A Nest for All Seasons

Jump Into Jewelry | Art Deco DIY Earrings

2013-06-17T08:37:00.002-05:00

Hold on to your hats folks -- you are going to LOVE the next set of DIYs we have coming up for you! Aki is our newest contributor here at the nest and she is a jewelry MASTER -- totally puts my silly bar bracelets to shame! I can't wait to learn from her and am excited for you to meet her!

Visit Aki's {amazing and OH so cute} blog at Minted Strawberry, then go give her a little love on facebook or pinterest! Let her know I sent ya!! ;)

Now without further ado.....................

Hi Guys! It's Aki here visiting from Minted Strawberry. I'm so excited to share with you guys a really easy jewelry tutorial - using shrink plastic, or what you would know as 'shrinky dinks' from childhood. Don't be scared - what we'll be doing today is really easy and requires just a teensy bit of effort. So let's proceed, yes? :)

What you'll need:

A sheet of Shrink Plastic - it doesn't really matter what kind, as we're going to paint it.
Template
Scissors or an X-acto knife
E6000 Glue
Flat-nosed Jewelry Pliers
Gold Spray Paint
A pair of Earring Hooks or Posts
(2) Jump Rings
1/8 Hole Punch or a Drill outfitted with a 1/16 Bit
Binder Clips

First, print your template out. You may want to print it on cardboard so it's easier to trace (alternatively, if you have the printable shrink plastic, you can just print directly onto it). Cut outside the line, then trace onto your shrink plastic. Cut that out. You should have - two pieces of the small pattern and two pieces of the medium pattern. For three-step earrings, you should have an additional two pieces of the large pattern.

If you're apprehensive to use a drill, you should punch your holes now. Make sure the holes are completely aligned when you stack them all together. Bake your shrink plastic according to the package directions. Note: bake a test piece before baking your cuts, so you would know the best shrink temperature for your plastic. Too low heat and your shrink plastic will shrink unevenly and too high will make it shrink fast and it would not be flat.

Stack your pieces together and glue them to each other like in the photo above. You may want to use a binder clip to clamp them together until they dry. If you haven't made a hole yet, drill the holes after the glue dries (give it about an hour or so). Of course, use caution when using a power tool :)

Paint your piece now - I love using Rustoleum's Specialty Metallic Spray Paint in Gold, as it gives a really believable gold/shiny brass look (as compared to other formulas that give off a murky, brown looking gold). Wait for that to dry completely.

Now, open up your jump ring and slide it into the hole. Before closing, thread the earring hook or post onto the jump ring, making sure the right side faces the right way when you wear it. Close the jump rings and you are done!

Now wear your grown-up shrinky dink craft proudly! Wasn't that easy? If you like it, of course come and say hi on my blog as well as for more earring and other jewelry tutorials. Anyway, that's it for today folks. Until next time!

...and remember... Visit Aki's {amazing and OH so cute} blog at Minted Strawberry, then go give her a little love on facebook or pinterest!

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Did you miss the other contributor posts this month? Check them out below!

Onel's adorable little hairband

Doug's 21 DIY Tools Your Home Cannot Function Without

Aki's Chic DIY Art Deco Earrings

This space REALLY, really needs a.....................................

2013-06-13T10:16:00.000-05:00

So the last time we peeked at this porch 'o mine, I mentioned that this picnic table needed a little somethin'-somethin'. What was YOUR guess? I mean come on....the sky is blue, the plants are green, the paint is perfect, the picnic table is solid and ready for watermelon afternoons and ice cream sundae evenings - what is missing?!

This post is sponsored by Amazon.com and ThePerfectRug.com.

That should give you a clue, eh??

YUP - that is right! We need a RUG!!! That big plain expanse of concrete is just TOO much now that the paint is one big perfect blank slate and now it needs to be broken up a little. I considered a stencil (that may still happen), but am leaning more towards a "buy it and throw it down" rug instead. Your thoughts??

This green beauty from Amazon would be perfect, but it is out of stock at the moment. Maybe I could settle for the orange chevron?

....OR something a little more subtle like this lime and cream version?

The problem is that I really don't just need ONE rug for the deck....more like three. See this space?

For this table arrangement, I want something a little more textured and patterned to contrast against the diagonal of the porch lines. This Sakura Lemongrass from The Perfect Rug is...well...just perfect.

...but there are a ton of new rug materials to choose from -- sisal rugs in straw, tusk and tobacco; seagrass rugs in kalo, boucle and biscayne and the jute rugs in brald, tan and gray. The outdoor collection is simply chock full of patterns and colors in natural hues. How to pick?!

Then there is THIS little vignette. |below|

Perfect little swing.

Firepit that is no longer disgustingly rusted.

What does it need?

You know what else these spaces need?

MORE PLANTS.

...like two giant pots overflowing on either side of these doors...

Plants and Rugs. Rugs and Plants.

The essential building blocks for any DIY deck.

Now who wants to buy me a few rugs??

(...and where have YOU picked up your favorite outdoor rugs?? Anyone?? )

Mommy [Music] Camp | Dip and Swirl Maracas

2013-06-12T16:42:00.000-05:00

Dip and Swirl Maracas has been previously published in part by Crafts Unleashed, materials provided by Consumer Crafts.

We've been updating our "music room" (just a section of the basement really), and I've been trying to find cheap, fun musical instruments that don't assault the ears of parents when the kiddos want to get creative. The first piece was a fabulous old piano (for free off Craigslist!) that has a deep, mellow (slightly out of tune) tone. A couple keyboards that can be kept on low volume (thank you Grandma and Grandpa) and the keys section was complete, but we needed a little something for the rhythm section. Drums are expensive and LOUD, but these maracas were the perfect kiddo solution for keeping the beat.

To fit in with the décor we have going on downstairs, I wanted to add a little color to the maracas. They have a pretty wood grain as is, so I didn't want to cover that up completely, but needed to amp up the volume just a tad. I decided to go with a "dip and swirl" technique in leftover paint we had from our house colors.

Materials needed to spruce up those boring wooden maracas:

Wooden Maracas
Paint
Paper Towels
String or Yarn

The process is fairly simple, but takes time and attention. I found it easy to watch the maracas as I was making dinner. They take about an hour to fully drip and dry. First things first though, they need to get dipped!

Choose a gallon of paint that is about half empty. If the gallon is too full, the paint will roll over the edges, but if it is too empty, the maraca will hit the bottom of the can. Dip the maraca slowly until the paint almost reaches the handle line. Slowly pull the maraca out of the paint and let it drip until the bulk of the paint has dropped off the edge. This takes a few minutes, so be prepared!

Once the maraca has stop dripping, you can prop them up in glasses to dry.

