Winter is coming and it is time to remember your feathered friends.
I love putting out birdseed and suet , watching the birds come in to feed. Their songs can brighten anyone’s day. In my yard, I have such a variety of birds that visit. I don’t have a favorite as each on them are so pretty . The small finches love the berries on the wax myrtles and flock in the top branches , flying in and out grabbing berries. The cardinals stay for a while and actually perch for a while to eat.
While visiting Yankee Candle this year , I came across Mr. Birds Edible Birdhouses. They are absolutely gorgeous. The prices started at eighty dollars and I really didn’t want to pay that . but I love the look and idea of the edible birdhouse. When I got home, I started researching how to make an edible birdhouse and as you know, you can find anything on Pinterest.
Here is what I found.
I made two birdhouses and I plan to give them to my grandchildren as surprise gifts for Christmas. They were very easy to make and I completed them in least than an hour. I let them dry overnight and wrapped them in clear cellophane , complete with a red bow to give as a gift. Super easy and so pretty
What you need.
Birdhouse – you can either make one or buy one for fairly cheap at a craft store
Edible Glue – there are many recipes out there, or you can even just use peanut butter. The recipe I used calls for flour, corn syrup, and gelatin
Different types of birdseed, raisins, dried fruit, raw nuts, etc.
Decoration – I went outside and gathered some pretty stalks of grass, holly berries, and sweetgum tree balls. Use anything you can find (as long as it’s not poisonous to the birds!)
Step 2: Make Edible Glue – I used a common recipe that I found online:
Heat up the water and then dissolve the gelatin in it. Then mix in the corn syrup and flour. Using whole wheat flour will make a light brown glue, white flour will make a white glue. Whole wheat flour is preferable for the birds as it is more nutritious.
I found that this glue is pretty workable for about half an hour before it starts setting up too much.
Step 3: Glue Birdseed and Decorate
Starting from the top down, spread a thin layer of edible glue on the house and then press birdseed, dried fruit, nuts, etc. into it.
Last year, I received an adorable Christmas gift. It was a framed old vintage red truck with led lights shining in its wreath and headlights. It graced my mantel and I didn’t want to pack it away after the holidays. Guests loved it and all wondered where I got it.
So I asked my friend where did she find this great gift and her answer was ” I made it .” She told me she created it using a gift bag she had purchased at the Dollar Tree. She was kind enough to share me how she did it and was excited that I wanted to share it on my website.
She purchased a canvas, 10 bulb led lights, and a Christmas bag. Three dollars… all from the Dollar Store and started creating.
You cut the picture from the bag to fit the canvas. Using ModgePodge , you coat the canvas with it . Press the picture onto the wet canvas and let it dry. Once dry, put another coat of ModgePodge on it to seal it completely. Let it dry. Using an icepick or sharp scissor point, punch smalls holes where you would like to the lights to shine through. Be sure to make the holes from the front to push the frays toward the back of pic. On back of canvas, push the lights into the holes. Hot glue the lights box back of canvas to secure. It is now ready to frame and dress up your mantel.
I researched on You Tube Old Red Truck and Pinterest Old Red Truck and found that others used wooden backs and drill holes to put in the lights. In addition, instead of framing the picture, they use bows and string to hang. They are absolutely adorable .
Using LED lights as a basic part of a piece of canvas art has grown into a large trend for home decor. There’s something about adding that warm glow that brings the image to life and sets a mood. We especially love this touch for the holidays. Whether it’s a candle flickering in a wintry cabin window or headlights on a red truck, that little pop of light can transform the canvas into a glowing masterpiece. Christmas signs with lights on a Christmas tree look bright and multi-colored. There are many ways to brighten the place with decorations. It can be plain white or you can use clear bulbs that look elegant and stylish. You can even add baubles and other decorations that highlight the Christmas tree and offers the opportunity to last for the entire festive period.
I have gotten so excited about them , I used my creative juices in making one for Halloween to put inside my front door wreath and I am now creating a frame for display to use during the Thanksgiving holidays. Who knows, I may even make several to give away as gifts this year.
The pic is made with dollar store bags modge podged to canvas then after it is dry I topcoat again then pop holes with pointy scissors and hot glue in battery operated lights .
September is apple time. My apple tree is full of little apples this year. And when I think of back to school, I think of apples. September brings us warm and cozy scents, colors of reds, yellows and greens . What has all those wonderful colors…….Apples! They way they smell, the way they crunch, the way they taste and especially the way you can decorate with them. Decorating with apples is so simple, yet elegant. You can have them in a centerpiece or floating in vases. You can use them in garland and make candles out of them. And of course, we eat apples and use them in scrumptious recipes. So today I want to share the ways I grace my home using apples.My favorite way to decorate with apples is to use them in a vignette on my kitchen table. They make a colorful fall centerpiece.
