crochet amanitas!

With fall in full swing and winter around the corner (ack!) I've caught a wicked crochet bug and even though I am attempting to prep up for my next craft show (eep! less than 3 weeks away!), I really want to get my hook out and make up some cute things - like these (link):

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Oh man - add a little wide eyed smile on these and I'm sold.  Maybe I will get ahead on my crafty prep and me able to whip up some happy little amigurimi pals to sell at my booth too! What a thought! Have you ever knit/crochet for profit? Is it ever actually worth it (other than fun of course)?

Morse Code Bracelets

I feel like summer is prime bracelet season as our sleeves are slowly disappearing and my cardigans move from full length sleeves to three-quarter length! (I know, I'm wild like that).  Well these tiny morse code seed bead bracelets from Honestly WTF (link) are just perfect:

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Aren't they fun? I love how she has them all stacked and all the fun colour options you have! Plus (most importantly) I have all the supplies at home already! Woo! Ok...so my seed beads aren't quite as fancy (they're not little cylinders, they're little balls) - but sure to do the trick regardless. Plus the whole line-dash-line morse code element is extra cute and sneaky. How many people are actually going to know what your wrists are saying? Looks like the perfect simple ladies craft night project! Anyone in with me?

Chickie Gardland

With Easter just around the corner - I am convinced to make one of these awesome chickie garlands from Miss Vicky Viola (link)! It is was too cute to resist:

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Eee!  Those little fluff ball chicks are so adorable and although I do find the image of the needle going through one of them a little disturbing, this DIY is right up my alley! I mean pom poms and cute animals? I'm sold. I even bought a bunch of those little chicks from the craft store and although they are currently hanging out all over my house (I got a little excited with my decorating), I feel I have the skills to pull this one off. We will see how it goes. Do you ever decorate for holidays? What do you do for Easter?

DIY Postage Pins

Geeky childhood confession - I collected postage stamps.  I actually feel like it was instigated by my mom who got my sister and I "Canada Post Stamp collecting kits" which I remember as being free in the early 90's (which I could be wrong about - but that was 20 years ago...).  As I got older I stopped thinking stamp collecting was super awesome but my mom continued on the collecting for years.  I still make a note of checking out the stamps on any mail I receive and I always like checking out the new stamp collections at the post office when I'm there.  It's such a neat art form and with this rad tutorial from Miss Vicky Voila (link) - you can turn that post marked postage into pins! Check it out:

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Oh do I ever love this idea! I'm also on quite the Sculpey accessory making binge so this fits in perfectly! Now all I need to do is find some cool stamps worth pinning to my cardigan and I will be set! How about you? Do you go on craft binges? Did you collect anything embarrassing as a kid?

wooden washi

I'm always looking for fun inventive ways to use my new favourite crafty supply (washi tape!) and these washi wooden pendants fit that bill just perfectly! Check it out:

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Yep - all you need to do is get something to cover, rip and snip and design with your wonderful versatile tape, and *bam!* an amazing new one of a kind necklace to enjoy and wear! Not into the circle shape and ripped look? Not to worry - you can modify to meet your aesthetic needs! Heck - Ellie from  Love Ellie Belle (link) made her own neat chevron wooden washi pendant using scrabble tiles (link)! Sweet! This project is going straight on the "to craft" list for me - right after I work on healing and wedding prep (whew!)! What do you think? What kind of washi necklace would you go for? 

Sneaky Storage

As a kid I was always intrigued by those secret hiding place books. You know the ones with all the pages glued together with the hole cut out so you can hide your precious items inside and it just looks like a book from the outside? Well - those are great and all but I am still not impressed with the idea of painstakingly glueing all those pages together for a teeny tiny little secret compartment. I am however, extra excited about this larger (and substantially easier) book hiding spot tutorial from Sewing Barefoot (link):

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Oh how pleasant! I may be extra drawn to this one based on the neutral colours and photography...but it seems like a much better take on the project! Now I just need to find myself some old books to masacre and we're set! Any thoughts? Do you have secret hiding spots in your home? 

Chevron Tote!

I've never thought of sewing my own chevron pattern but this tote from Fabric Paper Glue (link) certainly makes me want to try! Just look at that gorgeous colour (and texture) combination:

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Oh how darling! I sort of feel that lining up all those strips might be a bit on the challenging side, but it sure is worth it! Just imagine this as a clutch! OoOo! Or a fold over clutch! Ah! I'm swooning! What are your thoughts? What would you want to chevron-up? 

