cassandra likes. | a compilation of things i like.

wordless wednesday:

2011-09-07T04:15:00.000-07:00

inspiration: halloween specimen jars

2011-09-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

Check out these amazing and realistic specimen jars from Super Punch.

They are super easy and inexpensive to make. Check out the tutorial here.

Stop by Paper Dolls For Boys to learn how to make these specimen jars...

not quite as realistic but definitely fun and perfect to make with children!

Here is another version from David Lowe Designs.

This is a cool and super clean/modern take on Halloween specimen jars.

Head on over to The Craft Junkie Blog to see how they are made.

wordless wednesday:

2011-08-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

upcycling: wreaths

2010-11-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

Here are a few examples of eco-friendly and budget friendly holiday wreaths.

This one from goodhousekeeping.com is made from old Christmas cards.

Check out the tutorial.

How about a wreath made from upcycled Christmas wrapping paper scraps?

Here are some awesome examples...

Here is a christmas wrap wreath from instructables.com

This one is made from bottlecaps! I wasn't able to find the tutorial but it looks easy enough. I found the photo in monkeydog-studio's photo stream on Flickr.

Awesome idea!

Last but not least another great one I found on Flickr.

The Daisy Chick made it from upcycled christmas bulbs.

free thanksgiving printables.

2010-11-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

Check out these FREE Thanksgiving printables from Paper Glitter. This an entire kit that includes invitations with changeable text, place settings, decorations, napkin rings and more.

inspiration: thanksgiving.

2010-11-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

Inspiration: halloween mantle

2010-10-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

project: tea cup candles

2010-10-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Check out these adorable candles made from thrift store tea cups. They are adorable, very thrifty and a great way to upcycle your old cups and mugs. I loveee it! You can find the full tutorial here at the Pie Bird Blog.

upcycling: toilet paper rolls

2010-10-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

While searching the web today I found a bunch of great ways to upcycle a little old toilet paper roll... who knew?

Check out this amazing wall art from creativejewishmom.com.

How about this idea for an extension cord holder from http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/. What an ingenious idea this is! I love it!

And Martha Stewart is at it again with these fabulous Yule Log Favor Boxes. How cute would these be at your Christmas party this year?!?

Mayamade has a tutorial for both of these adorable countdown calendars on her site. I am definitely making one of these for Christmas!

project: dollar store halloween cloche

2010-10-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

I can't remember where I saw this awesome project but I had to do it because I definitely need this for my Halloween mantle!

Things Needed

Glass Vase

Knob

Candle Holder

Glue

Spray Paint

1. Clean your vase and dry your vase. Remove any stickers from candle holder.

2. Spray paint candle holder black and let dry.

3. Glue knob to the bottom of the glass vase.

And that's it! Pretty simple right?!? Cost me $2! $1 for the vase and $1 for the candle holder. I had the glue, knob, spray paint and misc. Dollar Store Halloween decorations on hand!

Here a few ideas I played around with for mine...

I still haven't decided exactly what I am going to do with it!

Enjoy!

project: tin can luminaries

2010-10-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Things Needed:

Empty vegetable or soup cans, cleaned out and labels removed

Water

Nail

Hammer

Towel

Halloween clip art

Tape

Spray paint

1. Begin by filling the cans up to the top with water, then place them in the freezer until the water is frozen solid. This will allow you to hammer a nail into the side of the can without the can denting. The bottom of your cans might bulge out but don't worry, you can hammer them flat after you are done with your design and the ice has meted.

2. Next, get your designs and or clip art ready. I traced some Halloween cookie cutters for mine. Cut a square around your templates, place on the can and tape into place. If you would like to use my templates click here.

3. Begin to make the tin can luminaries by using a nail and hammer to punch out the design. Start at one end of the pattern and place the nail along the line. Gently pound the nail in with a hammer. The nail will go through the can into the ice. Continue working around the pattern until the design is punched out.

4. Run your can under hot water to melt the ice and then dry the can completely. If the bottoms of your tin cans bulged during freezing now would be the time to put a towel over the bulge and hammer it back into place.