I’m a green apple girl in decor! I think it is because I love green and black and white together! How about you? I bet you could recreate this early fall vignette!
After the apples have been in the vignette a little while you can use them in a recipe. Yes, nothing beats a stress reliever like a slice of apple crunch cake and a cup of coffee. My favorite apple cake recipe is below. You can also add a scoop of ice cream on top…. YUM!
If you have 5 extra minutes you can make this beautiful centerpiece below. I ran out to my garden and grabbed some pretty little flowers and put just a few in each mason jar. Then spilled a bag of green apples into a basket .
And remember your front door. An apple wreath with a touch of burlap and black dresses up your entrance.
I love to core fruits and veggies and put candles in them. And apple candles lined up in a wood bowl all lit up are magical! Even if you are not a crafty, you can do this!
And of course I love the smell of apples , so I make my own simmering pot.
This is a simple simmering recipe. All you need is some apples, oranges, cinnamon and vanilla beans or vanilla extract.
Cut up your fruit and add to a small pot-you can use the entire orange or just the rind, it won’t matter. Add about a half tablespoon of the vanilla and a couple of cinnamon sticks.
Add water to cover the mixture and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and just barely simmer it. It only took about 10 minutes of simmering for our entire home to smell amazing. Add water every so often to replace the water that has evaporated.
This is just a few ways to dress up your home with apples. Please check this Pinterest Link with more ideas.
Succulents are a drought-resistant plant, and oneof the more popular and well-known varieties isthe basic aloe plant. The leaves and tubers of succulentsare generally fleshy and water-filled. The best part of using succulents in your garden or home is they are easy to maintain, and even themost-unsuccessful gardeners can attain a flourishing crop of plants with little effort. I always thought you needed rocks for the bottom, but no, the soil will fill in those rocks over time. Just make sure your pot has proper drainage. The worst thing you can do is overwater them.Because succulents are smaller in size, they make perfect plants for containers and terrariums. They can be grouped together for an interesting variety of textures and colors. The best thing about succulent gardens is that they require little maintenance and look wonderful with almost no effort. If you’re wondering how to brighten your place up and have a small garden all year round, then creating one of these is ideal.
A big plus is that you can recycle items from around the house for planters.
I have seen succulents planted in old wagons andwheelbarrows and even in vintage tubs and pots.I used an antique colander above, which allows for good drainage.Using a mixture of different plants, I also added an assortment of mosses and lichen as filler, and it adds another element of texture and color.Give succulents a try in your own home or garden. And of course, delight a friend with the perfect gift of their own potted succulent garden. And if you decide to put them in some old farm boots,you’ll be gardening in official Southern style. 
A simple and fun way to add a decorative touch is a Mason jar herb garden. Most herbs are extremely easy to grow and growing them in a jar is easy peazy as long as you provide plenty of light and proper drainage.
A couple of herb garden Mason jars tucked into a bookshelf or resting in a sunny windowsill brings the outside into the kitchen. Plus, the added benefit is you can easily snip off a sprig from your jar of herbs for your latest culinary masterpiece. The easier herbs to grow in a jar are
The first thing is finding the jars. Mason jars are the easiest and look great in the Farm House setting. I have used Skippy peanut butter jars and decorated them with burlap ribbon and bows. After finding your jars, wash them and let them dry. You are now ready to plant your herbs.
Starting your jar of herbs from seeds in the Mason jar is not a recommended course of action. Using transplants is a surer recipe for success when planting herbs in canning jars, such as the plants for herb jars listed above. Herbs have roots that are a little larger than their top growth so be sure to use a jar that allows for the root growth. It is helpful to select drought friendly herbs in case of missed watering, and trailing herbs like some thyme look lovely in the glass jar.
Also adequate drainage is essential for your herbs , so I add a few stones in the bottom of jar before adding the soil. It also adds a cute look to the jar.
My favorite herbs are mint and rosemary because of their fragrances. Bring them in from outside and their delicate hints of freshness fills the room.
Dressing up the jar is up to your imagination. I even top mine off with herbs spikes, complete with writing their names in chalk.
Spring is officially here ! And it has put me in the mood to change the look of patio furniture. What better way than to update cushions and pillows. I have so many pillows and they are still in very good shape. This year I decided I would make Pillow Wraps to add to them . They add just the right touch to my patio and the cost was so budget friendly. I purchased a roll of burlap ribbon from Hobby Lobby
and also used ribbons I already had on hand from prior projects. You can stencil your burlap ribbon or apply premade adhesive letters or sayings.
