Dolly Donations

Dolly Donations collects handmade dolls for children in need. The current doll drive is for an orphanage in Haiti. The goal is to collect 132 dolls by November 1st. There are free sewing patterns and step-by-step tutorials on the Dolly Donations blog if you'd like to participate. I'll be sending my doll off soon!

Monster Softie

For those of you who don't know what a softie is, it's basically a soft toy, often made out of felt. It's no secret I like working with wool and felt, so I decided to make our cousiphew Mason a monster softie for his first birthday. I liked this design by Nina but changed it up a bit so it looked more like a monster and less like a cat. I added all the facial features and heart before I sewed the two body pieces together. That way I was able to use my sewing machine for most of the work. I hand embroidered the mouth with a split stitch and the pupils using colonial knots. At first I tried french knots, but the colonial knots were a little larger and looked better.

One of the most helpful tips when sewing a softie is to cut your shape out after you sew it. Also make sure you have a fabric turner (basically a wooden chopstick). These usually come in bags of polyfil. You'll need that to poke out and stuff all the little spaces, like the tail and ears.

Happy Birthday Mason!

Spa Wrap

I have a long-sleeved robe for the winter months, but wanted something a little lighter for the summer. I was inspired by Centsational Girl to make my own spa wrap. All that's required is a large bath towel, about a yard of coordinating fabric, elastic, and velcro. I purchased a towel on clearance for $2 and used a cotton damask print for the ruffle.

SKIL Tool Giveaway | Friday | Flooring Saw

Z: After winning the SKIL Router Table at the blog One Project Closer, I thought I'd try for another item they're giving away this week in celebration of Father's day. Wait, I mean uh....In my usual humble manner,  I thought I'd try to alert our readers to a chance to win their own SKIL power tool. 
Up for grabs today is a 7.0 amp SKIL flooring saw.
Go here to check out their site and make your entry today, June 17th, before 7:59 EDT. Otherwise I'll probably win it and you will be left with nothing but tears, and poorly installed flooring due to lacking this power saw.

Felted Dog

Recently added to my etsy shop...

SKIL Tool Giveaway

Z: One source I use frequently for ideas and inspiration around the house is a blog called One Project Closer. They supply excellent home improvement information that is approachable for the weekend DIY remodeler. One Project Closer covers some house design and appearance issues, but much of the coverage deals with structural and systems projects like electrical, plumbing, and insulation. The writers delve into some heady topics that might be beyond the comfort zone of your average home owner. . However, all of their suggestions and guides are approachable for the average handyman. Anyone attempting to give their humble abode an ego boost would benefit from checking out the projects they've tackled.

Right now, in honor of Father's Day (and Fathers), they are sponsoring a SKIL Tool Giveaway!

Today's item is a SKIL Router Table. Check it out here to make your entry.


***UPDATE*** The giveaway was given away to none other than...me. More to come on what I plan to do with this top grade router table

Rocky Road

There's a small patch of dirt between our front walkway and the side of our house. It's not really wide enough to serve as a flower bed, and since it's not connected to the rest of the lawn whatever is planted there would have to be continually watered by hand. I considered planting some succulents there but new they would eventually trail across the walkway and be crushed with all the foot traffic.

There was actually a bush planted where the green pot now sits, but we ripped that out shortly after we moved in since it stuck halfway out into the walkway and groped you with its scratchy branches every time you walked by. Ever since then the spot has been occupied by dirt and weeds.

We decided that decorative rocks were the best solution. No water required and they would keep away the weeds. We chose marble chips because they were inexpensive and the white color went well with the limestone on our house.

Image Source

We dug out a couple inches of dirt then leveled the spot with sand.

30 minutes and $15 dollars later...

I can't believe we lived so long with this eyesore...I didn't realize how bad it looked until the rocks were down. Quite a contrast. I hope this inspires you to complete that little project you've been putting off for so long!