If you know me, you know I love to decorate with books ... and pages of books. This is a lovely, simple way to create something new from an old book (a chewed up kid's book perhaps?) and a wire hanger. Mark Montano's Paper Flower key holder.
If you know me, you know I love to decorate with books ... and pages of books. This is a lovely, simple way to create something new from an old book (a chewed up kid's book perhaps?) and a wire hanger. Mark Montano's Paper Flower key holder.
My good friend Lisa (of Poldapop Designs) recently found herself facing a NY's eve date with her hubby, minus the "great new dress" she'd planned to conjure for herself. Two little girls, the holidays, a small business to run .... and stomach flu (!) had all contributed to this fix. So what did she do? She refashioned a dress that had been collecting dust in her closet for years! Here's the before and after:
Awesome right? I've "reconstructed" a number of things in my closet over the years ... recently making a Target sweater a little more "Anthropologie" by removing an elasticized hem and adding a big button! You do NOT need to have mad sewing skills to pull this off. You really don't. So check out the great round up of projects (21 of them!) recently published at Crafting a Green World.
I LOVE this! Two old t-shirts, a little bleach, a little embroidery thread (or "floss" in US english) and voila!
Very eco-chic ... get the how-to from Joy Beadworks.
If you sew for children (or you shop for them using a tape measure vs. the sizes printed on the tags) you NEED these little measurement charts. And I do mean need ... 'cos they're beyond cute.
Might also be fun to print off a bunch and tape them into an album or scrap book year after year... a mobile "growth chart". Thanks to Oliver+S.
If you save all those paper grocery bags (you know, the ones you have to use because you left all your reusable bags in the car ... because it was raining and your kids were screaming?) ... use them to wrap gifts! Alisa Burke is beyond talented and I love her eye.
Pin It
Retro Mama rocks. If you're going to make your own ornaments, it doesn't get much cuter than this.
Pin It
One day we will have 24 seasonally-appropriate books to wrap up. For now, I wrapped what we've got and lots of little bits and pieces that would be stocking stuffers any other year! The hope is that Ms Ro (16 months) will understand present opening by Christmas day ... and will have figured out that her super cute "thank you" should be uttered post gift opening! I still have to find and wrap up another 6 goodies. Sheesh!
Last year I had a lot more time than money so I made most of my Christmas gifts ... it was exhausting but the response was gratifying. This year, I have very little time ... and keep seeing amazing DIY gift ideas like the one above! Use the cover of a hardback book to make a cable organizer.
Or to make an iPad cover! If you're willing and able to skip the stores and use your hands this holiday, check out this great DIY gift Design Sponge round up!
I started collecting orange tree ornaments a long long time ago ... so my tree is colorful! In a world that is shades of grey, black, brown and white, I like color. But if I had to try monochrome holiday decorating, I'd use felt and any other fabric that's warm ...
Make these lovely decorations yourself care of The Purl Bee. And here's a link to last year's felt garland.