The paint will start to slide down the edge from the top. Before the paint reaches the handle line, grab a folded paper towel and gently swirl around the paint. The idea is to create swirled lines around the bottom of the maraca, while the top is a slick unbroken surface. Repeat this process several times until the paint has completely dried. As I mentioned, I let the maracas dry by the sink while I made dinner, so I was able to grab them and swirl quickly every 10 minutes or so.

Here is the maraca that has been swirled once and has been set to drip.

See how the paint has seeped down and is ready to swirl again?

At this point, you can leave the maracas as is for an understated look or go a little bolder with more dipping, swirling and dripping!

How to get that candy cane line without a paintbrush?

Dip string in the paint and slowly twirl it around your maraca.

You can get a true "drip" finish by dipping just the very top of the maraca in paint

and letting it naturally fall down the edges of the instrument.

All in all, the maracas ended up being a fun and vibrant mix of dipping techniques!

Want to see more projects from Mommy Camp this summer? Click the button below!

The 21 Tools Your Home Can't Live Without

2013-06-10T13:11:00.000-05:00

The 21 Tools Your Home Can't Live Without is sponsored by Amazon.com Affiliate Links and American Home Shield, the leading provider for your home warranty.

When I think of the word "tool". three things come to mind: hot glue guns, Jersey boys at the beach (sorry!) and the intimidating sections of the garage and basement. Now while I actually ENJOY crafting tools and toys (like the ubiquitous hot glue gun!), I realize that it is ridiculous to be intimidated by basic household tools. At the very least I should be able to ID these tools and have a basic understanding of what they do, as opposed to asking my husband where that "wrench thingy is that locks when you squeeze it??" (That would be a VICE GRIP I have now learned :)

So today I've invited my friend DIY Doug to share the 21 most basic tools everyday household should have for basic repairs and projects. Doug is the DIY DUDE (you should SEE his Google + DIY community -- SO MUCH GOOD INFO!), so listen up and take notes of his tips, k??

This article is for two very basic groups of people:

A -- Are you confident you can ID and use the very basic of household tools? I challenge you to scroll through the list and see if you can picture each tool and what it does in your head. Successful?? You are a TRUE DIY girl or guy and I am seriously impressed!

B -- Are you confident that you have NO IDEA what most tools are actually called? I challenge YOU to scroll through the list and see if you can picture JUST ONE tool and name exactly what it does. Successful? YOU TOO are on the path to DIY household freedom! Keep reading and learning -- this is simpler stuff that you might imagine!

I have linked each tool to a reasonably priced (low-midrange $$) example on amazon that is a solid brand. Once you see the photo of the tool, you will most likely recognize it even if you don't know the name!!

OOOOOOOOOK-- enough chatter! WELCOME DOUG!

An A-Z of Lesser-Known But Important Home Improvement Tools

Knowing the right tool and how to use it is essential to completing your next DIY project. By having a general idea of the different tools and their uses, you'll have enough confidence to undertake any DIY task you choose. So let's take a looks at a variety of different tools -- from saws and pliers to screwdrivers and wrenches -- all of which are essential for the serious DIY enthusiast.

Ball-Peen Hammer: Primarily used in metalwork, ball-peen hammers possesses a spherical-shaped head that is used to strike metal and other materials to help chisel it into place.

Box-End Wrench: Box-end wrenches are two-sided wrenches with a closed loop that fits over nuts and bolts for easier application.

Carpenter’s Square: A carpenter’s square is an L-shaped tool that is primarily used in measuring right angles. Lightweight and usually made of steel, a carpenter’s square helps calculate the proper angle at which something should be built.

Circular Saw: Circular saws are mounted saws that are used to accurately and cleanly cut wood or other materials. Containing a circular fine-tooth blade, circular saws typically require their materials to be clamped or held and are slowly fed into the powered saw.

Claw Hammer: Claw hammers are the typical standard of hammers. Used to hammer nails into a particular surface, claw hammers contain a claw-shape on the hammer’s head that is used to extract nails.

Club Hammer: Club hammers are hammers that contain a club-faced head. Usually heavier than other hammers, club hammers are used in building projects that involve splitting or chiseling rock, stone and other substances.

Combination Square: Combination squares are multi-purpose measuring tools that are usually used in woodworking. Possessing a typical ruler-type blade, a combination square has an interchangeable knob that helps check particular angles.

Crosscut Saw: A crosscut saw is a saw designed to primarily cut wood. These saws come in many different sizes and contain a serrated edge.

Electric Drill: Electric drills are drills that are automated drills that are used as a more effective and faster means of drilling. Electric drills come in many different options and can be either battery-powered or require a plug.

Hacksaw: Generally smaller and handheld, hacksaws are used to cut through certain plastics or metals. Hacksaws usually contain a serrated blade and a metal or wooden handle.

Hand Drills: Hand drills are an umbrella term for all drills that are handheld. Most forms of hand drills contain a circular crank that you move in order to push the drill. Generally considered old-fashioned, hand drills are still used by many who prefer to use a self-powered drill instead of an electric one.

Level: A level is a tool designed to ensure that you’re working on a horizontal or vertical level. Levels are usually used by carpenters or other builders.

Needle-Nose: Used in both gripping and cutting, needle-nose pliers are characterized by a handle with long, narrow ends that help grip or cut excess material.

Open End: Also known as an open-end wrench, box-end wrenches are double-ended wrenches that contain a u-shaped top, allowing for more versatility.

Push Drill: As implied, push drills are drills that are used by applying force — or pushing — down on the drill. Push drills are simple, lightweight tools.

Saber Saws: Saber saws are also known as oscillating saws, meaning a revolving motor moves the saw up and down when cutting an object. Unlike the circular saw, saber saws are usually handheld and are a faster alternative to circular saws.

Slip-Joint: The most common type of plier, slip-joint pliers is used by a mechanism that allows you to adjust the size of the jaw.

Socket: Socket wrenches are wrenches that contain a hollow cylinder which you put over nuts and bolts to tighten. Most socket wrenches contain handles which you turn to tighten the bolts.

Stud Finder: A handheld measuring tool that is used to find the location of beams behind walls. Stud finders are small, circular and are generally either electronic or magnetic.

Torx Head: Different from the classic flat or Phillips head screwdrivers, Torx head (or star screwdrivers) are the ones in which the head is in a six-pointed shape.

Vice-grip: Vice grip pliers are ones that are generally locked into position to remove the bolt or nut. Most vice-grips contain either an adjustable or motionless knob that will help scale the plier to a particular setting.

Knowing the right tool for the job is the first step towards being a happier, more informed, and more successful home improver. It really is true – anything is possible with the right tool. For my next few posts, we’ll be discussing some great projects that you can do yourself or fix yourself – so get excited!

