Boo!

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

Are you ready for Fall yet? I’m looking forward to some cooler temps! August in Alabama is HOT!!

I thought it might be fun to get started on some Fall crafting projects as I wait for the cooler weather to come our way… 🎃

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I found this “BOO!” mdf word at Dollar Tree for, yes, $1.00! It measures about 12-inches long, about 4-inches wide, and about 1/2-inch thick. It also has a twine hanger at the top, which I cut off because I wasn’t going to hang it that way.

The rectangle slatted wood panel came from Hobby Lobby. It measures about 6.25-inches wide, about 15.75-inches long, and about 1.25-inches thick. It also came with a twine hanger that I cut off because it was on the long side and I wanted my project to hang lengthwise.

You’ll need a 1.75-inch sponge dabber (I found a package of 3 different sizes at Dollar Tree), black, white, and orange acrylic paint, various ribbons, and a button for the bow. (Here’s a great set of acrylic paints you can add to your craft room so you’re always ready to create.)

I painted the front and sides of the rectangle slatted wood panel with black paint. I used a chip brush to apply the paint. I only painted one coat and didn’t worry about getting it perfectly covered since you can see the staples that were used to put it together. It gives it a bit of a weathered look.

I painted the front and sides of the “BOO!” with 2 coats of orange paint, letting it dry between coats. When the 2nd coat was dry, I used the sponge dabber to add random dots with white paint. Make sure to let the dots dry completely!

I glued the “BOO!” to the wood panel using E6000 clear adhesive. Then I made a super easy bow using the Re-Fabbed bow method and glued it to the wood panel. I tied a black button with orange and white baker’s twine and glued it to the center of the bow.

And here’s how it turned out! I just love it! It’s so fun and cute!

If you can’t find the “BOO!” sign, you can use individual letters instead and it would be just as cute.

This was a super inexpensive project to make. I used my 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby for the wood panel, so I got it for $3.00. The “BOO!” was, of course, $1.00, the sponge dabbers were $1.00, and I had all the other supplies on hand. So $5.00 out of pocket for this fun Halloween project!! I love when that happens! 🙂

Happy Fall Crafting! 🎃

Anita

Posted in Decor, Fall | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Hello Friend

Posted on August 14, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

I am loving this Succulent Greetings stamp set from Unity Stamp Company! The succulents in the vase stamp measures about 3 by 3.5 inches and the set also includes 4 sentiment stamps. (The sentiment I used on the card is not part of the set – it is from Impress Cards & Crafts.) The image is the perfect size to fill the front of a card, making it easy to make a quick card when you need one!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This card is a little bigger than the normal A2 (5.5 by 4.25) size. The measurements for my card are 5 by 6 inches – so just a little bit larger.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Copic Markers. (The colors I used are RV11, RV34, W2, W4, W5, G12, G24, G40, G82, and G94.) I die cut the image using the 4 inch square from the Diagonal Stitched Squares Die Set from Pinkfresh Studio. I layered the image to green card stock.

I stamped the sentiment with pink ink on white card stock, punched it with a 1.5 inch circle punch, and layered it to a green card stock circle punched with a 2 inch punch. (If you would rather use dies to cut your circles, this is a great set.)

I attached a panel of pink patterned paper to a white card. I adhered the succulent vase to the card using my favorite Tombow Mono Dots Adhesive. Then I attached the sentiment to the card using foam tape. I finished the card by adding 3 Dew Drops.

By changing the sentiment, this card will be perfect for just about any occasion. It’s fun to color, too! 🙂

Happy Stamping!

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Crochet Snowman Tote Bag

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

Oh my goodness! Have you seen this adorable Snowman Tote Bag by Repeat Crafter Me?!?! It is so cute and fun to make. It works up quickly using 2 strands of worsted weight yarn. And she has several other tote bag patterns including a Santa, Gingerbread, and 3(!!) Halloween patterns.

You can find the Snowman Tote Bag (as well as the Santa) pattern link here. The Gingerbread pattern link is here and the Halloween pattern link here.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I used Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek yarn in White and Light Blue to stitch up my bag. I used a J/6mm hook (the pattern calls for an I/5.5mm). I had some Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Carrot that I used for his nose. The eyes are 1/2-inch buttons and the other 3 buttons are 1-inch. I stitched the buttons on using black yarn so they are very secure.

