DIY Light Bulb Jar Hanukkah Menorah

This project is a unique take on sand art.  I only used purple sand but you can add many layers of different colored sand for an even more striking work of art!  

Hanukkah traditions that are practiced everywhere include lighting the Hanukkah menorah, spinning the dreidel, and eating fried foods.

I love this holiday because we celebrate it with family.  It is fun lighting the Hanukkah menorah and watching the candles flicker in the evening light. This year I wanted to create a little more festive fun thru this glass light bulb DIY Hanukkah Menorah project.  It makes a very unique statement and will look great in my bay window!

*Hanukkah begins Tuesday December 16 and ends the night of Wednesday December 24.

PROJECT SUPPLIES

1.  Glass light bulb jars - 8 small ones and 1 larger one (I bought mine from Hobby Lobby)

2. Jar of sand -pick any color(s) you want (any craft store has this)

3. Tall Hanukkah candles 

STEP 1

unscrew the tops off 

(do not throw away the tops because you can re-use them to hold the sand in the jar for future years)

STEP 2

Add the sand to each jar filling them up as high as you want 

(Use a funnel; I made one out of paper.)

STEP 3

Place a candle in each jar.

NEXT, place them somewhere special, spread them out or clutter them together, and enjoy the look and flickering of the lights!

Where to place your glass light bulb Hanukkah Menorah:

-Fireplace mantel

-Wall shelf

-Table top

Happy Hanukkah!!

Local Gym Gets A Face Lift

We all need the right push to get us in the mood to work out.  Positive signs, along with the right music and color palette can drive us to sweat!  Recently we had the true pleasure of adding some encouragement to this popular local gym. After a major paint change we went to work creating signs to inspire and assist their members.  We are still working on this but here is a peek into the progress!

STEP 1: New Paint

STEP 2: Install Day Of New Signs And Artwork

Entrance To The Group Classes

AFTER

Entrance to The Weight Room

BEFORE

AFTER

Gym Entrance

BEFORE

AFTER

Gym Main Hallway

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

Here I am after a long day up and down a ladder!

DIY Halloween Pumpkin Boo Centerpiece

Halloween is almost here!  And its the perfect time to create a Halloween Pumpkin Boo centerpiece!  It is super easy!  I love how the ghosts blow around when any one walks past mine!  Make one for yourself; get the kids involved!

For this project you will need:

• pumpkin
• scissors
• sharp knife
• thick white paper
• hole puncher
• white thread and needle
• twigs from outside
• black spray paint
• Mason jar (or you can use a plastic cup!)

STEP 1

Cut off the top (hole needs to be as large as the mason jar or cup you are using to place inside it) and scoop out the guts and seeds.  (I cut my pumpkin top then my daughter scooped out everything)

Also clean out the outside of it and let dry.

STEP 2

Go outside and on a flat surface (I used a piece of cardboard), spray paint your pumpkin black. (I sprayed 2 coats on)

THEN spray paint your twigs black also!  (I sprayed one side, then when dry, sprayed the other side)

STEP 3

Place your jar (or plastic cup) in your pumpkin along with the sprayed twigs.

EXTRA STEP 

(you do not need to do this but it does cover the top of the jar nicely!)

Once the jar of twigs was in the pumpkin, I made a little 'collar' by cutting a band of thick white paper about an inch high (enough to wrap around the glass jar).  Then, using scissors, I cut a scalloped edge on one side.  I also punched a hole in every scallop using using a hole puncher. Finally, I fit the paper around the jar and used double sided tape to hold it in place.

STEP 4

To create the ghosts, simply cut out 10 or so ghostly shapes 2-3inches high like these out of the white paper:

Then using the hole puncher, punch out the eyes!

Finally, thread your needle, push the needle through each ghost, and tie it to form a circle.  

Place your ghosts all over the twigs and enjoy!

DIY Pumpkin Centerpiece For Fall

As seen on TV today, here is how to make a pumpkin centerpiece for fall!

These pumpkin centerpieces glam up any table top,  and is the perfect addition to a fall dinner party decor, AND your thanksgiving table!

For this project you will need:

• A pumpkin 
• glass vase that fits inside your pumpkin
• sharp knife
• Painters tape 
• Scissors
• Spray paint (I chose gold for this project but you can choose any color you want!)

