A look back

Hi and welcome to my new followers. Here's a look back at some of my older projects you may have missed here on my blog. These were completed and posted in September of last year and 2010.

Rosette necklace (I'm still wearing this and getting lots of compliments)

 

Button headband (I don't wear this- maybe I should list it in the shop)

 

 

Fiber wrapped bangle

 

 

Halloween hand sanitizer

 

And from September 2010...

 

Rosette headband

 

 

Fall felt brooch

 

 

Fall wreath

 

Looks like I really enjoy making my own accessories! Thanks for taking a look back with me.

 

Sharing here:

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Make it Great Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Trendy Tuesday* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven

 

Dollar tree skeleton wreath

 

I was inspired by tried and true to make a skeleton wreath. We usually put out a store bought door decoration for Halloween, but I really wanted a handmade wreath. I actually bought the skeletons last year and never got around to making the wreath, so I got an early start this year and got this done! You can buy the same skeletons at the Dollar Tree this year.

 

You'll need a wreath form and about five or more of the skeletons, depending on how big your wreath is. I think I had a 12 inch form. It was green so I also wrapped it with some black crepe paper I had on had, just so green wouldn't show through if I didn't get good coverage with the paint.

 

Disassemble all skeletons into parts and glue your parts to the form. Here's mine before paint:

 

 

You could stop there if you are happy,  but I really dislike the yellowish color of the Dollar Tree skeletons, so I blasted mine with Krylon metallic silver. I think these wreaths would be awesome done in other colors- black, purple, green, and with glitter.

After painting it with spray paint, I mixed some Americana glazing medium with black acrylic paint and brushed it over parts and then wiped it off, just to knock down the brightness of the silver and to bring out some of the parts.

 

And there you have it- a pretty easy and inexpensive Halloween wreath.

I'll be sharing here:

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Make it Great Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Trendy Tuesday* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays *UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven

Once upon a midnight dreary

Ravens and crows somehow add an eerie touch to Halloween. Is it that they are black? Is it because of the famous Edgar Allen Poe tale? I'm not sure but I do know one thing, I'm going to increase the amount of crows and birds in my decor this year. Here are five great ideas for using birds in your Halloween decor.

Note the crows in the brances in this buffet decor by Under the Table and Dreaming

I think the huge crow just makes this centerpiece by Alderberry Hill

 

 

Crow's nest chandelier by lyssa-beth

 

 

 

Bird and lantern by clean and scentsible

 

 

Multiple crows at Madigan Made

Miracle cleaner- How to clean your flat iron and more

Today's Fabulous Friday Find is a miracle cleaner, dubbed so by One Good Thing by Jillee.

While this particular post is about cleaning your flat iron, she has used this paste of peroxide and baking soda to clean much more, including kitchen pans and appliances and the bathroom.

Last week, I shared a find on how the same items will brighten your discolored toenails. Maybe peroxide and baking soda really is a miracle cleaner. I need to go stock up!

Boo googly eye Halloween frame

Monday's post featured "googly eye" projects. I'm quite taken with the picture frame I featured and decided to make my own.

I got an unfinished wood frame by Plaid from Wal-mart. I had some eyes from the Dollar Tree left over from another project and some assorted sizes from Michaels. I first painted my frame black. (I only painted the outside of the stand and backing, the photo will  hide the inside.) I then randomly placed eyes until I had covered the frame. I used good ole Elmer's glue to glue them on because I didn't feel like burning myself with hot glue.

I decided I needed to add a little something so I pulled some chipboard pieces from my scrapbooking stash. I found some letters to spell boo, painted them green, and filled in the "o"s with eyes.

I can't wait to get a picture in the frame and work this into my Halloween decor.

Sharing here:

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Make it Great Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Trendy Tuesday* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven

Somebody's watching you

or at least it may seem that way with all these googly eye and eyeball crafts around for Halloween. Here are six crafts you can make with googly eyes or eyeballs.

 

Monster cups by Collecting the Moments

 

 

Party favor bags by Make it Easy Crafts

 

Googly eye frame by A Diamond in the Stuff

 

 

Bangles by Martha Stewart

 

 Wreath by A Pretty Life in the Suburbs

 

Mummies by BHG

 

Whiten your toenails

(photo source)

 

 

 

Ever have stained or yellow toenails after wearing polish for a while or wearing dark polish? I'll admit that I do after constant wear of polish all spring and summer.

This pin was a fabulous find. The article says to try whitening toothpaste but I followed the directions for the baking soda/ peroxide paste in the pin and it worked.  Go brighten those toes and have a fabulous weekend.

Homemade granola bars

I'm always trying out new recipes, ideas, and projects. (For those of you who are new here, that's why today is Tried It Out Thursday) Lately, I've been spending lots of time on Pinterest (anyone else, shyly raise your hand) and I've been trying out some of the ideas and recipes I find there. What's the point of pinning them, if you are not going to use them?

So this week I'm sharing some homemade granola bars that I found through Pinterest at two peas and their pod.

These are my favorite treat so far! I've tried another granola bar, a couple of granola bites, and a couple of healthy cookie recipes, but these are my favorite.

Here's the recipe:

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Yield: 8-10 bars

 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
3/4 cup chopped pretzels
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Cut out an 8 x 8 inch square of parchment paper. Place the parchment paper in the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking pan.
2. In a large sauce pan, add butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling, cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Stir in the oats, crispy cereal, and pretzels. Stir until well coated. Pour into the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly into the pan. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top and gently press into the granola bars with your hands.
4. Place the bars in the refrigerator and let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cut into bars and serve. 

Adapted from Rachael Ray

I have substituted sugar in the raw for the brown sugar and I'm going to try them next with coconut oil substituted for the butter.  As is, they are still healthier than a packaged, processed bar!

I'll be sharing here:

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Make it Great Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Trendy Tuesday* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven

Five Witch crafts

Is it too early for you to think about Halloween? Not for us! I'll be sharing some DIY decorating ideas the next few weeks to get you prepped and prepared for Halloween. I know I have to start early or things don't get done.

For today's Must Do Monday we are looking at witch crafts. No not witch craft- CRAFTS! DIY ideas that celebrate one of Halloween's greatest icons- the wicked witch.

 

Broom parking sign by Diary of a Crafty Lady

 

 

Faux iron cauldron by Let it Shine

 

Door mat

 

 

Witch foot cauldron

 

 

Pool noodle legs in cauldron

 

 

 

Pinned it and made it- easy birthday card

I pinned this card because I loved it's simplicity.

source

 

A couple of weeks ago I needed to make a quick birthday card for my brother.  I immediatelty thought of this one. And it was QUICK! Probably the quickest card I've ever made.

 

 

 I punched some stars out of scrap paper. I cut a 4.25 inch x 5.5 inch upright card from kraft cardstock. I changed it up a little by using a slightly different stamp and moving a star to the side. I also added brads to the center of my stars. I made it "my own" creation but you can definitely still tell where the inspiration came from.

 

What have you "pinned" and made lately?

 

Sharing here:

 

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop*Creative Bloggers Party and Hop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday*Make it Great Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays* Trendy Tuesday* Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Tea Rose Home*Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims*Wow Me Wednesday* Show and Share* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Thrifty Thursday*Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree*Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven