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 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.

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). 

Recycling Broken Crayons

I hate being wasteful and as a child I remember loving rainbow crayons. The mystery of what colors would appear excited me for some reason.  So I gathered all of our melted (from being in the car) and broken crayons and peeled the paper off of them.

$5 (Or Less) Personalized Apron

If you know children like the ones I know, you probably know a lot of miniature chefs.  In an hour or less you can make an apron that is personalized and costs only $5!  I bought the children's apron at Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon costing me about $3 and the transfer paper at Target costs about 50 cents a sheet.  The example below was for a little boy who loves to barbeque with his daddy.  We are planning to make his dad a matching one for Christmas!

First, buy photo transfer paper that will work with the type of printer you have.  Then design your art.

How to Make a Personalized Card Box for your 52 Resons

Whether you are making a gift for a 52nd birthday, for your honey, or just because, this gift idea is one that I think everyone should try. What could be more thoughtful? 

Now, we have all seen this craft but no one has talked about how to create a personalized card box for your very thoughtful gift. Here is what you do.

A Free Thoughtful Fun Gift in an Hour or Less

Do you have family spread all of the world and want to make someone you love feel like everyone is united in celebrating a special occasion?  Well, this was my predicament a few weeks ago when my father-in-law was in the hospital on his birthday and all of his children were in different cities or states so there was no possible way we could all be there to celebrate with him (not to mention he needed to rest and recover from surgery).  I thought for days to figure out a way to make him smile through his pain and feel overwhelmingly loved even if it was only for a few moments on the day of his birthday.  I had a eureka moment when the light bulb flickered on and I decided to make a short montage video with up beat music of the entire family doing silly things to make him smile. 

Here is a FREE way to give a very awesome loving and thoughtful gift. It will look like it took hours to create when in reality it will take you less than an hour. Simply have all of your family record short low quality videos and/or have everyone take cute pictures with a message or holding a balloon or something else and then save them all in a folder together for easy access.