Moss + Twine Wrapped Topiary

January 2, 2014 by 16 Comments

I decided to do a topiary head count today, including the Christmas topiary pair
gracing the sofa table, I counted eight.
I’m not sure if that is too many.
But the count will be reduced to six once all of the Christmas decorations have
been put away.

That was until, I put some laundry away.
I set the basket down on the bed and began putting away each sock and t-shirt
in it’s proper drawer, silently wishing they would stay clean.  Forever.
Then I saw it.
A teeny little green topiary sitting innocently on our dresser.
Nestled in with all of my bedroom decor, and a few pull-ups for the
last and final child to be potty trained.
That friends is #9.

I kind of feel like that crossed over to excessive.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, How To Decorate, Table decor, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living

twelveOeight’s BEST DIY Projects of 2013

December 30, 2013 by 9 Comments

 

There may still be a list of things to be done around our home (it would help if we all
didn’t keep thinking of new things right?) but I had a blast seeing how far we have
come in just a year.

You are the reason, by the way.
I can sand and paint, glue and create.
But what makes writing, and working, and creating all year so amazing is you.
I try to come up with ideas that are easy on the budget, and show you exactly how
I did it.  And you are fabulous about telling me what you like, asking awesome
questions (y’all keep me on my toes!) and pushing me forward to continue to make
twelveOeight a fun place for us to create, cook and party together every week.

So, here are some of our most popular DIY posts of the year:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, How To Decorate, How To Make Body Scrub, Table, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living, Wreaths

10 Minute Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix In A Jar + A grocery cart race too

December 20, 2013 by 7 Comments

I’m sure you finished your shopping weeks ago.
And your aren’t frazzled.
Your gifts are probably all wrapped.
And you may even have a turkey thawing already in your refrigerator.  
You probably have your Christmas dinner menu all planned out.
You’re so organized like that, I really am aspiring to have my stuff together
one of these years…but in the meantime…
You and I might see each other on Christmas Eve with grocery carts full,
squealing around the corners of each aisle like the grand prize depends
on how fast we get to the checkout.  

Our cars are full of half filled out cards, empty Starbucks cups, and enough bows

and tape to last a lifetime.  
And the drive home involves a little (ok A LOT) of talking to yourself and singing loudly
to your favorite Christmas songs, knowing they won’t be playing on the radio much longer.
Because Christmas friends, is just about here.
And I LOVE every hectic, late night, sugar and flour covered kitchen moment of it!
So, just in case you need a few last minute gifts, or something for that special hostess
this is what we whip up every year.  Don’t forget to make a couple jars for yourself
too…
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix
makes 3 quart size mason jars

3 cups of powdered milk
3 cups of granulated sugar
3 cups of unsweetened baking cocoa
dash of salt
3 cups of mini marshmallows
12-16 can canes 
1 cup of chocolate chips
I used three wide mouth mason jars for this project, and the recipe fit perfectly.  Begin 
by combining the powdered milk, sugar, baking cocoa and salt in a large bowl and using 
a small measuring cup or funnel to distribute the mixture evenly between the three jars.
Wipe the insides of the jars carefully to remove the cocoa mix from the sides, this will 
keep your layers looking good from the outside.  Next add a 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows 
to each jar.  Follow with a layer of chocolate chips (1/3 cup each jar) then 1/3 of the crushed
candy canes per jar, and top of with remaining marshmallows.

We had a small gift exchange recently and I shared a few of these with family, they were a
hit.  I use a fine tip sharpie to write the instructions on the bottom of each jar, and decorate
with a bit of ribbon or twine around the neck of the jar.  To make one cup of hot cocoa mix
add 1/4 to 1/3 dry mix to a cup of hot water.  Stir and enjoy!!

  

  {weekly link party every Sunday at 11am PST !!}

Fabulous link parties: 
Monday

Thursday
Friday 

Filed Under: Baking, Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, Dollar Store Projects, Food Gifts, Gifts From The Kitchen, homemade drink mix, Recipes

Inspiration Monday Party | Last Minute Gift Ideas

December 15, 2013 by 12 Comments
Hey y’all!
We are so excited to see what you have been up to this week,
last week was FULL of fabulous ideas and inspiration to 
keep us crafting and cooking for a long time.
Are you ready to party?
Me too, but first check out our features and 
Hostess pick for the week…

big inspiration monday
This is the place where your links are seen simultaneously on all for blogs at the same time…
all you need to do is link up to ONE of our sites.

