Make your own faux taxidermy

Taxidermy is a fun and whimsical decorative element that could add style to your home. If you are grossed out by the idea of having a dead animal’s head sticking out of your wall but still want to be on trend with the taxidermy craze create your own version with items you already have around. How’s that for a green and animal-friendly project?

 

 

Materials needed:

Plastic bottles, bowls, spoons, thread spools, twigs, etc..

Cutter

Scissors

Glue gun

Cardboard boxes

Scrap paper, cut into small pieces

Cornstarch

Spray paint

Step 1: To make a basic "head" cut bottom part of a plastic bottle at a slight angle and attach to a plastic bowl to form a "snout". Adjust the length and angle of the "snout" depending on the form that you prefer.

 Step 2: Cut a notch on each sides of the rim of the bowl.

 

Step 3: Attach a plastic spoon on the notch created for the “ears”. Rummage through your recycling bin and play around with the different materials to come up with a configuration that you like.  Use old pasta tongs to create a moose’s “antlers”, thread spools to form “horns” --- use your imagination!    

Step 4: Cover by layering with strips of paper and cornstarch glue. *

 

Step 5: Let it dry and spray with paint.

Step 6: Attach taxidermy “head” to a cardboard box and mount on a wall.

*cornstarch glue recipe:

Dissolve cornstarch and water. Place over medium heat and stir continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes translucent. Turn off heat and let cool before using.    

Over-sized Wooden Spoon and Fork Makeover

Silly me. It was just the other day when I thought that I had a week of free time. I didn't realize until that evening that my summer teaching class starts the very next day -- which was yesterday! Oh well...sleep deprivation can seriously set your sense of time out of whack.

 

Anyway, I did manage to do a quick DIY when I got home from class yesterday. My mom received an over-sized wooden spoon and fork set as a wedding sponsor favor. I'm not exactly a fan but a pinterest post on wooden spoons dipped in paint gave me the idea of giving these over-sized utensils a quirky makeover.  

 

This wooden pair suddenly don't look so tacky anymore.

DIY Mirrored Storage Box Made of Repurposed CDs

Here's what I have been busy with last weekend. Yes, I used old CDs! For a complete tutorial visit Yahoo! She. 

Alonzo's Birthday Balloon Surprise Tradition

Last year, we started a new tradition of having a cascade of balloons for Alonzo on the day of his birthday. Pumping balloons and stuffing them between the door and a sheet of plastic taped around the door frame is, as we eventually realized, not as easy as it seems. Things would be different though had Alonzo slept in a separate room.

 

different method...

So, this year I thought of simply hanging the balloons to allow us access in and out of the room while the birthday boy is blissfully asleep.  

...same happy result as last year!

Happy birthday, Alonzo! We love you so much!

Quirky DIY Throw Pillow

I was recently reminded of an old, black and white movie by Elizabeth Ramsay that my sister and I used to watch when we were younger. I do not remember the title (I don't think I ever knew what it I was to begin with) but there was this particularly funny song that I can vividly remember. The lyrics used to generate a lot of snickers and giggles between my sister and I. 

 

The catchy line goes "sa isang libo mong halik ako ay puputi...". Not exactly politically correct but I can't deny that it still makes me giggle. This inspired to create another stencil project with throw pillows! Check out Yahoo! She for the tutorial.

Also, in one of my very first posts for this blog I mentioned about my niece's cat named Cat-y (formerly known as Lulu). The photo that I took of Cat-y as a kitten kind of reminds me of those 80's Hallmark greeting cards. 

 

  
A simple photo transfer iron-on sheet can help you "transform" a favorite photo into a throw pillow.     

And lastly, for your viewing pleasure here's an excerpt of the movie I told you about. Enjoy!

     

My Sister's Surprise Bridal Shower Party

My youngest sister is getting married! The wedding will be on the second weekend of January. I just want to share some photos of the surprise bridal party that my mom, sister and I hosted at my parent's house a few days ago. 

Her coordinator suggested a despedida de soltera in lieu of a bridal shower; and so it was organized by my mom (to be held a week before the wedding). 

But I could not just NOT host a shower party for my youngest sister!

I had a few shower ideas, such as a picnic at Sta. Elena, a spa party (a new nail salon just opened in our neighborhood), a cupcake decorating party...)

But then, I got so inspired by the tea cups and saucers that I purchased at Uniwide a month ago. 

And so, a "tea party" was set. However, instead of tea, cucumber sandwiches and petite fours we had tsokolate and a variety of what would comprise a typical Pinoy merienda. 

The menu consisted of bibingka, suman, palitaw, pandesal, cold cuts, kesong puti and assorted jams.

I took out the capiz shutter (bought at a neighborhood yard sale) and the framed chalkboard hubby made from a salvaged table top  and used those as the backdrop. 

I also used the lamparas (bought at Toys R Us) as part of the table decor. The party lasted until dinner so we simply switched the lamps on for extra lighting.

The flowers are actually balimbing blossoms (cut from a tree at a vacant lot in front of the house) set on sugar and creamer bowls.

It was so much fun organizing and setting up for the event. Seriously, I could do this for a living! If you are planning for an intimate and laid back gathering hire me :)

To Marthe and Macky, best wishes!

Repurposing Leftover Wrapping Paper

Although I has been a while since I used gift wrappers, gift-giving time we still end up with heaps of left over wrapping paper. Check out Yahoo! She for ways on how to reuse them.