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".

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.

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.

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!