I love simple sewing projects that have a big impact. And this project is super easy. All you have to sew is the Velcro closure on the ends of ribbon . So it is only 4 seams. When wrapping a 12 inch pillow, you cut your ribbon 30 inches. This gives you plenty of room to adjust your wrap .
Okay, now let’s make one, you’re going to need:
An existing pillow
30 inch ribbon of burlap or any ribbon you like to wrap around your pillow
Fusible Seam Tape or velcro
On the front of the pillow measure how much of the pillow you want covered by the burlap or ribbon, this plus 2” will be the width of your pillow sleeve piece.
Cut and then sew your velcro backing to the each end of the ribbon.
Adhere your premade decal on front of burlap or stencil your saying.
Wrap around your pillow. You are done. You can dress up your patio within 30 minutes for less than 15 dollars. Now that’s a bargain.
Do you need a silhouette cameo machine ? Do you like crafts and creating ? Do you always need another monogram ? If you answer yes, you just might want to invest in a cameo. Sewing has always been a passion for me. When I retired, I invested into an embroidery machine and began the world of designs and personalizing anything I could sew a design on. One day while shopping for material, I saw an embroidered tote. It wasn’t done in thread, but vinyl. I didn’t know this could be done . I discovered the world of vinyl and heat transfer and I wish there were more hours in a day, just to create and complete my creations.
If you are interested in designing your own monograms and designs at a nominal cost, the Cameo Silhouette is perfect. Since purchasing the Cameo, I hardly ever use my embroidery machine. The Cameo is easy to learn and with you-tube tutorials, you can be an experienced user of the Cameo in the matter of a month. Please enjoy some of my and other’s designs that have been created with a Cameo.
Source :http://www.theinspiredhousewife.com/2011/02/do-i-need-a-silhouette-machine/
Source :https://www.pinterest.com/pin/312929874089521114/
Source:https://www.etsy.com/listing/276952794/personalized-mailbox-decals?ref=shop_home_listings
June is filled with back yard grilling, catching fireflies, water fun and games. And lets not forget that June is the month of the Bride. I recently attended an outdoor wedding. The wedding was Shabby Chic theme and the reception party was a blast. The wedding had many homemade games and fun things to do while celebrating the afternoon with the wedding couple. One of the games really caught my attention and I immediately started snapping pictures of it. This week I tried my hand at my own.
It is a Ring Toss Game. It is made from old used bottles. We all have them around. I spray painted them different colors. So perfect for a child’s birthday party. I purchased the wooden rings from Hobby Lobby. The size is 1 7/8 inches in diameter. I had left over jute and wound the jute tightly around the ring. I finished it off with a small know and then modpodge the ends to seal
My husband had an old crate he let me have. He painted it for me.
I can’t wait to have a back yard party, just to try out my new ring toss game.
So easy to make and so much fun.
While visiting Japan , my husband was lucky enough to walk the shore of the Sea of Japan daily. He took beautiful pictures of sunrises and sunsets and fishermen checking their nets. His favorite pastime was collecting the sea glass. And it is abundant in the area we resided. All sizes and colors washed up daily and especially after a storm, he actually would carry a bag to bring it back. We sorted it into colors and sizes. Pinks, greens, blues, amber and clear. Occasionally, he would find red. We bought it home and you can only do so much decorating with sea glass.
A couple of weeks ago, I was shopping at Pottery Barn and found a set of seashell plate chargers. A set of four cost 260.00. They were beautiful. I got ready to purchase them and then I remembered the containers of sea glass at home. I can make them. All I needed were Hobby Lobby chargers, a bag of shells , sea glass , and a glue gun.
It is a DIY that takes time . I wanted mine to be in a pattern, so a lot of my time was placing the shells in a round design before glueing them on the charger. The glueing doesn’t take that long. My cost was 7.96 for four chargers, a bag of shells at 19.99 and sticks of glue . Luckily , I had plenty of sea glass. Total cost of four was 30 dollars. Not bad for an afternoon of fun and creating.
And they passed the store bought test . I used them at a dinner party and my girlfriends were asking where they could buy a set.
It looks like another afternoon DIY party is in our future. Potluck and special desserts, plus DIY. Let the party begin!
Summertime is approaching and the bugs are back. Living in Carolina, you are going to find yourself outside. Whether it is back acre, by the pool, playing corn hole in the yard or just relaxing at dusk on the deck, those pesky little skeetzers come around. I found the perfect way to reuse my wine bottles and deter the bugs too. 
