Storey's Christmas Present

Sadly, I've already been worrying about what we are getting Storey for Christmas. Jakson's Christmas is completely taken care of, but Storey is just more difficult to shop for. Thankfully, my problem was solved today when Toni (of Make It Perfect) posted a tutorial for dyed play silks. Dyed with Kool-aid! Fantastic!! I can't wait to try this! And for those of you who don't sew-no sewing involved!!

Full tutorial for the dyed play silks here.

If I was still living in Phoenix....

I would definitely be making one (or two) of these carseat coolers to help beat the heat. I actually have a store-bought one that is similar, but this one is so much cooler (pun intended)!!

Tutorial from eighteen25 here.

If you haven't subscribed to this blog yet, you definitely need to add it to your list of "crafty reads"!!

Pottery Barn Inspired Chandelier

Can you tell with all of these house projects that I'm ready to move and own a house again?!?

This one is a brilliant tutorial from The Hand Me Down House. I love finding out how people make designer look-a-likes for a fraction of the price. She saw a Pottery Barn chandelier and made her own from thrift shop items. Incredible!
If you could find a "before" light fixture on Freecycle-you could make this for even cheaper!!

I'm a sucker

for a t-shirt refashion and this one is perfect for summer.Take a long sleeve t-shirt and transform it into something you can wear mid-July.

Tutorial from Make It and Love It here.

Rainbow Bunting Quilt

You would think that I'd be totally sick of anything with a bunting on it by now, but I just can't get enough.

I may have to make one of these Rainbow Bunting Quilts (tutorial from a pretty cool life) for myself (my kids have enough quilts, right?). Seriously, adorable

Baby Food Jar Light Strand

I saved all of Storey's baby food jars, but never had a solid reason. I figured I could eventually use them for some sort of project. When we moved, I still hadn't come up with a great project, so I gave them away.

Now, a year later, I have found it. The perfect baby food jar project and I have no baby food jars. Dang.

Check out this light strand from Little Apartment on the Prairie made with baby food jars and bulbs while I beg on Freecycle for supplies.

Vintage Maps in Embroidery Hoops

There's no tutorial for this, but it looks pretty self explanatory.

And pretty awesome.
I was going through boxes of my teaching supplies the other night and found a whole slew of maps and vintage map books. Don't be surprised if you see this idea on my wall in the near future.

Original link from Flickr account Atelierpompadour.

Lazy Susan Book Caddy

I love this idea from Ohdeedoh for storing often read kids' books.
Jakson would love something like this on his dresser.
And, even better, there's an entire tutorial explaining exactly how to make it.

See the post and tutorial here.

Mod Podge signs

There are so so many things that can be done with Julie's awesome tutorial for a sign/chalkboard. I've only used Mod Podge a handful of times and it still scares me a little, but this one looks so easy, I probably wouldn't mess it up!

Tutorial by Julie guest posting on Blessed Little Nest.

Covered Lamp Shades

At one point a wet washcloth was left draped over my bedside lampshade and it left a yellow line across it--kind of gross. I've gotten in the habit of turning the lampshade around when the line shows, but this tutorial from Isabella and Max Rooms for covering lampshades with fabric and trim may just change that problem.

Now to find the perfect fabric.