Sock an Glove - Creating Charming Softy Friends from Cast-off Socks and Gloves

I won this book in Darling Petunia giveaway had and was excited to receive it in the mail yesterday.

It is the English version of a Japanese book by Miyako Kanamori and it shows you how to make several adorable creatures out of old socks and gloves such as the puppy on the cover, a panda, a bunny, a pig, a fish and a zebra.

Each project has numbered information points on what to do and there are also pictures and drawings showing where to cut on the sock or glove and how to put them together for each project which make the instructions easy to follow.

I am hoping to have time this weekend to dive into the box that hold the land of unmatched socks and make on of the critters.

The book is on sale at Amazon for as low as $6.17 for a used book.

Birdseed "Sandbox"

It you have small children and want to try something a bit different at you next outdoor outing to entertain them, try putting together a birdseed "sandbox".
Items used:

• Small kiddie pool
• 40lb bag of birdseed
• Small bucket
• Caps of laundry detergent
• Misc toys

Pour the birdseed in the kiddie pool then put the toys on top.   For a larger pool, you would need more birdseed.

When you are done you with it you can put the seeds in a large bag or tub and use it in a birdfeeder.

Five Things For The Weekend

Cottage And Vine is hosting a link party and the question is"

"If you are going away for the weekend and can only take five products, in your cosmetic bag, what would they be.?"

I always like to try new things, so I can't say I have an exact routine, but the five things I would pick right now are:

1. Bath and Body Works Lotion in Twilight Woods
2. Versace Woman Perfume
3. Princess Borghese Nail Lacquer in Mediterranean Coral
4. Roc Overnight Repair Creme
5. Princessa Kohl Eye Pencil

I picked the lotion to moisturize and I like the scent.

Ditto on the Versace Woman perfume.  For the longest time I only wore Red Door but my son said it "Smelled Like the 80's" and very "Old Ladyish".  He wasn't born until 1993, so he is guessing on what anything in the 80's might smell like, but the "Old Ladyish" bothered me so he went with me to help pick out some scents as he has to tolerate them in the car.   I was torn between Versace Woman and Calvin Klein Euphoria so I got both and when the Versace is empty, I will use the Euphoria.

I picked the nail polish because it is a cheery summer color.  People don't really notice if you don't wear any nail polish, but the sure do if it is chipped or marred so I would take it along for touch ups.

The wrinkle cream is a preventative measure because I am starting to get crows feet around my eyes and some fine line on my forehead.  I haven't been using it very long so I can't say whether it is any better than any other anti-wrinkle cream - I will wait until I am done with the tube to make that decision.

The eye pencil I would use as an eyeliner and also to pencil in my brows.  It was around $2 at a Dollar Plus store but I love the fact that it comes with a built in sharpener in the lid - higher ended cosmetic companies should take note of this - it is a pain to when you are in a hurry to have to dig through the vanity drawer for an eye pencil sharpener.

Koolaid Man Pitcher Pencil Holder

A fun accent for a desk that even kids can make!

This was inspired by Rock Candy Eyes over a "Koolaid Man" pencil holder.
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/recycled-can-food-tin-kool-aid-man-pencil-holder

Mine is a little different as I used spray paint instead of acrylic paint, a Sharpie instead of black acrylic paint and added a handle for the pitcher.   I used pink to represent pink lemonade flavor.

Items used:

• Tin Can
• Cardboard
• Spray Paint
• Scissors
• Sharpie
• Paper
• Strong glue or Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

Remove label and clean off can - I soaked mine overnight first and it made it easier to get the label off.

Measure two pieces of cardboard.  One will be 1/2 inch wide and 3 1/2 inches long.  The other will be 1/2 inch wide and 1 inch long.  Mark then cut.

On the long piece of cardboard, bend each edge under 1/2 inch then bend it.

Use the glue on the short piece and glue the big piece to the little piece.

Glue the "handle" to the can.














Outside or in well ventilated area, put down a piece of cardboard and spray paint the can inside and out and allow to dry.  I did this three times to get an even coat and full coverage.















Draw a Koolaid face on a piece of paper then cut out and the face and use it as a template for the can.  I made mine 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 and it turned out a little larger than I had planned - you might want to try 3x3.



















Use the black Sharpie to drawn the face on the can using the paper template then finish coloring in.

Rosette Buns

A quick, easy and romantic hairdo for summer for medium to long hair!

With summer being in full swing, it has been too hot to wear my hair down and I went in search of something different that the traditional bun or wadding it up in giant jaw clip and found and adorable Rosette Buns Hairstyle over at Adopt A Do.  She does all sorts of amazing hairstyles for her girls, but some are doable for adults too, such as this one.  I really like how it turned out and it took me a little under 10 minutes.  It is a bit dressier than a traditional bun without being too prissy or formal.  I like it just as well with a floral dress as I do a pair of shorts and tank top. 


I had enough trouble just trying to get a pic of my do after I got it done by snapping it in a mirror, but at Adopt a do she has instructions with pictures and many more styles.


http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/twists/flower-girl-updo-hairdo-rosette-buns/
What I used for mine:

• Comb
• Phat Hair Phunky Junk Defining Cream (you could use any hair gel)
• 6 elastic bands
• 8 bobby pins

First comb your hair into a center pony tail in back.

Put cream or gel into the pony tail to keep it smooth.  I also put some on the top and side to prevent flyaways.

Divide hair into two sections, top and bottom with the bottom having a bit more hair

Divide the top section of hair into 2 sections, twist each one, wrap it into a rosette, secure with elastic and pin down with a bobby pin.

Divide the bottom section into 3 sections, twist each one of those, wrap into a rosette, and secure each with elastic and a bobby pin.

I added an extra bobby pin at the top and the bottom to stray tame hairs and I was out the door.

Chanel Inspired Sunglasses

Cost for Chanel Sunglasses $2,200 -  DIY'ed for under $4.

These were inspired by Chanel Sunglasses here which retail for $2,200 which they tout as being seen on Lady GaGa. 

They had something similar at Afaze, Chain Link Sunglasses,but with shipping and handling would have ended up being over $10, so instead I decided to make a trip to the dollar store and the craft store and DIY my own.

 Items used:

• Black sunglasses
• 6-12 inches Jewelry Chain
• Amazing Goop or other strong, clear, glue
• 12 inches of 1/8 inch wide black ribbon (satin or leather) - optional
• Clothespins (optional)

Make sure the chain is not to wide for the top of the glasses, if so, find a skinnier chain.  If you are going to use a ribbon, thread it back and forth through the chain then glue it down on the ends.  Apply glue to the top of the sunglasses.

Apply a thin line of glue on the top edge of the sunglasses and on the back side of the chain.  Let it set for a minute then put the chain on the glasses and allow it to dry.   If you are worried about the chain slipping, use clothespins to hold the chain in place until it dries (but be careful not to use it in an area where the glue is coming through the chain). 

I only applied a chain to the front, but if you want it to look more authentic, glue pieces of the chain to each side of the glasses.  

Wear with pride knowing you are either stepping out in style.