My finished bag measures about 10.5 inches wide by 14 inches tall including the handle – which is just a little smaller than the pattern measurements. It’s probably due to my using a different yarn and a difference in crochet tension. But it is still a great size!

These would make great Christmas gifts just as they are or filled with goodies for someone special! The Gingerbread tote is next on my list to make…which one will you make first?

Happy Stitching!

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Repurposed Glass Candle Jar

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

You know those great candles that come in the glass jars that are about 4-inches in diameter? They come from places like Bath and Body works and always smell so good! Once they have burned down, you are left with a great jar that can be repurposed. 🙂

There will be a little wax left in the bottom of the jar that you’ll want to remove. The easiest way I’ve found is to put the jar in the freezer for a few hours. Then carefully use a knife to break up the frozen wax. It should just pop out. Wash the jar in warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

To repurpose my jar, I painted the lid with Americana Décor Acrylic Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting. I applied 3 thin coats using a chip brush, letting it dry completely between coats. I dry brushed a little FolkArt Home Décor Chalk Furniture & Craft Paint in Maui Sand to soften the white. Then I took it outside and sprayed it with some matte sealing spray.

I used E6000 clear adhesive to attach the blue knob to the center of the lid. I found the knob here and also used them for my DIY Jewelry Organizer in this post. (The blue isn’t available right now, but they do come in other colors.) Whatever knob you use, just make sure the bottom is flat so you’ll be able to glue it to the lid.

I wrapped the jar with some cream burlap ribbon and attached it using my hot glue gun. I wrapped some natural jute twine several times around the jar and tied a wood button to the front.

And now you have a great storage jar for your bath, bedroom, or craft room! I think I will use this one for the seashells I am always collecting when we go to the beach. 🏖

Happy Crafting!

Anita

Posted in Decor, Organization | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Roasted Broccoli and Carrots

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a super easy but very tasty side dish to share today!

I love roasted vegetables – they just taste so much better to me than any other way to prepare them. This is a really easy way to roast up some broccoli and carrots – or any other vegetables that you like, cauliflower, bell peppers, etc.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I cut my broccoli into bite-size florets and used baby carrots. (Of course you can use full size carrots, just cut them into bite-size pieces.) Put your vegetables into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder and fresh ground pepper. Toss well, adding more oil and spices as desired.

Preheat the oven to 420 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil and spray with olive oil cooking spray. Spread the prepared vegetables onto the pan. Place in the preheated oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes. That’s it! So easy! 🙂

Here are my vegetables just before I put them in the oven.

And this is how they look after 15 minutes in the oven. Roasting brings out such wonderful flavor in the veggies! At this point, you could also sprinkle them with some grated Parmesan cheese – so yummy!

I have a Breville Convection/Toaster oven that I love using in the Summer. It’s perfect for baking or roasting and produces much less heat in the kitchen than turning on the big oven! This is a newer model of the one I have. It has a slow cook setting that mine doesn’t- how fun is that?!?! If you have ever thought about treating yourself to a small countertop convection oven, I highly recommend this one. I use mine all the time!

You can season your vegetables with any of your favorite spices or herbs before popping them in the oven. You can also use vegetable oil instead of olive oil. Which vegetables will you roast?

Happy Roasting!

Anita

Posted in Recipes | Tagged | Leave a comment

Farmhouse-Inspired Crochet Wreath Ornament

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

It’s the last day of July and today is my last post for Christmas in July. 🎄 But don’t worry, I’ll have more Christmas posts later this year! I hope you have enjoyed this month’s posts and that I’ve inspired you to get a jump on your Christmas crafting. 🙂 🎅🏼

Today’s project is a simple and quick to make Farmhouse-Inspired Crochet Ornament. It’s a great stash buster and although I made mine in white, you can make them in any color you’d like.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You’ll need some 2 to 2.5 inch unfinished wood rings (these are similar to what I used). You’ll also need worsted weight yarn (I used Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek in white), natural jute twine, and a large-eyed blunt end needle for weaving in the twine.

You’ll find the pattern below and also a link to a free PDF for easy printing.

Farmhouse-Inspired Crochet Wreath Ornament

Finished wreath ornament measures about 3.75 inches across

Worsted weight yarn – I used Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek in White

H/5mm hook

2 to 2.25 inch unfinished wood ring

Natural jute twine

Large-eye blunt needle

Stitches used US terms:

Slip stitch – ss

Single crochet – sc

Half double crochet – hdc

Round 1: Attach yarn to ring with sc. sc around the ring, pushing stitches tightly together. Join with ss to 1st sc. (I made 42 sc, your number may vary depending on your ring size and your tension) 

Round 2: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. ss to 1st sc.

