How do you have your kids help out with holiday decorations? I love to use my daughter’s crafts and let them double as Christmas decor. Christmas kids crafts are perfect for winter break too! Help them not get bored even after Christmas is over, these kids crafts are great ideas. Take a look at these kids crafts and our blogger friends who have a good selection of crafts that you will enjoy giving to your kids, and will enjoy bringing them out for years to come… even more!

18 Easy Christmas Kids Crafts to Keep Them Busy

[ad#co-1]

1. Candy Cane Mice

It’s the kids who will be doing the nibbling when these sweet mice are around. A combination of two Christmas icons — mice and candy canes — these tiny fabric creatures, with their red-and-white-striped tails, make fitting favors at a holiday dinner or delightful gifts for children to give to friends and relatives. How to make craft.

2. Pipe-cleaner Snowflake Ornament

Need a fun, easy-to-make project that will keep the kids busy? All you need to create these ornaments are wire cutters, needle-nose pliers (both for adults’ use only), and pipe cleaners. They make great gifts for teachers, to adorn presents, or to hang from your tree. How to make craft.

3. Old Toy Christmas Tree Ornaments

Since April of 2010, Stagetecture has had the same “exterior paint job”. Now after 3 years, I decided it was time for a new facade. The dark look of Stagetecture will be replaced with a cleaner and crisper lighter appearance and there are tons of new functionalities that will make it perfect for you to get all of the great home inspiration that you’ve grown to love from Stagetecture!

Stagetecture’s New Look…

• Larger image sizes to inspire your creativity
• Stagetecture’s categories and articles will be in an easier to read format
• See the latest posts, Pinterest pictures, your favorites posts and more – all on one page
• Browse Stagetecture’s elaborate library of posts with an image gallery view
• Each day Stagetecture’s home page will have a new look… and tons of other “renovations!”

[ad#co-1]

So Stagetecture can make the move, it will be under construction on

Friday, April 5th, 2013

Check back over the weekend when Stagetecture will have its new look.

Just like any new remodel – there may be a few “contractor mishaps” – meaning broken links, or other small items still being worked on. It took 3 years to build an awesome site, so bare with me as I make the move and you join me in Stagetecture’s new facelift for 2013!

You can still join me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for home inspiration

Decorating your hallway is a great canvass for pictures. It provides an excellent area for viewing while walking through places in your home. This leaves no option for people to do anything other than to look at your masterpiece in the hallway. Of course, it’s no ordinary arrangement of pictures but a creative one.

Choosing the right pictures for your hallways may be a bit confusing. However, there are several ways that you can do in order for you to decide which pictures fit your hallways. It’s like a backdrop in your hallways that will add to the interior design of your home. In choosing the right pictures for your hallways, you have to consider several things like the frames, arrangements and lighting.

Image via: Craig Denis

[ad#co-1]

Frames

Your picture frames play an essential part in choosing your images. It will set the theme on what is your motif. If you want a vintage look in your hallways, then you can set your frames with old-fashioned designs. Ensure your picture frame mounts are secure while hanging. Also, there are frames that looks so elegant and that will definitely make your hallway look elegant.

Arrangements

The arrangements of your pictures matter. This will make or break everything that you have prepared. You may have it done in parallel, vertical or horizontal alignment. It can also be done in random placement but should maintain a system of creativity to make it look beautiful and not messy.

Image via: Pinterest

Lighting

Appropriate lighting are important to illuminate the pictures. It gives life to your pictures and highlights the whole setting. It would be great if you have spotlights for each picture you have in your hallways. The details of the pictures will be noticed in the presence of lights. If you don’t have enough light, choose pictures that are brighter and colorful.

Your display of pictures will definitely provide a fantastic look in your hallways. These pictures will help you entertain people walking into your hallways. Use these tips to help beautify your hallways with gorgeous pictures.

For more home interiors inspiration on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! This week we are going to help you create a wall to hang all of your family photos in a creative way. Whether you have been trying to figure out how to show off your family photos or you want a creative way to show your family growing, here is an awesome idea – a family photo tree.

Today we are going to explore some unique ways to hang your family photos. If you are like me, then you have hundreds of photos piled in boxes or in your computer just waiting to be printed and hung. It seems a tedious task to go through all of those photos, but here is a great idea that will make you want to run to your computer and get those photos printed! Whether you have just moved out of your old house and you want to make your interiors feel warm and welcoming or you just need an excuse to place to display photos, this weekend project is perfect. If you need to sell house fast consider removing pictures from walls to remove too much personalization. Your home will sell quicker!

