How to Make a Gallery Wall

If your walls could talk, what stories would they tell? For some, like me, that would be a scary thought.  LOL.

For many of us, we would like them to simply share our milestones, memories and mottos, right?  I created one of these one our walls of our wedding pictures – some of the family who are in the pictures are no longer with us so it has great memories BUT is definitely doesn’t tell the whole story.  I am hoping to add some memories to it by using some of these tips.   Whether it’s in your kitchen, above your couch or along your staircase, choosing unique pieces is the key to making your display so special.

Here are some GREAT tips for adding one-of-a-kind elements to more traditional framed photographs and oversized initials – all to help you create something truly personalized.

1. Game boards & pieces

What was your favorite childhood sport to play? Which board games does your family reach for over and over on rainy evenings? Your local Goodwill or thrift store is a great place to score retro board games and sports equipment you can use to add character to your gallery wall or shelves. (That broken-in, well-loved look actually boosts the cool factor!)

2. Vintage numbers

Whether they’re antique license plates, framed playing cards, tin stencils or old scoreboard tags, vintage numerals are a fun way to express a number that holds a story or memory for your family. Do a quick online search or browse flea markets, yard sales and antique shops for the digits of your address, anniversary or favorite Bible verse.

3. Flowers & wreaths

Add a sweet touch to the gallery wall in a nursery, craft space, laundry room or even your front porch with an arrangement of dried flowers or an artificial wreath. Check your local craft store for oversized fabric blossoms to match your décor, swap in a seasonal sprig for a traditional frame, or create a cute wreath with fabric scraps – we tried this easy-to-make one from Kelly at Typically Simple. And faux greenery looks great mixed with antique window panes and grapevine wreaths arranged on an outdoor wall to welcome guests.

4. Quotes on canvas

Share the special names, dates and words in your life with customized Statement Canvas Wall Art. Scour a social site like Pinterest® for cute quote ideas, then choose from a variety of sizes and printed designs, including white text on black canvas, your choice of 16 colors on natural canvas and even your personal photos! Have a budding artist in the family? Scan your kids’ original artwork and have it printed on one of our durable canvases.

5. Shadowboxes

These deep-set frames are built to hold dimensional keepsakes and, depending on their size, the options are practically limitless. Highlight a single object like a sculpted key or bridal bouquet. Simply fill one with wine corks, seashells, fabric flowers, bottle caps or Christmas tree bulbs. Or adhere some items to the back, layering pieces over each other to add visual interest – think baby shoes, blocks and photos; use wooden letter game tiles to spell out names or places; arrange keys, ticket stubs, medals or pressed flowers; or design your own artwork out of buttons or plastic building blocks – even crayons! (Jamie at The Trendy Treehouse offers step-by-step instructions for putting together your own crayon letter shadowbox.)

6. Photo tag galleries

Turn moments to remember into personalized keepsakes to treasure with Thirty-One’s Close to Home™ Collection. We make it simple to tell your family’s story on your gallery wall with pieces like our Close to Home™ Table Gallery and 9″ Close to Home™ Round Frame, both available in Natural or Grey Wash Wood. It’s easy to switch out the keepsake-quality iron Photo Inserts for the season and to commemorate trips and events as your family grows. Remember to personalize the wood frame with your family name, saying or special date in your favorite laser-etched design.

Bonus tip: Don’t forget the sofa underneath!

Fluff up a few perfectly personalized Statement Canvas Pillows in black and natural – choose an embroidered monogram, printed design or your own family photos to continue your theme even below your gallery wall. Toss a cozy Super Soft Blanket over one arm of the sofa, and you’ll be ready to hibernate all winter!

Share your gallery wall with us….. Have a blessed day!

How To Spend Your Me-Time

Thank you Thirty One for today’s tips…

The kids are off from school this week and maybe you will be able to grab a few minutes of ME TIME.  The ever elusive “me-time” is the key to great self-care. Even 15 minutes per day doing something just for you will go a long way toward keeping you mentally strong and healthy so that you can give your all to your family and career.

Depending on what you enjoy, how much time you have or even the kind of day you’ve had, me-time can look different from day to day. But one thing’s for certain: Me-time will help you rest and recharge both physically and emotionally. Here are five fun and easy ideas to try for meaningful me-time this month.

