Gifts To Make To Give

Did that blog title make sense?  I have recently discovered a great site called The 36th Avenue - here author Vanessa Christenson has some fantastic tips on gifts to make that AREN'T corny or cheap or overdone.  I promise :). 

Check out a few of my favorites and spend a little time on this site:

 

 Cupcake baking set for the baking enthusiest in your life.  A great use for all of those brightly colored yet slightly mismatched liners you have collected, plus sprinkles and a few other bits and bobs packed up in a little case.  Adorable?  Check!




Chunky knit bracelet out of thin strips of jersey.  She has included a very helpful tutorial on this simple project that packs a fashion punch.  Awesome?  Check!

 

 Simple yet colorful fabric scrap keychains.  The sky is the limit on size and embelishments for this project.  Best part - a great way to use up your awesome fabric scraps.  Tutorial here.  Awesome?  Check!

There are 25 projects listed here and the three I mentioned were just my favorites.  Check it out and design the perfect gift for someone with beautiful supplies you already have on hand.

Being Alive

Well said, Ms. Winfrey

Watercolor Quilt

Want to see a truly unique quilt? 

I LOVE this.  It is currently sold out...but my DIY brain is already churning.  Maybe take a plain white quilted fabric and paint the circles with tie dye paint (better to get the water color effect than standard fabric paint - also, fabric paint is stiff and sometimes scratchy - this won't happen with dye), then wrap the whole piece in plastic to let the colors set for a few days.  Wash out and presto - tie dye watercolor circle quilt.  I also adore the binding; it brings the whole piece together.

I'd love to try this...

Good to Know: A Roundup

 I want to share a few handy things I have seen/learned over the last week or so.  I mean, who doesn't want a few tips to add to their toolbox, right?

To start things off, look at this nifty idea for hiding a spare key.  Take an empty pill bottle, put a spare key inside and refasten the pill bottle lid.  Then hot glue a rock to the lid (preferably a rock similar to other small outdoor rocks on your property.  Once the rock has dried, dig a hole and sink the bottle in so that only the rock is showing above ground.  Voila!  Hidden key and no one the wiser.  Just make sure that you remember where you buried your "treasure". (thanks to www.savvyhousekeeping.com for the tip!)

Next, do you have an ongoing struggle with weeds in your lawn/flower beds/garden/in general somewhere on your property?  The answer is probably yes; who are we kidding, we all have weeds that irk us.  Have you ever tried this vinegar tip?

  

I haven't yet and I can't wait to.   Someone try this and report back!

Finally, this is a simple yet brilliant idea.  Take a door organizer for your shoes...and repurpose into a snack organizer for your pantry. 

Awesome, right?!  You're welcome :)  See you next time on Good to Know!

Chalkboard Printables for Back to School

It is that glorious and bittersweet time again: the beginning of a new school year.  Personally, this year it is bittersweet for me.  I have loved having my older two kids home for the summer and am in no hurry to pack them back off to school.  If you have school age children, you are probably going to grab your camera/smart phone on the first day of school to capture their excited smiles, all decked out in new clothes and backpacks.  

This year I happened upon some great free printables over at Yellow Bliss Road.  There is a chalkboard drawn printable for each grade level, even preschool.

 The instructions for downloading are simple and clear; printing was a snap.  And my trying-to-be-cool-on-the-first-day-of-school-kids LOVED holding them up for their annual snaps.  Proof:

Sign a Stone

I have often heard of homeowners having their guests paint their name on a wall, or sign a ledger when they visit, thereby leaving a visual reminder that they were once there.  But what if you don't have a large wall in your home crying out for guest graffiti or don't want to bother with a coffee table book that may be misplaced now and again?   Or perhaps you are having a baby shower or wedding reception that necessitates some kind of a guest book...


What about an apothecary jar full of signed stones? 

Start by adding some moss at the bottom of a large clear vase or jar.  Select smooth (and preferably flat) stones light in color.  Keep a Sharpie nearby and voila!  Whenever a guest graces your home, have them write a message on a rock and place in the jar.  Or at the conclusion of a baby shower or wedding reception, presenting this jar to the honoree is a beautiful reminder of those who were in attendance.  

Pretty cool, right?

Sidenote:  As much as I love this idea, I still have little kids running around my house and I fear that any kind of an open container with rocks inside invites some bad decisions :).  Save this idea for a more adult home or if you can trust your kids.

A Magical Miniature Treehouse

Have you ever seen a dollhouse that is SO magical?  This one-of-a-kind dollhouse is the remarkable creation of a miniature artist who was inspired by Brambly Hedge, a series of illustrated children's books.  Taking 11 months to create, this artist has left no detail unaccounted for.

I've always been fascinated by dollhouses and miniatures; I could let my eye wander through this little house for hours.  And I'm a grown woman!

For a more in depth look at how the artist created this magnificent miniature, take a look at her post on how she designed and executed her plans.  Completely amazing...

Quote of the Day...

Amen to that...

Believe in Yourself...

I came across this amazing quote and LOVED it.

The Braided Rug

This rug is made out of a multitude of tee shirts. 

 

TEE SHIRTS!  How amazing is this?  And if you are new to my blog, you should know that I have a major thing for amazing rugs.  Which is funny because I have so few in my house...Hmmmmm...perhaps I need to work on that!

 

Anyway, loving this rug.

Happiness...

Backyard Movie Theater

 

It's FINALLY summer.  Which means late nights, BBQ's, kids racing around the court and over fences into each others backyards, trampoline jumping with sprinklers on underneath, watering flowers and of course backyard movies. 

Living in Northern California, we are blessed with really beautiful weather most of the year.  When summer hits, watching a movie outside with loads of friends seems so wholesome and fun.  I decided that this is the year to figure out how to set up a proper outdoor movie theater...without breaking the bank. 

We have a projector: check.  We have a dvd player and a few speakers: check.  We have a big yard and enough seating: check.  Now to get a screen figured out. 
I found this tutorial on all things backyard movie theater and had to share.  I hope to be back shortly with my fancy new outdoor movie theater screen...made from blackout curtains!  I can't wait!