Easy Air Freshener

These easy air fresheners caught my eye the other day.  I went to Walmart and bought 4 half pint jars,(under $4), box of baking soda then I picked up some fragrance oils from a big box craft store.  Such a quick project and I love that I can swap out the scrapbook paper whenever I want.  Another great use for your paper scraps!  I also like it's more natural that those chemically ones at the store.

Be sure to check out this link for the whole tutorial.

Spring Time

We have some temporary visitors on our front porch!

The eggs are so beautiful.  Have to keep our eyes on them.

Felt Easter Chicks

I saw this online the other day and couldn't stop laughing.  She has posed the chicks doing different things like, Riverdance and Thriller.  I just knew I had to make them!  I got the pattern from myrtle & eunice and the tutorial is located here.

Mine are just having a mundane game of kick ball.

And the team photo of course!

Have a great day!

Felt Turtles and Cupcakes

* UPDATED - Click here for my cupcake pattern.

I just love these felt turtles.  They bring a smile to my face whenever I look at them!  I originally made these for K's Under the Sea birthday party.  I made a whole family but have slowly been giving them away as birthday gifts.

I just love the party hats.

I designed the cupcakes myself.

I made everything from wool felt.  I got the pattern for the turtles from Ric Rac.  The tutorial is here.

In my best Piggie & Gerald voice..."Party, Party, Party, Party".

Bunny Finger Puppets

I love making things out of wool felt.  One of my favorite places to get ideas is from the Purl Bee in NYC.  They just posted this tutorial on these super cute finger puppets for Easter!  Now if I could just learn to knit to make more of their great stuff!







I just love the spring colors in between the ears!

Here is the tutorial from Purl Bee.  Hoppy (Early) Easter!

Shades of Turquoise

I made this necklace the other night.  I have had these shades of turquoise beads laying around for awhile and since they match my scrubs perfectly thought I would make a seed bead necklace.  Pretty much followed the tutorial located here.

It really is pretty with the 5 different shades I used.

Sneaky Leprechaun

We were unsuccessful in catching a Leprechaun in our 2 traps last night.  But he left us 2 taunting notes and a pot of gold (chocolate) coins! He also left a little bit of a mess, knocking down chairs and throwing around napkins and such.

 Happy St. Patricks Day!

Shamrock Cookies

I made shamrock cookies for K to take to school Friday.  They are having special centers for St Pat's day. 

It was not my "A" game with the royal icing this time.  But since a bunch of 6 yr olds won't mind one bit, I have moved on...

Normally when I bag the cookies I roll over the top of the cello bag and staple it, but thanks to the great tip located here I now heat seal my cookie bags.  I bought a very inexpensive flat iron just for this job.  Should keep them fresher too.

Coat Closet to Mini Mudroom

I have always wanted a mudroom.  So decided to use the entry closet to make one.  It might be a mini mudroom but I love it and we use it!

 
We have a very small foyer and I wanted a place to sit and put on shoes or hang a coat. Here is a before picture of our entry closet.

I removed the door and hardware/hinges and wire shelf.  I then installed beadboard.  I bought the 8 foot length boards and cut to the height I wanted.  When we decide to sell the house I wanted to be able to convert back to a closet if necessary, so I made a 2x4 frame for the bench that does not attach to the beadboard walls.  I also added a 2x4 rib to the seat frame.

I know the trend right now is to build a platform under the bench, but for our needs I decided to forgo the platform and eke out every spare inch I could. 

I screwed down some left over plywood for the bench seat, which  touches the 3 walls and butts against the door jam so my frame does not move.  I bought a 3 inch thick piece of foam.  Using an electric carving knife I trimmed it down to size.  I also added lattice strips to cover up the holes left from removing the door hinges and hardware.  I owe that trick to Sarah from Thirfty Decor Chick and you can read about it here.

Using 4 inch wide mdf boards I was able to install 2 shelves that are 12 inches deep.  This closet only had studs in the corners so had to angle in the screws on the corner.  I have caulked and filled nail holes and done 2 coats of primer. 

Here is the finished project.

I bought some collapsible baskets from Martha Stewart Line at home Depot to put under the bench to hold shoes. The closet is deep enough for 4 baskets.

 I put 3 more of the baskets on one of the top shelves.  I used the same paint from the formal dining room behind the baskets and it picks up colors from the bench seat fabric.

The foam seat only takes 1.5 yds of fabric, so I can swap out the fabric frequently if I get tired of it.

Bought the 2 pillows from Costco.

 I am very happy with the finished project.  The space gets used and it very comfortable to sit.  Plus its nice on the eyes just to walk by. It might be small but it still does a lot while looking  more fresh and airy.