I found this old bike for $4 at a thrift store.

We took off the bearings, tires and bolts leaving me with 2 lovely wheels for wreaths. Any old wheel you can find will do, mine had the added benefit of being pink.

I snuck out with the husband this weekend and showed him my inspiration window, explaining that mine wouldn’t be quite as cute because I didn’t have the beautiful glass flowers.

To which he responded, “those aren’t glass they are plastic”. Plastic water bottles to be exact. Plastic water bottles simply cut up and spray painted.

Spray painted???

Yup.

Spray painted.

Well, that made it just too tempting for me not to recreate. So I did-

My version involved- 1 four dollar bike, 12 recycled water bottles and plenty of left over spray paint. Creating this loveliness.

My favorite wreath ever, ever, ever.

Make your own:

First collect a wide variety of different size plastic bottles and cut the tops off.

Then begin cutting away on the diagonal of each top. Bend back the edges fanning them out to create a flower.

Attack the flower with an easy coat of colorful spray paint- no perfection required.

Layer the bottles together, using different colors and sizes to add texture, glue each flower together by its separate base. Attach to the wreath wheel with string or floral wire.

Hang it up and smile. It is quite a joy.

Favorite wreath ever.

blessings.

Because I added a small square of chalk-board paint, wrote out the word LOVE.

Bought a few pink tulips,

and made this…

Which, I think might be my favorite project yet,

and so incredibly easy to make.

In case you missed the Advent Wreath tutorial here are the simple steps to create these vases:

• Collect a few wine bottles
• Spray paint them white, doing multiple light coats to prevent dripping
  
• Using a felt brush paint on two coats of chalkboard paint in an imperfect square, centered on the front
• Write in the word LOVE
  
• Add water and then a few simple, pretty flowers

They make me smile. I am excited to share with you tomorrow a few other lovely items going into the store to continue our Black & White LOVE for this Valentines Day.

PS. Here they are in pink for spring!

blessings.

I was inspired for this project by my desire to incorporate owls somehow into my babies new room design because I think they are adorable and have been longingly looking at them in nurseries everywhere lately.

Also, my lovely mother was in town this weekend looking for projects to tackle, so I figured I’d put her hands to work and we made these baby owl growth charts that are both adorable and easily movable.

Here is the D.I.Y. download I created for you to make your own baby owl growth chart- click the link and print out on letter size paper for a pattern template.

• Directions: Follow the template to cut out the pattern. You will need 2 coordinating colors of fabric and 2 colors of felt. You will also need a circular piece of wood to attach the owl onto- I used a circular wooden box top that I painted white, you could also use wood, cardboard, or even a plastic top painted to the color of your decor.

• Spray the pieces together with adhesive glue to make your owl. Then spray the owl onto the base board you are using.

• Cut out 5 1/2 feet of ribbon and mark off each foot from the ground up. I stamped in the numbers with a white rubber stamp to make them visible. Once it is marked attach the ribbon to the back of your board with hot glue.

• As pair these owls are exceptionally adorable, if you have more than one child try a grouping of them in similar fabrics.

Quick advice, if you want your baby’s measurements on the chart before they will stand still for you (like mine) simply use the doctors measurements and write them in.

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blessings.

* Please click on the image above to read the entire D.I.Y. football banner post-thanks.

blessings.

PS. This is how you will know when there is a new DIY/event post listed from now on. Simply click the picture if you want to see the full post. This one includes a laughable free download for your football viewing pleasure- enjoy.

We are focusing this year on celebrating the complete season of Advent so it seemed necessary to have a traditional advent wreath guiding us through the weeks. Here is my mostly-free-to-make, disposable (since we are moving), modern take on the tradition.

I used our left over wine bottles from the Thanksgiving centerpiece and put 2 coats of white spray paint on them. Then I shaved down four taper candles to fit inside the bottles and surrounded it all with moss balls for a simple, modern take on the traditional evergreen wreath.

Each bottle is wrapped with ribbon and has an important Advent word affixed to the front for our family to consider as we enjoy the festivities in these weeks leading up to Christmas.

We celebrated the first Sunday last night by lighting a candle and reading a chapter from our new Advent book. Each week we will light one of the candles, read together and savor the passing of the season. On Christmas day all four bottled candles will glow as well as the single taper in the middle symbolizing the center and purpose of the season for us- the birth of our Lord.

blessings.