Boxwood Clippings

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

We hope you’re having a relaxing day will those you love! Today we’re sharing an easy peasy project that you could whip up in no time.

When we were cleaning up from making the patriotic napkins, we thought our scrap paper looked kinda cute. So we made a simple banner by just hanging them on twine with mini cloths pegs.

The black and white is a modern twist on patriotic decorations, but still feels festive with the stars and stripes.

Oh how I love easy free projects! This would be a fun to involve kids too. :)

We had so much fun last week making these star and stripe napkins. A patriotic summer is about to begin next week with Memorial Day and we thought this would be a perfect craft to embrace the months ahead. It’s so easy it could be a perfect activity to do once the kiddos are out of school.

You Will Need:

A Potato

Fabric Paint

Foam Craft Brush

Plain Napkins

Painter’s Tape

Scrap Paper

Directions:

We used this clip art and printed it to use as a template for our potato stamp.

We then cut the potato in half and cut around the template to create a potato stamp.

Next, we painted the stamp with our fabric paint using a foam brush.

After applying paint to the potato we tested it onto a piece of paper. We found we liked to do an initial stamp on paper and then stamp the remaining ink onto the fabric napkin until we needed to apply more paint for an overall uneven look.

(By the time we were done stamping our star napkins we had lots of stamped scrap paper. Stay tuned for another project using this scrap!)

Next up was the striped napkins. We applied painters tape to make our stripes and then painted in between the tape. Again, we didn’t want a totally uniformed look so we roughly painted our stripes.

We felt like little girls again stamping with our potato stamps and now we’re ready for summer barbecues with these summery napkins. Fun and easy are always our favorite crafts!

Just a little reminder to tell your mum and all your special ladies how much you love and appreciate them this Sunday and always.

Of course flowers always help spread the message too.  These beautiful hydrangeas are from Trader Joes and only $6.99, can you believe that? They are my very favorite flower.

Mummy Clayton you are one heck of a lady, and the best role model we could ask for. We love you very much, and think you are amazeballs!

Love, Sarah & Emily x

This weekend was beautiful. It’s the first time I’ve felt warm down to my bones this year! I celebrated with a steak salad from Cafe Rio and a Diet Pepsi out on my back porch…looking at my dirt. I’ve been only consumed with the inside of the house thus far, but now the warm air has arrived I have started dreaming of luscious green and white outdoor living…

Can’t wait to make our dirt green some day…how do you make your outdoor spaces inviting for warmer weather?

Watercolor is all the range around the bloggy world these days, and why not? It’s flippin’ amazing!

This watercolor card is a so simple and can be used for any occasion, and the best part is you can make it while you’re having art time with the kids. Just pull out those Crayola paints and save yourself a pretty penny on your upcoming  events.

 What You’ll Need:

Water color paper (I use this one)

Watercolors

Cup of Water

Paintbrush

Thin Black Pen (in love with this!)

Stack of Magazines or a heavy item.

s

Instructions:

1. Fold your paper in half

2. Lightly wet your paintbrush and get a good amount of paint on it

 3. Glide your paint in a line across the top of the card

 4. Next, lightly dip the brush in water and make another line touching your first.

5. Repeat again!

 6. Do the same but starting at the bottom of card. I like to use another color too.

7. Wait a few moments until it’s dried off then set it under a heavy stack of books or magazines. Place some white paper on top of it to protect it.

8. I like to leave mine a couple of hours or overnight, then when it is completely dried and pressed write a saying in your own penmanship.

I hope you find this little tutorial helpful, and your inspired to create your won little works of art. :)

As it’s still is snowing across most of the country I think a healthy dose of yellow is in order to remind us it is indeed spring:

yellow geometric pillow $16.99

our favorite ikea napkins $1.99

watering can $29.95

stripe mixing bowl $9.99

accent rug $14.99

nate berkus woven pillow $24.99 (yellow color only available in-store)

I always love yellow in the spring, what do you love this time of year?

Are you a still looking for a little something to add to an easter basket? We think these little rabbits by Bunnies by the Bay are pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

They’ve been a family fave for years, and are a ‘go-to’ trusty favorite when it comes to giving gifts.

s

They are so soft and fluffy, and something about their insides make them ‘flop’ ever so cutely. Perfect for babies, kiddies and the forever kid-at-heart!

You can find them HERE,  or if you fancy a snuggle you can see them at Nordstrom. :)

Spring has definitely arrived! Here in Salt Lake City we even made it into the 70′s this past week! The air smells and feels different and makes me giddy at its freshness… it has been one loooongg winter! Here are a few things to make the most of this perfect time of year in your living spaces.

