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Christmas Wreaths Sweepstakes

by Grant Dudley August 22, 2012 92 Comments

UPDATE: Congratulations to our giveaway winner: Isabelle S.!

It may seem a tad early to you, but behind-the-scenes at HGTV.com, we are busy working on handmade crafts for Christmas. Yes, Christmas. We’re like Santa’s helpers around here (everyone knows elves work year-round).

In prepping for our 2012 Christmas crafts, Brian Patrick Flynn created two wreaths that are going to be featured in our Handmade Holidays package this October. We have what we need for our purposes, so now YOU have the opportunity to win the original wreaths.

Christmas Wreaths

To enter for a chance to win both the paint chip wreath (left) and the rustic twine wreath (right), answer our question in the comments below: What holiday crafts will you attempt this year?

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 9:00 a.m. ET on August 22, 2012 and 5:00 p.m. ET on August 29, 2012. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of prize: $50. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.

Jump-Start Your Christmas Crafting

by H. Camille Smith August 8, 2012 10 Comments

All over the country, kids are headed back to school — a reminder that fall and then the holidays are coming up fast. If you haven’t already, now’s a great time to start your Christmas crafting. To help you deck the halls with handmade goodies, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite Christmas crafts.

French for shadow or shade, ombré continues to top the must-try trends for both fashion and interior design. Which is good news because these Ombré Felt Trees are too cute to miss:

Happy Mother’s Day! (Warning: This Video Might Make You Cry)

by Briana Mowrey May 13, 2012 4 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone! Perhaps you’re getting showered with gifts and love today because you are a mother yourself. Then you should definitely watch the video from Thanksfa below. (Just keep some tissues handy.) Or maybe you want to honor your mom, but you’re far away and can’t give her our sweet last-minute Mother’s Day idea. Watch the video, then send it along in an email to her. If she’s anything like we are, she’ll tear up at sight of random New Yorkers thanking their moms on camera for everything from homework help to sharing punk music.

And because I’ve had success in giving a small shout-out in a post before — Buzz and I are engaged now, ta-da! — I want to say Happy Mother’s Day to you, Mamacita. Thank you for giving me your appreciation for all things beautiful (watching you decorate your condo was instructive), your silliness, your work ethic and also for keeping me alive for 30 years. No small feat! You continue to impress and inspire me. Love infinity!

What do you want to thank your mother for? Tell us in the comments!

[Via: Lili and Gothamist]

Daily Delight: Triangular Tree

by Briana Mowrey April 27, 2012 5 Comments

It’s Arbor Day, and if that’s not enough to motivate you to plant and care for trees, take a look at these incredible shots by photographer Marianne Kjølner. This tree in Denmark has grown into the shape of the house it’s near — she believes because the landscape is so windy that the house shelters the tree from the elements.

tree house front

Breathtaking, isn’t it? The tree almost mimics creeping ivy on a façade. Kjølner says that no people were involved in shaping the tree, only the forces of nature. A totally natural topiary! Someone call Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

[Via: Pinterest, Colossal]

Daily Delight: Easter Egg Platter (With Chocolate Eggs!)

by Briana Mowrey March 27, 2012 6 Comments

I know we’re rapidly approaching Easter because my Aunt Lisa already emailed to ask who would be attending the holiday at her place. I know some folks have Easter brunch, and while that sounds like fun, Lisa does a fab dinner spread. Usually I’m at a loss for what to contribute — wine? flowers? — because she really does take care of everything, but this year I’m considering bringing this colorful Easter egg platter from Pier 1 Imports.

easter egg plate The product description suggests using the plate for displaying dyed Easter eggs or serving Deviled Eggs, but I’m thinking this should be a cute dessert platter instead. For the kids, you could include classics like Kinder Surprise and Cadbury Creme Eggs. For grownups? Try sophisticated Vosges eggs in milk and dark chocolate with fillings like peanut butter, caramel and even bacon. (Bacon and chocolate? That sounds like a perfect Easter brunch dessert to me!)

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Bring Bourbon Street to Your Street

by Liz Gray February 21, 2012 8 Comments

Happy Fat Tuesday! Tonight, the real Bourbon Street will be overflowing with Mardi Gras revelers hungry for beads, Hurricanes and King Cake.

Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Photo by Cosmo Condina; courtesy of NewOrleansOnline.com

But we found another place where Mardi Gras beads are commonplace: a Pennsylvania basement?! Homeowners Penny and Tony needed more than a pot of gumbo to recreate their weekends in New Orleans. They needed a 3-story, 2,000-square-foot basement replica of Bourbon Street, complete with their own bar, stage and balcony. Now, they can say “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” 365 days a year. Take a tour now:

What do you think? Would you like a built-in Bourbon Street for your very own zydeco band, or do you prefer to visit the real thing?

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Hey, Valentine: Have a Heart (or Two)

by Liz Gray February 8, 2012 5 Comments

Ahh, Valentine’s Day. Most people fall in one of two camps regarding all that is February 14: head-over-heels for the holiday or totally against it.

I definitely fall in camp number one, but even haters can appreciate that heart-shaped things are ridiculously adorable (Did you see Briana’s conversation heart soaps and Kim’s heart-shaped printables?). Celebrate the holiday (or just bask in the cuteness) with one of these creative (and in some cases, delicious) ways to say I <3 You. Which is your favorite?

Heart Interior Design Ideas

Clockwise, from top left: Striped heart pillow, JCPenny; Love portrait, room design by Elliott Kaufman; U Complete Me iron-on decals, Creature Comforts blog

Heart Shaped Foods

Clockwise, from top left: Valentine’s egg in the basket, Petite Kitchenesse; Heart-shaped whipped cream, Bellaimento; Conversation heart cheesecakes, Hungry Happenings; Valentine’s milk and cookies, Cookies and Cups

Heart Shaped Valentine's Day Products

Clockwise, from top left: Heart-shaped paperclips from Design*Sponge; Pizza My Heart card from BettyTurbo; Recycled heart garland from bookity; DIY elbow patch from Honestly…WTF; Heart-shaped balloons from Mignon Kitchen Co.; Apple art print from MarianneLoMonaco

Get more Valentine’s Day inspiration from HGTV’s Valentine’s Day Pinterest board.

Daily Delight: Conversation Heart Soaps

by Briana Mowrey February 6, 2012 3 Comments

I feel like conversation hearts are the candy corn of Valentine’s Day, if you will. They’re this confection that’s become emblematic for a holiday through longevity, even though they’re actually kinda divisive. People seem to either love them or hate them. That said, I think candy corn and conversation hearts do have at least one thing going for them that we can all agree on, and that is style. Like these charming conversation heart soaps from SoStinkingSweet on Etsy.

conversation heart soap

These would make cute gifts — you know everyone else is just going the chocolate or flowers route — or a fun little holiday accent in a powder room. And they’re emblazoned with some classic romantic phrases. None of this newfangled “Tweet Me” business, thankyouverymuch!

BONUS: Feeling crafty? Try your hand at this conversation heart banner. It’d be a fab way to show your mantel a little love.

Daily Delight: Yee-Haw Industries 2012 Calendars

by Briana Mowrey December 25, 2011 6 Comments

Merry Christmas, design lovers! Did Santa visit your house last night? I got some lovely gifts, but my favorite present (that I coincidentally both gave AND received!) is a mini Yee-Haw Industries 2012 calendar.

These cute letterpress critters bring a smile to my face, and remind me of visiting my lovely coworkers at HGTV HQ in Knoxville (where Yee-Haw Industries is also based). The mini calendars are perfect for a desk or cubicle, but I also like the rustic charm of this large-format calendar. We’ll be ringing in 2012 before you know it, so I love being prepared to greet the new year stylishly.

How about you? What was your favorite Christmas present this year?

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12 Days of Handmade: Santa’s Runway

by Liz Gray December 24, 2011 1 Comment

Other than having the best cookies and milk (and a super-chic cookie plate), what’s the best way to make sure Santa stops by tonight? It’s today’s final handmade holiday idea: a candle-lit runway.

To make, set votive candles atop rock salt “snow” in glass jars or hurricanes. Then line them up on your steps alongside some greenery and wait for the man in red. (While you wait, why not take a virtual tour of our favorite decked-out holiday homes?) Happy Christmas!