How to Decorate with Family Photos –

Link to video –> Decorating with family photos

Create a family wall tree

This is such a unique idea that will really put some wow on your walls. Take a look at this photo from Pinterest. Essentially, it is a painted tree mural, and once dry you simply hang your family photos amongst the trees branches, making a beautiful family tree! Since we are not all artists, you may need to hire someone to paint your tree. Another, slightly more expensive option, would be to search online for a large wall sticker – the kind that are easily removed and do not damage the wall. However, a wall sticker of this magnitude will be costly – it may be less expensive to hire someone and get a more realistic effect via a painted wall mural.

https://stagetecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/family-tree-photos.jpg

Your painted tree can have leaves; numerous branches; birds perched in a nest; and even the ever popular owl hooting from a branch. Use your imagination to make the perfect tree to display your favorite family photos. Also, don’t be shy to mix up the frame sizes, colors, and finishes – this will give a time-worn and well-loved look to your family history.

Adorn your tree with removable flowers.

As well as photos, you could add extra items to your trees branches. Adding silk flowers on the tips of the branches in the spring will make a lovely seasonal aspect to your tree. Flowers can be added with two-sided tape and easily removed once spring is done. In fact, you can add to your tree whatever the season! Think about stringing lights on the wall, making your tree lit-up for Christmas and adding a glow to your family photos.

Whatever design you choose, it is time to get those photos out of that shoebox or off of your computer and have fun making your own family tree this weekend.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4,

Happy DIY Saturday! This week we are looking at the versatility of shutters and how they can be used to beautify your home. Once upon a time, shutters were only used for covering windows, and as decorative features on the exterior of your home. Today they are being used in re-purposed decor as headboards, and even as beautiful room dividers! The options are endless.

Image via

Today watch a You Tube video that shows you how to creatively use shutters in your decor. Then my guest blogger will give tips on to creatively use shutters throughout your interior decor. Let me know which idea you decide to try?

[ad#co-1]

You Tube – Creative DIY Projects with Shutters

Guest Blogger – How to Creatively Use Shutters in Home Decor

Yes, we said it – shutters. Not a lot of people think about shutters these days when they’re thinking about interior design. They often think about shutters for practical purposes – sealing off a window from air leaks or helping to prevent the sun from coming in and heating the whole place up. But if you’re a smart interior designer, you know that having shutters does not have to just be a matter of practicality – it can be a matter of good taste as well.

The problem is, so few people think about shutters these days that they don’t really know where to begin. That’s where we come in. We can not only help you with incorporating your shutters into your home’s over-arching motif, but we can tell you why you need to do this right away. Here are three reasons you need to be thinking about shutters right now.

Image via

1. They’re Practical

If you’ve ever been in a house with shutters, you know that they’re actually a great solution for window shading. They’re easy to adjust, move around, and they definitely accomplish their job of insulation and blocking the sun from coming in. And since not all shutters are alike, it can definitely be said that there are good shutters and bad shutters – they don’t have to look a certain way if you don’t want them to look a certain way.

Add the impact that shutters can have on your home’s energy usage – they help block the sun when you want it to be cool and can help you store heat when you don’t want it leaking out of your windows – and you start to see just how much sense it can make to have shutters on your windows.

2. Get Creative With Your Style

Just like any type of interior design decoration, it’s important to remember in this case that shutters do not come in one distinct shape or size. Essentially, they are customizable. So if you’ve been focusing on a particular type of shutter, it’s important to remember that your options are open. Shutters can be fit to coincide with the rest of your interior design themes and match the color patterns you’ve already selected for your house. Considering how important window trimming can look on a house, it’s good to have an option like shutters available to you.

Image via

3. Need an Old Fashioned, yet Stylish Look?

Let’s face it; shutters do have a certain look as compared to shades and other options. And that’s a good thing if you’re looking for an old-fashioned chic look that matches with the rest of your house. After all, mixing modern with old-fashioned can make your home clash in strange ways. If you want a certain look and aren’t sure why shades aren’t working, it may be time to consider getting window shutters. They’re about to make a serious comeback and it’s good to stay ahead of the curve.

Chris Turberville-Tully is a marketing strategist for Purely Shutters, a UK retailer of residential and commercial shutters. Bay window shutters, solid shutters, speciality items and more can be found on Purely Shutters’ website.

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

Before you know it summertime will be a distant memory! Before summer slips away why not throw summer party inspired by all the bold beautiful colors of the season? Centerpieces made from gorgeous pinks, fuchsia, greens and blues, to gorgeous pairings of all the grandeur of summer. Take a look at these great ideas and let me know which one you’d love to use at your summer party this year?

