My Favorite Nail Polish Combo-Natural

   When I was younger bit my nails.  I never had pretty nails to look at even in high school.  Once I got older and started getting my nails done I always leaned towards the natural look.  Sometimes I would adventure into a little color but I remained a "vanilla" kind of gal you could say.  When I stopped getting my nails done I knew I would have to keep my nails painted to prevent myself from biting them.    Now I am into all sorts of shades.  Dark colors, bright colors, funky patterns and of course, naturals.  Here is my favorite combo for a natural nail.

Base Coat:  Revlon Color Stay Base Coat
Color:  O.P.I. Dulce de Leche
             Revlon Color Stay Calla Lily
Top Coat:  Seche Vite

   Calla Lily has an iridescent glitter in it that gives it a perfect shine and catches the eye.  The Dulce de Leche is a excellent balance of pinky nude.  I think this is a great match and wonderful for any occasion.

   Let me know what your favorite natural color combo is.  I will keep sharing my other nail colors and combos that I have discovered.

Thanksgiving Table Setting

   Planning Thanksgiving is overwhelming...period.  This year for my side of the family my husband and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner.  Since it is a fairly small affair we decided to use "formal dining ware".  I decided that I wanted plain white plates so for any event that called for formal dining ware in the future we had something neutral.  But white plates not so cheap I found out.  I really didn't want to spend a fortune just on plates.  I thought to myself, "you are in trouble."  But then my genius, frugal mind kicked in and I figured out a way I could create an entire table setting for cheap.  Plates, charges, cloth napkins, center piece/candles and glassware I did it!  I took notice in what I had and I only needed to buy the plates and chargers.  I broke it down piece by piece and grand total is around $52.  Below are pictures of my set up.  Keep in mind that all the food will be on a separate table.  I made it simple and easy.

Brown and gold warm up the setting.

The gold chargers bring out candle light to the table.

These are very versatile for any beverage.
  

  * Plates and Chargers: $1.00 each at The Dollar Tree (6 of each is $12)
            Check out your dollar store when buying things like this.  No it's not your Grandmother's china
     but if you are not going to use it all the time then consider a cheaper alternative.
 *  Napkins pack of 6 for $9.99.  I bought mine at World Market a while back.  They have about every color and they hold up well.
 *  Glassware-Stemless wine glasses pack of 4 for $9.99 at Walmart.  I already had these as well but       still for the cost of 8 for $20 you can't beat that.  I love these for water glasses.
 *  Votive candle holders $1 each
 *   Table runner $1
 *  Decorative corn 3 for $5 and twig pumpkin $1

   This setting isn't over the top but I think keeping it simple makes it more relaxing.  Be creative and use what you have.  The only things I didn't have were the plates and chargers but I wanted to show how simple it could be to put something together with "formal dinner ware".  Hope this inspires you.

 

Repurposed Shoe Box

   So, I have had this ONE shoe box in my gift wrap bin for months waiting to use it for well, you guessed it wrapping a gift.  Of course that hasn't happened so I decided that I was going to use it for something else.  Plastic forks, knives and spoons.  Over several events we have accumulated a ridiculous amount of them.  They just get shoved in a big zip lock bag and tucked away.  To make things a little more decorative and prettier (because when things are prettier they just seem to be...better) I figured I would decorate my shoe box.
   Rather than covering it with fabric I chose to use my thick hemp and felt.  All this stuff I already had and have had for a long time.  Seriously, I think I have had the hemp for 5 years!!!  It's time for it to be useful.

What You Need:
1.  Thick corded hemp
2.  Hot glue
3.  Felt fabric
4.  Need and thread
5. Shoe box

How To Do It:
1.  Trace the bottom and sides of the box on your felt fabric.
2.  Cut your pieces of felt fabric and hot glue them to the inside of the box.

3.  Start applying a line of hot glue at the bottom of the outside of the box then place your hemp over the glue.  I didn't do a continuous wrap.  I cut my cord once I got to the point that I started.

4.  Once I got to the top I glued around the rim covering the edge of the box.

  To add a little touch I thought that I would make some felt flowers.  But here's the deal, I SUCK at them.  I have looked at every Pinterest link to make them and I can't do it.  So, I winged it.

Felt Fabric Flowers:

1.  Cut three different sizes of circles.  As you will be able to see from the picture below I didn't use a "template" for the circles.

2.  Then I stacked them together and ran a needle and thread through them securing it in the back.

3.  Then I cut "pedals" (see the picture above) on all three circles.  Don't cut all the way to the center.
4.  Once I was done I glued them to the outside of the box.  Since it is the holiday season you could put so many cute decorations on it rather than the felt flowers.  Maybe pinecones or evergreen with bells.

     Here's the finished box

  I must warn you that you will burn your finger tips with the hot glue and I did manage to cut myself with the scissors so be careful.  However, I do like it and now my plastic "silverware" can rest in style.
Happy crafting everyone.


Updated Look:

  So last night I decided that I needed to add sections to the inside of my box.  I took the lid to my shoe box and cut it into 2 pieces that would make dividers for the inside.  I covered them in felt and then glued the hemp cording to the top of the dividers.

DIY Thankgiving/Fall Pictionary

  For the last couple of years I have been making our own pictionary game cards.  Halloween, Summer, Back to School, ect. and they have been a HUGE hit.  This year my husband and I are hosting Thanksgiving and we are getting our game faces on for this years pictionary!  I have found the easiest way to make your own cards and it's pretty inexpensive.  The hardest part is coming up with words or phrases but once you have those it's cake (or should I say it's pumpkin pie?  humm food for thought).  Anyways, this is how I did it and I hope that you try it too.

What you need:
1.  White labels
2.  Card stock of your choice of color
3.  Stickers of whatever theme or event your doing

How To:
1.  Make a list of words, phrases, places ect. that relate to your event or theme.  I just google what my event is and put "words associated with...." it seems to help.
2.  Cut your cardstock into 3 1/4 inches by 4 3/4 inches.  You can make them whatever size you want this is just the size I use.
3.  Write or type* your event on one label and a word or phrase on another.  Center the label on each side of the card and stick it on.
4.  Place your stickers on the card any way you want.  This would be fun for little kids that may be too young to play but can still have fun with it.

  * If you use the labels that you can put in your printer it would make this faster.  I always hand write them because I bought a GIANT pack of the small single sheets (the ones that won't go in a printer) and I still have them.  Just follow the instructions that you can find on the back or insert to fit your printer program.

  The Finished Product:

 
  Let me know if you do this, or if your family and friends play other games comment below and let me know.  Like I said we have a total blast.

   

Fall Wreath

   I wanted to share my wreath that I made for Fall.  My blogger friend www.naphtalismelody.blogspot.com made a Valentine version and it came out really cute.   I can't resist anything argyle and she said that they were easy to make.  She found it on Pinterest which I believe that this web site www.mineforthemaking.blogspot.com. is where it originated from.  Basically it's yarn wrapped around a foam wreath.  The design or diamond shapes are made from felt.  You could really do anything with it.    I added my own touch with decorative leaves and ribbon.  It gives a nice warm, Fall greeting to our guests.  Hope you like it.