I had a choir teacher in high school who was fond of saying “The dullest pencil is sharper than the sharpest mind.” In other words, “Write this down dum dums because you just can’t trust your mind to remember things!” I’ve always remembered that piece of advice and it’s soRead More
How To Make Natural Easter Egg Dyes
I was reminded again this past week when I made my homemade natural Easter egg dyes, that nature isn’t about instant gratification. Things often take some tending and patience before you see the fruits of your labors. And so it is when you make your own Easter eggs dyes fromRead More
Garter Stitch Bow Tie Scarf
Today’s project is another one for the knitters. Knitting has been a favorite hobby of mine ever since I was a kid in grade school and every so often I like to share another pattern here on the blog for others that might enjoy knitting as a past time too.Read More
Homemade Birdseed Cakes #2
Sometimes when I’m coming up with my list of recipes to test and share on this blog I get a little selfish. I think to myself, “What would I be making today even if there was no blog to write?” And the answer is usually something like “Homemade Birdseed Cakes”Read More
Holiday Snowman Jars
Mason jars can be a handy way to give a gift of food around the holidays. I’ve filled mason jars with my chex mix, I’ve put layered baking mixes in them, and I’ve used it for my homemade pancake mix too! Add some colorful fabric and ribbon and you’ve gotRead More
Recycled Jar Luminaries
I always think it’s kind of fun to come up with a theme for the projects I share during the month of December. One year it was no-sugar food gift ideas like this Southwestern Dip Mix, another year it was homemade liqueurs like this homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream, or ornamentRead More
Ikea Rast Dresser Hack
For some time now I’ve been wanting a small table of some sort to set beside my front door to make that area of my home look a bit more like a foyer. Occasionally I would look around the stores when I was out and about but still hadn’t comeRead More
Make And Print Your Own Coloring Pages
Coloring pages and coloring books for grownups are seeing a surge in popularity right now. Adults are remembering again that it’s fun to color! And more than just being fun, it can be a low cost way to relax and get a little stress relief by creating beautiful designs andRead More
Use A Fork – To Make A Bow!
Making bows can be a fiddly business. We loop, and tie, and pull on skinny little pieces of ribbon and hope when we’re done that we end up with something kind of straight and pretty looking. It can leave even crafty folk feeling rather fumble fingered. Wouldn’t it be niceRead More
Knit Scrubbie Pattern Using Red Heart Scrubby Yarn
If you’re a knitter or a crocheter, you’ve probably seen your share of scrubbie patterns. And all those scrubbie patterns most likely had the same thing in common – they were made out of strips of nylon net. Nylon net is abrasive and makes a nice little scrubbie for doingRead More
DIY Picture Frame Jewelry Organizer
One of the gifts my daughter had on her Christmas gift idea list for me last year was some kind of jewelry organizer she could hang on her bedroom wall. And because she knows me well she added, “I bet you could just make one.” And she was right! WithRead More
4 Resourceful Ideas for DIY Seed Starter Pots
One of my favorite things about “Make Your Own” projects is that they are so often born of a resourceful spirit. Rather than just accepting the traditional way, or the money-spending way, the resourceful folk of the world start looking around and think . . . . . .How canRead More
How To Dye Easter Eggs – With Kool Aid!
Even though I don’t have little ones at home anymore, dying Easter eggs is something I’ve still had fun doing the last few years just for the joy I get from playing with color. You’re never too old to get a little thrill from watching your white eggs transform intoRead More
How To Make Your Own Font
Every so often I like to do a “Make Your Own” project just for the fun of it. Not because I need it or because it will save me money. I just like the fun of having a crafty moment and finding out what I can make on my own. That’sRead More
How To Make A Sweater Pillow
I’ve finally gotten around to a craft project I’ve been meaning to get to for a loooong time now. At last I took the time to make a pillow from an old sweater! It’s been over a year since my mom passed an old sweater along to me. The sweaterRead More
Quick Halloween Pumpkin Face Glasses
I love being resourceful. I’ve probably said it before but that’s because it’s my favorite thing about the Make Your Own lifestyle. I love that satisfying feeling of using something that was already laying around in a new, useful, frugal, or just plain fun way. Today’s project is one ofRead More
Knitting Pattern for Classic Ripple Baby Afghan
Knitting has been a favorite hobby of mine since I was in grade school. I’ve tinkered around with lots of other crafts and hobbies over the years (beading, scrapbooking, sewing) but the one that I always stick with and keep coming back to is knitting. For me (and for lotsRead More
How To Tint Canning Jars
I’ve been seeing the colored canning jars more and more in the stores lately. Most of the time I’ve seen the blue canning jars for sale, which I’m sure are intended to look like the old vintage jars from years ago. Other times (like when I was in Joann FabricRead More
My Canning Jar Discovery
Canning jars (also known as Mason jars) certainly seem to be enjoying a new revival. I’m sure there are plenty of folks using canning jars for their original purpose of preserving food, but there’s probably more people using canning jars for all kinds of other practical and decorative purposes. I’mRead More
DIY Citronella Candles
A couple weeks ago I got the idea in my head that I wanted to make my own citronella candles to use outdoors this summer to keep those nasty mosquitoes away. It can’t be that hard, I said to myself, to make a nice little homemade citronella candle. Let’s doRead More