Wine Cork Initials

My husband and I love drinking wine, and have been saving corks for quite some time now. They are about to overflow out of the jug I've been storing them in, so I think I'd like to try my hand at one of these wine cork initials -- aren't they so neat? I think it'd be fun to hang one over a bar, in the kitchen, or prop one up on a shelf over the bar.

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DIY Beach Totes

Every summer I look for a new beach bag to toss my towel, sunscreen and book in. This year, I’m thinking about making my own. These DIY tote bag ideas are perfect for a custom summer satchel, don’t you think?

Currently Loving... Ribbon Mobile

I spotted this gorgeous ribbon mobile on The Sweetest Occasion yesterday, and it's been stuck in my mind since then! I love the pale colors and romantic look. I think it would make a great decoration for a wedding or shower!

DIY J.Crew-inspired Shirt

Like most people, I simply adore just about everything that J.Crew designs. Most of the time, though, I find myself heading to the sale section when I'm shopping in the store. Recently, I stumbled across a blog called Welcome to the gOOd life. Are you wondering how this blog find relates to my love for J.Crew? Take a look at {this DIY project}, {this DIY project} and {this DIY project}. Now you get the picture! With the day off for President's Day, I'm going out on a hunt for a striped shirt and some sequins!

Fluffy Flower Necklace

This is the third and final necklace that I whipped up over the weekend -- isn't it pretty? I shouldn't say "whipped up", as this necklace took a bit more time than the other two {see here and here}. I was inspired by the tutorial on Little Miss Momma. She created an Anthropologie-esque necklace with some fabric, felt, chain and a hot glue gun. I had to try it out:

My version has only three fabric fluffs. I may or may not have run out of hot glue sticks (eep!) If you want to make your own pretty little fluffy necklace, be sure to check out this tutorial!

Pretty in Pearls

As I mentioned on Monday, I was feeling crafty over the weekend and whipped up a few pretty necklaces. This preppy piece was made by stringing some faux pearls on a thin chain. Once the pearls were on the chain, I attached a metal ring to each end. The same navy blue grosgrain ribbon that I used for {this necklace} was used again to tie onto each ring. For this necklace, I used two ribbon lengths. Now I have a preppy and fun necklace that cost less than $5 to make (and I have chain and pearls left over to make a few more!)

3 Minute, $3 Necklace

I've been wanting to add a few pretty necklaces to my jewelry box, but just can't justify the price tags on some of the fun pieces I see in shops. Feeling inspired and crafty, I put this simple chain and ribbon necklace together over the weekend. It took me under three minutes to make -- so, so simple! I already had the navy blue grosgrain ribbon, and the chain part of the necklace was purchased at the craft store for $2.99.

Want to make your own? Here's how:

1) Double the chain over in half.

2) Using a pair of needlenose pliers, open one of the rings that is on the loose end, and join it to the end ring on the other loose end. Close the opened ring with the pliers. Your chain should now be combined at both sides.

3) Feed the ribbon of your choice through an open ring on one side and tie it in a knot, leaving a small tail. Repeat on the other side.

4) Wear your new cute necklace and be proud that you made it all by yourself!

This week, I'll be posting two more necklaces that I put together over the weekend -- they each took a little longer than three minutes, but barely cost over $3! Check back to see them!

My DIY Clutch

I was feeling a bit crafty over the weekend, and took a trip to the fabric store. After browsing the cottons, I settled on a few pretty fabric quarters, and also picked up some interfacing and ribbon. When it comes to sewing with a needle and thread, I can stitch with the best of them, but my sewing machine skills are not so hot. After a few practice runs, a very tangled bobbin and one call to my mom, I came out with a pretty fabric clutch with a grosgrain ribbon tie. What do you think? I'm thinking of making some more -- It's just too cute!

Simple Wall Art Project

While browsing through old posts on House Tweaking, I came across this fantastic and simple wall art {tutorial here}. The author created these for her nieces. I'm thinking about making three of them for our bedroom, now -- without the bird and apple, of course. I love the look of the stripes with the letter mounted on top. Perhaps I'll make one J (for Jennifer), one R (for Ron) and one T (for our last name) and hang them in a row. Has anyone else made any simple wall art lately? If so, I'd love for you to share a link!

Yarn Flowers for Valentine's Day

Aren't these little yarn flowers just so darling? I typically stay away from any kind of cliche Valentine's Day decor -- you know, hearts and cupids and whatnot. That's why I think these little pink, plum and white pretties are perfect for giving the house a little Valentine's Day treatment without getting too mushy and lovey-dovey.

via Spearmint Decor

Pretty Pom-Poms

How fun are these poms? The look and texture is a nice contrast to the tissue paper poms that have been so popular over the last few months. Can you guess what these poms are made from?