LIGHTEN UP

It’s time to fold up the blankets, roll up the shaggy rugs, and store away the fur pillows, heavy duvets, hats and scarves. This process of ‘putting away winter’ will make you feel refreshed and make your home feel open, spacious and uncluttered.

We use our favorite totes and store away winter items in the basement or garage leaving drawers and closets open and airy.

UNDER-ACCESORIZE

Spring is the time to worship mother nature and invite her into your home. Sole blossoms and blooms make a dreary room alive, house plants have the same effect.

Undo the layers of winter and really lighten up the mantle and walls by removing cluttered frames and candles.

ADD AROMA

Scent is a powerful tool for the environment in your home. The last thing you want is for your new spring space to smell like steamed broccoli. I am in love with Mrs Meyer’s new radish scent cleaning products.

The scent smells like fresh wet grass and will make your house smell perfect while you are spring cleaning or washing the dishes.

These three things will hopefully bring a little spring in your step to enjoy your home this season. Do you have any rituals or routines around your home this time of year?

Last Saturday night, in prep for Kimberly’s annual Valentine’s dinner I was prepping chocolate dipped strawberries for the family and had the greatest time. That’s right, just me + strawberries + chocolate :)

In the kitchen I often get to thinking…not too many distractions, and for some reason repetitive tasks such as cutting up vegetables or dipping strawberries in smooth, glossy chocolate over an extended time really relaxes and de-stresses me (am I ocd?)

I was thinking how this year our numbers would be slim as Mum and Dad are in England, as well as Luke (temporarily), and of course our older two brothers and their families who live there permanently. I hate when my parents are out of the country… I feel like a little girl homesick for them, which then leads to missing and thinking about my siblings. This night was no exception and almost every action reminded me of them.

Rob: In our kitchen, I keep an old CD player and a sampling of my favorite CD’s. When I play them, it always reminds me of my brother, and his love for music. Plus my favorite CD’s are ones he has given me, classics like Blondie, Johnny Cash and the Proclaimers.

Phil: I always feel like Philip (the chef of our family) when I get my apron on and enjoy making something delicious in the kitchen.

Dan: I thought of Daniel while anticipating our dinner the next day at his house and grateful to him, for his constant efforts of inviting us all over to get our family together.

Hel: I felt like Helen, when somehow ALL of my fingers got covered in chocolate, and I HAD TO lick them before washing them clean. She always looks graceful no matter what, and I am always a clumsy mess.

Sar: I thought of Sarah when I drizzled with chocolate the perfect strawberry. She and Martha Stewart would’ve been proud.

Lukey: I thought of Luke when I sang along (very loudly) to Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me”. (Luke, is a huge, 6′ 7″ beast of a man and is so funny when he sings his lungs out to Taylor Swift).

Sammy: When I realized I was having such a good time, I giggled out-loud. Sam, the baby of our family is always giggling to himself.

I had such a fun few hours making these sweet treats and enjoying even more the sweet thoughts of my siblings.

Brothers and sisters, I love when a simple action reminds me of you and how much I love you.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Emily xxx

Today we’d like to share a few fab Valentine’s ideas from bloggers designed for the kiddos.

First up is this cute idea from the talented Caroline at Armelle Blog :

Isn’t this adorable? Download the treasure map free printable HERE.

These printables from one charming party are perfect for boys:

There are a lot of super cheesy and embarrassing valentines out there for the boys, but these ones are just “dino-mite”.

Lastly, this simple idea from Paper & Pigtails:

Cute paper bags (like these) + sentiment + yummy content.

“You’re sweet”  with any candy inside the baggie is an easy alternative to this one.

What will your kiddos be dishing out this Valentine’s Day?

Threshold ombre throw pillow $14.99

Red stipe pillow $19.99

Essie really red nail polish $7.79

Red ikat pouf $39.99

Huffy men’s cruiser $119.99

A favorite red notebook $2.99

Today we are hitting up Target with our sister, Helen who flew in town for a long weekend.  You can always rely on Target to hit the bulls-eye with Target-red Valentine’s loot! What are you loving at Target right now?

I have tried to be a red person, over and over. Truth? It clashes with my caramel highlights something dreadful. Sarah, with her strawberry-blonde hair also refuses to wear anything pink or red.

Our sister, Helen on the other hand is constantly rocking the red. It compliments her dark brunette hair and porcelain skin perfectly, as well as perfectly accenting her black and white colonial home. She often leaves Sarah and I feeling we lack a little luster…

With the drab, smoggy inversion of Salt Lake City nothing seems more appealing today than a punch of red. Perfect timing for February and Valentines if I do say so…

Passionate, bright, sultry and cheery. Welcome to the month of love…

houseandhome.com

realsimple.com

elledecor.com

mimiandmegblog.com

fatospabuccu.tumblr.com

I love these bold rooms, how about that cherry red paint?

