HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Fall is my absolute Favorite with a capital F season of the entire year. I love wearing sweaters and boots. I love pumpkin flavored everything and cool air. Fall time also means Halloween time, which happens to be my absolute Favorite with a capital F holiday of the entire year! Unfortunately, I have a disgusting foot deformity called a bunion (WebMD that one)  that will be operated on shortly before Halloween this year. Which means NO costume. I was planning on either being a vampire (TrueBlood Style!!) or a paper doll. Instead my foot will have a boot on it and I may or may not be conscious on Halloween. Oh well, I will save costume ideas for next year...

Boyfriend and I went pumpkin and apple picking this weekend. So fun! Aren't I cute with my pumpkin?
Then we went home and I spent a good two hours carving that thing. Wow that takes forever! I did not recall that from my childhood. I'm guessing I ran off to play while my parents finished it or something. Anyways, here are my lovely carved pumpkins:

This is the witch. She's not a very attractive witch. She could use a little plastic surgery on that humungo chin of hers. Oh well. And here's my kitty on top of a pumpkin (in honor of my two kitties):

Have a safe & happy Halloween and think of me laying on the couch! Also, get excited for my latest obsession: Zentangle.

4 Just Really Great Ideas

This is sort of a random post. I apologize. However, I am sitting in a room with about 40 other people for jury duty and I have to have something to eat up my time! I luckily took pictures of my 'great' ideas the other day so that I can post while I wait. Thank the Lord for SmartPhones!

I do not claim to be a genius. I actually do realize that I am probably only of normal intelligence, heavy on the abstract and very weak on the math. BUT every now and then I encounter a great idea. And I am now nice enough to share a few of them with you.

Idea Number One: Cat Box with a Lid

I have had this box for the litter box for over a year now and I LOVE it! I can't take credit for the craftsmanship (that goes to my handyman father) but I did tell him what I wanted him to make. It is basically a box with two square 'doors' cut out of it, big enough for a cat to go in and out. We cut two doors in case I move it to a new spot and one door has to be up against a wall. The lid is removable so that the litter box can be cleaned:

Inside View:

 I keep mine in the laundry room so when the lid is on the box I put my laundry baskets on top of it. It keeps the smell to a minimum and I normally put an air freshener in it to be sure. Of course, with two cats using it several times a day (and I mean SEVERAL! Anyone else's cats go to the bathroom all the time? From the amount of poop I scoop, it seems like they're just in there all day) nothing will keep that smell down unless it is cleaned, but it does contain it better than having an open box just sitting there. It also kind of hides the litter box. Nothing is grosser than walking in someone's house and seeing a poopy litter box. Right??

(Model shown above is Finn Hanson. He is a three year old tabby, 1 foot tall, about 12 pounds. He is a very festive cat and loves to wear his seasonal bandanas. He is excited about the prospective modeling prospects that may come from this publicity.)

:)

Idea Number Two: The Breeze System
So random, but I just wanted to tell y'all that if you have cats and a hardwood (or tile) floor, you HAVE to get the Tidy Cats Breeze System. It works like a charm. No more sand from the clumping litter all over your floors!! Look in the picture above of the inside of my box. You'll notice there are pellets rather than sand. The pellets are much easier to pick up if they come out of the box. Such a great invention!

Just sayin'.

Idea Number Three: Painting

When painting your house, leave about a 6 inch gap from where your paint ends to where your ceiling starts. This way there are no little paint spots to get on the ceiling.

You know how that goes: you paint on the ceiling and then have to go find the ceiling paint (where did I put that? Is it the same as the paint on the walls?), climb back up the ladder and paint over your spots. If you do this, it leaves a nice line and looks like a little border. Use blue painter's tape to mark off where you want the paint to end, and make it equal around the whole room. My mom actually showed me this when she visited and I think it's genius. It also looks really cute!

Idea Number Four: Air Filters
This just really appeals to my cheap side. At Home Depot, there is this Natural Aire Cut to Fit kind of air filters for you air conditioner. They are awesome. They are super cheap (I think like $4.00) and you can reuse them over and over. It is just a big green filter and then you cut it to the size of your filter. After a month of use, take it out and rinse it out under a faucet. Let air dry and put it back in. Works great and is super cheap!!

My fifth great idea was going to be air fresheners. But this great idea turned out to be not so great. There are these $1.00 fresheners you can get at Wal-Mart that you attach to the air filter. Then when the air turns on, it sucks it through the filter and the air coming out of your vents smells awesome. It worked for a few months, but then the freshener unknowingly fell down into the drain line and clogged it up. I had to call the maintenance man from my condo to come look at it and he said "Never put something in that line again." Enough said, dude. I removed the freshener. Sometimes things that SEEM like a good idea, turn out not to be so good...

