Handmade

[Editor's Note: Unless you have been living underneath a rock this spring you have noticed that Aztec prints are all the rage. Every summer it is a different ethnic inspired look and this summer it appears Aztecs are the lucky winners. Jamie from C.R.A.F.T. came up with some clever DIY Aztec inspired shoes. All you need is a blank pair of kicks and some fabric paint and you are ready to rock. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Author, blogger and new Austinite Georgia Pellegrini is a true Jill or all trades. She hunts, cooks and apparently also dabbles in woodworking and gardening. When Georgia spotted some planters she was smitten on at one of her favorite restaurants she immediately thought to herself: “I could make that”. And make that she did. Check out her full tutorial on building your own chic patio planter. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Clothespins have never looked so hip as they do on this sunburst mirror from Imparting Grace. This classic mid century modern mirror theme gets an interesting makeover when blogger Richella Parham visits the laundry room. Think of all the options – a clock instead of a mirror, colorful plastic clothespins instead of wood or even painted or decoupaged pins. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: The only thing I love more than a monster plushie is a chevron print. The two combined and I am in crafty hog heaven. Kelsey from Vanilla Joy created this creepy little cutie to go in her son’s monster themed bedroom. Talk about a pair of lucky little boys! Kelsey walks you through the steps of creating your very own monster pillow and the best part is it takes less than 1 hour start to finish. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: When it comes to yarn letters – no pain no gain. What? You didn’t know crafting sometimes hurt. Well wait until you start wrapping wooden letters in yarn and your fingertips are burnt to a crafty little crisp. Cranny + B has posted a great tutorial about creating your own set of yarn wrapped letters. They may hurt like heck to make, but the end result is so cute they are worth it. Spell out an entire word, make a set of initials or perhaps choose just one special letter. For someone who does not knit or do much crochet I am always looking for projects that enable me to play with all the beautiful colors of yarn out there. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: For someone who does not own a single roll I sure am obsessed with washi tape. I have several rolls of virtual washi for digital scrapbooking, but that would not do me much good if I tried to cover a switch plate. After seeing these adorable washi tape adorned outlet covers on That’s what (Che) Said it might be time for me to invest in the more tangible type. My worry is that I too would start covering everything in washi tape. It starts with something innocent like a light switch cover and then your addiction spirals out of control and nothing is safe from the cuteness of washi tape. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Next time you buy wooden blinds and are thinking of discarding the extra at the bottom, think again. A Girl With a Glue Gun came up with a fabulous way to reuse and improve them. Kim was a guest blogger over on So You Think You’re Crafty and shared a great tutorial for up-cycling extra wooden blinds. All you need is some craft paint, chalk, stencil and of course some extra wooden blinds and you are all set. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: Who wouldn’t love to receive one of these gorgeous tile necklaces or magnets? I know I would. Laura from House of Joyful Noise has a great tutorial on her blog for how to make your own. She used floral scrapbooking paper, but the possibilities are endless. Pictures of your kids, letters from magazines in cool fonts, foreign newspaper print – just about anything could be used. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: People express their creativity in a myriad of ways. Some people knit others scrap book, Meream from Bored and Crafty likes to create miniature rooms. Not just any room, a mini craft room complete with wee sewing patterns and tiny dress forms. Many of the items in the room I'd be happy to have in my full size craft studio. I think the word SEW spelled out in Scrabble tiles might be my favorite part. - Jen]  Read more

[Editor's Note: As someone with a 140lb dog, son in diapers and cat with an indoor litter box I am always on the look out for ways to make my digs smell a little fresher. I’m not a big fan of using artificial chemical filled sprays, I prefer something a little more on the natural side. Needless to say I was thrilled to to find a post on the Crafty Little Gnome about natural ways to scent your home. I am of course partial to the DIY options like making your own sachets, candles and scent sprays. The fewer the toxic chemicals I can use the better for my family and the environment. - Jen]  Read more