About Doug! Our own DIY Doug Harris is a home repair man, do-it-yourself’er, and general “thing” fixer. He’s been fixing things since he was 6 years old and is a passionate DIY advocate. Be sure to connect with him over at Google+ and on his blog DIY Home Repair & Maintenance for more tips on improving and renovating your home.

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Did you learn something today? Which tools did you already know of? Which were a surprise to you? (I know the Torx Head and Club Hammer were new terms to me, but I have TOTALLY used those tools before and the ball-peen hammer? ALWAYS wanted to know what that was used for -- now I know!) Over the summer months, get ready to USE some of these tools as we dive into some basic household repairs thanks to the DIY knowhow of our DIY DUDE Doug!

Would YOU like to be the next contributing writer here at the Nest?

We are currently accepting applications for 2014 -- would love to have you!

SUBMIT APPLICATION HERE

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Did you miss the other contributor posts this month? Check them out below!

Onel's adorable little hairband

Doug's 21 DIY Tools Your Home Cannot Function Without

Aki's Chic DIY Art Deco Earrings

This post is sponsored by Amazon.com Affiliate Links and American Home Shield, the leading provider for your home warranty needs. The content of this post, including opinions, are solely of the writer(s). If you purchase a tool (or any other item) via our amazon links, a Nest for All Seasons receives a small percentage of your purchase price. We thank you for your support!

Mommy Camp: Touch and Feel Nature Box for (almost) FREE!

2013-06-06T05:49:00.002-05:00

This summer I will be popping in and out with a simple series called "Mommy Camp" -- simple ideas on the cheapie for keeping the kiddos thinking and creating all summer long! This first installment of the series comes today with this simple touch and feel nature box!

The Touch and Feel Nature Box DIY is NOT sponsored by Costo.

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When we hit up Costco last week, I had to convince my husband that this giant box of oranges were a good buy for us. Why? Well, because the boys eat like wolves and go through fruit like fruit bats, but also because I had an idea for the box. This is what I saw in my head...

This is what stood in front of us at the store:

The project is simple, though it can be a little messy!

I simply lined the box with scrapbooking paper, adhering the paper with mod podge and then lining the edges with washi tape.

...and what exactly is it FOR? Well, remember those boxes at the science center that have hidden things from nature in them you have to reach down and touch without looking? Hope that a small critter doesn't bite your finger off? Well, throw some rocks, sticks, feathers and such on a table, put your box on top and you can scare your kids silly! (...and teach them a bit about texture and nature at the same time :)

You could also use the box for art supply storage (picture bunches of tall paintbrushes in cups, leaning against those holes) or perhaps this box could be one of many in a series of building blocks for a cardboard house?? Ask your kiddos -- the possibilities are endless! Now go get some oranges!

Curating Hometalk

2013-06-05T05:52:00.000-05:00

I was excited to be invited (a poet and I don't know it!) to walk through the figurative halls of hometalk and curate a collection of DIY kids ideas! From charming and sophisticated nurseries to playful kid's bedrooms and simple DIY projects even the little ones can do - I found the best Hometalk has to offer! Here is just a little sneak peek below!

Come on over and check out the amazing talent of the Hometalk crew and create a board yourself!

DIY Deck Reveal -- Before and After

2013-06-04T06:23:00.001-05:00

"THE DECK" has always been on our list of "to-dos". When we moved into the house, the white trellis was covered in algae and rust, the paint job on the deck and banisters was peeling and furnishings were dismal to say the least. As year after year passed, we made small little improvements, but the deck was still a sort-of embarrassing place in our home. Now? It just makes me say AHHHHHHHHH...

THE BEFORE

The before of this section of porch wasn't SO so bad. Last year, I painted that big white trellis and we actually purchased some furniture so there was a place to eat. I gave the floor a coat of ocean-like teal (which I loved!) and it lasted until the chickens came onto the porch. OH and until it snowed all winter (what happens when you use up interior paint left in the basement instead of purchasing the pricey new porch and floor paint....)

In any case -- it worked for last year, but it was time we bit the bullet and REALLY tackled the deck. First item of business? Gallons and gallons of porch/floor exterior paint in two shades of brown/tan/putty/dirt and the strong muscles and patient painting souls of my brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kate and Chris. They came up one day last week and painted every. last. banister and gave the porch that seamless foundation it so desperately needed. (Side Note: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU CHRIS and KATE!)

Paint was just the foundation though. You see, we had ISSUES on this deck. As embarrassing as the peeling paint was, we still used this deck A LOT and our storage solutions were sad to say the least -- as showcased by the piles of shoes, toys and gardening supplies EVERYWHERE. (it only got worse from here -- this is a decent looking before pic...)

The solution?

Cheap (but VERY sturdy) baskets and boxes and a VERY good sorting (more to come on those -- can you see what is on the top??)

The next sad looking section of the porch was another hard working corner -- the grill and garden supply corner. We do have a shed for garden supplies, but it is at the back of the property and I need a small amount of tools and such right outside the back door.

The problem?

The whole place looked like a mulch monster spit up on it.

The solution?

PAINT (more of it!)
a new organizational system (That's a vintage metal BREADBOX y'all!)
a good grill cleaning and garden supply sorting
Pretty details like the pennant banner (tutorials to come!)

Then there is THIS expanse of concrete. Without the benefit of those diagonal wood planks to add at least a wee little bit of distraction from the sad looking paint and disorganized seating -- it just looked trashy by year three of kiddo abuse and adult neglect.

AHHHHH...that is better.

Picnic Tables from Lowes

We finally bit the bullet and bought picnic tables (2 so far, but we have our eye on 2 more!) Did you know they are only $99?? Why did we wait so long? I toyed with the idea of making our own, but for 99 bucks, fully assembled? It was a no-brainer. They are the perfect tables for eating, crafting, reading, beating up and generally weathering like pros. I CANNOT believe we waited this long!

Flags from ConsumerCrafts.com

That cute little seating set for the kids you saw in the before photo? It was a gift several years ago from Nana and Pop and while the green chairs have held up VERY nicely, the little table had not. A quick coat of appliance paint on the top (I bought about 5 cans of appliance paint in "almond" when they were on clearance for a buck -- works great on anything metal!) and voila - sweet little table and chairs, nestled into the perfect little spot for the kiddos!

Kids Seating from Lowes, Placemats from Biglots

This area on the far left of the deck (to the left of the white trellis and sort of in front of that gardening corner/grill area) looks so VERY much better with a simple coat of paint. We had a bench along that wall for a year (left by the previous owners -- on its last legs literally) until it collapsed. This year, I had OH about 30 pots lined up there for seed starting and now? Just enjoying the clean and empty expanse of deck with those dynamic knockout roses peaking through, but at some point, perhaps we will add something there. What do YOU think? Add another bench? Leave it alone?

