Fondue Gala Details

Annually my friend Erin and I host a fondue holiday party for couples only (kiddos have to stay at home). We provide the meat (chicken, steak, sausage, shrimp) and everyone else signs up for different sides. This year we made three different fondues - oil (for the meat), cheese (for the bread and sausage) and chocolate (for the breads, fruits and cookies). Wanted to share a few photos of the festivities....

Prepping for the party:

 We had 24 confirmed guests, so we converted the space with our specified color scheme (red, silver and white). The table cloths are scrap fabric, and the white plate have been collected over the year at garage sales. Each table had 2 oil fondue pots and two cheese fondue pots. (The chocolate pots were in the dessert station in the kitchen). We even covered the already beautiful curtains with red draped fabric.

We wanted everyone to have two similar color forks (to help alleviate confusion of whose meat is whose!)....however some of the forks didn't match, but Erin came up with an AMAZING idea....NAIL POLISH!!!! Not so sure why she had white and emerald green nail polish, but I didn't judge because it solved our problem!
 

 Along wth the matching white dishes, we wanted white napkins. At last minute I cut the last twelve napkins, but I didn't get a chance to serge the edges, but I came up with a very quick fix......sear the edges with FIRE!!!!! Worked out beautifully and no one new any different!

One cool feature we had was a "photo booth room" for our guests. We provided props, a camera on a tripod and a backdrop. It was a HUGE hit of the party! Below is Erin giving us a quick trial run....

We also like to give our guests a little take-home treat, to which we were inspired by an idea on Pinterest  from "Not So Idle Hands" (who doesn't love Pinterest, right?!).

Here's how we made them.....

Get inspired today, Becky

Liberate Creativity & Mod Podge Rocks

Guess where my project is today????



Click on her the icon to check it out!

Thanks for the feature Amy!

Update Your Lamps!

So.....I had an okay lamp on our end table in our bedroom, but I'm never okay with "just okay"
So of course I have to update it! I found some buttons, some straws, spray paint, glue gun.....and forget about it!!!!

Burlap & Starfish Wreath

I'm excited to feature Roeshel from The DIY Showoff today! Roeshel has offered a great project using burlap! Burlap is always a fun fabric to get creative with - so many uses and it's always wonderful to see what people come up with while using it! Be sure to visit Roeshel's site - she's got a great eye for creativity!
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Level: Beginner

Topic: For the Home

Time: 1-4 hours

Easy DIY Burlap & Starfish Wreath

Dry Erase Possibilities!

Have you ever tried Dry Erase paint? Okay, seriously, you should. Recently I completed a couple easy-peasy projects using this amazing paint.....

1. Dry Erase "Idea" board for my craft room

2. "Menu" board for my kitchen

Simple Photo Frames

Hi my name is Stephanie Lynn from Under the Table and Dreaming and I'm delighted to be visiting Becky today!


Level: Beginner
Time: Expect 1-4 years
Topic: Housewares

I have a simple frame to share with you today that can also double as a little note holder too.

Felt Wreath

Level: Intermediate

Time: 1-4 Hours

Topic: Housewares 

Hello there. My name is Liz from Piggies Pleasures. I am so pleased to be visiting Liberate Creativity today for this little guest post tutorial!  I have been blogging for several years now and crafting for even longer. Blogging and crafting allow me time to escape from reality for just a bit and focus on the fun things in life that I love so much! One of my passions is that of the fiber arts. I have been spinning yarn for several years now and I find fibers to be so fascinating. I am spinning yarn happily and ferociously to work on the re-opening of my Etsy store which really is a long time coming. So, in honor of all things fibery, (yep, I don’t think that is a word) I will be demonstrating how to make a yarn wreath.

 

Bathroom Door Revamp

Bathroom Door Revamp!

Level: Beginner

Time: Expect 1-4 Hours

Topic: Housewares

This is our Bathroom door. This Bathroom is attached to our Kitchen. It's not very sound-proof....like, at all!  

