Easy Decorating Projects to Welcome Spring

(ARA) - Spring is in the air -- the days are getting longer, the temperatures warmer, and soon crocuses and daffodils will be shooting up all over. It's a good time to banish winter from your home with some redecorating projects that will bring spring inside.

"You don't have to buy expensive new furniture or spend hours repainting to give your home a fresh spring look," says Sandy Moran of Perfect Glue, a consumer line of adhesives from the Liquid Nails brand. "Small projects are an easy way to perk up your home."

No matter what your project, it pays to have the right materials available. Before you get started, make sure you have the basics including a good pair of scissors, several grades of sandpaper, a tape measure and versatile household glues. "It's very important that you select the right kind of glue for a project," says Moran, who explains that choosing the correct glue for repairs and projects can often be confusing because different surfaces require different bonding agents. "You have to consider the materials you will be bonding, how long it will take the glue to dry, and whether the project is in a wet or dry environment," she cautions. In order to choose the right glue, identify what the two surface materials are that will need to be bonded, and whether the project involves repositioning or instant bonding. Perfect Glue's Web site provides a surface matching system chart that will tell you which glue is the best for your particular project. Just choose the two materials you are working with, and the matching system will make a recommendation.

Once you have the basic materials ready to go, there are all kinds of things you can do to spruce up your home. Here are a couple of suggestions that require only a few typical items you have around the house already, along with some fresh flowers or herbs.

Spring Serving Tray and Vase

You can make an ordinary get-together a spring celebration with this decorative serving tray and vase. Here's what you'll need:

• Perfect Glue 3 (2 part epoxy)
• 2 serving dishes that are the same shape, one larger than the other
• sandpaper
• fresh flowers
• water

Thoroughly wash and dry serving dishes. Using sandpaper, roughen the bottom surface of the smaller dish to provide optimal adhesion for the next step. Wipe off any residual dust.

Mix Perfect Glue 3 according to package directions. Spread a small amount all around bottom rim of the smaller serving dish. Place inside the larger dish and put pressure on the smaller dish, until epoxy sets (3 to 5 minutes).

Allow to cure for 24 hours before using. For usage, fill the channel between the dishes with water and place cut flowers in the channel. Fill the middle dish with desserts, Easter eggs or candy for a decorative centerpiece that is sure to get attention.

Metal Flower Tray

This tray can be used for flowers, herbs or wheat grass for a spectacular centerpiece or window embellishment. Here's what you'll need:

• Perfect Glue 1
• galvanized metal tray
• spray paint
• patterned grosgrain ribbon
• scissors

Spray paint tray in desired color, allow to thoroughly dry before proceeding.

Cut ribbon to length needed for tray (if tray has angled sides, you will need to adjust your ribbon accordingly). Match ribbon on each side, trimming where needed. Fold ends of ribbon under and press with an iron to make a firm crease.

Apply glue along one side of the tray, positioning glue in the center of the panel. Use the flexible applicator to evenly spread the glue. Place ribbon along the side, smoothing with your fingers. Continue all around tray if sides are straight. If sides are angled, glue lengths of ribbon separately, matching up each end. You can fill this tray with a flat of grass (wheat grass works well) and colored eggs or blooms outfitted with small vials of water (available through a florist or garden supply store) stuck in the grass.