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Beach Themed Succulent Garden

Beach-themed Succulent Garden | Pretty Handy Girl

Beach-themed Succulent Garden | Pretty Handy Girl

You like the beach right? Who doesn’t?! Come December I long for the feeling of burying my toes in the warm sand. Bring back those memories by having a Beach-Themed Desktop Succulent Garden nearby. The idea for this garden came as I sat looking at all the shells I’ve collected that were hidden away in the attic. I chose a big conch shell that had few holes and decided it would make a great little planter.

Material:

  • Succulents
  • Conch shell
  • Smaller shells, beach glass or colored glass filler
  • Play sand
  • Potting soil
  • Plant tray

Optional: Hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, felt pads

Instructions: Read more

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DIY Scented Room Spray

DIY Scented Room Spray | Pretty Handy Girl

DIY Scented Room Spray | Pretty Handy Girl

I’m not exactly known for my short and sweet tutorials. But, I assure you this recipe for making DIY scented room spray is exactly that…short and sweet! What I like best about this DIY room spray is that it uses natural ingredients and natural scents. The chemical or fake smell of commercially bought room deodorizers really bothers me.

Ingredients & Supplies: Read more

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DIY Fabric Coasters

DIY Fabric Coasters

DIY Fabric Coasters

Hi everyone! I’m more than excited to be here at Pretty Handy Girl with Brittany and to be joining the amazing team of contributors. Are you enjoying the fabulous Très Frugal DIY gift ideas so far?

I’m Jessica and I blog at Decor Adventures, a place for you to find furniture makeovers, home improvement projects, craft and lots more DIY and home decor inspiration. Not to mention how to survive decorating a 113 year old house.

I’m really looking forward to sharing my ideas for how you can make your home a beautiful and meaningful place too. Today I’m going to start with an easy and super cheap fabric project, DIY fabric coasters. I love sewing and find it to be a relaxing yet productive activity. When I’m done making something like a table runner or reupholstering an ottoman I always try to think of what I can do with the leftover fabric. These small coasters were just the solution. Plus they make a great gift idea and tis the season for giving something specially made by you. Your family will love them, I promise. Here is how to make DIY fabric coasters.

DIY Fabric Coasters Supplies:

  • Fabric
  • Thread
  • Scissors or cutting mat and rotary cutter
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Pencil or disapearing ink sewing marker
  • Sewing machine and thread
  • Batting for in between is optional, but I did use it

DIY Fabric Coasters Instructions: Read more

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Decorative Book with Hidden Storage Inside

DIY Book with Storage Inside | Pretty Handy Girl

Book with Hidden Storage | Pretty Handy Girl

Do you remember when you were a kid and you wanted a super secret place to hide things from your sibling? Having a secret book with a hidden storage compartment would have been perfect! Even as an adult, it’s nice to have a spot where you can hide something personal, valuable or sweet (think dark chocolate!) 😉

This DIY Decorative Hidden Storage Book is a relatively easy project, but it takes a little patience and a very sharp X-acto knife (so have a few fresh blades to replace when your blade dulls.)

Materials:

Materials

 

 

  • Fat book (shop Goodwill or repurpose an old book you already own)
  • X-acto knife
  • 4-5 New X-acto blades
  • Ruler with a metal edge
  • Self-healing cutting board
  • Paint brush
  • Mod Podge
  • Gold craft paint (optional)
  • 3 Sheets of scrapbook paper (2 the same design and 1 coordinating design)
  • Scotch tape
  • Rubber cement
  • Wax paper (cereal box bags work great)
  • Cup to mix mod podge in
  • Weights or heavy objects
  • Ribbon

 

Instructions: Read more

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La-Z-Boy Design Dash

swatches

Over a month ago I was contacted by La-Z-Boy and asked if I’d like to participate in their La-Z-Boy Design Dash. The idea was to visit my local showroom and design a sofa. Then I’d meet my sofa in High Point, NC and design a room around that sofa. The concept sounded like fun. And the idea of getting away for a few days for some R&R sounded great! Little did I know, that there would be very little rest or relaxation involved.

A week later I received instructions to go to the local La-Z-Boy showroom and design my sofa. As I approached the showroom I was hesitant. I remember the vision of my grandfather’s old slouchy recliner. I was suddenly filled with trepidation. How could I “design” a sofa with flabby rolls of corduroy? I grabbed the door and opened it, and what lay inside literally shattered any preconceived notions I had of La-Z-Boy!

I was stopped immediately by what I saw.

colorful-chair   medallion-chair cannonball-arm

I had a breathtaking reaction to this chair:

my-chair-colors-pillows

Everywhere I looked there was more beautiful upholstered furniture. Read more

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