Looking for a fun neighborhood gift, co-worker gifts, or even a gift for your children’s teachers?
How about some Oreo Cookie Suckers! They are super cute and easy to make.
Head over and follow the wonderful tutorial and make your own Dipped Oreo Cookie‘s at howdoesshe!
The hustle & bustle of the holidays are here! Have you already put up your Christmas lights and decorated your tree?
My DIY tutorial this month involves a very simple centerpiece using ornaments and fresh flowers. We’ll use items you may already have in your stash of Christmas goodies, so you’ll save some moola for all those gifts you want to purchase 
Did you know that ornaments can be a water holding vessel……a festive container for beautiful blooms?!
First gather your supplies:
Next, set your dish, tray or mirror in the location you will display it. Spread some artificial snow on. I like to make piles in at least three areas, but you can decide based on the size and shape of your tray. The snow will also act as a support to keep your ornaments from sliding around. Finally, place your ornaments.
A designer tip: when clustering ornaments, think about placing odd quantities together (ex. 3, 5 or 7) to appeal to the eye. Also, to create interest, vary the sizes of the ornaments. I selected medium sized red & green ornaments, slightly larger candy striped ornaments, and some small red ornaments, which not only adds the interest I was talking about, but will also act as support to the ornaments that will have the water and flowers.
Now it’s time to add the flowers! Choose which ornaments will act as containers, remove the metal part that normally holds a hook, and then fill them 1/2 full with water. (Remember the odd rule:)). Next, you will cut your flower stems around 2″ (or an appropriate length based on depth of the ornament). I chose red gerbera and pine needles because of their long lifespan, but you could select roses, orchids, green spider mums……whatever’s your favorite. Finally, I placed the greens into the ornament and tucked in two daisies so it could be viewed from both sides. There you have it…..a simple, fun centerpiece….easy enough for the kiddos to help with!
REAL MOMS CAN DO-IT-THEMSELVES and Save!
Want a fun Fall art project you can do with the kids? How about this fun Fall Crayon Leaves project.
Check out the full {great} tutorial at Baby Making Machine! It looks like the perfect way to spend a dreary afternoon indoors with the bored kiddos!
Make sure you leave her some comment love while you are there too!
Remember REAL MOMS CAN DO-IT-THEMSELVES!
Hosting a Thanksgiving meal can be overwhelming because of the many details you must keep up with……finding recipes, shopping, guest lists, seating arrangements, not to mention the actual prep and cooking. One detail you can relax about this year is your centerpiece. Below, I’ll show you how I use potted plants and cut flowers to create a unique Thanksgiving centerpiece that can be made in advance, and will last through the holidays!
First, select a container. I chose a footed glass bowl, which will be low enough for my guests to see over. I could also imagine a galvanized tub, wooden box, or even a burlap wrapped vase.
Next, you’ll want to gather a few fall inspired plants and flowers. My plant selection included 4″ pots of kale (a.k.a ornamental cabbage) in purple and green along with dusty miller (6-pk). For the cut flowers I opted for a grocery store bunch of rust colored asiatic lilies, solidago (yellow filler) and cushion mums (though I don’t promote grocery store flowers because of quality issues…..they are inexpensive).
The remaining supplies you’ll need are a brick of floral foam (we used this in the pumpkin pals DIY last month…maybe you have some leftover:)), cutting shears, and a bag of moss (you can often find this at a dollar store).
To start, I placed the moss in my bowl (reserve a handful of moss for the finishing touches). If you choose a container that isn’t clear, just set a handful of moss aside for later.
Add your potted plants first. I centered the purple kale between two green kale, then broke up the 6pk of dusty miller and placed it along the outer edges of the bowl.
Soak floral foam. Once saturated, I cut the foam into small cubes and tucked it in the open spaces between the plants, creating a water source for cut flowers. I started with the filler (solidago), and created balance by placing it symmetrically around the kale. By clipping the longer lower branches, and using them individually, you’ll have more material to add texture around the design. Next, I cut the lily stems about 3″ long, and added them to the foam. Finally, I placed the mums in any remaining open areas, keeping them low to the container for depth. Use remaining moss to cover any areas where foam or soil is showing.
To keep your arrangement looking lovely, add a small amount of water every couple of days or use a spray bottle to mist. Be careful not to overwater since there is no drainage in the bottom of the container. When the cut flowers begin to look weak, remove them………have fun and add something different or just enjoy the potted arrangement. How about changing the color scheme or adding Christmas greens and ornaments? No longer in need of the centerpiece?……give the plants a new home in your garden!
Give it a try!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
REAL MOMS CAN DO-IT-THEMSELVES and Save!
These look super yummy and delicious! In fact, I want to make them now!
Hands-on Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes plus overnight chilling time
Serves: 24
Orange zest adds a fruity twist to a classic Thanksgiving treat, which we’ve topped with a seasonally spiced whipped cream. The squares can be made up to two days in advance and stored in a tightly covered pan in the refrigerator.
