Squishy, fluffy, tufted pillows

Here's one more addition to my couch decor! I made it last night. Frodo seems to like it too.

The Nautical Doggie

Good Morning all! Just wanted to share my newest creation! I had left over pant fabric from making my pillow the other day so I decided to make Frodo a cute doggie coat. Let me know how you guys like it! I'd love to take orders from other pet owners! The fashion is nautical this summer anyways! :)

Recycled Flowers

I actually saw these a long time ago while window shopping. I finally found the instructables off of Zakka Life. Here are mine! Hope you guys enjoy!

How to: Cut a magazine horizontally in a third. Make sure it's the kind with the staples. Take each piece of paper, curl and glue to the bottom edge of the previous paper. Don't connect the last piece which was the beginning piece, set to dry. After it's secure, glue the last piece which will turn it into a flower. 

Feelin' Squirrely...

Today I've been on a creative kick. I looked over at my pillows and thought, I'm really sick of looking at these, they're so boring. Hence came the idea of a squirrel jean pillow cover. I used my husband's old pinstriped bootleg pants and covered a hideous eyesore. Well I thought it was hideous. Here's the steps if anyone wants to cover some ungodly pillows.

Step 1 : Use a rectangle pillow that you don't care about because you'll never see it again. Grab a pair of cool looking wide legged jeans. You can easily find some at goodwill. 

Step 2: Turn pant leg inside out and sew the bottom of it shut. 

It should look like this:

Step 3: Turn it right side out and push the seams so that they're squared off.

 Step 3: Stuff the pillow down the leg. It's ok if it's really tight, it will stretch out over time. Make sure the pillow isn't too small though. You shouldn't be able to easily spin the cloth around the pillow, that means the pants are too wide legged or the pillows too small. 

 Sweet! Snug as a bug in a rug. 

Step 4: Time to trim off the excess. Make sure it's about a thumb width that you trim from the end of the pillow. 

 Step 5: Time to pin! My favorite! Not. Tuck the edges inwards and bring together and pin.

 Step 6: Sew the edge!

Step 7: You can use any fabric or ribbon you want. I chose this cute flower design. I turned it inside out and sewed the edges together to make a ring. Flipped it right side out and put it on the pillow. 

 Step 8: Then I took some cute red felt ric rac and measured it to go around the edges of the flower material. I did the same procedure, sewed the edges and made a ring. 

 Step 9: You can be done with the pillow if you want to, but I chose to download a squirrel template and trace it onto some navy felt. 

Sew it on.

 Tada! Squirrel Pillow! Tip: If you want to make sure the fabric and ric rac stays put use some hemming tape and iron on beneath it. 

My two favorite things!

Chocolate and espresso, mix it together and you have a recipe to kill. I couldn't resist these Chocolate-Espresso Snowcaps when I ran across the recipe on Martha Stewart. Oh thank you Martha because they were divine! Here's some of my goodness. :)

Spring is coming!

I've been blog browsing trying to find nifty crafts for the outdoors. I'm a huge bird lover but not a good gardener. So I try to grow the simple plants, like herbs and pre-planted flowers. I ran across How About Orange and loved her adorable ideas.

If you like to grow things, perhaps you also like to paint things. Check outKate's painted plant pot tutorial on Design Sponge. Tape, stickers, and spray paint make this a super easy DIY project.

To make some garden markers from vintage spoons, get the how-to right here from Shrimp Salad Circus. Or if that sounds like too much work, buy a set like this one from Hammermann on Etsy.

Make a tea cup bird feeder with instructions from Cap Creations. The saucer holds the seed and the cup holds the water.

Enjoying President's Day at home...

So it's President's Day and it's a glorious one because I get paid to sit at home. That's the glory of working at a bank. :) So for all those as bored as I am, I thought I would share a couple of ideas for those looking to make some Presidential treats.

Jelly Bean Pods!

Inspired by Ronald Reagan who was known for munching on jelly beans. Hand these out to the little ones and they can rip them open and find yummy goodies!

Check out the tutorial

Jones Soda Ice Cream Floats

 Buy some stripy paper straws to add 'the touch'

Buy some awesome red & blue sodas

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream into vintage glasses and you've got your presidential float.

Rise & Shine!

Welllll it is 65 degrees out! And no, I do not live in Florida. :) I went to go put a pair of shoes on this morning and was like "ughhh" boots boots & more boots. This sunny shiny weather has got me in the mood for a new pair of summer kicks. Who else would be better than Tom! Now I know everyone has their own personal style, such as traditional mom, contemporary student, abercrombie addict, but honestly these shoes look great on everyone and they feel like slippers. Oh and the most important part, when you buy a pair they donate a pair to someone in need. One for One.

Now these are a little more of my style. I love acting like I'm still a kid! Elephants on my feet! 

These are awesome! I have the brown cords but turquoise is my favorite color. I might have to secretly buy these.

And for those that are too scared of the color & prints there is always the classic. Grey is a staple in my wardrobe.

And lastly, I had to put these on here for the sake of my mother in law. She wears heels everyday of her life. These would be ideal.  

Anthropologie Coffee?

So I was in Anthropologie the other day and came across this crafty piece. Now for everyone who knows me, I am a coffee addict! So this only makes sense, a coffee filter flower cluster! I will be honest, I probably don't have this many coffee filters but I know who does! Sams!! This just might be my next defeat. Yea, it will definitely be a pain in the rear to dust and clean but if it looks intriguing I'll do it. This is amazing and it will be crafted! I promise you this.  

It's the Day of Love after all!

From roses to pom pom garland, there's all sorts of ways to add that Valentine's Day splash to your abode without shelling out an arm & a leg. 

Are your bouquet of roses looking a little cliche this year? Cut them down and poke into an oasis ball. Voila! A hanging flower ball.  

Super cheap and super easy! Requires one styrofoam wreath, one skein of creme yarn, red & green felt, & buttons. 

Have any boring books laying around? Put them to good use and make a wreath! Rip out the pages and stain them with tea or coffee. Buy a wooden circle and assemble with glue. Top off with an adorable centerpiece.

How cute is this window garland! Purchase some heavy scrapbook paper and cut into 4 different sized strips. Use 8 per heart (not including the center piece) and staple into place! String through the top of the middle strip and connect all the hearts. So easy your kid could do it! 

I squealed when I saw this pom pom window decoration! Use fishing line and thread through pink and red pom poms. Make several different ones and tie all the strings onto a long stick. Then hang above window! 

Buy some thick coated wire from Michaels or Lowes and shape into any word you desire. Wrap it in any color yarn. So cute! It'd be perfect for a kid's name and to put it on their door.