Upcycled Glass Jelly Jar - From Trash to Treasure in 15 Minutes

Sometimes, I clean and save empty glass jars.  I'm not sure why.  There's something inherently crafty about them.  However, there's nothing crafty about them if you let them sit on a counter, collecting dust (as is usually the case in my house!).

Sometimes, inspiration strikes.  I was looking for a container to hold Q-tips on my bathroom counter.  Using an old jelly jar (with a name like Smuckers, it has to be good), a scrap of fabric and glue, an upcycled apothecary jar was born!

Here's how to make yours...  This whole project took about 15 minutes, total. 

Upcycled Glass Jelly Jar - From Trash to Treasure

City of Motherly Love Block Party - Week #1

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You CAN Do This - Easy, Quick Fleece Winter Hat with Ear Flaps

The days leading up to the holidays are always packed, with everyone rushing around to get things done!  But, what about when everything's come and gone and your hands are still looking for something to do?

Here's the EASIEST, cutest project ever - A quick fleece winter hat with ear flaps, for kids or adults.  You can sew this ALL by hand if you are allergic to your sewing machine like I am, and it takes 1 - 2 hours maximum.

Confession time:  This project was actually my first completed sewing project that followed a pattern!  I haven't had much luck with patterns in the past, but this one restored my confidence!  And, it's sturdy.  I made it for my son about 6 weeks ago, and it's still good as new.  Plus, it gets tons of compliments.  It feels really good when son proudly says, "My mommy made it!"

Are you ready to get started? 

Easy Peasy Fleece Scarf for Kids or Adults

Do you have any leftover fleece but don't know what to do with it?  Have you been looking for an excuse to get that cute superhero or princess fleece that is on sale at JoAnn Fabric?  Here's a quick and useful idea...  Make an Easy Peasy Fleece Scarf, as modeled by our stuffed bear.  He is so photogenic ;)

Easy Peasy Fleece Scarf
Skill Level - Easy
Time Estimate - Less than one hour

Get one yard of your favorite fleece fabric.  
Cut a rectangle that measures 11 inches wide by 60 inches long (or however long you'd like it)
Fold in half width-wise, right sides facing each other.  The scarf should now be 5.5 inches wide by 60 inches long.
Sew the right sides together on the edge of the scarf, leaving 1/2 inch allowance or so.
Turn right-side out
With scissors, cut about four inches of each end of the scarf into equal width strips.
Knot the strips together by twos, effectively closing off the ends of the scarf (I wound up having eight knots total)
Be cozy! 

This Blog Started with a Pom-Pom

After a trip to Five Below (love that place), we came home with an adorable plain, blue winter hat for my son for only $2.00.  The problem was that it didn't have a pom-pom on the top, and my guy was a little disappointed.  I consulted by trusty friend, Google, and found an easy way to make pom-poms from leftover yarn. 

Thanks, Prudent Baby - How to Make a Yarn Pom-Pom

It was really fun and easy, and turned out great after I sewed it on the top of the hat.  My son told me it was "the best pom-pom" he's "ever seen!"

But, what does this have to do with starting a blog?  Well, I then got on a kick where I started Googling other projects to do.  I found this amazing website, Tracy's Treasury.  In addition to having a fabulous first name, she had some great ideas and I really felt like we had a lot in common.  Sharing creative ideas is one of the great joys in life, and, viola, "City of Motherly Love" was born!  Let the angels rejoice!  The world will never be the same again (or, maybe it will).