Hip Hippo Monday

I'm not the biggest fan of Mondays, but since I was lucky enough to land today off I thought I'd share my extra Monday delight with a wonderful gold hippo necklace tutorial from Lovely Indeed (link):

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Why yes he is rather charming and (as I'm sure you could figure out) is just a spray painted plastic hippo with an eye hook and chain attached! Hooray! Happy hippos for everyone! What gold (or silver) plastic animal would you like to wear around your neck today? 

handmade buttons

Do you ever come across a project and think, "wow - why didn't I think of that ages ago?" Well these super simple and adorable polymer clay buttons certainly fall into that category with me (as most polymer clay projects seem to do...). Check it out (link):

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Oh that heart one is just calling to me! I also loved how Agus Yornet tells you to put your cookie cutter through some corn starch first so the clay doesn't stick! Brilliant! I am positively swooning over this project and can't wait to make myself a few buttons of my own. Then to figure out what to put them on...hmm...potentially a more difficult task... What do you think? Have you ever made your own painted polymer clay buttons? 

DIY Party Animals!

I have always been a sucker for little plastic animals. They're such an easy way to add some much needed fun and whimsy to your home and if you've got rad dollarstores like Dollarama they're even inexpensive! Well, when I stumbled across these extra exciting party hard adorn pals over at Makezine (link) I just had to share them! They're ready to party on!:

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Aren't they wonderfully cheerful? I love the idea of using them as party decorations and think they would be just splendid hanging out on a cake! Now since most of the plastic animal projects I share on here involve plastic dinos (link and link), I must stick to my dino loving ways and say how extra awesome they'd be as prehistory themed party animals instead! Could you imagine? I think I need to work these into my wedding celebration decorating somehow! Oh the possibilities! I could even glitter some up and add little mint, cream white, and gold colour schemed details to them to go with my wedding colours! Oh my! I'm excited. How about you? 

Advent-ures in Paper!

 I have always been a huge fan of the advent calendar. Nothing like a chocolate filled countdown to the big day to perk up the holidays! This year I bought mine extra early and snagged a sbux one when they came out in November but once December starts up I always wish I had made one. I am especially in love with this neat printable advent village from Mr. Printables (link):

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Isn't it fun? Well apparently it was so tempting that my wonderfully paper crafty pal Lindsay whipped one up for her own handmade piano decorating:

Perhaps the quick cell phone picture isn't the best to show it off but I LOVE it! I think next year I will definitely make one for Fraser and I and fill them with candies and little neat festive plans for each day! What a plan! Do you celebrate the season with advent calendars? 

quite possibly the BEST xmas wrapping topper EVER!

You may think that blog post title was a tad exaggerated...but wait until you see this spectacular festive yarn gift topper from One Sheepish Girl (link):

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*Gasp!* Did it just take your breath away with its amazing awesomeness? No? Well...perhaps you aren't as easily excited about these things as I am but I am in love. What a sweet way to combine some of my favourite wintery activities - gift wrapping, crafting, crocheting, and POM POMS! Eeee! You could even take this beyond the intended gift purposes and throw them all over the place! You name it - wreaths, brooches, hair accessories - I'm all over this! I figure if reindeer ears are allowed at work giant pom pom holly hair bands should be too right? Anyone else out there as mad for this project as I am? 

Collar Roundup

Detachable collars are all the rage these days and I've been dying to jump on that trend train and make one for myself! I haven't decided exactly what type would suit me best - but  there is certainly no shortage of free DIYs here on the internet! Check out my top seven collar blog tutorials:

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Oh my! I think what I end up coming up with with depend quite heavily on what kind of supplies I can round up, but I may just need to use a few different techniques (i.e. fabric sewing, felt, and crochet) to make a nice assortment to add to my wardrobe! What do you think? Have you ever made or worn a detachable collar? Which do you like best? 

Throw in some cross stitch

As you may already know, I am a huge fan of post! There's nothing quite as thrilling as a shopping spree in a cute stationary shop and something extra wonderful about receiving mail that isn't a bill! I'd love to say I'm an avid pen pal-er but unfortunately since moving to Victoria I seem to have lost my touch, as well as misplacing my address book on many occasions. Rats. I think I need to rekindle my love affair with mail by working on my organization and when I saw this adorable cross stitched letter organizer from Camille Styles blog (link), obviously I was oozing with excitement. Just look at how darling it is:

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Ah! I have the feeling you might be able to find one of those metal mesh organizers from the dollar store and since I already have loads of embroidery floss and yarn to stitch with it would be pretty simple to execute.  In theory it would even let me be organized enough to keep letters I need to reply to in one spot and *gasp!* maybe not lose that address book of mine! Oh what a thought! For now I will be keeping my eyes peeled for letter organizers and  hope that will be enough motivation to be better at replying to all those cards and letters that are hidden in the piles of papers hiding around my house! Oh my! What do you think? Do you love mail as much as I do? 

