Easy Valentine Dollar Store Decor

Here is an easy Valentine project for kids of all ages!  These little heart ornaments would make cute little gift tags, or they would be fun to tuck into a Valentine's card.

I used them to decorate glittery branches in a condominium foyer that I stage.  They are cheery and lighthearted, greeting the residents when they return home at the end of the day.

To make your own, you will need a package of glittered foam hearts from the Dollar Tree.

You will also need some string or cord or ribbon. I used embroidery floss from Daiso Japan, an import store where everything is $1.50.

Using tacky glue (you can use school glue, but you will need to wait longer to hang them), glue a loop of floss between a small heart and a large heart.

Make lots!

Hang them from a pretty branch and enjoy!

If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to subscribe to House Revivals, so you won't miss any of the projects we have planned. Feel free to link this post to your favorite social media sites. Check out the sidebar for links to lots more fun tutorials.

Be sure to check out this fun Valentine garland made with materials from the recycling bin!

Make a Pocket Planner From a Vintage Romance Novel!

When I was in seventh grade, our neighbor gave me a huge box of 1950's era Harlequin romances, in exchange for babysitting. The books were sweet, unrealistic, and innocent.

(this post contains affiliate links)

Although I was a voracious reader, I think I loved the "retro" cover graphics more than I enjoyed reading the stories.

Easy Ways to Embellish Paperclips!

It's that time of year when we are filling in and organizing new planners and calenders! I've always loved getting a brand new calender or planner and filling in birthdays and anniversaries and all those other "hard" dates right away. I like to keep several paperclips in my planner to hold my place, or to hold lists or receipts.

I am not into complicated planners -- my system must be simple or I just won't do it.  If a planner adds another layer of complication to my life, I don't want it. For instance, paperclips are awesome, but they need to be easy to see and differentiate from each other and grab.

Make Beautiful Jewelry From the Hardware Store!

You can create beautiful things using humble supplies. Craft stores are amazing, but we don't always have the time or extra cash to shop there, and sometimes we don't live anywhere near a craft supply store. Other times, we just want to create something beautiful from stuff we have lying around.

I recently found myself with a few moments on my hands, and cleaned out my purse. In the very bottom of my bag were some glass sample tiles from a big box hardware store.

2015 Stash Busting Projects

Do you ever feel like your stash of supplies is getting out of control?  Finding that balance between having a "palette" to work with on creative projects and becoming a hoarder can be a little tricky!

Every now and then, we need to take an inventory of our stash, and decide if our supplies still represent who we are as designers, artists, crafters, and decorators. In 2015, I am challenging myself, and want to challenge you to join me, in a series of craft busting projects.

Creative Ways to Add Storage to Your Kitchen

Are you one of those people who vows to get more organized with the new year?  I love new years and new beginnings! It's a great time to tackle those projects we've been putting off for ages. Sometimes we need to organize our kitchens a little bit better, but our space and resources are limited.

Here are some easy and pretty ideas to help you get your kitchen in shape for the new year!

bhg

Convert a thrift store desk into a one of a kind kitchen island. Add shelves in the knee space for storing wine and serving dishes. A towel rod on the side and a cutting board on top turn this into a hardworking island!

homelife

Use an old ladder (or crib rail!) to hang pots and pans. Store baskets on top. Such a pretty and functional solution!

thekitchn

Add an eclectic mix of open shelving to add texture and interest while providing easy to reach storage. This is a great solution for those items you use every day!

via design sponge

Use inexpensive wood crates from a discount store to create a custom shelving unit! This is an especially good idea for renters and students. When it's time to move, put your things in the crates and carry them to the next place!

bhg 

Use a vintage plate rack to keep your dishes handy! Hint: seal the piece well, with polyurethane, to prevent chipping of old paint.

bhg

Stack vintage (or new) picnic baskets for out of sight storage in plain sight! The baskets add texture to the space and repeat the warm tones of the wood floor.

bobvila

This one is not as pretty as the other ideas, but it sure is clever! Cut the top and bottom off an old soda bottle and use it to dispense plastic bags. Screw the bottle upside down to the back of a pantry or cabinet door.

bobvila

Screw T-mold strips to the bottom of your cabinets for wine glass storage!

classy clutter

Do you have a little bit of extra space next to your fridge? Build this pull-out on wheels to store spices and canned goods! Brilliant!

What do you think? Are you inspired to tackle an organization project in your kitchen now?

How to Make Garden Markers From Vintage Spoons!

Here is a lovely gift idea for yourself, or the kitchen gardener in your life!  These plant markers made from vintage silverware are so pretty.

(this tutorial contains affiliate links)

Through much trial and error, I have figured out how to flatten and stamp vintage silverware. There are probably as many techniques out there as there are people who do this type of craft. I struggle with wrist and elbow and shoulder issues, so after trying several of the different methods for making these garden markers, I realized I would need to work smarter, not harder.

How to Flatten Silverware for Up-Cycling Projects!

Over the years, I seem to have accumulated quite a bit of silverplate!  I'm not sure how it happens... a piece here, then a piece there. We used to be able to find silverplate in thrift stores for about a quarter a piece -- fifty cents, at the most. Now days, you can usually find it for about a dollar a piece.

{This post contains affiliate links.}

It's so hard to resist all the pretty vintage patterns! Some vintage silverware is quite worn and not great for eating from and not nice enough for up-cycled jewelry, but it is charming nonetheless,  and can be fashioned into plant stakes and cheese markers, and key chains, and so on.

2015 Word of the Year

Is it really 2015, already?  Every year, it seems the days fly by more quickly than the year before. 2014, for me was a year of much reflection. I had been thinking of it as a "lost year," in terms of career and personal growth, but as I look back on it I realize it was a time when I was advancing by leaps and bounds.

In 2014, my Word of the Year was Acceptance (not to be confused with complacence). Things got off to a rough start, when a dear aunt passed away. I did not want to accept that. I was really hoping to get through an entire year without anyone dying, but maybe that's not realistic in this life. Every single person we know will eventually move on.

Why You Need to Shop Architectural Salvage Stores

If you've been reading House Revivals for very long, you will know about my love affair with reused, reclaimed, and re-purposed items.  After all, why buy new, when you can buy used, right?

I adore architectural salvage. As an interior designer, I love the idea of giving a design project "soul" by including items that have a story to tell.

Upcycle Your Christmas Tins!

Here's an idea for all those Christmas tins you received this year! Use them to organize your kitchen and your life.

Last year, I up-cycled this tin into a container for sweetener packets. It was functional, but considering that it lived out in the open, the snowman theme was a bit much.

How to Repair Broken Jewelry With Paper

A few months ago, I found this broken necklace in an Alabama thrift store for a couple of dollars. It would have been cute, except for the fact that several of the cabochons had fallen off.

The necklace came home with me because I thought it would be simple to repair. It was very simple to repair, although it took me months to get around to it!

Of course, I had no matching cabochons at home, but what I did have was even better! I had this lovely sheet of vintage paper.

It was super easy to cut out circles from the paper and Mod Podge them into the empty necklace bezels.

After the Mod Podge was completely dry, I added Dimensional Magic to the top. The necklace now looks gorgeous, and it looks like it was always meant to have vintage text alternating with the cabochons.

Do you have some old jewelry in need of rescue? Do you ever remake your old jewelry?

My Favorite Projects and Posts From 2014

Okay, I've already shared your favorite House Revivals posts of 2014. Now, here are my favorite posts!

In 2013, I was dealing with a copyright (copyfraud) bully, and decided to share a bit about my experiences and research in What Crafters Need to Know About U.S. Copyright Law.