From dirty, ICK, well worn, worked and tired, the deck and porch are now spiffy and ready to conquer spring and summer!

HOWEVER -- there is STILL something missing -- something a bit "off".

Can YOU see it??

what this space still needs desperately is a................

Can YOU guess??

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MORE coming soon from the deck makeover:

Porch and Deck Landscaping for the DIY budgeted black thumbs
Simple Tutorial for the Outdoor Shoe Boxes
Pennant Banner Tutorial
More on that Vintage Metal Breadbox
Creating Views from each of the (count-em-up!) FIVE windows along the porch and deck walls

Project Ideas for the Sewing Novice: DIY Felt Flower Hairband

2013-06-03T05:20:00.000-05:00

Today is a very, very special day here at the Nest! We are welcoming Onel of Onelmon with her first contributor post. You guys are going to LOVE her! ...and in the spirit of love, go say HELLO! to her on her blog, her facebook page, perhaps on twitter, G+ or even pinterest. Let her know I sent you and give her a biggo bloggy hug!

Hello, wonderful readers of A Nest for All Seasons! I am Onel, the blogger behind the craft blog Onelmon: Crafting Experiments, and I'm so excited to be here today, at Amy's beautiful nest to share a craft tutorial with you. We are going to make a flower hairband today with some felt and thread. Don't worry if you are not good with sewing (because I'm not too!) as this craft only involves some basic stitches, but if you really can't handle needle and thread (which is like me a few months ago), just trade them with glue (yes, you can) :-D Alright! Let's jump to the tutorial!

What you need:

Felt;
Elastic hairband;
Needle & thread.

Step 1: Cut a piece of felt in the shape of a rectangle with scallop pattern on its top and bottom parts (image above).

The width of the rectangle depends on the thickness of your hair, which is the diameter of your hairband.

Step 2: Make the two ends meet and join them with stitches.

Step 3: Grasp the felt tightly and slip your elastic hairband in.

Step 4: Pull the top and the bottom part of the felt so they could meet while keeping the hairband in the middle.

Step 5: Join each "petal" of the flowers with stitches (make sure you are pairing the top and bottom right!).

Step 6: Run another line of stitches beside the hairband to secure its position.

Step 7: Grasp it again to make a shape of a flower bud.

Step 8: Tie your hair and slip the flower in. That's it!

What do you think? You can also add more layers of colorful petals if you like or try some other forms of flowers...
(Tulip, Rose or even the gigantic Rafflesia!) ;-)

And that would be all for the tutorial today. Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoy it! :-D Have a great day, everyone!

VISIT ONELMON by clicking HERE!

Would YOU like to be the next contributing writer here at the Nest?
We are currently accepting applications for 2014 -- would love to have you!

SUBMIT APPLICATION HERE

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Did you miss the other contributor posts this month? Check them out below!

Onel's adorable little hairband

Doug's 21 DIY Tools Your Home Cannot Function Without

Aki's Chic DIY Art Deco Earrings

FREE Desktop Calendar Download | June

2013-05-31T12:26:00.001-05:00

Happy {almost} June! It is SUMMER!

Each month this year, I will be offering a free photo-calendar download for you, complete with dates, a seasonal, original photo and the words I will be focusing on for that month. This month? Still focusing on pure old beauty...

Download your FREE June calendar HERE!

Instructions: Simply click the link above and it will take you to the download site. Click the size you want (based on your desktop size) and download. Save the photo to your desktop or a pictures file where you can easily find it.
Go to Control Panel> Display (or Appearance)> Change Desktop Background and then retrieve the photo where you previously saved it.

Alternative: Go to the link, right click the photo and click "save as desktop background"!! Easy!

Questions? Just ask! ...and make sure you come back for July's new calendar!

DIY Lace Embroidery Hoops -- The Trend Continues!

2013-05-28T09:31:00.000-05:00

DIY Lace Embroidery Hoops is sponsored by Amazon affiliate links.

Every time you visit Amazon from my site, it helps me continue to provide free content! Thank you!

This is SUCH a super easy project, but the lace adds a beautiful touch of whimsy when backlit. (Have you noticed whimsy is one of my theme words for this new baby girl nursery? I am so into anything that makes her imagination SOAR!) Back to those hoops though...

I found these hoops for super cheap at my thrift store's going-out-of-business sale (It was SO exciting, but SO - SO sad y'all!). I think I bought all of them for around $1.50, including the large oval hoop I used for my butterfly mobile and a few extras that didn't make it into this project. If you buy them online, they run about $3-5. Make sure you go for the pretty wooden kind like this one and don't give into the appeal of the cheap prices on the plastic hoops. Against the lace, the look will just be cheap :/

The only other supply you will need is lace. I found mine in the remnant fabric bin at WalMart (yes they DO have great things sometimes!) for around a dollar. I flexed my embroidery hoop art muscles on these girly hoops, using the same lace over a solid blue fabric. This time around though, I wanted to celebrate the twinkling light that filters through the lace every morning as the sun rises through this particular window.

All that to say -- basically you need only THREE things and about 10 minutes for this craft.

Supplies:

Embroidery Hoops
Lace -- I used a very, very light blue, but this beautiful white would be gorgeous too!
Fishing Line (to hang from hooks or the ceiling)

Instructions:

1. Measure lace to be an inch or two wider on all sides from your hoops.

2. Lay the lace over your bottom hoop (with no screw).

3. The hoops come in two pieces, two hoops that fit snuggly together. You simply loosen that screw up top to release them and tighten it to secure the hoops. Push the LARGER hoop down over your fabric that is OVER the smaller hoop. Pull very tight and tighten the screw to secure.

4. Trim the fabric around the back of the hoop.

5. YOU ARE DONE. How is that for a quick craft?

Ok, so you are not TOTALLY done. You still need to hang those puppies! Simply secure them via fishing line to a curtain rod, hooks or pins in the ceiling or any which way you can. THEN you are done :)

Want the quick and easy instructions? Just pin the image below!

Want fruit? Scrape and Wack the Tree!

2013-05-23T06:22:00.004-05:00

After hard pruning, heavy fertilizing and spraying insecticidal soap, there is one more step to revitalizing our old apple trees.

SCRAPE and WACK.

Sounds mean, but the old books say it works. We are going to try it, but we are going to try it gently. No use killing the trees after all the work we've put into them, now is there?