1. Write in your journal

Taking some time to write in a pretty journal (like our beautiful Keepsake Journal) is a great way to reflect on your day, express gratitude or plan out your intentions for the day, week or month. If something is troubling you, try writing about it. It may help you let go of the problem or come up with a better solution.

2. Take a bubble bath

A nice hot soak with your favorite bubbles or bath salts will have you feeling relaxed in no time. Add in a fun novel to top it off. To make things even more relaxing, fill a Double Duty Caddy with beauty essentials like a facial mask, scented moisturizer and some nail polish to indulge in an at-home spa treatment afterward.

3. Treat yourself to lunch

Head to your favorite coffee shop or restaurant to enjoy a peaceful lunch all by yourself. Have fun people watching while you’re there – and why not order dessert, too? Choose a restaurant within walking distance to get the added benefit of some fresh air and exercise.

4. Dance to some great tunes

Dancing is fun, therapeutic and great exercise. Put on some songs you haven’t heard in a while and dance like nobody’s watching! Besides being a great mood booster, dancing on a regular basis can help improve your physical fitness.

5. Get your craft on!

There’s just something about losing yourself in a crafting project – maybe with your favorite movie playing in the background and some yummy snacks – that can be oh, so satisfying. Grab your Get Creative Carry-All packed up with your knit or crochet project to amp up the fun and relaxation!

One way to give yourself more freedom to indulge in me-time is to control your own work schedule. If you’re interested in a great work-from-home idea, consider starting your own business with Thirty-One Gifts! Working YOUR way as a Consultant means choosing your own hours, enjoying the flexibility to earn on your own schedule and having a blast sharing innovative and stylish products designed to make life easier – and more fun!

Whether your idea of relaxation is spending time alone at home or getting out and meeting new people, it’s important to choose something you thoroughly enjoy. Taking some time for yourself every day will help you feel happier, have more energy and experience less stress. To find out how you can enjoy me-time while meeting new people, setting your own work hours and the opportunity to earn some extra income through direct sales, check out our Consultant program today.  Have some questions, I’m an open book….. send me a message and I will answer your questions.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!.

March Madness

WOOHOO!  It is Monday morning and I am ready to conquer the world.  Okay, so it may be a slight stretch but I am ready to get into the spirit of March Madness.  No, I am not talking about basketball… I am talking about Thirty One’s March Madness.

If you haven’t heard yet, Thirty One has an AMAZING opportunity for hostesses this month.  Are you ready?

That’s right with a $500 party you get DOUBLE hostess credits so instead of $90 in FREE products you are gong to $180!  Talk about a shopping spree!I know, no time for a party right?  The house is a mess and no time to clean.  No room to have my friends over. None of my friends live close.  Too busy.  No money.  I have heard all of the reasons why you can’t have a party and get FREE stuff BUT for just 31 minutes of your time on Facebook, you could have a party.  Yes, you heard me right.

My new Facebook parties have me LIVE with you and your friends for 31 minutes highlighting all of the products you want to see up close. A personal shopper coming right into your home.  Here is how it works….

• I will send you a hostess packet for our party within the next 14 days.
• You share the catalog with friends and family to gather some outside orders.
• You will send me a guest list of 20 people who you want to attend with their snail mail address.  I will send them a personal paper invite with a treat.  Of those 20, you will pick 10 people who are a must have at your party.  Those individuals will receive a mini  catalog with a bonus option for helping you collect orders.
• Once I have the list, I will set up you Facebook party.
• We will do some posts on the party before it starts
• The day of the LIVE party, I will tell everyone how to earn tickets to win
• We will go live at the designated time for some fun and games.
• We will close your party within 48 hours of the LIVE event

Easy peasy, right?  No fuss. No mess.

The best part is all of the NEW items in March at Thirty One

#1 – March Customer Special…… I LOVE this special.  Some of our most popular bags from the NEW Spring catalog on sale

#2 Close to Home Tray is BACK!  This product sold out in 23 days when it was introduced during the holidays.  It is back with two options for personalization.

#3 – Celebrating Teachers and Nurses.  

#4 – You asked for it, we have it!  The NEW Softball icon..

Can you thing better than being a hostess in March?  Maybe it is starting your own business with one of our Spring Enrollment kits…

  

Not only do you get paid to party BUT you will also have the chance to get up to 4 of these amazing kits for FREE each month for the first four months.

So, who is ready to join in the fun?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!