DIY: Dog Bed Tutorial/Re-purposed Dog-Destroyed Throw Blanket

Here is an easy tutorial for creating a no-sew pet bed from a throw blanket. Anyone can do those- even your kiddos. It is also a great way to re-purpose your pet's favorite blanket....or your favorite blanket that your dog may have damaged. This tutorial is also unique because you can make the dog bed have its own attached blanket easily.

Advent Calendar

I have a friend that I swear should be an interior decorator.  This was her craft so I don't have many pictures, but she gave me permission to share her idea with you.

First, she went to Hobby Lobby and bought a frame that did not come with glass.  She was planning to paint a frame, but this rustic look was perfect for her vision.  Then she chose a variety of different designs, such as miniature clothes pins, stockings, large cute gift tags, and she added some kid socks for character.  Next, she cut chicken wire and stapled it on the back of the frame.  Finally, she hung up the various Christmas stockings and tags after writing an activity for her children to complete each day.  Such a simple, but cute idea.  Thank you Natalie for allowing me to share your creation! I can't wait to make one for my house!

Stay tuned for Advent Calendar activity ideas....

DIY: Leaf Flower Tutorial

I don't know about you but I always end up with lots of extra leaves when I am crafting. I always think, "What a waste." Well today I decided to put those extra scraps to good use. Here is my tutorial on how to make flowers from your extra floral scraps. 

Take all of your leaves and push them off the ends of the wires. 

Now you have so many "petals" to work with. 

Gather your supplies. I used beading wire and a piece of rhinestone ribbon to make my center embellishment. You could use string and you could hot glue anything into the center of your flower.

Simply bead your first leaf on. Take the rest of the green plastic stem pieces off so that the petals can lay flat.

 Once you have all the leaves you want for your flower strung, twist the wire to the back and knot it. Re-fluff your leaves and add something to the center and you are done! If you want to use rhinestone ribbon or bead something into your center follow the next step.

Move your wire knot back to the front. String the beading wire through the ends of the ribbon. When you tie it tight it will form a loop in the center. Snip the ends of the wire you are finished.

You can use these flowers on anything. I chose to use mine on a wreath that I am making. You could also spray paint them another color. I hope this inspires you in your crafting!

This Link was Shared Kindly at:

DIY Personalized Dry Erase Memo Board

I told you I know a lot of people with birthdays this season. I made this gift for under $3.00!

I like to give my gifts like this with a wet erase marker instead of a dry erase marker so that when you add to your list you don't smudge off what you wrote before.

So here is how I made it:  I picked up a frame from the dollar store. I used the stock picture in the frame as a guide to cut a piece of scrapbook paper to size for the frame. To make my personalized "K loves E" I chose a leftover paint swatch from my previous project and twisted aluminum wire with my $8 Walmart jewelry tools. I secured my shapes onto the swatch with pieces of a glue dot and rounded the corners with a punch. I glued my self made embellishment to the paper and set it inside the frame. To make my cute little clothespin for reminders and my decorated pen I simply wrapped them both in washi tape bought from Michael's.  (Michael's finalllly has an aisle for washi tape! I wish Hobby Lobby did too!) I secured it to the top of the frame and voila! A completely personalized gift was made for under $3.

Tutorital: DIY Fancy Dry Erase Calendar

In my family we have tons of birthdays to celebrate in the fall and winter seasons. Those along with Christmas means that there are lots of presents that need to be purchased or made. This year I am trying to make as many as possible. I plan to share some with you as they are completed.

Blog to Book

Oh how I love to blog.  Every time I hear a friend is pregnant (especially if it's their first baby) I always encourage them to make a blog. The greatest benefit of making a blog about your pregnancy and the life of your child is that all of your family members have the same access to the story of you and your baby's development.  I love when a family member calls me and tells me I read your blog and I can't believe (and describes the event). 

DIY Branches Frame

For Mother's Day, I cheated and looked at my Mom's Pinterest account to get an idea of what to get her this year.  Money wasn't really a concern, we always budget for gifts, but I didn't want to buy just anything, I wanted to buy something she truly would enjoy.  Lately she has been focused on buying things for the lake house they just bought and are renovating.  My mom has a theme throughout her lake house of trees, which I must say fits in well with the location of the lake house.  One pin she had inspired this craft, which was fun to make with the help of my sweet sweet hubby.

Discreet Potty Training Seat

 As I begin preparing for the journey known as potty training, I have tried to become as prepared as possible.   So far the only part of the process of potty training I've become excited about is this toilet seat I discovered.  It looks like a typical toilet seat right? Look closer...there is an extra seat lifted up that is child sized.  I love that once our little girl is done with the potty chair we can a toilet that looks adult but still accommodates my little girl' needs.

Trash Can Made Easy

I have one of those very nice stainless steel trashcans that have a plastic insert inside where you place the trash bag (I promise the insert isn't dirty, it's just old and been through a lot).  If you have a similar type of trash can you know it seems to get full after what only seems like a minute and then people (no names shall be mentioned) begin stuffing more trash in which then causes the most annoying problem: the trash bag forms a suction and makes it almost impossible to pull the bag out.

Bill Reminder DIY

To keep track of what bills I have left to pay in the month I came up with this creation. It was so easy to make and the idea can be used in many ways. (My friend made one with me and she uses hers as a prayer board. She puts names for all the people she prays for on it and takes them off as she goes. )

Recipe: Saucy-Sweet Mexican Chicken & Black Beans

Check out this super easy, super cheap recipe I came up with for dinner this week. For my house, it is a keeper!