Gifts to go

I am a sucker for packaging.  I will buy things completely based on the colors and design.   Just ask the mister and he will tell you I get really excited about a cute soda label.

 I found these brown chinese takeout boxes at Michaels and thought they would be perfect to wrap up the garland I made for my friends as as a house warming gift.

I found some layaway tags at a little store in Mountain Grove and the stickers at Michaels as well.  Just add a little glue and you have an alternative to a regular gift bag!

 I also wrapped up a friend's wedding present in one and made it a little fancier by adding a heart doily, ribbon, and stickers that spelled her new last name.  Very fun and easy!

xoxo

Sweet friends & short goodbyes

Evan left for a short tour on Sunday, so this week has been for eating a lot of pie and feeling sorry for myself.

It's also been for best friends who bring the said pie over and watch tv with you in pjs and other best friends who tell you the night's forecast because they don't want you to be spooked during a  thunderstorm.

 I can't help but miss that guy when he leaves, but I am a lucky gal to have such great friends.

Felted garland in a snap!

I love how felted garland can add a pop of color to your home. It's really easy to make too!

Here's what you need: wool roving (I found mine at Michaels), a needle, bakers twine, paper towels, soap and water.  One package of wool roving makes around 50 beads, depending on the size of bead you are making.

1. Fill your bowl up with hot water and dish soap. You want a lot of soap because that's what binds the felt.  Grab a little bit of wool roving and then dip half of it in the soapy water.

2. Start to roll the wool roving in your hand forming a ball. I noticed that the soapier my hands were the easier it was to shape it into a ball.  If you get spaces you can take a small amount of roving, dip it in water, and cover the space.  

3.  Tada! Place the ball on a paper towel and repeat the above steps.  It is really easy, but takes some time. I made mine at the coffee table while watching a movie.  

4.  Let the beads dry over night.

5.  After the beads are dry, you can tread them on the bakers twine.  I left spaces in between each bead, but you can place them close together.

It can be fun to decorate for a birthday, give as a gift, or just leave up year around!

 Hope you have a wonderful weekend! We are on our way to Joplin tonight, we have some extreme celebrating to do with the most wonderful people.

diy adapted from here

xoxo

Last weekend we road tripped it to Lincoln, NE to see our friends who live there.  Evan grew up driving there and playing music, so there was plenty of reminiscing and laughter to go around.

Other than short but sweet road trips, I have been working on some projects for our bedroom and stalking craigslist. 

This week I am enjoying my last week before school starts once again.  Where did Christmas break go!?

xoxo

2012 or bust!

I hope everyone had a great holiday! We rang in the New Year singing 90s tunes with friends, which is always fun!  There is something so exciting about all the possibilities that a new year has to offer.  And of course new resolutions! Here are some of mine:

1. Work on our home. 

This is going to be a slow process for me.  I find myself waiting to do a project in fear of seeing something else I like more which usually results in nothing getting done!  I have a lot of projects in the works and I am ready to dive in!

2. Learn 

I have really been wanting to learn to embroider. It looks so fun.  If anyone knows how please teach me! I also want Evan to teach me how to play guitar.  He has such a love and knowledge for music that it is pretty crazy for me not to learn.

3. Cook healthy meals

We eat out way too much. Not only is it unhealthy it is costly on our budget.  I need to get in the kitchen and learn some new skills! If anyone has any recipes send them my way!

4.  Laugh more

I let the little things get to me sometimes.  I am a happy, but I can get anxious about things.  I really want to let things go and laugh until my face hurts.

5. Adventures

This means: making new friends, road trips,  trying out new things, and of course spending more time with my family and loved ones.

Those are just some of my goals for this year. 2012 is going to be an exciting year full of learning and making new memories. What are your goals?

xoxo