Easy Handmade Gift....

If your one of my many friends or family members that may be reading this you may want to stop right here, turn around, close your eyes. If you don't want to spoil your very special handmade gift....STOP Right Now!!

Coasters Anyone??

These are super easy and inexpensive to make. Who wouldn't love a set of these.....I hope everybody, cause that's who is getting them from me this year!

Okay I'll give you the dish on how to make these beauty's!

1. Go to Home Depot.....Buy these lovely 4x4 tumbled marble tiles.

2. While at Home Depot pick up a roll of Con-Tact Cork liner with adhesive (in the wallpaper isle near the drawer liners).

3. You will also need a paint pen, a set of stencils, and a clear coat sealer/protectant.

4. Center your stencil on the tile, with your paint pen trace the letter onto the tile. *Be careful not to touch the paint pen too close to the stencil this will cause the paint to bleed under the stencil which will create a BIG mess--trust me* Stay about an 1/8 of an inch from the stencil. Carefully remove your stencil, go back and touch up any spots free hand.

5. Allow your letters to dry.

6. Measure and cut the cork liner to fit on the bottom of the tiles. Apply the cork to the tiles--apply pressure so the adhesive on the cork adheres to the tile.

7. Spray the tile with 1-2 coats of clear sealer.

8. Tie with a bow~Give to all you know!!

Pillow Talk....

Here is a pillow I recently made for the living room.....If you could see our living room, you would understand. It's basically a mortuary for animals. Let's see how many trophy's we can fit on one wall!! Ten years ago I would of never imagined myself having a home with a bunch of dead animals on the wall, but here I am today and instead of complaining about it, I'm embracing it. Adding my own little touches of the wild to make it a little more feminine.

The fabric is actually a leftover drop cloth that I am using to make curtains. I found this picture on the Internet and printed it out. Cut the deer out and traced around the outline directly onto the fabric with those awesome paint pens. Once outlined I filled in the center and fixed up the outside. I sewed the fabric together and filled with the plastic bags I have been saving from the grocery store. So if your not so much into wild animals on pillows for your living room, I understand but just imagine the possibilities maybe a monogram of your last name. Wouldn't that be perty.

Christmas Bulb Wreath...

These are plastic bulbs purchased from Hobby Lobby....They have a whole isle of the plastic bulbs any color you could possibly want. I stuck with red and silver....

1. Remove the top of the bulbs and place hot glue around the outside, place the top of the bulb back on and allow the glue to dry. (This is so the tops are secure).

2. Shape your metal coat hanger in a circular shape. (you will leave the hook on the hanger this will allow you to hang wreath easily).

3. String the bulbs onto the coat hanger. I did... 3 red---1 silver. (be creative) You will see the more you add the fuller the wreath will be, just keep adding until it is full.

4. Connect the ends to create your wreath. I added some small bulb garland and a bow for a complete look.

I used somewhere around 55 bulbs, this will depend on the size of the bulbs and your coat hanger. I figure it cost me around $18 to complete this wreath.

Happy Wreath Making!!

Mod Podge....

I looove Mod Podge, it's so easy to work with and I love the results.

Plain ordinary pumpkin + torn scrapbook paper + Mod Podge = This Beauty

Sewing Day....

Whew!! Today I finally finished my window coverings in the kitchen.
It looks like a totally different kitchen.

Sorry I have no before pictures.....just imagine bare windows.

This is a shelf that I've had from Hobby Lobby that I could not find a home for in this new house. So I painted it black stapled the fabric to the back and hung the shelf above the window.

I have to say I found the perfect home for the shelf.

I have to say I am not a huge fan of vertical blinds, but they were here when we bought the house and they work well for privacy and keeping the sun out when we sit down to dinner. So I racked my brain to try to make them a little perty (if that's possible). I think it worked, I'm a little happier with them anyways....That's all that matters!

Last but not least..... Using the leftover fabric to make a table runner.

Now I can say, I have one room complete, (well the window's anyways, I have a whole new project I will jump into after Christmas....can't wait to get started). So on to the next.

Tomorrow: Living Room windows

A New Family Tradition.....

For the last few years I have been trying to implement a new Christmas family tradition. A tradition that I think would be a fun, meaningful and maybe even a little necessary. I will admit we go a little overboard buying gifts at Christmas time. While it is fun buying, wrapping and unwrapping in the end I always believe we have way to much stuff.

I know being creative and crafty may not be for everyone and I understand this. But I also believe it does not matter how perfect your gift turns out, it was the thought put into it that means the most in the end.

So I am determined to have a Handmade Christmas this year, I know I will not be able to put an end to all gift buying from the big box stores. I vow to make at least one handmade gift for each recipient this year, I will also help my children to create handmade gifts for each person on their list. While everyone may not be on board with this new tradition, they will hopefully enjoy the handmade gifts and see how excited the children are when they tell them it is handmade by ME.

And who knows hopefully I am wrong and everyone steps up to the plate.....Wouldn't that be exciting, seeing all the wonderful gifts that your family put their hearts and their hands into.

While I have not decided on gifts for everyone yet, I will post them when they are completed. Hopefully, giving you a little inspiration for a Handmade Christmas. Maybe this could be a new tradition for your family too!

Photo courtesy Martha Stewart

Dollar Store Finds....

Here are a few items that I found on my trip to the $ Store.

Lately there has been a buzz about finding inexpensive items and turning them into something unique. So I thought I would try it out.

A white dinner plate~Added some chalkboard paint & a bow.

I found the perfect place for the plate above my cabinets.

Family sign~ Spray painted with a coat of black spray paint, let dry & finished with a coat of ivory spray paint. Sanded with a sanding block for a rustic look.

Displayed on top of my new wine rack....That I heart!!

So, I don't think I did to bad for two dollars plus the paint.

The Dollar Tree crew may just get to know me by name!!

Mr. Turkey....

Last Thanksgiving the kids helped me put this yummy turkey together.

What a cute centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table.

This is what we used

Body~Cantaloupe

Head~Potato

Red Wattle~Red Pepper

Eyes~Black Olives

Wings~Cubed cheese, Sausage & Olives

To attach the head to the body use two wooden skewers, stick them through the potato into the cantaloupe and break off the part of the skewer that is sticking out.

Alternate cheese, olives and sausage on the wooden skewers for the wings and stick into the cantaloupe. Attach eyes and red wattle with a toothpick.

Arrange extra sausage, cheese & olives around Mr. Turkey!

Ta Da!!!