This is my humble collection of attempting to live a life full of lovely things. A blog highlighting crafty projects, inspiration, and all things delicate & detailed. To learn more click here.
February 15, 2012 
I have no idea what possessed me to make these tiny monkey fist knots. In life, one thing leads to another and eventually you always end up with a bunch of knots, right?
You may recognize them from a popular Design*Sponge feature a while back. Someday they'll sneak their way into a future project of mine—because they are just too cute!
February 8, 2012 
Anything can be salvaged with a little garlic + herb goat cheese. This is not a total failure.
Yesterday I attempted white grape jam. It came out as syrup—a predictable rookie mistake. I still might re-attempt to set it this weekend, but till then I'm enjoying on toast with herbed goat cheese (an idea I thought of after seeing Kara's Pin).
Since I documented my experience I still want to share. These grapes were a steal at the farmers market and a good excuse to give canning a whirl. Sidenote: Does anyone else shop at their market to get home and find a sticker from Brazil? URGH. Anywho, I followed this recipe by The 350 Degree Kitchen. The only thing I should have done is doubled the pectin (what makes jelly into jelly). Next time, I'll merge the recipe with what the box of pectin recommends to add for the amount of fruit I'm using.
Washing.
Cooking.
Pouring.
How did that take four hours?! Ah, well. Add another notch to the life of a domestic housewife checklist.
I still argue this was not a failure, and if I can do it anyone can do it.
January 25, 2012 
It's the pretty little things that get me. So I made a mini ruffled valentine.
Supplies // 1. Safety pin back, 2. Circle punch (1" shown), 3. Dull pencil, 4. Paper of your choice, chipboard or heavey cardstock
Tools // Scissors, Hot glue gun
Step 1: Punch out plenty of paper circles.
Step 2: Draw and cut out a heart from the chipboard.
Step 3: Using a dull pencil, scrunch the paper circles around the tip of the pencil.
Step 4: Once you have all the circles crinkled, start gluing to the chipboard heart. Start with the outside edge and go around the whole outside.
Step 5: Once you've bordered the heart, continue to fill in the center with glue and paper circles until the whole heart is covered in ruffles.
Step 6: Glue the pin back onto the reverse side of the chipboard heart.
Finish it up with a bit of flattering packaging and now you have a sweet accessory that will surely make someone smitten.
January 18, 2012 Happy Wednesday (evening)...today was a small whirlwind it feels.
Now there are plenty of these on Pinterest, so I'm not claiming to be original (idea originated from Ms. Martha I do believe). But when I saw this at Anthropologie for a whopping $40-ish—I saw a challenge. And nothing on the web had a good source list, so today I give you one.
TIPS // Use wide mouth mason jars. A must because after glueing the pin cushion the lids don't fit well. Also, I bought these pin containers which don't fit. I followed the steps in the tutorial by Momstastic for the pin cushion lid. Use glue sparingly. Use glue sparingly. The last tip is to make multiple kits, because you'll have surplus supplies. I made 6 kits and used them as Christmas gifts for my crafty friends.
Now I have pretty shelf candy that is quasi functional. Actually, I even used some items for last weekend's craft. See! Great to grab for quick use.
::: Sewing Kit Total $13.99 (+ tax) :::
SOURCE & PRICE LIST //
Mason Jars $1.57 ($10 for $9.44, Walmart)
Embroidery Scissors $3.99 (Fabric Store)
White Tape Measure $1.47 (Walmart)
Wood Spools $.66 (6 for $1.99, Hobby Lobby)
Thimbles $1.33 (10 for $7.99, Amazon)
Safety Pins $.50 (Pack for $2.99, Hobby Lobby)
Stick Pins $.83 (Pack for $4.99, Hobby Lobby)
Pin Containers $1.65 (Walgreens)
Sewing Needles $.23 (Pack for $1.37, Walmart)
Felt $.04 (1 sheet for $.25, Hobby Lobby)
Sewing Thread $.72 (2 for $4.29, Walmart)
Buttons $1.00 (Various)
Pin Cushion Top (had on hand)
January 16, 2012 FINALLY I'm back to posting (so sorry for stalling). I hope you enjoy the DIY jewelry I threw together this weekend!