I have my eye on my favorite anthro latte bowls in the same color:

I would eat out of these babies all February long. Does anything change around your home for Valentine’s Day?

Congrats to Rachel and Sally Roehm, you are the lucky winners of the Winnie Press Valentine’s Day! Please email us your address and we will mail your card asap-y! (mail [at] boxwoodclippings [dot] com)

Today we are happy to get you all ready for Valentine’s day. We are giving away a lovely Winnie Press letter-pressed card that we made at Winnie’s Workshop for two lucky winners.

Simply leave a comment by Saturday 12am Mountain time,  and we will announce the winners on Monday, Feb 4th.

Good luck!

Last year I loved my Valentines decorations in my downstairs bath. In fact they ended up being in there wayyy longer than valentines. So this year I decided to stick with the soft pink and just add some white a silver to cool things up a bit.

A couple of easy DIY’s were involved in this:

First the spray painted cinnamon sticks in arranged around the candle.

Second the pink artwork, I simply splashed some craft paint on canvas and played around a bit.

Finally the feathered wreath on mirror, I just hot glued a bunch of feathers on a styrofoam wreath layering as I went.

Other than that, all the decorations are 100% Christmas clearance items. Boy do I love making deals look pretty! What are you’re decorations looking like? Email us a pic we’d love to see!

While looking for ideas for ideas for Valentine’s presents this year I stumbled upon this idea from Nicole at Visual Heart. I love the idea of a Valentine being a thoughtful token of love rather than huge, commercial presents, so thought this idea was perfect.

I picked up a deck of cards from the dollar store, a few binder rings at Target, and got to work.

I love this idea, not just for a significant other but for anyone you love. Can’t wait to celebrate the month of love :)

When Sarah gave these presents out for the kiddos, I thought of someone else who would enjoy a little orange fizz. Accompanied with a cheezy saying, it makes a cute little Valentine…

“I have a crush on you, sweetie pie…”

I always get so sad taking down my Christmas decorations, so this year I went straight to decorating for Valentines.

The fairy lights in our dinning area really cozy up the place, so they’re officially staying till spring. I made these little hearts to dress them up for the season. They’re not only cute, but free to make and very easy!

If you’d like to make your own, all you’ll need is: 

Fairy lights (I use icicle, currently on mega sale everywhere!)

A pair of scissors

An old newspaper or magazine

Marker or pencil

Simply draw your heart shape on newspaper, and cut. I like to do a few pages at a time to make it super fast. Then punch over lights, the paper rips easily since it’s so thin.

This is all I had the energy for on my sick day, hope you guys aren’t feeling yucks! Look after yourselves x.

Mornin’ folks!

As many of you have seen, it’s Christmas clearance time! I’m guessing the last thing some of you guys want to do is hit the stores, but I promise you it’s always worth it. Especially when the sales go to 90% off which I’m expecting Target to do in the next few days…if not already.

There are so many products that can be used the rest of the year, so try and think outside the box when you’re rummaging through the clearance. Here are a couple of examples of Christmas decorations used for other holidays:

Valentines:

Halloween:

On top of decorations, here are the other things I’ll be stocking up on:

• Paper bows (remember THIS wreath)
• Wrapping paper
• Pine cones (want to make a massive garland to go around my door next year, like THIS one)
• Cinnamon sticks (for an upcoming diy)
• Lights (can never have too many)
• Extension cords and timers
• Candles
• Christmas cards
• Chocolate (see HERE)

Bottom line, think about the upcoming year or even next Christmas and stock up now for next to nothing! You’ll be glad you did…pinky promise!

Good morning Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Yesterday I shared this project over at Lil Luna, but thought I’d post it here too, in case you missed it!

It’s a cute little project to share to kick-start the new year: this free printable New Year’s stationery:

Simply download the design HERE, and print on regular cardstock.

I always love a fresh start, and New Year’s is a perfect time to set goals and visualize my future. By having my goals written down in a place I can see them, it’s easier to keep them fresh on my mind, and therefore easier to complete. Personally, I like to set only three or four goals, so completing them is actually doable!

What are your tips on goal making? We’d love to hear!

‘Holy Night’ by Carlo Maratta

There has been only one Christmas, the rest are anniversaries.

-W.J. Cameron

Happy Christmas to you and yours. See you in a few days!