First things first, we need to gently scrape the bark. Some recommend chicken wire, some recommend an old hoe. Basically, get something metal and gently scrape away some of the oldest bark. Why? You are ridding the tree of little insects and eggs that have built up over time. If you start to get to the white or green living flesh of the tree, you've gone too far. Just give it a scraping or rubbing like you would a kid after playing on the beach. You don't want to rub their skin raw, but you want to get as much sand off as possible.

Secondly, you get to hit the tree. You know how you kind of wack your kids to get the sand off of them? Ok, no? Well, you know how in Scandinavia they make you jump into ice cold water then hit you all over with branches to get your blood moving and "invigorate" your skin? Still no?

OK, well they do and that is what you are going to do for your old apple tree.

Give it a good whacking along the trunk with a stick. Wake that old girl up and get her ready to produce some fruit!

Want to make homemade applesauce? Click HERE!

Want to see how to use apple blossoms in floral arrangements? Click HERE!

Need to learn the best time to prune your apple tree into a vase? Click HERE!

Want to learn the best time to spray apple trees? Click HERE!

Questions? Just ask!

Need to Spray? Wait until a RAIN! | How to Revive an Ancient Apple Tree

2013-05-22T13:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, we talked about pruning your apple trees to create a vase. Today we are going to talk about how to make apples look like this:

...instead of this:

Those green apples were the result of our first year of apple tree reviving. We were able to actually GET apples and they WERE edible (perfect for homemade applesauce!), but they had lots of dimples and brown spot and many, MANY of the apples on the tree shriveled up into little brown balls and were very sad indeed. The problem? Pests and disease. Fruit trees are one of the most susceptible plants to both pests AND disease and so even in organic gardens, they often need the most help via chemicals. The first step is to try a basic insectcidal soap to coat the tree with oil, killing soft bodied pests and minimizing disease, but some times stronger chemicals might be necessary, especially in fighting off problems in an old apple tree.

Aside from spraying, we continually round up any of those little brown apples and diseased bits and throw them in the TRASH (not the compost). Removing them is the very best thing we can do for our tree!

If you DO need to spray, the best time for insecticidal soap and horticultural oil is AFTER a rain when the leaves have water inside and the air is moist outside. The oils work best when they DRY SLOWLY, so humid and cloudy conditions are best. HOWEVER, rain itself will wash the oil away, so DO NOT spray BEFORE a rain. Sunny days are also a no-no because the spray will evaporate before it is able to do the work it needs to do.

So WAIT for the rain and spray AFTER it comes!

Wait until the rain has ceased, but the humidity still hangs in the air.
For this reason, it is best to spray in the morning or evening when the sun's drying rays are not around.

Want to make homemade applesauce? Click HERE!

Want to see how to use apple blossoms in floral arrangements? Click HERE!

Need to learn the best time to prune your apple tree into a vase? Click HERE!

Want to know why you should hit your apple trees? Click HERE!

Questions? Just ask!

Want Apples? You Need a Vase! | How to Revive an Ancient Apple Tree

2013-05-21T06:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I brought out my good old-fashioned method for making applesauce, but there is a journey to actually getting those apple trees to PRODUCE said apples. Over the next few days, I will be sharing you my best tips for growing apple trees and share a little of our experience over several years reviving two ancient apple trees.

First things first -- old fruit trees won't produce very well unless the are pruned and have good air circulation. Ideally, the best time to prune an apple tree is in late winter/early spring, but if you are dealing with an old tree that has a bunch of clustered branches crossing in the interior of the tree, late spring will work! That tree needs to BREATHE!

When we first moved into our home, we had two old apple trees that were literally just masses of branches. The apples that year were weak to say the least. Over the next two years, pruning was top of our to-do list. This year, we are almost there with this tree closest to the house. We have taken out 3-4 medium-large branches each year and now we have a nice open middle of the tree -- the "vase". Pruning more than this might have harmed the tree, so be ruthless with pruning, but stretch it out if the tree is really bad!

See the 6 branches that all face outwards, forming a vase?

Every branch in the tree now grows outwards so the leaves can get to the sun and apples will grow!

Bring on the blossoms!

Want to make homemade applesauce? Click HERE!

Want to see how to use apple blossoms in floral arrangements? Click HERE!

Want to learn how to prune and shape your tree into a vase? Click HERE!

Want to learn the best time to spray apple trees? Click HERE!

Want to know why you should hit your apple trees? Click HERE!

Questions? Just ask!

How to Make Homemade Applesauce

2013-05-19T18:49:00.000-05:00

We have a few ancient apple trees in our backyard. The apples have a slightly sweet taste, with a bit of a tart bite to them. The problem is that we have not figured out how to care for the trees well enough to keep the apples from being damaged by bugs and birds. The result is a bunch of apples that don't look very good, but have wonderful taste.

What to do?

Make applesauce!

See how beat up these apples are? They are absolutely perfect for making applesauce. In fact, if you are buying apples to make your own homemade applesauce, you will want to ask the farm or orchard for the "seconds". Those are the apples that have fallen off the trees, apples that fell off the apple cart, or simply apples that aren't perfectly round and unblemished. They cost less, but make applesauce that tastes just as good! If you are purchasing apples, try to purchase apples that have a sweeter taste such as Gala, Fugi or even Red Delicious. You will want to stay away from super tart apples like Granny Smiths.

Give your apples a good rinse and scrubbing, then cut them into big chunks.

It is not necessary to get rid of all blemishes, but it is a good idea to trim off damaged parts of the apple.

You don't want to be boiling any worms!

Get all of the apple chunks into a giant bath of water in a large stock pot and put the heat on high.

When the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to low-med and let the apples simmer.

When you can easily stick a fork into them (like boiling potatoes!), they are ready.

Drain them and allow the apples to cool a bit so you won't burn your hands.

Once your apples are cool enough to handle, but still warm enough that the skin peels off easily,

remove the larger peels and put aside the "meat" of the apples.

I ended up using the glass top from a decanter to push the apple meat through a small handheld strainer.

All of these tasks would be much easier with a food processor or juicer. It can be done with basic equipment though!

I reserved most of the juice from the apples for homemade cider, while straining the pulp into my applesauce bowl.

When you have strained all of the juice and meat of the apples, you can compost the skins, add a little cinnamon and perhaps a bit of sugar to your applesauce and you have a delicious homemade treat!

With your leftover juice, simply add cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of honey to taste and simmer on the stove to concentrate the flavor.

Strain off any solids and you will be enjoying fresh apple cider along with your applesauce.

Now run out and get some "seconds"!

There is no better way to celebrate the cool air of the coming fall!

Want to see how to use apple blossoms in floral arrangements? Click HERE!

Want to learn how to prune and shape your tree into a vase? Click HERE!

