From The Archive: A Crafting Fail
This is, I hope, a humorous tale of a crafting fail regarding the time I tried to make a book page pumpkin. I wrote this story when we lived in Ireland and there are references to a backpack in this story. We did not have a car while we lived in Ireland and I often wore a backpack while running errands because that was the easiest way to get my purchases, even groceries, home. Enjoy! This is a cautionary tale should you fall down the Pinterest hole of comparison inspiration and decide you too need to join the throngs of DIYers making book page pumpkins. As I did. Please heed these…
Teenager-Approved Unique Chess Sets and Merch
Need gift ideas? I can help with these teenager-approved unique chess sets. Chess is very popular with my kids and their friends. I thought it was a passing fad during the pandemic, but it still seems very popular with the middle school crowd in particular. In fact, during carpool recently, one of the kids told me they were collecting chess sets and wanted another one for Christmas. Alrighty, then. Here are seven teenager-approved unique chess sets plus some bonus chess merch. (That’s how all the cool kids say merchandise these days. It should be noted that you can’t be a mom and a cool kid. That’s “cringe” as my kids…
Happy List: #322
Hello! Welcome to this week’s Happy List. I’m so glad you are here. This week on the blog I did a deep dive into the advent calendars that caught my eye this year. There’s really something for everyone these days…even your cat. I also shared pictures of how my home is looking all decorated for fall. I know the internet has moved ahead to Christmas already but I’m not quite there yet. We are so thankful to you for reading this blog. It makes our day. If you want to share the blog or an idea we post on social media, we would be very grateful. We also love talking…
Cozy Touches Of Fall In My Home
My home is feeling especially cozy right now, which is a good thing since we are racing as fast as an out-of-control sled down a steep, snow-covered hill toward winter. Am I ready? No. Funny thing, that march of time. It happens whether I’m ready or not. While I might not be ready for the upcoming winter, it’s fine. My home is cozy. I don’t need to leave it. I’ll just hunker down for the next…oh, shoot. I have to leave the house every day this week. Adulting is over-rated, folks. Over. Rated. We’ll revisit the hunkering down thing next week. In the meantime, the pool towels and the lawn games…
2023 Advent Calendars For Kids and Adults
I have the best 2023 advent calendars for kids and adults to share with you. After all, the holidays should have a little magic for all of us, don’t you think? We are definitely a chocolate advent calendar family, but sometimes I add in an advent calendar that is not food related too. Oh, and I did just buy an advent calendar for the cat. Yes, the cat. I’ve become that person now. Here are some 2023 advent calendars that would go over BIG in our family and maybe yours too. Elf™ Advent Calendar | Williams Sonoma Any Elf fans out there? This Elf advent calendar has maple syrup, chocolate,…
Happy List: #321
Hello! Welcome to this week’s Happy List. I’m thrilled you’ve joined me here. This week on the blog we made the transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving. First, I addressed the issue of whether or not our house was haunted. Second, I shared how to make turkey art out of denim jeans. It’s not as weird as it sounds. We are so thankful to you for reading this blog. It makes our day. If you want to share the blog or an idea we post on social media, we would be very grateful. We also love talking to you. If you want to connect with us or ask a question, you…
Denim Turkey Craft – Upcycle Denim Jeans
Gobble, gobble! It’s time for a denim turkey craft using upcycled denim jeans. This is the craft you never knew you wanted. Until now. We often slide right from Halloween into Christmas in the U.S., but this denim turkey craft will give Thanksgiving its due. Let’s get started. Materials Needed For This Denim Turkey Craft old denim jeans and khaki pants cut into shapes for turkey tail feathers, beak, and wattle scrap of contrasting fabric, felt, or ribbon for the turkey body and head contrasting fabric or paper for the turkey background scissors picture frame of any size (I used a 10×14 frame) marker optional: hot glue Denim Turkey Craft…
Is Our House Haunted?
Is our house haunted? I am asked that question fairly often. Why do they ask? Is our house throwing off creepy vibes? Well, I don’t think our house is particularly creepy, except for the basement. And the attic. And that spot..oh, never mind. I think people ask the question because the oldest part of our house dates to the late 1700s. I couldn’t even begin to guess how many people have died in this home in the last 250 or so years, which could lead to some hauntings if you’re open to that sort of thing. Am I open to it? Heck, yeah! Not in a scary, horror film sort…
Happy List: #320
Hello! Welcome to this week’s Happy List! I’m delighted you are here. This week on the blog I shared an easy-to-make wheat wreath. If you’ve always wanted to make something with those cool, gold floral hoops, this is your project! I also shared the antique music stand that I found for our music room. I’ve idly been looking for a music stand for years and this ended up being THE one. I love it. Thank you for reading this blog. It makes our day – both mine and Handy Husband’s. If you want to share the blog or an idea we post on social media, we would be very grateful.…
Wood Music Stand Hits The Right Note
I found the most gorgeous wood music stand to add to our music room. Did we need it? Absolutely not. But is it perfect for this space? Oh, yes. Yes, indeed. I’ve been idly looking for a music stand for years. As a pianist, I don’t really need one because the piano comes with its own. When I go through one of my “attempt to learn the guitar” phases, I usually just look at chords on my phone, so I don’t need a music stand for that. Although, it probably would help my posture to have the phone propped somewhere more ergonomically correct. When it came down to it, I…
