Fairy Door

Here's a fairy door I made from a piece of tree bark. It's in a hollow of a big tree in the kids' back yard.

Traveling Fairy House

This tiny Traveling Fairy House is a matchbox! There are various versions of this but I like this one from Polka Dot Daze.

Paper Gift Topper

LOVE this idea. I actually found this a while back and could not remember where I saw it - then I lost it! So glad I found it again - might have guessed it was Martha's people.
Paper gift topper from the crafts dept. of Martha Stewart

Half Tire See Saw

Great use for an old tire. We just painted the kids' tire swing Mediterranean blue. Now the "black" doesn't rub off on our hands and clothes any more. When we get tired of the tire swing we can always cut it in half - like this one from Ripe Green Idea

Balloon Pocket Card

Very cool way to send your message. Balloon pocket card from Free Pretty Things For You.

Lamp Shade Idea

This particular lamp is from Marie Claire Idees, What I like about it is the simple shapes - could be anything - it's the idea of taking something plain and making it your own by adding something simple that makes it personal.

Driftwood Boats

Craftberry Bush is one of my most favorite blogs. Everyday she comes up with simple, great ideas. I live on the coast and there is a marina at the end of my block. I love boats and nautical things. I think these would be simple to make and they are so pretty. See how at Craftberry Bush.

Bird's Nest Pendant

I love birds, bird's nest and nature in general. I found this little pendant very appealing and, guess what!? I think I can make one of these. Great instructions at livelaughphotograph. You could also make this into a brooch.

DIY Floor Covering

Isn't this floor covering awesome? Fawnda made it herself using Masonite (is that the same thing as MDF? She also provided a detailed how-to. See it here at Fireflies & Jellybeans. 

DIY Map Lantern

Of course you could use any paper you want  - some ideas
- one solid color in different hues
- multiple solid colors
- scrap paper
- magazine pages
- but I like the idea of using circles cut from maps to make this pendant lamp. See more from Paisley Sprouts

DIY Flip Flops

More inspiration from The Mother Huddle.

I'm going to try this one right away! She calls these the "Knot So Hard Flip Flip Flops".

Patriotic Strawberries

The recipe is available at allrecipes.com but looks to me like you dip your strawberry in melted white 

chocolate, then into blue sugar. Yum!

Twirling Whilst Standing Still Skirt

What little girl can resist a twirling skirt?! My daughter had an elastic-waist twirling skirt that she wore for years. I'm talking 5 or 6 years. It started out hitting her knees, but several years later, it was a mini skirt. Get the full tutorial at The Mother Huddle.

Summer Cup Covers

Cute, practical, keeps bugs off and identifies which drink is whose.

I think we might try this with butterflies on top of those flower petals...

From Paper Source.

How to Make a Pillowcase

Someday Crafts has a great post on how to make a pillowcase. Boy, do I need some new pillowcases! I think I'll try this tutorial and see how I do. I've been using regular pillowcases on some king-size pillows and - it's just not workin'.

Leafy Table Runner - DIY

An easy way to change the look of an entire room is by changing your table runner. I like the summery colors of this one from Martha Stewart. Wouldn't this be also be lovely for a fall table done in russets, greens and burnt orange? Martha used linen and bias tape to make the runner. There's also instructions for matching napkins at the end of the table runner instructions.

3D Paper Lizard Gift Tag

Tag and card all in one! Isn't this 3D lizard cute? Download the pdf file and see full instructions via Skip to MyLou.

Paper Wreath

How pretty! Love this paper wreath found on Flickr.

DIY Tutu Table Skirt

This tulle "tutu" table is quite stunning and could be done in any color or combination of colors. Sweet Craft Cakes shows us how it's done.

Lovely Package Inspiration

via Nottiantiquata

Fabric Covered Flower Pots

Lovely... must try!

via The DIY Girl

A Fourth of July Giveway!

Isn't this pillow darling? Kathy's Cottage is giving it away. Just in time for July 4th but appropriate all year.

Enter here: Kathys Cottage: A Fourth of July Giveway!

Happy Birthday, Evan

My baby boy turned 22! Happy Birthday to the best boy ever!