5. Next, spray paint your cans inside and out. Protect your work surface with newspapers and use good ventilation.

6. When your cans have dried you are ready to illuminate, add a little sand to weigh them down and add a tea light candle.

Enjoy!!!

upcycling: plastic bottles

2010-10-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome upcycling project from greenupgrader.com! Turn your empty soad bottles into a cute purse... love it!

Here is another great way to upcycle your empty water bottles. Check out the tutorial here and turn those water bottles into this beautiful vase.

This is a great one for the upcoming holiday. Upcycle your empty soda bottles into pumpkin luminaries. Check out the tutorial from favecrafts,com.

follow me friday blog hops:

2010-10-15T05:20:00.000-07:00

So, I had so much fun with the Wednesday blog hops that I thought would join along for follow me Friday!
Here we go!

upcycling: liquor bottles

2010-10-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

Check out these cool Grey Goose Recycled Tumblers!

wordless wednesday:

2010-10-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

wednesday blog hops:

2010-10-13T03:52:00.000-07:00

organic halloween make-up:

2010-10-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

Check out this organic Halloween make-up! Perfect for babies and kids!

fabulously frugal halloween decor:

2010-10-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

This year my family and I moved from a two bedroom townhouse to a four bedroom single family home. When I pulled out my Halloween decorations I realized they looked pretty lonely in our newly expanded living space. Since we do not have much extra money and we are really trying hard to embrace a more frugal lifestyle I have been searching the web for some frugal ways to decorate our new home. Here are some great projects I found in Blogland that won't break the bank. Most are made with items you can find at your local Dollar Store!

Check out this spooky Spider Wreath from Sour Kraut Krafts. It is super easy to make and costs about $3!

This witches curtain from Martha Stewart is made with nothing more than black trash bags. I think this is just amazing and very creepy!

These Tin Can Luminaries from Better Homes and Gardens can be easily made with items you have on hand. I don't know about you but I always save my tin cans from soup or veggies. You all know I love to upcycle!

Check out these Coffee Filter Spider Webs from megaspooky.com They can also be cut in half and used as a garland. A pack of coffee filters is about $1 in my neck of the woods. You could do your whole house for that price!!!

Here is another one from Better Homes and Gardens. You can download the patterns free for these Spooky Silhouettes and put them in some Dollar Store frames for a fast, easy and fabulously frugal Halloween decoration!

Here is another frugal decor find... the Bloody Candle from favecrafts.com

Stay tuned for more fabulously frugal Halloween decor from Blogland as well as a few projects I have come up with on my own!

upcycling: glass jars

2010-10-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome tutorial at Gingerbreads Snowflakes for upcycling your old kitchen jars into these pretty colored glasses.

inspiration: costumes

2010-10-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

10 HOT Halloween costumes for 2010

Alice

The Mad Hatter

Lady Gaga

Snooki

The Situation

Neytiri

Jake Sully

Mario

Luigi

Thor

inspiration: halloween

2010-10-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

inspiration: candy buffet's

2010-08-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

I just love a good candy buffet as a matter of fact I had one at my wedding and it was a huge hit! My husband and I as well as both of our families love candy so a candy buffet was an easy choice for us! I also plan on doing one for my son's first birthday! Here are some of the candy buffet's that I have been inspired by. They are beautiful and so much fun!

project: plarn.

2010-08-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

This looks like a fun and very green project! Get directions on how to make it here.

Also, here is a video to show how easy it is to make the plarn. Sadly, I can't knit so I am gonna explore more ideas for using plarn as I have way too many plastic grocery bags lying around.

thankful thursday.

2010-08-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for...

my family

my wonderful children

my loving husband

my beautiful home

my friend

and today I am most thankful for all the interesting people I am meeting thanks to the world of blogging!

What are you thankful for this fine Thursday?

upcycling: storage

2010-08-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Window Shutters as Mail Carriers

Pallets as Shoe Racks