Crafting on ABC's The Chew

I was so excited to be chosen and featured on ABC's The Chew on the "Chews Me" crafting episode! The hosts and staff were so friendly and amazing. What a great group of people. I demonstrated stamping with shells to create patterns on napkins and table runners. I hope they invite me back for more!

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A Tiny Cottage Renovation

So, now that we're settled into our home, it's time to work on the tiny cottage on the property. We're renovating it to be an AirBnB. The house is small, so we have to be smart about the layout. Our plan is to have a Murphy bed and perhaps a pull out sofa for extra sleeping arrangements. We'll keep the furnishings to a minimum.

The bathroom is rather tiny but it has everything you need! I designed my own wallpaper to go into that room, which is very exciting. If you look closely at the Damask pattern, you'll see cute Woodland creatures.

Gene tore away the old deck and is building a new one. I want to make it as cozy as possible so guests want to come back. I hope you come and visit! Stay tuned for more updates.

Here are some Before and In Progress pictures.

 

 

Facci Designs Woodland Creatures Pattern "Together in the Woods" available on Spoonflower.com

How to Make Paper Lavender Sprig Pencil Toppers DIY

At first glance, it looks like a pretty bouquet of lavender sitting on your desk, but take a sprig out of the pot and Viola, it's a pencil! For the flower lovers and writers in your life, this pencil topper DIY project makes a great gift...and with Mother's Day just around the corner, why not make one for mom?

In order for the pencils to sit correctly in the container, use shredded paper, moss or even rice on the bottom. For an extra special touch, spritz your flowers with some lavender spray and present the scent as an added gift.

Supplies
• Wood skewers
• Green floral tape
• Pencils with erasers
• Martha Stewart Fringe scissor and/or regular scissor
• Lavender-colored sheets of construction paper, cut into strips about 1” -1.5” wide by 6” long
• Green construction paper cut into 4” x 1.5” inch strips
• Glue
• Shredded paper or moss
• Small pot or decorative container

1. Gather your supplies
2. Cover your skewer with the floral tape, insert skewer into top of eraser and continue to cover the skewer and pencil making sure to reinforce where they connect with more floral tape.
3. Cut your lavender paper with your fringe scissors or use a regular scissor to cut the fringe. Do not cut to the edge.
4. I cut my paper into smaller pieces at varying lengths and widths.
5. Use your skewer to curl your fringes.
6.  Place some glue on the back of your curled piece, and start to wrap around and down your skewer.
7 . Mix up the 3 colors, in no specific order.
8. Add about 8-10 curls per skewer. “Fluff” out the bottom ones so the lavender looks thicker on the bottom
9. Cut “blades of grass” into your green paper.
10. Place glue on bottom of green paper and wrap around where the skewer and pencil connect.
11. Sharpen your pencils.
12. Prepare your container.

Needle Felted Greyhound

This was a challenging needle felting project for me. Not only did the dog have a brindle coat but the client wanted it in a bowing position. But before I placed the dog in that position, I took a few shots of it standing.

Here's how it turned out.