Home DIY & Crafts Tablescapes

Tablescapes

    Latest

    10 Crafts to celebrate Earth Day

    Brittany
    -
    0
    10 Crafts to celebrate Earth Day

    10 Crafts to celebrate Earth Day

    Eco-friendly Cardboard crafts for Earth Day

    Some of my favorite crafts are those that either recycle old materials or can be recycled. It just feels better to be resourceful and get some mileage out of items that we tend to collect and throw away! Cardboard is one of my favorite mediums for this so here are some of my favorite cardboard projects. They would be great to do with kids too!

    1. Cardboard Cactus Crafts for Earth Day

    These cardboard cactus plants are a great way to celebrate Earth Day. All you do is cut out simple shapes from any size cardboard box and stick them in a pot. Great decor AND reusing stuff you already have! Here’s a link for the cardboard cactus tutorial.

    2. Cardboard art sculpture craft

    We had originally made a mobile as an art piece and then reused the pieces to create this geometric sculpture. It’s a great way to use smaller scraps of paper and cardboard while also turning it into something that you’d actually want to keep around on display.

    3. Viking ship made from cardboard

    Sure, I made this viking ship out of cardboard for my son for Halloween, BUT it would also be a great toy for every day. Just grab a couple of boxes from the bin and start cutting! The kids can even join in on painting it.

    4. Decorative cardboard vases

    DIY Painted Cardboard Vases

    I was so inspired by that blue and white tablecloth that we made a number of blue and white vases out of cardboard to go with it. They would be fun for a dinner party or as a simple decoration in a vignette. OR, you can make these 2D flat vases, below, to also do the job.

    2D Cardboard Vase

    5. Egg Carton vases for Earth Day

    While we’re on the subject of vases, here’s a great way to reuse egg cartons! I love the texture that the egg containers create. They’re super cool for a fresh, modern vibe.

    6. Cardboard sun for Earth Day

    make a cardboard sun with recycled materials

    Jasper and I made this sun out of cardboard when he was 3 and we had a ball! It’s a great way to teach kids about earth day and get busy together!

    7. Learn how to press flowers for Earth Day

    Sunshine Spaces by Beci Orpin

    A beautiful way to celebrate Mother Nature is to learn how to press flowers. This blog post shares 3 ways to press flowers. It’s a great hobby to learn!

    8. Make your own beeswax lunch sack for Earth Day

    DIY colorful lunch pails

    Make something you can re-use over and over again. We made these cute color-blocked lunch sacks with beeswax pouches intended to use over plastic bags.

    9. Eco-friendly Friendship bracelet rug for Earth Day

    Turn fabric scraps into a friendship bracelet inspired rag rug. This was one of my earliest projects on the blog and one of my favorites to this day!

    10. Celebrate nature for Earth Day with paper flowers

    One way to celebrate Earth Day is to pay homage to the beauty that Mother Earth provides. Flowers are probably my favorite thing on earth. we have a host of paper flower tutorials that will bring the celebration indoors!

    Paper hydrangeas

    These gorgeous water-colored hydrangeas are made from coffee filters! Use what you have!

    Paper pansies

    Paper pansies in a distressed terracotta planter. They're placed on a stack of colorful books on a chair. In the background, you can see some red floral wallpaper and blue wainscoting.

    These adorable paper pansies or johnny jump ups are too cute. Here’s how to make them!

    If you’re really wanting to learn how to get into the flower spirit, we have a course on how to draw your favorite flowers. It would be a great way to celebrate! Sign up for the course here.

    As we celebrate Earth Day, it’s important to remember that small actions can make a big impact. These 10 eco-friendly crafts demonstrate how we can repurpose and upcycle everyday items to create something beautiful while reducing waste. Whether it’s turning old cardboard into a home decoration or celebrating mother earth in flowers, we can show our love for the planet in creative ways. So let’s get crafting and make a difference one DIY project at a time! Remember, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” – Robert Swan

    DIY Palm Leaves

    Sammy Jameson
    -
    4
    DIY Palm Leaves

    DIY Palm Leaves

    Palm leaves are an incredible material that has been used by humans for thousands of years. They come from various species of palm trees, and their uses range from traditional roofing material to modern-day fashion accessories. We’re going to explore the history, cultural significance, and sustainable benefits of palm leaves and then show you how to make DIY palm leaves since they can be hard to find.

    History and Cultural Significance of palm leaves

    Palm leaves have been used by humans for centuries, with some of the earliest known examples dating back to ancient Egyptian times. The leaves were used for making baskets, mats, and even paper. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used palm leaves for various purposes, including as a symbol of victory.

    In many cultures, palm leaves hold spiritual and religious significance. For example, in Hinduism, the god Vishnu is often depicted holding a palm leaf fan, while in Christianity, palm leaves are associated with the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

    In some African cultures, palm leaves are used in traditional healing ceremonies, while in Mexico and other Latin American countries, palm leaves are used to create intricate decorations for the Day of the Dead festival.

    Uses of Palm Leaves

    One of the most common uses of palm leaves is for roofing material. In tropical regions where palm trees are abundant, palm leaves are used to create thatched roofs that can provide shelter from the sun and rain. The leaves are also used to create wall panels and flooring material.

    Palm leaves are also used in the production of handicrafts and fashion accessories. In many parts of the world, palm leaves are woven into baskets, mats, hats, and bags. In recent years, palm leaf bags have become increasingly popular as a sustainable alternative to plastic bags.

    The leaves can also be used to create beautiful decorative items such as fans, ornaments, and even furniture.

    Sustainable Benefits of Palm Leaves

    Palm leaves are a sustainable material that offers several benefits over other materials. Firstly, they are a renewable resource, as palm trees can produce new leaves every year. They are also biodegradable, meaning that they can be composted after use, reducing waste and pollution.

    In addition, the production of palm leaf products is often a local and small-scale industry, providing income and employment opportunities for rural communities. By supporting the use of palm leaves, we can promote sustainable development and help to alleviate poverty in some of the world’s poorest regions.

    DIY Paper Palm Leaf

    Palm leaves are super popular to display and highly symbolic, but sometimes it’s hard to get access to them. We made this version out of paper and love how they turned out. And bonus? They are a  BREEZE to make (see what we did there 😉


    Materials:

    DIY palm leaves directions: 

    1. Trace out your leaf template and cut it out. (We have formatted the the template to cut an 8.5×11 however, the leaves that we made were done with a much larger. To accomplish this you can use the template and size up by hand or send it to print at a larger scale.)
    2. Fan your leaf shape: start from the middle fold, choosing one side of your teardrop-shaped leaf to begin making even smaller folds, helping your leaf get that pretty fanned palm look. Repeat on the other side. (you can use a scoring tool to help you get sharper folds)
    3. Color your leaf: before connecting your leaf to the stem, you’ll want to paint it to make sure it gets an even color throughout. BEFORE PAINTING be sure your creases are defined! Then flatten out your shape again, just enough that you can get an even coat of paint on it. Paint and let dry for 1-2 hours! We used spray paint.
    4. While your leaf is drying, make the petiole stem!
    5. Use petiole stem paper cover template (once again this can be sized up on the computer or sized up based off the printed template)
    6. Fold your stem along the dotted lines on the template.
    8. You should be able to make a long pyramid-looking stem now with your paper! Hot glue the extra 4th fold to hold it all together (leave the extra 2-3 inches at the top unglued).
    9. Paint your petiole stem to match the leaf!
    10. After your leaf is dry, follow your original creases to re-fold your leaf into its fan shape
    11. Take a lollipop stick and place it inside of the most middle crease of your leaf, only a few inches from the bottom. Hot glue it in place.
    12. Cut diagonally from the leaf to the stick to take the excess off of where the leaf meets the stick (refer to photo).
    13. Tape the very bottom together to keep the shape of the leaf fanned and the stick secure
    14. Slide your petiole stem paper cover over the lollipop stick (the 2-3 inch extra end first), allowing those 2-3 inches at the top to cover the very bottom of the leaf and cover the area where your leaf is glued/taped to your stick. Hot glue the top in place.

