Here’s how to make pomander balls, which are simply oranges pierced by cloves. As the orange dries, it will release a yummy citrus and spiced fragrance.

How To Make Pomander Balls

Supplies Needed:

• Oranges
• Whole cloves

Step – by – Step Directions:

Follow this simple set of directions to make your own pomander balls. If you’re making simple designs, each ball will take only a few minutes to make! Have fun and enjoy the process!

1. Stick the Clove in!  It is as simple as that. Use the sharp end of the clove to puncture and push in to the orange. Creating a design makes these beautiful, fun and even relaxing to create. Getting the kids involved in the pomander ball process can be a fun Christmas tradition to add to your holiday decor. There are really no rules to this besides to ENJOY the process and aroma as you make them.
2. Create designs.You can try designs such as  swirls, shapes, hearts and more. My kids liked putting their names in them and crosses for Jesus too.

How to Use Pomander Balls

Once you have created your pomander balls place them in places that spread their yummy smell and look beautiful. You can place them in a centerpiece on your dining room table with fairy lights, some greenery and candles.

You could also make ornaments for Christmas with them or even put them in a wreath or garland! They give such an organic, vintage and beautiful touch to your home. Where are you planning to put yours? I would love to know!

Drying Your Pomander Balls

To get the longest and best life out of these hang them up to dry a bit. As they dry they will become more aromatic and also it helps reduce any mold formation. The best time to create these is at the beginning of the Christmas season if you are making them for that otherwise enjoy them whenever you wish- that is what we do!

I hope learning How to Make Easy DIY Pomander Balls was a simple and fun DIY your family and YOURSELF will enjoy year after year!

Dovidenia. XO

If you like this DIY you may also like these:

Simple Fall Embroidery Hoop Wreath

Tied Fleece Blanket DIY

You also may love this fun DIY you can do with your kids!

The post How to Make Easy DIY Pomander Balls appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

You have may have seen these before and wondered how you can make an embroidery hoop wreath yourself. It is quite easy!

This is what you what you will need:

• wooden embroidery hoop
• fake florals and pumpkins and foliage
• burlap ribbon
• wooden letters
• hot glue gun and glue
• scissors

First, you want to cut the ribbon to the length you would like for it to go across your soon to be wreath.

Once cut, glue the wood letters onto the center of the ribbon. Allow to dry and set 3-5 minutes.

While the ribbon is drying, you can now arrange and hot glue the foliage onto your door wreath.

Once your foliage has been glued on the embroidery hoop and dried you can now add hot glue to the back of the ribbon where it will attach to the hoop.

In just a few short minutes and simple supplies you have a nice fall embroidery wreath you can hang on a door or wall! If you love DIY decor or gifts I have several other things you may love to make!

Check out this cozy blanket you can make in minutes! It is one of the warmest blankets we own.

Another great fall project is decorating pumpkins! These painted pumpkins are beautiful on a porch or in your home.

Here is one more modern take on a Fall wreath!

Happy Fall! I hope you enjoy all this season brings and this embroidery hoop wreath DIY!  Dovidenia. XO

The post Simple Fall Embroidery Hoop Wreath appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

Here is a list of Valentine’s Day projects:

Framed Heart Valentine’s Day Décor by the Idea Room

Paper Straw Heart Wreath by Mod Podge Rocks

Valentine’s Day Love Letter Mantel Décor by Lolly Jane

Valentine Chalk Board by Yellow Bliss Road

DIY Love Sign by Landee Lu

Felt Topiary by Simply Designing

Valentine Wrapped Mason Jars by Homemade Ginger

Anthropology Inspired Valentine Tea Towel by Uncommon Designs

Valentine Heart Paint Chip Banner by My Sister’s Suitcase

Valentine Wreath by Shaken Together Life

Valentine’s Day is a time to make the ones you love feel special. I hope the projects, recipes and decor ideas all help you have one of the most special Valentine’s Days ever! Dovidenia. XO

Here are a few other Valentine’s ideas you may love:

15 Simple Heart Crafts for Kids

Paper Valentine’s Banner

Homemade Valentine Card Bags

The post 10 Simple Valentine’s Day Decor Projects appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

This post contains affiliate links.

There have been many days that I would walk in the door only to be met with such clutter and mess I felt like just walking right back out of the front door! Can you relate?

With 3 small kids, the dirt of living on a farm and the demands of life, it is easy for your entry way to become the “catch all” to life. Unfortunately, this creates an unwelcoming entry most often.

It feels overwhelming, right?!

How much more peace and time would you have if you were less overwhelmed with stuff? With less stuff and more order you can have more time for what matters in your life!

If just cleaning is overwhelming to you before you can even consider decluttering check out these tasks you can get done in an hour or less!

Snag my free printable to using time blocking to simplify cleaning!

Before I share my after pictures that hopefully motivate you, here was my BEFORE! My entry had become such a catch all it wasn’t a greeting entry any more.