I just love the feeling of fall in the air. I especially love decorating for Fall in my home.
When I saw this fabulous DIY tutorial for Fall Topiaries, I just had to share it with you.
I plan on making two of these for my front entry way table. They will look so cute. Can’t wait!
Check out Decor Chick for the how to on this great decor item.
Get over there and check it out, leave some comment love, and start crafting!
REAL MOMS CAN DO-IT-THEMSELVES and Save!
Looking for a fun way to dress up your home this Fall?
Why not bring some of the outside in.
Check out Thrifty Decor Chick DIY Fall Wreath tutorial.
Remember REAL MOMS DO-IT-THEMSELVES and save!
When I saw this tutorial, I squealed in delight! It is just what I wanted for my daughter’s room to house all of her books. I plan on making it this summer in a super cute pink damask fabric. First, I have to purchase a sewing machine!
Head over to to check out the how-to instructions for a Hanging Book Display at Penny Carnival!
Since our switch from blogger to our own dot com, I have had many emails asking how I did this, if it was easy, and if I could help them switch theirs. So I decided to write a tutorial to help you Do-It-Yourself.
It only takes 3 steps and you can have it up and running in under 10 minutes! You can then have a professional website that you can control, customize, and be very proud of!
Here is the breakdown of how your website is run when you use a self hosted service:
Top: Your Website (Final product)
Middle: I call WordPress “Mr. Middleman” Think of it as a program in which you create everything that will go on your website. I like to compare it to blogger’s dashboard only better! You will have your own dashboard where you can create widgets, edit comments, create posts. Plus it is super organized and easy to navigate.
Bottom: Bluehost Service (where everything is stored)
————————————————————————————————————————————–
#1-First you need to get your own web hosting. Sign up with BLUEHOST. I highly recommend them as they provide a very professional service and one that makes the process super easy. I only pay $6.95 per month to keep my website running. (I pay a full year up front then I don’t have to worry about missing a payment-that is easiest for me!) This also gives you your own domain name (www.yoururl.com) FREE since you are a new customer, along with the web hosting space (your own server space). You will then be able to login to your c-panel and control the structure of your website.
#2-Now that you have your own dot com set up and self hosting paid for. Simply log in. You will then you will need to scroll down until you see Software/Services. There you will click the WordPress image. Click “Install”. You will then be asked where you want it saved. Just leave it at the default setting. You will then see a progress bar showing it installing. Done!
#3-Now go to this link: http://YourBlogName.com/wp-admin (inserting your own domain name) & Log in. Next you will want to import your blogger posts and comments into your wordpress. Super easy-peasy! On the left of your dashboard click “Tools”, Click “Import”, Click “Blogger”. Now locate which Blog you want to import as it will show a list and Click “Import” You can see the progress. Once it is done you are ready to rock-n-roll!
I recommend keeping your blogger blog active and just putting a note on the home page saying you have moved and where they can find you. You can see how I did this here. That way if someone comes looking for you they can be redirected to your new site and not think you are LOST forever.
——————————————————————————–
Now is when you get to have fun creating your New Look. You can choose from thousands of WP themes (Click “Appearance” then “Themes”), add your widgets (Click “Appearance” then “Widgets”) , and get your site going!
——————————————–
Disclosure: {Yes, I get a referral fee when you sign up for Bluehost…gotta keep the kiddos in brand name diapers! Thanks for your support gals!}
Today we are going to show you how to make your own sidewalk chalk. What a fun summer activity you can create with the kiddos and they will definitely love playing with it too!
How Does She? (Alison) is super creative and will show you how to do it below, and make sure you run over to her site and leave her a comment thanking her for this great tutorial!
What you will need:
I found the Plaster of Paris from Lowe’s after searching all of the craft stores. It was around $7
Kind of a weird present huh?
I also gave them the cute cookie cutters, but that didn’t work so don’t worry about that part!
Mix a little of this and that! Water with Plaster of Paris. Creating a thick goo like the consistency of Peanut Butter.
Telling them they were mixing a magic potion sent beams of excitement through their souls! They could hardly contain themselves for the unveiling of the final product! ( Yes, my daughter was still in her pajamas)
Mix and add food coloring. I’ve heard tempera paint powder works too, but I couldn’t find any for the life of me! I used what I had!
You know the heart molds from the melted crayon post last February? Well, I wanted to use them again. I like to make sure I get good use out of things I buy:)
Let them dry for a few hours and then pop them out! We tried to get a little artsy and add green and darker blue to the chalk.
A dream come true with the magic potion…
AHHH…
so perfect
so little
so cute
Because…REAL MOMS DO-IT-THEMSELVES and have tons of fun doing it!
13 Days Left 
9 Days Left 
8 Days Left 
6 Days Left 
6 Days Left 
5 Days Left 
Last Day! 
Contest Closed 