    For Home Decor

    These palm leaves are great on their own for home decor in a vase. They’re also great as decor during Easter time like for Palm Sunday! Read about our post here.

    Palm leaves are an incredibly versatile and sustainable material that has been used by humans for thousands of years. From traditional roofing material to modern-day fashion accessories, palm leaves offer a range of uses that are both practical and beautiful. It can be hard to find them so our DIY version is a beautiful ode to this beautiful leaf!

    If you liked this post about palm leaves, you might also be interested in these posts:

    1. Palm leaf wreath
    2. Easter traditions
    3. Palm leaves and resurrection rolls

    We can’t wait to see these beautiful palm leaves in your home! Make sure to tag us with #larsmakes so we can see these beautifies in your home!

    Easter Crafts

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Easter Crafts

    Our Favorite Easter Crafts

    We have so many Easter crafts that we’re just thrilled to share with you this year. Many of them are brand new, too! Need a new Easter Basket? We’re here for you. How about a fresh spring wreath? We’ve also got you covered in that department. Without further ado, here’s the list of our favorite Easter crafts!

    Wreaths

    I love a good wreath. And spring wreaths are some of my favorites! They’re a must have when talking about Easter crafts. This year we have a brand new Palm Leaf Wreath you’re sure to love. It’s delicate, colorful, and festive. Just the thing to celebrate Palm Sunday, Easter and spring all in one go! If you’re feeling more into eggs, try our ever popular Easter egg wreath, or this sweet Honeycomb Easter wreath. Both are lovely and sure to put a little spring in your step. Also, you can’t go wrong with a simple floral theme. This Daffodil Wreath is very appropriate for the season, as is this Lemon Wreath!

    A floral Easter wreath hanging on a pink wall next to a white door. A wooden mushroom is also on the porch.

    Easter Baskets

    You can’t have Easter crafts without Easter baskets! And we have a brand new one for you to try this year. It’s our DIY Easter Basket, and the best part is that it doesn’t require any sewing. Another clever no-sew Easter basket is this Paper Easter basket. Just download, print, cut and assemble, it’s that easy! If you want to sew an adorable bag that doubles as an Easter basket and will be around for years to come, try this carrot shoulder bag! The bonus is it packs up easily and is equally cute.

    If you’re looking for inspiration on what to fill your basket with, look no further than this Easter Basket choose your own adventure. We help guide you through the steps to picking your perfect Easter basket, along with everything to put inside it, like this Paper carrot treat box, carrot surprise balls, or this DIY stuffed bunny. You can also make some of these Danish Easter letters to tuck inside.

    Easter Egg ideas

    As it so happens, we have a lot of Easter crafts that have to do with eggs. Are you really that surprised? I mean, what’s Easter without at least one little nod to an egg or two. Just yesterday, we release the most lovely nesting Easter eggs! We love the little twist on original nesting dolls. Also try these Easter egg columns, which are a lovely way to decorate your home this Easter. Don’t forget about these Honeycomb Easter eggs, either! Make them into a wreath or decorate with the individual eggs. Either way they’re lovely!

    Another fun variation on decorating Easter eggs are these dried flowers on Easter eggs, as well as our Pysanky Easter eggs (here’s the E-book of the Pysanky eggs, the profits of which will be donated to the Ukrainian relief effort). If you’re into more decorating, try our DIY pom pom Easter eggs! Or if you’re having a party, you’ll definitely want to take a look at our Easter egg name tags, Easter egg cupcake toppers, and Easter egg runner.

    Felted Easter Eggs

    New this year is a tutorial from Jessica Peterson all about felted Easter eggs. They’re a new classic! All the supplies are listed here! 

    For Kids

    If you have kids, you’ll love these Easter-themed toys, accessories, and activities. First stop: these fun bunny party hats. Having a new baby this spring? You won’t want to miss these adorable DIY Baby bonnets! Or these Easter bunny twist ties.

    Need a craft to do with your kids to keep them busy and happy? You’ll love these Easter Egg coloring pages, the profits of which will be donated to the Ukrainian relief effort. Then there’s our DIY stuffed bunny, which is a sweet little Easter toy. Plop it in your child’s Easter basket and you’re all set!

     

    Easter printables

    A great way to get crafty is with some printables, and we’ve got some great ones!

    These Easter egg coloring pages featuring pysanky are great for older kids.

    Along with our chick and bunny paper dolls and matching color pages.

    Paper crowns

    One thing is for sure, if I had a little girl, I’d be making a paper crown floral crown.

    And we’ve got a few to choose from! These pretty blue, red, pink, and white flower crowns.

    This printable spring crown.A printable flower crown in purple, yellow, pink, white red, and blue being held up by two hands.

    And another handmade paper flower crown perfect for spring.

    Easter paper flowers

    While we’re on the topic of paper flowers, these Easter lilies are a favorite of mine. I think I’m going to try and make them again this year.

    Easter Egg Column People

    A new favorite of mine are these adorable Easter column people. I think they’d make a great tablescape!

    painted Easter egg columns perched on colorful books against a yellow and pink background.

     

    Christmas traditions

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Christmas traditions

    Christmas traditions

    a list of christmas tradition ideas

    For me, Christmas is the icing on the cake at the end of each calendar year, especially now that I live in cold weather. Nothing gets me through the winter misery better than the lights, treats, trims on the tree, carols, cards…you name it. (In fact, you can read more about my obsession over at Scary Mommy!).

    I’m all about a Christmas tradition that has personal meaning, won’t break my back, and will be enjoyed by all. Now that I have kids, I want to make sure that it’s enjoyable and will be memorable though I won’t mention the meltdown I had the other day when trying to implement one tradition that I started this year.

    This list is meant to provide ideas for traditions that you might want to try out and is definitely not meant to add pressure! Pick and choose, adjust, do whatever you’d like!

    1. Christmas Crafting tradition

    As you might guess, I love me a good Christmas craft–from crafting with the kids to crafting some decor. Here are a few favorites!

    Christmas paper village

    This accordion paper village is one that you can put into your craft machine or cut by hand. It’s a simple and sweet way to add in some festivities to a mantle. Bonus: turn it into an event! Invite some friends over for holiday crafting!

    2. Christmas crafts for kids

    Now that I have kids I’m realizing the magic that comes with the holiday. There are, of course, an endless amount of things you can do with kids that can feel festive but these are some of our favorites.

    vertical snowflakes with hands

    Winter Snowflakes

    Paper snowflakes are such a classic winter tradition. We took it up a notch with these templates. But, of course, feel free to do your own! Bonus: Get some family over to make them together!

    Paper angel ornaments

    These paper angels can be used as ornaments or as decor. We made them in color block colors but they are also beautiful in all white!

