Nail Lacquer Art ~ Cherry Bomb Ombre

This nail art method really caught my eye!  

The contrast of red and black is stunning.  You can come up with your own color combinations to match your outfits or your mood.

Get the look!!  Click here to get the method from OPI . . . it is easier than you think :)

Photo source:  OPI

Delicious DIY Lip Scrubs

Chapped lips are so irritating!  Before using your chap stick, which just masks the problem, why not use a lip scrub that will buff off the dryness?

The basic recipe is equal parts of coconut oil and sugar.

Want delicious lip scrub?

Click here to visit Lydi Out Loud's for a variety of recipes.

DIY Anthro Pernilla Necklace

Bev at Flamingo Toes made her own version (shown above) of the following necklace that is a pricey $198 at Anthropologie.  Why pay so much when you can make your own for a lot less than that!  Can you tell the difference between the two necklaces?

What I love about this necklace is that it is a basic design that you can use components from broken jewelry or jewelry pieces you would like to refashion.  I know in my stash of vintage jewelry, I have boxes and boxes and could make all types of variations of this necklace.  Of course you can use new jewelry components found at craft stores.

Another thing I love about this design is that it opens up many possibilities for complimenting pieces of jewelry with all the varying pieces used in the necklace.

Are you ready to attempt your own necklace?

Click here to go to Bev's excellent tutorial with lots of photos!

DIY Long Chandelier Tassel Chain Earrings

These earrings are stunning!  I can't wait to make these, they are my favorite type of earrings!

Love the combination of beads and chain and the design aspect of making them as long or short as you want.  You can use components from old jewelry or use new components.  Personally, I love to use old components for a one of a kind piece of jewelry.

Click here for a well-written tutorial with lots of photos from Rings n Things by Tiffany.  The website is full of awesome jewelry inspiration . . . check it out!

Thanks to Tiffany for the awesome inspiration, the tutorial and the photo.

Anti-Aging Hair Care Tips

As we age and go through all types of changes, our hair goes through changes too.  We just need to find ways to adjust our hair care beauty routine!

Since I have made the decision to go natural and let the well-earned gray hair shine, my hair seems to get drier and drier.  Actually, it was in better condition when I thought I was damaging it from years of coloring my hair.  Well, it is time to do something about it!

One of my favorite websites, One Good Thing By Jillee, published an excellent article on Aging Hair.  Jillee is known for her DIY concoctions and has come up with some excellent recipes to make aging hair beautiful again.  

Here is an excerpt from the article . . .

Replenish oils and moisturize your hair – this is key! Everyone’s hair is different, so I’ve made lots of treatments for different issues. Check out these DIY products and see which would be best for you:

• Strength and Volume Spray: An everyday remedy to add some moisture and strength.
• Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner: A weekly treatment that you should let sit for about 30 minutes. The oils penetrate the hair leaving it smooth.
• Rice Water: Try making rice water and using it as a hair rinse once or twice a week. It’s really simple to make and so cheap!
• Argan Oil: Try an overnight moisturizing a treatment, make a serum, or use as a leave-in conditioner.
• Leave-In Conditioner: A simple spray helps your hair to retain moisture throughout the day!

Click here for the rest of Jillee's article.

Copy Cat Bath and Body Works Foam Soap

These foam soaps from Bath and Body Works have become a must have at every sink in the house.

You know I was so excited to find a copy cat recipe that I can make for a fraction of the cost of the BBW versions.  Now I just need to figure out how to duplicate the scent of Japanese Cherry Blossoms . . . I'm addicted to that scent!

I can't thank Crafty Allie enough for this recipe!  Click here to go to her tutorial with lots of photos.

While you are at Allie's blog, check out the rest of her crafty tutorials and don't forget to join in her linky parties!

UPDATE

I found another recipe for foaming hand soap using castile soap.

Click here for the article.

DIY Retro Style Headband

My mom used to make these headbands for me!  Growing up, she made just about all of my clothes, so I was always coordinated with my hair accessories too :)  I was so happy to find this tutorial . . . it brought back so many memories!

Enid at A Charming Project designed these headbands and wrote an excellent tutorial on how she made it, complete with lots of photos.  Check out her website while you are there, it is full of awesome projects!

Click here to go to the tutorial.

Stunning Mixed Patterns ~ Day Bed Makeover

The sharp contrast of the mixed patterns is what caught my eye.  I don't own a day bed, but if I did, I would love to make it over like Judy did at 20 North Ora.

My intention with this post is to save this inspiring pattern combination for future projects . . . red, white and black is my favorite color combination!

If you would like to see the progression of Judy's makeover, click here for many photos of the project!

DIY Fleece Rope Tug Toy for dogs

Kiki loves her tug toys and I have thought of figuring out how to make her more.  Well, I don't have to figure it out since Trisha at Make It Home has already done it!

Aren't they cute?