*KEEP IN MIND THAT PUMPKINS THAT ARE CUT AND SPRAYPAINTED HAVE A SHORT TERM LIFE SPAN 

STEP 1

On a durable surface, using a sharp knife, cut a hole on the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the guts and seeds.

STEP 2

Clean the outside of the pumpkin and let dry.

STEP 3

Using the painters tape, create a design.

*for this design, I used scissors and cut out random 'dips' and formed it around the pumpkin.  I then added more tape below the design to make sure the spray paint did not touch the lower part of the pumpkin.

STEP 4

Go outside and place the pumpkin on a flat surface (I used a piece of a large box).  Spray the paint onto the pumpkin.  Two coats might be needed.

Your pumpkin will look like this!

STEP 5

Now for the fun part!  Once the paint dries SLOWELY peel the tape off.

STEP 6

Now you are ready to add your vase full of flowers!

ENJOY THE PUMPKINS ON A TABLE TOP OR FRONT PORCH!

And a friend will love one as a gift!

*to create the stripe on the pumpkin to the left, I spray painted it black, then when dry, holding the gold spray paint, I created vertical lines until I had the width I wanted.

Fall Simple Home Decorating Projects

DECORATE FOR FALL!

CLICK ON ANY OF THESE LINKS TO SEE QUICK AND EASY PROJECTS TO DRESS UP YOUR HOME -

5 Minute DIY Projects To Create A Fall Front Porch

"5 minute projects that will add instant festive fall appeal!"

Fun Fall DIY Dream Tree For Thanksgiving

"Its back!  This DIY project has remained very popular year after year (even on Houzz!) and I love it!"

Make A Sweater Vase In 5 Minutes

"A Fine Idea For Yarn Use!"

Easy Pine Cone Galand Craft

"Bring nature in for Fall insantly!"

DIY Pine Cone Tassels

"As seen on TV, so great to do with the kids too!"

Tomorrow On TV: A DIY Pumpkin Floral Centerpiece

Tomorrow morning at 8:50 am on WFMZ 69 News at Sunrise I will show viewers how easy it is to turn a pumpkin into a floral centerpiece, including one perfect for Halloween!  

Show off your fall spirit by adding one to your table top, front porch, or bring one to a friend as a gift!  If you miss it I will have it here after the show tomorrow!  

Fall 2014 Decorating Trends TV Segment

If you missed me on TV yesterday talking TOP 4 FALL 2014 HOME DECORATING trends, see the short fun video here!  

PS - They didn't show the entire orange accent table so I am sharing the piece with you here!

Antique Revival Cranston Nightstand

This table works well as end tables next to your sofa, as a side table pulled up to a chair, or by your bed!

Four Fall 2014 Home Decorating Trends

First day of Fall begins September 23!  Are you ready? I have been keeping my eye on noticable trends for fall 2014, and here are my TOP FOUR picks!  

Colorful Accent Tables

Antique Revival Nightstand

Love Your Room Design

Ditch the matching bedroom set and add pop of color thru night stand!  I have been using colorful accent tables more and more for client projects.  Using colorful tables is something no one did much of before.  Now it's everywhere!  And there are so many hues to choose from from soft gray to bright red!

Artisan Looking Decor

Lily Pad Shelf

Classical Bust

Love Your Room

Is it vintage?  Or just 'vintage inspired'?  We have seen a huge trend over the years with using flea market finds as home decor; and so many retail stores and online vendors have made these look alike finds available to any one thru 'knock offs'.   They look unique, some home made, and this trend is not going any where!   

Try arranging a gallery of vintage inspired finds; if you already have a gallery of photos, include some vintage pieces into it!

Navy Blue And Orange

Libby Langdon Design

Navy blue and orange are two hot accent colors.  Just check out the pages of pottery barn or west elm.  These tones go great together!  They can be clean and modern, or used in a nautical theme (check out the chic take on nautical that the photo above shows); these colors work in a traditional setting also!  You can bring in these two delicous colors through paint, and/or thru accents like pillows, trays, decor, artwork, upholstered furniture like the cute ottomans shown above!

Check out this beautiful new quilt from Pottery Barn!

Chunky Knits

Braided Knit Lumbar Pillow

Hello chunky!  When you see what's coming down the catwalk at fashion shows, you know it will be showing up in home decor trends.  And that includes chunky knits this fall!  Pillows and throw blankets of chunky knits are a trend that is hot for fall.  So try a knit pillow and get ready to cuddle up during the colder weather.


Hope this is inspiring for fall!  Its very fun!