    Christmas friendship bracelets

    These Christmas friendship bracelets might be a little more complicated for little hands, but they’re great for older kids and teenagers. They’d be a great gift too!

    3. Advent Calendars

    As you know, I love a good Christmas advent calendar. I think it’s one of the best ways to amplify the excitement of the season.

    In Denmark they have the tradition of lighting a candle on each of the four Sundays leading to Christmas. Typically, the four candles are arranged in a wreath of sorts (like this). We got a small table wreath from Trader Joe’s this year and I had already bought a gold metal stand with four candles so we are finally doing it in our own home!

    Other advents mark the countdown to Christmas starting with that first Sunday or on December 1st. Here are some of my favorites!

    kid's room decked out for the holidays

    Christmas book Advent

    I had seen this Christmas book advent calendar for awhile and decided to try it out this year. We picked out some new and some we already had and the boys love unwrapping the selected book each day. I’d say this is one we’ll continue with!

    children's christmas books

    Printable service advent

    This is a printable advent calendar from our shop filled with prompts to engage in one act of service.

    We have a ton more advent options in this post if you’d like to explore more!

    Gift wrapping

    As I was preparing this list of Christmas traditions, I was trying to think of some really unusual traditions that would knock your socks off, but then I went back to basics–the stuff we probably already do but maybe don’t consider it something special. As I thought more about it, traditions are oftentimes in those small moments! Gift wrapping is one of those small ones. We probably all wrap gifts, but do we consider a tradition? Let’s count it! Especially if we make a point of making a special moment. Maybe we find some unique wrapping paper, or ribbon, or method.

    Cardboard Gingerbread House Gift Box

    This is one of my favorite projects from the past–a cardboard gingerbread house gift box! A simple brown paper box and a white paint pen. So easy!

    Turn Wrapping paper into a gift bag

    You can turn any wrapping paper into a gift bag or another fun shape (like a shirt!). Here’s how!

    Ribbon Weaving Gift Wrap

    Woven Ribbon wrapping

    Here’s another fun wrapping idea–Take some beautiful ribbon and weave it to make beautiful patterns. Here’s the how to.

    Christmas smells

    Christmas conjures up pretty specific smells, doesn’t it! Can’t you smell them now?! Cinnamon, wassail, cloves, nutmeg, trees…

    Group shot

    Christmas orange pomanders

    The tradition of making Christmas oranges and cloves is one of my favorites. Plus, I love that beautiful pop of orange. Here’s how to make them!

    Setting a pretty Christmas table

    To me, this is another tradition that fits under the “I’m going to do it anyway” type of tradition that you don’t think too much about it. But the beauty in this tradition comes in the thoughtful details and the great company that make the memories. Here are some things to add to your table setting!

    Christmas poppers

    Christmas poppers

    A common tradition in the UK and Australia, these Christmas poppers are a nice pop of fun! We have some printable versions here!

    Christmas Song Bingo

    This printable Christmas Song Bingo has become a popular game in our shop! Here’s everything you need to know about it including the playlist!

    Swan a swimming tablescape-11

    Swans a Swimming centerpiece

    My brain reels about this one. Oh, to find the time to make an amazing centerpiece like this Seven Swans a Swimming again! If you are up for the challenge, here’s the how to!

    Holiday Napkin Folding

    Christmas napkin folding ideas

    OR, the simpler version of the gorgeous swan above is a napkin fold at each plate. Here are lots of napkin folding ideas for your Christmas table!

    Christmas Magic for the kids

    As you might imagine, Christmas traditions really exploded once I started having kids. It’s the MOST fun! And hectic and stressful…ha! Here are some ways that we are attempting to create it.

    kid's room decked out for the holidays

    Mini Christmas tree

    Paul has talked about having a Christmas tree in Jasper’s room for awhile and we finally did it! Plus, we decked it out. We even let him pick out his tree–so fun! More on this soon! We added in stockings, the book advent, and switched out pillows and artwork.

    Christmas tree ornaments

    While we’ve featured Christmas tree ornaments here and there over the years, this is the first year that I’ve really embraced my collection or lack thereof. I need to change that! I love the idea of collecting ornaments from places we go and making sure I treasure the ones given to me too.

    family heirloom ornaments

    Heirloom Christmas ornaments

    Our most popular ornament by far has been our heirloom Christmas ornaments. The tutorial is here!

    Paper candles

    In Denmark they are pretty unstressed about using real candles on real Christmas trees but living in a desert, I’m not so confident. These paper candles are the way to go! And fun for kids!

    Christmas Decor

    I have a thing for wreaths! If nothing else, I will have a wreath on my door! Here are some favorite Christmas wreaths!

    Poinsettia wreath

    Paper Poinsettia wreath

    We made these paper poinsettias out of paper! Here’s how!

    Dresden wreath

    A traditional Dresden wreath is PRICEY! So we made ours out of paper! Here’s how to make a Dresden wreath.

    Oversized Paper Christmas Stars

    Christmas paper star

    I wanted to do a nod to the traditional Swedish paper star and I love how it turned out! Here’s how to make the traditional Swedish paper star.

    Bottlebrush Trees

    Another simple yet impactful idea is our bottlebrush tree done in crepe paper done in rainbow colors of course!

    Christmas cards

    I LOVE sending out Christmas cards! Every single year! Even when we didn’t have kids and no one really wants to see just a couple! Ha! I typically send out a team card and a family card. Last year we went with these ones, and this year we used these ones!

    Christmas stocking

    This is another one of those traditions that I find obligatory and maybe not special enough to actually write down in a list, but it’s a big deal, takes a lot of time, and is so magical! We need to pat ourselves on the back for it all!

    Christmas stockings

    I loved these DIY stockings that I made for when there were just three of us. I need to do one more for Felix and then we’re cooking! Here’s how to make a Christmas stocking in fun patterns and colors!

    Bringing in your heritage

    A great way to add meaning to your holidays is to dig into your heritage. I love making it personal! Bring in the background!

    For me, this is digging into my Scandinavian roots. We made these Swedish inspired paper ornaments and I still put them on the tree every year!

    My Scandinavian Christmas

    In the early days of blogging, I did this My Scandinavian Christmas series where I had some friends in Denmark and Sweden contribute a project that meant something to them. There are some amazing projects in this series! Check them out here.

    Santa Lucia

    Santa Lucia is a big Swedish holiday that I love paying homage to. We made this printable crown a few years ago and I think it’s so so pretty. Here’s more about Santa Lucia and the Santa Lucia crown!

     

    Handmade gifts

    Gift giving is fun, but handmade gift giving is the ultimate. It can be much more sentimental and meaningful. I’m sure we don’t all have time to make handmade gifts for everyone, but a gift here and there is such a beautiful time well spent.

    Paper Christmas Cactus

    Corrie Beth Hogg made these Christmas cactus out of paper! It’s so so beautiful! We have templates and instructions here.

    DIY Paper Holly boughs

    Paper holly

    I love this holly made from crepe paper. It’s a beautiful gift topper or decoration for a handmade gift.

    Holiday Office Party

    Office parties are a fun tradition, even if the office is super small. We typically like to go to dinner or have an activity, but it’s so fun to decorate the office. Here are some ideas!

    Christmas Paper Office Decorations

    Office paper holiday decorations

    This is one of my favorite ideas! Use one ream of printer paper to make all sorts of decorations! Here’s the tutorial!

    Grand Entrance

    Whenever we’d come home for Christmas, my sister and I would take my parents staircase as a challenge for dressing up. It was such a fun tradition!