Now for my AFTER, that has left me much less overwhelmed! I can enter my home and feel peace.

Here are 15 Best Ways to Declutter Your Entry Way

1. Asses your space. Take in your space it’s limitation and space. Decide how you want your area to flow that offers visual appeal but is also functional.
2. Reduce duplicates. Pull all your shoes, hats and gloves (and whatever else you are storing in your space) out and inventory how much of each you really need (or at least need at your entry). I kept about 2 pairs of shoes for each family member in the entry in baskets for each person. The remaining shoes can be stored in a nice shoe storage unit in another area of the house.
3. Remove items that don’t belong. Car seats, bags and papers. What items are in your entry right now that need a new home? Identify this and move them out!
4. Find a home for other items. Shoe organizers, paper organizers, key hangers...there are so many things that can help you find a place for your stuff.
5. Organize. I found baskets on sale to organize shoes and to be a ” catch all” to organize things and keep the area tidy.
6. Create a simple “catch all”. I chose a basket but you can pick a cool vintage box or any container you like to make it easy to place excess that life brings through the weeks.
7. Organize your mail. I used a frame with clips to pin my incoming and outgoing mail.

8. Contain your shoes. My kids love having the very own basket for their shoes. These baskets with chalkboard tags are my favorite.

9. Contain your hats and gloves. Find a specific place for these. Organize like items together. We use our vintage hutch for this.

10. Back packs and school stuff. You can use over a over the door hanger, coat hanger or mountable hooks.

11. Hooks for keys and glasses.This not only gives a specific ‘home’ for your keys but you will gain so much time in your day that used to be wasted finding keys.

12. Keep it functional. Keep in mind the main things you need to be able to do in your entry. Often this includes, mail management, putting on your shoes and outer wear.

13. Create reflection. This tip isn’t decluttering but reinforces all you hard work decluttering as a wall mirror creates a sense of space with its reflection.

14. Clean it. You my tips above to keep you area clean.

15. Create routine to maintain. Set a goal to spend 5 minutes before bed picking up. This will make keeping the area tidy not overwhelming.

If you found this article helpful you may also find ways to label and organize helpful as well as mud room organization.

Here are a few other topics helpful to organizing and decluttering:

Get Organized at Home with These 5 Unique Organization Tips!

Decluttering with Kids – 25 Day Organizing challenge

9 Spring Cleaning Tasks You Can Do in Less than an Hour

How to Simplify Spring Clean Up

I hope you found these 15 Best Ways to Declutter Your Entry Way helpful as you work to decrease your stuff!

The post 15 Best Ways to Declutter Your Entry Way appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

I am so excited to share all the Spring decor ideas from some of my favorite bloggers online! To get started I have to share these adorable Hand Knit Easter Eggs by Nemcsok Farms. This are adorable, simple to make and could even be made into a homemade banner.

Another fun Easter decor idea is this Yarn Egg Garland by Mod Podge Rocks.

These Easter Bunny Mason Jars by Crafts by Amanda are adorable and would make for the perfect thoughtful Easter gift for a loved one.

If you like unique ways to color your eggs this season these Silk Dyed Eggs by Our Best Bites are gorgeous.

These Floral Wreath Crowned Eggs by Flax & Twine are quirky and SO cute!

A great way to reuse your Easter egg shells is by creating these Easter Egg Candles by Creative Green Living.

If you want something fun for the kids you will love these Carrot Cups by Lia Griffith.

A frugal yet pretty decor idea is these Thread Wrapped Easter Eggs by Uncommon Designs.

Everything this dynamic crafty twin due creates is amazing! You will love making this Spring Pom Pom Burlap Bunting by Lolly Jane.

Lastly, I love a good paper craft. If you do too check out this Easy Paper Chick by Red Ted Art.

There you have it friends, a collection of the best crafty Easter decoration ideas online! If you liked these you may also like this round up of 25 Creative Ideas for Decorating Easter Eggs.

You may also like this simple craft for decor:

Spring Wreath DIY

Dovidenia and Happy Easter! xo

The post 10 Crafty Easter Decorations appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

This post contains affiliate links to the products to make this fun DIY.

What I love most about this simple Valentine’s Banner is that it requires minimal materials, is quick and as affordable as a shoe string! You can also encourage your children to paint the hearts so holiday decorating becomes a family affair!

Watercolor Heart Banner Materials:

• watercolors and paint brush
• black ink pen
• watercolor paper
• bakers twine
• hot glue and glue gun

Directions

1.Draw , with black art pen, simple hearts all over your watercolor paper in varied sizes.

2.Paint them as you please.

3.Once dry you can write words on your hearts that inspire love! I also sprinkled watercolor on them as well. For my watercolor process and behind the scenes watercolor tutorials follow the links.

4.Cut all hearts out and hot glue your string to the back of each heart. You can create these banners as short or long as you would like.

