Mum's the word.

I was watching a Martha Stewart Christmas special the other day, and saw an simple and elegant way to spruce up your standard bow. I believe Martha referred to these bows as "mum bows" because they look similar to a beautiful mum flower. I tried to look for a link, but couldn't find one, so I'm making a tutorial for you. It's soooooo easy! Just follow along ...

1. You need some bows. These are fancy $1 store bows. I stuck mainly with the satin finish. If you do a metallic bow, it will expose both sides of the bow (just something to think about).

2. Pick your bow and cut each loop of the bow one time. Then, grab another bow and repeat.


3. Peel off the sticky side of one bows and stick it inside the other snipped bow.


4. Fluff, take a sip of wine, and you're done! A lovely little bow.


5. Add in some embellishments for an extra touch. I placed a simple button and a sparkly vintage brooch on some of mine. Here are a few examples to inspire ...

(I cut one bow, and then left the center bow as is).

Enjoy ...

Update: Craft it Forward

I've made a few more gifts for Craft It Forward, and I wanted to share them with you all. I have so enjoyed making goodies for people I love. I haven't stuck to one particular kind of craft. I'm trying to be inspired by things I already have on hand and something that I feel really speaks to the person I'm making something for. Check out my latest creations ...

The first piece was a necklace I made for one of my friends from college. She is a totally hot surfer chic ... and still is. The small dangling piece actually has some shell bits from the beach where we went to college.


The next piece was an adorable headband/hair piece. My friend always has very stylish do's, so I wanted to make something to accentuate her chicness. I found a plain brown headband and simply glued on some cute turquoise silk fabric flowers. Easy as pie, I tell you!


The final pieces were sent to friends in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington (*hopefully* they all arrived safely). These were some frames I had gotten a while ago at Target. I added some ribbon, vintage jewelry pieces, some rhinestones, and metallic tape to spice them up a bit. Then, I took some images from an Ann Traintor book I had, and KaBOOM! their gift was made.


So far, everyone has really enjoyed their gifts. I better get crackin' though ... the end of the year is quickly approaching and I still have a few more people to scratch off my list!

Happy creating to all ...

Things to make and do

I've been on a "let's make stuff" kick recently. Here are the two latest creations ...

I made a wreath for the front door (at the "request" of my husband who said our current wreath was not "summery" enough -- who knew he was even paying attention). I wrapped a thrifted wreath in ribbon, added some "flower" buttons, and called it a day.

This next piece hangs in our kitchen. We purchased the large outer mirror at the flea market a few years ago. It was missing the center mirror, so we got it at a steal. Our original plan had been to make some kind of string art in the center, but that plan failed dismally. We later added the smaller center mirror (I think we found it at Target). This past week, we added on these vintage Christmas lights. The glow it makes is so lovely ... perfect for candle light dinners.


Well, I hope this was a great weekend for everyone -- mine was busy, but fantastic. I'll be posting some pictures soon of this weekend's adventures.

Happy creating to you all ...

Pay it forward ...

A friend of mine tagged me in a very fun game ... a chain letter of sorts. But, instead of sending a letter, you promise to send a handmade goodie. I couldn't resist! I posted this on FaceBook, but thought it would be fun to share it with some of my blogging buddies. Here's the scoop ...

This is a crafty game in which the first five people to respond to this note will get something made by me! This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.

* What I create will be just for you! New! Not something I made previously and have just laying around.

* It'll be done this year (2009).

* You have no clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something over the internet.

* I reserve the right to do something extremely strange and/or cheap.

* I may well do more than 5 random creative acts if more than 5 people want random creative things.

What's the catch? Simple really -- in return you need to post this text into a note of your own and make 5 things for 5 others (and tag me so I know you didn't cheat!).

All right, let's get to making ...


Here's my first creation. I went through a couple versions, but ended with something I really enjoyed making. I haven't made something in FOREVER, and I forgot how therapeutic it can be to get down and dirty with some hot crafting magic. I hope my friend likes it!


Also, I'm including a sneak peak of one of the great finds (the gold arch floor lamp = hotness!) from this past weekend's yard sale adventures. I went home to visit my family, and found myself up and out EARLY Saturday morning with my Mom and Sister. We had a great time. I promise to post more pictures, but I have to get them from my Mom -- I forgot my camera. You won't even believe the new kitchen table I found ... aww yeah!

Hope all is well. Happy creating all ...

Nothin' sweeter than a handmade mobile (except iced tea in the south)

Here's a quicky for ya.

I was lucky enough to get to spend a long weekend at a friend's GORGEOUS beach house last month. It was heavenly -- what a lovely getaway. The rule of the beach house is not to pay for your stay, but to get a little something for the house to add to its charm.



In true Jennifer fashion, I could not settle with the thought of giving them something store-bought ... this needed to be more from the heart. So, I collected several shells, a few branches of drift wood, and put it all together with some fishing line ...


TADA!! A lovely shell mobile to say thanks for such a great weekend. Funny side note -- as I was going to hang it up, it dropped to the ground. Eek. No one was with me, but from the other room I could hear "aaaawwwwhhh" -- the shock felt around the beach house! Nothing too bad resulted from the fall, so up it went. I loved it ... and my friends did too!