Bloody Candles!

Holy Martha Stewart.  I actually pulled off this Halloween craft. 

I wanted to show off these fabulous black glass candlesticks in a creepy way, so I tried Martha's "bloody candles" craft.  Well, lo and behold, it worked!  And, it couldn't have been ANY EASIER (and, no,  I didn't burn myself).

Everyone should try this...  it was really fun.  And, I even impressed my husband.

Watch Martha Stewart demonstrate "Creepy Candles" HERE.

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99 Cent Ikea Hack

I got a little crafty today. 

At Ikea last night I bought a round mouse pad for 99 cents.  Boring white.  And, really boring on my white desk.  So, I cut a scrap piece of fabric, grabbed my spray adhesive, and spiced it up a bit...

LAGIS mouse pad at Ikea

couldn't decide which fabric to use-- these are two of my all time favorites

(I ended up making both)

traced it out with pencil

cut it out and used spray adhesive on the back of the fabric

(didn't photograph that step, sorry)

And, my 99 cent mouse pad is just a bit cuter than before!

Degree of difficulty: about as easy and cheap as it gets.

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Halloween Decor with Martha

The Martha website is full of pretty Fall decorating ideas, you guys.  It is literally called "Halloween Central."  Like this bittersweet wreath.  Make it yourself with Martha's instruction HERE.

But, I think that these cut out bats might be my favorite...  How cool is this?  And, all you need is some black felt (or construction paper) and a pair of scissors...

This project is pretty creepy too.  Take a regular white taper candle and drip hot wax from a red candle over the top...  Creepy bleeding candles!

Another fun idea with cheesecloth... 

And, a less scary image?  Sweet little Martha as a little girl!

For more "Martha Through The Years," check out the post at Apartment Therapy.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Spooky Halloween Idea

Ok, so I know that the first day of Fall was yesterday (or is it today?), and it's a little crazy to mention Halloween decor already (like the folks singing Christmas carols on November 1st)...  but, I couldn't resist.  I picked up a copy of Country Living Magazine this weekend while running through the airport, and found that the issue was full of wonderful pictures and fantastic Halloween decorating ideas!  This one was my favorite: no messy cobwebs or glitter.  Just buy a few yards of cheesecloth from a local fabric store.  Rip it, cut it, distress it's edges and you have the perfect spooky Halloween throw.  It looks like a haunted house doesn't it?

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Trimmed Out!

I have secretly toyed with the idea of using pom pom trim somewhere in my house... You know, pom pom trim is funny... it's sort of fancy and a little playful. I don't know, I just like it.

I like the idea of adding it to the leading edge of a drapery panel...



or, using it on a pillow with a solid fabric...



This idea is great. Holly at Decor8 blogged about this tip (from a Dutch magazine) last year. It's an IKEA blanket spruced up with colorful pom pom trim.


Here are a few (easily available) pom pom options from Lewis & Sheron!

purple pom pom:

orange pom pom:

red pom pom:



top image of Kelly Wearstler from Modern Glamour.

Weekend D.I.Y.

Wallpaper covered light switch!

I think I might attempt this simple DIY project this weekend...

I have a few scraps of wallpaper samples hanging around. This seems like a good use for them, right?

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Garden Party!

I paid a (long overdue) visit to Martha Stewart's website this week, and found a whole slew of ideas for garden-themed entertaining... Now, I do not have a garden (I only have a very very small deck. Very small.) but I would love to host a party like this with fresh flowers and beautiful linens, and a fizzy cocktail, of course.


"bing cherry mojitos" ...yummy.



make your own "flower votive display"



make your own "paper lantern vase"



"leaf coasters"? ...I think this is where Martha may have crossed the line.


Love this modern garden party featured in Country Living...







A few more favorites from my files...