WASTEpaper baskets

I'm really liking these! I want one of newsprint, one of comics, one painted white, one painted...


Canadian Living magazine shows us how to make a basket from newspaper with cute results!

Felted Sweater Socks

Make boot-liner socks from sweater sleeves in under 15 mins !


By Tanna Peters Alaskan Crafter

There is a fantastic way to whip together wool socks without the hassle of learning to knit. You will need a wool sweater (perhaps an old one from your closet, or one purchased from the thrift store), scissors, thread and a needle. Not much!

Put the sweater in your washer on high heat followed by the dryer on high heat as well. This will both shrink the sweater (so if you have larger feet make sure to buy a big sweater!) and felt the sweater. This process agitates and binds the fibers of the sweater together to create a frayless fabric.
Lay the felted sweater out flat and cut the arms off at the shoulder. Turn the sleeves inside out then pull one sleeve on like a sock with the ribbed edge at your calf and the shoulder edge at your toes.

Pin or mark with chalk the end of your new sock at the toeline. Stitch the marked edge together and trim the excess.

When you are complete, flip the sweater arm inside out and you have a brand new cozy wool sock that won't fray.

Tuck these babies in your rubber boots and you'll have instantly warm winter boots. Dress up your sock by felting a design around the top and folding it over your winter wellies. If it's a bit itchy, line your wool socks with fleece for double warmth.

Necklaces, Headbands and Hair Clips... Oh My!!!

Even though it's windy and chilly outside, it's clear and sunny and easy to pretend it's spring out there when I look out the window. ...just the inspiration I need to sew up a pile of fabric flowers to add to some right nifty headbands, necklaces and hair clips I'm whipping up to add to my Etsy shop. I'm really loving these fresh colors...

Grandma Joy's Giveaway

Way cute item to win! Enter here!

Child's Art Display

Decorator Jan Eleni on Decor8 shows a delightful way to display your children's art work!

Jan says, "While I was working on children’s spaces – I wanted to time capsule their moment in art – and I started making these beautiful art frames – a way to archive your child’s art in a modern way. It is a labor of love – a time consuming process – the end result is a grid of hand cut miniature images – a gathering of your child’s artwork. It is amazing if you think of how we can influence the next generation of artists and creative types."

White Wednesday

Share your inner white!
Link up over at Faded Charm Cottage

Nothing like a pop of white to make your decorating look fresh!

Here's my white inspiration for this week...
1. collection :: white dishes, 2. White Daisy Blanket, 3. old vintage silver + IKEA, 4. Media / Display shelf, 5. House #05, 6. 1960s White Olympia Manual Typewriter w/ Case - Script Font, 7. white felt paper dolls (framed), 8. White Acetea Daffodils, 9. vintage kitchen scale, 10. vintage red & white enameled metal pots, 11. pure bed linen Bouquet, 12. White Picket Fence, 13. mantel., 14. Vintage Button Heart, 15. Linda I's deck, 16. Vintage Gathered White Oval pearl Trifari clip-on earrings

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Quick and Easy Headband

...and so cute!

above photo from Craft Gossip

Braided Headband Tutorial

Smile and Wave: braided headband tutorial

Weekend Inspiration

1. Hand embroidery, 2. so...i think i love you. [embroidery], 3. ...And 2 Milk, please.....(Feral / Stray kitten), 4. Layered fabric flower set, 5. Repurposed fabric felt flower heart ornament, 6. Houses cushion #04, 7. Twinkle pilow, 8. Violet wood-sorrel, 9. Granny Square - Chair Cushion... in progress, 10. Daffodil Delight EXPLORE #12 1/31/2010, 11. Look & Learn Jellyrolls, 12. Wonky Baby Log Cabin Quilt

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Blankity Blank Friday.

found this at Splindid Things

Yay! It's Friday!

Fill in the Blank Friday

over at the little things we do

Go link up!

1.If I could medal in an Olympic event it would be swimming. (no sweating involved).

2. If I was stranded on a deserted island I'd take Sweet Hubby, my young’uns, sunscreen (sooo fair-skinned!), a project or two to be working on, small stack of magazines, camera with lots of batteries/ flashcards and chapstick .

3. Snakes in a closed outdoor trashcan are my most irrational fear.

4. I'd rather clean the potties (which I HATE) everyday, than have to hear complaining everyday.

5. I am excited about re-learning to crochet.

6. I should really be hanging all the clothes in my bedroom that are thrown over the chair (weekend goal).

7. One of my favorite things in all the world is for one of my children saying “I Love You” without me saying it first.


Have a fun weekend!