Image via

[ad#co-1]

Bold Summer Color Centerpiece Ideas

Bright Pinks, Purples, and Oranges:

Image via

Pairing Turquoise and Burnt Umber Orange

Image via

Planning a Summer Party? Striking Hot Pink & Orange combo!

Image via

Throw a summertime experience that is unforgettable…

Image via

Summertime is all about fabulous color!

Image via

Whether you are throwing a intimate get together or a huge end of summer bash, use these colorful ideas to infuse creativity into your party!

For more summertime party ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

DIY Party Ideas: Tissue & Crepe Paper Decorating Crafts

[ad#co-1]

 

Whether you are decorating for a Sunday brunch or your friend’s birthday surprise party, here are decorative paper craft ideas you can create:

Paper Roses

Paper roses add color to any party table or any place at home. To do this, create a template where you can trace the double-sided crepe paper. Then, cut five teardrop-shaped petals and 15 heart-shaped petals. Cut the center of the heart-shaped petals and wrap the top edges around a pencil to provide a nice curl shape to your petals. Join all the petals together using a glue to form a rose. For the stem, take three floral wires then wrap together with floral tape. Place the cut out petals around the stems and secure it with floral tape.

Bottle Wraps

Isn’t it wonderful to decorate wine bottles before bringing to a party or giving to the host(ess)? With just a colorful crepe or stylish tissue paper, you can have a decorative wine decor or bottle wraps.  Simply lay the bottle in a several sheets of crepe or tissue paper then fold its edges so it looks neat. Then, extend 2 inches at the bottom and an inch beyond the top. Roll the bottle and secure the seam with a double-sided tape. To decorate the top, fold it or tie it with a twine or waxed thread.

Party Hats

Instead of buying party hats, you can make your own for a party. You just need cardboard to form a hat. Cut it out and overlap both ends by ½ inch. Adjoin both ends using scotch tape or glue. To style your hats, stick on a crepe or tissue paper, stickers and buttons to give a lift. You can shape up the crepe or tissue paper accordingly like circles, stars, curls or anything you like.

Colorful Pom-poms

Playful pom poms add color and festive appeal to any party. Cut strips of from layers of crepe or tissue papers and wrap them around the dowel. Voila! You now have a colorful pom-pom. You can design it with different colors or add more layers to have a bigger pompom.

You can do any of these decorative crafts at anytime or anywhere you want. With lightweight and easy to acquire materials and create a party that will be memorable for your guests and you!

For more DIY party ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Beat the heat of summer with this mouth-watering salad delight for the whole family. The presence of luscious watermelon chunks and sliced fresh tomatoes are definitely irresistible. The combined sweetness of these two main ingredients plus the added taste of red wine vinaigrette and onion will complete your summer meal with a surprising start or accompaniment to your summer meal.

Refreshing Summer Tomato & Watermelon Salad

Image via Southern Living

[ad#co-1]

Ingredients

    5 cups (3/4-inch) seeded watermelon cubes

    1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes cut into 3/4-inch cubes

    3 teaspoons sugar

    1/2 teaspoon salt

    1 small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced

    1/2 cup red wine vinegar

    1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

    Romaine lettuce leaves (optional)

    Cracked black pepper to taste

Image via: Savory Sweet Life

Preparation

1. Combine watermelon and tomatoes in a large bowl; sprinkle with sugar and salt, tossing to coat.
2. Let stand 15 minutes.
3. Stir in onion, vinegar, and oil. Cover and chill 2 hours.
4. Serve chilled with lettuce leaves, if desired.
5. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper to taste.

Quench your appetite and have a delicious summer salad with the blend of tomatoes and watermelon in this salad this will sure to make one of your favorite new recipes for the season. Create variations of this salad by adding feta cheese, crisp bacon bits or other seasonal fruity. Healthy, colorful and most importantly, delicious!

For more food recipes on Stagetecture, click here

]]> https://stagetecture.com/refreshing-summer-tomato-and-watermelon-salad-recipe/feed/ 0 30277 https://stagetecture.com/how-to-take-perfect-pictures-inside-your-home/ https://stagetecture.com/how-to-take-perfect-pictures-inside-your-home/#respond Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:47:34 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=30085 Entry #1387, July 16, 2012

Whether you are getting ready to sell your home and need take pictures, or you ensuring great photos when guests come over, there are tips that will help. Your home is not only a place for great accommodation for family members and guests. It can also provide a magnificent backdrop for photo shoots whenever there’s an occasion or event. While your home may look great, ensuring that your camera settings, natural light sources and other factors can make the difference when taking photographs.

