Picture Makeover for Holidays

I am constantly looking for ideas that provide functionality and decor options as we continue to settle into our smaller home. 

I’ve wanted something to put over the buffet that had a Christmas theme but haven’t come across the print, size or dollar amount I wanted.   Plus I didn’t want another picture to store.  Then  I got the idea of covering the existing picture that hangs in this area with holiday gift wrap to provide a blank slate.  I’m pretty happy with how this project came out.


This is the picture I removed from the wall.


I used a good quality wrapping paper and blue painters tape to adhere.


My goal was to be able to use the bow and letters over each year and also not damage the picture  underneath.  Using a piece of jute in the corner (I glued with a bit of hot glue on each end) allowed me to tie the bow onto the jute instead of gluing the bow directly onto the paper.


I purchased 3 wood letters from Hobby Lobby and a $1.99 bottle of red chalk paint.  

Two coats of red, then a clear wax and finally a dark wax layer and they were ready to be adhered.  


I chose this product to adhere the letters to the paper.  They worked great.


Bow and letters attached.

Why I love this idea?

  • The roll of wrapping paper can be used for many years to come.
  • The only storage will be the bow and letters.
  • The motif can be easily changed up,
  • JOY – Jesus Only You is perfect to sit above the manger scene I’ve had since childhood.
  • It’s easy and fast.
  • Can be used for other holidays
  • It’s frugal.
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Planter and Lamp Makeover

This idea has a lot going for it – it’s simple and inexpensive.  It doesn’t require anything but fabric, a rubberband or two and some decorative ribbon.  Yet it has the potential to give a decorative planter or lamp base a makeover.  

Floral Arrangement Makeover 

We moved from California to Arizona in 1991.  At first I wanted to blend into my new state and bought a couple of southwestern themed items for the home – one was a lamp.  After living with that for a couple of months I came to realize that I may live in the dessert but I’m most comfortable in a eccentric country and mediterranean decor.  I was raised to do with what you have and as a stay-at-home mom money was tight so I knew if the lamp was to be saved I needed to get creative.  

I took the lamp shade and bulb off and started weighing my options.  Painting would not work because the lamp base was raised.  I needed to cover this thing up and fast – hmm?? – it needed a garment.  I went upstairs and gathered a piece of navy blue cotton fabric.  I spread the fabric out with the wrong side towards me, sat the lamp in the center and started gathering the fabric up towards the neck of the lamp.  The fabric was separated in the back to allow for the electrical cord.   I was able to secure the fabric at the top of the lamp with a rubber band and then tuck the ends back into the rubber band which hid the edges.  A piece of raffia tied into a bow to hide the rubber band and the lamp was transformed into something I liked and still works for me today.  A bottle of acrylic paint was used on the tan lamp shade to pull the navy color in. 

I have had success using this process on my navy blue household planters when the pots need to be blend with a party theme (see top picture).  This is also a great idea to use to refurbish thrift store finds and because there are so many fabrics the skies the limit on different options.

 Lamp Makeover

 

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