Architecture of a Mom: Creative Outlets

Plaster Photo-transfer Ornaments with High Gloss Decorative Edge

6:00:00 AM

I love personalized gifts and personalized ornaments for our Christmas tree. And even better, if you're looking for a sweet gift for grandparents, why not do a photo ornament? A couple of years ago, I used photo transfer medium to make ceramic photo transfer ornaments. They are so cute, if I do say so myself, but because the photo transfer medium is white, and the photographs were black and white, the ornament was a little old timey and a little washed out. This year, I wanted to make an ornament that had a little "pop" of color - so I came up with photo transfer ornaments with a faux-enamel paint edge and back.

The process is very simple, but there is some dry time to incorporate. Don't worry - you still have time to make one before Christmas!

Creative Outlets

Nutcracker Sweets Faux Enamel Sign

8:00:00 AM

Hi folks! Not only do I have a great way to add a faux enamel sign to your Christmas decor, but my friends and I have come together to do an amazing Silhouette Christmas round up and a giveaway for you!! Say tuned to the end of this post to check it out!

I love the Nutcracker Suite - I have since I was a little girl. And for a while now, my husband and I have been collecting nutcrackers. This year, I decided to have a nutcracker mantel, and I wanted to create a little faux enamel sign to go with it.

You remember how I made an enamel sign out of tile for my kitchen? Well, I had to make a Christmas one, and you won't believe how easy it is to do it!

Creative Outlets

Rosemary and Milk Paint Christmas Vignette

6:00:00 AM

Hi folks! I hope that your Christmas season is going well. It's been a little crazy around these parts. No matter how hard I work before the Christmas season starts, I still seem to find myself scurrying around all month long with all my commitments. I guess that's why I'm always attracted to easy and inexpensive ways to decorate for the season! This little Joy vignette is simple - you really can do this in just a few minutes (plus drying time) with things that are lying around your house (and maybe even your recycle bin!). The secret ingredient to making this vignette work? Milk Paint!

Creative Outlets

Happy Thanksgiving My Friends

6:00:00 AM

I don't think I say this enough, but I am thankful for you. If you're reading this blog for the first time or you've been with me for the past four years (hi Mom!), then I am thankful for you. I'm thankful that you let me try new things...

And you're not upset when I fail. You've seen holes in my ceiling, my mess, and my crazy family.

I'm happy that I've been able to share my struggles and blessings with you.

I hope that your day is restful and fun and special.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Creative Outlets

Tassel Table Runner

6:00:00 AM

I love buying seasonal decor items on clearance. You would be surprised what you can find. Often, you can find neutral items that could easily be any season. And often, the seasonal items aren't out of season. It's just time for the store to move on to the next season. I took advantage of these clearance items - some faux suede and a neutral table runner to make a tassel runner for Thanksgiving - but really, this runner will likely be a part of my decor for the majority of the year!

A couple of days after Halloween, I hit my Target and hit the decor jackpot. Even though it was still several weeks to Thanksgiving, there was a whole lot of neutral fall craft and decor items. I snagged a couple of spools each of brown and cream faux suede and a table runner for less than $3!

Making an embellished table runner from these supplies is super simple!

Creative Outlets

Metallic Tribal Tattoo Ornaments

6:00:00 AM

I’m really loving the fake tattoos that you can find in stores and online these days – they are way more grown up than the superhero ones that my kids have been using for years.

But let’s face it, I just don’t have many occasions to don a cool geometric tattoo – I just don’t get out much! But these metallic beauties that I got as a bonus from an online purchase were way to pretty for me not to use them, so I had to find a new use for them. I don’t do much glitzy décor items…except one time of year – during the holidays! I was super exited to realize that I could use tattoos to add drama to glossy ornament to bring them to the next level.

Here’s what you need:

Creative Outlets

Perforated Metal Christmas Wreath

7:31:00 AM

I love creating for Christmas. I used to wait until December to make all kinds of crafts and designs, but the older I become, the more I just want to slow down an savor the holiday season. It’s not always possible; there are always events and shopping that have to happen in December, but I’ve started to create Christmas décor and crafts a little earlier and start decorating my house. Most of the items that go up early are more transitional; they are not screaming “Christmas” but rather start whispering the feeling of coziness or adds a bit of sparkle and shine. If you’re feeling the same way—enjoying the crafts before the craziness begins, look no further! That’s why I’m handing up my new Christmas wreath (or is it my winter wreath) today. I’m adding a little bit of shine and glitter and you won’t believe how easy it is to make this craft! And if you’re really looking for some wreath inspiration, you can find 20 more wreaths linked up at the bottom of this post!

