Project Life

Scrapbooking has always been something I enjoy, but lately I just haven't managed to find the time for it.  So I figured I'd give Project Life a try.  It's simple, streamlined and much faster than traditional scrapbooking.  Here's a look at what I've done so far...

I have just a random assortment of pictures, so it's a bit all over the place, but I kind of like that.  I am itching to do more and stock up on more page protectors and accessories.  Looks like I've got the Project Life bug!

A Little Bit of Luck

With St. Patrick's Day coming up soon I wanted to make something in the spirit of luck.

I am lucky that I actually do come from Irish decent, and the boy is 100% pure Irish.  I know he actually finds the way Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day rather offensive, and it is terrible the way we stereotype the culture.

But looking on the bright side, I feel like St. Patrick's Day reminds me to be proud of my heritage and I do feel very lucky to be Irish!  

Plus, it's the only holiday in March and sometimes I just need a holiday.  ;)

I Get a Kick out of Shoes!

Forgive the incredibly corny title.  Sometimes I just can't help myself!

Over the weekend I made a bunch of bow shoe clips, perfect for giving my plain shoes a little kick.  I had such a good time making these I just may put a few in my Etsy shop.  What do you think?

The cool thing about them is that they can double for hair clips too!  Have a great Monday! 

Valentine's Day Candle

Over the weekend, I worked on a quick little Valentine's Day craft with my mom.  She had bought a pair of tall, red, cylinder candles - The kind that are like the religious candles you can find at the super market - And we decided to cover them with some Valentine's embellishments.  

These candles are totally inexpensive and easy to personalize.  All we needed was some scrapbook paper, Valentine's stickers and vintage-style valentines, along with double sided tape and scissors.  Simply cut your paper and embellishments to size and tape to the candle.  The scrapbook border stickers worked especially well, and the whole project took about 10 minutes to complete!  It's a craft that's easy to love!  

Christmas Yarn Trees for 2012

Last year I made a bunch of yarn Christmas trees for my family and friends and posted the simple how-to on this very blog.  You can see the original tutorial here.  

This year, I had the pleasure of helping my mom make some trees of her own.  We brought in a few new materials, like gold ric-rac and round silver push pins, and I think that really brought this simple craft to a new level.  These make such wonderful gifts and the best part is they're quick to make and are a definite crowd-pleaser! 

DIY Anthropolofication | Holiday Snow Globes

When I saw these beautiful Mason Jar snow Globes at Anthropologie, I knew they had to be mine...Then I checked their price tag and I knew I had to make them myself.  And how easy are they to make?  On a scale of 1 to 10, they are a 1.  These simple crafts can be made with just a few basic items and take all of 5 minutes.  Here's the how-to:

You'll need-

Mason jars with lids

Miniature Christmas Trees (these were bought at Michael's)

Fake Snow (bought at Pottery Barn)

Glue Gun

Start by gluing your trees to the flat saucer like lid by using just a dollop of hot glue.  Be sure to glue it to the side of the lid that goes inside the jar.  Mine were already white colored, but if yours aren't you may want to add a coat of white paint first. 

Next pour just a bit of snow into your mason jar. 

Close the lid onto the mason jar with the tree pointing downwards.  When you lid is securely shut, flip the jar over, letting the snow fall on your tree.  Tap to get the snow in bare patches.

And that's it!  Beautiful homemade Anthropologie-Style snow globes that you can make for well under the $35 dollars I would have paid to buy them.  Fabulous and festive!  

Thanksgiving Lanterns DIY

I know the temptation is to go full on Christmas already...I mean decor is up all over town, stores are already playing Christmas music, yeah I know.  But in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here's one more autumnal themed craft for you - My third and final variation of the mason jar lantern concept, this time with leaves! 

This craft is so simple.  Literally all you need are some fake leaves (you can buy packages of these at most craft stores)  mason jars, candles and some Modpodge.  

Modpodge the back of your leaves and adhere them to the jar, working your way around and layering them to your liking.  Add a coat of modpodge over the top to help keep the leaves attached.  Add your candle to the jar and your done! 

 I tried one with the leaves totally flat against the jar, and another where I let the tips of the leaves pull away from the jar, giving it a more natural feel.  Not sure which I prefer, but they both would make a festive centerpiece for your thanksgiving dinner table! 

I am so thrilled that we have a short holiday week.  I just love having extra time to spend at home with my family! 

