Galvanized Metal Star Garland | Pretty Handy Girl

Holiday Home Tour 2015 - Living Room | Pretty Handy Girl

It’s the most wonderful time of year when I can invite you into my home. The house is picked up (for the moment) and I’ve hung the stockings with care. But, most of all, I enjoy having you over for a cup of hot cocoa and good conversation. If you are just coming over from Gloribell’s blog, I Don’t Know How She Does It, welcome! If you are stopping in here first, follow to the end of this post to see all the other bloggers participating in the tour. (You won’t want to miss a single one!)

Just-a-Girl-Christmas-room-tour

Ready for the tour? Handy Dog and I are so happy to have you here with us.

Holiday Home Tour 2015 - Living Room | Pretty Handy Girl

Grab your drink and let’s head to the living room.

Holiday Home Tour 2015 - Living Room | Pretty Handy Girl

You may have seen a sneak peek of our living room earlier this week when I shared how to make these fun rustic metal magnetic window frames.

Galvanized Metal Magnetic Windows | Pretty Handy Girl

Adding width to a starburst mirror was as easy as hot gluing straws to the back. I added some fake snow spray to the back of a reclaimed window. If we don’t have real snow this year, at least we can enjoy the fake stuff.

Holiday Home Tour 2015 - Living Room | Pretty Handy Girl

The mantel is filled with rustic metal, including the DIY Galvanized Metal Star Garland. Read more

Galvanized Metal Star Garland | Pretty Handy Girl

Galvanized Metal Star Garland | Pretty Handy Girl

Remember when I told you I’ve been on a galvanized metal kick? Yes, you may have noticed my Rustic Metal Magnetic Window Frame on Monday. When I put the windows over our fireplace mantel, I knew there was something missing. I tried a few different garlands in the space, but nothing felt quite right. When I gazed upon the leftover galvanized metal, the idea to create a Galvanized Metal Star Garland was born.

Galvanized Metal Magnetic Windows | Pretty Handy Girl

Today’s post is part of the Deck the Halls DIY-Style tour hosted by Jen Woodhouse, If you are just hopping over today from Sawdust and Embryos, amazing vignette, right?! My favorite is the monogrammed scroll snowflake. Welcome to my little slice of DIY Blog heaven. I can’t wait to show you how I made several elements over our fireplace mantel.

Deck the Halls DIY Style | Pretty Handy Girl

The Galvanized Metal Star Garland is so incredibly easy to make. You’ll be looking for more places to decorate with a garland of stars.

Ready to get started? Grab these things and let’s make something stellar!

Materials:
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Instructions:

Draw stars on your galvanized sheet of metal. If you prefer a beautifully aged metal patina, you can follow this tutorial to make your metal age quickly.

Galvanized Metal Star Garland | Pretty Handy Girl

Cut out the star shapes with tin snips.

Galvanized Metal Star Garland | Pretty Handy Girl

Rub the pencil marks off the stars with a gloved hand. Read more

5 Steps for Beautiful Holiday Wreaths

5 Steps for Beautiful Holiday Wreaths

Hello friends, it’s Jessica from Decor Adventures. December is the most wonderful month of the year and these early days are perfect for holiday decorating. I’m sure you are decking your halls and getting ready to have a festive season.

One of my favorite ways to decorate for the holidays is to hang wreaths. I admit, I’m a wreath addict.  I have them in many sizes and many colors. They are the perfect holiday decor item and one of the easiest to use. Today I want to show you 5 steps for beautiful holiday wreaths, come see!

Materials:

5 Steps to Beautiful Holiday Wreaths

  • A wreath
  • Holiday lights or fairy lights
  • Ribbon
  • Ornaments
  • Holiday decor accessories
  • Scissors
  • Green twine
  • Batteries

The type of wreath you use for this project is up to you. The most common wreaths are evergreen and can be found at many retailers including grocery and home improvement stores. They also come in different types such as boxwood, fir, pine, cypress, and more. Real or fake wreaths will both work for decorating. Grab a wreath (or three!) and let’s get started.

5 Steps for Beautiful Holiday Wreaths:

1. The fluffing. Wreaths often get smushed during shipping. Pull out the branches and shape them in a nice circle. The before and after will be dramatic and can make the wreath even bigger. Real wreaths may have some dry spots or unshapely branches, which you can easily trim off.

5 Steps to Beautiful Holiday Wreaths

Read more

Fall Home Tour 2015 | Pretty Handy Girl

Fall Home Tour 2015 | Pretty Handy Girl

When I got back from my extended stay in Houston (after my sinus surgery), I was so anxious to decorate for fall. All those magazines I’d been perusing and all the beautiful Instagram photos had me craving some beautiful autumn decor. It took me a few days to get my energy back after I got home. In fact, I was still feeling a little worn out when I spotted this post on Facebook about a local multi-family yard sale that ran Monday – Saturday.