That’s right – t-shirts! While these particular poms are made from solid colored t’s, I think it’d be neat to create one with a patterned t-shirt. If you’d like to see the tutorial, click over to the original post on Craftaholics Annonymous.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

You might remember the fun Cup of Cheer printable that I posted earlier this month. On an unexpected day off from work in the office (thanks to a power outage), I got crafty and printed off the Cup of Cheer cup sleeves. I decided to cut out some festive scrapbooking paper to fit around disposable to-go coffee cups, and then slid the printable on top. I tied the pretty cups up with white satin ribbon, but only after filling them with "cheer" (a.k.a. hot cocoa and peppermint taffy)! I loved handing out the Cups of Cheer to my co-workers last week. It was an inexpensive and fun craft -- try it out if you're looking for last minute gift ideas!

 

Holiday Card Display

Last week, I blogged about displaying holiday cards on The Finer Things (the blog I write professionally for FineStationery.com -- check it out!) I was so inspired by the post that I just had to create something fun to display the holiday cards my hubby and I have been receiving. At Michaels, I picked up some ribbon and a flat floral wreath. I had clothespins on hand at home, so I set to work making this little wreath:

Here's how I made it (excuse the grainy photos that I took with my phone):

Wrap ribbon around the wreath. I used a flat floral wreath, but you could use a Styrofoam or wire wreath as well. Once you've wrapped the ribbon all the way around, secure the end with hot glue.

Wrap a thinner ribbon around the top of each clothespin, securing it with hot glue.

Before gluing the clothespins to the wreath, lay them out around the circumference to be sure you have enough. Once the clothespins are all in place and glued down, loop a ribbon through the top and tie it off with a knot or bow. Now it's ready to hang and display cards!

DIY Fleece House Boots

I was so inspired by the tutorial that Black and White {Side by Side} posted for fleece boots -- I just had to make them myself! While visiting my parents for Thanksgiving, my Mom and I made a pair of house boots from the cutest black, white and red houndstooth fleece. I should really just say that my Mom made them, as she is much craftier with a sewing machine than I am... but I did cut out the fleece with the pattern pieces and watch carefully as she sewed everything together!

I am in love with the fleece boots -- they are so warm and cozy! If you're feeling crafty, check out the tutorial that Maggie posted on her blog and whip up a few pairs for Christmas gifts!

Featured on The Sisters 4 Say More is More!

I want to send out a huge thank you to the lovely ladies of The Sisters 4 Say More is More for featuring my coffee sweater (coffee cup cozy) on their blog! {Check it out here} This little coffee sweater is adorned with fabric flowers that I learned to make on the sisters’ blog! Aren’t they adorable? Thank you for the tutorial on making the Charlotte flower!

I’ve been busy knitting little cozies (a.k.a. coffee sweaters) for on-the-go coffee cups. They are the cutest and coziest way to drink your coffee on-the-go. Eco-friendly, too -- no more cardboard coffee sleeves! I saw a few on Etsy, and fell totally in love with them – I just had to start knitting them for myself & friends! One stitch led to another, and my friend Kristin talked me into working a craft show with her at the end of November. My fingers have been busy knitting these little coffee sweaters, and I can’t wait to showcase them at the craft fair!

Holiday Gift Wrapping Idea

As the weather gets cooler, I fall more in love with knit details. The look is just so cozy and comfortable. The other day, my sister-in-law gave me a little refresher on knitting (it had been a while since I picked up any yarn), and I’ve been creating little things left and right since then. A few friends at work received little cozies for their coffee cups, like the ones featured in {this post}. I’ve found myself searching the web for fun knit details, and when I came across this gorgeous gift wrapping idea, I fell head over heels. I can’t wait for the holiday gift giving to begin!

Ruffle Necklace

This ruffle necklace is so pretty and feminine! I think it would look great with a white tee and jeans. I spotted it over at Ruffles and Stuff, and the tutorial can be found {here}.

DIY Embellished Cardigan

Pretty cardigans are my favorite when it comes to fashion. My closet has a few plain button-down cardigans hanging in it, and I'd love to embellish them with ribbon, fabric, and fabric flowers. This tutorial from Sisters 4 Say More is More inspired me to turn my plain cardigans into chic cardigans. Have you embellished your own articles of clothing, or found any great DIY projects for fashion? I'd love to hear about them!

Candy Corns: From Dish to Door

Around this time of the year, I always end up buying a bag of candy corn. The candy gets placed in a bowl, where it sits all fall, with only a few super sugary pieces actually eaten. Poor candy corns... until now! Spotted on the cover of Women's Day magazine in the grocery store line, this candy corn wreath is something I'd like to make from said dish of ignored candy corns. Isn't it fun?

Pet Project

These oh-so-cute ID tags for pups and kitties look so simple to create. Martha Stewart created a template for several styles -- just type in your pet's name and your phone number, and print them on shrinky-dink sheets! I'd love to make some for my cute pup, Bean. I know she'd look so adorable wearing one on her collar.