    Holly and berry garland

    Our favorite year was this holly and berry garland. You can find the tutorial here.

     

    Nativity

    Now that I have kids, I LOVE having some nativity sets that are more kid-friendly. I think it helps involve them in the story of Christmas. Here are some ideas to help them.

    Midcentury painted heirloom nativity figures against a pink and red striped background.

    Our heirloom nativity set is a modern day classic. I will forever love my set! Here’s how to make it!

    Nativity Paper dolls

    For Christmas Eve, I’m going to print these nativity paper dolls off and set them out for the kids. We’re planning on recreating the nativity so this will give little hands something to play with!

    Nativity clothespin dolls

    Alternatively, if you’re looking for a painted set that’s a more more simple than the full set, these nativity clothespin dolls are just the ticket. Such a sweet tradition.

    Nativity puppets

    But my favorite nativity for kids are our puppets. I bring these to  church with me when I teach the kids to sing Christmas songs and my kids love playing them too. If only they hadn’t lost my baby Jesus…Ha! I plan on keeping up this Christmas tradition until they won’t let me anymore!

    Ok! This is QUITE the list! But I’d love to hear yours as well! Leave me a comment!

    Thanksgiving table ideas for kids

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Thanksgiving table ideas for kids

    Thanksgiving table ideas for kids

    I’m a big fan of the kid’s table for Thanksgiving and I love the idea of making it a celebration and a memorable experience. You can achieve this with some cute decorations, games, and activities. And guess what? We’ve got them all! Plus, I’ll include some jazzy accessories to go with it all.

    Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Table idea

    This printable Thanksgiving Day parade theme by far our most popular for Thanksgiving. While I think it would be super fun for any table for Thanksgiving, it’s a pretty appropriate one for the kid’s table. Especially if you watch the parade that morning too–how fun would that be?!

    Bonus tip: You can either print off the NYC skyline in advance and make it yourself OR you can have the kids cover boxes and make the DIY version like this one below.

    We even have a printable taxi for name cards, which you can also use for the adult table.

    Thanksgiving activities for kids

    The focus of Thanksgiving is the meal, so let’s focus on the table! This Thanksgiving printable coloring placemat is a fun and decorative idea that also provides some entertainment. Set out some colored pencils or markers and let the kids go wild!

    Thanksgiving printable placemat coloring page from The House That Lars Built

    We also have this turkey dinner printable coloring placemat. So cute!

    Thanksgiving games for kids

    After the meal, provide some of the games for kids–they’ll have a ball! We have printable Bingo cards, Mad Libs, and Would you Rather?.

    bingo games on a blue background. It's very colorful.

     

    Would you rather printable games on a pink background.

    Thanksgiving garlands

    A festive idea for the kid’s table is to add in a boatload of Thanksgiving inspired paper garlands. We even added in some “gobble gobble” signs at the chairs! Use your craft cutting machine to speed up the time!

    Paper bag turkey centerpiece

    A fun craft project to make with the kids is this paper bag turkey that you can fill with popcorn. I mean…too cute!

    Pie Crust decorations

    Let the kids add some food coloring to the pie crust! I love these plant-based food coloring variety packs too, which make it that much safer!

    Here are some fun ideas to add to your table:

    I’d love to hear what your ideas are for the kid’s table for Thanksgiving! What has worked for you? 

    Easy Halloween Ideas From Our Shop

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Easy Halloween Ideas From Our Shop

    My Ideal Halloween

    My ideal Halloween is playfully spooky, crafty, and (above all) easy, and there’s no such thing as too many easy Halloween ideas. If you’re looking for a fun, simple way to celebrate the season without turning your home into a Spirit Halloween storefront, read on for easy Halloween ideas!

    Easy Halloween Decorations

    This Haunted House makes a perfect Halloween centerpiece and conversation starter. You’ll make it from recycled cardboard boxes, which is a win for Planet Earth, and it’s beautiful enough to come back year after year, which is a win for you! Check out our blog post on it here.

    Cardboard Haunted House for recycled holiday decor

    Garlands are another classic when it comes to Halloween decor. Try this fun new Halloween garland featuring the Halloween shapes you’ve been missing. If you love the spooky aspect of Halloween, check out this Vampire Teeth Garland. It’s creepy without being too macabre, and oh so easy.

    DIY vampire teeth garland

    Another slightly spooky and impeccably easy decor idea is this wooden transfer plaque template! I’m all for riding the line between pretty and creepy at Halloween, and these really fit the bill. Find the tutorial here.

    wooden cross sections of branches with spiders and bugs transferred onto them hanging from maroon ribbons.

    This painted pumpkin face template makes for such a fun, easy DIY! Give your porch some whimsy this Halloween by painting these sweet characters on your pumpkins. Read the tutorial here and get painting!

    painted pastel pumpkin faces against a pink background

    How many times can you say “pretty paper pumpkin project?” Whatever your answer, you should check out this template for rainbow paper pumpkins, along with this tutorial blog post. These make a beautiful, refined, seasonal table setting, they’ll look great for all of Autumn, not jus Halloween. A Thanksgiving comeback, anyone?

    orange, gold, and yellow paper pumpkins on a table setting.

    If you’re in a pinch and looking for quick decorations, don’t forget this post about last minute Halloween decor!

    Easy Halloween Costume Ideas

    There’s something to be said for a super intricate, detailed costume for sure. But even if you don’t have the time and energy to become a perfectly accurate storm trooper, dressing up doesn’t have to be out of your reach. Lots of our costume templates just require some simple clothing, some paper, and a prop or two. No professional costuming degree necessary!

    Our Ruth Bader Ginsberg collar is maybe our simplest costume for adults. Just cut it out (a cricut or other cutting machine is helpful here), put it over a dark dress, and pull your hair back. Voilà! You’re ready to advocate for your sisters.

    A white paper lace collar on a black background.

    If you’ve been a Lars reader for more than about a minute you’ll know that I love flowers. So of course I wanted to dress up as a bouquet! Ha! Practice making some paper flowers for this Sweet Pea Paper Flower Bouquet costume (and read the tutorial here).

    Brittany wearing a bouquet costume with paper flowers and a white paper wrapper against a green backdrop

    Group costumes are always so fun, so pair your bouquet costume with greenhouse garb for a friend! This greenhouse costume uses cardboard and iron-on flowers, and is sure to turn heads. You can find the tutorial here. Speaking of group costumes, you really don’t want to miss our Andy Warhol Campbell’s soup can team costumes, or our Wild Things costumes. They’re some of my favorites, and they’re great for any size group!

    a white woman with brown hair wears a green dress with iron on flowers, a greenhouse hat, and yellow clogs. She's holding flowers and a watering can.

    Family Costume

    Another cute Halloween costume for a pair of friends would be our beehive and picnic costumes. Both use an iron-on technique to make easy halloween costumes that are as cute as a bug. Find the tutorials here.

    Brittany wears a gingham red dress with ants ironed onto it and holds a rattan picnic bag. a white woman wearing a yellow dress with iron-on bees, black gloves, a bee headband, and black shoes stands in front of a blue background.

    This constellation costume with iron-on stars is absolutely dazzling. Honestly, you might as well break it out all year round because it’s that beautiful.

    a blonde woman wearing an off-the-shoulder black jumpsuit with silvers stars all over it, sparkly makeup, and a spangled headband against a periwinkle background

    For a subtle Halloween look, just print off our Pumpkin Crown and wear warm autumn tones.

