Happy Friday. Celebrate with Apple Cider Caramels.

Photo by Heather Baird

Yay for Friday!  Here is the perfect recipe to start your weekend off with a bang.  Follow this link to find out what the secret ingredient is in these delicious looking Apple Cider Caramels.  

DIY. Nautical Knot Bracelets

How many craft projects have you made this Summer?  Maybe you can squeeze in one last diy-er before the long, lazy days of Summer are over.  Here is an easy to follow nautical themed bracelet tutorial that you can be wearing in no time.  What are you waiting for?  Gather up your supplies and get started.  Instructions can be found on the Etsy blog.

Photo from Clare McGibbon

DIY. Inkodye Pouch.

I found another great tutorial on the Etsy blog this week.  Jessica from How About Orange shares her tutorial on how to make a Inkodye Pouch.  I took a screen printing class in college and loved the whole experience but like Jessica would like a less messy process.  Inkodye is a water based product that is activated by the sun and leaves a permeant image on any natural material.  You can find the complete list of supplies and instructions on the above link.

                 

{All photos by How About Orange}

Etsy Finds. mmmcrafts.

When I was a little girl I was fascinated with a doll shop in a neighboring town that sold a reversible 'Little Red Riding Hood' and 'Grandma' doll.  They shared a reversible skirt and when you flipped it over you would reveal the other doll.  This memory flashed across my mind when I saw these adorable 'Little Red' and 'Gramma Wolfie' doll patterns by Larissa Holland.  I love her shop mmmcrafts and enjoyed looking at all her wonderful patterns, especially her Wee Mouse Tin House and Travel Wees.

Little Red/Gramma

Gramma Wolfie Twofaced Doll

Wee Mouse Tin House

Travel Wees

DIY. Bicycle Tune Up.

Pull your bike out of storage and give it a quick Spring tune up.  This great how-to video helps you look for problem areas that will get your bicycle back into shape.


Tune Up Your Bicycle for Spring from Etsy on Vimeo.

DIY. Piñata Tutorial.

When I spotted this adorable car and camper piñata I knew I would have to break out the craft supplies and create one before the Summer is over.  What I love about this tutorial is the easy to follow instructions that Aracely, of Whack Piñatas, has provided.  You can find the rest of her great photos, the supply list and step-by-step assembly instructions on The Etsy Blog.

DIY. Recycled Denim Pillow

Looking for an easy way to recycle your old jean stash?  Look no further.  I found this DIY project on the Etsy blog that turns your blue jean collection into eco-friendly pillows for your home.  Jocelyn Harms, from Good Denim, shares her know-how in this easy to follow tutorial.  

(photos used from the Etsy blog)

DIY. Stitched Snowflake Ornament.

Each year I am on the look out to find that one special little ornament that grabs my attention.  It usually has to do with snowflakes or snowmen, since that is what I love to put on my tree.  Today on the Etsy 'How-Tuesday' post I was pleasantly surprised to find this sweet Stitched Snowflake Ornament and I can't wait to get started on making my own.  Jessica Marquez from Miniature Rhino has a kit all ready for you to purchase or you can use the materials on hand and use the template she provides in the directions.  

Saturday Link Love

Heading out for the day to do a little shopping with the family.  But first I wanted to remind you that Father's Day is coming up June 17th.  This link love is all about DIY projects with Dad in mind.  Have a great weekend!

A Tetrahedral Kite tutorial from Neverland Nook

A DIY vinyl wallet tutorial from How About Orange

Turn a vintage book into a photo album from Carly Kmyta

Or maybe a plate of Nutella cookies is what he needs...

Favorite Finds. Bird Nest Needle Felting Kit.

You can find this lovely DIY project, Robin's Nest Needle Felting Kit, at Fairyfinds on Etsy.

DIY Cardboard Chandelier

Here is a whimsical diy project I found on the Etsy blog today, by creative author Katye Terry.  It is a great way to recycle old cardboard boxes and very inexpensive to make.  For instructions and a complete supply list check out this post.

Saturday Link Love. Shamrocks.