Need some last minute gift and DIY inspiration?
Look no further, this week was full of amazing recipes, crafts,
and great gifts ideas!
Here are some of our favorites featured this week:

{Click on the links below to see the tutorial or recipe for each feature}

Please keep in mind: – Be sure to mingle with other party guests (It’s always fun to click on a few other links to see what fellow bloggers are up to.) – Link up all of your creative fun, including recipes, crafts, printables, DIY projects and other fabulous things you’ve been up to on YOUR blog. – Please do not link Etsy stores, giveaways, or other link parties {Bummer, huh? But there are lots of specific parties out there just for these fun things!} – By linking up to Inspiration Monday you are giving the five blogs, listed above, permission to feature your project and/or photos on our social media outlets and blogs. – If you wish to be featured, please include the “Inspiration Monday Party” button or link on your link party list (find the button on the side bar)

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, Gifts From The Kitchen, home decor, Recipes, Wreaths

Dollar Store Rustic Glam Plate Chargers | Amy from The Blissful Bee

December 11, 2013 by 9 Comments

Hello Twelve O Eight readers! It’s Amy here from The Blissful Bee and I’m happy to be back again with another little fun makeover. A few weeks ago I put together my rustic Christmas tablescape,
but wanted to keep it budget friendly.

ChargerPlateMakeover_beforeafter

I wanted to incorporate blue in my arrangement but didn’t have any blue decor on hand. After visiting the $1 store, I found a ton of these gold plastic chargers. As much as I loved them in all their gold glory, I knew I still wanted a light blue color instead. At $1 per charger, I bought 4 to complete my tablescape. I brought them home with me and gave them a nice coat of blue paint. While they were still wet, I sprinkled some fine gold glitter on top and let them dry. Once the plates were dry, enough of the glitter had stuck onto the paint. I love the subtle touch of glam! What do you think??

ChargerPlateMakeover1   ChargerPlateMakeover2   ChargerPlateMakeover3  

 To see more from my rustic Christmas tables cape, click [here] and [here] for my $1 store chalkboard plate makeover. You can also follow me along [here] if you like what you see!!

OH MY GOODNESS! These are amazing Amy!! I love this idea so much, thank you
for giving us such a pretty and thrifty idea for our tables.  You rocked these!!

 

Filed Under: centerpiece, Christmas, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, home decor, How To Decorate, Table, Table decor, Thanksgiving

Recycled Christmas Cans | with Brooke from Blissful Roots

December 6, 2013 by 1 Comment

I love the creative and functional possibilities of a simple tin can.  If you’ve ever visited me at Blissful Roots, you probably have seen a few of my DIY recycled can projects.  I’ve made them for every day occasions (office supplies) and holidays (Valentine’s Day, 4th of July).  I realized this year I haven’t made a set of Christmas cans in quite awhile, so it was time to get busy.


I don’t know about you, but I use a lot of canned items this time of year, and I used to just toss them in the garbage.  Well, not any more!  I always love making junk into something extra special.  Most times I don’t even have to spend a penny to make these, and you don’t have to either.  Next time you make dinner and open a can simply take off the label and wash it out.  Then use what you have around your house to transform it.  Scrap paper, wrapping paper, fabric, or any kind of paper you have lying around will work.  Then gather  a few embellishments, (stickers, rosettes, ribbons, flowers, lettering, etc…) and let the creativity begin.

You really can’t go wrong with this project, but I do have a few tips that might make the process a bit smoother, and produce quality results.
  
TIP ONE
I always like to use cans with a rim on the top and bottom.  You don’t have to, but I just really like the finished look the rims give the can.  The rims also provide the perfect guide for gluing on any ribbon or embellishments along the top and bottom. 


TIP TWO
Don’t forget to line the inside of your can.  Just like tip two, not necessary, but it adds another pop of color and makes the can look more polished.


TIP THREE
I just use clear tape to adhere my paper to the back of the can (if you’re using fabric you’ll probably want to use a fabric glue).  The tape disappears and provided a nice flat finish.  I’ve tried hot glue, and it works, but it sometimes gets clumpy and bumpy under the paper.  Just my personal preference.  I do add a dot of hot glue to any ribbon or embellishments I use.

