a craft a day

hang up those flip flops

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 06:27:00 +0000

genius, really i think this is so incredibly crafty!

check out the tutorial here.

homemade fudgsicles

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 03:27:00 +0000

i found my twin {they say everyone has one}! well, not an actual twin but rather my fudgsicle loving twinsy. be sure to check out how baking bites makes this homemade chocolaty treat.

flower power cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:51:00 +0000

so beautiful + so edible!

check out the tut for these and other yummy cookie recipes here: the national sugar cookie day online booklet

reclycle an old door into a headboard

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:29:00 +0000

i love this idea! i am sure you have seen them before but have you wondered about the step by step how to? check out martha's link here

wedding dessert table popcorn box

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 20:44:00 +0000

what else have i been up to? do you remember my valentine popcorn box? well, i turned it into a personalized popcorn treat holder for my cousin's wedding. using inspiration from her invites, i created a one of a kind personalized popcorn box for her dessert table. if you are interested in something clever for your next party, please shoot me an email.

a walk through my garden

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 22:41:00 +0000

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever."

— Alfred Tennyson

as american as apple pie {boxes}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:58:00 +0000

nothing is more patriotic than apple pie on the 4th of july!

these pie boxes can hold your favorite apple pie recipe. or fill them with with store bought pies. . . it will still be just as cute! see below for the easy craft project + free printable.

supplies:

white card stock

scissors

bone folder

tape or glue stick

how to:

1. first you will need to download the template {see after the jump}

2. print the template out on cardstock.

3. cut out + score the dotted lines with a bone folder.

4. fold the dotted lines... now your box is taking shape.

5. glue or tape the top flap closed + you have a patriotic pie box.

click to view in full size

triple chocolate delight cookie bar

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:17:00 +0000

this is not my original recipe. i borrowed it from kevinandamanda.com, but it absolutely too delicious not to share. really, try it! if you do not love these cookie bars as much as my family did then i am happy to take the leftovers off your hands. oh, and i also gave it a new name just because i was on a sugar high.

a side note: amanda made her chocolate chip cookie bar recipe from scratch + i am just a bit lazier, i used the boxed mix. still just as delish!

gooseberry jam

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:44:00 +0000

gooseberries: strange name, tart fruit, amazingly yummy jam!

i spent saturday afternoon amongst a prickly bush gathering gooseberries for an old fashioned kentucky treat, gooseberry jam. if you have the chance to pick your own, jump on it... or look for them at your local farmers market. the are in season now!

gooseberry jam recipe
gooseberries are naturally high in pectin so all you need is equal amounts of sugar + berries.
1. snip the tails and stems from the gooseberries + rinse under cold water.
2. place the berries into a large pan + enough water to barely cover the berries.
3. bring to a rolling boil then reduce to a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. add sugar + stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
5. bring the mixture to a rolling boil again + boil for 5 to 10 minutes.
6. check for gelling
7. process in sterilized canning jars.

all in one organic fertilizer + pesticide

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:40:00 +0000

the world's most perfect fertilizer + pesticide is epsom salt. yup, it really does work!

use it as a fertilizer: one tablespoon per gallon of water. composed almost exclusively of magnesium sulfate, epsom salt is intensely rich in these two minerals that are both crucial to healthy plant life.

use it as a pesticide: sprinkle on + around plants rendering them foul-tasting to garden pests.

how does your organic garden grow?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 02:38:00 +0000

one of the things that has been occupying my time over the past couple months is my garden. each year it seems to expand + this year we are growing up to nearly half an acre of yummy organic veggies.

organic gardening does take more care + love than a chemically treated garden but the rewards are well worth the efforts. an indespensable free online resource for any would-be organic gardeners is organicgardening.com.

make a string art wall mural

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:54:00 +0000

where have i been? what have i been doing? why haven't i updated my blog in forever?
all of those questions deserve answers, i know. i will be posting my crafty-ness over the next few weeks + hopefully it will dispel the rumors about me being abducted by aliens!

in the meanwhile, check out this earthy wall mural over at renest.

an easter egg with a message

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:53:00 +0000

poppytalk has this super cute tut on how to add a message inside an easter egg. be sure to check it out!

it's my birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:47:00 +0000

today is my birthday + i feel like celebrating!
{diy tutorial of cake found here}

gumball necklaces

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:31:00 +0000

what little girl does not love gumballs + jewelry?
originally created for a valentine's party, i think with a little color change up, these could be suited for lots of springtime party fun. check out the how to here.

paper fortune cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:00:00 +0000

this is such a cute take on the cupcake liner craft craze. make one or one hundred + one with this super easy tutorial!

the 'glam'our of sharpies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:52:00 +0000

put a sharpie in my hand + i am happy all day! yup, i am a sharpie junkie.

if you are as well, check out the new spring collection featuring five 80's Glam colors.

sew it pretty

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:15:00 +0000

be sure to pick up this free download from the uber talented howjoyful.

{did i mention she has it in 4 colors!}

make scented candles from used cooking oil

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:39:00 +0000

this is ingenious: the oon candlemaker! a little device that turns your old cooking oil into a scented candle. sign me up for one please!

check it out here

little birdies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:12:00 +0000

i am smitten!
these little birdies are so cute. i am going to fill mine with rice + essential oil to make the sweetest sachet. you can downlaod the free pattern here.

homemade body powder

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:05:00 +0000

love j+j baby powder?
me too... well, i used to until i discovered the ingredients.

"The ingredients of Johnson's baby powder are listed as Talc, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, Citronellol, Geraniol, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool and Benzyl Salicylate." -From Wikipedia

what the heck have i been exposing my skin + baby's skin to? so now it is only an all natural body powder for me. make your own with just 2 simple indredients. cheap + so effective!

supply list:
corn startch
baking soda
uncooked rice
jar + lid with holes {i used a pizza cheese shaker from the $ store}
essential oils {optional}

how to:
1. mix two parts corn startch with one part baking soda in a bowl.
2. add essential oils to scent preference if desired + mix well.
3. add a pinch of uncooked rice to bottom of jar. the rice will keep the powder from clumping.
4. funnel mixture in to jar, attach lid + shake well.
5. use after bath for a dry silky smooth feeling!

easy rose petal pillow

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:05:00 +0000

easy, yes.
time comsuming, somewhat.
stunning, absolutely!

cluck cluck sew has the complete tutorial here.

diy rosette pillow

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 22:55:00 +0000

wow, what a week i had.

the flu bug sure did kick my butt.

but i am back now {with baby steps}!

as last i wrote, i was talking about pillows + here is a great diy to try out.

How-Tuesday: Pillow With Rosette Clusters From Felt Furnishings

someone let the sick bugs in while i was sleeping

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:59:00 +0000

got the flu.
be back soon!

doodle pillow

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:40:00 +0000

such a cute pillow.
want to learn how to make your own? just follow the link below.
Doodle Pillow Tutorial « Sew,Mama,Sew! Blog