1960's Style Starburst Decor

Good Morning Darlings and here we go another week!  Today I wanted to share a super easy and fun craft for you that adds an unusual and retro vibe to any living room wall.  Essentially, I wanted to create a retro-style 3D wall hanging for my front room.  

I found these plain wood squares at Michael's and knew they'd be perfect for this project.  I bought two small and one larger square to create some contrast when I finally hang them.

The first step is to paint the squares with some wood stain.  I chose a medium colored wood stain, but you could select whatever grain you prefer.  Using a sponge brush, paint the squares with the stain, let sit for desired length (the longer you wait, the darker the color) then wipe off excess stain and let dry in the sun.  

Be sure to properly discard your used rags, as wood stain drenched wool has the potential for spontaneously combustion.  Read this post on Devon's blog for the full details on how to dispose of the used cloths properly.  

Then, after your wood blocks have dried completely it's time to decorate.  I chose a simple starburst design that was easy to draw freehand and recreate on all three blocks.  I practiced my design a few times on paper to be sure I was happy with it, then used metallic Sharpies in silver, gold and copper to draw it on the wood squares.  

And voila!  I used Command Wall strips by 3M to attach these lightweight squares to my wall.  I hung them in sideways, so it looks like a collection of diamonds, and I have to say, I'm pretty smitten with starburst design!  But let me know what you think, and if you try this DIY yourself be sure to send me a link!  

Happy Monday!

The Boss Floss

I love embroidery so much.  It can be such a fun and relaxing craft.  But the problem is, I feel like I never get around to completing any of my embroidery projects.  But the new collection of embroidery floss from Sublime Stitching certainly has me inspired!  The collection of colors is simply divine....I sort of want to collect them all.

 And even if I don't get around to embroidering, this floss would also be boss in friendship bracelets!

 Check out Sublime Stitching for the full collection! 

Photos from Sublime Stitching

Halloween Jack-O-Lantern (Sans Pumpkin)

Hopefully you all enjoyed my last two Mason Jar inspired crafts for all hallows eve - The Mechanical Pumpkin and the Spiderweb Lantern.  Here is another variation on the Mason jar lantern craft that's perfect for the impending holiday.  Here's how to make a Jack-O-Lantern minus the pumpkin guts....

You'll need a few mason jars, modge podge, orange tissue paper and a black sharpie.

Same as with the Spider Web Lantern, start by cutting your orange tissue paper to fit your mason jar.   I actually used the tissue paper that cam with my most recent Anthropologie purchase.  They have some of the best tissue paper! Cut it so it wraps around the Mason Jar only once so it remains sheer. 

Use your Modge Podge to glue the tissue paper to the outside of the jar.  Make sure there are no loose pieces and let dry completely.

Taking your black sharpie, draw your dream Jack-O-Lantern Face on the flatest side of your jar directly on the tissue paper.  I was only able to make one jar, but I plan on making more and I think it would look really cool to have a myriad of different faces and expressions on different sized jars.  Don't you think?  

Naturally the final step is to add a candle and display your jars in a place where all the ghouls and goblins out on Halloween night can appreciate them!  

 Happy Halloween Crafting!

Another Mason Jar Halloween Craft - Spiderweb Lanterns

Here's yet another Halloween DIY that takes very little time and uses a mason jar as it's main component.  Here's how to make your very own spider web lanterns....

All you need is a few mason jars, modge podge, white tissue paper and a black sharpie.  Fake spiders are optional, but very much encouraged!  

To start cut your white tissue paper to fit your mason jar.  You want it to wrap around only once so it's sheer, and I actually like to crumple the paper up a bit so you get an imperfect crumpled look when you attach it to the jar.

Next use your Modge Podge to glue the tissue paper to the outside of the jar.  Make sure there are no loose pieces and let dry completely.

The next step requires a somewhat steady hand, but again, imperfections will actually add to the realism of this particular craft.  Taking your black sharpie, draw spiderwebs on the tissue paper.  I find it helps to start with a corner shape web and then work my way around the jar, filling in black spots.  Just remember that spider webs, while not perfect or symmetrical, do follow a pretty simple geometric pattern.  Start by drawing straight lines in a circular or half circle shape, and then connect the lines with little inward-pointing arcs.  

Finally add a candle to the jar and if your feeling extra festive add a fake spider to the top and a black tulle bow around the rim!  Put your lantern in a dim lit room and watch your spiderwebs flicker in the candle light!  

Just another haunting Halloween decoration diy!