Spring DIY Decor Projects & Shelter at Home Ideas

Spring DIY Decor Projects & Shelter at Home Ideas is bound to be a bit random, but if I am to be authentic here, can we expect anything less as April 2020 dawns?

“Happy April” rings hollow and so silly.

Still new to the deeper meaning, language, and culture of pandemia, my thoughts and feelings seem to travel all over the spectrum these days.

But Mary has a prescription.

Singing, structure and list making are suddenly my best friends, along with a broom, meditation, scripture, and prayer. While I have been writing songs and prayers, it’s time to get the hands busy too!

Are you seeking beauty in the little things? And are they little things, or are they EVERYTHING? Here’s a little delicious thing I shared this week:

PUSH PLAY AND LET A FELINE HEAL SOMETHING IN YOUR SOUL (or at least ease you toward peace).

Spring DIY Decor Projects & Shelter at Home Ideas

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Spring for Modern French Decor

Why not just begin with the best there is?

Study designs from Pam Pierce and issues of Milieu to train your eye for simplicity and pleasing juxtaposition.

Whether you add flowers, branches, or nothing at all to a white pot like this (below), its pleasing silhouette is bound to charm you this spring.

Make a Humble Bird House

I commissioned my husband to make this humble bird house, inspired by a dear friend’s recent passing. She was a lover of nature, and when we were together just before Christmas, the tumor in her brain had taken most of her vision and hearing, yet she remained mobile and energetic as she fed chubby squirrels on the deck. The beauty of this woman, stripped of her senses, hair, and time will remain with me always.

As she tossed handfuls of seed like colorful confetti through the sky, I kept thinking about that conversation with Peter and Christ. “Do you love me?” Yes, Lord. “Feed my sheep.”

It wasn’t just the birds and squirrels fed by my friend that day. What a blessing to pray, reminisce, laugh, and hold hands.

We planned our next ‘party’ (there would be foot massages and wearing of a spectacular new wig made from a daughter’s tresses), but she flew home before we could gather again.

I don’t know what you and yours will face in the coming months and years, but since we just don’t know, may I be bold?

Say the loving things now.

Don’t wait for a moment to materialize where it feels appropriate or less awkward. If only you knew the number of awkward moments I have created!

Feed each other love. Let your voice shake and quiver. It’s okay if it’s messy. Let tenderness flow with tears from your eyes.

Back to bird house making. We used reclaimed wood from a vintage dresser I salvaged so it feels even more special.

Here are the instructions:

DIY Plaster Dipped Flower Art

It seems many of you are getting crafty with the extra time at home during the global crisis with so much of #earthshutdown.

Here’s a super easy craft I have done for years.

You may be familiar with the beautiful blog So Much Better With Age, and here is Jamie’s awesome tutorial for an adaptation of those dipped flowers.

Discover even more easy elegant French DIY projects in Jamie’s book:

Join the Face Mask Makers

Whether you are a seasoned sewer or an aspiring one, I love the idea of how ordinary folks are stepping in to meet a dire need.

I mentioned the other day JoAnn Fabrics is on a mission to get masks and gowns into the hands of heath care and essential workers. You can find their tutorial in pictures HERE.

Something amazing has been launched by JOANN. The store aims to donate

*get ready for it*

100 million masks! When I saw that 18.2 million have already been donated as of today, tears sprung to my eyes.

How lovely is this make to give effort?

Here’s another video which walks you through the creation of two different styles.

Spring Exercise Idea

I am loving the sun on my face and brisk walks through the neighborhood in a brand new way. Do you need a nudge to get moving?

For those of you who have little doggies and one of these with the back wheel rack…

Oh my!

Shelter at Home Learning: Research the Science of Happiness

First of all, you can take a course at YALE on happiness for FREE. Yep. Here’s a great book I own on the subject:

And let’s get real. My research on the subject often leads me here:

My fat-restricted diet allows me to indulge in a serving of 8 of these happy pills once in a while.

For a healthier dose of happy, these chewies (below) hit the spot (I can eat the whole bag since each serving is 1.5g of fat!):

Bake Someone Happy

How adorable is this daisy crowned bunny? Whether you have a Ph.D. in fondant or have no idea what fondant is, maybe this is a sweet time to learn a new skill like cake decorating.

Spring for a Groovy Green Accessory

Lovely Spring Wreath DIY

I’m so impressed by folks who make these handmade wreaths, and I’m even more impressed with folks who take the time to teach us! It is so much work creating even the simplest DIY video so my hat is off to creatives who teach!

Instant Wreath Beauty

I also found these readymade beauties:

Learn to Save Money in the Kitchen

In this helpful post from After Orange County, find smart and frugal-minded tips and sensibility during this season of shortages and social distance (it’s actually good advice for any season!).

Spruce Up a Spring Vignette With Glass Beads

Add Gentleness to Your Slumber

Relaxing music and spring flowers are always a winning combo.

Spring Into Self-Care

This is an oil I use regularly that works on body, scalp, split ends, cuticles, etc. No messy dropper or pump, just hold it upside down for a little drop to instantly drop.

We began with words from Mary Oliver…let’s part with them too in this poetry excerpt which paints a portrait of how I aspire to somehow draw strength from the present “velvet darkness” of which we live:

Thinking of each of you, thankful for your presence here.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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