Christmas Mantle

Christmas is just around the corner so I figured I had better get my decorating into high gear!  This year I decided to decorate the firplace mantle with a garland/deco-mesh swag.  I really enjoy working with and using deco-mesh because it doesn't have to be "just perfect."  There's room for error and it's easy to style.

All you need are the following:
1- Strand of garland, you can double up on the garland if you like a thick full greenery look
2- deco-mesh of your choosing - I chose red and white because I like the look of those two together
3- Ornaments and ribbon to accent the finished piece.

Once you have all of your supplies just weave the deco-mesh in and around the strand of garland.  If you are using ribbon do the same thing with the ribbon.  You can use zip ties, bread ties or anything you have on hand to "tie down" the deco mesh to the garland.  You can probably tell from the picture where I tied the deco mesh to my swag.

All in all it was really easy to do.  I hung oversized ornaments at the ends of the mantle but I have seen some really pretty wrapped and stacked presents that would be cute on the floor to the sides of the fireplace, (provided you don't use your fireplace enough to get them too hot!).  At any rate, I hope you found something useful and happy decorating!

Turkey Ranch Potato

One of the things I love to eat is a baked potato.  Especially if it's a baked potato loaded with all the goodness of turkey-ranch flavors and cheddar cheese!  The recipe is fairly simple!... It's actually so simple I couldn't help but blog about it!

All you need is



1) 1lb. of ground turkey

2) One pack of ranch flavored sasoning

3) Shredded cheddar cheese... as much/little as you prefer

Brown the ground turkey adding the ranch flavored seasoning to the meat.... and there you go!  Top a baked potato with some shredded cheddar cheese and DANG!!... that stuff is GOOD!!

My Soup Can "Tote"

I hate to do yet ANOTHER can craft but I use so many of them!  Not to mention they are durable, sturdy and cheap!  One of the things I look for with my crafts is "upcycling," ... taking something made for one purpose and "upgrading" it to be used for another purpose.  Soup cans or just cans in general are perfect for crafting and thus "upcycling"! 

1) I've already paid for them, aka They're cheap





2) The possibilities are endless!



3) If you happen to mess one up it's no big deal!!

I started with my cans and for the purposes of a "tote" I made sure all of my cans were the SAME SIZE.  I chose some fabric I had which complemented each other.  I suppose if I had wanted to make a "soup can tote" for one of the holidays I could have chosen fabric or colors consistent with the Holiday but I was looking for something to use year round.

I then used Mod-Podge... you can make your own with 1/2 glue 1/2 water.  I cut my fabric to the width and length I needed for my cans allowing for about 1/2 inch overlap (because the fabric will shrink slightly when you paste it on).

 I knew I wanted to add a handle to my tote because  wanted to use it for some of my craft storage.  I looked for a rope handle but in the end... I settled on using some 2-ply twine.  I braided a "handle" to the length I needed and presto!... A handle for my soup can tote.

I think it turned out pretty well.  You will have to use a hot glue gun to glue the cans together after they have been mod-podged/decorated to your liking.  After they have been "glued together" then you can work on the handle.  I think in some cases ribbon would be cute or maybe even some embellishment to the top of the cans.  At any rate... the possibilities are endless which I love about crafting with leftover cans!!!

My Deco Mesh Wreath

I have seen over a dozen tutorials on how to make your own deco-mesh wreath. I think they are gorgeous and so sturdy they fare really well in the outdoors. So, I set about trying to make my own deco-mesh wreath. Because I'm an Alabama graduate red & white seemed the obvious choice for my colors! But, I also settled on red and white because I intend to double its use by leaving it out for Christmas as well.

I started with a regular wire wreath base and some deco-mesh that fit my color scheme.

Because I purchased the wider roll of deco-mesh I decided to cut it down the middle (you do not have to cut the rolls down the middle if you don't want to.... in fact, if you prefer a fuller looking wreath you may be better satisfied by NOT cutting it down the middle).  The wider rolls were a MUCH better value at Hobby Lobby (where I purchased everything) and by cutting the roll down the center I now have enough to do ANOTHER wreath.

I started by pinching the ends of the deco-mesh together and using zip ties, I tied them down to the wire wreath frame.  You will need to "bunch" the mesh or "gather" it between each of the zip ties.  You can make as big or small of a "bunch" as you would like.  I tend to like a wider, fuller looking wreaths so I chose to bunch about "8 rows" of the mesh at a time.  Because my mesh was striped I was able to count the "rows" to have an even amount of length between each zip tie.  I have since learned that is the important thing.... you really need the SAME amount of lengh between EVERY tie

that you make!  You don't HAVE to use zip ties... you can use floral wire, bread ties... or any other item that could serve as a tie.... but... FOLLOW THE SAME RULE and space each "tie" the SAME LENGTH apart!  Notice my attempt in the pictures to space the ties apart as evenly as possible!

 At this point I have half way finished my wreath.

I am now through with the first "layer" of my wreath.  Because I tend to prefer thick, "full" looking wreaths I decided to add an additional layer of deco-mesh.  I could have spaced the first layer CLOSER TOGETHER to get a "full look" but I tend to enjoy alot of variety, shape and color to my wreaths.

