MASON JAR FOR BABY

Got a baby? Got a mason jar? How about some baby food jar lids? Well, then this tutorial-free tutorial is for you! Seriously, no step-by-step photos needed for this one. Just remove the circle part of the mason jar lid to trace a circle on a cardboard box. Cut around the circle, then cut a slot in the middle. Round up those saved baby food jar lids, and let the baby play begin!

Graham loves when I pull this out from the cabinet. It's perfect for kitchen floor play while I make dinner. And while it entertains, it is also builds those fine motor skills and baby hand-eye coordination.

For more ideas on what to do with those glass baby food jars,
see my guest post over on A Girl In Transit!

CHALK SALT SHAKERS DIY

Speaking of picnics... you're gonna want to bring these along in your basket this summer.

Chalkboard paint, baby food jar, salt and pepper shakers. Chalk salt shakers, for short.

What you need: baby food jars, chalkboard paint, drill.

Now... dip one. 

Dip two. 

Dip, dip, dip. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

The paint slides down the glass as it dries, so multiple coats were needed.

Primer might have been my best friend for this project. Next time. :)

Let dry.

Take outside. Drill holes in the jar lids.

 Fill.

And chalk and shake! xo!

PRINT WALL

Remember that print wall, here's the answers to your

"what's that?" and "where from's?"

 I crocheted this one about a year ago. {pattern HERE}

The God is Love embroidery and Jungle Animal one below are pass-downs from Jeff's family.

You can find similar Sunset Designs on Etsy, search vintage. Mine are from 1979 and 1977.

And the animals were never finished. Still haven't decided whether to continue to leave as-is

or take a needle and thread to it myself. :)

 These prints were found by doing a "free printables" search on Pinterest. {see HERE}

The DIYs done by me:

"BESOS" was a quick pen-to-paper

Heart was cut from scraps of leather

Cloud embroidery was a quick 10 minute project in a 3" hoop

Also, the white crochet above was the same pattern as the yellow, seen HERE

And the etsy prints were a black friday special from HERE

There ya have it!

buggs and bows are back!

You may have already noticed, but I've re-opened up shop!

And the buggs are starting to overflow right into it, right here.

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As for the bows... come and get 'em! I've re-stocked and now have piles of them.

Including the new "oatmeal" color, as requested by a sweet shopper.

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And here is a simple tutorial to custom-fit your bow, to you or baby's head size...

You can wear the bow by leaving the ties hanging in the back as shown in the first picture. Or you can go with the seamless look in the last picture by following the tutorial. Either way works great!

(model-perfect hair creds go to my sis... thanks liana!)

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Oooor, you can slip the chain off completely and bobby pin it to a high bun like I did yesterday,
shown in the picture above.

And here are a couple bow-wearing/baby-carrying pics from my instagram feed...

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NOW, send me YOUR pics of mama and baby bow wearing!

Or babies with BUGGS!

I 'm working up a post featuring YOU lovelies. email me!
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UPDATE: Thanks for sending pictures! Here are lots of babies and mamas wearing bows:
BOW TIE BOYS AND HEADBAND BEAUTIES

shortcut crochet: holiday wreath

Welcome new followers! To me, fall is all about cozy time with my yarn stash and crochet hooks!
Who needs a new wreath idea... You? Perfect.

Gather your supplies, which will include single crochet chains, learn how HERE. Pumpkin optional.
(And just today found a genius idea of hardware store tubing for wreath making on pinterest!)

 Aim your glue gun. Be generous.

Wrap, wrap, glue, wrap. Tuck ends. Or not. Loose ends are cute too.

Hang. Smile big.

This wreath is part of my "shortcut crochet" projects I'm sharing for first time crocheters or anyone that wants to get that instant satisfaction of a finished project in one sitting. And when asked about this little lovely hanging on your wall, go ahead and soak up that, "yeah, I totally made that!" moment.

And don't miss the others...
shortcut crochet: jar cozy
shortcut crochet: mug cozy
shortcut crochet: the single chain

Now, click the button above to visit the rest of the Followers Fest bunch!

There's lots more fall ideas, crafts, decorations, tricks and treats, costumes, and recipes to soak up.

Thanks for visiting! Please leave a shoutout to your post so I can be sure to hop over!

so nervous

I was invited to do my first guest post! eeek!

Me and my mug cozy are over on A Girl In Transit's blog today.

Go leave me a shoutout that you visited, and say hi to my sweet Sarah!

shortcut crochet: jar cozy

These lovelies are from dottie angel,

which I immediately covered my mantel with and christmas gifted last year.

Now here's the shortcut version...

 Gather those crochet chains of yours...

 Aim your hot glue gun at a clean jar. In my case here, Prego sauce and baby food jar.

 Wrap, wrap, dot of glue, wrap. Tie on new color as desired.

 Viola!

Add some water and pretty flowers or tea light candles...

mine here at home hold all my colorful crochet hooks. :)

All these shortcut crochet projects I'm sharing are for first time crocheters or anyone that wants to get that instant satisfaction of a finished project in one sitting. And when asked about these pretties, go ahead and soak up that, "yeah, I totally made that!" moment.

shortcut crochet

For all those who have said to me, "you have to teach me how to crochet!" This one's for you. :)

Simple steps to a single crochet chain stitch after the jump!

CLICK HERE!

I should be wrapping

but instead, I'm glittering my nails.

I never got around to crafting with martha's lovely glitter set,

 but it's pretty self was begging to be used...
A coat of red polish, glitter, let dry. Then 2 coats of clear top coat.

Introducing martha stewart garnet glitter nails.
It's a good thing. :)

Ok, I'm done being a hand model for the day.

And I should have done the dishes first.