A Multi-tasking, DIY'ing Super Grandma

As usual, I’m so impressed with your DIY projects.  Sometimes I wonder if YOU all should be writing my blog.  I received this note in my inbox.  It made me smile. It made my day.  Notes like this get me every time.  
I just love your blog and it inspires me. I have done several posts of things I have done and I would like to share. Please take a look at my blog and see if there is anything you like. Thanks, Janis
Of course I clicked the link and

HOLY COW!  DIY heaven!
So, what did I do?  I did what any curious DIY’er would do.  I took a gander at her blog , went through the whole she-bang (back to the beginning of ’09 anyway) and I’m showing off a few of my favorite projects for “Grams”.  Click the links for more details. Oh – and her writing will make you “lol”.  I loved reading about her family and adorable grandchildren.
DSC05093
Before:



IMG_0892

Beautiful After:

DSC05052

Before:

DSCF2259-1

Amazing After:

DSC05020

DSC04901
How fun is this swing?  Brings back childhood memories although the one I rode was just a plain ole’ tire.

IMG_0679

And speaking of tires, check out these tire planters!  
IMG_0653
She’s also SEW talented!  

And I love her red and white kitchen:
DSCF2691
Spoon Bracelets!

2009-08-14 13.25.47

She makes these awesome gifts and more too!

DSCF1845

DSCF1557


Well?  What do you think?  Pretty amazing stuff, huh?
Thanks for sharing your creativity and stories, Janis!  🙂

Don’t forget to enter the Gorilla Glue Giveaway!
All you have to do is be a follower and comment!
If you love to DIY – I know you’ll LOVE this prize pack!
More details HERE as well as info on an upcoming DIY Club Inc. party!

Wall art or gift idea…

Kasaundra from Fishin’ with the Trouts created a beautiful easy DIY gift.  Here is her post:

I found a website that lets you design your own word clouds! You simply input the words you want to incorporate and input them as many times as you’d like that particular word large.  The downside is the site doesn’t have a way to save your art, but with a little help from the wonderful Brandon and Anna, I was able to have it printed up at Staples! The frame was one I already had on hand making the grand total of this baby shower gift $1.05!  I think it came out wonderful don’t you?!  If you’d like to try it go here.

Isn’t it awesome? Great personalized art and gift idea!  I actually have used wordle before and made t-shirts and stickers for my daughter’s band.  Lots of possibilities!  Thanks for sharing your creativity Kasaundra!
*~*~*
This post is brought to you by 
With decking fasteners, your new deck will have a durable blemish free surface designed to impress.

Present Decor

Are you finished shopping for gifts? I’m not even close. My favorite part is wrapping them! I love giving gifts and making them pretty. Jennifer from A Hoot and Holler has a tutorial for the cutest felt flower clips which would be perfect for decorating a gift too. Here is her post:

Hand Made Stocking Stuffer-Flower Clip Tutorial


Img_3900_2

This project is so simple. It’s a great way to stuff a stocking or embellish a gift wrapped for a little girl. Honestly, I have had several big girls ask for them too! I have not made a tutorial on my blog yet but I decided to give it a go. I know that there are lot’s of people getting ready for Holiday gifts. These will take about five minutes and cost you about 35 cents.

This entire tutorial was created with my sick nine month old in the front carrier. Half the time she was sleeping. The other half of the time she was pulling my hair or trying to grab the camera. Aside from the craziness, I think I was able to give an explanation as to how I make them.

First of all, to get started you will need:

-Some nice wool felt (Any felt will do but 100% wool felt looks the nicest)

-Matching embroidery thread and a needle

-Something for the flowers “center”. I used a felted wool ball this time but I have used rhinestone, beads, etc.

-one metal hair clip

-A glue gun

-Small scissors

IMG_1291
First you will need to cut two squares out of your felt a little bigger than your metal clip.

IMG_1298
Next you will need to cut a tiny hole in the center of the top of one of your squares. I do this by pinching the felt and then snipping a TINY hole into the top.
IMG_1296

Look! No hands!

IMG_1295

Slip the back of your clip through the hole you just created.

IMG_1301

Next your will want to put the other piece of felt on top sandwiching your clip in the middle.

You will take a long piece of embroidery thread (I usually just use two strands of it) and make a knot at one end.

Next, you will want to sew the two layers of felt together making your way around the clip as close to the edge as possible. I like to make my first stitch starting in between the two layers so the knot will not show.

IMG_1305

After you are finished sewing around the clip tie a small knot in the back and clip your thread. Then you will want to trim all the extra felt as close to the stitches as you can WITHOUT clipping your thread.

IMG_1307

Now for the flower pedals! This is the shape I chose for the tutorial. They are about a half of an inch.

IMG_1315

You will need five pedals for each flower. The next step is to sew them together with a long piece of embroidery thread with a knot at the end of it. Start at the v in the flower pedal. Pull each one down to the knot.

IMG_1319

This is what you will have when your finished with the flower.IMG_1320

Next you take the thread around to the back and sew the first and the last pedal together and tie a knot.

IMG_1328

Now just glue the felt ball or whatever you chose for your center on and then pop it on the clip and your set.

Enjoy!