Typically, the rooms that have plenty of natural light have the best photo opportunity locations. To ensure all rooms of your home are perfect, learn these tips about your camera and brush up on the basics to consider when taking pictures in your home.

Image via

Here are some ways to effectively have better photos at home:

[ad#co-1]

Get rid of cluttered views.

Having an organized background is a great canvas for a picture perfect photo.   This allows your interior to shine and stand out. You can rearrange your decor in the kitchen or hide unwanted cords in your home office. It is best to add some flowers on your tabletop or coffee table to give colors in your background as well as lifestyle props, such as a throw blanket, some slippers in the bathroom, etc..

Make use of natural lighting.

It is best to take pictures during the early morning or late in the afternoon when the sunlight is soothing. To provide natural lighting at home, open curtains and shades to allow sunlight to penetrate the entire room. Be careful of too much light to create a glare or wash out of your room. Depending on the orientation of your home and the position of the sun/time of year will make a difference too.

Images via

Use a camera support like a tripod.

It’s nice to use a tripod to make a longer exposure rather than only turning on lights throughout the room. It provides the stability that you need in taking a picture. Adding a flash may overexpose your image in the foreground or cast shadows in improper places. If the tripod is not available, shoot using your knees. Taking shots by using your knees is more accurate.  Also using a prop like a counter or table can substitute for a tripod if necessary.

Use a Broad Perspective Lens.

The smaller the space like a bathroom, it can look wider through a broad perspective lens. But broader lenses distort lines at the edges, so, be aware of your composition before you take your shots.

Provide a better angle for shooting position.

Usually, a room has a main focal point. Try to capture it. If light is coming in through a sliding glass doors, you have to avoid shooting straight into the light.

Image via

Become familiar with the camera aperture.

The larger the aperture the more light will enter into the image. This will ensure that you already know the points you have to shoot. You know where is the most beautiful point in your room or at any part of your home. Use the exposure settings  properly. Overexposed white balance in the windows is mostly fine as long as you have the proper exposure on what you consider to be the main subject.

These are just some basic yet effective tips on taking pictures at home. Also, you can count on picture editing software to further enhance your pictures. Photoshop can do wonders if you have any minor changes to your interiors pictures. Use these tips to enhance your photos when creating a warm and welcoming image in still life.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Having a weekend picnic is surely a perfect way of gathering your family and enjoying the outdoors. With a few hours of bonding together outside your home and eating a great meal is a summertime favorite past time. If you aren’t sure what to pack, when to plan it or where to go, these picnic tips will surely help.

Image via

When going on a picnic, have a list of things you need to bring. You have to remember that there are foods that can easily spoil. Make sure to store it in a cooler or pack ice packs inside of picnic baskets. Here are some other important tips to pack for your summer weekend picnic.

[ad#co-1]

Consider the weather

It is very important to check possible weather conditions ahead so that you will know if there’s a need for you to bring coats, umbrellas and other protection from the rain. Even if it isn’t going to rain, also prepare for hot beaming sun. Consider bringing a canopy, beach umbrella or other shading device for extremely hot summer days.

Image via

Check for location

More often than not, people prefer having their picnics near lakes, rivers or in parks. These places offer a lot of fun activities for the whole family. Also, bringing your family to nature is an great way to get out of the house and enjoy the summer sun. If you choose to have it near a water location, consider packing items for activities too! Don’t forget to pack fishing essentials like fishing rod, water goggles and floaters. If you choose to have it in a park, packing blankets, folding chairs and bringing tablecloths and linen should be considered. Visit your local housewares store, many of them have picnic basket kits that are already for your outing. They may include dinnerware, utensils, linen and more, all in a handy ready to go basket.

Image via

Prepare food that can hold up to the heat

To have a successful picnic you need to prepare food that can be cooked an transported easily. A grilled recipe would be one of the best options you have. So, get hold of grilling utensils and ingredients. Research your picnic location in advance for the availability of grilling areas. To prevent your main ingredients like pork, beef, lamb and other meat spoiling, you may precook them. This will also prevent you from bringing lots of utensils. Also, bring the right amount of food intended for the activity. For beverages, consider how much you will be bringing for your own convenience. You should know how many family members and guests you have to properly account the amount of beverages to bring. If hot food is too much work, sandwiches and delicious sides and desserts can still make a great picnic!

Image via

Aside from the above-mentioned packing ideas, always ensure to pack necessary utensils you may need such as bottle openers, glasses, plates and other basic utensils. Your summer weekends just got better with the help of these useful tips. Enjoy your picnic!

For more recreation ideas on Stagetecture, click here.