I love St. Patrick's Day.  I love it because my eyes are green and I never have to worry about being pinched.  I love watching The Quiet Man and fixing corn beef and cabbage.  I love listening to Irish folk songs by Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem.  My favorite is Eileen Aroon.  I like keeping these old, corny tradition and saying I'm a 'wee bit Irish' because that is probably all I am.  I do know that the 'wee bit' is always wanting to make it self known on St. Patrick's Day...Erin go Bragh!

I've picked a few of my favorite finds from Etsy and a diy on how to make a felt shamrock pin.  Hope you enjoy your day and have a 'wee bit o' fun' with your family and friends. 

5280bliss

pfconfections

povphotoart

 

paper & ink

DIY. Upcycled Gift Wrap.

DIY. Pyramid Gift Box.

How-Tuesday: Holiday Pyramid Scheme from Etsy on Vimeo.

Saturday Link Love

Whimsical Key Chain Tutorial

I ran across this easy and fun tutorial on how to make fabric key chains out of left over fabric scraps.  I will definitely be helping my girls with this project this summer...wouldn't they make great Christmas gifts for all their friends!

Cupcake Bites Tutorial

Ree features the best recipes and tutorials over at The Pioneer Woman and this week she made up a batch of Bakerella's Cupcake Bites.  These are adorable and I want to be able to eat one off the screen right now!!!

My list is short this week because I'm anxious to get outside and enjoy this nice weather we've been having.  I think I will go pour a glass of sweet tea and sit on my porch and relax.  Hope you will do the same.  Have a great weekend!

DIY. Bird Mobile.

DIY Fabric Nesting Dolls

Look what I found on Etsy today.  A tutorial on how to make these adorable nesting hand puppets for your kids, grand kids or as a fun gift for the little ones in your life.  I loved how simple they were to make.  If you sew or craft at all I'm sure you will have these supplies on hand.  What a great thing to bring out on a long car ride or while shopping during the holiday season.  Follow the instructions on Handmade Kids How To  or stop by the creators blog to get more inspiration for projects to do with your kids.

Flower Pom Tutorial

I found this fun Flower Pom tutorial today and had to share it with you!  I have been admiring these on Etsy and have added them to my Wordless Wednesday posts a few times.  What a pretty and whimsical decorating project for the upcoming holidays!  Have fun crafting!

Do You Suffer From DIY Paralysis?

Pom Garland ... Rainbow Swirl - DIY Kit

While reading over some of my favorite blogs this week, I came across an article called 'DIY Paralysis:  3 Principles For Regaining Your Momentum'.  This title made me laugh because it spoke so clearly to the state of total frustration that I sometimes feel when I have too many ideas running around in my head.  Working on-line and in the Etsy community, I am constantly surrounded with creative minds at work.  Each day brings a myriad of fresh ideas as I stumble across projects I know I could make if I just had the right materials or the TIME.  Notebooks have been filled with wonderful schemes of creations I want to try.  There is no end to the possibilities.

As I was enjoying Tara's post I realized I had grown up in a very nurturing environment, perfect for a DIY student.  I've spent many an hour watching how-to T.V. shows and wondering around craft supply stores dreaming of what to create next--Martha's words always ringing in my ear...'it's a good thing'.  But with all this knowledge and potential craftiness came an overwhelming burden to make everything myself--throwing myself into this state of paralysis.  

MAKE-IT-YOURSELF CLUTCH PURSE KIT - As Seen on The Martha Stewart Show

I wanted to share Tara of Scoutie Girl's 3 principles for regaining momentum, once you've been paralyzed.

1. She suggests 'using inspiration sparingly'.  Be selective with the information you consume.  Don't be bombarded with the how-to networks, websites, tutorials, books and magazines that exist to fill our days with pretty pictures and list of materials.

2. 'Recognize appropriate scale'.  Choose projects you are most likely to finish.  My husband and I are have been trying finish home remodeling projects for three years now.  Some of the tasks have been daunting and we are now finally in the finishing stages of many of the projects--so I understand this principle well. 

3. 'Do-it-yourself doesn't mean doing it all!'  She points out that shopping on Etsy is a 'frustrated DIYers dream'.  Buy instead of make.  Now this is a good point when hearing the 'I could make this' voice inside my head.  And don't forget there are always DIY kits you can buy when you just can't resist the temptation to make it yourself. ; ) 

Curly Sheep Needle Felting Kit