Framed Message Board or Bucket Board

THIS BLOGGER HASN'T HAD LUCK W/ non-draining containers....
BUT  I LOVE THIS IDEA
THE BUCKETS WOULD HAVE SOMETHING ELSE IN THEM TOUGH.

MAYBE A NOTE BOARD ? 

how to create a framed container herb garden

what you’ll need

• old picture frame
• chicken wire
• acrylic or spray paint
  TIP: use old house paint to lacquer a rustic old frame
• paint brush
• staple gun and staples
• hammer
• 2 eye screws
• jute rope for hanging
• small metal buckets
• wood clothespins

let’s do it

• find or repurpose an old picture frame
• paint with your choice of color and let dry
• trim and attach chicken wire to backside of frame using staple gun
• secure staples in place carefully with hammer
• pre-drill small holes about 2-3 inches from top of frame so you don’t split the wood;
• screw in eye screws
  TIP: tie rope around the top part of the frame to hang if you don’t want to use eye screws
• cut rope to desired length
• tie to each eye screw with knots
• plant herbs in metal buckets
• hang buckets from chicken wire with clothespins

Grandma's House Sleepover Pillowcase Bag

how to create a DIY sleepover pillowcase bag

GRANDMA'S HOUSE

FAMILY REUNION BAG

what you’ll need

• 2 pillowcases
• 2 sheets of felt (solid or pattern optional)
• additional felt for embellishing pocket flap
• 2 yards polypropylene webbing for straps
• sewing machine
• thread
• sewing needle
• sewing pins
• hot glue gun and glue

let’s do it

• determine size of felt pocket and flap
• trim as desired and pin to right side of one pillowcase
  TIP: it’s a little tricky to sew the pocket on since it’s a pillowcase. slowly walk it around as you sew, making sure you don’t sew the case together
• attach embellishments with a needle and thread or hot glue
• put both pillowcases together so finished sides face each other (i.e. openings are the same direction)
• pin in place
• sew 3 sides to create bag

1. sew opposite end of pillowcase openings on short side
2. continue along bottom, stop and reposition to sew flap
3. sew 2 inner flaps of pillowcase opening together so there are 2 pockets to insert pillow and blanket
   TIP: you are sewing this inside out and will reverse it once you’ve finished sewing so don’t worry about perfect seams

• turn inside out so finished felt pocket is facing outward
• position, pin and sew both polypropylene webbing straps in desired location and comfortable length
• let the packing begin!

Pillowcase Shopping Bag Instructions

pillowcase shopping bag instructions

what you’ll need

• 1 pillowcase
• natural cotton batting (enough to line inside of pillowcase)
• 1 sheet colored felt (for exterior pockets)
• 1 1/2 yards (approximately) polypropylene webbing for shoulder straps/handles (available at most craft stores)
• sewing machine
• thread
• sewing pins
• scissors

let’s do it

• cut piece of natural cotton batting to fit the inside of pillowcase

TIP: the batting may need to be a smidge smaller than the pillowcase to fit

• wiggle batting in so it lays flat
• pin in place
• sew along all 4 sides to secure batting, about 1/8”–1/4” from edge
• fold pillowcase in half
• pin both sides to secure
• sew each side to create bag
• fold bag inside out (hem just sewn is now on inside)
• cut colored sheet of felt in half (two 6”x9” pieces)
• place one felt piece vertically and other on top of first piece
• position felt pockets on one side of pillowcase
• pin and sew to secure pocket

TIP: sew slowly so you don’t sew through the other side of your bag, walk it around and let your hands guide you

TIP: you can sew the pocket onto the bag before you sew the sides together, whichever is easier for you. Just be certain to put the pocket in the right place since you’ll be folding your pillowcase in half.

• cut 2 polypropylene webbing straps to desired lengths
• pin and sew in desired locations

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DIY Memory In A Jar Instructions

DIY memory jars instructions

what you’ll need

• upcycled mason or pasta sauce jar
• hot glue gun
• collected memories and photos

let’s do it

• wash and dry jar
• gather items for jar
• select filler for bottom of jar (sand, moss, dirt, leaves, fabric)
• hot glue filler to secure
• start layering memories in jar, hot glue to secure

TIP: less is more so pick your favorite items or make 2 jars

• make banners with name, year and location
• screw on lid tightly, add exterior embellishments if desired
• decorate your shelves with memories

DIY Personalized Planting Pot Gifts

DIY personalized planter instructions

what you’ll need

• terra cotta pot
• blue painter’s tape
• exterior house paint or spray paint
• foam paint brush
• small point paint brush
• letter stencil
• stencil or stipple brush

let’s do it

• wipe off pot with cloth to remove dust
• apply tape around pot leaving approximately ¼ of pot exposed

TIP: instead of tape, measure and mark with a ruler and pencil. Use marks as a guide for tape placement to create a straight edge.

• paint planter
• let dry
• apply another 1-2 coats, allowing to dry between each coat
• repeat with tape and paint for other half of pot
• remove painter’s tape

TIP: remove  tape at an angle so you don’t pull up the paint you just applied

• let dry another 1-2 hours
• place stencil between colors slightly overlapping bottom color
• TIP: hold stencil firmly with hand since it’s a curved surface
• paint first letter with color used on bottom of pot

TIP: move brush up and down to stencil so the finished letter has crisp edges

• let dry before moving to next letter
• position stencil for next letter and paint
• repeat for all letters
• freehand “the” using small point brush

TIP: pencil in letters on the pot or paper first to create a guideline for painting

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Matcha Green Tea cookie Recipe

matcha green tea cookie recipe

what you’ll need

makes 2 dozen

cookie 

• ½ cup butter, ROOM TEMPERATURE
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder
• 2 cups flour
• ROUND cookie cutter 1 1/2"

icing

• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup

let’s do it

cookie

• preheat oven to 325 degrees
• cream butter and sugar with mixer until light and fluffy
• add egg yolks and vanilla; mix until combined
• stir baking powder, salt, matcha powder and flour together in separate bowl
• combine dry ingredients with creamed ingredients and mix until smooth
• place dough onto cookie sheet
• press flat, then let rest for 30 minutes in refrigerator
• roll out dough to ½” thickness on lightly floured surface
• cut cookies with cookie cutter
• arrange on cookie sheet 2” apart
• bake for 10-15 minutes, until edges start to brown
• place cookies onto cooling rack

icing

• mix powdered sugar, water, butter, and corn syrup together until smooth
• add more powdered sugar if icing is too runny
• use spoon, knife, or piping bag to lightly glaze tops of cookies

Potato Bites with Sea Salt N Parsley Recipe

potato bites with sea salt & parsley recipe

what you’ll need

• several small or Yukon gold or red potatoes
• canola or vegetable oil
• flat leaf parsley
• salt and pepper

let’s do it

• wash your unpeeled potatoes
• place potatoes in saucepan covered by 1″ of water
• bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer
• cook until potatoes are tender (a toothpick can go all the way through)
• drain potatoes and allow to cool enough to handle
• cut potatoes in half (or into thick slices)
• preheat frying pan over medium to medium high heat
• pat dry and press parsley sprig top onto 1 side of each potato
• add just enough oil to coast the bottom of the pan
• cook the bottom side first until it starts to brown, then flip and finish on the parsley slide until golden brown
• season with salt and pepper and serve immediately

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