TIP FOUR
Use a variety of can sizes.  I like to group my cans, and having different sizes always looks nice.  Plus, the different sizes can be used for different items.  I’ve gotten to the point where I keep my eye our for unique can sizes at the grocery store just so I can use them on projects like this once I’ve used the content of the can.


TIP FIVE
I’ve tried using the cans that don’t require a can opener (the ones that have the pop top), thinking they would provide a nice clean finish to the inside of the can.  Those cans do just that, but the edge is really sharp!  I stick to the old fashioned cans that require a can opener.  Sometimes after you’ve taken the lid completely off, there is a little bit of tin that sticks up.  I just use pliers to twist it off and flatten it so there isn’t a sharp point inside the can.
I think that’s just about it.  This project is so fun, simple, inexpensive (even free sometimes) and adds the perfect holiday touch to your home.  I like to use these for entertaining.  They’re the perfect addition to your Christmas buffet for storing napkins, straws, utensils, candy, and anything else.  They also make excellent pen/pencil cans.  

Thanks so much for letting me take a bit of your time today.  I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, and an exciting New Year!  
Brooke thank you SO much for sharing your beautiful and thrifty project with us! 
I am all about crafting for a song, and you ROCKED these upcycled cans, adore!!

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, Dollar Store Projects, How To Save Money, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living

Merry + Bright Rustic Christmas Wall Art

November 22, 2013 by 32 Comments

I live for Christmas, like collect all year, live.
Sing Christmas songs way too early and far too late each year kind of live.
It’s 
just
magic.
Every day I bring some old and some new things out to enjoy throughout 
the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, my pulse beats a little faster.
Visions of orange rolls and homemade fudge are dancing in my head.
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a fun-filled glitter-covered time of year,
while we watch the forecast a hope for snow.

We might have to head for the mountains to see it, and settle for rain here in
the valley, but the rain can’t dampen my spirits.
I have a turkey to thaw out and Christmas lights to check.
A wreath to finish and sweet potatoes to fluff.
So while the sweet potatoes are a baking,
here is what I am working on…

I started by using an already finished piece of wood that I had stained in a grey stain
this summer.  I looked through all of my mason jars and rings, and found enough regular
and wide mouth rings to spell out my phrase.
I found some very pretty and realistic wood grain scrap book paper at JoAnn’s.  By
tracing each canning ring and cutting them out, I was able to insert them and glue into
place to form a backing for each letter.

From there, I used a dab of hot glue on the back of each letter and attached it to the 
wood grain paper.  I attached each ring with a few dots of hot glue around the back 
edge of each ring, and glued in place.  A couple hooks, and picture hanging wire
created a sturdy picture hanger for the back.  This way I can use it on a shelf or 
hanging up.  The ornaments a Dollar Tree ornaments strung on jute twine.

{more DIY Christmas ideas from twelveOeight}

To see how I made these Christmas hurricane lamps 
and silver leaf stand click HERE


Make a Candy Cane Canning Jar Wreath
find the instructions HERE 


How to make Hand & Body Scrub
recipe HERE


My Favorite Eggnog Bread Recipe
click HERE

What are your plans for the week of Thanksgiving? Lots of eating, shopping, 
decorating (I just revealed my plans!) I cannot wait to see what you have been
up to as well!

Fabulous link parties:

Monday

Thursday
Friday 

Nifty Thrifty Things 
Flamingo Toes 
Under The Table And Dreaming 
Three Mango Seeds 
Uncommon Designs – Monday Funday
Inspiration Monday at twelveOeight

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, Gifts From The Kitchen, Homemade Beauty Products, Recipes, Thanksgiving

How To Make Peppermint Body Scrub

November 17, 2013 by 6 Comments

Peppermint Hand & Body Scrub is one of my favorite homemade gifts for the Holidays.
There is something wonderful about using a good scrub and moisturizing in the wintertime.
I may not always have time to get a quick manicure, or my hair cut anywhere near on time,
but I always have time to keep a jar of this in the kitchen and shower to keep my skin
soft all winter.  
Sometimes it’s just doing one small thing that makes all the difference don’t you think?
Taking the time to do just one small thing for ourselves even on the busiest of days,
as we enter such a blessed, and wonderful busy season.

