DEB'S DIY: CREATE A COLOURFUL VASE

This is an easy DIY and all you need is a clear vase and some decorative paper. The idea is to line a clear vase with patterned paper – it can be any kind of paper – maybe left over wallpaper, wrapping paper, etc. You can use the vase to hold items, like rolls of wrapping paper or branches (any dry arrangement that doesn't require water). Another fun part of this DIY is that you can use it over the holiday season with your favourite wrapping paper, or for a children's birthday party and match the wrapping paper in the vase to the theme of the party. The options are endless! Here are the simple steps:

Use a clear, clean vase.

Make sure the paper is wide enough to wrap in the vase. Use the vase to measure the height of paper.

Use a pencil to mark where you need to cut the paper to fit.

Place the paper in the vase, I put the 'cut' edge of the paper at the bottom of the vase. I also used a bit of clear tape on the inside to keep the paper taped in place.

SIMPLE HOLIDAY DIY IDEAS

I try to incorporate a few simple, DIY holiday items around this time of year. Here are a couple of my favourites from my own house – very easy ideas and some you can leave up all winter. The sled above is an antique luge that I love leaving out all winter.

Vases filled with inexpensive red balls just add a festive look to tables or mantels. So simple!

I also like to bring in some boughs, cedar, fir or pine and use this in vases around the house too. Just some simple ways to bring in some festive, bright decor.

DIY: UPDATE A COFFEE TABLE

This little DIY was something I thought would be an easy change. I had this old coffee table and the brushed silver legs were feeling dated and tired. To give the coffee table a new look, I've painted the legs with a metallic paint with a bronze iridescent finish. Here is the BEFORE:

And here is the AFTER. The process of painting the legs might have taken 10 minutes and was very easy to apply. I'm on an antique bronze/brass kick, so I've been painting a few different objects which I will continue to share. I love the results!

DIY: CREATE A STYLISH PILLOW

A very simple, inexpensive DIY idea is to use a stencil and fabric screen printing ink to add some pattern to a solid piece of fabric. I happened to have some white cotton pillow covers, so I decided to add some colour and pattern. It's as easy as holding the stencil on the fabric and tapping on the ink. The great part is you could use this idea for just about anything: a table cloth, place mats, napkins, pillows, etc. There are lots of different stencils and ink colours, so the options are pretty endless. Here are the pictures of my progress right up to the pillow in my living room.

DIY: MAKE ANY TABLE WITH THESE FLOYD LEGS

I think these Floyd legs are a very smart idea – they attach to any flat surface to create a table. The legs come in two heights (one is for coffee tables and the other is for a desk) and several different colours. The clamps are removable so you can easily move the table, or change the table size or change the type of material in the table. I think it's a stylish look and such a practical idea – a simple DIY that gives you tons of options! The legs can be ordered at thefloydleg.com and they will ship to Canada for an extra cost.

Here are some ideas of what you can make with them, they also now sell brackets to create shelving. One thing they mention is that these are best for mid-weight materials and also aren't meant to be huge dining tables (they can't handle that kind of weight). I hope to be trying out the coffee table legs, using an old thick plank of wood I have. The big decision is what colour leg to go with!