Rustic Yard Sale

I thought it was a joke or a dream. But, something told me (more like fifty of my fans on Facebook) that I should get off the couch and high tail it to this sale. My sweet friend Candace from Rusted Roots Blog was easily persuaded to meet me there, so I wouldn’t be the only fool who fell for a yard sale mid-week.

We both filled our cars with some great finds! I got home and quickly put together a little pumpkin and rustic relics display by our side door.

Fall Home Tour 2015 | Pretty Handy Girl

Fall Home Tour 2015 | Pretty Handy Girl

Fall Home Tour 2015 | Pretty Handy Girl Read more

Easy Fall Wreath Tutorial

24 Creative Fall Wreaths | Pretty Handy Girl

Hi Pretty Handy readers, it’s Colleen with Just Paint It. Although my focus is on painting now, I spent many years as a floral designer. With Fall right around the corner I thought you’d love to see this collection of 24 Creative Fall Wreaths.

Creative Fall Wreaths

Fall Floral Wreaths

Easy Fall Wreath TutorialThis wreath lives up to its name as the “Easiest Fall Wreath ever!

 

Fall Floral Wreaths

Jessica from Four Generations One Roof has a wonderful tutorial to make this full wreath laden with fall leaves and ornamentals.

 

Fall Floral WreathsIf you prefer leaving part of the grapevine base visible, Sweet Something Designs has some beautiful wreath ideas.

 

Fall Floral WreathStraw wreaths make great bases like this festive but inexpensive wreath using items from the dollar store.

 

Fall Floral WreathsMake a welcoming statement without flowers! This gorgeous magnolia wreath uses a white bud wreath as a base and hot glued fallen magnolia leaves behind it.

 

Fall Floral WreathThis lush wreath was created by Creative Green Living. She also shares tips to protect your door from getting scratched from the grapevine.

 

Fall Floral WreathsBrittany added some colorful preserved oak leaves to a cotton base to make a cheerful autumnal statement.

 


If you want to make your own design, follow these floral design basics – focal flowers, ornamentals, ribbons – in this tutorial by Just Paint It.

 

For a simple look for less than $10, you’ll love this branch wreath Karen made.

Fall Fruit Wreaths

Fall Fruit WreathMany think of gourds and pumpkins for Fall but it’s also harvest season for many fruit. The Wood Grain Cottage created this delish faux red apple wreath, cleverly hung with burlap over a chalkboard.

Fall Fruit WreathYou can use fresh apples too, like this adorable wreath by Lucy at Craftberry Bush. Talk about sweet!

 

Fall Fruit WreathDon’t forget about “sugared” fruit. This bountiful wreath by Mad in Crafts could easily take you from Fall thru Christmas!

 

Sweater Wreaths

Fall WreathI’ve seen sweaters used on jars and vases but this cozy wreath was a first for me. It conveys a warm and festive welcome and is quite easy to make!

Fall WreathJust a Girl created another sweater wreath adorned with feathers. This wreath echoes the warmth of the season yet is simple in design.

 

 Fabric Wreaths

Fall WreathsPatterned burlap makes a unique and stylish Fall wreath. City Moms Blog has a complete tutorial to create your own Fall Burlap Wreath.

 

Fall WreathSkip To My Lou offers a different take on a burlap wreath, full of texture and dimension and pretty in its simplicity.

 

Fall WreathWho would think to use denim fabric for a wreath? Crafts by Amanda, that’s who. Playful and fun and a great way to upcycle jeans!

 

Neutral Color Fall Wreaths

Fall WreathThis rustic chic wreath was made with strips of painter’s cloth by Live Laugh Rowe. Displaying it on the barn wood completes the look.

 

Fall WreathVicki of The Creative Goddess braided a natural raffia wreath and offers an easy to follow video tutorial.

 

Fall WreathThis oak leaf wreath made of book pages inspired an Autumn Garland.

 

Fall WreathThis book page wreath wasn’t made specifically for Fall by The Nester but it’s so spectacular, I had to include it.

 

Novelty Wreaths 

Finally, I’ve included these pieces to encourage you to think outside the . . . circle.

Fall WreathKim of Sand and Sisal created a beautiful door swag for Fall that has a designer’s touch.

 

Fall WreathsA green acorn wreath? Why not! Little Things Bring Smiles blog is credited designing this unique wreath.

 

Fall WreathIf your baseball team is lucky enough to be playing in October (World Series) Mad in Crafts shows you how to make a baseball wreath, sure to please. Go Team!

 

Fall WreathAn old rake with stems of bittersweet from Better Homes and Gardens that isn’t a wreath at all, but looks right at home on any door.

For a more modern look, you’ll love this simple wreath Karen made.

Whether you like vivid Fall colors or textural neutrals, a round wreath or old rake, I hope this collection has inspired you to create something fun this year.

Happy Fall y’all!

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