhelming.

I needed a bigger space that could be dedicated to my kids’ masterpieces. So, I made a Framed Artwork Gallery. I took some old mismatched frames, painted them the same color and attached a clip.

These frames are hanging on a wall which can now display an ever-changing gallery of art. It’s perfect because this wall can be seen from our kitchen and family room. Two rooms where we spend the most time.

The materials I used for this project were frames, clips, spray paint, kraft paper, pencil, double sided tape and scissors. To hang the frames, I used kraft paper, scissors, pencil, painter’s tape, a level, hammer and nails.

Want to know how I created my Kids Art Gallery? Here’s my Tutorial:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, Family Time, House to Home

DIY: Wood Chalkboard Clips

September 1, 2011 By Debbie 41 Comments

Here is a simple and inexpensive craft project – Wood Chalkboard Clips. There are many things you could do with them. You can write a fun note on it, clip it to a baggie and place in your child’s lunch box.

Another idea is to clip them on a wire or string to hang papers or artwork. You could make it into a magnet clip and place on a refrigerator. They could also be clipped on a basket and used as labels. There are so many possibilities.

The materials I used for this project are small pieces of plywood, clothespins, clamp, painters tape, paint brush and black chalkboard paint. This craft project is thrifty because the wood pieces cost $0.29 each. A package of 50 clothespins is priced around $1. So, each clip only cost $0.31 plus minimal paint and glue cost. I already had some wood glue. And I still had plenty of chalkboard paint leftover from a previous project (my Disney Countdown Mickey Chalkboard).

Want to know how to make these Wood Chalkboard Clips? Here’s my Tutorial:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, Family Time, House to Home

DIY: Personalized Map Art – Life is a Journey

August 18, 2011 By Debbie 14 Comments

There are many DIY map-related projects around the internet such as wall décor and coasters. My map décor is comparatively small and simple. I like doing and showing you projects that are easy to make.

I especially love personalized projects like my recent vacation memory vase. So, I personalized this map print. My map themed inspiration came from projects where a vacation spot or where a couple met was highlighted.

My map print shows you where my husband grew up, where I grew up, where we met and where we currently live. I also added the words “Life is a Journey” to it. This map shows our journey to each other and to where we are raising our kids now.

The materials I used for this map project were a page from a World Atlas, a 5×7 frame, pencil, scissors and a printer.

How I made my Map Décor – Here’s my Tutorial:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, House to Home

DIY: Vacation Memory Vase (Repurposed Glass Jar)

July 28, 2011 By Debbie 7 Comments

Here is a inexpensive, easy-to-make, and personal home décor accessory. It’s a simple way to remember a vacation or other personal memory. It’s personal because I used a vacation picture along with seashells found by my kiddos. This memory vase is based our most recent beach vacation.

I originally wanted to do a memory jar. I also considered displaying only family photos inside bottles or jars. My issue with doing a memory jar was we didn’t collect a lot of seashells on our beach vacation and they were all tiny. I didn’t think it would stand out inside a jar. So, I literally thought outside the box or jar.

I decided to display our memories outside a jar instead of inside. Plus, I could also use the jar as a vase since everything was on the outside. This is how my Vacation Memory Vase came to be.

Another great thing about this project is I repurposed a jar from my recycle bin. This vase reminds me of my projects where I recycle and repurpose jars and bottles to use as a home décor accessory. But this time it’s more meaningful because I’m using personal items to decorate it.

The materials I used to make this memory-keeping craft project were a jar (formerly an apple sauce jar), string (found at Michaels jewelry making section), small seashells collected from our last beach vacation, personal vacation picture, small plywood piece, Mod Podge, and glue.

How to make a Vacation Memory Vase using a recycled jar – Here’s my Tutorial:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, House to Home, Summer Ideas

DIY: Summer Fun Wood Sign Blocks

June 30, 2011 By Debbie 10 Comments

I am back with another summer-themed DIY project – Summer Fun Wood Sign Blocks. They are my casual way of displaying a fun “to-do” list for any summer.

I was looking at my apothecary jar filled with paper ball decorations sitting on my mantle and thought it needed a fun accessory to sit next to it. I’ve also been wanting to make decorative blocks using Mod Podge. So, I came up with these Summer Fun Wood Sign Blocks.

These decorative blocks are super easy to make. All I needed was a printer, cardstock paper, straight edge cutter/trimmer, paint, foam paint brush, Mod Podge and wood blocks.

If you have wood scraps, then you could use that and save some money.

How to make a Summer Fun Wood Sign Blocks – Here’s my Tutorial:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, House to Home, Summer Ideas

DIY: Summer Pinwheel Wreath

June 23, 2011 By Debbie 19 Comments

I made a cute summer door decoration. I like to call it a Summer Pinwheel Wreath. When I first started planning for this craft project, I imagined pinwheels. I also thought of fun colors such as light green, a summery orange, sky blue and a touch of chocolate brown. I first considered making this wreath a circle shape but then decided I wanted it to be a rectangle.

You may remember my Ruffly Paper Spring Wreath. That wreath was meant for my mantle. It’s actually still on my mantle except I changed the flowers for the summer season. Anyways, I don’t normally put a wreath on my door except during the fall and Christmas season. But this Summer Pinwheel decoration is definitely meant to be hung on a door.

This fun and thrifty project was easy to make. I used an 11×17 frame, Krylon Pistachio spray paint, scrap book paper, ribbon, flower puncher, ruler, scissors and a hot glue gun. I also used a cute white picket fence wood piece, small unpainted letters, paint brush and chocolate brown paint.

If you use an existing frame and already have some fun paper, then his project will be inexpensive.

How to make a Summer Pinwheel Wreath – Here’s my Tutorial:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, House to Home, Paper Crafts, Summer Ideas

DIY Mini Paper Lanterns

June 9, 2011 By Debbie 10 Comments

It’s June…wow, is it just me or does it feel like half the year passed by quickly?! Summertime is upon us. I was thinking about summer theme decorations and immediately thought of paper lanterns. Have you ever made paper lanterns?!

I’m talking about the paper lanterns you probably learned how to make in elementary school. I’ve seen them used as outdoor decorations. I have also seen them used as inexpensive but beautiful wedding decorations.

I decided to make some lanterns but slightly different. They were inspired by both the classic version and my flower and egg garland. The mini paper lanterns I made are tiny, cute and curved.

To make the lanterns, I used scrap book paper, a straight edge cutter/trimmer, ruler, pencil/pen, glue and ribbon.

Here’s my Mini Paper Lanterns Tutorial:

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Filed Under: DIY Project, House to Home, Paper Crafts, Summer Ideas

DIY: Paper Ball Decoration & Garland

May 26, 2011 By Debbie 11 Comments

Some of you may recognize this project from last week. It was a guest post over at the Frugal Girls. I am honored Heidi of the Frugal Girls asked me to write a post on one of my DIY project. Now, I am very excited to be able to share it with you directly on Happy Clippings.

If you follow my DIY posts, then you already know I have this thing for paper crafts. I’ve made garlands, wreaths, gift bows and many other home decor items using paper in some way. Well, here’s another inexpensive project.

This project is an easy and thrifty way to turn paper circles into a decorative ball. You can place them in bowls or jars or string them together to make a garland. I also love that you can make them different sizes. I made mine small (2 inch diameter) to fit my Apothecary jar. You can also use different patterned paper for each ball or the same pattern. It’s all up to you. That’s what is great about this project. It’s so flexible.

I only used a few supplies to make this. I used scrap book paper, glue, ribbon, and a circle punch.