Stache Man's Family

Sweet Hubby shaved off his moustache this fall for the first time in 30 years! NONE of us had ever seen him without it. We quickly grew to like it and agreed that it made him look younger. So... for our annual Christmas Eve photo shoot, I decided that we all needed to have a "stache" so that friends and family would recognize Daddy.

The first shots (except for the 6th one where Grandson says "They could look up" as a pose idea!) are the classic shots with and without flash. Then I bust out the moustaches-on-a-stick. We get a couple good shots... then, IT happens. Yet again. They get me soooo tickled that I have a minor accident in my pants. I know. The shouts of "Maaamaaa. Seriously?" begin. I can't talk for trying to hold everything. They start the sign language. I keep clicking away. ....just another photo session at the home.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

White Wednesday

Today while exploring blog-land, I landed upon this fun little inspirational "party". Every Wednesday, participants post decorating ideas using white (including silver, clear, cream and natural). This is such a pretty, calming, homey and vintage color to incorporate into your decorating. I am not a "use only the white family" kind of girl. I like to use it to, instead, make my other colors pop. Years ago when I was in school, I was taught to choose three main colors to use when docorating a room. Use the three colors in a pint, quart and gallon manner. In other words, choose one of the three colors to be your main color... the second color will be used less than the main and the third color is left to be your accent color. I used to be a pint of white for me, please! Now I find myself upping the dose to a quart or even more! However you use it, check out all the ideas each Wednesday at the Faded Charm Cottage, grab a sidebar button to spread the word and check out the many blogs that link up each Wednesday. Here's the collection of white that makes giddy. Won't you join us?



1. Restful spot, 2. P2220003, 3. Garden gate, 4. Pretty vintage towels, 5. Chest at Anthropologie, 6. Cupcake Apron!, 7. Anthropologie Diamon Gal Pewter and Crystal Knob, 8. supersize anthropologie wallpaper, 9. Anthropologie cabled knit ascot, 10. New Anthropologie Kitchen Linens, 11. number the tea cups, 12. Anthropologie, 13. Anthropologie, 14. Things I Should Have Bought, But Didn't (Anthropologie Edition), 15. Wall of white frames, 16. still life, 17. Little Riley on October 9th 2009, 18. Hot and Cold, 19. there is nothing stronger in the world than gentleness. ~ han suyin, 20. white birdie, 21. Shells, 22. 4, 23. Untitled, 24. white on white, 25. collection :: white dishes, 26. Rocking Chairs White Painted Wooden Texas Porch Dallas Heritage Village Living History Museum Old City Park Getty Images DSC_3953, 27. Cracked White Paint on Slats Background, 28. white painting, 29. waiting ..., 30. back to white VII, 31. White mantel, 32. White Oak Mantel, 33. Fabulously Vintage: white, 34. Fabulously Vintage: white April, 35. Dentelles anciennes vintage lace white blanc, 36. blooms in white

What do you want to be when you grow up?

(from Daisy Cottage: Morning Musings: )

"What a yummy question! When I was little, I soooo badly wanted to be a princess-ballarina-school teaching-stewardess-mommy. Yes, I'm serious. Today... I'm in my 50's and I am happily married to a sweet hubby who has always treated me like a princess. We have three (almost) grown fun and bee-you-tee-full children. I taught school for a bit... even receiving the 'Teacher of the Year' award. I LOVE to travel. anywhere. and I get to... with my family and on mission trips with my church. I am very blessed, indeed." As for the ballarina.... I always dance so very well anytime I picture it in my mind.

How about you?

renewed love for granny.

These are soooo pretty! I learned to make granny squares when I was in college. in the 70's. with the yucky avocado green, rust and mustard 70's colors. I never even connected my squares because I couldn't love the colors. (my deepest apologies to that decade). Today, I am so inspired to relearn this delightful crochet technique! These color combinations are just yummy! ...not to mention the oh-so-cute flowers that are now attached. I'm thinking I could set a square-a-day goal and add a blanket or throw to my loooong list of pretties to make. Don't you want to join me?

Here's instructions. Here's one that changes colors. ....and here's a video that has a sidebar with many more videos listed. Hope they help!

how much for this staircase?