Want to learn the best time to spray apple trees? Click HERE!

Want to know why you should hit your apple trees? Click HERE!

Questions? Just ask!

Redbud Lauren at The Thinking Closet

2013-05-17T06:58:00.000-05:00

The Redbud Series at the Nest is sponsored by Amazon affiliate links. THANK YOU for your purchases Nest readers!

So if you haven't met Lauren yet, you haven't met your new best friend. (Alison Rosen anyone? no?) Ok, well, here is the thing. Lauren is one of those girls that just instantly attracts people to her. She is that girl you want to be your best friend that actually WILL BE your best friend. She comes across on her blog as kind and friendly, approachable and wonderfully creative. She is inspiring and brilliant with her DIYs, but her personality is definitely what gets folks to stick around. She is one of those bloggers that you just stop by to read once in awhile because you are having a bad day and need a little happy joy in your life. I told you - you WANT her to be your new best friend.

Wondering what the heck a redbud is here at the nest? Read THIS POST to get started!

Meet Redbud Lauren:

Now moving on to those awesome DIY's I was telling you about. I found Lauren on Looksi because of THIS POST where she came up with the most FABULOUS new mom gift. Brilliant I tell you! (Those post-it notes on the diapers are just AWESOME).

...but the DIY gifts just kept coming. There was the leather painted purse:

...and then back in the archives came these cute little burp cloths:

...and this adorable banner (with a free cut file!):

Y'all it just keeps going and going and going. You WANT to know this girl, I am telling you!

Go say hey to Miss Lauren, like her on facebook or give her a little comment love. You will fall in love - I promise!

Are YOU a redbud?

Amazon.com Widgets

Craft Lightning and Behind the Scenes for Hobby Farm Home

2013-05-15T05:31:00.000-05:00

DIY Canning Jar Toppers is sponsored by Tombow Pencils and Amazon Affiliates.

So yesterday, we talked about how easy it is to make a redbud or lilac jelly (or ANY floral jelly for that matter!). Today, we are going to talk about how to gift them. I am participating in Craft Lightning this week, so today's little gift craft will take no more than 15 minutes!
(PS -- Creating the jelly itself only takes about 15 minutes as well, minus the 24 hours waiting time!!)

So basically, we are just going to spice up the jars a little bit. I used this same technique in my feature article in Hobby Farm Homes this month (Check out the issue for recipes on making your own homemade condiments -- including perennial picnic favs like ketchup, mustard,and BBQ!)

The topper is so simple it can barely be called a craft, but totally transforms the jars into little rustic gifts instead of just a can of something, you know? Simply cut a circle of burlap (ragged edges are awesome!) and secure it with a piece of raffia or twine. I used a bleached burlap and basic brown garden sisal for mine, but you could certainly change up the colors for different looks!

For our redbud and lilac jellies, I used the same white burlap and twine, but added little tags as well! They are simply pricing tags (they are super, super cheap -- like 1,000 for 10 bucks on amazon HERE / also available in smaller quantities) and spruced up with little colored pencil drawings.

I wanted to use my "grown-up" colored pencils Tombow sent to me to try because they give a stronger, smoother color than your average kiddo colored pencil. Alas -- they hadn't arrived yet, so it was basic charcoal and marker for me :)

...but little side note about art and Tombow. Did you know that every submission for the “100 Days of Tombow” blogging program will result in a $100.00 product donation to the Council for Arts Education? So let's say YAY for Arts Education!!!

Supply List:

Quilted (or regular!) Canning Jars (Those pretty ones with the glass detailing are simply called "quilted")
Canning Lids
Burlap
Twine (This peach twine is a really pretty baker's twine for summer!)
Pricing Tags
Tombow Colored Pencils

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

Want to see more super short, 15 minute crafts??

How to Make Redbud and Lilac Jellies

2013-05-14T03:50:00.000-05:00

How to Make Redbud and Lilac Jellies is sponsored by the amazing blooming garden outside my window and Amazon Affiliates.

Last year about this time, I made a peach pie with redbuds and wrote a piece for Dearest Nature exhorting the amazing goodness of redbuds as little edible garnishes. About that same time, I really wanted to make a redbud jelly, but alas, I waited too long. The redbuds had already started falling from the branches and there were not enough left to can. I determined that redbud jelly would be on the list FOR SURE this spring and today I bring you the result!

Supplies:

Redbuds (and Lilacs -- see below!)
Canning Jars
Fresh Canning Lids
Boiling Water
Sugar
Lemon Juice
Unflavored Pectin (This is what makes jelly JELLY!)

*Highlighted products are linked to Amazon for your perusal

Step #1

The process is simple really. Pick the flower buds from the branches when they are in bloom (Zone 5, you have about another week to get them I presume!) and simply place them into a jar. Rinse once to get rid of dirt, but do this quickly and only once as the color leaches quickly!

Step #2

Poor boiling water over the buds in the canning jar. Let the can sit for 24 hours. (PS - USE a canning jar as they are made for super high heat!)

Notice how the color starts leaching almost immediately out of the buds. It is kind of amazing!

See that purple can hiding back there behind the redbuds? Those would be lilac buds. While I was out gathering redbuds, I saw the lilacs were in bloom and thought I would go ahead and make both. The process is the same -- just different flowers!

Surprisingly, my variety of lilacs gave me almost the exact same color as the redbuds. Shocking how it went from bright and deep purple to saturated PINK! Maybe it knew we were celebrating news of a new baby GIRL!! ;)

Moving on in the process though....

Step #3

Once the buds have sat for 24 hours, simply strain the liquids into a fresh jar, squeezing the buds to get out all the color and flavor you can! Isn't it a beautiful color??

Step #4

Once you have your flavored floral liquids, you will choose between an instant pectin and a classic pectin. You are supposed to be able to stir the instant pectin and sugar in, stir for 3 minutes then chill, but it did not work that well for me. I had much better luck with the CLASSIC pectin. The process is still very simple. The classic just needs heating.

Step #5

For classic pectin, add your liquid to a pot, add sugar, pectin (it looks like the powder in Jello!) and enough water to get up to the ratios listed on the pectin packaging. Also add in 1 T of lemon juice to add a little bite to the floral flavor. Heat to a boil, constantly stirring, turn heat down and stir for 3 minutes. Decant into a jar, chill and voila! You are done!

Update from comments:

I left the recipe a bit vague because:

#1 Each brand a pectin is slightly different. Check the back of the packaging for exact measurements.

#2 You will want to add SLIGHTLY more pectin than normal since you are dealing with floral liquid instead of fruit (which has naturally occurring pectin).

#3 I used 3.5 Tablespoons per ball jar to get these to set, using the hot method, not the instant.

