DIY: "Idea" Gift

Today I am on the way to Houston to celebrate a great woman's life and to welcome a new little one into the world. I am car crafting on the way. I have a couple writers in my life that I am making this gift for but it can be a fun gift for anyone who likes ideas of fun things to do or date ideas. Here is how to make your idea gift.

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!

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Tutorial: DIY Cheap Christmas Berry Ornaments

I have really been in the Christmas spirit lately! My husband and I put up our beautiful new frosted tree  up but there was one problem. All of our ornaments were still in storage in Texas. I decided to give myself a very tiny budget for new ornaments this year and that meant making my money stretch. I hit the dollar store and ended up creating some beautiful, natural ornaments for my new tree! Here is how you can make them too. 

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.

DIY Tutorial: Framed Embroidery Art Pieces

My extended Thanksgiving weekend was filled with lots of fun times with family. I ended up seeing two movies, playing two new board games, watching too much football, eating too much, watching two puppies play continuously, and making too many crafts with my mom. If anyone was wondering, my husband's grandmother did like her fancy dry erase calendar and the colors I chose matched her decor perfectly! I hope it will help her stay oriented as well. Whew! 

My mom rents a booth at Peddlers Market Place (1601 Sampson St. Westlake,  LA  70669-4013) so we decided to make some things for her to sell at her booth. I'm hoping she will make an Etsy store soon because she is so talented. We broke in her new embroidery machine and broke out the hot glue gun.So, together we made little art pieces! Keep reading to see how you can make cute art or DIY gifts too!

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.

Envelope System with Printable Envelopes

If you are reading this you are either using an envelope system for budgeting or are interesting in getting your money under control, either way congratulations! My husband and I have been working to become debt free since we found out I was pregnant with my daughter (3 1/2 years ago). We are very close to debt free too. We still have a mortgage on our home and some student loans to pay off. I am only telling you this because I want you to know I am a veteran and I have lived this religiously for the entire three and a half years. It is not always easy to live on a budget but something about it is freeing. I literally feel lighter, I no longer have anxiety attacks, and I am an all around happy person. Other areas of my life have fallen into place since getting money under control: my marriage is happier (which was only possible by the birth of my sweet baby girl), my house is cleaner, I work less, I cook better, and my bank account is fatter!

The "b" word (budget) doesn't have to be a bad word.

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.