Rainbows for St. Patty's Day!

St Patty's day for me has always seemed to fall through the cracks a little. Other than making green eggs or green mash potatoes, we haven't done much else to celebrate this day. I thought with all the many creative people out there on the world wide web there has to be something that I can really grab onto and run with. I found it...rainbows!!!

Here are a couple of fun and creative ways to decorate with rainbows for St. Patty's Day!

For more fun ideas and tutorials on how to make these crafts click here on pinterest.

BIBELOT change-up

I am in the process of changing the look of my blog. Why? No reason at all except that I am one of those people who often rearranges her Living Room furniture every 4 months or so. I just like a change from time to time.

I've posted some cute ideas for fabric carrots and Easter brunch utensil ideas...

fabric carrot images above and below via raspberry rainbow

fabric carrots, perfect for Easter via clair's craft room

cute idea for an Easter brunch via the seven year cottage

another Easter brunch utensil idea via family fun

diy felt carrots via i make stuff

a large mirror for a large wall....

A Friend/neighbor of mine has a very large empty wall and vaulted ceilings. She had the idea of placing a large mirror on the wall to break things up and add dimension and interest. I found a variety of examples of large mirrors used for this same reason. And although these might not be her exact style they will hopefully serve for some inspiration.

Below I have listed a number of blogs and websites on tutorials for how to frame out large mirrors. This way you can get the exact look you want, for less!
Framing an old mirror D.I.Y instructions:

sturdy, more time consuming DIY instructions here

simple DIY instructions here

intricate design DIY instructions here

a bathroom mirror DIY, but same concept here

mosaic type frame here

very embellished mirror here

my idea go to's....

As Winter sets in, so do my home projects. Below are links to sites I have recently found with amazing house DIY ideas. This post is going to be just as helpful for me as it is for you, as it will be my quick go-to for project ideas.

And, for those of you interested in these types of 'before & after' and 'DIY' sites just click on the picture or the link below to be taken to a wealth of ideas, inspirations and tutorials. Yipee!

p.s. please let me know if you have found any other blogs or sites that have helpful tutorials or DIY projects for the home.

the yellow cape cod

the house of smith's

centsational girl

blue chickadee

colorful front doors

We had a family build a home just about a block away from us a couple of months ago. Their house is grey and white with bright orange/coral colored double front doors. I love it. The inside of their home is just as bright and welcoming.

I love it! I painted my door a subtle green and thought I was being so unique. Ha! So I have found pictures of some door colors that are amazing...and I think this whole bright colored door thing is rubbing off on me. Playing with color is risky, but when done right it is amazing, when done wrong it's tacky. So I will try to mimic my new neighbors and do color the right way...imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?
I'm a green person and often find myself gravitating towards greens so it is no surprise I love all the green doors here. One of my faves is the bright lime/almost yellow green door in the second set of pictures below. I also love the deep purple. So regal.

Love all of these doors. I need to play with color more, that is my goal for this new year.

I love the yellow...hmmm.....any ideas on cool doors?

I'm back!

I have been very absent due to the following reasons:

-new calling, much more time consuming than I have had in a lonnnng time.

-kids started school, which I thought would buy me more time. Nope, b/c I have one in Kindergarten I am running around much more than intended.

-dance class, piano lessons and sports are in full swing.

-my 2 year old is making more messes...and can anyone explain to me why he chooses to play with q-tips, chips, and any other messy substance instead of playing with the plethora of toys he has? Is he trying to drive me crazy? Does he get up in the morning and ask himself, "what tiny tedious mess can I make that will ruin mom's morning?" ;)

-also, I update 2 websites weekly...thus this blog has been neglected for far too long.

But in my absence I have found some cool stuff and here are just a few of them, the first is brilliant for those of you with fine hair. It is a sock bun tutorial from Say Yes to Hoboken.

YUMMY recipe for Missippi Mud Brownies from Rozlynn's Homemade Goodness:

Love these diy paper lanterns: Very simple and do-able. Thanks Martha! For instructions go HERE.

Making lavender wands for my mom's booth The Lavender Apple at the SLC Farmer's Market. They are very time consuming but pretty. If you ever happen upon a bundle of fresh (cut that day) lavender here is a wonderful tutorial on how to make these wands from SEW HOMEGROWN.

diy: 4th of July shirts

These shirts were so easy to make! I think they turned out really cute. Instructions below.

1. print off an image (any image really) that you like from the internet, I got mine here. An easy way to do this is to type the desired shape into the google or bing search engine, click on images and pick one that you like the outline and size of. 2. cut out the image.

3. purchase fusible web and fuse the pattern to your choice of fabric, for more detailed instruction go to CURBLY. 4. cut out the shape and fuse it to your shirt. (I bought all the shirts you see in the pictures above for $2-$3 on sale at Wal-mart). 5. take your sewing machine and just sew around the edges to keep it in place.

Et voila, a one of a kind, homemade shirt created by you! ;)

4th of July decorations d.i.y.

Twig & Thistle is one of my favorite blogs ever. Click here for their templates of the straw and match embellishments shown above.

DIY 4th of July pin Wheels from another favorite blog, love the day. Click here for a tutorial.

I love the Abraham Lincoln popcorn! These images are from Indie Spotting and I love all these ideas. The only downfall is that you have to pay for these templates, but if I needed to I wouldn't mind helping a young business owner by purchasing one.

I love this banner, so shabby chic. This is from Alphamom.

Another favorite blog of mine is say yes to hoboken, you can find this tutorial there.

Silhouette Pillows, great homemade gift!

Goodness I've been busy lately, not with projects or anything really exciting...just with the joys of motherhood (you know, sweeping up what is left of my favorite glass plate off the floor, scrubing dried PB&J off of the table, chairs and cabinets. OR my favorite....wiping bums.) But I wouldn't trade it for anything, and giving them a big bear hug makes up for it all!

Anyhow, I really want to share this project I did in December as a gift to the grandmas for Christmas.

These are silhouette pillows of the kids I made as Christmas gifts last year.

1. I took profile pictures of each child. 2. I ordered 8x10 prints of each individual child from Costco. 3. I cut out the silhouette with a small crafting knife so all you have left is what you see below. 4. I taped the picture with the cut out silhouette to a thick piece of white fabric.

5. I took some fabric paint (bought at any craft store) and filled in the cut-out with black paint.

6. I let the paint dry for about 10 min. and then removed tape and let it dry overnight. I made 2 sets of silhouettes of each child.

7. I used pillows I already had on hand to cut down on cost, but with 6 pillows I had to buy some (they can be purchased at any fabric store). I recovered them so the silhouette is on one side and the fabric (which coordinated with the grands' Living Rooms) is on the other side.

And there you have it! A homemade gift that lasts year round!

PS if you can sew a straight line you can recover a pillow. Click HERE to see an easy tutorial on recovering already made/bought pillows at West Hampton DIY.