 Package wrapped in tissue paper with black jewelry wire. I attached the green circles so they would "dangle" and drew the letters of his name on each circle. He loved it!

Birdhouse from Children's Book

Here's a birdhouse I made from foam core board and a children's Little Golden Book

I first saw the idea on Daily Danny. His version uses a ready-made wooden house but I didn't have one and, like a lot of us out there, I'm trying to use what I already have for crafting from my existing stash. So, I had some foam core and used that instead. Just simple shapes, glued and Mod Podged. Simple.

Vintage Stool Redo

This is my decoupaged stool. I used the comics pages from the Sunday newspaper to cover it.

My neighbors put the stool out for the trash and I snagged it. They haven't seen the "new" version yet. Sorry I don't have "before" pictures but it was basically a gray metal stool with lots of paint spatters and stains. Not worth the work it would have taken to "restore" it. But I loved the shape and size of it so....

So, I decoupaged it and then added several coats of acrylic because it will live in my kitchen and I need to be able to wipe it off. I added the little black feet to the legs so they wouldn't scratch the floor.

Here's what the back looks like. It was tricky getting the paper into all those crevices, but - if you get it wet enough the paper mold itself to the surfaces.

So - what do you think? Easy weekend project (have to allow for dry time between coats of decoupage and acrylic).

Make a Cardigan into a Pillow

Surely we all have an old cardigan that we love that's past its prime. Just can't part with it but it's not "wearable"?. Here's an idea that I love from Annalea Hart. Turn that cardigan into a pillow!

Pillowcase Bag

I have made pillowcase dresses (see here and here) but never a bag. This looks quick and easy and would be a great way to actually use up some pretty pillowcases - the ones you like but they don't match your bed, etc. This idea from Martha Stewart.

Japan

Dear Japan,
Ancient society of meticulous, artistic disciplined people,

My heart goes out to each of you for your devastating loss. I am confident you will recover quickly and with dignity, as you always do.
photo via

Rolled Book Pages Letters

Who knew one could do so much with books - besides read that is. Here, we see rolled pages made into initials. Pure genius - may have to try this one! See how it was done by Little Things Bring Smiles.

Awesome Wall Art

This wall art is stunning and high-impact. Take a look at how this amazing piece was created at The Cre8tive Outlet.

Tinfoil Furniture Redo

I couldn't believe this night stand redo when I saw it. I have some pretty gnarly pieces of furniture and I may just have to give this a shot.

Before

After

 

Done with tinfoil! Or - aluminum foil if you will. Cool, huh? Check out Vintage Revivals for the full story. Great job!

Spring Pomander

I can't wait for Spring. We've had temperatures here approaching the 80s but also lows in the 30s and 40s. Living on the coast has its unique weather issues, weather being one of them Within the same week it's been cold enough for gloves and warm enough for flip flops. Anyway, my bulbs are coming up in my tiny little urban patch (see my house here) and this pomander is very spring-like, so thanks Whipperberry for the tutorial.

Happy Birthday Card/Box

Who wouldn't want to receive this beautiful birthday greeting via Mark Montano? LOVE the butterflies!

Dimensional Vase

This project look so easy and has a most effective outcome.
Make this:

from this:

Some tissue paper and a little hot glue. Find out how over at Make the Best of Things.

The Long-Reach Gizmo Gadget - For Kids

What a cool project for the kids. The Long-Reach Gizmo. You can get the full tutorial at BKids.

MikoDesigns blog is one of my favorites. She is so creative and generous. Here is a tutorial for making a doll poncho. Enjoy!

So Sweet - Dolls in Cute Outfits

Aren't these outfits - not to mention the dolls themselves - precious!?! Found here.

Paper + Craft Book - Awesome!!!

I am so excited! I just received this book in the mail and can't wait to get started on the projects. I love working with paper and if any of these projects turns out half-way decent, I'll show you. Thank you to Mod Podge Rocks. Great blog, great ideas and very nice people there!

Winter Wreath

Paper Mache/Papier Mache Hooks

I am SO going to try this! From BKids

Paper Houses - Love!

From Hutch Studio

Unusual Gift Wrapping

Adelle shows us how she created this "Floral Tribute" gift-wrap. Check out some of her other great ideas while you're there.