Creative Outlets

Wonder Woman DIY Costume

6:00:00 AM

How do your kids select their Halloween costumes? My girls take their selections very seriously. That’s probably a good thing, since I typically either make their costumes or find them at consignment sales! Take Sweet Pea. She’s known what her costume was going to be since May, if not before. After all, it’s also her career selection, which she announced with pride at pre-K graduation – she wants to be Wonder Woman. So with a little girl that passionate about her costume, this mom had to deliver an amazing costume. This costume is amazingly simple!

Earlier this week I shared how I made a Batgirl costume for my eldest, and the directions are pretty similar; however, since there was netting involved, I wasn’t sure that hot glue would work, so I decided to make this costume a sewn one. But if you can sew a straight line, you can do this—promise!

Creative Outlets

No-Sew Batgirl Costume

6:00:00 AM

Are you ready for Halloween? Do you (or your kids) dress up for the holiday? I (finally) have all my kids' costumes ready! If you're looking for an easy costume look no further!This year, my eldest wanted to be Batgirl. She had envisioned a cowl just like Batman's...and all the trimmings. This mama can sew, but my skills aren't up to that level...so I decided to experiment and create a costume for her that didn't take a single stitch to create - that's right, a completely no sew costume!!

Creative Outlets

Jewelry Holder - Haven Swag Challenge

8:00:00 AM

Hi folks! Do you remember me talking about Haven? Well, this DIY blogger conference isn’t just about blogging…it’s also about hands-on. During lunch one day I had an opportunity to make a jewelry organizer with some punched metal, a premade wood frame, and some pretty cabinet hardware. It was loads of fun. Basically, we cut the metal to size, used a nail gun to staple it onto the back, and attached the pulls into the pre-drilled holes.

But there’s only so much you can do during lunch…especially when you are also managing a minor medical emergency at home, as well. Yeah, I guess I’m never too far away to be a mom, right?

Anyway, I wanted to finish it up when I got home. Here's how I did it...

Creative Outlets

Watercolor Pumpkin

6:00:00 AM

When Architecture of a Mom was just a baby blog, I explained why I wanted to blog. This was back before I realized that most posts do better if there are pictures in the post, so please be kind. I’ve grown as a blogger and as a mom, but I still want to be creative and share the journey with you. This little pumpkin is a story about learning and creativity and learning to let go. You see, even creative people struggle with trying a new medium. Here in the blogging world, I think we feel the pressure to show our readers a beautiful completed project. But I have struggled and struggled with watercolors. So I took a class with Lucy from Craftberry Bush when I went to Haven. Did she show us some techniques? Yep. Did I use any of them for my little pumpkin painting….not really.

What I took from that class and what this little pumpkin is about is threefold:

-Creativity (and watercolor painting) is not about perfection. It’s messy. Hey, so is life!

-It always looks better when it’s dry. Don’t despair. You know, the night is always darkest before the dawn. Be patient.

-When you view being creativity as a means to an end (to relax, for example), you have better results.

You know, like this little pumpkin. This past Thursday, it was time to watch Panther’s football after working late at a meeting. I just wanted to unwind and experiment with watercolor paints. I sketched a little with watercolor pencils so my sketch lines wouldn’t show in the final painting, but then I just went with the flow. It was wonderful.

May you find a little creativity in your life today.

I love to party! Sometimes I link up my posts to Serenity Now, Organizing Junkie, Tidy Mom and these link parties! You should come party with me and check out some awesome new bloggers!

Creative Outlets

Wooden Fall Wreath with Fabric Pumpkins

6:00:00 AM

Well, when the seasons change it’s usually time around my house to start thinking about what my wreath is going to be for the season. I’m not alone, so if you’re looking for loads and loads of autumnal wreath inspiration, follow this post all the way to the end to check out all of the fall wreaths my bloggy friends have come up with! Of course, I’ve already told you in my fall mantel post that this season is crazy for me this year. So I decided to make part of my wreath, reuse part of my wreath, and buy part of my wreath.

Are you in love with all the fabric pumpkins that you’ve seen around the internet over the last few years? That’s the part I made, and it’s super simple.

Older
Stories

Plaster Photo-transfer Ornaments with High Gloss Decorative Edge

Nutcracker Sweets Faux Enamel Sign

Rosemary and Milk Paint Christmas Vignette

Happy Thanksgiving My Friends

Tassel Table Runner

Metallic Tribal Tattoo Ornaments

Perforated Metal Christmas Wreath

Wonder Woman DIY Costume

No-Sew Batgirl Costume

Jewelry Holder - Haven Swag Challenge

Watercolor Pumpkin

Wooden Fall Wreath with Fabric Pumpkins

About me

Shop!

Follow Me

Search This Blog

Labels

recent posts

Blog Archive

Instagram