Top 10 of 2011

Just in case you missed any, here are the top 10, most viewed projects on my blog from 2011, according to Google Analytics:

1. Miniature Book Pendants


2. Giant Scrappy Crocheted Flower


3. Recipe Box Tutorial


4. Anthropologie Inspired Brushed Lace Cardigan


5. Scrabble Tile Christmas Ornament Tutorial


6. Giant Snowflakes


7. Anthropologie Inspired Winking Sky Cardigan


8. Extra Large T-Shirt to Side Knot T-Shirt


9. Tonal Chain Earrings


10. Embellished Pillowcases

Anthropologie Inspired Morse Code Necklace

The Anthropologie Morse Code Necklace - was $38 but no longer available.

But it's pretty simple to make your own - and you can personalize it for whatever word you would like.

Supplies needed:
long, tubular beads
silver beading thread
2 jump rings
silver chain
small round beads

**the number of beads needed will depend upon the word that you are creating**
***I opted to use chain rather than string for the necklace after reading reviews of the Anthro necklace and how it was a little flimsy***



Plan out your dots and dashes using this morse code translator.
I decided to use my name for my necklace.


String your dots and dashes onto your beading thread - a beading needle is helpful for this step.


Attach the end of the string to a jump ring with a knot. Do the same thing on the other side. You can also dab a little glue over the knot to help keep it secure.
Attach each jump ring to chain.

Free Printable 2012 Calendars

Hard to believe but yes, 2012 is upon us.

Still in need of a calendar? Check out these awesome free printables:


from CreativeMamma.com


I think this Owl Lovers calendar is my favorite - bunches of awesome images to choose from and customize your calendar. From My Owl Barn.


The Doodle 2012 Calendar from CreativeMamma.com


Kokeshi Doll mini calendar - again from CreativeMamma.com


herb calendar from a number of things


instructions and info for this one are not in English but you should still be able to figure out how to download it - see the link here


Edited to add this one:

from Skip to My Lou

Quick and Easy Christmas Treats

I've tried making caramels in the past with absolutely zero success. They either turn out hard and crunchy or sugary and gritty. I have a suspicion that it may be because I quickly lose interest in standing at the stove and stirring/monitoring their progress. Then I discovered 6 minute microwave caramels. 6 minutes start to finish (other than cooling time)! I've now made 3 batches and they've all turned out perfect! So if you're looking for a quick, last minute Christmas treat, here ya go -

In a large microwavable mixing bowl, combine:
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. light Karo syrup
1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk

Stir. The butter won't incorporate but that's ok.
Microwave for 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.

It will look like this after 6 minutes.


Spray an 8X8 inch pan with cooking spray. Optional: dust with sea salt.



Pour caramel into prepared pan. Again optional, dust with sea salt.
Let cool completely.


Dump caramel out onto a cutting board (this should be easy if you've greased your pan well) and slice with a sharp knife. Wrap in parchment or waxed paper.
If you're giving them as a gift, you can put them in a pretty jar or other container.



You can find the original, printable version of this recipe here.

Self Portrait Ornaments

I Love This Idea . . .

Self Portrait Ornaments from eighteen25

How cute are these??!! And what a unique way to remember each Christmas - would also make great grandparent gifts. Click on the link to check out the full tutorial.

30 Days For 30 Dollars - A Round-up

What can you get for a dollar these days? Well, maybe more than you would think if you're willing to be a bit creative . . .

Welcome to 30 Days For 30 Dollars. 30 days of thrifty, crafty projects with a budget of 30 dollars. Yes, that works out to about a dollar a day.

And here's a round-up of them all - all 30 projects - total spent $29.25.

1. ) A Recipe Box
2.) A Recipe Holder
3.) Hot Pads
4.) An Artsy Bangle
5.) Embellished Pillowcases
6.) Jazzed Up Thrift Store Earrings
7.) A Button Necklace
8.) Lace Coasters
9.) Faux Depression Glass

10.) Anthropologie Inspired Winking Sky Cardigan
11.) Lace Earrings

12.) Puzzle Piece Pendants
13.) Linen Napkins
14.) Anthropologie Inspired Brushed Lace Cardigan
15.) Scrabble Tile Christmas Ornaments
16.) Scribble Stitch Christmas Gift Tags

17.) Inexpensive Artwork
18.) Giant Snowflakes

19.) Vintage Tool Tray Centerpiece
20.) Dress to Apron
21.) Tonal Chain Earrings
22.) Modern Art Vase

23.) Doily Pocket Cardigan
24.) Magnets From Found Objects
25.) Magnetic Memo Board
26.) A Christmas Wreath

27.) A Bracelet Tree
28.) Embroidery Pendants
29.) Yarn Wrapped Writing
30.) Miniature Book Pendants

30 Days For 30 Dollars - Day 30 - A Tiny Little Library to Wear

Wondering what 30 Days for 30 Dollars is?? Read all about it here.

Day 30!! 30 days of craft projects all for a total budget of 30 dollars - and I actually came in just under budget at $29.25
So, for the finale, I have . . .

