1. Forgot to wear some green? Spare yourself the pinches and pin on a charming Shamrock Boutonniere from Martha Stewart.
2.”Sip” on a clever Popcorn Ball “Beer” Treat by The Hostess with the Mostess.
3. Stratigically place a few green bell pepper slices on a plate for an instant festive and healthy snack. Via Martha Stewart
4. Whip up a few of these no-bake Mint Oreo Truffles for a sweet dessert from (of course) Bakearella.
5. Dress up a simple cupcake with this downloadable PDF cupcake topper from TomKat Studio on To Be Charmed.
6. Send Kristen of Domestifluff a few air kisses for sharing this downloadable mini “Kiss Me” notecard and be prepared to pucker-up yourself!

Happy and lucky St. Patty’s day to you all! Cheers!

Yummy and beautiful hot chocolate sticks, what more could you possible want? *sigh. It’s been a little on the cold side lately and these lovelies would make the days all that much warmer. The genius AmberLee of GiversLog came up with these and has step-by-step directions on how to make them. Bottoms up!

My jaw dropped when I saw these adorable letter-pressed houses on paper crave last week! They come as a kit by 1canoe2 and couldn’t be any cuter! The illustrations are just perfect with meticulous line work, rich colors and a tone of whimsical details. How perfect would this be for a housewarming gift?! They’ve set the bar pretty high with this initial set and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for their next neighborhood!.

I’ve been working on a fun DIY series to share with all of you but I’m still in the process of editing all the photos and setting up the files for downloading. In the mean time I thought I’d share this quick tip that I just learned from my sister Allison. This trick totally came in handy for my latest project so here’s a sneak peak for what’s in store.

Rather than spending tons of money to replace all those craft punches that have begun to dull you can repair them yourself! All you need is a little tin foil! Just punch the foil a few times and TA-DA your punch is sharpened and restored! I was a skeptic at first but after testing it out on all of my punches myself I can tell you that it actually works! Added bonus, I also discovered a new way to make shimmery homemade confetti!

*Update: Reader Kylie was kind enought to add that if you punch through some wax paper afterwards, the wax will lubricate your punch too. Thanks Kylie!

Chocolate Strawberry Sandwiches by Lisa Wong Jackson of Good On Paper as seen on Mint. Yummers!

Love Chart Pouch from Inkbloom as seen on One Pretty Thing

Candy Orchard CD Packaging Kit by Ayako Akazawa of Chronicle Books

Conversation Candy Bar Wrappers from the lovely ladies at Nice Package

Love Coupon Matchbooks by Rachel of Benign Objects via Elephantine

My favorite starting point for ALL things craft, One Pretty Thing, has countless sources of other inspiration. Be sure to click on over and feast your eyes on all the goodies!

Aren’t these the most adorable barrettes you’ve ever seen?! I spotted this tutorial over on The Purl Bee and had to take note. Complete with thorough step-by-step instructions and fantastic photographs, this is one craft we could all learn how to do. I’ll hopefully be sporting one of these in my own hair soon!

Here’s a DIY for you if my other ones were a little too sweet for your tastes. There’s nothing like a gift that will remind your special someone of you twice a day! I can’t think of a better way to start your morning than with a sweet little love note. Simply wrap one of these tags around your loved one’s toothbrush and be prepared for smiles!

I spotted these adorable toothbrushes and they became the inspiration for this Valentine’s Day gift. You can find them online at amazon.com and Almanders Alley.

The template includes four sayings, a him and a her and a blank one for your own ideas.

Included sayings:

I’ve got a sweet tooth for you.
You’re too sweet for words.
You’re the toothpaste to my toothbrush.
You satisfy my sweet tooth.

Download the template here and enjoy!

I just love everything Karen of maggie makes does and her latest tutorial is no exception! I mean come one, how adorable are these embroidered heart kits!? There are four patterns to choose from and I know I’m going to have a hard time deciding which one to buy! She’s currently giving away one of each so hurry on over for your chance to win. Best of luck!