There you have it friends, another simple craft completed! Where will you hang yours? I chose to hang mine above an up-cycled mail holder I created for the kids. If you like the looks of that you may also love my homemade Valentine Bags or my Up-cycled Wall Organizer. You could truly hang these anywhere! The Valentine’s Watercolor Banner adds a touch of color and Valentine fun where ever you hang it. Happy Valentine’s my friends! Let us squeeze our loved ones tighter this year and savor something yummy with no regrets! Life is short….SAVOR it! Dovidenia. XO

The post Paper Valentine’s Banner appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

If you like all things vintage and upcycled this is a fun one!

Vintage Tie Wreath – by A Beautiful Mess

Burlap Wreath – by Crafts by Amanda

Snow Wreath – by Design Improvised

Embroidery Hoop Wreath – by Lil’ Luna

Felt Leaf Wreath – by Lia Griffith

Fall Feather Wreath – by Positively Splendid

Fall Wheat and Burlap Wreath – by Uncommon Designs

Burlap Wrapped Wreath – by Burlap and Blue

Back to School Ruler Wreath – by Ribbons and Glue

Faux Succulent Wreath – by Simply Designing

Duct Tape Flowers Wreath – by Saved by Love Creations

Acorn Fall Wreath – by Interior Frugalista

Dryer Vent Pumpkin Wreath – by A Cultivated Nest

Geometric Décor Wreath – by Live Craft Love

Corn Tassel Wreath – by the Idea Room

And here are TWO MORE BONUS WREATH INSPIRATIONS from my friend and I.

Paper Leaf Wreath – by Arts and Crackers

Lastly, this is my Watercolor Fall Leaf Wreath that I originally created and shared with All Things Mama. Contact me at my Etsy shop if you would like me to make one of these JUST for you!

I hope you are enjoying your Fall! Dovidenia. XO

P.S. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for all the latest and a more personal peak into Simple Acres!

My husband has been such a helper in this business and dream. Today he was the artist behind the camera! For being a tractor driving cowboy I'm so impressed! On a side note…. Thee most comfy clothes you will ever place your body in is on the blog now! Search >>simple style layering essentials #ad #gocomfy Link in bio to learn more!

A post shared by Stefanie at Simple Acres (@simpleacresblog) on Oct 27, 2016 at 3:23am PDT

The post Amazing Fall Wreaths appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

I love succulents and cactus for their resilience and ability to survive my power of generally managing to kill all things “plants”. If you want a low maintenance indoor garden this DIY is for you!

Materials

• small pots and cups
• assorted cactus and succulent plants
• movable cart
• spray paint and/or house paint

Directions

1. Place an array of varied containers on the top of your cart and fill with plants.
2. For an eclectic vintage touch I used thrift store and vintage store finds such as old tea cups and a vintage tool box.
3. My children and I painted some of our pots. I painted one with left over white trim paint I had to add some decor and my children painted some pure white while others we water-colored.

Below is a video of my watercolor flower pot process if you would like to add that style to your Indoor Garden.

I have been in love with all things watercolor for the past year and I was pleasantly surprised how neat my flower pots were once water-colored! The great thing about my Indoor Succulent Garden DIY is that you can recreate it with your own style! I would love to see what you come up with!

Until next time I encourage you to create, inspire and SAVOR life! Dovidenia. XO

The post Indoor Succulent Garden DIY appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

What I love about this 5 minute Spring wreath more than its simplicity is also how affordable it is to make!

Materials:

• wreath
• spring garland
• twine
• scissors

Directions

1. Cut garland into two pieces measuring each piece to be the length of 1/2 of the wreath.
2. Start attaching the first piece of garland at the center bottom point of the face of the wreath using twine to secure the garland to the wreath.
3.Continue securing the garland piece to the wreath with twine as you work your way to the top center point of the wreath while tying the twine on the back side of the wreath with a simple knot (I used 5 short strands to secure each garland piece.)
4. Once one side is complete, do the same on the other side.

You are now done and officially the fastest wreath maker in town! Yee-haw!

You may also like:

 Upcycled Spring Banner DIY

Spring Chocolate Nest Dessert

Spring Wreath DIY

Spring Bunny Bottom Sugar Cookies

The post Spring Wreath DIY appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

• Premade banner (I purchased mine from Hobby Lobby.)
• Fabric scraps (I also up cycled old shirts.)
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Fabric Glue
• Cardboard to create your own pattern

1. First, I cut my cardboard into a triangle that fits inside the premade banner. I used my cardboard pattern to then trace on my fabric scraps to create my fabric triangle pieces.
2. Iron your fabric pieces then use your fabric glue to attach them to the top of each triangle on the banner.
3. Lastly, I glued some ribbon along the top of each banner piece and then trimmed the ribbon to size with scissors.

This Upcycled Spring Banner DIY is easy and affordable and can be made in any color or theme. Enjoy your Spring! Dovidenia. XO

The post  Upcycled Spring Banner DIY appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.