(Un)Crafty - Jewelry Organizer

As I just mentioned earlier this week, I love accessories.  While I don't have too many to choose from, I still like to have them organized so I can see what my choices are.  My little jewelry box doesn't hold the chunky necklaces of late, so I knew I needed to do something else to hold them.  I stumbled upon this jewelry organizer that I love.  Alissa at 33 Shades of Green has quickly become an inspiration to me.  Just browse the "Popular Projects" along her sidebar and you too will be inspired.  I want to copy all her projects...maybe someday!  For now, I've created this jewelry organizer...

Supplies:
1. corkboard or bulletin board (mine was an old one that was in bad shape and just lying around)
2. fabric (if desired to cover cork)
3. upholstery nails or thumb tacks (I've found the best selection at Menards)
4. T-pins

To make:
I ironed the fabric and cut to size.  Then I folded it tightly around the edges and stapled in the back.  I pushed upholstery nails in around the inside of the bulletin board frame.  Then I inserted T-pins to hang jewelry.

Easy!

I personally like Alissa's project better, but I used the supplies I had at home to create this, which was also inspired by the bulletin board in her craft room.  Like I said - I'm in love with all her projects (I wasn't kidding!).

Do you have a jewelry organizing solution?  I'd love to see it!

Say Yes To....

I'm in looooove with these Yes To Cucumbers Facial Towelettes.  I first bought them when I was traveling so I wouldn't need to bring an oozy bottle of facial wash in my toiletries bag.  Now, I have resorted to using them everyday because I love them so much.  They towelettes are silky soft and they remove makeup no problem (I don't wear much makeup, though).  The solution is so gentle and smells just lovely.  They are the best towelettes I've used and I'm gonna keep using them everyday!

There is a wide range of Yes To... products worth checking out.  I buy mine at Target in Eau Claire.  Do you have a favorite?

(Un)Crafty - Trend Necklace

For the past year, I have really been loving the accessory trends I see in stores.  However, I rarely want to spend the money to update my collection.  I think accessories are a great way to keep your wardrobe current.  Recently, I saw a necklace from Love Stitched that I wanted to make.  So, I enlisted my crafty sister to help me!  Last weekend we got some time to make this:

Yep - that's my beautiful sister adorning her new necklace.  The whole project only took about 20-30 minutes.  We bought a variety of chains (from Michael's and JoAnn's - all with coupons!), some ribbon, and some hoops.  My sister had some tools she uses for her jewelry, so we were all set!

We cut the chains to the lengths we wanted - each chain was a sightly different length.  I chose to make my necklace pretty chunky with lots of strands.  We used all different kinds of chains: color, texture, and style.

Here are the chains all looped through a small hoop at each end.  Now to attach the ribbon:

We tied slip-knots on each end with about 16 inches of ribbon.  The slip knots allow for the necklace to shorten/lengthen as desired.

The finished product!  We were really happy with the result.  So easy and so affordable!  Happy crafting!

ID Mommy: Picky Sticky Picture Stickers

I'm in love with this idea via I.D. Mommy!

ID Mommy: Picky Sticky Picture Stickers: "You may remember my previous post about how I take photos of my boys every week with a sign that says their current age... With my first bo..."

Bedroom Makeover - $20

Ever since we registered for wedding gifts (over seven years ago!), I have wanted a white cotton duvet cover for our bedroom.  During the overwhelming process of registering for our gifts, I gave in to my husband (then, fiance) when he thought it would look a little too "boring and plain".  Blah, blah, blah.

So, we have spent seven years with a dark duvet cover that isn't all bad, but we're I'm sick of it.  But, in case I haven't mentioned it before, our discretionary dollars are, like ZERO dollars per month.  Almost.  So, when I found this steal-of-a-deal white cotton duvet set (Yep, I said "set";  as in duvet cover and two standard shams!) at Target for only.....

drumroll, please....

$19.99!

Ta-da!  The white cotton duvet cover I have always (well, seven-years-always) wanted.  For a price I can afford.  Are you kidding?  My lucky day, I guess.  The quality is great - the duvet and pillows don't show through the white and its super soft, clean, and fresh!

Now we feel like we sleep at a super-celeb spa...or at least at the Sheraton.  We had the green coverlet set from a couple years before (Target clearance) and it keeps our decor tied in with the new white duvet set.

Click here to see our bedroom before.

[More big projects to come in this bedroom...will share when complete!]

There were a couple other colors of this set available.  Do you have a guest room to furnish?  Need a fresh new look for your duvet?  At $20, you can't go wrong!  Happy decorating!

My Magic Cleaner

On this lovely American Holiday, I cleaned.  Yep.  And not just cleaned....cleaned my bathrooms.  What a nice way to celebrate, right?!  Well, who are we kidding: moms don't get holidays...am I right, mamas?

As I was cleaning, clutching my lovely spray bottle (from the Dollar Tree) and my Mr. Clean Eraser sponge with my yellow-glove laden hands, I decided I should share my magic cleaner recipe with all of you!

This recipe was given to my years ago when I wanted to get rid of harsh cleaners in my home and start making some of my own cleaners.  Since then, I have seen the recipe posted in newspaper and magazine articles, so apparently more people than just me are loving it.

So, get ready...its tricky...

Magic Cleaner
1 part Original Formula Blue DAWN Dishsoap
2 parts white distilled vinegar

Phew...did you get all that?


So simple, right?!  It's what I use to clean everything in my bathrooms.  Everything.  Bathtub (that's where the Mr. Clean Eraser comes in handy - cuts that soap scum like nothin'!), toilet (along with a couple tablets of Alka-Seltzer), and sink.

I also read that some people use the solution as a spot remover, but I have not tried that yet.  I decided to call it "Magic Cleaner", since its like magic to me.  Cutting down on cleaning supplies, making my bathroom quicker to clean, and keeping my home fresh is magic enough for me.

My method is just to grab my cheapo spray bottle and fill 1/3 of the way up with DAWN (only the blue kind will work!), then fill the rest of the 2/3 with vinegar.  Then I shake it up a little and VOILA!  You are set!  Say goodbye to any other cleaner...you will love this one.

Happy Labor Day, Mamas!

*As with any cleaner, test before using on any new surface and keep away from children and pets.

Possible Fall Project

I'm not really "into" wreaths.  I don't really think they usually fit my style.  However...

I like this wreath.

This wreath is no ordinary leafy green wreath.  This wreath is just so sleek and modern.  And, this wreath is easy enough for even me to make. You can find the tutorial for how to make this wreath by clicking right HERE or by visiting Tatertots and Jello.

Happy crafting!