So I thought I could maybe "sound-proof" it a bit, plus make it cuter...

Kids Room Plaque

How Does She is visiting us today.....we should feel very special....SERIOUSLY! Thanks so much for doing a guest tutorial....it's SO super! Read on people, read on!

Come in...It's PLAY time!

Level: Intermediate

Time: Expect 1-4 Hours
Topic: Houseware & Kids

Adding to the kids bedroom decor!

We got together with a couple of my daughter's friends and made this. It was a super fun 'swap' and I will get a post up soon on 'swapping talents'. You'll soon be thinking of ideas to keep your kids busy this summer and only have to do 1/6th of the work:)

Zen Garden

Create your own Zen Garden with House of Hepworths.

Level: Beginner

Time:  Less than an hour, easy!

Topic: Housewares

Materials Needed:Shallow glass dish or bowl
bag of polished stones filler
three 5" white or cream candles
twine

This is such an easy display to put together, but it has such a huge impact! I found my glass dish from goodwill, but I've seen them at Michaels and Hobby Lobby.

Repurposed Frames

Frames have been quite our theme lately, right?! Well, I adore frames and the various projects we can create! Shannon from Bless Our Nest has been gracious to visit us again....just can't get enough Shannon, right?! Seriously, check out this post and then head over to Bless Our Nest...super great content!

I also have been thinking we need another giveaway soon....right????!!! Please include in your comments what kind of giveaway you'd like to see (Dream big, but don't get your hopes up too much!).......AND HERE'S SHANNON....

Re-purposing Old Frames

Level: Beginner

Time: Expect 1 hour or less

Topic: Houseware

How do you like these beautiful pictures from the 1970's that my Grandmother gave me? I'm sure you are very jealous!

I knew I could do something with them, I just didn't know what. I thought about it for a couple of weeks and decided I needed something beside our bed. I had thought about printing out something that said "His" and "Hers" and then hanging them on each side of the bed but that just wasn't working.

Chalkboard Coat Rack

I'm Becky from Liberate Creativity. I'm honored to be visiting you all today! Two things you should know about me before I continue....

1. I'm constantly looking for updates and creative ways to spice up the norm

2. I'm addicted to chapstick


Wanna meet me?????



Okay, okay, this isn't a photo of me, but it just so happens to be a photo of my fav person in the entire world - my Gramama! Isn't she BEAUTIFUL???????
She's the woman who gifted me with my creativity and personality so wouldn't you prefer to see a photo of her way more than me????? Of course!!!!! Okay.....let's get on with this tutorial....

Picture Frame Chalkboard

We're thrilled to have Laura & David from We Design Studios here today to let us embrace in some creativity! Let the fun begin!!!!!



Okay, maybe a better idea of what David & Laura look like!

 Picture Frame Chalkboard

Level: Beginner

Time: About one hour (plus 24-hours for drying)

Topic: Home Accessories

Hello! I’m Laura from WE Design Studios, a design and art education company dedicated to bringing out the creative genius in everyone! While recently re-designing my studio work space I repurposed an old mirror into a chalkboard so I could jot down notes and to-do lists. It was super easy to make. Today I will show you how you can make one using old picture frames.

Here’s what you need to get started:

1. A picture frame or mirror with a nice decorative frame (I got this one for $10 at an antique shop!)
2. Painter’s tape

3. Chalk
4. Newspaper
5. Glass cleaner

6. Chalkboard spray paint  (Note: You can also use the kind that comes in a can and is applied by brushing. I find the spray version coats more evenly. Both can be found at a hardware store.)

Step 1: Using glass cleaner and a rag or paper towel, wipe down your picture frame glass or mirror. Make sure the surface is clean and clear of any debris. The surface should be as smo <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->oth as possible when you apply the chalkboard paint.

Step 2: Apply painter’s tape to the inside edge of the frame. Be sure to cover the entire frame but keep the glass exposed.

