No Sew Duct Tape Bags

My friend Tasya over at http://myhouseandhome.squarespace.com/ shared a fun diy project, duct tape bags, no sewing required. All you need is: duct tape, scissors, fabric and a stapler. Give yourself about an hour to put one of these super cute and handy little bags together.

These bags are so fun to create! I like them so much that we had a bag making party with some of my favorite mamas. We had wine, snacks and lots of duct tape! There were so many fun different fabrics and sizes of bags. I'm looking forward to making more. Be sure to check out Tasya's blog for a full tutorial on how to make your own. Happy stapling!

http://myhouseandhome.squarespace.com/home/2012/2/24/diy-no-sew-duct-tape-bag.html

DIY Crayons

Christmas Vacation means finding activities to keep the tots busy. Last week we made circle crayons with our large tub of broken crayons that I was so tempted to toss in the trash, but alas reused. How green of me right? It kept them all busy

for a short time, sorting and filling the tins with the broken bits.

The girls had fun stacking and re-stacking and simply making crayon towers rather than coloring with them like their brother. No matter, they had fun and thought it was pretty interesting that the broken crayons were transformed into circle crayons.

Think of all the shapes you could make depending on your mold. It would be fun to package the crayons up in a fun way and add a coloring book for a DIY gift. Got any broken crayons around? Don't toss them reuse and repurpose. Happy melting.

Pillow Pads

Pinterest sparked the inspiration for my kids' Christmas gift this year. I love to give something handmade if I can swing it.















Sew on Velcro was the way to go with three rectangles per pillow case.

These were not easy to find on the cheap. I needed fifteen pillowcases for my project, so the cheaper the better. Target & Ikea both have two packs for $5.99. I also purchased the pillows from Ikea at a buck a piece, that's as cheap as they come. The total cost per pillow pad ran approximately $30 bucks a pad. Not too bad considering the price of say a bean bag chair. The kids love them and it's so cute to watch them all cozy, next to one another watching a movie. I can proudly say, I pinned it from Pinterest and then I actually did it!

Pinecones, Pinterest & Procrastinating

Here is my version of the Pinecone Garland I found on Pinterest. If you haven't tried Pinterest, I highly recommend spending some time pinning and getting inspired. From fashion, to food to crafts, to home design you can find something to peak your interest.

I was looking for an alternative to spending $$$ on a live wreath for our front door this holiday season. Cedar wreaths are lovely and smell great, but I'm always trying to save a buck. I'm thrilled with my creation and elated that I had all the supplies in my crap room. I mean, craft room! I would have preferred the nice wide ribbon like the Pinterest Garland, but you do the best you can with what you have.

Here are all the supplies I used. It was so simple, so easy. E-600 is my go to glue. It holds everything! I put it all together while the kiddos watched The Polar Express. Nothing like a holiday movie and crafts to get you in the spirit of the season.

Well, the countdown has begun and Christmas is fast approaching. Are you procrastinating your shopping, decorating or perhaps deciding where the heck you are going to split your time with family? My heart beats a bit faster when I think about all there is to do. Last night after my t.v. time I sat in silence with only the Christmas tree lights on, pet my Jack Kitter sleeping peacefully on my lap and tried to put my anxiety of all there is ahead to rest.

Still on my list to do:

• 
  
  Hang the stockings


• 
  
  Finish Decorating the tree (but is it worth it when the girls take down almost every ornament leaving little piles around the house?)


• 
  
  Put out Nativity


• 
  
  Shopping


• 
  
  Menu Planning

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Here's to taking it slow and enjoying the season.