It honestly is just as simple as making Jello, so if you have mastered Jello, you can master any floral jellies! (...and pst....don't tell the canning aficionados but these are SOOOOOOOOOOOO much easier than fruit jellies where you have to pit, clean, hull and smash the fruit! Go flowers!)

Want to see how I top these jars of jelly off for gifting? (Psst -- it costs just a few pennies!) CLICK HERE for my secrets!

For those of you that love-love-love canning, I've assembled my favorite tools, supplies and book for you below. If you choose to click over to Amazon and purchase these or any other product, I will receive a small bit of compensation. Every little bit helps and I appreciate you supporting A Nest for All Seasons with your everyday Amazon buys! THANK YOU!

Amazon.com Widgets

I have a few introductions this morning...

2013-05-13T09:18:00.001-05:00

I haven't been quite sure how to tell you. In fact, I've been putting it off for quite a while because there is this pressure to do it right and do it with a bang. You can't just tell your blog readers you are having a baby -- it has to be an EVENT. So I thought about telling you by lining up a bunch of shoes and sharing the secret that way. I thought about having the boys hold up a sign...or maybe even a "reveal" shoot with balloons in the color of our newest addition. All that has been done though. ...and to be quite honest, I am too tired to be creative about this. This little baby is taking the little energy I have, so you, dear blog readers are going to have to settle with some words today.

I have no cute pictures for you or interesting reveal photo shoot. ...but I do have the desire to share my heart a little bit. SO. Here is the deal. We have three boys. You have met them here before on the blog. I don't share their names, but I like to call them Red, Rex and Lincoln. Red is our oldest, full of boyishness and creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit of his mama and papa. Rex is our sweet thing, with a tendency towards soft blankies and cuddle time. He is our emotionally sensitive guy and he is the one that you want to cuddle up on a couch with and read with. Lincoln? He is our firebomb. He is Red, but with a daredevil streak. Before the age of 1, he had ran out into the road and sat down on the double yellow AND climbed up to the top of the roof (and again, sat down like nothing was amiss.). It is a wonder he is not caged.

So why on Earth would we "try" again? Did we REALLY think with our odds there would be a girl? Am I SERIOUSLY going to break my body again with pregnancy. We JUST got our youngest pooping in the potty. Are we SERIOUSLY DOING THIS?!

Well, yes we are thanks to a trip to Mexico.

What will I do with four boys? Will it even make a difference at this point? Will another little boyish pipsqueak change up the dynamics or will he be the 4th in route to a full basketball team?

Well, we will never know.

We will never know because we are officially done with boys. This is our last biological baby, and perhaps our last baby period and heavens to Betsy - IT IS A GIRL!

The ultrasound tech double checked - oh I dunno - SIX times because we kind of didn't believe her. (In fact, a tiny bit of me thinks we will get to the delivery room and SURPRISE! It's actually a boy!!) However, she checked and checked and by all appearances, there is a tiny little girl in there. She made me sick as a dog the first trimester (which has not happened before) and those little baby kicks DO seem to be gentler than the karate kicks the boys were throwing at me, so I am *this* close to being convinced that it is 100% a girl.

Am I excited?

You could say that. Perhaps more telling are the baskets and baskets of girly clothes that are piling up in her room already. ...well I take that back. Perhaps more telling are the bags of girly clothing I am dragging up from the basement that I have been collecting for 8 years now. Yes, eight years I have been picking up little dresses and pink ballet shoes when they are at a price too cheap to pass up. Perhaps I knew someday we would have a girl -- one way or another. Perhaps I was just hopeful. In any case, she will be arriving soon and she will be dressed to the nines (and yes in ALL PINK as long as she lets me) and we will have some SERIOUS girly fun.

What will her name be?

Well, as I decided long ago with the boys, I won't be sharing her full name here, but you will know her as Penny or Poppy. That is her nickname(s) and there will be plenty of crafty projects to go along with it. ...and YES, again, that name has been on the tip of our tongues for eight years now. In fact, my attempt at creativity last week circled mainly around her nickname...had you guessed?

Did you miss the clues? Clue #1 and Clue #2 Clue #3 Clue #4 Clue #5

Why has it taken so long??

I wasn't sure why we couldn't get our genes together and have a girl. I've always suspected that perhaps I am a better mom of boys than girls. I am getting well versed in the craziness of boydom and thought that perhaps God thought I couldn't handle the intricacies of a mother-daughter relationship. Perhaps I would be too jealous. Perhaps we would just fight constantly. Perhaps she would be exactly like me and we would butt heads. I was perfectly happy being a mom of three boys (who doesn't like to be the princess in a house full of little men?!). So why now? Perhaps I am a better mom now than I was eight years ago? Perhaps these boys have mellowed me out enough to be a mom of a daughter. Perhaps it is just random chance. In any case, our three boys and our one little girl make us complete. We are a very full and happy family and cannot wait to introduce her to the world.

What will the nursery look like?

Now on to the good stuff - THE NURSERY! You might guess that I would try to do something different and creative with greens and golds or purples and creams to make a truly unique nursery, but you would be wrong. Friends, it will be PINK all the way. Pink, pink and more pink. This is my one and only chance to girlify a space to my heart's content (she will most likely love BLUE by the time she has an opinion, so I have to strike now while the iron is hot!) A peek into my private pinterest boards tells the story:

My goal in the nursery is twofold. It is not particularly stylish or great design or even a litany of craft ideas that I can blog about (though there WILL be some!). Rather, my two goals are girliness and whimsy. I want a girly space because I have longed for one for eight years now and while she still doesn't care...she is going to be a girly girl...so pinks and peaches and corals and whites and dresses and shoes and soft blankies and clouds and EVERYTHING sweet and nice will fill the room to bursting.

Secondly, this room will be whimsical. I am designing the room to ignite her wonder and creativity and each craft and project is centered around that basic theme.

Let me explain a little better...

As much as I love well designed nurseries, I can't imagine going with something like THIS. It is too grown up -- too beautiful -- too perfect. I almost like the more "cluttered" nurseries. The ones that show off the "tools" of the trade and celebrate the fact that a BABY lives there -- like THIS ONE:

The stacks of blankets...

The diapers piled in a basket...

The little hat hanging off the bedframe...

The stuffed monster above the changing table...

That gorgeous white light with a nice thick light blocking shade....

A BABY lives here and I love it.

So prepare yourself for some whimsical and girly crafts in the next few months and a LOT of questions from me on how to raise a girl!

...but that is not all...

