Patriotic table setting

Anneliese's blog, Aesthetic Nest, is full of very cool

ideas for themed parties with awesome table settings

and tutorials to help you entertain in her style.

These napkins look so fresh and festive . . . and so

simple!  Click here for a tutorial for these napkins

and other elements for a beautiful and patriotic

table setting.

Check out the rest of her awesome entertaining

ideas and festive table settings.

Happy Memorial Day . . . remember the reason for

the holiday.  I am so grateful for our military and

their families who have sacrificed so much.

Bath towel slippers

All it takes is a pair of flip flops and a bath towel to make these

comfy looking bath slippers!  Click here for the tutorial.

Love these type of slippers :)

Get organized with cigar boxes

Now I know what to do with the stacks of festive

 cigar boxes I have been saving for a special project!

I also have boxes and boxes of jewelry findings that

desperately need organizing.  Here is my solution!

Cathe Holden at Just Something I Made came up

with this cute idea to use cigar boxes for storage. 

Click here for the complete article and tutorial.

Paint Chip Art

Wouldn't I love to have this on my wall!!!?!!!

This gorgeous example of mosaic art comes from 

Ballard Designs catalog . . . 

it also comes with a pricey price tag.

Never fear . . . I have found a couple of tutorials

 that were inspired by this piece of art.

The first tutorial comes from Hope Studios . . .

The second tutorial comes from

Jennifer at Live, Crafts and Whatever 

Of course I have some ideas of my own! 

One idea would be to experiment with some metallic or pearlized 

paint together with foil specks to give it more of a shimmery finish 

after using the stain.

Like I always say with crafts . . . the possibilities are endless!

Laundry tips

Feather pillows are my favorite, 

but are a little tricky to wash, 

but not impossible.

First of all, make sure that there are no slits or tears in the covers.  What I have done with some of my older feather pillows that I didn't want to toss out . . . placed them in a pillow case that has no holes or tears and securely sewed the sides, giving the pillows a new cover.

Load two pillows at the same time for balance.  Set the washing machine on the delicate cycle, using a small amount of detergent.  Make sure to put them through a second rinse cycle.

For drying, I use the low setting, throwing in some tennis balls to help them fluff up and dryer sheets to promote a fresh and clean smell.  The pillows will take much longer to dry than a normal load.  Take them out and fluff them up by hand periodically . . . this will break up any clumps.

Yes, it is a tedious process, but well worth it!  You will love the results :)

Note of warning:  Make sure the washing machine is set to the delicate cycle . . . I ended up with a machine full of feathers when I used the regular cycle . . . what a mess!