Homemade Gift Bags with Ease

Homemade Gift Bags with Ease

Posted by Unknown

I must be in a no blogging but crafty giving mood because I saw this also from How About Orange and think it is such a swell idea.  They are gift bags made from envelopes!  Or better yet....just buy bags.  However I have a zillion envelopes randomly floating around the house with no card to match.  And when you're in a pinch for something cute to give somebody something in, it could just be this. 

Check out instructions here.

Christmas Gifts

Christmas Gifts

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I bought a scarf a few years ago and it is my absolute favorite.  Everybody who sees it instantly picks it up, admires it and then asks me if I made it myself.  They ask me because they see how little talent is required to make this hip and eclectic scarf.  And I'm sure the required talent is why I decided to give these as Christmas gifts this year.

Wool roving, ribbon (of course), and 30 year old yard my grandmother had around the house have instantly made my gift giving so much fun already.   This braided scarf, yes just a braid will sure to keep you warm and give you compliments.  Make one yourself or buy one from me.  I still have extra yarn

It's an easy, can be quite expensive, sometime tangling, but oh so very cute.  Wouldn't you agree?

Cookie #1

Cookie #1

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So I'm planning and preparing for the great Cookie Exchange that happens in the month of December. My goal this year is to up the design factor and make five fabulous looking and delicious  cookies.  The first one will be the standard sugar cookie but I need to spend a little more time frosting and working with my patience (I tend to get bored after my fill of dough).  These cookies will be made this next week and will go in my freezer until time to frost. 

I'm thinking Christmas Trees, Candy Canes, and snowflakes.  Easily decorated and always good.  I'm also looking for a cute delivery option.  Let's face it, the paper plate with saran wrap is just not cutting it anymore.  However I still need something cheap but classy.  Thanks to the blogging world, I'm sure I'll find plenty of ideas and will be sure to share. 

Happy December! 

Make this book at home

Make this book at home

Posted by Unknown

I have seen this on a few different blogs recently and thought it was a great idea. Originally from say yes to hoboken, I'm loving this personalized book for browsing and reading.  I've slowly been making a quiet book with family pictures and things Zoom would like but didn't think about an actually learning and ABC book.  A picture of red shoes, yellow bananas, and endless possibilities.   What a great idea!!! Pictures of my finished project to come in the future.....my famous last words I know. 

DIY Makeover Chair

DIY Makeover Chair

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I had bought this chair 10 years ago at a thrift store. At that time I painted it black and put a seat cusion on it. During my move this chair miraculously showed up again though I had left it for Goodwill. However I decided to do the chair makeover that is all the rage across the blogs. I have to admit that I love it and it is way easier than I ever expected.

After

Homemade wreath

Homemade wreath

Posted by Unknown

I've never been invited to a wreath making party, but when I read about a new 'trend' for Christmas it made me excited. Why not....we all like wreaths on some level. Of course we can stop buy Costco and pick up nice evergreen wreath for $14 but you can also stop by costco and buy a zillion cookies to give away too, but for some reason, most of us seem to fit it the tradition of making holiday cookies and treats.

Making a wreath is actually easier than it looks. Trust the craft challenged. Somehow as long as your follow the wreath form (available at most craft stores) you can cut, prune and get that thing in shape. I love bay leaves and the wreaths are so elegant. For directions click here. A little rosemary from your neighbors hedge and you have an elegant organic feel. Holly is definitely the added bonus.

I also saw this wreaths like this on Etsy and thought it was a fun and cute idea. The possibilities are endless. Want to come to my wreath making party....next year it's in the works for sure!

DIY idea for the day

DIY idea for the day

Posted by Unknown

I recently saw this on design sponge who attributed this idea to another blog, creature comforts. Now that I've given credit where credit is deserved, I just wanted to say that I love this idea and secretly wish I was creative enough to think of stuff like this myself.

Recycling products that are in abundance, especially those reproducing plastic bags is such good use of things we have around the house. Though this 'target' bring home is not for every present it is still to bring a smile to any who received it. Eco friendly.....I would say so. But you definitely can't use the bag anymore.

FUN FUN FUNAlthough I'm not that talented I'll take to try this to see if it's as easy as it looks.

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Posted by Unknown

Creating fun and amazing centerpieces for your Thanksgiving table may be easily done with things you already have around the house. Cake stands, candle sticks, pumpkins and even things gathered outside around your house can make your table look wonderful. Oh how I love the statement a centerpiece can make. It creates the mood of your dinner for sure. Just remember not to go too high making it hard to communicate across the table. It can be as big or small as your like. Just make sure you have room for the mash potatoes and gravy.

This would be easy anytime of year.

Love it!

A little more creativity but definitely doable.

Can you just say fun and spriggy!

DIY Chair Makeover

DIY Chair Makeover

Posted by Unknown

I have a chair that I found at a thrift store and repainted basic black. I've had it for years and it has done it's job (held me off the ground) for that entire time. It looked great when I painted it but I never redid the seat. I recently saw this in the November Issue of Sunset and said to myself....I could redo my chair again and actually make it cute again. It is super easy and any excuse to buy and use cool chic fabric is okay with me. You could even redo a whole dining set or just keep with a simple office chair. Why buy new :)




For Complete instructions click here.