Back by popular demand! These were a big hit last year and I’ve been getting tons of emails lately about them so I’ve made an updated version for 2010! Just download the file and print directly onto the paper bag. For more detailed instructions and other printing suggestions visit my previous post here. Once you’ve made the bags, fill with heart shaped brownies cut with a cookie cutter.

Last year one reader suggested that a wax paper or glassine bag be placed inside to preserve the craft bag. I loved the suggestion and incorporated it into these photos. To make the scalloped edge, simply cut tops of bags off using a rotary cutter and scalloped pinking blade.

Additionally, I now also carry the brown craft bags in my Etsy shop. Sold in packs of 25 they’re great for all sorts of crafts, gifts and little treats! Not a fan of the craft bag? I also stock them in white. I’ve got a few more Valentine’s Day goodies coming this week so be sure to check back often!

Psst! You can find those adorable straws over at Garnish! They come in red, blue and green – oh the possibilities!!!

*UPDATE! I completely spaced on the fact that the rest of the world writes their dates differently so please forgive my polarizing design. I’ve created another file which you can download here with the date 14.02.10. Apologies and please enjoy! xoxo, Kathleen

I have a bit of a blog crush going on today for Just Something I made. Cathe Holden’s incredible blog features some super creative craft projects ranging from paper goods to leather crafts. Located in California, Cathe’s got her hands full as a graphic designer, mom and blogger.

I’d only just begun perusing Cathe’s site when I came across her tutorial for how to make perforations useing a sewing machine. This was actually the look I wanted all along when I designed the Coat Check Tags for our wedding but  a custom die-cut wasn’t within our budget. I ended up using my Fiskars dashed perforating blade instead. Anyway, I can not wait to give this a try! Off to go brainstorm a perforated project but first I must finish devouring JSIM!

Christmas is rapidly approaching, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t enough time to get a couple of projects done! Here are a few my DIY projects that are sure to add a special touch to your holidays!

1) Need an easy and fun project? Make a Pine Cone Garland!
2) Felt Gift Bows add a touch of cuteness to any present!
3) Felt Ornaments that would also make lovely gift tags!
4) Let your furry friend join in the celebration with these Peanut Butter Dog Treats!
5) Spruce up your dinner with these Ornament Favor Wraps!

With only a few days left before Christmas, my list of projects that I can realistically complete in time is dwindling down. Luckily, the ever talented and generous Amy, of Eat. Drink. Chic., has created some very charming DIY crafts just in time. These projects are easy enough to make with the limited time left and yet you’ll look like you spent loads of cash and time with these beauties. Be sure to click over to Eat.Drink.Chic. and download each of these projects for yourself.

From top: Jumbo Gift Tag , Holiday Mail Stripes Tag, Holiday Treat Bag

I wanted to wrap up Five Days of Felt with another one of my D.I.Y projects. These stiched ornaments are easy, fun to make, and if I don’t say so myself, look pretty charming!

All you need to do is cut out ornaments shapes (you can create your own or download my shapes here) from the felt then stitch patterns to your hearts content! I used a sewing machine but I think using embroidery thread and stitching by hand would look just as good. In addition to ornaments, these would be nice gift toppers too! The sky’s the limit as to what you can do, so have fun and happy crafting!

Have I ever shared my obsession with Martha Stewart with all you before? Surly I must have. For those that know me, they know that I have every issue of every publication Martha Stewart has published since 1997 and my nick name in college was “Martha”. I fall short of being creepy (I hope) but it probably goes without saying that I completly and utterly adore the Martha Stewart brand. Thus, there is no possible way I could leave out some of my favorite MS felt crafts in this Five Days of Felt round-up. Enjoy!

From the top:
1.Possibly the sweetest Felt Slippers ever!
2.Quiet Book for the little ones in your life.
3.Snowflake-inspired Felt Coasters to protect those tables.
4.Inexpensive and easy Scalloped Tree Skirt.
5.Cheery Holly Corsage for a little added joyfulness.
6.Whimsical Tree Stump Trivet for hot pots!

Continuing on with this week’s felt theme I had to include these felt trees by Blair of Wise Craft. I saw this project last year after the holidays and have been anxiously waiting to post about them. Blair used old wool sweaters and felt remnants to create these little guys and the effect is so completely charming. Get the instructions and tree template here on Wise Craft.

