Last Minute Gift Ideas (You can make!)

Click HERE to find the tutorial on making these ADORABLE lavender sachets...perfect for any woman on your Christmas list.

Click HERE to find the tutorial on Homemade Vanilla Extract! GREAT idea for the cook in your life.

The 'ABC's of decorating: Adorn! Beautify! Create!

Letters are used to make a statement--whether combined in written word form, displayed to represent initials or showcased as simple, decorative art.

The following creative ways to use letters as display come from www.countryhome.com.

All are sure to make a unique statement in your home!
S-O C-U-T-E!

Paper
'You can find a plethora of paper styles to inspire you—at budget-happy prices—at a scrapbooking store. Start with a background paper with a subtle pattern, then layer different smaller pieces of art paper, gluing them down when the look pleases you. Once you’ve assembled your collage, top it with a painted letter. Or, cut the letter from dark cardstock and adhere, using spray adhesive for a smooth finish. Then frame and hang for instant artwork. '

CERAMICS
'Find a favorite font in the font library on your home computer or look to an old type book. Print out your number or letter on typing paper and take it to your local paint-your-own pottery studio. (Look in the Yellow Pages under “ceramics” or “pottery” to find one near you.) Transfer your design by turning the paper right-side down and outlining the graphic with a charcoal pencil. Tape the paper to your piece, charcoal side down, and gently rub. The pros at the shop will show you how to ink and fire your design. '

FABRIC
'The secret here is using a crisp, plain woven fabric, such as taffeta. (Fabrics with more texture and slubs, such as a duppioni silk, will look sloppy.) Trace a favorite word on the pillow, then use textile paint and fine sable brushes, which allow for more control through hairlines.'

Stylish Jewelry Storage

I made this jewelry board that now hangs in my guest room. It doubles as art work.













How I did it: Purchased a bulletin board from TJ Maxx that had a nice thick frame. ($20)

• Found a piece of fabric that I liked from JoAnn Fabrics and purchased enough fabric to cover the board.
  
• Unscrewed the back of the frame.
  
• Removed the cork board.
• Placed the fabric around the cork board, pulling the fabric snug on every side.
  
• Taped the fabric to the back of the cork board.
  
• Placed the covered cork board back inside the frame.
• Screwed the back of the frame back into place.
  
• Used quilting pins to hang my jewelry from.

My guests enjoy this option for displaying & storing their jewelry during their stay at my home. It is nice to feel organized even at another person's home.

Here is another picture of a Jewelry Board.  My mom and I made this one & used cloth napkins instead of traditional fabric. 

I found the following idea on Martha Stewart.com.  

So maybe you aren't into statues...think of objects that you already have in your home that would keep your pearls, chains and costume jewelry from tangling! Get creative. Look around your home and try unconventional pieces to display all your pretty things.


It is important to have a functional home, but who says you can't have beauty & function?? Whenever I buy anything for my home, I always try to find something that is pretty as well as useful.

Preserving memories

We all have moments we wish could last forever—whether it’s a family celebration, a beautiful scenic view, or just a really good hair day! Although it’s impossible to completely capture the moment in its entirety, we can preserve pieces of it that will remind us of how wonderful the experience was to live through. And we can help ourselves to replay the memory again and again in our minds for years ahead. Here are some of my favorite ways to document the defining moments in life:

Kodak offers an online gallery to store and share personal photos, as well as create gifts to showcase your favorites. Photos can be chosen to decorate a set of mugs, compose a special album, or crop, matte and frame.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/

Scrapbooking is a craze for many who enjoy being creative, yet productive. Women (and I'm sure some rare men) can spend hours poured over scissors, papers, stickers and souvenirs, personalizing pages to showcase their memories and document the big events in their lives.Over the last few years, specialty scrapbooking stores have popped up everywhere and accessories can be found at almost any major store--from Target to even the grocery store! And although you can buy some great scrapbook- specific things, I tend to think personalized cards, postcards from trips, pretty museum admission ticket stubs, favorite ribbon or unique beads, free hand sketches etc. make the best scrapbook adornments. Use these sorts of little personal touches to avoid creating a “cookie cutter” scrapbook.

Amanda Blu scrapbook albums available at www.joannfabrics.com; $13.99

Additional scrapbook accessories such as the travel paper book and labels also available at Joann's.

Search online for a local scrapbooking group or class to help inspire and encourage you to take time to create works of art with your memories. Visit Joann Fabrics, Michaels or Hobby Lobby for all kinds of embellishments to adorn your scrapbook.

Journals

For years I've kept journals to document the different stages in my life: hopes, goals, frustrations, amazing experiences...Each time I randomly select one and flip through the pages, the memories come back to me so vividly that I really feel as I'm re-living the experience all over again. I can reflect on how my thoughts and perspectives have changed, friendships have evolved or faded away, and certain events have impacted me forever. I admit, sometimes I've read through things, torn out pages and thrown them away just to ensure no one ever gets their hands on it--but most of the words on those pages are invaluable for me when I feel like I want to reminisce.

As Oscar Wilde once said, "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."

Lovely Letter Project

This is a simple project that ANY glamorous (or not-so-glamorous) girl can do.  It is easy & will be impressive.  

1.  Buy a frame at a flea market or garage sale or reuse one from your home.  (This one is recycled from a previous project.)  Sand the edges if you want a shabby chic look. 

2. Buy several different types of paper from a craft or fancy paper store.  

3.  On your computer, print off a large letter in the font of your choice. Use the letter as a pattern for what will be "center stage" in your finished product.  

4.  Cut the largest piece to fit in the frame.  

5.  Cut another piece that is about 1 1/2-2 inches smaller around each edge.  Glue on top of the largest piece of paper.  

6.  Take your final piece of paper & trace the letter that you printed off of your computer.  Glue this to the other two pieces of paper. 

7.  Insert into frame and you are ready to hang your masterpiece!  

This can be hung as a single work of art OR you repeat the project to spell initials, or a name completely, and make a series.   It would look smashing in your own home and it would be a thoughtful gift for a loved one.