    Printable Pumpkin Crown

    Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids

    Brand new this year are our classic Halloween costumes for kids! We give you options for a witch, bat, and pumpkin. Not only are they simple to make in a pinch, they’re adorable and you’ll be glad you tried them out. One of our most glamorous costumes with templates in the shop is our sun, cloud and rainbow set. This makes a great baby and mom costume, because you can add sun rays to a baby bonnet. I love how our model matched the baby’s outfit to her sling! With this costume you can invest as much or as little as you want. Just want the Sun and Rainbow headpiece? No problem. What about the Cloud Bag and Cloud Earrings? Done. Just want a sunny baby bonnet pattern? Your wish is our command. Make the costume just how you like it with this tutorial.

    Rainbow costumeRainbow and sun mommy and me costume

    This Giving Tree costume is another easy Halloween idea that you could make in a flash. And who doesn’t want to reference a classic children’s book in their costume? Find the tutorial here.

    A mom wearing a green outfit with leaves and holding a felt apple bag stands next to her child in red overalls. They're dressed as the Giving Tree.

    If you have a gaggle of children to costume, consider our Three Blind Mice baby costume pattern or our Crayon Hat template. Both are simple to put together and oh so sweet. For more kids costume ideas, see this post!

    3 blind mice diy costume for kidsFour kids wearing crayon halloween costumes in orange, red, blue, and green.

    Halloween Party Supplies

    Even though gathering in big groups for Halloween parties is starting to look less and less likely (again 😔), you can still throw a Halloween party for your family, roommates, or pod! This Halloween Party Suite includes printable invitations, placemats, party tags, and place cards. Talk about easy Halloween ideas!

    Halloween themed place cards.

    Paper party goods with a halloween theme on a black background. They're orange, yellow, black, white, navy, and peach.

    And for a party favor, try these printable poppers or printable Halloween candy gift boxes.

    Halloween party poppersPrintable Halloween Candy Gift Box

    These Halloween coupons make a fun halloween activity for your family. They’re a great way for parents to get their kids to relinquish some candy in return for fun activities.

    halloween coupons in pink, red, blue, and black.

    These illustrated Halloween cards are another great party favor because you can attach them to treat bags, trade them, send them as cards, or just hang them up.

    Printable Halloween Cards

    If your party is more freaky than funky, you might like this elegant invitation and Halloween dinner menu.

    black and white illustrated halloween party invitation in a black decorative hadn surrounded by foliage and fruitsBlack and floral printable halloween menu

    Party Food

    Real talk here: what’s a party without cake? Use these printables and templates to make your Halloween cake extra fancy. The Spooky Town printable cake topper set is quaint and just a bit creepy, while this Black Birds cake topper is decidedly Hitchcock-approved. Red velvet cake makes it even more dramatic!

    a colorful, cute printable cake topper set on a cake."The Birds" Cake Topper

    If your fall party isn’t so Halloween-specific (or even if it is!) this Fall Leaf cake topper will add elegance and fun to the celebration.

    DIY fall leaf cake topper

    More Inspiration

    Looking for more cards, costumes, and decor? Search for Halloween on our blog! You’ll be blown away by the years of great, easy Halloween ideas and DIYs. If you’re interested in many of these ideas (who wouldn’t be!?), you can check out our E-Book, The Halloween that Lars Made. It’s a one-stop shop for easy Halloween ideas, DIYs, and projects. Also, for more festive ideas check out this post on how to get into the Halloween spirit this year!

    Halloween Pumpkin Ideas

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Halloween Pumpkin Ideas

    Pumpkin Decor for Halloween

    As much as I love the classic carved Jack-O-Lantern tradition, it’s definitely not the only option out there when it comes to Halloween-themed pumpkins. Plus, it’s nice to avoid covering your hands in pumpkin goop every now and then. Here’s our list of classic Halloween pumpkin ideas to get you thinking about Halloween. It’s only a month away, after all! 

    Painted Mini Pumpkins

    First on our list of Halloween pumpkin ideas are our Painted Mini Pumpkins. Inspired by our debut Casetify phone case collection, these are at the top of our list. We couldn’t get enough of those lovely phone case designs, designed by our fabulous designer, Garet, so we decided to paint them on some pumpkins. It turns out they look pretty cute on pumpkins, too!

    checkerboard painted pumpkin

    Pastel Pumpkin Faces

    Another adorable Halloween pumpkin idea, especially if you’re looking for another painting option, are these Pastel Pumpkin Faces. No need to carve faces here! These ones are delicate and lovely, featuring pastel hues of all kinds. They remind me of china dolls–I just want to pinch their cheeks, they’re so cute!

    4 Ways to Make Succulent Pumpkins

    If you’re looking for a more plant-based pumpkin idea, try these 4 Ways to Make Succulent Pumpkins. Not only are they adorable, but they’re eco-friendly and biodegradable! Can’t get much better than that.

    DIY Preserved Flower Pumpkins

    These DIY Preserved Flower Pumpkins are another great plant-based pumpkin idea. Classy and elegant, once you see these beauties you’ll be rushing to add them to your annual Halloween porch decor!

    DIY Rainbow Pumpkins

    It wouldn’t be Lars without a good rainbow pumpkin. These DIY Rainbow Pumpkins are one of my favorite Halloween pumpkin ideas! They’re a classic, and one that deserves repeating year after year. Can’t pick a color? You don’t have to! Paint these pumpkins every color of the rainbow and brighten your porch.

    Rainbow pumpkins arranged on a porch.

    DIY Rainbow Pumpkin Arch

    A variation on our DIY rainbow pumpkins, this DIY Rainbow Pumpkin Arch is another classic. It’s such a show stopper and the perfect decoration to show guests where you live when they’re trying to find your Halloween party! Honestly, they’re cute enough to keep up all year long. In fact, it turns out you can, since they won’t rot!

    Rainbow Paper Pumpkin Tablescape

    I’m all about the rainbow theme, and this Rainbow Paper Pumpkin Tablescape is particularly lovely. Pair it with the rainbow arch or rainbow pumpkins and you have yourself a rainbow pumpkin-themed Halloween bash to be remembered!

    Printable Pumpkin Crown

    It turns out these Halloween pumpkin ideas don’t have to be decorations for your porch only. This Printable Pumpkin Crown is the perfect little accessory to add to your wardrobe. If you’re lacking a costume and need one last minute, you can easily don this crown and call it good!

    Printable Pumpkin Crown

    Pumpkin Patch Car and Spider Web Decals

    These Pumpkin Patch Car and Spider Web Decals are another amazing and unique Halloween decor idea. It’s simple, but is the perfect way to add some Halloween cheer to your car.

    Pumpkin Patch Car

    Pumpkin Leaf Favors

    If you’re having a Halloween party, these Pumpkin Leaf Favors are just the thing. Use them as party favors, thank you notes, or simply Halloween decor–they can do it all!

    pumpkin favors

    DIY Pumpkin Balloon Arch Backdrop

    Last but definitely not least is our DIY Pumpkin Balloon Arch Backdrop. You know I love a good balloon arch, and Halloween seems like one of the best holidays for just that. Festive, eye-catching, and fun, it’s the perfect way to incorporate pumpkins without having to get messy and carve.

    We hope these Halloween pumpkin ideas have given you the Halloween bug. Happy decorating!

