Lots of WOW for $0 and 15 minutes

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

Got company coming this weekend?
Need to spruce up your place … quickly, cheaply, easily?
Round up some of your treasures and have a little fun.
It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

Start with 3 items of different heights and textures (add more later if you want). You can go “theme-y” with similar pieces, or pure random just showing off things you love.

Purely random here . . . 1. Rusty star, 2. Silver ceramic figurine, 3. Jawbone, naturally bleached. OK, I KNOW . . . you don’t have (or may not want) an animal’s jawbone. I’m just goin’ for the process here. You’ll be using your own great stuff!

The jaw isn’t for everyone, but have to say . . . it’s the most talked-about arrangement in our house; a real eye-catcher and a great conversation piece.

TIP: Group your pieces, let them touch. You want them to connect. Sometimes a straight line works . . . but not too often.

Got books? Show em off. Below, several big books are placed under artwork and dressed up with three decorative pieces. 1-2-3 you’re done!

It’s easy to jazz up a shelf. All we did here was line up three nice, but different vases to give things a little shine. (YES, a line works fine here.) NOTE: Use varied heights and patterns, and don’t put too much space between the items. Pull them closer together.

Everyone has dishes and I’ve never met anyone who hates candy or flowers.
Dress up a convenient spot with 1. Bowl, 2. Plate, 3. Mug. Add some flowers & greens from your yard. Throw in some goodies and you’ve got a great look on a kitchen table or the end of a counter. Just make sure it’s easy access for your guests.

Don’t have or want the matchy-matchy look? No garden flowers? Use what you’ve got and like. 1. Paint can, 2. Tin, 3. Odd plate.

Clip some evergreens or shrub branches. YES, evergreens work all year round (but maybe use something besides peppermints and red candies when it’s not Christmas 🙂 OR, pick up a cheap assorted flower bunch at the local box store – around $5 or less.

Maybe you don’t have a yard at all. Above, we just put root clippings from two houseplants into water. EZ PZ. (These stems will be planted after they root).

How about plants and books? 1. Houseplant, 2. Books, 3. Handmade wooden mallet. You’ll have personal pieces of your own.

TIP: Notice the little angle to the books. EXPERIMENT, don’t always just line things up, or pull everything evenly to the front..

You GUYS can use these tips too. Just work what you have and follow the same 1-2-3’s. Below are more masculine displays. Again, really easy, just use things you already have.

Natural wood pieces and beautiful rocks make great accents. On top, we used the paint can and house plant cuttings again, along with a little handmade fishing pole, a found rock and a VICTORY cycle gas cap. (these all have meaning for a special fella of mine)

TIP: The fishing plaque was simply positioned on the wall with putty (big box stores). It holds light weight things, can be as temporary or permanent as you want. Doesn’t hurt the wall upon removal.

Again, have fun and EXPERIMENT. Here, three decorative boxes, more books, some natural elements and yes . . . even magazines. This display was easy, and tells a story about the person who lives here.

TIP: Play! Books can be upright but try leaning or stacking a few. Magazines laying around? Gather them up in a nice bunch and show em’ off.

Baskets are great in lots of places. The one below stores (and displays) books and magazines. NOTE: Three pottery pieces on table top also hold books and treats.

TIP: For anyone . . . a quick dress-up for a couch: 1. Throw, 2. Toss Pillows. Use a throw, small colorful blanket – toss it over the corner (or middle) of the couch, pull it together in the middle, then throw a couple toss pillows over the corner (or middle).

It’s also quick and easy, to pop flowers or a plant into a nice basket.

Accent with favorite items. Add a colorful placemat or scarf underneath and you’ve got a great table look.

So just as the title promised . . .

$0 money spent using what you already have
Quick Spruce Up
Easy tips that anyone can do

Wishes to all for a safe, happy Memorial Day Weekend.

And remember, stress less . . . start more.

Later – Cheryl

Mum’s The Word

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

Yay, my camera is BACK! Seems it just needed to dry out.

So there’s new stuff today and MUM’s the WORD.

Chrysanthemums are everywhere in Fall. I bought four plants for $6; two mid size @ $2 ea and two smaller @ $1 each. But I didn’t plant them outside. I’m using them for some quick indoor spruce ups.

A favorite thing of mine is in-house shopping. This time I rounded up some “Fall-ish” colored scarves,

a basket, a pretty copper tray, some silk flower odd’s and ends, and fruit.

Lots and lots of fruit AND veggies. Real ones, glass and wooden F & V’s.

These make the collectibles list because

1. They’re small enough to easily store
2. Fruit and veggie themed pieces are generic and can work year round in so many displays
3. Everyone can relate; it’s a comfortable item

Now, get ready … this is a 1-2-3 DONE project.

Line the basket with plastic wrap.

Pop in two mum plants.

Stuff in your silks and berries, for interest, height and filler.

Spread scarf on table and top with tray.

