Genius in the form of moss.

I'm desperately trying to find a place for this...

 

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 Can you just imagine the possibilities?
It's gorgeous.

In your blender, combine:

• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• A few handfuls of moss
• One teaspoon of sugar.

Blend until the mixture is smooth, and you’re ready to get painting!

You can use a brush to paint your moss onto concrete walls, rocks, or brick. Mist the moss once a day to help it thrive, and soon your green graffiti will take hold!

I'm also contemplating using the above recipe to create something like this little beauty for my bathroom.

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What an amazing way to bring the relaxing outdoors in.
It would make my "little things" list every. single. day.

The Cozy Holiday Wreath

Welcome to December!
It's officially here.

I'm working on decorating my house and finishing up as many Christmas preparations as I can, so I will be able to enjoy the Holidays instead of running around like crazy desperately trying to finish everything up at the last minute.

In the midst of my preparations, I designed a little something I wanted to share with you today that will be 'warming' up my home this year.

All it requires is a few cheap supplies, a little time, and beginner skills with a needle and thread.
(my sewing machine is broken at the moment, so all projects must be done sans machine)

What I used:

Thrift store wreath form $1.00
Thrift store over-sized red sweater .50 cents

a needle and thread

 My sweater had a ribbed band at the bottom that I cut off.
It measured 19 inches x 6.5 inches. I used this as my first layer.
I had a little extra that I trimmed off.
(the size fabric you need all depends on the size wreath you are making.)

 I laid the wreath form on top of the band of sweater material,

 then I folded one side over the other and used a quick (and rather large) whip-stitch to hold the edges together.
For help with a whip-stitch watch THIS video.

 I continued all the way around...

 And ended up with this.
I made this my first layer because I wanted the finished wreath to be a little thicker with the sweater material.

 I cut a strip of sweater slightly wider than the first strip to compensate for the fabric already sewn onto the wreath form.
Then, I wrapped it around and finished it off with a whip-stitch just as I did with the first ribbed layer.

If you are using a wreath form that is already thicker, than you won't need a second layer.

 Then I cut one more strip of ribbed sweater material
(from the collar of my over-sized sweater)
and in the same fashion as THIS tutorial, I made a big bow.

The only difference is that I hand-stitched the pieces together and didn't do a top stitch.
Then, I just hand-stitched the bow to the covered wreath.

There you have it.

A nice, new, cozy wreath to welcome all the cold Holiday nights to come.

 

Earmuffs Tutorial

It's not a secret that I have a lot of hair.
Don't get me wrong....I love my hair, but when you have a lot of hair, hats are out of the question.

I've tried lots of different options when it comes to winter head wear, but most don't fit well, or leave me with lots of smashed curls. After finding earmuffs at the donation center for $1.00, 

I decided to try earmuffs.

You want to make some for yourself?

So easy and inexpensive.

All you need is some scrap faux fur (mine was about $2.00)

and a set of earmuffs.

Tools you need:

sewing machine

thread
seam ripper

 Take apart the old earmuffs...

and use your seam-ripper to take off the old elastic,
but be careful because you are going to re-use the elastic

 When you are done put the old fabric circles down on your new fabric and mark it.

 Cut out your circles.

 Now you are ready to re-assemble.

 Pin your elastic to your new fabric and then stretch it out as much as you can. Hold in place and stitch about an inch.
Then stop, and stretch out the elastic again and repeat.
Continue this way until you are all the way around the circle.

  Reassemble your muffs with the new fabric.

 And you are done!

 $3.00 + 30 minutes = warm ears.
Or a cute, inexpensive gift!

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sew much ado
a to z
gingersnap crafts

craft o maniac

So creative

"Little Things" : Wellies

These pretty wellies have been on my mind lately.
You can see them HERE and buy them HERE.

I think I'll be purchasing some bright ribbon at the store soon to adorn my black and white Houndstooth wellies. 

It will give me an extra little something to smile about on those dreary wet days ahead.
What do you think?

New Tradition: The Thankful Tree

Last year, Miss Emily Rose, from Simply Vintagegirl blogged about what she called "The Thankful Tree".
I've been trying to conjure up a couple new traditions for my little family and when I stumbled upon this one...I knew it was for us!
So I put together my version... with a $1 glass jar from the thrift store, some leftover ribbon and curly twigs.

 I had these tiny little pumpkins for a while and always been in love with them, but haven't found a really great purpose for them until now.

 The only other thing we need is a bowl filled with empty tags waiting to be filled with thankfulness.

I have challenged my manly crew to write something they are grateful for everyday this month...I'm participating as well.

So far, I'm really enjoying reading their thoughts as we begin to fill up our tree.
And when it's time to take down our tree I will save all the filled tags in an envelope marked with the year so we can always remember the "little things" we shared with each other.

I love this grateful time of year, but I wish we could keep it alive all year long.

I'm sure if we were always in a state of looking for the positive "little things", or blessings (no matter how big or small) in our lives we would all find ourselves much happier and more willing to serve one another.

This "Thankful Tree" might just need to remain a permanent fixture in our home.

so cute: DIY Peter Pan Collar

Found this DIY that is right up my alley.

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So stinkin cute.
Find it HERE.