DIY Birthday Cards

I know I have been a bad, bad blogger lately. I have still been crafting, but not taking the time to put it on my blog. I'm sure my 3 followers have been very upset ;) Anyways, what I have been working on is Christmas gifts. It IS only October, I realize that, but time flies and I thought that I had better get started!

If your name is Stephanie, do NOT read ahead! Christmas gift spoiler!

One gift I am planning to give is my homemade cards. I'll do a pack of birthday, thank you and personal/initial cards that are blank on the inside. Tied together with a ribbon, these are great gifts! Here are examples I did this weekend:

Three boy birthday, three girl birthday. I LOVE the brown paper cards and envelopes I got at Hobby Lobby on Friday for around $7.00. They are really thick and good quality, I highly recommend! Basically anything from Hobby Lobby I can endorse. That store is heaven...sigh....

Flower Canvas Art

This is another little project I discovered on Pinterest: http://itsdoable.squarespace.com/blog/2012/1/23/its-doablethe-flower-wall-art.html#comments

(btw I love that It's Doable blog. I would follow them, but can't figure out how??)

AND for me, it was totally free! I already had all my supplies:

• Canvas
• Paint
• Scrapbook Paper
• Hot Glue Gun (or other glue, but I just love gluing with my gun so I couldn't pass up this opportunity...)

1. First, paint your canvas. I have had this canvas for awhile. There are so many cute projects to do on canvas, and unfortunately I have failed at most of them on this particular canvas. Anyways, I painted over my other mistakes with white and then brown, which is the color I wanted for the background of this project. 

 

2. Next, cut out a circle for the inside of your flower. I chose brown. Then cut out all of the petals. To do the petals, cut a 2-inch strip from the bottom of a piece of scrapbook paper and then cut the strip into smaller squares. This doesn't have to be perfect, just kind of eyeball it. 

 Then cut from one corner to the other, turn it around and cut from that corner to the other.

They don't have to be perfect or even all the same size. Then arrange them on the canvas in a flower shape. You can use mine as an example if you want. 

3. The tedious part comes next. Turn each one over and glue them all down where you've arranged them. So fun.

4. Hang it up and enjoy! I love it when I do a project and it actually works. :)

T Rex Hates Pushups

Boom. That's right, I got it together this Saturday. Two posts in one day.

This isn't really a new idea but I just wanted to put this on here real quick. The boyfriend and I were looking on Pinterest and we saw this shirt with a funny saying...for $25.00. Too much for a shirt you would wear to the gym! So I made him the same one. I designed the picture on my computer and printed it out on an iron-on transfer paper. I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think??

Terrarium

I have been a TERRIBLE blogger lately. Sorry, ya'll!! Life has gotten hectic and my blogging has fallen to the wayside. Tonight I am babysitting for a new family, the kiddos are asleep and I can focus on this. I told the dad before they left that I was going to work on my craft blog once the kids were sleeping. He looked at me like I was crazy! What is so odd about a 24 year old girl staying in on a Friday night to update her craft blog? huh??

Terrariums: these things are the cutest. You can make them big, small, open, closed, whatever. I opted for a closed one. I like the idea of a little environment being all inside. Plus, you don't have to water them which is a major plus for me since many a plant has died by my lack of plant watering abilities. I never said I had a green thumb. That's my mom!

You need:

-a clear glass container with or without a lid
-dirt
-small rocks
-plants
-moss

I got my container at Micheal's for $9.99 but I think you can pretty much find them anywhere. They don't actually have to be containers made for plants, you could use a vase or little jars or something instead.

(I chose the plants above because they were the smallest ones I could find at Home Depot. I have since been informed there are certain plants you are supposed to use for enclosed terrariums. That may explain why my terrarium has since completely died, but that is another story...)

So, first make sure your container is really clean. Wash it out well with soap and hot water. Layer the bottom of the bowl with the rocks. This helps with drainage. Then the soil on top. It should look like this:

Then add the plants and moss. I realized while doing this that one of the plants was way too big even though I did choose the smallest ones so I ended up only using two. Once the plants are in there, layer the moss over all the exposed dirt. I think this helps the soil lock in moisture . 

Cute huh?? Okay so I watered it, put the lid on and basically forgot about it for about a month. I didn't really look closely until one day I did. Apparently plants need air? The plants died and somehow a bunch of fruit flies nested in there and so I had a real mess on my hands. I tried to get my boyfriend to dump the whole thing outside but he wouldn't do it. It was that gnarly. Anyways, lesson learned: take lid off now and then to air out plants. 

Also: there are specific plants that do better in an enclosed environment. 

• Pilea (Aluminum plant)
• Ardisia
• Podocarpus (Buddhist pine)
• Aeschynanthus (Lipstick plant)
• Baby Tears
• Very small ferns
• Miniature African violets
• Coffee plant
• Creeping Charlie
• Boxus (Boxwood)
• Creeping Fig
• Mosses

 I am planning on redoing this with my new knowledge and also I got some mason jars that I think would look adorbs! jk I don't really talk like that. 

