Home and Garden

Ideas For DIY

Lighted Snowflake Canvas

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Lighted Snowflake Canvas

You’ll be amazed at just how easy this stunning piece of art actually is. I could see adapting this to other holidays and themes as well, not just for Christmas! Get the tutorial at Apartment Therapy –>> How To: Make a Glittering Lightscape | Apartment Therapy.

UPDATE (12/20/12), this project was originally from Martha Stewart and it appears that her watermark was cropped out of the photo. I am not sure if that was the doing of Apartment Therapy’s article author or not, but you can also find instruction here on this blog, she recreated this project herself and made her own version. The instructions are no longer available on marthastewart.com.

Comments

  1. Hi, thank you for posting this, I love it. However, if you go through the comments at the end of the post you will see one that states how this was taken from a Martha Stewart post – the exact same photo too. No credit was given to Martha. There is a link on the comment (that points this out) that takes you to another posting that gives credit to Martha for the idea, with the same photo, and a good tutorial too. So I saved that link instead.
    Just thought I would let you know in case copyright is affected here.

    • Hi Sylvia, thanks for the comment and for pointing this out. It looks like the instructions are Martha Stewart’s site are nowhere to be found. I will add a link to the blog that you cited as another source for the instructions.

Have you read?

Building with Nature: My Experience with Natural Birdhouses

If you’re someone who enjoys DIY woodworking projects and has a soft spot for garden wildlife, Natural Birdhouses by Maria and Amen Fisher is a must-read. I picked this book up recently and have been completely inspired by the earthy, sustainable approach it offers to building homes for birds, bats, and even beneficial bugs.

What really drew me in was the focus on using found wood and natural materials—think branches, logs, reclaimed boards, and other bits of nature you can often source from your own backyard or a nearby forest. Not only does this make the projects eco-friendly, but it also gives everything a beautiful, rustic feel that blends effortlessly into any garden or backyard setting.

The book includes 25 step-by-step projects, all clearly explained and illustrated, which makes it accessible for both beginner and seasoned crafters. Even if you don’t have a fully-equipped workshop, most of these can be tackled with just a few basic tools and a bit of patience.

I started with a simple birdhouse design, using some weathered fence boards I had stashed in the shed. The instructions were easy to follow, and I was surprised how quickly it came together. Within a couple of days of putting it out in the garden, a curious little sparrow showed up—talk about instant reward! I’ve since bookmarked the bat box project and one of the insect hotel builds for next weekend.

What I really love about this book is that it’s not just about crafting; it’s about encouraging wildlife and creating a more natural, welcoming habitat right in your own yard. It’s a great way to involve kids, too—mine were fascinated by the idea of building a bug hotel and couldn’t wait to help collect materials.

If you’re looking for nature-inspired DIY garden projects that not only look good but also serve a purpose, Natural Birdhouses is full of ideas that check all the boxes. It’s creative, environmentally conscious, and a great way to spend time outdoors while giving something back to the ecosystem.

I’d definitely recommend this to anyone into sustainable gardening, backyard birdwatching, or rustic outdoor décor. Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to hear what you build!