Wrapping it up....

Here is a great use for all of that ripped up wrapping paper.

Go ahead and make a wreath for next year. I wish I had seen this before we put it all in the recycling bin!

Photo courtesy of Instructables.

Sweater Upcycle

So - did you get lots of sweaters for Christmas? If so Country Living has a great project for you. It's a great way to upcycle old sweaters into new tote bags. No matter what happens you win. You have new sweaters, more room in your closet, your helping the environment and you have a new accessory. Score!

Photo courtesy of Country Living Magazine

Happy Holidays

Hanukkah has begun and Christmas is almost here. Just wanted to send you all warm holiday greetings and I look forward to sharing more with you in the New Year!

Ornament Re-Do

A few months ago my favorite thrift store had their yearly tag sale. I scored a box of about 50 tree ornaments for $2. Most of the ornaments were just white silk covered balls but about 6 or 7 of them were vintage - tear drop shaped with silver glitter in the grooves. Not exactly my style. After about a week of thinking how I could use these in a new way I revamped them today.

I went to my local craft store and bought some Elmer's Glue - the old school kind and a 3 pack of Martha Stewart Glitter. I coated the ornaments in glue and then shook the glitter - 3 different shades of a purple pink - onto the ornaments. Since our tree is ornament less this year (toddler) I hung them from the white garland that frames my dining room window. This whole project cost about $5!

Yes - that is 300 inches of snow outside my house.

DIY Snowflake

Last week we went to visit the in-laws and my nephew proudly showed me a very cool 3D snowflake he made at school. I asked him to show me how to make it and I could not believe how easy it was. All you need is six sheets of paper, scissors and a stapler. You can make it out of any color you want - I went with red - but it can also be made from leftover wrapping paper, newspaper or scrap booking supplies.

I found the instructions online with images. Click here to learn how to do this inexpensive and fun craft.

Have a ball with some last minute decorating

Eddie Ross has done it again! On his site he has instructions on how to make this beautiful Christmas ball wreath with just a wire hanger and a glue gun. Great thing to think about for next year - you can stock up on decorations starting on 12/26!

Cheers!

DIY Score!

I would love to own a $425 JCrew jacket - I really would. What do I love even more? How about a DIY version of this amazing, timeless, gorgeous piece! Laura over at The Scoop posted DIY instructions of just that. Her sister made her own version of this great jacket for a lot less than the JCrew price. SCORE!

Check it out here! If you have any project ideas like this please send them over and share them with us!

2009 Baby!

I know Christmas is just a few days away but let's face it - if you have not finished your shopping by now there is nothing I can do to help you. I can however help you with New Years! 2009 is not that far off so - it's time to go over your list for the big night.

Little Black Dress

Shoes

Bracelet

Hat

Champagne Flutes

Enjoy!

Tree Time

So after much debate we have decided to go ahead and put up a tree. It is not a political statement as much as a toddler statement. The little one is looking to have a field day with removing ornaments and dismantling the tree - alas this house does not feel very cheery without one. I am hoping that she will just not be interested after a day or two and will return to her love of gathering socks and putting them in her toy box. Good Times.

Any thoughts on how to child proof a tree? Or perhaps tree proof a child?

Lego my Lego

My obsession this week: LEGO's!

That's right - those blocks we all had as kids where you could spend hours and hours building with a simple click.

The LEGO was invented in 1932 Ole Kirk Christiansen a master carpenter His firm manufactures stepladders, ironing boards - and wooden toys. In 1934 the company and its products now take on the name LEGO, which is formed from the Danish words "LEgGOdt" ("play well"). It was in 1947 that the LEGO company decided to buy a plastic injection-molding machine for making toys. In 1949 the company produces about 200 different plastic and wooden toys, including Automatic Binding Bricks, a forerunner of the LEGO bricks we know today. Today the worlds children are said to spend up to 5 billion hours a year playing with LEGO's.

LEGO has been making a big comeback as of late. From video games to accessories. Take a look at some of these creative uses for the classic toy.

Utensils @ Fred Flare

MP3 Player @ Homeloo

iPod speakers @ Fred Flare

Earrings @ SWANK

Lego Indiana Jones @ Toys R Us

Lego fun @ Lego Factory

Nighty Night...

Kate over at Design*Sponge posted this adorable DIY Night Light / Canvas Project / Art piece. I'm thinking something like this could be cute for my daughter's room. The possibility's are endless and it is quite easy to do!

Click here for the full instructions!

MMMM Minty...

So this year is for sure a DIY holiday season. Last year I made my first ever batch of Peppermint Bark. I had always wanted to try it but I am not going to lie to you - I am not too handy in the kitchen. Still - Martha's recipe seemed easy enough so I gave a batch a try.

DEE-Lish! It came out really good. I brought it to my in-laws for Christmas and my father-in-law sat there eating it all day. My mother-in-law even asked for the recipe this year!

This year I am making it for everyone - I have saved all kinds of jars to use as containers (we eat a lot of spaghetti in this house - remember not too handy in the kitchen). I will decorate them oh so festively and send the minty goodness on it's way....

Here is Martha's super easy recipe for those who are interested.....

SLACKER!

Wow! It has been almost a month since I last wrote anything here on my blog. I swore when I started this that I would not slack and here I am...slacking!

In my defense there was a major holiday in the last week and lots of company to entertain so cut me a little slack - thanks.

Well - I owe everyone some info on shopping or decorating for the holidays and I promise it is coming in the next day or two!

For now I am off to finish the last piece of apple pie.....

mmmmm pie.....