Gift Card Holder

I will be travelling to the lovely city of Savannah, GA this weekend for a wedding. I am a bridesmaid and have been looking forward to this for awhile! After thinking, I decided to get the bride & groom a giftcard. I know, SO impersonal. But I know the bride pretty well (she is one of my best friends!) and I remembered her saying she was hoping everyone just gave them money. So, I opted for the giftcard. And since I am Gina, I wanted to come up with a really cute way to present it. I searched Pinterest and the web for inspiration and came accross this gem:

Cupcake Gift and Money holder

So cute! But how to put the card inside? I was confused so instead I came up with my own version.

Supplies:

1 half sphere of styrofoam ball
1 foam circle with a flat top (looks like a cupcake with no rounded part)
pins
ribbon
scrapbook paper
something for a topper if you want

1. I used turquoise and red, the wedding colors & colors from their invitation. First I took the half sphere and put rows of ribbon on it. I pinned down each little lump with a pin. I tried to make it look kind of like frosting.

2. Then I cut out of strip of red and white striped paper for the cupcake paper. I wrapped it around the base and secured it using Glue Dots (those things rock!)

3. I stuck the two halves together, again using glue dots. I traced a circle to fit the bottom and glued that on, basically just to cover the styrofoam. I had bought a little bride and groom for the top, so I glued it to a toothpick and stuck it in the top like a cake topper. Then I put my giftcard and note in an envelope and glued it to the bottom.

4. I wrapped it up with celophane and used a ribbon to tie it together.

I liked doing this project but it took awhile. It was hard to get the frosting right and to get everything to stay together. It is a little elaborate just for a gift card holder but I think for this wedding, especially since I am in it, it was worth it!

Coasters

"How many times do I have to tell you, USE A COASTER!"
-T Ray, college

(One of my college roommates had this weird pet peeve about the rest of us not using coasters. Apparently she didn't want rings on her nice coffee table she was letting us all use. We were then forced to use the coasters she provided us with. I sure wish I had thought of these cuter ones back then...)

This is a super simple crafty activity. You pretty much cannot mess up when you make these. I made myself a set for my living room (above) and a set that I mailed to my parents. They work and they're cute. Here's how to do it:

Supplies:

Scrapbook Paper
White tiles
Mod Podge
Clear Spray Paint
Cork Backing

1. I am making this set for my best friend. She likes blue so I thought this scrap paper I had would work in her house. She's actually moving to a new place soon so I think I'll give this to her as a sort of housewarming gift. Anyways, pick out what you want on your coasters. You can use paper, fabric, paint, pictures, lace, dried flowers, etc. Be creative! For this one I just did paper. Trace the square tile onto the paper so you know how big it needs to be and cut it out.

2. Mod Podge the paper to the tile. I put a layer of the glue on the tile first, then the paper, then more glue. By the way, I love Mod Podge. Mod Podge is a crafters best friend. You can use it for everything, and probably on the kitchen sink as well.

3. Let the Mod Podge dry completely. Then take the coasters to a well-ventilated area and spray it with the clear spray paint. I took mine outside on the porch. This stuff stinks. It makes it so the coasters won't stick to your drink when you use them & it locks out moisture.

4. Let the spray paint dry. This kind is a quick-dry so it only took about 10 minutes. Next, put a backing on the tiles so they don't scratch your table. Scratches would be worse than moisture rings, I think! I found this awesome sticky cork at Micheal's in the scrapbook paper aisle for 50 cents. It is just a sheet of cork with a sticky back. I suppose you could also use those little round things you put under chairs.

....and ta da! Coasters.

I hope my bff likes 'em.

Cost for this project:

Sticky Backing: $0.50

Tiles: $0.90 each at home depot
Paper, Mod Podge, Spray: Free because I already had it...

So about $5. It would be more if you didn't have the supplies. But I think if you started from scratch it couldn't be more than $15.00.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts

As a crafty blogger, I feel like I should keep up with holiday crafts. However, I am also busy this week (and last week, and next week...) SO I decided to post other people's cute St. Patrick's Day crafts! This is what I WOULD be doing if I wasn't going out of town :) 

1. DIY Hats
It's a little cupcake hat! How cute! There are 2 other hats on that site also.

2. Irish Canvas Art
I LOVE this idea! I am thinking of ways already to use this around my own house. My bathroom could use some new art...

3. Water Bottle Decor
This would be cute if you had to bring drinks to work or school. I actually made little banners for the straws at my friends baby shower. They looked cute, but I did hear someone ask another person, "What are these things? Straws?" Haha :) I personally don't plan on drinking much water on St. Patrick's Day. Can you make decorations for beer cans? Who knows.

