Whether we like it or not, the colder months are officially upon us and the holidays are just around the corner.  Using items you already have around, transforming your home into a warm and welcoming place is easier than you ever imagined. These quick and simple tips for do-it-yourself decorations will have you sitting back and relaxing with a hot cup of cocoa in no time at all!

Snow Globe:

Not only is it super easy to create your own snow globe, it’s a really fun child-friendly activity. Grab an empty mason jar and fill it with water, some sparkles (white or silver if you’re going for a snowy effect) and a couple drops of glycerin. Glue a toy or mini-scene of your choice to the underside of the lid and screw right on, adding a little hot glue to keep things secure. If you’re feeling extra creative, check out this tutorial from TipJunkie on tinting mason jars. Your very own DIY snow globe is complete!  [ed-Pictured: from a great tutorial at Corner House]

Table runners:

I don’t know about you, but I tend to get at least a couple fancy placemat sets each year. We don’t really make use of these at home, but one of the ways I’ve upcycled them is by sewing them together to create a fun and festive table runner. No need to put too much time into this one either – simple attaching the patterns together will give you the look you’re going for. You can even place those festive filled vases on top to finish off the look!

Festive filled jars:

Candy canes, red bows and sparkly ornaments are a holiday staple. Another really quick way to spice up a room is to fill clear glass vases or bowls with items you’re not currently using.

These ones by Jen from Creative Design are wonderful!

Fancy candles:

Candles are one of the simplest ways to update a room and make things feel warm and cozy. Whether you’re stuck with a bunch of leftover stick candles from a party a long time ago, or are in the mood to go out and purchase a few news ones, there is no need to spend money on any particular design. Adding some stylish ribbon around the base or the body of your candy is a really quick way to create a whole new look. I suggest clumping three candles of different heights together to create and using big, embellished ribbon to really make a statement. If you need a little inspiration, Amanda over at Imperfectly Beautiful has a great tutorial. You can also add a little twinkle by covering your candles in mod podge and rolling them in chunky sparkles!

Recycled Card Art:

After years of collecting Christmas cards and never knowing what to do with them, I finally found a way to put them to good use. I frame collages of cards in cheap dollar store frames and place them on my mantles, bathroom vanities and kitchen counter tops. Again, I stick to the rule of three, usually combining a few for a more prominent look.

Holiday themed wreath:

A wreath, either for outside or in, is a really nice way to embrace the season. Using a collection of twigs or tree trimmings, bundle them around to form a circle tying every few inches with twine or wire. Next, take advantage of nature by adorning the circle with pinecones, leaves, and greenery. Add some festive spirit by using the the glue gun to attach bows, ornaments or other holiday themed items to your increasingly beautiful wreath to complete the look.

Brush Mat:

As the cooler air approaches, I usually head out to my nearest home hardware store to pick up a new brush mat after retiring last year’s when summer came along. In my opinion, nothing gets dirty boots cleaner but they’re also nearly impossible to clean. Instead of paying extra for the ones with design, just grab a plain one and head home for a little fun with spray paint. Using home-made or store-bought stencils and fall colored spray-paint, get crafty with your new mat and create a brand new personalized boot cleaner.

Hi my name is Jessica, I’m a passionate do-it-yourselfer and recently started expressing my creativity and sharing my many ideas through blogging. I have the pleasure of working for online DIY resource for homeowners and retailer of Maytag appliance parts, PartSelect.com.  If you’re looking for repair help or simply wondering what we do, pop by for a visit!

Dave Gugel, of Davenport FL, has one of the most impressive Halloween decorated houses I’ve seen in a long time. Check out the interview we did with him last year, and the pictures!  His website has pictures of the finished product for the past several years, and pictures of the construction process and the behind the scenes of how he puts it together.  I asked him if he would grace us with a tutorial on how to make some of his great decorations, and he’s agreed!  Check it out… ultra-creepy Electric Candles!  Tutorial is below.

How to Make Electric Candles

By Dave Gugel (www.goreNmore.com)

Shopping list:

PVC pipe
Strand of Flicker Lights
Styrofoam disk cut to size for the interior diameter of the PVC pipe
Hot Glue gun
Glue sticks
Pliers
Paint
Optional Materials:
Wood Dowel
Wood Plank

To make these electric candles I first start off with a trip to a Hardware store to purchase PVC piping and a strand of flicker lights. (The light strand can only be purchased while Christmas lights are available in stores or online throughout the rest of the year.)

I then saw the PVC pipe to the height I want each candle, and disassemble the flicker light strand. To disassemble the light I take 2 pliers and pull the 2 section of the socket apart.

I take my hot glue gun and give each piece of PVC pipe wax drippings, just like you would find on a real candle. Once the glue dries I paint the entire candle.

I then take the Styrofoam disk cut them to the size of the PVC pipe and glue then into place just about an inch from the top. Once this is dry I drill a hole in the center of the Styrofoam so that the flicker light can slide through.

Optional Step: Since these will be outside I take a wood dowel and cut it to half the length of each candle. I then layout where I want each candle to be placed on a wood plank, drill holes for the electric wiring, and attached each dowel just behind the hole. This will help make sure the candles do not blow over with high winds

I take the electric wire from the light strand and thread it through the hole in the Styrofoam (and wood plank if you are doing that step) . I then snap the socket for the light back into place and then hot glue it into place.

Once you do this for all your lights you put the lights back into the sockets and turn it on. You now have a lit candle with no chance of the wind blowing it out. =)

The fun thing about these candles is that you can change the height and width of each candle to suite your tastes. Enjoy!

Thanks so much to Dave for sharing some of his secrets with us today!  Happy Halloween!