Add finished basket and finally, some small items for pop and more interest.

TOLD YOU it was quick and easy.

Next I just added a small mum to existing vignettes through the house. This one also includes some rose hip berries, clipped from my garden. Plants are a wonderful, live pop of color anytime of year. Mums relate to Fall so there you go.

SUMMING UP

TIPS for working with live plants.
1. Protect your surfaces from water seepage.
2. Water frequently, especially with very small containers.

These are important for any plants, but I left my mums in their flimsy plastic pots, which dry out in two minutes, so daily checks are an absolute. I also added a little extra potting soil in some where needed. The plastic wrap basket liner, and the tray are good protection for my table.

HINT: With these little mums, if they do start to droop, remove them from your containers, set them in the sink, and gently water, letting water drain through well until the soil is good and wet. They should perk up quickly for you.

More fun soon. Hope this was helpful.

SEE, you really don’t have to stress about decorating, just do something … I keep telling you it’s easy 🙂

P.S. re: CAMERA

I had left my camera outside … yes, overnight … I know, DUH.

I put it on a shelf for a few weeks, gave it another try and seems to be fine. My daughter dropped a hint for next time though. Put your camera … or in her case, your kid’s phone, in a zip-lock bag filled with rice (uncooked of course). Zip it up and let it sit a day or two until it works again.

PLEASE leave a reply. I LOVE to hear from you. Mark to follow the comments and you’ll see my note back to you!

Later -Cheryl

Fun Finds Easter Wreath Project

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

Easter Wreath from Fun Finds

This week I wanted to do another quick project, and keep it at under $5.00.

Thrift shops are no different than any other stores . . . they always have lots of seasonal items. Two of my favorite locals are DISCOVERY THRIFT and our FAMILY PATHWAYS. These stores have lots of craft supplies, papers and fabrics along with everything else.

Here’s some of what I found.

From Discovery Thrift
• Easter grass: $0.50
• Green flocked wreath with finished back: $2.00
From Family Pathways:
• Packaged Easter table kit: $0.50
From my supply cabinet stash
• Some little green wooden garden stakes: FREE from a garage sale
• A sheet of scrapbooking paper: From a book of 100 sheets for $2.00 at a craft sale long ago

Here’s how I put it together.

I separated the Big Bunnies piece into two individuals. I used only one for this project so have the 2nd for another time.

Then I eyeballed the bunny behind the wreath to see where to place it.

Now, I trimmed the piece, leaving a TAB on the bottom and one on top.

Next, using an Xacto knife, I carefully made slits on the top/bottom of the wreath, for the tabs.

TIP: Note that my wreath form is about 2 ½ inches deep; so I cut mid-way into the form. This gives the rabbit more depth than just gluing it flat to the back of the wreath.

As always, I puttied a piece of wax paper on my work surface. Just to keep the mess contained a bit.

After the glue gun warmed up, I took four full length stakes and glued them as pictured, to make the cross piece sections for my little fence.

Next, I cut down several plant sticks, to make fence pickets. I used the pointed ends for this project, but saved the cut-off pieces for another day.

Here’s where we are in the project.

Now I took some paper eggs from the kit. Removing the paper from the stem left a tiny hole in the egg. So, little flowers were cut-out of the scrapbook paper, and used to disguise the holes when needed.

Next, I glued several paper eggs behind and throughout my little fence. And then, eggs with the flowered coverings were added around the top of the wreath.

Last part was to add some texture with the Easter grass.

Gathering a clump of grass, I then wired the middle, and after three clumps were made, I then glued them onto the back (or inside) of my fence.

I pulled strands through the pickets, then gave everything a jagged haircut . . . and here it is!

Of course this is just an example of how I used my “fun finds”. Yours will be completely different . . . and speaking of yours . . . I always like to see what you’ve done. You can connect with me on PINTEREST or HOMETALK or FACEBOOK and share your photos.

TIPS:
1. For More Depth: I made large dobs of hot glue behind some of the eggs and flowers. This makes them stand away from the surface, for more depth and added interest.
2. On The Fence: The eggs were glued behind the fence and in & out some pickets. This way, after grass is added and adjusted . . . the eggs look “hidden” for the hunt.
3. I glued flat, a few partial flowers to the front and ground of the fence. This helps s tie everything together throughout the wreath.
4. You Regulars all know that I like things a little WHONKY . . . no perfect here. That’s why I glued my fence pickets on a little crooked . . . more fun to do . . . more fun to look at too! 🙂

So, it’s time to say “don’t stress too much, just start something!”

Thanks again for all of your well wishes after my “broken ribs” fiasco. Each week is a little bit better!

And naturally, I LOVE COMMENTS so keep em’ coming! Thanks.

OH, I’m linking this post to THE SCOOP linky party.

Find them through Anita at CEDAR HILL FARMHOUSE

This week’s host is Barb at THE EVERYDAY HOME
Lot’s of fun there. Take a look!

