Good DIY Finds!

I was paging through a magazine this weekend and came across an article that featured a "professional crafter!"  I wonder how you become that because I think I would like that job!  Even though I don't see this in my near future I did find some great DIY projects to practice my craft-making skills.  I thought I would share them with you.  If you click on the buttons below you will be linked directly to the blog site and if you click on the title of the DIY project, you will go directly to the instructions.

Chevron Clutch Tutorial and Pattern

This project is so cute - I am definitely making these!

Rustic Wooden Wall Sign

This would make a great wedding gift!

15 Inspired Decorating Solutions

These rooms and ideas are beautiful if you are looking for some decorating inspiration!

One last thing I wanted to share was this awesome picture that my sister, Kayle, took this weekend while she and her husband were on a cattle drive in Nebraska.  It was too good not to share with you! :)



'Barnone' on a Nebraska cattle drive



Kayle and her husband, Heath, helped move 1,000 head of cattle for the ranch that Heath works at.  What a neat experience!  I'm pretty sure that this is the first cattle drive that Kayle had ever been on and it makes me think about how exciting new experiences are.  So - I ask this question:

When was the last time you did something for the first time? 

(Feel free to answer in the comment section below!)

I will leave you with that thought for the week!  And happy crafting!

 *Beth 

My Favorite Travel Accessory

My week started off with travel for work to Columbus, Ohio!  While I was sitting on the airplane, thinking about some upcoming blog posts, it came to mind that I should share my favorite travel accessory idea with you - an extra large scarf! I have them in a few colors and they have proven to come in handy often.  I don't leave home without one!

My favorite travel accessory!
(6' x 2' rayon scarf)

Not only do they look cute as an actual scraf to wear casually or paired with a nice jacket, but they work good as a blanket on the airplane or as a shawl to use during meetings at conference centers.  These are much easier to carry around than a jacket because you can wear it around your neck or put it in your bag!

Here is the other great thing about a scarf like this - you can use it to decorate!  In our spare bedroom, I am using one as a throw on the end of the bed or you tuck one over the back of a chair to change the look of a room!

The scarves I get are made of rayon fabric and measure about 6' long x 2' wide and can be found in pretty much any department store.  I've had the best luck finding them rather inexpensive at JC Penny, Herbergers and Younkers.

If you have other ideas for scarves, please leave a comment!  And let us know what your favorite travel accessory is - I am always looking for new ideas!

DIY Vanilla Extract

I am proud to say that I have officially started my Christmas gift-making for 2011!  This is way ahead of schedule for me, but in order to get this done and wrapped by Christmas I needed to start now.  A couple of weeks ago I came across a recipe for Homemade Vanilla Extract on one of the blogs I follow, Whipperberry.  It looked fun and easy to make so I thought I would give it a whirl!  I think this will make a great gift for our mom's, grandmas and the just-in-case I need a gift, gift.

All you need is vodka (anything cheap) and whole vanilla beans.  I took the recommendation from the Whipperberry blog and ordered my vanilla beans from Beanilla Trading Company. 

Who knew that vanilla extract was made out of vodka and vanilla beans?! Out of curiosity I checked the ingredients on the vanilla extract in my cupboard and sure enough - alcohol and vanilla beans and of course a few preservatives.
As for packaging, the mini wine bottles from either Barefoot or Sutter Home wine work great!

DIY Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1 cup of Vodka for 2 Vanilla Beans

Let it sit in a cool, dark place for 1 1/2 to 2 months, shaking it every couple of days

Remove the vanilla beans and strain the liquid thru cheese cloth

Package it up with a cute label! 

(Go to the Whipperberry Blog for packaging ideas- great ideas!)

So this weekend I picked up my supplies from our local HyVee grocery store so I could start my homemade vanilla extract project.  I didn't think of it until I left the grocery store but, I must have looked like an absolute "soak" when I was pushing my cart through the store.  I had a huge bottle of cheap vodka and eight mini bottles of Barefoot brand wine.... and a six-pack of Shocktop... Haha! 

I'm pretty excited for this DIY project!  I just need to empty out all of my mini wine bottles (1 down, 7 to go) so I can keep this project moving. Guess that means I will be drinking wine! :)

Let me know if you take on this project!

Have a great week and enjoy!

Scotch Painters Tape Wall Art

I am the worlds worst at picking out things to hang on my walls!  Thank goodness for this DIY project using Scotch Tape to create your own wall art!

Supplies:

1. Scotch Blue Painters Tape

2. Spray Paint

3. Painters Canvas - Hobby Lobby or Michael's

Supplies



What to do:

1. Create your design using the Scotch Blue Painters Tape

*Make sure the tape is sticking really well to the canvas so the paint doesn't bleed.

2. Evenly spray paint the canvas

3. Allow the paint to dry and remove the tape



Geometric Art

This quick and inexpenisve project is a great way to add some color and visual interest to any room. You can hang it vertical or landscape and even use multiple colors if you want to take the time to paint. 

Good luck and have fun!!