    More Inspiration

    Loved all of these Halloween pumpkin ideas and want more? Stay tuned! We’ll be releasing a brand new pumpkin tutorial in a few weeks, so keep an eye out! And in the meantime, check out our Halloween shop for lots of ideas.

    A Lars Girl’s Back to School Guide

    Brittany
    -
    0
    A Lars Girl’s Back to School Guide

    Colorblocked lunch sacks and beeswax snack wraps surrounded by play fruit and blackberries.

    Lars-Approved School Supplies

    If you look at them the right way, school supplies are the educational version of craft supplies. At least I get excited about them as if they were. Here are some of my favorite ones:

    Lars Back to School Shop

    Since I love school supplies so much, we had to include a few in our shop, of course! For example, see these these back to school stickers, designed by my friend Michele Brummer Everett. They’d be the perfect addition to your water bottle, notebook, or laptop. For more back to school supplies on our shop, click here.

    back to school stickers on notebooks

    On the Blog

    It turns out we also have quite a few back to school crafts for you to peruse on the blog! You can start with this versatile and oh so adorable pencil case, featuring our very own Spoonflower fabric. Don’t stop there! Another great addition to your back to school supply list is this DIY beeswax wrap and this reusable lunch sack. Oh, and I also put together a list of my current favorite laptop covers and stickers, which you can see here.

    Favorites from Around the Web

    Here are a whole host of school supplies we love from around the web. This includes notebooks, things to write with, water bottles, desk supplies, and more! We’ve split them up into categories for your convenience:

    Planners, Calendars and Notebooks

    Desk Organization and Supplies

    Things to Write With

    Stay Hydrated

    Dorm Room Design

    In the college town where I live, the end of August means lots of new students being dropped off at dorms for their first-ever foray into living outside their parents’ house. That means that there are LOTS of fresh-faced students moving into drab, depressing dorm rooms and shabby apartments. Check out this post full of rental-friendly interior design hacks to level up your space.

    You also won’t want to miss the custom dorm room transformations we took on! See them here, here, and here. Basically, we applied the advice in the post above to make these formerly dull spaces full of color and life (see my thoughts on the importance of color here). It’s so important to fill your life with things that make you happy, and that starts with your living space! It’s amazing how such simple fixes can transform your mood and overall well-being.

    Here are my favorite additions to any student housing situation:

    Rugs

    It’s amazing how the addition of an amazing rug can transform a room! Here are some options:

    Pillows and Throws

    Again, those pops of color really do the trick to make a room feel more homey and less bland.

    Curtains

    Another great way to add some color, curtains can also be a great statement piece for a room.

    Lighting

    As mentioned in this post, lighting can change everything.

    Kitchen Essentials

    We can’t post about dorm room decor without some kitchen essentials! You do have to live there, after all.

    Bedding and Towels

    Functional and practical are a must when it comes to bedding and towels, but who says they can’t be cute, too?

    Other Misc. Dorm Room Essentials

    Here are just a few more things to help add some personality to your dorm room:

    Any time you buy something from our affiliate links, we get a small commission at no cost to you! Hooray!

    All Our Paper Flower Tutorials

    Brittany
    -
    0
    All Our Paper Flower Tutorials

    Blooms for Bouquets

    There are so many things you can do with paper flowers, but you need to make them first! Mix and match these flowers for bouquets or let them stand alone. Either way, you can’t go wrong!

    Paper parrot tulips in cream, yellow, and red.Paper peony bouquet held by a person in a striped dressIcelandic Paper PoppyPaper hydrangeas in a white vase against a floral orange backgroundThe Exquisite Book of Paper Flower Transformationspaper daffodil on a cream backgroundA pink and blue space divided down the middle with flower bells in each color

    Find paper flower tutorials here: Sunflowers, Parrot Tulips, Peonies, Poppies, Morning Glory, Hydrangeas, Eden Rose, Daffodil, Paper Flower Bells, and Narcissus.

    Lots of flowers have stamens, and here you can make your own floral stamens for paper flowers.

    Bouquets

    I’m a big fan of paper wedding bouquets because they are long-lasting reminders of your big day. There’s no wilting here! I have loved making paper flower tutorials for all these bouquets.

    close up of a paper bouquet made of dahlias, roses, shamrocks, Mexican jasmine, and foliage.Paper Flower Wedding BouquetRoyal Wedding Inspired BouquetCinco de Mayo Wedding Bouquet

    Find tutorials here: Spring Wedding Bouquet, White Peony Bouquet, Royal Wedding Inspired Bouquet, and Cinco de Mayo Inspired Bouquet.

    Paper Flower Accessories

    Flowers add delicacy and magic to your fanciest events, but I’m all for wearing them in between big parties, too! These paper flower crowns and this corsage will have you searching for events because they’re so fun to wear! You can find paper flower tutorials for the accessories below.

    A paper shamrock and flower crown on a brunette girl's head against green and white wallpaperPaper Flower Bridal Hair PieceA little girl wears a paper flower crown and smells some little flowers.a floral crown on long, straight brown hairPaper Flower Corsage

    Find tutorials here: Shamrock Flower Crown, Paper Flower Bridal Hairpiece, Flower Girl Crown, Spring Paper Flower Crown, Paper Flower Corsage, Paper Flower Graduation Tassel, and Paper Poppy Pin.

    Home Decor Flowers

    Wreaths

    When I started adding paper flower wreaths to my doors, I made a huge discovery. Coming home to something beautiful makes a big difference! So add paper flower wreaths to your doors and start feeling OVERJOYED when you get to your home. I promise, it works for me!

    Paper daffodil wreath against a pink backgroundCrepe Paper Lemon WreathBrittany holding a wreath with floral accents cut from wallpaper.A hand reaches into frame holding a rainbow floral wreath

     

    Wreath tutorials here: Daffodil Wreath, Lemon and Blossom Wreath, Wallpaper Floral Wreath, Rainbow Flower Wreath, Paper Poinsettia Wreath, Palm Leaf Wreath and Pink Paper Blossom Wreath.

    Chandeliers and Mobiles

    I absolutely love what chandeliers and mobiles do to fill the empty space in a room. And come on, they look adorable. So do yourself a favor and hang one over your new baby’s crib! It will surely give you and baby some much needed delight amidst the lack of sleep.

    A maidenhair fern hangs from a wooden hoopA floral upcycled chandelier with paper greenery hangs over a party table. A paper mobile hangs in a white room with a cactusA colorful chandelier with a hanging Dala horse is i

    Mobile tutorials here: Paper Maidenhair Fern Mobile, Paper Flower Chandelier, Scandinavian Paper Mobile and Midsummer Dala Horse Mobile.

    Centerpieces

    Another way I love to incorporate flowers is through centerpieces. Because isn’t having company over the perfect excuse to make something with paper flowers?

    Paper flowers and colorful candles on a branchPaper tulips in an arrangement.

    Centerpiece tutorials here: Paper Flower Branch Candelabra, Spring Tulip Centerpiece, Rainbow Paper Flower Tablescape

    Potted Paper Flowers

    I love me a good potted paper plant. These little beauties are the perfect addition to any room, so what are you waiting for?

    Brittany holds a paper easter lily in a terracotta pot in front of her facePaper Christmas cactus in a white potPaper Medinilla plant in a grey spaceColorful paper plants in a grey roomPaper pansies in a distressed terracotta planter. They're placed on a stack of colorful books on a chair. In the background, you can see some red floral wallpaper and blue wainscoting.Magenta and purple hollyhocks made of crepe paper against a dark grey background

    Find tutorials here: Paper Orchids, Paper Foxgloves, Easter Lily, Christmas Cactus, Medinilla Plant, Pansies, Hollyhocks, Paper Flower Bells and more Paper House Plants.