Round 3: ch 1. hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. ss to 1st hdc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Using the large-eye blunt needle, weave a length twine around the wreath between the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Leave ends long enough to tie in a bow. 

Attach a length of twine to the top of the wreath for hanging.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Farmhouse-Inspired Crochet Wreath OrnamentDownload

These Wreath Ornaments are really fun to make! They would make a cute package tie-on and look great on your Christmas tree. You could even make several and string them on twine for an amazing garland for your mantel.

Happy Stitching!

Anita

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Dollar Tree Fall Craft Supplies Are In The Store!

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

I’m just popping in with a quick post to let you know that Dollar Tree has all of their Halloween and Fall craft supplies in the store! If you are wanting to stock up for Fall crafting, you need to head over to your local store soon – they sell out of all the fun stuff quickly!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Here’s what I picked up today. Each of the ornament and burlap leaf packages have 5 shapes each. Yes – that’s 5 of each for $1.00!! The “Boo” and “Gather” words are about 1/2-inch thick. The big leaf measures about 11 1/2-inches across. I think I may have to visit another Dollar Tree tomorrow because you know each one is always a little different. 😉

Not a bad haul for $9.00! I’m not sure what I’ll do with all my goodies yet, but stayed tuned to the blog because Fall will be upon us before we know it! 🍁🎃

Happy Crafting!

Anita

Posted in Decor, Fall | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Handmade Christmas Gift Tags

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

Christmas in July continues with some handmade gift tags. 🎄 They are super quick and easy to make – you can whip them up for all of your gift giving in just an afternoon! They can also double as ornaments for the tree.

You’ll need some chipboard tags, patterned paper, your favorite Christmas rubber stamps, and some ribbon. I found my tags last year in the after Christmas clearance at Hobby Lobby. They are already stocking the stores with Christmas merchandise so you may be able to find them in your store very soon!

You could also use kraft tags, they just won’t be quite as sturdy – it might help to adhere a couple of the kraft tags together before you start. These kraft tags are a little smaller than the size of the chipboard tags I used, but it’s a great deal for 100 kraft tags along with some twine if you want to use that instead of ribbon. Keep in mind that they are a card stock tag and not a chipboard tag so they are thinner!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I traced the tag onto the back of my patterned paper and cut it out. I used my Tombow Dot adhesive to adhere the paper to the tag. Then I added a coordinating strip of patterned paper along the bottom of the tag.

I stamped some of my favorite simple Christmas images on white card stock and colored them with Copic markers. I cut them out and adhered them to the tags with foam tape. I stamped “to” and “from” on the back of the tags. I punched through the paper at the top, lining it up with the hole in the tag, and tied some matching ribbon to the tags.

If you are looking for a selection of Christmas ribbon I found this great set of 12 different styles of grosgrain ribbon on Amazon for only $6.99 (that’s the price now, of course that could change)!

Grab your favorite Christmas stamps, some fun patterned paper, and spend an afternoon making these cute tags! It would be a fun activity to do with the kids. 🙂

Happy Crafting!

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Gifts, Stamping, Tags | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Chalk Painted Christmas Bud Vase

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

Do you have any of these clear glass bud vases hiding around your home? I picked these up from an estate sale. You can find the ribbed one at Dollar Tree for, you guessed it, $1.00 each. 😉 Thrift stores and garage sales are also great places to look for them.

I decided to add a little chalk paint and turn them into some vintage looking decor for another Christmas in July post. 🎄

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Here’s what you’ll need. Clear glass bud vase – a vase with some type of texture will work best. Chalky finish paint in white. (I like Americana Décor Acrylic Chalky Finish Paint in Everlasting White.) Chalky finish paint in gray. (I used FolkArt Home Décor Chalk Paint in Maui Sand.) Christmas pick and stems. I also used some natural jute twine and matte sealer spray that aren’t in the picture below.

First, wash your vase in warm soapy water and let dry completely. Then, apply 2 thin coats of the white chalky finish paint, letting it dry completely between coats. I like using these chip brushes to apply my paint.