Can’t get enough? Neither can I! Lucky for us, Blair was a host on Design*Sponge’s guest blog last week and shared some pretty fantastic holiday DIY projects. Get ready to be inspired and check them all out here.

Making a guest appearance in my latest DIY project for Style Me Pretty, I’ve got a new Print Your Own template in my Etsy shop to share. This Ornament Favor Wrap uses only black ink so it can be printed on any color card stock. Pair with a coordinating holiday ornament and they make for a festive favor.

Not just for weddings, these would be perfect for any of the upcoming holiday meals and events that are quickly approaching. All you’ll need is an ornament, then simply print, cut and secure with a ribbon and you’ve got instant table decor! And at just $4 for the template it’s affordable too! *Tip: For an extra touch, hand write names on the ribbon with a fabric pen and they double as place cards!

I’ve got another Felt Craft coming up later today to be sure to check back!

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic winter weekend. I have been so in love with all the felt crafts I’ve been seeing lately so I thought I’d  start Five days of Felt, a whole week dedicated to this wonderful fabric!

First up are felt gift bows! I spotted Jessica’s amazing magazine gift bow tutorial on How About Orange and was so inspired! Her directions are simple and super easy to follow. I ended up using felt instead of magazines and the result was perfect! The only other difference was that I used a hot glue gun instead of glue dots.

I was also able to create a bow broach just by adding a pin-back (found at a fabric store) to the back. I adheared the pin-back with a dot of hot glue and then secured it with a few stiches of coordinating thread. For the how-to details head on over to How About Orange and enjoy!

Yesterday’s pom pom wreath isn’t the only game in town, it seems like everywhere I look there is a wreath I want to make! I’m continually delighted with how inventive people can be. Here are a few of my favorites. Each of these play off the same theme yet end up being wonderfully different! I wish had time to make them all!

1.Book Page Wreath by Living with Lindsay via: Paper Crave 2.Felt Rosette Wreath by Kristen of Domestifluff  3.Cardboard Leaf Wreath by Cardboard safari  4.Photo Wreath by Country Living via: Apartment Therapy

I’m head-over-heals for this charming Pom Pom Wreath. Though my hubby may not appreciate it, I can’t help but want one for each door in our house. Let me count… that’s seven! Ok, probably too many but one is definitely in order.

This delightful project comes from miss j. of bleubird; a fantastic and new-to-me design and craft blog. Be sure to check out her full tutorial here and have fun pomming it up! Cheers!

via: whipup.net

**Today is the last day to enter to win the Hello!Lucky holiday card giveaway so get your submissions in before 12pm PST!

My mother in law, Marilyn, had this idea last year but I never had the time to make one. I had completely forgotten about it until last week when I saw (and smelled) those cinnamon scented pine cones that pop up this time of year. Well I bought a bag of them and the rest of the materials on the spot and I’m just thrilled with how it turned out! It was so easy to do and now the house smells like cinnamon! See below for instructions on how to make your own!

Also, I spotted this door decoration that uses the same materials that would make a lovely companion to the garland. Instead of stringing the pine cones to the ribbon simply tie a ribbon to each hook then tie all the ribbons at the top and hang!

What You’ll Need:
Pine Cones
Ribbon
Screw Hooks
Hole Punch
Scissors

Instructions:
1. Begin by measuring your mantel or space that you’d like to hang your garland and cut your ribbon. Remember to leave extra for hanging. Once you’ve determined the length, space your pine cones out as you like on a flat surface. The pine cones I used were fairly large so I kept about 4 inches between each one. On the back of the ribbon discreetly mark where each pine cone will go, then punch a hole with a small craft punch. I used an 1/8″ round circle punch like this one.

2. Once you know how many pine cones you’ll need, screw in one screw hook into the top of each pine cone. This takes a little practice and you may need a little elbow grease but once you get the hang of it it goes pretty quickly.

3. Poke each hook through the hole you’ve made in the ribbon and hang! Easy as pie and something that will last for seasons to come!