Step 3: Find a well-ventilated area to apply the chalkboard paint. Lay down newspaper to protect your frame from scratches and the ground below from the chalkboard paint. Outside is an ideal option.

Step 4: Place your frame or mirror on the newspaper and begin to apply the chalkboard paint. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the paint can. You usually need to shake the can vigorously for two minutes before spraying. Test out the paint by spraying on the newspaper before applying it to the glass.

Step 5: After 15 minutes apply a second coat of chalkboard paint.

Note: It is normal for the chalkboard paint to initially be reflective and glossy. Once it dries it will have the opaque, flat quality of a chalkboard. Just be patient!

Step 6: Allow the chalkboard paint to dry for 24 hours before using. Your particular paint may call for more or less time. Follow the paint label instructions.

Step 7: Once the chalkboard is completely dry prime the surface by rubbing the entire writing area with the broad side of a piece of chalk. Then erase the surface. Doing this will prevent permanent chalk marks from forming on the chalkboard.

Step 8: You now have your very own picture frame/mirror chalkboard. If you have left over chalkboard paint you can get creative and see what else you can make into a chalk board. Enjoy!

Thanks to We Design Studios for visiting....please be sure to check them out often and share with your friends!

Dining Room Chalkboard

Do you have the same obsession that I do? If it's stalking scrolling through Shannon's blog, Bless Our Nest then we have one more thing in common! I soak in so much inspiration from her tutorials and ideas it's unreal. I'm thankful she's taken the time to come over and share  a tutorial with us today! I have an unhealthy love for chalkboard paint, so this tutorial is right up my alley! Thanks Shannon for feeding into my obsession, now I have to go buy another can of paint! Enjoy getting inspired!


Level: Beginner
Time: 1-4 hours, depending on skill level

Topic: Housewares, Repurpose, Furniture

I was completely inspired by Miss Mustard Seed's dining room chalkboard. I never would have thought to put a chalkboard in the dining room but hers looked great so I decided to try it. I'm so glad I did!

Wrapping Paper & Ribbon Wall Rack

A huge shout out to Alissa from 33 Shades of Green who jumped on over here offer a bit of inspiration! I recommend visiting her site often because she offers lovely projects.

Seriously, I want to make a cazillion of these and cover an entire wall! Imagine some ridiculously beautiful coordinating wrapping paper prints on every spool covering your entire wall....ooh, ooh and you could switch it out for the holidays and display all Valentines wrap or St. Patty's day greens!  Wouldn't that be absurdly gorge and inspiring? {sigh} Then I imagine turning the corner and finding my 4 year old unrolling all of it and swooshing and swaying it all throughout the room. Okay, so maybe I won't do a wall to wall wrapping paper rack in my living room, but at least one for Mommy's craft room! Okay, Becky, stop the madness. This isn't a tutorial about wall art (even though it totally could be used in that fashion!) but it's about function. Let's focus.

Level: Beginner

Topic: Housewares

Time to complete project:1-4 hours

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Wrapping Paper & Ribbon Wall Rack

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What you'll need:

- 36" x 24" open back frame (Mine came from Hobby Lobby and was 1/2 off)

- (5) 28"-48" cafe rods ($2.99 each @ Hobby Lobby)

- spray paint

- mounting hardware for frame

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The cafe rods came with brass hardware that I wasn't too crazy about.

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So my first step was to spray paint the ends of the rods and the included hardware.  I used Krylon in Dover White.

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Before:

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And after:

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Much better, don't you think?

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To paint the rods I stuck them in the ground so the spray painting would be easier.  I think my neighbors may have wondered if the rods were a new, permanent fixture!

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Here's the open back frame I used:

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Next, attach the mounting hardware to the back of the frame.

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Attach cafe rod hardware to the front of the frame.

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That's it!

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Here's the frame hanging in my craft room:

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And here it is with wrapping paper and ribbon:

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I think it would be fun to do this with a smaller frame and use it to only for ribbon.

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Thanks for reading - I hope you enjoyed this project!