Miniature Christmas Trees | DIY for Busy Gals

 You know how there is that saying

that goes something like

"if you love something,

set it free.

if it comes back to you,

it was meant to be"

 I always get an image

of a butterfly in a glass jar

when people say that to me.

Or a ladybug.

Yes, ladybug.

Because I love ladybugs, not so much butterflies.

Regress with me here...

In any event,

these miniature Christmas trees under glass?

Love. Them.

Set them free?

N.E.V.E.R.

Really easy to make.

Enjoy!

***

Loving b3HD?

Have a life and can't view the whole blog in one sitting?

Then stalk us already!

Scroll down, join the site and become a follower!

Or follow B3HD the Blog on Twitter

Or fan our B3HD Facebook page

Or follow us on Pinterest

Promise not to stalk you back. Unless you want us to.

***

Week 85 Random Pinehurst

It's so ethnofantastic.
Now, if only I could find my sewing machine...


***

Loving b3HD? 

Have a life and can't view the whole blog in one sitting? 

Then stalk us already! 

Scroll down, and become a follower!

Or follow B3HD the Blog on Twitter

Or fan our B3HD Facebook page

Promise not to stalk you back. Unless you want us to. 

***

Pinterest Challenge- Summer Edition with Young House Love

Guess who FINALLY put all of that pinning to good use?

Well, that would be me!

See, I have this HUGE plant I call Beefy, 
and a skinny almost dead plant I call Spindly

Both of these plants need serious water.

And I'm about to go on vacation.

So a tiny little, gorgeous water bulb like this one

(image via here)

Was not going to cut it.

I was looking around my pinterest boards

when I saw these awesome vases by Valri Peyser

I thought to myself,

Self, you are no artiste. 

However.

You do LOVE a Paint By Number

(or, in this case, a Pet by Number via here)

AND

You DO have a billion empty tasty adult beverage bottles 

up in this here joint.

So the label removing began.

Interesting note:

Really cheap wine has REALLY stuck on labels.

Just. Saying. 

Barefoot Moscato

And also, that really good stuff,

from Napa,

those labels come off in sheets.

Probably so that you can frame it on your trophy wall

to prove that you have so much disposable income

that you COULD have thrown away that bottle 

(with the label that you've framed as a show off)

but you didn't.

Oh and for those keeping score.

Really REALLY good wine

(don't hate, I'm married to a wine snob)

has an etched glass label.

Seriously.

Then I broke out the primer to,

you know, lay a foundation on my bottles.

I was slapping it on good,

conveyor belt like

Which meant it was only a matter of moments

before Ms. Klutzo struck.

I think I still have some shards in my elbow.

Never fear.

Remember that love of paint by number?

I sketched some simple doodles

because I just can't freehand paint like that.

I used some basic acrylics, some tempura 

(note to the wise, tempura is pretty, but not sturdy)

even some glass/ceramic/enamelish paint I got off of freecycle.

Tada!!!

I know. I still need a TINY

QUALITY brush so that I can do fine lines

with some more black

(always bet on black).

But for now...pretty snazzy.

I filled them up with water,

tipped them into the soil pots and

on the next day 

(seriously, these took me overnight w/drying time)

they all drank in the good life.

Ms. Spindly was super happy.

But not nearly as happy as Beefy, Big Girl and aPEARantly.

Why yes.

I name my plants.

This is what happens when you can't have children.

I'm linking all this pinteresting stuff up to the 

Summer Pinterest Challenge.

Over at Young House Love, they did a paint project too

And Michelle at Ten June did an awesome little nursery project

(not hating/bitter, it is THAT awesome of a project)

Katie at Bower Power made an awesome hideout teepee 

(with my love of Native Americana...I might need one for me)

And Kate at Centsational Girl built furniture

(yep, with power tools).

because she's an overachiever like that.

You should check out my award winning Pinterest boards 

not bragging, just saying, I'm winning on my boards.

especially in the kitchen

which

happens to be the room I spend the LEAST time in

and muck up the most with my DIY projects.

Anyhow.

Pinterest.

See the rest of the awesomeness I'm pinning and cooking up.

And you should check out the parties at each of those gal's blogs

to get your own tush in order and stop pinning and start doing!

What have you pinned and done lately?

Let's not talk about that horrible Texas Skinny Fries recipe

that's so popular right now...

Sew What - Pinterest Weekly 10

I have a sewing machine.

I really need to get it out

and make some really cool stuff.

what are you going to make

with your domestic skills?

Check out the 

B3HD Sew What Pinterest Board

for pinspiration!

