Category Archives: DIY

KNITTED / 01

January 24, 2013

Filed Under : DIY

When winter rolls around, you can usually find me parked right here on this couch with a couple dozen skeins of yarn and a few sets of needles in various sizes. There’s something about knitting that I find to be so calming and life-affirming, ya know? Creating an actual usable item out of a ball of yarn? Talk about a serious addiction.

I want to show you guys a few things I’ve been knitting recently. Is that cool? First up: beanies. It took me a really long time to find an easy and quick way to make a beanie, but I think I’ve finally figured it out. I’m a beanie machine now and can bust one out in under an hour. Addicting, I tell you!!

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Homemade Sea Salt Caramels

December 18, 2012

Filed Under : DIY - EAT - RECIPES

Every holiday season, I try to do at least one DIY project that involves the use of baker’s twine. I bought like 5309560 yards of it 5 years ago, thinking I would use it every other day and I’ve barely made a dent in the roll. So I’ve vowed to bust it out for any and all DIY’s until the end of time. This year, I made sea salt caramels. Last year, it was homemade peppermint bark, and the year before that was garland for my Christmas tree. I get an A for effort on my baker’s twine usage, eh?

I made the caramels with this recipe, using the salted caramel variation. I did 3 different batches and after about 4 hours of cooling time, I cut the caramels and wrapped them in wax paper squares. It made roughly 120 wrapped caramels total (I cut mine pretty large), just enough for 10 in each of my 12 jars. By the way, caramels are super easy to make! Do not be frightened of them. Just make sure you have a handy dandy candy thermometer.

As for the jars, I used these 1/2 pint wide-mouth canning jars, cut circles out of kraft paper, hand wrote on each one, and affixed them to the lid with double-stick tape. I tied baker’s twine around each lid and strung a small cardstock circle with a Rifle Paper Co. sticker on it.

They make perfect small gifts for friends and coworkers. What better way to tell someone you care about them than with a jar full of sugary goodness (topped with sea salt, of course)?

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Co-hosting a bridal shower

October 23, 2012

Filed Under : DIY - MY LIFE

This weekend, I co-hosted a bridal shower for one of my very best friends, Jaymee. Together with my friends Heather, Kim, and Taylor, we tried to create a really special evening for Jaymee, filled with lots of little details that we knew she’d appreciate and love. And boy did she love it! The night was so amazing and we couldn’t have done it without lots of help from our mothers (thanks moms!!) and our friends (shout out to Ann-Marie and Diane!).

Each of the co-hosts had their own tasks leading up to the party: Heather did major DIY (cutting and sewing all the garland as seen below!) and the desserts; Kim did decor, DIY, and rentals; Taylor did flowers, all of the design elements, and the small details; and I did the food. I am in such awe of these girls! They created a truly beautiful setting for the shower and it was so fun planning with them.

I’m really sad because I didn’t get many photos of the food, but after 2 days in the kitchen, I think I might start a catering business. SO. FUN. I’ll come back in another post later this week and talk about the food in greater detail.

Huge thanks to Ann-Marie for letting me use a ton of her photos!

The beautiful bride-to-be, Jaymee:

Co-hosts with the bride! Taylor, me, Jaymee, Heather, and Kim:

Can’t wait for the wedding in 3 WEEKS!!

*photos 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17 by Ann-Marie Morris; the rest by me!

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On the office wall

April 5, 2012

Filed Under : DIY

In our home office, we had one very sad wall with no love and nothing on it. In fact, I haven’t really shown you my office at all yet because it’s in a state of shambles. But one day soon, it will happen. Anyway, back to the sad wall. I decided to make it happy by stringing some twine across it and adding a few memories and favorite things on it. I left lots of space so I can continue adding when I find more fun items.

To assemble it, I used a sturdy twine and nailed it to the wall on each end and once in the middle. Then I hung each item with a sturdy bulldog clip or binder clip. Voila!

PS – the You & Me print is by Ann-Marie Loves Paper!

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Friday Love List

December 16, 2011

Filed Under : DIY - EAT - RECIPES

Now that we’re fully into December (WHAT?!), it’s getting quite chilly in these parts. All I want to do is curl up on the couch with a blanket and a giant cup of tea. I think I will do that all weekend long, what about you?? Here’s what I’ve been loving this week:

I’m printing out these DIY gift tags immediately, if not sooner.
This perfect gray tee, please come into my life.
I’ve had Kate’s holiday mixtape on repeat.
The best chocolate mousse you’ve ever had in your life? Count me in.
Last night, we went to the West Elm party at their new Beverly Blvd location. Beyond the fact that the store looks absolutely gorgeous, the party was super fun and they served mini donuts. Any party with donuts is amazing in my book. Best part? Emily Henderson was there and I almost died. Love. That. Girl.

Happy weekend!!

Image via Scout’s Honor Co.

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