Ghostie Decor

While I was busy working away on my Halloween costume (and watching my new favourite show - Downton Abbey), I realized that I didn't get around to scheduling blog posts for the week like I usually do on Sundays. Oh dear! The good news is I did manage to get my costume done (yipee) and since I was in a very festive mood I thought I'd share this adorable ghost garland from Wild Olive (link):

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Isn't it just perfect? I love the simple shapes and (of course) wide set eye smiles! Also, much like all projects I love posting about, it is quick, simple, and I happen to have all the supplies on hand! How perfect! Now to figure out the perfect placement and whip this baby up for myself. What do you think? Do you decorate for Halloween? 

Wild Olive's Pumpkin Book Band

I'm always a sucker for cute embroidery felt projects from Wild Olive and this book band is no exception (link)! Just look at that smile:

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Adorable! Not to mention how quick, simple, and useful it is! Ah! Such a sweet project! I particularly like how it reminds me of my dear friend Lindsay since she is the only person I can think of that has ever actually used a book band on a regular basis. Of course hers was actually just a headband (duel usage?) but I love the idea of a homemade one! OoOo! I could make one to go on my "one sentence journal" I bought this Janurary (link)! After all I do plan on using that thing for the next four years and am actually managing to stick to writing something every day so that in itself deserves some sort of reward if you ask me! What do you think? Ever used a book band? 

DIY Car Fresheners

I, much like most people (especially women) out there, like things to smell pleasant.  Unfortunately with all the challenges living life throws at you, things often do not smell so lovely and I enjoy doing what little things I can to make the air more enjoyable to be in.  That being said - I am equally disgusted by strong perfume and overpowering air fresheners so I guess I should clarify my original statement and say that I like things to smell subtly pleasant. Yes. That's better.

About two years ago my subtle home scenting obsession came to life when my sister and I were out together at the mall. The Body Shop was having one of their "buy a whole bunch and save tons" sales they tend to have and Leslie suggested we smell all their aromatherapy bottles. Well they were amazing and such a bargain (oh and throw in some sisterly peer pressure) so I bought  a handful and was hooked. I've since progressed from a votive system to a fancy aromatherapy diffuser and am head over heels for the amazing (and local!) essential oil blends from Escents (link)! Hooray! And after that dreaded maple bacon marathon Fraser and Jim went on I must say I am enjoying coming home to a subtly fresh and pretty smelling home all the more these days. 

Well - when I saw this neat post over at Crating a Green World for a DIY wool felt car air freshener (link) I just had to spill the beans about my subtle scent obsession so you could fully understand my excitement for this craft! Take a peek:

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Oh it is just perfect! I mean what's not to love? It's ridiculously simple (and speedy), it involves my most favourite craft medium (felt), and leaves you with a nice (subtle) smelling car! OoOo! Heck you could even throw a little embroidered wide set eye smiley face on there and make it all the better! Now the tough decision...what shape should I make to hang with our car pal Beauregard (link)? What do you think? How do you feel about air freshening? 

Knit Candy Corn!

Guess what!? October is rolling along and that only means one thing: my most favourite seasonal candy is coming out! Woo candy corn! Now, if I only I could knit...

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...then I would totally make three of these! Aren't they awesome? Nothing says fall quite like some wooly yellow, orange, and white! I love all the projects over at The Purl Bee (link), but these hold an extra special spot in my heart (or at least in my sweet tooth?). They'd be extra fun with some little smiles and feets on them and would really look top notch hanging out on my shelf in the living room. Perhaps I will try a crochet cousin of these babies if I find some extra time one of these days. If not - I am certainly enjoying this image of them and maybe if one of you make them I can vicariously craft with you too! Hooray! What do you think? What's your favourite seasonal candy? 

Cross Stitch Stool

I am always a fan of homemade home decor - and this DIY flower cross stitch stool from This Little Street (link) really takes the cake - just check out that texture and colour scheme:

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It's official! I'm in love! It doesn't look all that difficult when it is wonderfully photographed and documented:

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How fun! It does look like a bit more dedication than my usual quick little craft projects - but it is certainly worth it! Maybe I will have to make my own spiffed up stool version and see what I can come up with. What are your thoughts?

Neon Dipped Succulent Pots

It's no surprise that I have a thing for house plants. Nothing like a little indoor greenery to spice (and home-y) up the joint and these adorable paint dipped succulent pots from hello bee (link) certainly appeal! Take a peek:

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Ack! So cute! I love the idea of giving them as little gifts with the little homemade flags (could you image how sweet they'd be out of washi tape!?) but I must admit when I saw this one I was thinking of making them purely for myself. In fact - I think I need to take a trip to the garden supply store and do a little upgrade on many of my boring green plastic plant pots! Haha! I could even make some little washi flag name tags for Bob and Hamish! I figure the extra attention may even do my plants some good before we head into the rainy season here and my dear Fraser (the loyal plant water-er) leaves for his practicum. Looks like it's going to be a long winter for my plants so I hope they're ready for some neglect. Now to decide what colours to paint the pots with! Oh my! What do you think?