Tools of the Trade

I'm suffering through the Super Bowl waiting for funny commercials. Is it just me, or are you wondering why companies are spending that much for dullsville content. All this heart warming stuff is just plain ridiculous. This is America! We like funny! We like competition! A competition to be the funniest is America at it's finest. Blah.

Today, I bring you my list of must have tools and why I love them. 

First, my glue gun, without which I might never be tardy. I mean be in business. After going through other styles, this is the best because it can be cordless. It charges in its holster which has a drip pad. Warning: when you use it fast over a large surface, it can get clogged. If it starts to get hard to push the stick through, pull the stick out and make sure there isn't any backed up. Warning part II: the trigger will probably snap. Why do I keep buying it? I don't! Which is why I linked you to Joann's. Keep your receipt and they will take it back when it breaks. 

Get it here.

Saves your table because glue doesn't stick to it. The end.

Get it here.

Sorry, no link. They are available in the Joann's store, but not online. Saves your fingers. Best $4 you will spend. It takes a bit to get used to it. But when you do, you'll feel naked without them.

Last November I was over trying to get through two layers of burlap. I wanted something that had a little Home Improvement behind it. More power!! No go. These are in the tool department and are made to cut thin metal and leather. Burlap didn't even put up a fight. Warning: What is leather? Animal skin. They will cut you. I almost required stitches when I cut the tip of my finger. 

Get it here.

Finally, if you don't have this, you aren't a real crafter/designer/artist. You think it's not, but it's really a multi use tool. Cleans out glue guns of debris, cleans the crack of my desk for burlap shards (they will stick in your skin, you can't see them and they do hurt.), gets the paint from under my finger nail, just to name a few. Oh! And you can stab someone if they break into your house. My new office is at the back of the house. I fear intruders daily.

Get it here.

There you have it boys and girls. There are always new must haves, but I'm pretty sure those are going to stay around for quite some time. Have fun!

P.S.- I did like the Heinz commercial, Tim Tebow and the obscurity of the Bruce Willis Honda one. 

Pumpkin Extravaganza

If you know me, its zero secret that I love orange. Obsessed with it really. It started on a whim over 15 years ago, and hasn't stopped since. (I just realized that's a real long time.)

Couple that with a love of being snuggled in blankets, and with my Main Man, and you can see why Fall is my favorite.

Let's talk about three homemade pumpkin choices.

First, pie. 
One of the littlest love's favorite books has a line that says "Pie. That reminds me of something… PIE!" He asks me to make him pumpkin pie every year. Do you know buying a sugar or pie pumpkin is actually cheaper than buying it canned? Usually about $1.50 at a grocery store. To turn them into puree, it's as simple as one- cut it into quarters and get rid of the top, bottom and innards. Two- cut the quarters in half and microwave in groups of 4 for 5-6 minutes. It's done when you smash all the way through with a fork. Three- Let it cool for a bit, and peel the leathery rind off, and puree in your blender or food processor. You can freeze it or eat it (gross) or make your favorite recipe for pie. 




Second, lets make a pumpkin!

These might look fancy, but they're really simple. Two pieces of 2x6's. One is 10" the other is about 7". A quick coat of orange craft paint, and then orange glitter spray paint. It doesn't look pretty until the glitter paint dries. What you think it white, dries clear. The stems are pinecones, and I added a couple burlap leaves, some berries and leaves from a grouping at Hobby Lobby in the Fall section. Attached some ribbon and it's done! The longest part was holding the pinecones and waiting for the glue to dry! 

Last, some pumpkins for inside.

In two choices of classic fabrics or burlap. Even burlap coffee bags! All are finished in different ways. All are charming. In small (1/$8, 2/$14, 3/$20) and medium($14). These are for sale in my Etsy shop, or you can leave your email in the comments section with which ones you want and I can send you an invoice. 

Happy Fall Y'all!

Burlap Garland Wonderland

 Garlands!

not swag. do not call it swag. we both know it's stupid.

You know how I role. I see awesome ideas on Pinterst and make them slightly or not so slightly, my own. 

Here's what I found:

Burlap Garland

It's as easy as you think. She explains it all. To primp,  twist a lot.  Then twist more.

Here's how I used them to dress up my boring old roman shades in our dining room.

If that doesn't convince you that you can't live without these, this will:

Deco mesh! Can you see this stuff with lights at Christmas time? It's going to be spectacular! You'll get to see it.

Up close and personal.

My shopping tip- at Hobby Lobby, you can find deco mesh in at least two places- Christmas and general floral. Every other week, ribbon goes on sale for 50% off. Deco mesh is floral ribbon. Seasonal is only 40%. You're welcome. (The same goes for burlap ribbon.)

The Many Faces of Burlap

I fell into this burlap craze early. Really, pre-craze. There happened to be a remnant of ivory at Hobby Lobby one day. It was a month before I used it. 

First Burlap Project

The idea of burlap was imported from India, and was much rougher and a tighter weave than we generally see in fabric stores. Now, there are lots of ways to add this rough fabric to your interior. Without actually touching it. (Sometimes, I get burlap splinters.)

There is no link to this choice, so here is how I would do it: Tack used burlap bags from Rural King or eBay and use a dark, contrasting ribbon to tie them up. I'll let you know how easy it's going to be. I just realized it would look great in my kitchen over the sliding doors. And now that the Main Man is away at work (teaching), he can't protest!

I love these planters because buying large trees usually comes with the burlap.  But not nearly as pretty.

Easiest Christmas tree ever. Just add lights.
(Which I do in a top to bottom zig zag. Easy to put on, and fast to rip off.)

Wrapped around candles with ribbon and raffia. These candles don't even match, but by adding the wraps, you didn't even notice, did you? 

With Summer on it's final decent, how are you planning to use burlap in the Fall?

A Whole New Way To Wreath

I don't just make wreaths. I make removable, switchable and easily storable wreaths. Until recently, in the form of an attachment that you add to your own wreath like this:

You can read more about why I do it that way on my Etsy About page.

Thanks to an inspiration on Pinterest, and a little thought, I began making these:

They start with a metal form that I make to hook together at the ends. I send everything in separate pieces which saves on shipping because I don't have to use huge boxes. Assembly takes a few minutes. With the exception of all burlap. They are horrible to assemble, and they can bounce back from being folded in shipping.

The possibilities are endless! Lots of fabric choices:

One side burlap, one side fabric:

More fabric:

Really, anything you can dream up! Colors of your favorite team? Easy! A snowman pin to attach? Of course! 

They measure 13-14", which is the size of a straw wreath. But can be bigger or smaller upon request.

When you're ready for something new, fold up the sleeve, and add a new one, taking minimal storage space.

Which one will get you ready for Fall?