DIY Classy Travel Bottle Labels

So tomorrow I go to Hawaii!!This is my first time and I am so super stoked. You will be seeing lots about the trip on my various social media sites, so be sure to check back! Anyway, I've been planning and packing for months. In the normal OCD fashion of my packing tendencies, I had to order all new travel bottles that match. I got these from HM for about $3 each. Yes, they're a little pricey when it comes to travel bottles, but I like how simple they are... and they all match. But, since they're all the same color, it's next to impossible to tell the contents apart. Labels were a necessity.

A long long time ago, Epson sent me their LabelWorks Printable Ribbon Kit and let me tell you... it's SO COOL! You buy pre-filled cartridges of ribbon and ink. It isn't adhesive, but that's nothing a glue gun can't fix. You can also print regular labels on this, as well. I'm smitten!

I used it to make the seriously most classy travel bottle labels ever!

Vintage Christmas Lights Wreath DIY

I've had this box of vintage christmas lights laying around for about 4 years.  I got them at an estate sale because... it was a box of beautifully colored vintage light bulbs.. why else??  And for four years, I've had the intention of making this with them and never did it until now.  This is such an easy project and such a great way to use lightbulbs that don't work anymore!

All you need is a high-heat glue gun and sticks, a foam wreath and a strand of twinkly lights.

Once you glue the bulbs to the foam, wrap it with the twinkly lights and hang!  It looks like a super expensive Christmas decoration and in reality, it cost me MAYBE $10.  

Love you all!! xoxox

Wrapping with Craft Paper & Yarn (for odd sized and shaped gifts)

I struggle all the time with wanting cute wrapping for things that are weird sizes and shapes, don't have boxes, or are just so plain on their own that a little something extra in the packaging would go a long way.

This tutorial shows you how to make a gift bag of any shape and size using only craft paper, yarn, a weaving needle and scissors.  No tape, no glue.

First you need to cut the size of paper you want that will fit whatever object you're wrapping.

Second, fold it in half and along the folded edge, cut the corners off.  This will box out the bottom for you.

Third, while folded in half, place your paper on the carpet and stab through both sides, up along both edges.  Then fold the shortest sides to create the roll at the top of the bag and stab completely through the roll.

Fourth, snip the folded edge (the bottom) once on either side by the corner you cut.  We will thread the yarn through here to support the weight of whatever is in the bag.

Now start threading!  Make sure to do the bottom first.  You want the yarn to be on the outside of the bottom to support the paper.  Thread both bottom holes first and make sure you have enough yarn on either side to thread all the way up and create a handle.

Now go on up the sides.  

This is what it will look like once all the holes are threaded!

Now to add some extra flare, I added some calligraphy to the front.  You can always use sharpies, or stamps, or paint.

This bag is perfect for this huge infinity scarf I crocheted.  What's more perfect for a handmade gift than handmade wrapping??

I also made one for a wine bottle and I'm obsessed!

Check out all the other awesome holiday tips and tricks from the other #MichaelsMakers!

An InLinkz Link-up

Autumn Pumpkin Vase Flower Arrangement

I know I'm not alone in this, but I MUST have fresh flowers in my living space on a regular basis.  I don't know what it is, but they just make me so happy.  This bouquet from Pro-Flowers is the epitome of fall gorgeousness to me.  The colors are absolutely breath taking!   You can browse all of their fall bouquets here. I thought they would like even more stunning in a spur of the moment vase made from a craft pumpkin.  Honestly, one of the easiest DIY vases ever!  All you have to do is cut a hole in the top and depending on the size of your pumpkin, add a glass or vase or jar to hold the flowers.  Easy peasy!

That's my parents' dog, Bear.  He's only a year old and is the size of a small moose.  He desperately wanted to be in the photos!

Can we talk about the absolute perfection of my mom's styling skills of this area of her kitchen?

The best part of this pumpkin vase is that it won't rot.  You can leave it out all season long and store it until the following autumn.

Michaels Makers Dream Tree Challenge 2015

It's that time of year again!  Nope, not Halloween.  Nope, not Thanksgiving.  It's time for the annual Dream Tree Challenge with Michaels!  **cue applause**

Last year, my tree was dripping with faux taxidermy and tartan plaid.  I adored it!  This year, I'm sticking with the rustic theme, but I wanted something more natural, more earthy this time.  I thought, "If I lived in the middle of the woods and had no access to a store, how would my tree look?"  

Well, this is what I came up... and let me tell you, this is the first time ever a tree I've decorated has given me goosebumps.  I decided to put this up at my brother and sis-in-law's new house.  The kiddos helped and it was such a blast.  I know they will enjoy having the tree up for a few months.

For the tree skirt we went with mother earth's natural ground cover and used moss.  I love love love the way it looks!  For the topper, I used leaves and feathers.  

Everything on this tree was bought at Michaels.  (except for the pine cones, which were bought at an estate sale.)

Most everything is found in the floral section.  Browse it HERE!

And in case you don't have a tree and need one, you can get free shipping at Michaels!  Go here...

I really hope you find some inspiration here for your own tree.  If you need some extra, check out the 49 other AMAZING Michaels Makers for some more awesome ideas.  Merry Christmas my friends!

Of course, it's Halloween weekend, so a nephew dressed as a puppy just HAD to photobomb the tree.  That's okay.  I think he makes it look even more awesome!

An InLinkz Link-up