If this blog post wasn't long enough, I have one MORE introduction to make to you! Actually THREE introductions! Since I will be cutting back hours a bit as baby comes along, I decided to hunt down some brilliant new contributors for the Nest. I wanted to beef up our sewing, jewelry and home improvement DIY content to bolster my crafty, artsy, gardeney focus. SO.................................

Meet our newest family members here at the Nest!

You are seriously going to love them and I can't WAIT to start showing you the work they have been turning in! It is FANTASTIC! You will get to know them a little better in the weeks to come and will become best friends with them as they share their tutorials and projects all summer long!!

So from my real house and my blog house to yours, thanks for coming to check out our fabulous news and stay tuned for some serious introductions!

Penny

2013-05-10T09:09:00.002-05:00

You remember this one right....???

Well, not to bang you over the head with it or anything, but it was a BIG clue.

Hit over the head yet?? Can you guess her name?

...and YES I am going to leave you hanging...next week I reveal ALL! :P

Did you miss the first set of clues? Clue #1 and Clue #2 Clue #3 Clue #4 Clue #5

However, I will NOT leave you hanging about the $50 AMEX giveaway!

Did you win?? CLICK HERE and peek in the rafflecopter box to see if it was YOU!

(Hint: It was a TWEET that did it!)

Clue #5

2013-05-09T14:10:00.000-05:00

Clue #5 -- It's all about the shape...

Clue: The Bites

2013-05-09T06:59:00.000-05:00

Clue: The Bites

Every. Single. Day.

...and did you miss Clue #3?

The Clues

2013-05-08T06:21:00.000-05:00

You might have missed the first two clues.

....but don't worry...

You won't be left behind.

Clue #1 -- Coins, Copper and Curls

Clue #2

...and a new one today...Clue #3

Any guesses yet? The clues will keep rolling out all this week...some words...some pictures...here and on the Nest facebook page.

Don't miss a thing - this is a BIG ONE!

DIY Garden Marker Plant Labels for your Flower Pots NO KILN REQUIRED

2013-05-07T08:28:00.003-05:00

DIY Garden Marker Plant Labels for Your Flower Pots is sponsored by Crafts Unleashed, Consumer Crafts and Amazon.com.

SPRING HAS ARRIVED! It snuck in slowly, but here in Zone 6, we are now fully in the switch-change show of Spring. From the lilacs, daffies and apple trees in yesterday's post to the redbuds and tulips and almond (oh my!), the world is alight with color and scent and the glories of new life.

If you are a bit North of us however, you are probably still itching to get outdoors and start digging in the earth, eager to see the first flutterly wings of the northern bound birds and hungry for blooms and breezes and the beginning of Spring. For those of you hungry for Spring, and those of you in its romantic grip at the moment, I have a project for you. These little clay plant markers are easy to make, cute as a button and hold up indoors or out.

Materials:

Clay (I used brown, but pick whatever works with your pots/decor)
Clay Press (optional, but makes the process MUCH faster!)
Circle Cookie Cutter
Serrated Knife (I purchase mine from IKEA, but you probably have one in your kitchen!)
Metal Stamping Letters (an essential for these cute tags!)
Oven/Baking Sheet or Glass Pan

Note: You might be tempted to skip the clay press, but let me warn you that this clay is HARD and takes quite a bit of rolling and kneading to get it soft enough to work with. The clay press saves TONS of time and makes a really nice, even surface and tags that are of even height all the way around the circle. Bonus: It also works on homemade pasta! Bonus 2: It is half off last I checked - go get it!

On to the instructions! Cut off a piece of clay with a knife. I cut off about 1" sections using a serrated knife. Push a section down into the clay press, rolling the handle as you push down.

The clay will flatten out like this:

See those air bubbles/holes? Fold the flattened clay back onto itself and send it through the press a second time. After two rolls through the press, your clay is pliable and you have a smooth, even surface. WELL worth the money to me!

Here is the entire process:

Take your circular cookie cutter (or any shape you choose!) and press straight down onto a smooth solid section of the clay.

Gently, pull the clay up from around the piece you cut out. DON'T do this the other way around (by picking the circle out of the clay). You will get smudges and fingerprints and smooshed sections all around the circle trying to remove it.

Handle your circles gently at this point. They are very soft and moldable. Using a metal stamping kit, I added plant names to my tags. You can also carve words by hand into the tags or use a picture stamp - anything you choose!

I added detailing with a slightly serrated knife, individualizing each tag. Be creative!

Once you are happy with each tag, it is time to bake them! Set the oven to 275 degrees, place your tags (carefully!) on a nonstick baking pan or glass dish and bake for 30 minutes. (True story: I forgot about one batch of tags and they went longer then 30 min. (oops!), but were ok. Apparently the right temperature matters more than the right time!) Clay will darken into its true color as it bakes and cools. You can see the variation in the fresh clay and fully dry product below.

You might notice that my fresh clay is flat while the finished tag is slightly curved. This was intentional so that the tags would attach to my pots seamlessly. They will not typically curve when baked. If you want them to curve, simply squeeze the ends gently to create a slight curve every 5-10 minutes as the tags are cooling. They will settle into the curved shape without a lot of hassle. Once stamped, baked, dried and curved, your tags are ready to work! I attached mine with hot glue directly onto my pots (from IKEA), but you could certainly attach them to sticks and place into your outdoor garden.

For those of you that asked, the little pots are from IKEA and the metal stamping kit is off Amazon (links below). The remainder of the supplies are from Consumer Crafts/ Crafts Unleashed.
If you purchase any item by clicking through the Amazon links below (any item, not just the pictured craft items), I will earn a small percentage. THANK YOU!

PS - Have you been following along on the Nest facebook page for clues to our big announcement??? A new one will be going up SOON!

The WINNER of the $50 Duluth giftcard is..............................

2013-05-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

The WINNER of the $50 Duluth giftcard is..............................

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Katherine!! Please check your email me and get back to me within 3 days with your address! I wonder what you will buy from Duluth!!!!

PS - Didn't win his giveaway, but want another chance?

The $50 AMEX card giveaway is still running! ENTER HERE!

In Bloom: Lilac, Apple Blossom and Daffie Minis

2013-05-06T09:24:00.001-05:00

I love this time in spring when you walk out the back door and get all excited about what might have opened in bloom each morning. Sometimes the scent alerts you, sometimes it is just a blast of color. Other times, those blooms dip and hide under bigger plants and it is like finding little fairies at work calling tiny little plants into bloom. In any case, romanticized or not, you can't help bu love what is blooming NOW. The lilacs have opened into full bloom and the scent about knocks you over. Add to that the last of the daffodils (the minis!) and the Apple trees doing all they can to call in the legions of bees with their wavy, frilly blooms and AHHHHH. Pure beauty.

What is blooming in YOUR garden today?