I opted for an additional filler of red deco-mesh.  Notice this roll is much more narrow.  This is actually the perfect width (in my opinion) to prevent from having to cut the wider deco's in half.

I added my additional layer of red deco-mesh and some red and white poinsetta flowers I found in the Christmas section of the store.  Luckily the end of the flowers was wire so I was able to just wrap it around the wire wreath frame.

And this was the finished product!  You will want to "shape" or "mold" the mesh wire into place a little but I especially enjoyed this wreath project because it allows room for error and you don't have to be "just perfect."

Storage Containers

In my efforts to begin reorganizing I needed storage containers.  Because I wasn't willing to spend a fortune on storage just to organize my belonging it left me wondering the following:
1) What's affordable?
2) It needs to be easy... I have a toddler!
3) It needs to be cheap.. I DON'T feel like spending a fortune!
4) It needs to be dependable and reliable :-)

This line of thinking led me to the versatile, affordable but not so stylish cardboard box.  Cardboard boxes are everywhere!  Most of the items I purchase come in a box.... everything from diapers, wipes, cereals... you name it!

I've seen a dozen tutorials on how to decopauge a box to upcycle it as a storage container.  I've done this numerous times however, I just wasn't in the mood to get out my brush, the glue, fabric, etc... and start the decopauge process.  That's when I came across some self-adhesive prints in the store.  I found them in the school supply section because they were originally designed to be a "locker sticker" for students returning to school.  Because they were on clearance I loaded up and thought "eventually I'll find a use for these"... and boy did I ever find a use!!

I started with an empty box of baby wipes because it seemed really sturdy and re-usable.  I took the self-adhesive sticker and cut in order to match the length and height of the box.  I allowed for about one inch extra on both length and height in order to accomadate error and ensure the total coverage of the sides of the box.

I used duct tape to cover the bottom seam of the box and also to tape down the side handles for extra support.

The finished product was way more fashionable than a baby wipe box.  It was also more importantly, usable, affordable and way easier and less messier than decopauging!

Spices in Order

I have always had a disaster when it comes to the spice rack.  The primary way I like to season my meals is with a variety of spices but keeping them organized and easy to access has always been the challenge.

I started by emptying the spice cabinet and taking an inventory of everything I had.  I grouped them into different categories including 1) Salts & Peppers 2) Spices & Seasonings 3) Meat & Poultry seasonings and then finally (since I use so much of this stuff) 4) Asian Cooking which included pretty much everything from Soy Sauce to Stir-Fry seasoning.

I put each category into a bin I found at the Dollar Tree for $1, added a label with scrap paper and used a whole puncher and some of my husband's zip ties to attach the label to the bin.  And... Presto!! An easier more organized spice cabinet.

Cans and Ribbons

We use a lot of cans at our house!  I had seen previous crafters take their soup cans and make different things out of them so I decided I would give it a try.

I started with a regular soup can that I thoroughly cleaned and peeled the label off of.

 I picked out some ribbon I liked (which wasn't hard to do since I like ribbon so much!) and used a regular all-purpose adhesive that dried clear and worked on fabric.

I cut about three strands of ribbon to cover the can completely.  I pasted the adhesive to the back of the ribbon and then carefully rapped it around the can.  I did allow some time to pass before beginning with the next ribbon strand in order to allow the adhesive to set a little on the previous ribbon strand.

And hears the finished product.  I used it as a pen/pencil holder.  However, I'm seriously thinking I will make some more of these to use with different items.

DIY Kids Activity Table

One of the things I've made it a point to do more of lately is crafting and organizing.  I wanted to focus on low cost crafts and organization tips to make life easier.  That's how I came up with the DIY Kids Activity Table.  My toddly loves to color and draw.  I was TIRED having to constantly pick up crayons, markers and other items that rolled off her coloring table.  That's when I decided to add a raised edge to the table and then take it another step further by making it more of an activity table.

This was a standard coffee table I found somewhere at a yard sale a while back.  It's obviously stained in some places but it's otherwise very sturdy.  Most importantly, it was LOW ENOUGH to accomadate my toddler.  She can sit in her chair to color, draw or play on the table or she can stand.  Since I was tired of crayons always rolling off, the first thing I wanted to do was add a raised edge with whatever I had on hand and didn't have to buy!

I had a hot glue gun, some rope, small books, puzzle pieces and other small toys to use for Hannah's table.  So... I started around the edges and hot glued the edges of the table to keep crayons and other rolling objects from rolling off the table.

In no time, everything was superglued down and there was a border to keep things from rolling off.  Hannah especially enjoyed the small books glued down.  Of course you could probably put almost anything on the table to make a more elaborate and intersting 'Activity Table' such as something that makes music, maybe some chalkboard paint or numerous other things.  But for now, this works fine for us.  I did leave room at the ends of the table to color, eat, etc.. without something being in the way.  Most of the items were glued near the center of the table.

Also, If you are like me and have a toddler to clean up after you will especially enjoy hot gluing all of those tiny puzzle and plastic pieces down to a permanent location to never have to pick up again!  Of course it's true they can't be played with the same way but your toddler will still get some use from the small objects but not at the expense of you having to pick it all up!