They look so pretty just like this – a little like milk glass – you could skip the next step if you like them this way. But I wanted them to have a little more of a vintage look so I dry brushed some of the gray chalky finish paint over the texture of the vase. I took one of my 2-inch chip brushes and cut the bristles down to make the brush stiffer and used that to apply my paint. Then I took them outside and sprayed them with a light coat of the matte sealer spray.

I wrapped the twine several times around the vase, tying it off with just a simple double knot. I slipped the Christmas pick through the twine and added the berry stem to the vase. By the way, the red berry stems came from Hobby Lobby and they sell them all year, not just at Christmas time.

I really like the way they turned out! I was thinking that if I didn’t dry brush the gray on the vase and used glossy sealer spray instead of matte, they really would like like milk glass! I may have to get some more vases and try that…

These will look so nice on the mantel at Christmas! But you could also change out the pick and stems for Fall or to match your everyday decor. It’s a super inexpensive way to add a little vintage touch to your home.

Happy Crafting!

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Decor | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Crochet Winter Mug Cozy

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Anita

Hi friends,

Everyone likes a mug of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee while munching on all the sweet treats at holiday time. Today’s Christmas in July 🎄 post is a crochet Winter Mug Cozy that is like putting a sweater around your favorite mug filled with a yummy hot beverage! 🙂

It’s a super easy pattern that you can make in less than 15 minutes using cotton yarn. It’s great for using up left over yarn from other projects and can be made in your choice of colors. You’ll find the pattern below along with a link to a free PDF if you’d like to easily print it.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Crochet Winter Mug Cozy

Worsted weight cotton yarn (I used I Love This Cotton in White and Lion Brand 24/7 cotton in Taupe)

H/5mm hook

1/2-inch button

Finished size is about 3-inches wide by 12-inches long.

Stitches used (US terms)

Foundation double crochet – fdc

Double crochet – dc

Chain – ch

Front post double crochet – fpdc

Back post double crochet – bpdc

Slip Stitch – ss

Row 1: work 11 fdc. Turn. (11 stitches)

Row 2: ch 2 (counts as 1st dc) Skip 1st dc, dc in next stitch and in each stitch across. Turn. (11 stitches)

Row 3: ch 2 (counts as 1st dc) Skip 1st dc, dc in next stitch. *fpdc in next stitch, dc in next stitch * Repeat from *to* 2 times. fpdc in next stitch. dc in last 2 stitches. Turn. (11 stitches)

Row 4: ch 2 (counts as 1st dc) Skip 1st dc, dc in next stitch. *bpdc in next stitch, dc in next stitch * Repeat from *to* 2 times. bpdc in next stitch. dc in last 2 stitches. Turn. (11 stitches)

Rows: 5-20: Repeat rows 3 and 4 eight times.

Row 21: ch 1. Skip 1st stitch, ss in next 3 stitches. ch 2 (counts as dc) fpdc in next stitch, dc in next stitch. fpdc in next stitch, dc in next stitch. Leave the rest of the stitches unworked. Turn. (5 stitches)

Row 22: ch 2 (counts as 1st dc). skip 1st stitch, bpdc in next stitch, dc in next stitch. bpdc in next stitch, dc in last stitch. Turn. (5 stitches)

Row 23: ch 2 (counts as 1st dc). skip 1st stitch, fpdc in next stitch, dc in next stitch. fpdc in next stitch, dc in last stitch. Turn. (5 stitches)

Row 24: Repeat Row 22. (5 stitches)

Row 25: Repeat Row 23. (5 stitches)

Row 26: ch 2 (counts as 1st dc) Skip 1st stitch, dc in next 4 stitches. (5 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew on button in middle dc of 2nd row.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Crochet Winter Mug CozyDownload

(If you are in need of new crochet hooks, this set with the soft grip handles looks nice. I like the handles because sometimes my hand hurts when I crochet for a long time and they really help! These large eye blunt needles are also great for weaving in your ends)

The Winter Mug Cozy would make a great teacher or friend gift. Wrap it around a cute mug and fill the mug with tea bags, cocoa packets, or coffee beans. Add some cookies or tea biscuits and tie it all up in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon. A fun and tasty gift that everyone is sure to enjoy! 🎁

Don’t forget to pin the Winter Mug Cozy to your Pinterest crochet board using the button below!

Happy Stitching!

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged , , | Leave a comment