6 Darling DIY Gifts Mom Will Love

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and you still haven’t got a gift? Don’t worry – we have you covered. This year skip the stores and make your mom something she’ll truly treasure. We found some fabulous DIY projects from a few of the best bloggers out there. Check ‘em out and surprise mom with something homemade this Sunday.

Terrific Terrarium - Terrariums make a great addition to any space, so help mom add some gorgeous greenery to her office, kitchen, bedroom, or den with this fun project from DIY Just Cuz. Brittany shows us not only how to put a terrarium together, but also how to easily etch a message onto the glass. Whether you want mom to know that she’s the best or that you love her, this sweet gift is a great idea. Click here for the full tutorial.

Image via DIY Just Cuz

Fierce Flowers - Is your mom a tea drinker? She’ll love these super sweet, super simple flowery tea bags from Kipi. Cut off your tea’s tag and attach a beautiful bloom. Smaller is better, (Kipi recommends carnations), but if you can find mom’s favorite flowers they’ll work well too. Turn afternoon tea into an absolute delight with this adorable craft. Click here for the full tutorial.

Image via Kipi 

Heart Holders - Spread the love and show mom how much you care about her with these copper photo holders. Homemade Ginger teaches us how to bend the wire into a heart shape and create the ultimate photo holder. All you need is some wire, glue, wooden blocks, and cute photos of you and your family. Click here for the full tutorial.

Image via Homemade Ginger

Playful Platter - We are head over heels for this cute craft from Simply + Kierste! Grab a plain white serving platter and red paint from your local dollar store and borrow your family members for a few minutes to recreate this sentimental DIY. Mom will be reminded of how much she’s loved every time she makes you and the family dinner. Click here for the full tutorial.

Image via Simply + Kierste

Soothing Salts - Pamper mom on her special day with homemade bath salts. Kitchy Kitchen teaches us how to make two different types of bath soaks: Soothing Lavender Oatmeal and Rosy Coconut Sea Salt. If your mom loves to unwind after a long day with an even longer bath, this is the perfect gift for her. Click here for the full tutorial.

Image via Kitchy Kitchen

Marvelous Mod Podge - This final project is sort of a combination of a few others on this list. Mod Podge Rocks teaches us how to use old photos, a planter, and the power of mod podge to create a beautiful craft for mom. Click here for the full tutorial.

Image via Mod Podge Rocks

We hope these DIYs help you make your mom feel appreciated, loved, and special this Mother’s Day. If you tackle any of these crafts please share the finished product with @HomeShows on Twitter and Instagram. We love seeing what you create! And of course, from our family to yours, Happy Mother’s Day!

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Five Fabulous Fall Decor Ideas

What shape is your fall decor in? That’s right, we said the f-word. With September 23rd’s arrival it’s official: fall is here. We’ve already talked about simple chores homeowners can do to protect their properties from the effects of cooler weather, but the start of fall means more than home maintenance – it’s also time to update our decor.

It’s too soon for most to go full on Halloween in their space, (if you have, no judgement from us – we’re big fans of this spooky holiday), but many will wait until closer to the 31st to light their jack-o-lanterns. So what do you do in the meantime? We’ve compiled a list of cute and clever fall decor ideas you can incorporate into your home to help get everyone in the autumnal spirit.

Pumpkin Planters – We are absolutely loving this succulent pumpkin combination. The vibrant orange of the pumpkin goes so well with the rich greens and reds of the succulents and the earthy moss they sit on. This simple craft makes for a lovely centerpiece but is also sturdy enough to be placed on your porch or walkway. What a nice way to welcome fall into your home!

Image via Simply Happenstance

Branch Out! – How cute is this foliage-inspired craft? This is a fun project for the whole family to tackle and the end result is a truly unique piece to display in your home. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Image via Happiness Is Homemade

Chalk-Gourds – Prefer to paint, rather than carve, your pumpkin? This DIY should be right up your alley! Instead of applying a scene or face to your gourd, use chalkboard paint. This way you can write messages and draw designs again and again (all the way through to Thanksgiving!).

Image via Better Recipes

Gorgeous Gourds – Set an autumnal moods in any space with these sweet candle holders. We all already know how fun it is to create displays with fall gourds; image what you could do with them if they were candle holders! Adding a little seasonal spice to your table setting will be a breeze with these guys!

Image via Revel

Autumn Address – The mail carrier will always be able to find your house (and will leave it with lots of fall spirit) when you incorporate this playful pumpkin into your porch decor! We’re especially fond of this project because you can leave it out for so long since it’ll work well with Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations.

Image via In My Own Style

We hope these ideas help you get your home ready for fall. And for more decor ideas and inspiration make sure to visit the Marketplace Events Home Show nearest you. We’ve got events happening all over North America – see what’s happening in the US and Canada. 

Don't forget, if you tackle one of these or your own fall project we'd love to see it! Make sure to share your latest crafting and DIY endeavors with us on Twitter and Instagram!

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Succulent Style: DIY Planters & More!

Are you looking for a fun way to brighten up your office or home? Consider succulents. These on trend plants continue to grow in popularity and could make a lovely addition to your space. The term succulent can refer to many different species of plant, one of which is cacti. So not only are these plants super cute, most of them are also easy to care for. 

Read on to discover the many ways you can bring succulents into your space. We’ve found cool and creative DIYs you can try to really set these plants up in style. Check ‘em out below and get ready to get crafting.

Pretty in Pink – Layer some bright pink rocks on top of your succulent’s soil and see what happens! We’re loving the way the pink mixes with the soft green, it’s such a great color combination. Not a fan of pink? Try using a different color rock like purple or blue.

