Category: DIY

Christmas 101: A twist on a classic

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 1 Comment

Well kids, we’re getting down to the wire. Relatives are bound to start showing up any minute now, and—oh what’s that? You’re still not ready? Here are a few last minute ideas to get your home in the holiday spirit! The best part? You already have a materials and can pull them off in 10 minutes or less. Enjoy!

This first one is pretty darn brilliant, even if it does come from Rachel Ray Magazine. Take any piece of clear stemware—wine or martini glass, even a champagne flute—and invert it over some festive foliage: Holly branches, a poinsettia, even a bough from your Christmas tree, whatever you’ve got around. Place a small votive on the base (which is now the top) or each one and voila! A perfectly modern centerpiece.

You’ve got an extra strand of lights or two, right? Why not bring them inside, wrap them around… anything really (seriously: A spray-painted hula hoop, an old frame, a large embroidery hoop… the list goes on) and you’ve got a fancy festive chandelier that easily comes down when your guests go home—or you could definitely leave it up year round!

Pinteresting

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 2 Comments

I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. On one hand, browsing through it can generate all kinds of creative ideas and break you out of a rut. On the other, it can also create a Facebook-esque time warp and suddenly hours have been wasted clicking through information you don’t really care about. Either way, I thought I’d round up a few of my favorite ideas here!

Beautiful decor ideas (is there any better way to make sure your guests don't see your messy bedroom?)
Crafty ideas and DIY tutorials (these are old t-shirts!)
Event Inspiration
Can be a great way to keep track of products you want
A little snark to make me smile (I'm thinking of hanging this in my office)

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Christmas 101: Colorful Mod Décor

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 3 Comments

The simplicity and clean lines of minimalist décor can certainly make a statement, but for the holidays why not turn up the volume with a little color? I love creating a palette beyond the expected red and green to include light blues, jewel tones and lots of metallics.

There’s something wonderful about being greeted by a wreath on a friend’s front door. This one is available here, or make your own with shatter-proof plastic ornaments and a hot glue gun.

These three-dimensional felt ornaments—which could also certainly be made from colorful paper—are interesting from every angle and look incredibly complicated. However, with a few simple cuts and a couple dots of glue, they seem to simply pop up from a flat pane! Instructions are available here.

I love the idea of hanging ornaments off the tree: In front of a window, from a light fixture, from the ceiling over your dining room table. The paper option above is super easy to make, instructions available here or here!

Easily worked into any theme, these laser-cut coasters are the latest addition to my own Christmas list! Love the phrase, love typography, love the felt!

Beyond stringing up a row of lights, it’s easy to forget about decorating the exterior of your home. These colored “glass” balls—dreamed up by Hurrayic—make for a fun pop against white snow and a great project to get your kids off the couch.

Christmas 101: Shabby Chic Décor

~ Bess Paper Goods & Gifts ~ 4 Comments

Marked by time-tested furniture and feminine details, shabby chic holiday décor can be worked into a home that’s full of country charm or girly glitz—or as an unexpected addition to any home, from modern to traditional! With this much lace and frill, I prefer to keep things neutral in terms of color palatte… so here are my top picks!

Since I’m in an apartment this year, I’m not sure I’ll have a real tree (or even a plastic one), but I might make this lovely tulle number myself! Easy instructions are available here.

Fabric-wrapped ornaments are a welcome addition to any tree and I love the neutral tones and varying textures in these by Alice’s Looking Glass.

Perfect for when the whole family gathers around your table, this whimsical table runner by Emendee is made from vintage doilies that recall idyllic snowflakes.

A great addition to your tree or running down a staircase or across your mantel, these ruffled garlands are a lovely mix of sheer and soft with rugged and rustic. Easy tutorial here!

One more easy DIY idea courtesy of Annaboo’s House blog, these lovely votives can be tailored to your individual taste, whether you prefer simple glass cylinders or antique mason jars, delicate lace, vintage trim or twine simply wrapped around the container. They look even better when the votives inside are lit!