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Valentine's Day Crafts

Pretty projects perfect for the romantic holiday.

By Jourdan Crouch 



Read more: Valentines Day Crafts - Ideas for Valentine's Day Crafts - Country Living

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Decorate With What You Love

When painter and stylist Craig Schumacher moved from a 10-room Dallas house into a four-room apartment, it didn't hamper his style. His decorating look became layer upon layer: "I bought things I knew I'd never tire of, and I've found out that if you love something, you'll find a place for it." His living room is furnished with antiques and vintage pieces, including a faux fireplace added for its architectural interest.
http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/ideas/happy-rooms-cheery-homes-1011?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_dot_non_093011_cheery-homes&kw=ist#fbIndex3
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I love to take simple things and use them in new and different ways.  Here are two great examples!




Use Vintage Suitcases as Storage

Displayed in stacks or stored away behind closet doors, old trunks are the perfect size for organizing toys by type or likelihood of use.

Read more: Kids Room Decor - storage ideas for kids room - Country Living


Create an Instant Art Gallery

Exhibit the latest works from your mini-Monet with an interactive and casual display made of a clothes-drying rack attached to the wall. (Amazon has one for $22!) Use clothes pins and binder clips to proudly show off art projects, family photos, magazine clippings, and the ubiquitous photo booth spread. 

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How to Make Embroidered Portraits

Step-by-step instructions on how to make an embroidered portrait. By Jourdan Crouch




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Decorating with Red
Even a small dose of bold and vibrant red adds energy and impact to any room.


Read more: Decorating with Red - Home Decor in Red - Country Living



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10 Ways to Design a Colorful Bedroom

Want to revamp your room? Let your favorite color—and these gorgeous bedroom photos— inspire you to create a bold and beautiful boudoir. By Laura Ratliff



Read more: Bedroom Colors - Decorating Ideas for Bedrooms - Country Living

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I remember, when I was much younger, a disagreement that I had with my father about wearing a shirt that looked as if it had been made out of the US flag.  My father was very opposed to using the flag in that manner.  It was to be used only as a flag on a pole or draped over a coffin.  As a veteran of the Korean War, I understood his point, but I did not agree with it.  I think we can be proud of our flag, no matter where it is used.  Take a look at some of these:




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Check out the ladder in this picture.

I love to find old ladders and use them for other purposes.  Remember, just because something was originally used for a particular purpose, doesn't mean that's the only thing it's good for.  Be creative.  Try lots of things.  That's the great part of decorating!  If you don't like it, it can always be changed.



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Elegant Eggs

Make these pastel beauties last for years by first blowing out the egg’s whites and yolks.

1. Insert a long needle into the bottom of each egg; make a small hole, then make a slightly larger one in the top.

2. Move the needle around inside the shell to break the yolk.

3. Blow over the smaller hole—feel free to use a straw if you don’t want to touch the egg directly—until the liquid drips out of the larger hole.

4. Run the egg under water. Blow the water out, and let the shell dry overnight.)

5. After coloring the egg, attach fabric scrapbooking flowers ($7/150; memoryvilla.com) with tiny dots of glue. Lightly press each flower with your finger, then release.

Read more: Easter Crafts for Kids - Easy Easter Craft Ideas for Kids - Country Living




More from Country Living

A Nantucket Bath

Painting the wide-plank floors, here striped with yellow and red, is a very Nantucket thing to do in older, simpler beach houses. With the ocean breeze, many of the windows don't require screens and curtains are simply vintage linens clipped onto a line.



Read more: Bathroom Design Ideas – Pictures of Bathroom Designs - Country Living
http://www.countryliving.com/homes/how-to-get-the-look/bathroom-design-2008?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_dbt_non_040111_bathroom-design&kw=ist













More from Country Living




Getting itchy to do some spring cleaning?  Check out Country Living magazine's suggestions!  http://www.countryliving.com/homes/home-maintenance/spring-cleaning-tips-2009?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_clo_tip_031111_spring-cleaning-tips&kw=ist


Happy Birthday, Grandma!  Miss you so much every day!

Budget Decorating Solutions:  In case you can't tell, I really enjoy Country Living magazine!  I get some really great tips here.  http://www.countryliving.com/syndication/decorating-resolutions-syn?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_dot_tip_030911_decorating-resolutions&kw=ist#fbIndex1

Tips to de-clutter your home:  http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/ways-to-declutter-antiques?src=nl&mag=clg&list=nl_ccr_ant_non_030211_ways-to-declutter-antiques&kw=ist#fbIndex1


Should you shop at the dollar stores?  Here's a link to an article by Yahoo that will give you some good suggestions.  http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/550/best-and-worst-dollar-store-buys/


The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Decorating:  We've compiled our favorite decorating ideas and tips to help you create your dream kitchen
http://www.countryliving.com/homes/how-to-get-the-look/ultimate-guide-kitchens-1008


Make a Great Entrance

Show off a kitchen pantry by fitting it with an eye-catching exterior door, perhaps painted in a bright color, like the screen door shown here. But remember: If the interior will be on view, you'll want to keep the contents looking picture perfect.
If you're not blessed with an in-kitchen pantry, consider converting a closet. Most home centers sell adjustable metal shelf supports and will cut shelves to fit.




 Decorative Paint Makeover  http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/decorative-paint-ideas
  Label Canisters
  Put an end to kitchen-counter confusion: Use chalkboard paint to create labels on glass canisters. You'll    always know whether you're scooping salt or sugar, and you can erase and change the wording whenever you like.

—Jen Jafarzadeh L'Italien, the Haystack Needle



Oh my gosh, you all have to check out these beautiful sculptures: http://www.eckmanfineart.com/They are made from paper. They're spectacular! 


Tell me about new things you've discovered that make your life easier or more enjoyable!  I'd love to hear about your "favorite things!"  Maybe it's a new lifestyle, maybe it's a new bath salt, maybe it's a new recipe.  Whatever you're excited about that's making a difference in your life, big or little, tell us about it!  I can't wait to hear from you!

I love to decorate my home (and other's if they'll let me).  As we get closer to spring I love to look at new ideas for sprucing up.  Check these out:
The Ultimate Guide to Decorating Your Kitchen From Country Living

1 comment:

Warren Orr said...

Some good ideas and excellent links! Thanks