I'll be in Savannah this year for St. Patrick's Day and I am way excited! They have a really awesome celebration downtown. Green beer, a green river, it will be great!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!!

Homemade Laundry Soap

This is more for my stingy side than my crafty side! I am currently in the process of making my own liquid laundry soap. I have read that it is WAY cheaper than brands from the store and really easy to make.



For this recipe, I used:

1 Cup Washing Soap
1 Bar Fels-Naptha laundry Bar soap
3 gallons and 6 Cups of water

1. First, grate the entire bar of soap.

2. Next, pour it into a pot with 6 Cups of water. Heat on medium heat until the soap is all melted.
3. Fill a bucket with about 3 gallons of water. Dump the melted soap mixture into the bucket. Add 1 Cup of Washing Soda and stir.

Then just let it sit! For about 24 hours. It apparently is going to turn kind of goopy. Then I am going to pour it into two empty gallon milk jugs (I'll have to come up with cuter storage, but for now milk jugs will work)

 There are a ton of recipes online for homemade laundry soap so next time I might try another one. Most of the recipes have Borax in them, which is why I bought the Borax.

I really like the smell of laundry soap on my clothes so I am not sure if I will like this! I love it when my sheets smell all Tide-y. I guess it's a comfort thing? I read on several sites that you can use some drops of essential oils to make it smell like you want it to. Yum, I may try that too! The Fels-Naptha soap actually smells really good too though so who knows? This will probably be an ongoing project! Just wanted to share my craftiness for the week.

Also, my boss showed me an easy way to make really cute ribbon flowers I;m excited about so I will put that on here soon!

-Gina-

Flower Ball

This is a project I did for my friend's baby shower. I had seen a picture of a flower ball online somewhere but then sort of made up the steps as I went along. I did something right, because they turned out really good. My friend ended up keeping the balls to put in her son's nursery. You could say I am a proud auntie :) Again, I completed this project before I made my blog so I don't have many step-by-step pictures! Sorry.

Supplies:

ALOT of ribbon (I used maybe 13 rolls for 5 flowers)
different sized foam balls
wooden dowels
pins
vases
sand
decorations for in the sand

1. First, cut up all the ribbon into about 1 1/2 inch strips. Roll each piece into a circle and then use one pin where the ends of the ribbon meet to stick it into the styrofoam. I put the pieces all different ways to create a more random look, but you could put them in rows all the same way if that's what you prefer. This takes a very long time. About an hour and half for each ball! I turned the TV on, and sat down on my couch to do it. It can get pretty tedious.

2. Once the styrofoam ball is covered with ribbon, it is time to stick the wooden dowel into it. I painted my dowels a baby blue to match the theme. Then just stuck the end into a tiny blank spot I left on the ball. This creates the 'stem' of the flower. I had to use a dowel because the balls end up to be a little bit heavy and they needed something sturdy to hold them up. At Micheal's, they had small wooden dowels already cut to about 12" long which was perfect for this project. I suppose if you had to, you could buy a long dowel and cut it into the size you needed. I don't own a saw, so the precut version was much better for me.

3. I borrowed 5 clear glass vases and filled them about three quarters of the way with decorative sand. I stuck the dowel down into the sand until it stayed upright. I had gotten some small pacifiers and diaper clips to drop down onto the sand, again going with the theme for the baby boy shower. I tied a ribbon around the vase and voila! Done.

We placed them in different parts of the house for the shower. Two were centerpieces on a picnic table, one was on the dessert table, and two are shown above on the mantle of the fireplace.

Clothesline Picture Frame

This is an idea I originally saw on Pinterest. It was incredibly easy to do and turned out so cute! I have been pleased with it. I also saw something very similar at Pier One Imports for about $50.00. This made the frugal Gina inside me smile because mine cost about $20.00 to make! I made this project before this blog was born, so I apologize for no step-by-step pictures.

1. First, you will need to buy an empty frame. If you already have a frame you aren't using, even better! I found this one at Micheal's for about $17.00 in their custom framing area. I chose this one because it had a wide area inside the frame for me to put the nails into.

2. Next, I just used some small nails and hammered them into the edges. Then I took some Jute Twine that I had and tied a knot to the nails on either side to create a "clothesline" look.

3. Then, I bought a bag of clothespins. They were about $3.00 for 15 at the craft store. I added coordinating scrapbook papers to make them look more decorative. I cut the papers to fit both sides of the pins and then modpodged them to the pins.

4. And lastly, add pictures! I think this is the best part of this project because you can swap out pictures whenever you want. I chose a group of pictures of me and my family when I was younger, but in the future I might switch to pictures from a special event or something like that. It is perfect for showing off all of those good pictures that may otherwise just go into a book.