{DIY} Sparkling Pinecones

Today we have a very simple but super stunning holiday craft for you! You've probably seen some shiny, sparkly pinecones in stores and magazines, and I've also seen them in grocery stores and florist holiday bouquets. Their uses are endless, and they are so simple to DIY - so simple that we may have made a few dozen for my cousins winter wedding. 

Tucked into floral arrangements, used as place cards on a holiday table-setting, or even as ornaments on a tree would all be fun and festive ways to add these sparkly bits of nature to your home. 

These really are simple, but are totally messy, so I recommend taking this project outside. Here's what you need:

1. Spray adhesive - don't even bother with glue, this is the quickest and easiest way to get the pinecones super sticky and ready for glitter. 
2. Glitter - I found the "bigger" glitter to be better. While the really fine glitter is lovely for lots of craft projects, I found the chunkier craft glitter ideal for this project.
3. Pinecones - A couple trips to the park with some buckets provides ample pinecones. You can also buy pinecones at craft stores. 

We grabbed one at a time and sprayed them completely with spray adhesive. Be sure to spray your adhesive far away or in the opposite direction of your glittering station. That way you can pour all your excess glitter back into the container. With your pinecone sprayed with adhesive, liberally dump glitter all over the pinecone, turning as you work to get it covered on all sides. Be forewarned, it gets pretty messy and you'll end up with a ton of adhesive and glitter on your fingers. I don't think it can really be avoided, but it was actually pretty fun so just embrace your inner-child artist! Take a few minutes to shake off the excess glitter from the pinecones before letting them dry and moving them into the house. 

{Foodie} Bark for the Postman

Odd title I know. We have been living in this house for almost 1 year and I've got to tell you I love our postman. I have never in all the years that I have been eligible for receiving mail (aka bills and fake checks that I wish were real) ever experienced anybody else like our mailman Jeff. He deserves an award for all time best mail deliverer with a smile. He goes above and beyond, knows when Teagan is napping so he makes sure not to ring the door bell and brings my doggie Dakota a treat everyday. Even if I don't answer the door and I have a package on my front step a dog treat is waiting there. Let me be real for a moment, a postman's job is hard, I mean we live in Wisconsin and our temperatures drop to like -20 and they are still bringing my frozen mail with a smile, well at least Jeff is. But let's get to what you are all here for something to make. I know this isn't a DIY project but I have to share it because a) it's delicious and b) holidays are around the corner. So this is Jeff's gift :) or at least part of it. Hope he likes chocolate!

CHOCOLATE SALTED CARAMEL BARK

Ingredients

+ 11oz. bag of semi sweet chocolate chips (if you want you can use dark as well)

+ 11 oz. bag of milk chocolate chips

+1 bag Kraft caramels (individually wrapped)

+ 2 tbsp. water

+ fine sea salt

+wax paper

+cookie sheet

 Directions

1. Rip off a piece of wax paper and place inside your cookie sheet. Make sure that it covers the entire sheet including the corners.

2.set up a double boiler on the stove and melt both bags of chocolate.

 

 3.Unwrap the caramels and place in a microwave safe bowl with 2 tbsp. of water. Microwave in 30 second interval and stir in between.

4. Pour your melted chocolate onto the cookie sheet. Spread using a spatula making sure to get it nice and even and into the corners.

5. Take your caramel out of the microwave and using a spoon drizzle the caramel over the chocolate until your have used all of it up.

6. Using a butter knife zigzag back and fourth creating a swirl pattern.

7. Sprinkle the sea salt over. There isn't a right a wrong amount so I will leave it up to you.

8. Place cookie sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes.

9. Take cookie sheet out and remove chocolate along with wax paper. Use a meat hammer or your hand and break the chocolate into bark shaped pieces. The wax paper will come off very easy once you are done breaking the bark into pieces.

10. Enjoy! Store in a airtight container in the fridge.

A Very Merry {DIY} Christmas

I really enjoy making crafts, candies, and baked goods to give to my friends and family as gifts. As far as I'm aware (which, admittedly, might not count for much), people enjoy receiving these homemade presents. It's either that, or they don't know how to tell me my banana bread is disgusting and my hand-made dough ornaments are hideous. There's just something special about giving a gift that you spent time making versus a store-bought present, or at least that's what my mom always told me when I gave her sloppily-crafted handmade cards and misshapen cookies for her birthday.

I know it seems early to even be thinking about Christmas presents. Truth is, if you decide to do some DIY presents, you'll be thanking us the week before Christmas. 

+for your mommas+

Personalized Candles

http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/DIY-Picture-Votives-32490730

Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/kelsey-nixon/salted-caramel-sauce.html

Heart Art

http://greenweddingshoes.com/diy-string-heart/

+for your dads+

Reindeer Beer

http://lifeofamodernmom.blogspot.com/2010/11/reindeer-rootbeer-beer.html

Meat Rubs

http://www.testingtrendy123.blogspot.com/2012/12/all-guys-like-nice-rub.html

Beer Coasters

http://postgradcrafting.blogspot.com/2013/09/diy-beer-coasters.html

+for your gals+

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2014/02/10/sharpie-mug/

Goodie Cup

+for your men+

Date Nights

http://www.thebabesruth.com/2014/03/a-year-of-dates-in-box.html?spref=p

Sharpie Coffee Mug

Knitted Scarf

http://heather-thegoodlife.blogspot.com/2010/12/burly-tweed-mans-scarf.html

{DIY} Little Plants. Big Deal.

Terrariums [tuh-rair-ee-uh m].
I am sure you know what these are by now. If not I am going to give you the steps to building your very own along with the supplies you need.  It takes less than 1 hour to make. Dig through your basement for something to use like an old fish tank bowl...sorry Brucey (my daughters pet fish...), i had to use it again some how. I also just bought this great geo terrarium at Urban Outfitters for 44 dollars. Not cheap, but super cool. It's still waiting for some succulents.

+Supplies+
+Drainage: Pepples, small rocks, river rocks, shells
+Charcoal
+Soil
+Plants: Succulents, cacti, moss (succulents are about $1.99-$3.00 a piece)
+Sunlight

Step 1. Add a nice layer of drainage to the bottom of your terrarium. This will allow the water to settle without having the roots constantly drowning.

Step 2. Add 1 inch of charcoal directly over the the rocks, this gives the plants oxygen and keeps the soil and water clean.

Step 3. Add your soil, about 1-2 inches. There are tons of soil options out there. Some are specific to cacti, not really sure how much that matters. If you makes you feel better to use the cacti soil for a cacti terrarium please do so.

Step 4. Plant those little guys. Start with the biggest plant first. You can use one or make a nice arrangement. If you don't like the look of the exposed soil you can cover it up with moss. Moss is low maintenance and nice and green to create fluidity in your terrarium. The World Market had some great moss options that I was able to pick up for $6.

Step 5. Put your terrarium in a nice sunny/shady spot. Direct sunlight is never good.

Watering...
According to my local garden center, 1-2 tablespoons a month. Each plant is different so ask questions at your nearby nursery.

All done. So cute right? And low maintenance. My daughter even made her own (the first picture).

If you are feeling even more artsy they make little fairy's and gnomes that you can put inside and create a little home for them.  Or you can stay simple and be done when the plants are in the soil.

Once you finish send us pictures. We would love to see what you created.