Follow up with some homemade Body Butter and your skin will thank you even on the
coldest and driest of days.

 
click HERE for the Body Butter Recipe 

After I whipped this up, I tested it on my hands, and not only did it leave them super
soft, but a faint scent of mint lingers.  Divine!

Peppermint Hand & Body Scrub Recipe
Small and medium mason jars and or/jar with lids and seals (I found this one at Dollar Tree!)
 In a small mixing bowl, combine the following, mix will and carefully add do a clean, dry jar
4 cups of granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups of oil (a good canola oil works great)
2 t. peppermint oil
1 drop of red food coloring
It’s that easy! You may notice a bit of sugar settling at the bottom of the jar, a quick
stir before you use your scrub will do the trick.


 

Fabulous link parties:

Monday

Tuesday

Thursday
Friday 

Nifty Thrifty Things 
Flamingo Toes 
Under The Table And Dreaming 
Three Mango Seeds 
Uncommon Designs – Monday Funday
Inspiration Monday at twelveOeight  

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Craft Ideas, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, Gifts From The Kitchen, Homemade Beauty Products, Valentine's Day

Quick Halloween Decorating Ideas

October 18, 2013 by 3 Comments

Halloween arrived really quickly this year, and I feel totally un-prepared!
But, amidst all of the late nights counting contractions, and a little less
sleep, our sweet grandbaby is here, and I couldn’t be happier.

So sleepy, coffee-fueled me put together some easy Halloween decorations
that you can make in a flash.

Since Halloween is squeezed in there right after Fall begins and before the Holidays start
I don’t completely lose my mind decorating.  I like to do a few simple things, and make 
it a little spooky but not scary.  (This seems to be my Halloween mantra lately)
A Dollar Tree door-knocker skull, a book page Happy Halloween banner, and some snakes,
rats, and bats all crawling around my vignette. 
To make the wreath, I glued the orange and white straws onto a small piece of cardboard,
added the apothecary sticker, a little garland across the top and some Dollar Tree spiders
here and there.  I glued a loop of twine on the back to hang it up.
Everything was easy to put together and it probably took me less than one hour to make 
the book page garland, wreath, and decorate too.
So do you go all out for Halloween or add a few things to your Fall decor? The next week
will be filled with discussions regarding costumes, and the candy haul of course…
Click HERE to see how I made this Witchy Chevron Lantern:

Fabulous link parties:
Monday

Tuesday

Thursday

Filed Under: Autumn, craft, Craft Ideas, Dollar Store Projects, Fall, Halloween, How To Decorate, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living

Inspiration Monday Party | Fall Baking-palooza!

October 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Hey there party friends!!
Welcome back to the 15th Inspiration Monday Link Party.
{your links are seen simultaneously on all Four blogs at the same time…
all you need to do is link up on ONE of our sites!}
big inspiration monday
Last week we had so much fun visiting, sharing, and pinning.
We are so amazingly inspired by you each every week, y’all rock!
If you would like to follow our “Monday Features & Favorite Board” just click “here“.
This week we are featuring fantastic Fall Baking Galore!!
Please don’t forget to grab a button if you are featured.
inspiration_monday_featured_button
href=”http://www.twelveoeight.blogspot.com”>partyheight=”104″/>

hostess_pick
Click below to link up!

– Be sure to mingle with other party guests {that’s what it’s all about, right?}.
– It’s always fun to click on a few other links to see what fellow bloggers are up to.

– Link up all of your creative fun, including recipes, crafts, printables, DIY projects and other fabulous things you’ve been up to on your blog. – Please do not link Etsy stores, giveaways, or other link parties. – By linking up to Inspiration Monday you are giving the four blogs, listed above, permission to feature your project and/or photos on our social media outlets and blogs.

***While certainly not required, we’d love for you to follow along on social media with the hostesses {links on each of our blogs} we love to feature your projects there:
Not required, but feel free to include us in your link party list or grab the button below:
big inspiration monday

   

Filed Under: craft, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, Fall, home decor, How To Decorate, Thrifty Finds, Thrifty Living, Wreaths
« Previous Page
Next Page »
Thank you so much for reading, and as always, may your heart and home be full of everything you love! xo, Tanya         linking up to: http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/ And these awesome parties: http://www.twelveoeightblog.com/awesome-link-parties