Miniature Book Pendants

I kind of love how these turned out, but, being a book lover, of course, I would.

They're just so tiny! And the pages actually turn!!


If you'd like to give it a try, here's how:


I purchased these miniature books from the dollhouse section at Hobby Lobby (I had a 40% off coupon so I paid approx. $1.80 for a package of 10).



Then I did a Google search to find book covers that I wanted to use (Gone With the Wind and To Kill a Mockingbird). I copied and pasted the images into a Word document and shrunk them down to size - approx. 1/2 inch
I also found some printable vintage book cover collages here and here and did the same thing with some of those.

I cut out the images that I wanted to use and glued them to the front of the books with a glue stick. Then I applied a light coat of craft varnish to protect and seal them.

Next, I took some gold acrylic paint and lightly painted the exposed white page edges of the books to give them a more antique look.



I had these little bars left over from the Puzzle Piece Pendants that I made. I slipped one between the back cover and the last page of the book and secured with craft glue.


I kind of angled the bar so the books would hang at an angle and not straight up and down.

Then just add a jump ring and a chain and your little library is ready to wear.






Total spent today: $1.80 (for up to 10 pendants)

Total spent:
Day 1: $1.00 Recipe Card Box
Day 2: Free Recipe Card Holder

Day 3: $2.00 Hot Pads

Day 4: $1.00 An Artsy Bangle

Day 5: $1.00 Embellished Pillowcases
Day 6: $.50 Earrings

Day 7: $.75 Button Necklace

Day 8: $.40 Lace Coasters

Day 9: $2.00 Faux Depression Glass Fruit Bowl

Day 10: $1.00 Anthropologie Inspired Cardigan

Day 11: Free Lace Earrings

Day 12: $1.25 Puzzle Piece Pendants
Day 13: $1.00 Linen Napkins
Day 14: $2.00 Anthropologie Inspired Cardigan
Da:y 15: $.50 Scrabble Tile Ornaments
Day 16: Free Scribble Stitch Gift Tags
Day 17: $.50 Inexpensive Artwork
Day 18: $1.00 Giant Snowflakes
Day 19: $2.00 Vintage Tool Tray Centerpiece
Day 20: $1.00 Dress to Apron
Day 21: Free Tonal Chain Earrings
Day 22: $1.00 Modern Art Vase
Day 23: $.50 Doily Pocket Cardigan
Day 24: $1.30 Found Object Magnets
Day 25: $.50 Magnetic Memo Board
Day 26: $1.00 A Christmas Wreath
Day 27: $2.00 A Bracelet Tree
Day 28: $1.00 Embroidery Pendants
Day 29: $1.25 Yarn Wrapped Writing
Day 30: $1.80 Miniature Book Pendants
___________

Total: $29.25

30 Days For 30 Dollars - Day 29 - Yarn Wrapped Writing

Wondering what 30 Days for 30 Dollars is?? Read all about it here.


I originally saw this idea . . .

. . . on Family Chic blog.

I decided to give it a try:



With some clothesline found at the thrift store -$1.25 (the yarn I already had)



Here's what I learned:
a.) The lettering will be pretty flopsy until you wrap the yarn around it - the yarn will stabilize it and hold it together
b.) Unless you want to spend the rest of your life wrapping yarn around wire, use really chunky yarn or double/triple/quadruple your strands of yarn. I ended up quadrupling mine and it went pretty quickly.

Total spent today: $1.25

Total spent:
Day 1: $1.00 Recipe Card Box
Day 2: Free Recipe Card Holder

Day 3: $2.00 Hot Pads

Day 4: $1.00 An Artsy Bangle

Day 5: $1.00 Embellished Pillowcases
Day 6: $.50 Earrings

Day 7: $.75 Button Necklace

Day 8: $.40 Lace Coasters

Day 9: $2.00 Faux Depression Glass Fruit Bowl

Day 10: $1.00 Anthropologie Inspired Cardigan

Day 11: Free Lace Earrings

Day 12: $1.25 Puzzle Piece Pendants
Day 13: $1.00 Linen Napkins
Day 14: $2.00 Anthropologie Inspired Cardigan
Da:y 15: $.50 Scrabble Tile Ornaments
Day 16: Free Scribble Stitch Gift Tags
Day 17: $.50 Inexpensive Artwork
Day 18: $1.00 Giant Snowflakes
Day 19: $2.00 Vintage Tool Tray Centerpiece
Day 20: $1.00 Dress to Apron
Day 21: Free Tonal Chain Earrings
Day 22: $1.00 Modern Art Vase
Day 23: $.50 Doily Pocket Cardigan
Day 24: $1.30 Found Object Magnets
Day 25: $.50 Magnetic Memo Board
Day 26: $1.00 A Christmas Wreath
Day 27: $2.00 A Bracelet Tree
Day 28: $1.00 Embroidery Pendants
Day 29: $1.25 Yarn Wrapped Writing
___________

Total: $27.45