Source: Amazon
1/2″ x 3/8″ copper coupling ($0.97)
Tiki replacement wick ($1.54)
Nylon thread seal tape ($.97)
Recycled wine bottle or beer bottle
Citronella torch fuel (price not included)
The construction is pretty simple:
1. Wrap the pipe wrap around the copper reducer many times. The opening on our wine bottle required about 15 times around so that it would stick and we actually inserted the smaller 3/8″ side into the bottle as the 1/2″ side didn’t fit (as compared to the original How-to). In the future, we’d also want to try it in beer bottles for smaller torches to place around the yard.
2. Insert the wick into the reducer.
3. Fill the bottle with Citronella and insert wick. Let the oil be absorbed into the wick before lighting.
4. Light and enjoy!
It is a quick DIY project. Only takes an half at the most to complete and you are set to enjoy that new bottle of wine on the deck as the sun sets. No Bugs Allowed !
One of my many pastimes is putting a name on it. I love monograms and bows. I love the extra touches of personalization. I decided to venture out with an online store. I want to share some of the designs I am using this spring. The bunnies were a hit and with summer is nearly here, the hibiscus decals are the rage. There is a new item called LIFE theme and it is used on tee shirts and totes. I am just learning how to create these designs.
Announcing the opening of BeeBees Designs at Etsy.
Please enjoy the designs and share with fellow crafters.
My pinecones are still falling. Im ready for summer and summer flowers. So until my zinnias bloom, Ill do the next best thing. Create pretty zinnias from pinecones. I use pinecones in many of my rustic, fall and country designs. I like their textured feel and look and they add dimension to a design. I am always researching new ways of design and I came across an article on creating zinnias from pinecones. What a fun idea. I decided to give it a try. How easy they are to create.
What you will need :
Sponge Brush, Paints, mod podge acrylic sealant, and pinecones.
Any type of pine cone will work. Just be sure the bottom of it turned upwards resembles a flower. You can use different sizes of pinecones as you are creating “a bouquet” .
Once you gather your pinecones, Dry brush them to clean any pine straw and dirt off .
Some use spray paint to color the pinecones. I tried it , but found that it spattered and was a little messy. So I opted for the acrylic craft paint and a sponge brush. It gives me more control of getting into the cracks and layers of the pinecone.
I let the paint set for about a minute on the pinecone and then I dry brushed it for an outdoorsy and natural look.
I dabbed a little yellow paint in the center to create the pollen part of the zinnia. Don’t be afraid to layer different colors and layer shades for depth.
The paint will be dry to the touch in about an hour, but I wanted to be sure it was completely dry in all the nooks and crannies. I waited until morning for the next step. I sealed them with the modpodge sealant. Let them dry and you are ready to arrange them in a beautiful bowl . They make a great accent piece. I love the colors they add to a room Be creative. You can use them to make a wreath or string them as a garland. Here is a link to a step by step tutorial on creating pinecone zinnias .
I love this time of year and at the end of a day, I really don’t want to go inside. The weather is cool but still enjoyable. Watching the sunset and the sky changing colors gives me such a restful feeling. I love my tabletop fire pit. It adds just enough heat to keep me cozy. I found another great DIY outside project that takes only a hour to create and by night fall, I can enjoy the results with my tabletop fire pit.
It is inexpensive too. I bought Dollar Tree solar lights and flower pots . I already had the paints. Since I’m not crafty as an artist, I just pour a small amount of paint on the flower pots. Let them dry. Insert your lights and you are all set with perfect little table lights.
Now all I add is a glass of wine, toes up and watch the sunset.
Spring is here! Spring Mornings in Carolina are beautiful. Waking up before the sun rises and you see the mellow moon casting its light through shades of pinks. As the sun shows it glow, for about an hour you can see the sun and moon . The moon fades away in white. And the sun lights the horizons with streaks of gold, pink, and blues. Sunrise and dusk are favorite parts of your day in Carolina. The air is still a tad nippy . You can bundle up with your cup of coffee and enjoy the view . I like sitting by a fire. i saw an idea on Pinterest I just had to try. It is a FireGlass Pit. It was so easy. I only needed three items. A terracota pot, three cans of sterno and couple of bags of fire glass. Just what is fire glass? It is glass that has been crushed, tempered and the edges are smooth. It doesn’t combust or leave an odor.
So how do you create your own tabletop pit ? Take your three sterno cans and place in your terracota bowl. I make a triangle shape . Add your fire glass. Completely surround your cans with the fire glass. Fire Glass comes in assorted colors, so you have options on accenting your table. I love the blue. Watching the fire reflecting off the glass makes me feel cozy and the heat is just enough to warm the air while you enjoy the sunrise and your cup of coffee. It is the best way to start your Carolina morning.