I like that they are made out of fleece since Kiki loves to eat fabric like it is a snack.  Seems like fleece would be a durable fabric for this project.  How about jeans?  You know how much I love using denim in my projects!

Click here for the tutorial.  Thank you Trisha :)

DIY Earrings White And Gold Pearls And Beads

These gorgeous earrings were found on Cut Out And Keep, a website full of craft tutorials.  The tutorial was submitted by Gisele R.  Love the design of these earrings!

As with most jewelry projects, you can recycle some beads from older jewelry you are tired of or purchase new beads and components.  The choice is yours and your creativity is the limit.

Click here for the tutorial!

DIY Chandelier Earrings

Kara at Happy Go Lucky has inspired me to make these cute chandelier earrings!  

Use your imagination to create different styles based on this basic jewelry design concept . . . like I always say, the possibilities are endless.

Click here for an easy to read tutorial with lots of photos from Kara!

Recycle Your T-Shirt

I'm always looking for ways to refashion t-shirts and older clothes in general. Love this design that is quick, easy and so comfy and casual.

Experienced sewers can easily make a pattern to use on pieced fabric.  This design would be awesome to refashion an old flannel shirt by piecing fabric together and using the pattern.  Use your imagination!

Click here for the tutorial!

DIY Lavender Linen Spray

The Captain and I have recently discovered the scent of lavender and have become addicted!  I bought an expensive bottle of lavender room spray online and was so disappointed to receive a very small bottle . . . but it has a most delicious scent that fills the room.  

I was so happy to find this easy DIY project posted by Jennifer at the blog Town N Country Living.  Now I can make my own . . . and so can you!

Click here to go to the tutorial!

DIY Wine Cork Backsplash Inspiration

How about this awesome backsplash for some inspiration?

Wine corks have been used in a wide array of craft and DIY projects, but I can honestly say that I have never seen this type of creativity!

This inspiration comes from Jill at Create, Craft, Love . . . click here to go to the step-by-step tutorial, which includes lots of photos.

No Sew DIY T-Shirt with CrissCross Back

Another beautiful design by Anne at Wobi Sobi!

Recycle and refashion those t-shirts you don't wear much anymore with this quick and easy no-sew design.

Click here to go to the tutorial . . . while you are there, check out the rest of Anne's awesome designs.

Awesome Kitchen Inspiration

This has to be the most amazing backsplash I've ever seen!  It has my creative side going crazy with all types of projects.

The source of the photo is an awesome article on kitchen inspiration with links to the projects.  Sadly, the backsplash link is broken, so there is not a tutorial to go with this project.

Click here to go to the article that features 10 budget-friendly, inspirational kitchen projects.

No-Sew Zipper Case

I'm always searching for recycling projects for items usually tossed out.  We have an abundance of soda and water bottles, so I can keep myself busy for quite a while!

You can customize them for specific items by varying the size.  How clever!!

I can surely put these to good use for organizing my collection of makeup and makeup brushes.  Would also be useful for organization in the office.

Thank you to Ashley from Make It & Love It for an awesome idea!

Click here for the tutorial.

DIY Concrete Table Top

I love concrete projects!  

This table is so cute . . . 

love the look of the concrete top.

Awesome technique!

Click here for the tutorial

DIY Multi-Strand Chain Watch

Awesome idea for refashioning and recycling old watches and chains!

With this basic technique and design by Kirsten from the blog Studs and Pearls, you can use your imagination to come up with so many possibilities! 

 Click here to go to the tutorial.

Simple DIY Sugar Scrub

This is the most simple recipe for sugar scrub that I have found . . .

Mix together:

2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons coconut oil

Put it in a jar and it is ready to use!


It doesn't get easier than that!

DIY Mimosa Sugar Scrub

If you love the benefits of fragrant sugar scrubs, but they are too expensive for your budget, make your own for a fraction of the price!

Although our skin cells shed every thirty days for new ones, sugar scrubs give the process a boost for faster results.  Sugar cane contains a naturally occurring AHA, a glycolic acid which will clear away dead skin cells, rejuvenating the skin to achieve healthy skin.

Sugar is not a magical ingredient that is hard to find . . . you probably have some in your kitchen pantry along with a few more ingredients, you are on your way to making your very own customized fragrant sugar scrub.

Click here to go to the tutorial at Today's Creative Blog.

Postage Stamp Table Top

At first glance, you would never imagine the mosaic-like table top is completely covered with vintage stamps.  How cool is that?

The possibilities are endless when it comes to DIY tables.  All you need is an interesting stand and a piece of wood for the table top.  The use of vintage stamps in this project is gorgeous!

This beautiful project comes from the blog Gardening Nirvana.  

Click here for a well written tutorial with lots of photos!

DIY Studded Barrette

Love this studded barrette that is so unbelievably simple to make that you will want to make one in every color you love!

I've used studs in fabric embellishment, but never dreamed of using them in this way.  Very creative!

Click here for the tutorial from Rachel at Transient Expression.