Ready for some inspiration today? I sure am! I just found a blog showcasing the wonderful world of Will Taylor in London who works for the Anthropologie UK web team in addition to authoring his super-fantastic design blog called Bright.Bazaar. I first heard about Will today as his blog was suggested on Decor8 who is a fan of his work. The photos in this post are from his blog which already tells you one thing: Will knows good design. Make sure you give this guy some blog lovin’ and cruise on over to Bright.Bazaar when you have a chance to visit him.

yummmmmmmm...

loving all things pink and red this weekend! how about canned cinnamon rolls with a drop of red food coloring added to the icing? ...plus a few sprinkles, of course. heaven.

FleaMarketTrixie: Paris Pillow Giveaway

"Paris" Pillow Giveaway at Flea Market Trixie

The prize is a handmade linen pillow.
She added this gorgeous vintage Paris label that she found at the Graphics Fairy blog.
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on Trixie's original post. If you would like an additional chance to win, you can blog about her giveaway just by adding your blog link with your comment.
Giveaway ends on Friday, February 19th at 5 pm (eastern time).
She'll announce the winner Sunday, February 21st."

oooooooooooo!

cake bites by Bakerella

not candy. these are red velvet cake balls dipped in chocolate. and decorated.

here's her pics, recipe (yay! it's cake mix.) and directions... use diferent colored chocolate melts and/or sprinkles to decorate with a valentine theme.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper
1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package . (Only melt a few pieces of chocolate bark at a time because it starts to cool and thicken. It’s easier to work with when it’s hot.)
6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

all you need is love

Have you heard of the Starbucks Love Project? It's pretty cool and inspiring...I'm sure you've seen the adorable cups out right now...They make me smile.... and they're a part of Project Love, too!... You can create your own drawing of love on their website and for every one submitted, Starbucks will donate 5 cents to The Global Fund which helps fight AIDS.

so watch this cute video and then go create your love drawing!

On December 7th, 2009 at 1:30pm GMT Starbucks invited musicians from all over the world to sing together at the same time to raise awareness for AIDS in Africa. In that one breathtaking moment, musicians from 156 countries played "All You Need is Love" together. Watch now, as musicians from all around the world come together and shared a song.

Have a Heart

Have a Heart
Originally uploaded by mbb616

i heart this collage.

Photo Credits

1. For my Valentine, 2. sole, cuore, amore, 3. Be true to yourself and you'll never fall, 4. Hanging my heart out to dry, 5. Love of Apples. 172/365 [*Exp], 6. Happy Heart Day, 7. DSCN3128, 8. My Heart on the Line, 9. kartelucha, 10. Card =(a)muse(ing), 11. red button heart, 12. love all the time..., 13. the light of love, 14. 2/50 - Love project, 15. 2010_01_27_Candy Hearts_0002-1, 16. PAPER HEART, 17. 22/365, 18. 32/365 2.1.2010, 19. My Flickr Valentine, 20. Be my Valentine, 21. Love hearts, 22. L-O-V-E's just another word I never learned to pronounce., 23. 2-4/365..."Sprinkle with Love", 24. "You color my world"....., 25. Project 365 2010 - Day 40 - All Things Pink & Red, 26. Untitled, 27. It's Almost Valentine's Day, 28. love hits you when you least expect it., 29. Scrabble L-O-V-E {Explore}, 30. 194/365 "Where there is love there is life.", 31. Happy Valentine's Day!, 32. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥, 33. writing your own love story, 34. Peanut Butter Cup Heart, 35. Heart Hug, 36. I see hearts everywhere

Have a Heart Collage Instructions

Oh my gosh! I've discovered yet one more fun thing to do with photos! ...'cause I needed something else to sit and make, right? To create your own collage, go to flickr and search a word. Click a photo that you choose and save it to your favorites. (For this collage, I searched the word "heart".) I collected 36 images. Next go to http://www.bighugelabs.com/ and select mosaic maker. EASY! I get all tingly thinking about mosaics that I can print out with my own photos for scrapbook pages and other projects...

12 on the 12th

You have to check out Jill's post right here. On the twelfth of each month, she takes twelve photos. Then she uses the same layout design each month to tell the story of that day. I am SO loving this idea! And I want to play along! I missed January and I'm trying to figure out if it's "okay" to start with February. I mean, I know it is. I think I have pictures that I took in January that I can use for last month... If not, I'll either skip it or continue into January 2011 (can I do that?... It's MY album right?).