I've been wanting to do a mosaic for my outside step for awhile and finally did it. I ended up using some 1" tiles that I had on hand, but would have liked to have used bigger ones, looking back. Other than that, I think it turned out pretty well for a first time.


I didn't use a pattern, but when I was looking for patterns, I did find this site I liked: Mosaic Patterns Online - free patterns each month

According to The Green Head, these Pumpkin Ottomans are only $25 at Macy's I think. They seem well worth it to me because I doubt I could make them for much less than that, considering the time involved.

Laundry Monster- I saw this on Dollar Store Crafts and thought it was fun. It doesn't have to be for Halloween, but why not use it as an excuse to make one.








Martha Stewart's Fun house Mirror. Okay, here's the deal, I would use this year round because I have always wanted a fun house mirror in my home. Anytime I see one, I think how nice it would be to look in a mirror and laugh from time to time.

Of course, Martha has tons of other very cool stuff. Here are a few of my other favorites:

Hanging Vellum Lanterns-She shows snakes and frogs, but this idea could be used for any pics.




Coffin Table- Why didn't I think of this?







Candy Wreath- To me, this might make more sense to make up some fake candies using colored cellophane and whatever you have a lot of to make the shape. If you made them bigger, it wouldn't take so many. It would still look like candy, but you could keep it around for years to come.

I've been pretty busy lately but I haven't forgotten you. Here's my latest finds:

ISLY has all kinds of cool stuff, but I was especially drawn to this table. Unfortunately, I would have the same problem she's apparently having--kids!

Thanks to Toni at Design Dazzle for posting on bookshelves made from rain gutters (below). What a great idea. I could see something like this going up in my basement. She does have link to a tutorial on how to make them yourself.







Toni also has a great post on these Wallpaper Silhouettes -Personally, I have an aversion to wallpaper, but I do like these.


Here's a video on how to make invisible shelf. I highly suggest checking it out. It's really quite interesting.

I found these Cup & Saucer Lights on Apartment Therapy. I like their tips on making it yourself...of course.



The Standard Grill's Tiled Penny Floor. True this isn't in a home, but it could be if a person were daring enough.



Hopscotch Carpet by A/R Studio

Reupholstering an office chair goes in my "why didn't I think of that?" file.

Thanks to Curbly for those finds

Beaded cables -Now that's crafty thinking at it's best

I found this on Good Housekeeping. It's another, "why didn't I think of that?" things.

The PotLifter ($25) makes it a cinch to move large planters and rocks, branch-filled trash cans, and big cubes of peat moss or mulch. While it requires two people, testers found it extremely easy to use and small to store.

I found a new site that I'm loving! I've actually blogged about Crafty Nest before, but I just can't get enough. Check out some sample posts and bookmark her for sure. She rocks!

Postcard “tapestry” tutorial. This could just as easily work for photos or any kind of memorabilia.

faux capiz shell lampshade tutorial

Handmade stencils tutorial

Hanging Jar Lights- Super easy, but with big effects. You could use a wide array of jars and some wire.

Pants hangers + drawer pull picture hangers. This would be nice because the pics could easily be switched out and with a rapidly growing baby boy, I am looking for something I can keep updated quickly.

Wooden tissue box cover "transformed from eyesore to mod"

I love the idea of garden stepping stones with my sons foot prints. I've even considered putting his prints inside my husband's print. Here's a great page with lots of examples.

Of course we all see the kits with dragon tears, marbles, and mosaic glass. Don't forget you can also paint, include pictures of loved ones, which I may do in memory of my father.



Also, step outside the mold like with this leaf impression.




My favorite is probably Footprints in the Sand Stepping Stone because it has the poem embedded.


Another idea I loved was a personalized windshield cover with child's art work. Supposedly you can get these at the Dollar store. Momready elaborates:

If you want to get fancy, you can add photos and scrapbook embellishments. Just make sure to avoid putting them in the folds of your cover to protect your design.

Finally, I think anything with photos is always good. Here's a couple different suggestions:

We've been very fortunate to have both creative and thoughtful people around us. I thought I would share a few examples of what I mean and maybe inspire your creativity in the process.

One of the best, if not the best, gift I've ever received was a baby quilt from my sister. Not a huge deal on the surface, but what makes it so incredibly special is that the striped fabric used is from one of my dad's favorite shirts. Unfortunately, he had passed the year before my son was born. Of course, not everyone knew that when I started uncontrollably bawling at my baby shower...thanks sis. She, especially, has a knack for these types of gifts.


No offense to anyone else, but the best gift that my son received on his birthday was the Dr. Seuss drawings that my father-in-law did for him:


I took the liberty of framing them along with the truffula trees that we made as decorations. Along those same lines, my father-in-law also drew some circus animals (below) for the baby shower that I've now displayed in my son's room. I know these will mean so much to my son when he's older.


While I'm at it, I thought I'd also share some little touches in my son's room. I know everyone goes overboard with their first kid. They want everything to be perfect and skimp on nothing. I know that's how I felt. I came very close to spending hundreds on the crib set and all that. Luckily, however, I came to my senses...for the most part anyway. I decided that what would make my son's room truly special was if I were to do things myself, from the heart. So, instead of buying the letters that are $10 a piece at Pottery Barn Kids (left), I got some wood, and scrapbook paper and went to town (right).














Believe it or not, these colors actually all exist in the jungle theme we did. I also mimicked the idea on a small scale, with the knobs on the dresser. It was actually a creative solution to a problem we had with the screws on the knobs being too long. We just attached a little piece of wood behind them, again with the scrapbook paper and there you go.

I also attached some of those pull away hooks to the sides to hold robes and extra jackets. It comes in real handy.

I came across this site, PBTeen while I was looking up kids decor and man, it's awesome! Whether you have a teen or you're just young at heart, you should check it out.

For instance, they have these ipod plush dolls like the ones to the right. I actually have a monkey like this that I got at Pottery Barn in my baby's room and I love it! The speakers are surprisingly good.

Even if you don't want to buy anything, the site can provide great inspiration for things you could do yourself. Here are some examples of what I mean:









These could be super easy to do and could probably be done with things you already have around the house. You just gotta keep your eyes open. I know I'm going to. That hat rack will be mine, oh yes, it will be. Of course, I'll put my own spin on it.

Okay, I'm still loving Instructables.com. I was looking for home ideas and found this one. I thought I'd share. It's to cover an existing light. I would think this would work well to cover a doorbell too. Obviously, it wouldn't be back lit, but some doorbells are unsightly.



The one to the left is a mural made out of CD cases, which is perfect for me because I have a bunch of blank ones and I'm selling all my CD's so I have no need for them anymore.




I don't even have words for how great of an idea I think this is. Mind you, I already have a greenhouse and wish I didn't because I don't need it; but if I wanted one, this would be great! It's made out of old windows!

Sorry, this has to be quick. SpicyBugz World has some great holiday recipes that I just had to share. I found them on Blog Explosion. Go here to check them out. Hope you enjoy. I know I will.