DIY Fire pit

DIY Fire pit

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I found a new '"green site " that may be worth checking out. It's called Ecologue and the following link is a video that caught my attention. I think Michelle Kaufman's idea has merit and could be used in a variety of ways. I thought rather than trying to make a fire pit why not have a centerpiece of rocks. The possibilities are endless.

Free Blog Templates

Free Blog Templates

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I recently researched free blog templates and found a cute and trendy site that offers just that. Free blog templates! I thought Lena's templates were very cute and had very easy installations instructions. I quickly copied one for my personal and family blogs and am 100% happy. Take a look and see if you can find anything you might like. It's like a makeover for your computer :).

Cute Idea for the Day

Cute Idea for the Day

Posted by Unknown

I have a few good friends who are pregnant right now but I don't live near them. I saw this cute idea on Martha Stewart and secretly want someone to become pregnant just so I can through a shower.

My sister-in-law got her tubes tied so unless they adopt...she's out. My other sister in law has six kids and I don't think she's going for seven. And everybody else is in between. I'll guess I'll have to wait. Maybe I can perfect the idea until then. I'm sure this takes way more practice then I think. After all, I'm kind of a perfectionist. But I do love to plan a party.

Decorating Idea for the Day

Decorating Idea for the Day

Posted by Unknown

I saw this on Design Sponge yesterday and thought it was a great idea. It's a catchall shelf for when you come in the door and need to place your keys, phone, mail etc. And of course it you look further it is a magazine holder from Ikea that sells for 4.99. I thought the idea was pretty smart and clever so I thought I'd share especially if you haven't seen the idea before. For how to instuctions off design sponge click here.

The ideas are endless as far as decorating and you could even use more for different shelves. Will I ever make it? I don't know...I might just buy a shelf.

Project 101

Project 101

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I don't sew and don't have a sewing kit. I sometimes do keep the cheap little ones that you get at a hotel until they somehow get bent and the little cardboard sleeve will no longer close.... and then....my memories of that hotel no longer exist. I saw the following on Martha Stewart and thought it was clever and cute.

FYI - By using a mason jar the top of the lid can flip and the pins would be suspending upside down within the jar. Just make too puffy tops and voile.......a sewing kit. And it's kinda cute.

Amy Butler

Amy Butler

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At Barnes and Noble the other night I ran across this book. It's Amy Butler's new book called Little Stitches for little ones and it is 100% absolutely adorable. In fact, it was so adorable it made me feel bad because I don't sew in any sense of the word. Her materials are indeed what make half the things so dang cute but she also has some great patterns for everyday things. Check it out the next time you're at a bookstore or just make the purchase online. If you sew and have skill and talent ta'boot then it's definitely worth a gander.

Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty

Posted by Unknown

I love do it yourself projects. I saw this and instantly wanted to make a small footstool or ottoman. I found all the belts at a local thrift shop for under ten bucks and looked for a stool or some kind. Didn't find what I was looking for so the project is on hold. It didn't have much instructions to the projects but I'm sure it's not that hard (famous last words I'm sure).

I saw stool on ReadyMade.com. Their instructions were as follows.

Replace a worn-out seat cushion with sturdy—and beautiful—leather belts. Weave together the straps across the top of the frame, pull taut, and buckle each one underneath (if any of the belts are too long to stay tight, use an awl or utility knife to make extra holes). Trim off any excess leather, and take a load off.

Fun Gift's to Give - "Surprise Balls"

Fun Gift's to Give - "Surprise Balls"

Posted by Unknown

I love this DIY project at found at Not Marthas site. I recently went to a birthday party and they had some similar favors and it was such a great idea. Every ball was covered with crepe paper with a surprise inside. The one I received had a windup toy in it that was so cute. Something simple can bring a smile. For more pictures and a better how to instructions click here. Such an Easy thing for Birthday parties and More.

Family Tree

Family Tree

Posted by Unknown

I saw this cute family tree design on a website call Family Summerbelle. It's an English site which sells the design but you know me....I'm in the little bird in the top of the tree going cheap cheap cheap. The design is perfect for kids decor. Now I just have to see if I have that many relatives who will let me have their picture.

Do It yourself

Do It yourself

Posted by Unknown

I love design and it is one of the things I'm passionate about. Though I've ousted all crafts from my life, when it comes to furniture I'll take weeks refinishing something. I guess I think furniture is beautiful. I found this article on the Internet and thought I'd share. It is a way to decoupage furniture with material to completely transform its look. I'm sure you could also use designer paper as well. What a great concept and any material can tie into your current decor. Definitely a fun way to spruce up a room...especially a child's room for a very inexpensive designer look. My next do it yourself project will be......let the garage sale-ing begin. (to hunt for the perfect piece)

Before

These are WAY ugly!

& After

These are Super Cute!

For full instructions on this project click here.