Supplies // Felt colors of your choice, fish hook earrings, and small metal loops.
Tools // Needle & thread, scissors, needle nose pliers, and paper for pattern (optional).
First, cut out the shapes you want from paper to use as a pattern before cutting the felt.
Next, cut out the felt in different colors and sizes.
Here we have the most complicated step, tying the metal loop to the layered felt.
Lastly you attach the fish hooks to the metal loops. Super simple! Now I have a few accessories to dress up a casual outfit. Please let me know if you have any questions and be sure to let me know if you make a pair of your own!
November 21, 2011 
There are only a bazillion bunting styles out there—in all ranges of money and time investment. Today I bring you one that is super great because it is super cheap. By super I mean in the ballpark of $.25 PER YARD. In other words about $.08 PER FOOT. Do I sense jaws dropping? Well, they should be.
So here's what you do. Download this pattern I created. Then do the math of how much bunting you'd like to end up with. For every 4.5" of fabric you buy, you'll get around 11' of bunting (assuming the bolt is 36" wide, you'll get 30 - 2.25" wide triangles). To keep it simple I'd recomend buying in 4.5" increments. If you choose 3 colors that is 33' of bunting!
Now you decide what fabric you want. {Psst, did you know you can buy felt by the yard?} That's what I did because it's a lot cheaper than buying felt squares. Felt also doesn't have scraggly edges.
Anywho. Once you have your strips of 36"x4.5" fabric, you gotta cut out the diagonals using the pattern above. Then it's time to connect the triangles.
I snipped sewing thread about 1" and then hot glued each end to a triangle (pictured above). This may not be the most time efficient method, but I didn't mind gluing all this bunting while watching tv. Perhaps sewing would be faster? Someone should try it and let me know how it goes.
So there you have it! Not too shabby at $.08 per foot!
August 24, 2011 
How darling are these toadstool terrariums?! This diy pencil tutorial from Scissors.Paper.Wok is about as adorable as it comes. And even better, my crafting-renegade-partner just shows up with all the supplies and tells me this is what we are making. Well OK! Make the little terrariums with small candle votives, coffee beans, paper grass—add a small tag and now you have plenty of pick-me-ups to deliver. Super easy and super adorable.
Hope you are having a fantastic week!
May 25, 2011 A fun little project to share with you today!
Remember when this amazing calendar journal that was posted on Design*Sponge? Well I've always loved the idea, and recently needed a bridal shower gift.
Because I wanted to cater it slightly to the couple, I chose to make the index cards resemble library checkout cards and replaced the vintage postcard for book cover postcards (from Anthropologie). The couple loves reading, so this was perfect! Another kicker—the bridal shower was hosted/attended by our book club group!
What do you think? Do you like the small change?
May 4, 2011 This may borderline on polygamy, but from this day forward my husband will have to share my affection with a new resident.
This is the first piece of furniture that I've had such affinity for. Well—the first furniture that I've actually owned. The coffee table was custom built by a craftsman using reclaimed barnwood, and in my opinion is shabby chic perfection. I like to sit and admire it. A lot.
The above image is the underside of the coffee table drawer (to hide those ugly remotes) that showcases a photograph of the barn where some of the repurposed wood came from. Even most of the nails/skrews are recycled. I found the craftsman through some friends that had custom furniture made. More images of his work can be found on the site Burning Barn Furniture. Isn't new furniture the best?!
Hope you are having an uplifting day today!
December 22, 2010 Time to spread Christmas cheer through snail mail.
Perhaps I got a little carried away, considering that I started working on them mid November. The wooden card is by Night Owl Paper Goods. I saw their calendar designs and fell head over heels. My favorite is that people have something to keep all year. I also wanted to write a short letter because growing up I loved reading all the letters that came during the Christmas season (and finding a fun way to send it was a must).
I hope this Wednesday finds you enjoying all the festivities. Christmas Eve is only two short days away!