*** 

Loving b3HD? 

Have a life and can't view the whole blog in one sitting? 

Then stalk us already! 

Scroll down, join the site and become a follower!

Or follow B3HD the Blog on Twitter

Or fan our B3HD Facebook page

Promise not to stalk you back. Unless you want us to. 

***

Project 14: Mini Terra Grande (DIY for Busy Gals)

Been a while eh?

Summer time means more time to craft.

So let's get back on the horse with 

B3HD's 31 Days of DIY for Busy Gals.

(Hint, if you click on that link, you can get ALL of the projects)

31 minute project

You will need:
Clear glass vessel
a bunch of rocks
(Perhaps dug up from your yard)
a plant or two
soil

newspaper
a little doodad
(seaglass, seashell, miniature deer...you'll see)

You are going to create one
(or a bunch)
of these

In pictures:

For the readers:

1. Clean your clear (glass) vessel until it sparkles.

2. Gather your rocks.

3. Gather your plant material.

4. Pick out a doodad or two to decorate with.

5. Plop some soil into the bottom of your clear (glass) vessel.

6. Carefully place your plant in the midst of the soil pile.

7. Even more carefully, arrange rocks over the soil/roots.

8. and 9. Place your doodad (a mini deer) on your rocks.

Enjoy your mini bit of terra grande.

aka, terrarium.

Check out more 31 DIY projects for Busy Gals
by clicking the logo above.

*** 

Loving b3HD? 

Have a life and can't view the whole blog in one sitting? 

Then stalk us already! 

Scroll down, join the site and become a follower!

Or follow B3HD the Blog on Twitter

Or fan our B3HD Facebook page

Promise not to stalk you back. Unless you want us to. 

***

Linking up of course
Funky Junk Interiors

Craftastic - Pinterest Weekly 7

As we swing into summer

I have time to craft.

I LOVE getting inspiration

from my Craftastic pinboard.

*** 

Loving b3HD? 

Have a life and can't view the whole blog in one sitting? 

Then stalk us already! 

Scroll down, join the site and become a follower!

Or follow B3HD the Blog on Twitter

Or fan our B3HD Facebook page

Promise not to stalk you back. Unless you want us to. 

***

Forcing Spring | Indoor Seed Starting

Are you impatient?

I think that would be an understatement for describing me.

I grew up in the southwest with a green thumb gardening granny

who I really didn't help all that much in her yard.

When I grew up, and still lived in New Mexico, 

I had a veritable small farm in my backyard.

It was AWESOME.

Now that I live in the Pacific Northwest

where we get snow

and lots of rain

and rarely ever see the sun

I get impatient 

for the 8 days of spring and approximately 17 days of summer

that we get every three years here.

That said, I LOVE 

that I can grow all sorts of great perennials and bulbs

(another couple of posts coming on that,

here's a sneak peek:

but most of all, I have just learned how to 

get my garden on inside.

So let me show you how I play God

and force nature to think that it is time to

push forth and prosper.

Or something like that.

Here's a bit of DIY on how to start your own garden

Straight through to how to create

your own little seed starting pots

by rolling paper.

No. Not that kind of paper.

Newspaper.

Come on now...

So...to start with, you need some pots to grow your seeds in.

You could spend half a million dollars on a seed maker like this

Or you could go ghetto fabulous

and break out the can of enchilada sauce.

A month of Sunday papers and here are your pots.

Then, you need some seed starting medium.

There are a billion and one recipes (google it, or trust me - that's on you)

for seed starting medium.

Do as I say and not as I do.

This year, I really wanted to experiment a little

so I made a special blend of hot mess.

If you try this and it doesn't work,

don't blame your crappy growing season on me.

Just know that SOME of my seeds sprouted super strong and super fast

and others...I'm still wondering about.

Here's what I used:

Essentially, I used some enriched compost mixed with some starter fertilizer

I also mixed in some earthworm castings

and some perlite to make it a little less than impossible

for baby seeds to push through all that gunk.

Here's what it looked like as I mixed it up:

Now.
If you're not as industrious,
you COULD just get pellets.

Personally, I always over water these
and end up with mold/fungus whatever the heck fuzzy stuff 
that doesn't necessarily make for good seedlings.


But.
I wanted to try these all natural ones this year.
I already know 
(partially)
how this story turns out.


I'll withhold judgment a little longer though.
You just never know what might 
"crop up"
(hahaha...I killed it!)
overnight.


So.
We have the pots, we have the filler.
Next time out,
let's get them filled and started up already.