Image via Lauren Grant

Playful Pots – Don’t want to rock the boat? Try jazzing up your succulent’s pot instead. How cute is this gold leaf DIY? It’s so easy to do and the end result looks amazing!

Image via Miss Renaissance

Lovely Letters – We adore this fun project. Monogrammed planters are such a clever idea! And once you’ve got your frame together, actually planting the succulents is pretty easy. They’re a great way to add a personal touch to your space!

Image via House & Fig

Subtle Sand – Making your own sand really allows you to get creative when it comes to the colors and textures that will surround your succulents. You can explore vibrant hues or more subtle tones, and even mix colors together!

Image via Glitter and Bubbles

Hanging Out – Lacking surface space? Try stringing your succulents up. These cute ombre pots and the plants inside them will look great in your window!

Image via For The Makers

Stool It – Ok, so this stool can technically be used for anything, but we really like the idea of setting your succulents on top of it. The fun neon accents work well with the lush greens of the plants. It doesn’t take up too much room, and can add a nice pop of color to your space.

Image via The Casual Craftlete

Not everyone has the room or time for a garden, so we hope these succulent ideas help bring a little more green your way regardless of your outdoor space. Make sure to share your succulent snaps with @HomeShows on Instagram and Twitter – we want to see what you create!

Speaking of green, right now you can save some on tickets to the Marketplace Events Home Show of your choice. Connect with us on Facebook to get 2-for-1 tickets. What are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on this great deal!

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DIY Details At The Calgary Home + Garden Show

Yes, it's that time of year again - spring is in the air and flowers are in bloom. Owner of Lil' Pink Daisy Florals and Calgary Home + Garden Show Home + Garden Stage presenter, Joanna Tzavaras, is gearing up for the season and sharing her top three tips on how to complete the perfect garden-inspired DIY projects. Whether you're contemplating new planters, looking to improve your floral arrangement skills, or dreaming up new centerpiece ideas, Joanna has just the advice for you.

DIY Flower Pots

Planters are a great way to add a pop of colour and curb appeal to your outdoor space, especially when displayed with the plants of your choice. Be aware of your planter size when choosing garden flowers or plants, and make sure to keep the temperament and type of flower in mind. Choose flowers that only complement each other aesthetically, but also have the same needs. For example, flowers that require full sun should be planted together, and flowers that require partial sun or shade should be planted just the same. This will not only increase the longevity of your new masterpiece, but it will give you the most bang for your buck.

Combine Colour Palettes

You should never be afraid to combine colour palettes among your floral arrangements, especially if you love high impact bouquets. Use your imagination to mix various types of flowers in different colour families and textures for a swoon-worthy arrangement. For outdoor entertaining during the spring and summer, the brighter the better!

Maintenance-Free Centrepieces

We've all heard about them before, and their longevity paired with their modern aesthetic makes them the plant type of choice for months to come! Succulents are great for long lasting table centrepieces, especially for outdoor dining. Terrariums, in particular, are not only stylish and low-maintenance, they are also really easy to create. Find yourself a fishbowl and let the layering begin! Add moist soil, and choose 3-4 small succulents to plant into the dirt. Next, add rocks or beach glass, and finish with moss to add texture and a fresh pop of colour. Voila - it's as simple as that!

For more floral decor tips, don't miss Joanna Tzavaras on the Home + Garden Stage at the Calgary Home + Garden Show on Thursday, February 26th at 2pm. Remember to buy your tickets early for the best deal. Right now, get 2-for-1 tickets on our Facebook Ticket Deals.

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Springspiration At The Calgary Home + Garden Show

At this year's Calgary Home + Garden Show, it's all about spring inspiration for your home - both inside and out. In anticipation of the show, we've rounded up our top five favourite home trends to embrace for 2015. From marble to rose gold, authentic wood to simple succulents, these trends are here to stay.

Marble Furniture

Marble has made a comeback once again, and the trend is more popular than ever. From classic white marble countertops to tabletops in every size, kitchen accessories, and birch-like coat racks, this timeless, muted material is sure to brighten up any room.

 

Images via Design Milk and artnet

Rose Gold

Gold has returned as the go-to metal for everything from fixtures to hardware, but its copper-toned cousin has been introduced to the home like never before, including kitchens, bedrooms, and dining areas. Sleek, sophisticated and bold, this metal screams trendsetter.

Images via Dorn Bracht and Brit + Co

Organic Wood

Organic, raw wood has never gone out of style, but mixing this authentic look with different materials and colours adds depth and dimension to an otherwise drab space. Pair with sleek, modern Eames chairs or a glass tabletop for an ultra-modern mix.

Images via Apartment Therapy and Carla Aston

Succulents

Succulents have been on the scene for a few seasons now, and they're not going anywhere. Popular for their effortless maintenance and simplicity, these plants will give any room an instant refresh, appearing brighter, cleaner, and modern.

Images via Day 2 Day Super Mom and Mixbook

Indoors Outdoors

HGTV's Carson Arthur, this year's Main Stage celebrity presenter, is all about bringing the indoors outside. Creating livable, relaxing outdoor spaces is his forte, as seen through his work on HGTV's Critical Listing. Furniture choice for your outdoor space is key to making the space feel like an extension of your home.

Image via Carson Arthur

For more tips on how to create the perfect outdoor space, don't miss Carson on the Main Stage at the Calgary Home + Garden Show on Saturday, February 28th at 3pm and 7pm, and on Sunday, March 1 at 12pm. Remember to buy your tickets early for the best deal! Right now, get 2-for-1 tickets on our Facebook Ticket Deals. We can't wait to see you at the show!

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