{Recycle and Reuse Old Sweaters}

I just LOVE this idea!  What a great craft for this time of year!

We all have those sweaters that sit in the bottom of the drawer that you've convinced yourself for the last two winters that you'll wear again one day.  That day has never come and here you are on your third winter of deciding what to do with that same sweater.  Well here you go!  No need to feel guilty any longer about not wanting to wear that sweater that you once upon a time HAD to have.

As you're going through your old sweaters this fall, don't just throw or give away the ones that don't fit, that no longer are on trend, or that you haven't worn and can't justify keeping.

This is an excellent way to repurpose something unused into something adorable!  See how to do it at makeit-loveit.com.

{ DIY Sweater Hats: makeit-loveit.com }

{Doilies, Doilies, Doilies!}

I pretty much think doilies are about the most precious paper product out there.  There is nothing that an adorable doily can't cute up!  When I ran across this simple idea from, who else but THE Martha, it made me go on a web hunt for other cute doily things.

{…oh, so cute table setting idea…}

seriously...how special would you feel sitting down to this??

Photo:
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/230968/stylish-diy-wedding-table-settings?lpgStart=1&currentslide=6&currentChapter=1





{…omg! doily envelopes!…}

Photo:
http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/doily-envelopes/

 

{…doily petal cone...} 

Photo:
http://www.willowtreecreative.com.au/blog/?p=1637



{…doily gift wrap...}

Photo:
http://dogwoodandpoppy.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/doilies-are-cool-again/





{…doily gift tag...}

Photo:
http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2010/12/yesterday.html



{…doily wall art...}

 PROJECT STEPS INCLUDED IN LINK

Photo:
http://mychiclife.com/2011/02/25/oh-hello-doily/

{…doily aisle decor...}

Photo:
http://www.weddingbycolor.com/theredqueen/milestones/173176

{…doily garland...}

Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Photo:
http://www.stayathomeartist.com/2011/01/valentines-day-doily-garland.html



{…doily stencil bag...}
PROJECT STEPS INCLUDED

Photo:
http://tidymom.net/2010/monogram-stenciled-canvas-bag/

{Cinnamon Stick Candles}

I love finding chic, easy, decor ideas.  This idea for table decor found on Home Stories A2Z by way of Youplusdallas.com certainly fit the bill!  Not only is it cute and easy, but cinnamon is my FAVORITE home fragrance!  Well actually, it's apple cinnamon, but...cinnamon is part of that.  Check out the blog post for easy directions on creating this look for your own home.

{Gorgeous Lentil Tablescape}

I now have a new-found appreciation for lentils!  How gorgeous of an idea is this for your fall tablescape!?  And thanks to the instructions from HGTV, you and the kids can make this a fun home project!  This will give you and the fam something to talk about over Thanksgiving dinner when the convo about travel time and traffic starts running a little dry.

Materials and Tools:
assortment of miniature, small and medium pumpkins (orange and white foam craft variety)
assortment of pillar candles (green, white, rust and yellow)
double-sided adhesive sheets (available at craft stores)
ruler
pencil
scissors
split peas
dried lentils (various colors and sizes)
beans
pie plates
 
Steps:
1. Pour lentils to almost fill pie plates, one color lentil per plate.

 

2. Cut strips of adhesive to form the band, strips can range from one to three inches wide, depending on the size of the pumpkins. Tip: Visually, it's best if the adhesive strips cover approximately one-third of the pumpkin.
 
3. Remove one side of paper from the adhesive and wrap around the middle of the pumpkin. Remove the remaining paper backing. Add additional strips of adhesive until there is a continuous band around the middle of the pumpkin.

 

4. Roll the exposed adhesive in the lentils, pressing the lentils into the adhesive to affix. Use fingers to place additional lentils in areas where they do not completely cover the adhesive.
 
5. Press all lentils gently to make sure they are secure and repeat for remaining pumpkins.

 

6. Cut strips of adhesive that equal the height of each candle, minus two inches.
 
7. Wrap the adhesive around the candles in the same manner as the pumpkins, leaving an inch of candle color exposed at the top and bottom and roll the exposed adhesive in the lentils to cover.

 

8. To create a colorful tablescape, pour additional lentils onto table in a colorful pattern. Place pumpkins and candles on the bed of lentils. Raise some pumpkins and candles by placing them on stands or candleholders.
 
Note: To store this decoration for future use, wrap candles and pumpkins in wax paper to keep lentils attached and store in a cool, dry place.



{Happy Halloween From My Craft Club!}

At our monthly meeting, my craft club decided to try the project of painting pumpkins.  In addition to great food and awesome girl time, we came up with some pretty adorable decorated pumpkins!

{Painted Pumpkins}

Long gone are the days of your typical jack-o-lantern.  How hot are these pumpkins???  Why be bothered with carving and scooping out seeds and pulp when you can do something as cool and easy as painting?  These pumpkins featured in Country Living are gorgeous!

photography credit:

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/craft-ideas-for-halloween-1009