What are you looking forward to growing this year?

*** 

Loving b3HD? 

Have a life and can't view the whole blog in one sitting? 

Then stalk us already! 

Scroll down, and become a follower!

Or follow B3HD the Blog on Twitter

Or fan our B3HD Facebook page

Promise not to stalk you back. Unless you want us to. 

***

2012 Home Goals - As Told via Scrapart

I used to scrapbook.

A lot.

Competitively.

Then, I actually won the premier scrapbook contest.

And all hell broke loose.

Like you seriously wouldn't believe Creating Keepsakes.

All said.

I miss scrapbooking.

Have not done it in half of forever

(which, in people years is about 3 years).

So I thought I would lay out my 2012 goals

as illustrated through some of my old

(but timeless...of course)

Scrapbook pages.

Ready?

here......we go!

1.

Take more chances.

Live less guarded.

If I want yellow kitchen cabinets, then paint them already.

 2.

Plan and Do it.

Dream of Africa again.

Might as well collect kuba fabric and mudcloth direct from the source.

3.

Never Forget.

Ashley First Puppy Merikle

Puppy proof the house. Like Yesterday.

4.

Grow My Love.

I still don't know why, but get okay with not knowing everything.

 In the garden, just stick it in the ground already.

5.

Do the Puyallup.

And I mean not just go again, GO again.

Enter a photo or a flower or a quilt in the show.

6.

Scratch the Photog bug.

Take pictures with purpose again.

Yes, for the blog, but learn how to be a scientific photographer.

7.

Get my cute back.

Yes, natural is good, but a touch of fancy is cool too.

Dress up the house every now and again. Pretty & Sparkly are cool.

8.

Start a fire.

Preferably, on the beach.

Get super excited about the blog and make it happen this year.

9.

Make a list.

Check it twice.

Projects and home improvement on a budget? Lists can help with that.

10.

Play like a boy.

The rougher the better.

Learn how to use power tools. Build something useful.

11.

Take a hike.

Clear your head up there.

Realize you will have to earn "real money" to convert the attic.

12.

Start with a Blank Slate

Crisp, clean, waiting for something new.

Whittle the empty frame collection and get some art on the wall already.

13.

Do the Math, Mind the Years, Get the Dream.

Intentional, not hopeful = accountable to him for our dreams.

Beachfront reality? How much closer in 2012?

14.

Live to Learn.

Learn from and with others.

 Ask for help - especially when it comes to neat blog stuff.

15.

One day...

Don't stop reflecting, contemplating and dreaming.

Have blog goals, meet blog goals, get blog rewards. Just like in love.

16.

Checklist.

Tick, tick, tick.

Yes, that way too. Make decorating a nursery a reality this year.

17.

Stay in Love.

Work at it.

No matter how good an idea you think it is, do NOT DIY the closet builtins with him.

Trust me on this one...Ms. Opinionated.

18.

Play outdoors.

Even when the sun isn't out. You live in Seattle, afterall.

Start early in the garden; grow big pumpkins.

19.

Recognition Goes a Long Way.

Acknowledge the Good in the World Around Me.

Respond to all blog comments; follow through with serious praise.

ie, don't just stick a Pin in it.

20.

Just Learn to Kayak already.

Stop wishing and hoping and start doing.

Replace the bed.  It is time.

21.

Sometimes, it really is just black and white.

And that just is the way it is.

You still like gray, gray and some yellow.  Always have.

Don't follow the color heard.

22.

Fun is right in your own backyard.

You just have to leave the front yard to get there.

Get out of the house.

top pining away for Round Top and Brimfield

and just source my lovelies locally.

23.

Listen to Your Heart.

but don't squeeze it too tight in the process.

Reconcile house and home. You live in one and you LIVE in the other.

24.

Life is Sweet

Make the most of it.

Try my hand at a new flavor of ice cream in the Cuisinart each month.

25.

You are not alone.

Partners make the journey worthwhile.

Do more couple's DIY and enjoy the time together.



So what do you think?

Interesting take on house and blog goals eh?

Needless to say, these 25 goals

are general life goals as well.

If I can't apply something I'm doing in life,

at this moment,

to one of these goals,

then I really need to stop doing it.

Time to get back to Pinning (smile).

***

Loving b3HD?

Have a life and can't view the whole blog in one sitting?

Then stalk us already!

Scroll down, join the site and become a follower!

Or follow B3HD the Blog on Twitter

Or fan our B3HD Facebook page

Or follow us on Pinterest

Promise not to stalk you back. Unless you want us to.

***