Later – Cheryl

Easy, Quick Floral Projects

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Cheryl @ Artzzle

SAY IT AIN’T SO. It can’t be Labor Day already!

Autumn isn’t fast approaching … it’s here … well, in just a couple days. And in Minnesota it entered early with a little help from the extremely dry summer. Lot’s of yellows and browns on the scene now, so we’re all anxious to capture as much living color as possible, before it’s gone.

Most people consider “flower arrangements” strictly as something that someone else does and you buy it commercially. Well, I’m here to say “that ain’t so!” You don’t have to be a trained, professional florist [like me 🙂 ] to bring beauty into your home, and you don’t have to pay a fortune either.

All you really need are containers, water and flowers.
But here are some EASY and INEXPENSIVE TOOLS to help polish your look.
* Floral Tape
* Floral Wire
* Clear Glass Containers

Pictured is green floral tape. I also use a clear, top coated floral tape (sorry didn’t have any today). Both can be purchased at big box or craft stores, usually no more than $1-2, as can the wire.

Floral wire comes in several widths, strengths (gauges). I usually keep on hand one light weight and 1 heavier gauge. Pictured is 26 gauge (a light wire).

Also shown, are clear glass containers. These are use when you want to set your flowers inside another container. I use clear, unornamented glass when my display containers are see-through, such as two of the three in the featured arrangements. I have a set of 5 small, clear glass bowls (with orange flowers here) that are handy. I got mine at DISCOVERY THRIFT in Milaca, MN, for $3. They have black lids and I’ve seen them commercially as well, just can’t recall the name. I also use several sizes of tube vases, which I pick up at garage sales and thrift shops. You can buy them at the store, but for a lot more moola.

TIPS: STEM WRAPS are a great technique to help give your flowers more form (instead of just setting loose in the vase of water). You can use tape or wire.

1. Here, I’ve used the green tape to wrap my stems, because while the seedum stem is wide, it is a SOFT stem, and the tape or wire might damage the flower(s). EXAMPLE: In the supply photo earlier, notice that I’ve done a wrap to demonstrate.

2. The clear tape is used to criss-cross over the top of your container, making an open grid that you can use to help place and support your flowers, in a wide-mouthed vase. I didn’t need that technique here. This tape is double-duty, as it is strong and nearly invisible. You can also use it to do a small stem wrap when using heavy, wooded stems in your arrangements.

Finally, for the fun part, FLOWERS and FILLERS. Here I used what was available in my garden and yard.

Flowers
* Seedum (brown vase)
* Marigolds & seedum Leaves (low bowl)
* Wild flowers (orange vase)
[I don’t know the name here; these were plantings from a friend that took over a large space in my garden — JOIN MEon HOUZZ Discussions tomorrow, as I submit a question, to see if anyone can tell me what they are.]

Fillers
2 kinds of wild grasses

TIPS:

1. Don’t always think you have to do big, tall or wide arrangements. Get creative. The marigolds here are mini’s from my garden, but I cut them clear down to the end of the bud and just floated them in the water. Also, remember with ANY kind of flowers, silk or live, I keep everything until the project is done to my liking. Today, I wanted more colorful, taller seedums with bare stems because they would show. Their leaves are pretty too, so I stripped the stems and surrounded my marigolds with the indiviual leaves.

2. STORE BOUGHT FLOWERS Don’t have a garden available (yours or anyone else’s)? Buy one of the $4.99 tub bouquets available at stores and markets everywhere. Then get creative! Often these have lime green, mini button mums, which would work instead of my marigolds here, as would mini carnations.

For taller flowers, vary your heights (3 different heights, remember). Hold them in the arrangement you like, then do your stem wrap to keep them there in your vase.

Containers
Aw, come on. You’ve got this by now. Use your imagination here: cans, baskets, pretty glasses and bowls. What about a pretty box (using your separate inside containers). If you have a see-through metal basket, float two or three kinds of small blooms in random little bowls. Very rustic look there.

The key with loose, casual arrangements like these, is to keep it simple. If they look too bare and empty sitting alone, put them together as the 3 here. Hey, my old magic number. 3 objects, 3 heights, 3 different kinds of flowers; the unifier is the use of the similar type containers (decorative, colored glass).

That’s it. Quick, easy decor projects to brighten up your place when those holiday guests stop over.

Remember, don’t stress, just start.
Later – Cheryl

Thanks for visiting. You’ve just read “Easy, Quick Floral Projects” my original article, first seen on Artzzle.com. I love comments and questions so send “em” my way. And be sure to spread the word about Artzzle to your friends. The more the merrier!

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ARTZZLE

Helping with the Pieces in Life's Puzzle of Art and Design

Tag Archives: quick

Lots of WOW for $0 and 15 minutes

Mum’s The Word

Fun Finds Easter Wreath Project

Easy, Quick Floral Projects

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