    Parties!

    Cakes

    Another impeccable excuse to incorporate some flowers, do yourself (and your guests) a favor! If I had to guess, I’d say these flower-centric party decorations will do the trick perfectly.

    Floral Number Birthday Cake TopperPaper Kumquat and Quilled Flower CakeMidsummer Pole cake Topper

    Cake topper tutorials here: Floral Number Birthday Cake Topper, Paper Flower and Kumquat Cake Decoration, Midsummer Pole Cake Topper and 3D Paper Flower Gift Toppers.

    Backdrops

    DIY Crepe Paper Peony tutorialTropical Leaf and Hibiscus BackdropBrittany stands in front of a paper daisy-covered wall wearing a yellow dress.

    DIY paper poppy backdrop and pinPaper Tulip Backdrop

    Backdrop tutorials here: Crepe Paper Peony Backdrop, Tropical Leaf and Hibiscus Backdrop, Paper Daisy Backdrop, Paper Tulip Backdrop and Paper Poppy Backdrop.

    Garlands

    Isn’t spring the perfect time for a floral garland? Well, for your convenience, we have some lovely options that transition right into summer, too!

    Paper flower garlandPaper flower garland hangs over a rattan chair

    Garland tutorials here: Paper Flower Garland and Summer Flower Garland.

    DIY Daisy party hat

    And don’t forget this Daisy Party Hat tutorial!

    Holiday

    Holidays are the perfect time to get making a few flower-centric decorations. To help you out, here are our favorites:

    Valentines Day

    Brittany looks over her shoulder at the camera while wearing a pink, red, and white daffodil crown

    Wear this Valentine Flower Wreath on your head or decorate your door with it. Either way, you’ll be feeling festive and ready for the spring blooms that will pop up not too long after Valentines Day with this wreath!

    Halloween

    A mom wearing a paper flower costume and a daughter dressed as a mouse pose in their costumes

    Chrysanthemum Mom and Kid Costume

    Hannukah

    Gold, blue, yellow, and pink paper flower menorah

    Paper Flower Menorah

    Christmas

    This Christmas you can make holly large or small, as well as these really exciting poinsettia blooms.

    Paper Poinsettia FlowerDIY Paper Holly boughsGiant paper holly and paper berries hung around a big banister

    Poinsettia, Crepe Paper Holly, Giant Paper Holly Decoration and Amaryllis.

    More From Our Shop!

    Find more floral Lars materials on our shop. Here’s our Flowers Coloring Book, this sticker sheet, a whole collection of floral art prints, and more!

    Our Learn To Draw Flowers Course

    And don’t forget about our learn to draw flowers course! It’s the perfect companion piece to all these paper flower tutorials. And the great thing is, if you don’t have all the materials handy to make the tutorials right now, you can learn to draw them first! By the time your materials come in the mail, you’ll be a pro at drawing flowers and will be all ready to start making them.

    Inspired by Cinco de Mayo

    Brittany
    -
    1
    Inspired by Cinco de Mayo

    Nadia Aguilar Cates

    Last year I talked to my friend Nadia Aguilar Cates about Cinco de Mayo and some of her plans to celebrate it. She explained that “Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the battle of Puebla. It’s not Mexico’s Independence Day but a common celebration in the United States.” –Nadia Aguilar Cates, @Casa_Palomi

    Two little boys dressed in Mariachi outfits holding cardboard instruments stand in front of a giant pink papel picado decoration

    Last year Nadia and I worked together to make a COVID-safe drive-by Cinco de Mayo party. This party was complete with cardboard mariachi instruments for kids and a giant papel picado backdrop. If you missed it last year, it’s not too late to get ready for this year’s festivities!

    We also interviewed Nadia last Fall. Everything she does to preserve and celebrate her Mexican heritage is so inspiring. Check out her interview here! Oh and definitely keep an eye on Ella Rises, the organization Nadia created to empower Latina youth.

    Nadia Aguilar Cates stands in front of a giant pink papel picado decoration

    History of Cinco de Mayo

    As Nadia said, Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important Mexican victory in the Battle of Puebla, which took place on May 5, 1862 in the city of Puebla. The battle, in which the Mexican army defeated French troops, marked a turning tide in the fight for Mexican sovereignty. It also signaled Mexico’s strength to the rest of the world, which tended to underestimate their power.

    Because The House that Lars Built is located in the United States, where anti-Mexican racism is still a pervasive problem, we’re using Cinco de Mayo to reflect on the importance of listening to and celebrating Indigenous and Mexican stories. In true Lars fashion, this means I’m highlighting some of my favorite Mexican artists and designers!

    Lars Loves Mexican Artists

    Frida Kahlo

    Photograph of Frida Kahlo holding a small carved idol. She's wearing a black and orange woven top and has flowers and ribbons braided into her hair, and she's standing against a turquoise wall. Where would we be without our Queen, Frida Kahlo? She’s probably one of the best-known Mexican artists, and for good reason! Her work explores her Mexican Indigenous heritage in bright colors and with psychologically rich symbolism.

     

    Painting by Frida Kahlo.
    Self-Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States, 1932

    If you’re looking for more Frida in your life, check out our Great Artists course for kids, which will teach your little one (and you) more about Frida’s work. You can also look at these DIY projects inspired by Frida and this roundup of Frida Kahlo-inspired decor.

    Luis Barragán

    A woman holds a black horse's bridal in front of a tomato-colored wall at Luis Barragán's Cuadra San Cristóbal stables. There's also a flat blue pool and pink and purple structures in the background.
    Photograph by Rene Burri

    Luis Barragán was an incredible Mexican architect and designer, whose geometric buildings are breathtakingly colorful. His iconic San Cristobal Stables was one of the most memorable parts of my trip to Mexico City a few years ago. Brittany walks under a bright pink structure at Luis Barragán's San Cristobal stables in Mexico City

    Michelle Franzoni Thorley

    A black and white portrait of Michelle, who looks at the camera. She's wearing a white top and a chunky necklace, and she's standing in front of some plants

    Michelle Franzoni Thorley is a local-to-me painter and family historian whose work explores her Mexican heritage and the power of knowing about our ancestors. She also is an anti-racism educator and all-around powerful human being. So make sure you follow her on Instagram @florafamiliar!

    A painting of women in mountains, a desert, and a cemetery holding onto a red ribbon that connects them.
    Ancestresses by Michelle Franzoni Thorley

    Cinco de Mayo in the Archives

    Paper Fan Garland

    Along with last year’s drive by party, I wanted to share more Cinco de Mayo inspiration from years gone by. One of my earliest projects was this paper fan garland decoration.

    Honeycomb fruit

    Another early project was this collection of DIY honeycomb fruit ornaments.

    paper fruits in the shape of grapes, an orange, a grapefruit, and a strawberry hang in front of a window

    Cinco de Mayo Bouquet

    I was also inspired by vibrant Mexican design when I made this Cinco de Mayo paper wedding bouquet! You don’t have to be a bride to make this, though! Putting together this bouquet would be such a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo while simultaneously gearing up for Summer blooms.

    brightly colored paper bouquet

    Fiesta

    If you’re looking for full-on Cinco de Mayo party inspiration, look no further than the fiesta I threw a few years ago! You can find great decor, lots of delicious recipes, and links to tableware that will make your party a true fiesta! a festive Cinco de Mayo table set with Mexican food and decorated with colorful papel picado banners

    Mexico City Travel Guide

    Maybe I’m getting carried away, but I also want to share my travel guide from Mexico City. In 2018 I went to Mexico City and it was absolutely dreamy. In my Mexico City guide you can find my favorite places to go and things to see, as well as (perhaps most importantly?) where to eat. I can’t wait until I can go back and experience even more of Mexico City, because it’s truly a magical (and huge!) place, with so much to do and see.

    a colorful papier mache man floats in a white museum space

    I came home from Mexico City feeling so inspired by the color and design that I put together a roundup of fashion and design that reminded me of my trip! I’m itching to go back, but looking through these travel-inspired objects is satisfying a bit of my wanderlust…for now!

    Viva México!

    More Inspiration

    Looking for Cinco de Mayo decorations, or just some spring decor to freshen up your home? Look no further than our shop for the templates to get you going! Try the Cinco de Mayo bouquet template and e-book to make it a lovely centerpiece. Also, here’s the template for those Cinco de Mayo streamers we mentioned. You’ll probably also love this paper flower garland or this boutonniere! You may want to check out this house plants e-book as well, along with our flower and leaf garland e-book.

    Spring Tablescape with Retro Florals

    Brittany
    -
    1
    Spring Tablescape with Retro Florals

    Our New Spring Tablescape

    Tablecloth

    There are so many components of our new spring tablescape that we’re absolutely over the moon about! Let me start by talking about the tablecloth. For past tablescapes, our go-to has been Spoonflower, of course. This time was no different, except that instead of using someone else’s design, we used our very own retro florals! If you haven’t heard yet, we have a whole library of designs to choose from, many of which are based off our popular Casetify phone case designs. It turns out retro florals looks amazing in more ways than just a phone case!

    Tableware

    As we mentioned earlier, our tableware came from the one and only Year & Day. Wow, are we in love. It’s absolutely perfect for this season and goes amazingly well with the retro florals tablecloth. We opted for blush pink plates, bowls, and napkins, as well as classic gold flatware. Can you say dreamy? Oh, and perfectly unpredictable and unique with our custom tablecloth twist.

    Other Decorations

    We also couldn’t help but use our handy cricut to cut out some simple retro floral designs! We scattered them on the table and attached them to straws to use in little vases by Year & Day. Oh, and don’t forget the colored candles and candlesticks!

    More Inspiration

    Liked this tablescape and more ideas? We think you’ll also love these other tablescapes! If you want something plant-themed and springy, we’d recommend When Life Hands You Lemons, Easter runner tablescape, rainbow flower tablescape, and Paper Plant Tablescape. Then there are these tablescapes that are appropriate at any time of the year: Bauhaus inspired tablescape and Chanel Inspired tablescape. Oh, and these Thanksgiving tablescapes, which are festive for Thanksgiving but also lovely long before November, too!

     

     

    Easter Activities for Kids

    Brittany
    -
    0
    Easter Activities for Kids

    Easter Baskets

    Every child needs an Easter basket! It’s one of our favorite Easter activities for kids. But have they ever been able to help make one themselves? For older kids, this Rope Easter Basket is a great option that requires absolutely no sewing. Just twist and glue and you’re done!

    Our Paper Easter Basket is a perfect option for kiddos who aren’t quite up to the rope Easter basket level yet, but still want to try their hand at making an Easter basket. Just print, cut and assemble and you’re ready for that Easter egg hunt.

    Paper Easter baskets filled with paper grass and plastic eggs against a pink and green background

    What to Put In Your Easter Basket

    A fun activity that doubles as the perfect addition to your child’s Easter basket, try these carrot treat boxes! Fill them with treats and they also double as party favors for a spring or Easter themed party.

    If you’re in need of other things to fill your child’s Easter basket with, here’s a post all about activity-filled Easter baskets. And here’s an Easter basket choose your own adventure! All out of time? These last minute Easter printables are sure to save the day.

    Printable Easter Gift coupons to put in sugar-free easter eggs

    Egg-centric Activities

    It wouldn’t be Easter without some egg-centric Easter activities to keep your little ones busy. The bonus is that these activities appeal to adults and kids alike!

    Egg Dying

    Egg dying is a classic Easter activity for kids. We have lots of egg dying ideas for you to choose from, like our Naturally dyed Easter egg tree or our Easter Egg runner tablescape. For something a little more in-depth (ideal for older kids), these Ukrainian Pysanky Eggs, Nesting Easter eggs, pressed flower eggs and Botanical Easter eggs are stunning, and you can use to redecorate with for years to come.

    Once you’ve dyed your eggs, you’ll need a way to display them. Try our Easter egg holders!

    Slip a few of the lovely eggs you’ve dyed (or painted) into the grass for an Easter egg hunt. Let your kids find them using one of the Easter baskets above or this carrot shoulder bag!

    orange fabric carrot bag full of paper flowers on a blue and white striped background.

    Spring Birthday Activities

    While not restricted to just a birthday activity, this Easter Scavenger Hunt with anagram balloons is a great one to add to the list if your child has a birthday at this time of year! And of course, no birthday required for a fun Easter scavenger hunt.

    Speaking of spring birthdays, this Easter Tablescape Party Suite is the perfect way to celebrate. The best part is all you have to do is print and cut and you’re all done!

    Easter printable tablescape with flowers and rabbits and a floral garland.

    Coloring Pages

    Another great option if you’re looking for good Easter activities for kids is coloring. Try our Ukrainian Easter Coloring Pages or our Easter coloring pages. If your child loves to color, you’ll also definitely want to check out this Flowers coloring book, as well as the rest of our coloring pages and books in the shop!

    Dress-up and Play

    What kid doesn’t like a little dress up? It’s a perfect Easter activity for kids. For the littlest of them all, this Baby bunny bonnet is adorable, not to mention a great way to keep their tiny scalps from getting sunburnt. For toddlers and children of all ages, these DIY bunny ears, Bunny party hats, and Easter printable crowns are fun and festive.

    Need more activities? These Easter egg coupons will give you endless ideas of activities to do with your kids this Easter! Bonus: you can put them in their Easter eggs to avoid a sugar rush and keep them excited all the same.

    You also won’t want to miss our springtime activity kit, or our springtime printable activity pack, which includes spring-themed coloring pages and paper dolls for your kids to have fun with.

    Baby Animals

    What child doesn’t love a cute animal? Even better, what about a bunny in honor of Easter? Make your own or buy one from our shop and keep your kids happily playing all afternoon!

    From our shop, here’s a template for our DIY sewn bunny, or this Floppy bunny doll, if you’re not in the mood to sew.

    Here are some more options to peruse:

    Gardening

    Have a budding gardener on your hands? Help them plant some lovely spring flowers! It’s a great way to capitalize on that warmer weather. Here are some supplies to get you started:

    Budding Chef

    Is your child interested in learning to cook? We have the perfect Easter treat and activity to try: Resurrection rolls for Palm Sunday!

    Don’t forget the kitchen essentials for your kids to use:

    More Inspiration

    Need more ideas for things to do this Easter? Try this post on Easter crafts, or these Easter decor ideas. Happy crafting!

     

     

    123...5Page 1 of 5
    © 2020, The House that Lars Built. All rights reserved.