#70 christmas baubles

#itsnotevenhalloweenyet 

[it's only october and i'm thinking christmas decor]

i'm lovin' polka dot pattern a lot

that i just have to make my colorful polka dot 

christmas baubles

grab some plain ceramic christmas balls 

craft paints and a stencil dauber

at a local craft store

[all for less than a dollar each with coupon]

freehand any design you want

i used polka dot

[kids can do this part easily]

happy crafting

:)

melinda

#69 transforming a closet into a built in seating

those who've been to our house would know 

that this closet in our family room 
was where we had a shelf that held our TV.  

and since we placed the TV on the other side of the room, 

this corner of the room has been empty. 

i've been staring at this corner, as if the TV's still there, 

trying to figure out what a better way to utilize this space. 

a closet for more coats or a shelf for more stuff?

or a window built-in seating?
(except there's no window, just a closet)

don't you want to have a built-in window seat?
a place to read a book 
while having a cup of coffee and 
a view of the outside.


we can always use an extra seating
in the family room
to watch TV and to bond with the family.

here's how we did it ....

we accidentally damaged the wall 

while taking out the piece of wood across

so we had to repair it, 

that meant a trip back to Home Depot.

actually this was the most labor intensive part of this DIY,

otherwise, a weekend is enough to finish this job

we were supposed to just paint this corner

but ended up painting the whole family room.

it was a lot of work and a lot of moving 

but was worth it.

i love pillows and i love changing pillow covers 

to compliment the season and

 to compliment the house decor

happy crafting

:)

#68 minecraft & perler beads

minecraft & perler beads

looking for minecraft-themed party favor

for the kids?

minecraft is very popular computer game

among kids nowadays

and as requested by my little boy

he wants it for his birthday this year

i have seen these perler beads 

in many craft stores

but never learned how to use them

but have found out to be a perfect material for 

a minecraft party favor

here's how to make them...

these are what you can make with these amazing perler beads

minecraft mobs and tools

'that's what they're called', my son said.

nico's minecraft birthday giveaway in school

(the school has not allowed food/candy 

to be included in any party favors ☹)

♡♥♡

#67 i {heart} u

it's february and valentine's day is just around the corner, 

thanks to snow days, 

i was able to put together decorations for valentine's day

just loving the neutral colors at home ---

so for the season of {hearts} 

it's all but color red

and opted for the 

calming colors of white, gray & beige
{heart} shapes are all over

i {heart} u wood wall art
 i made with pine wood scraps,
you can create your own wall art 
using your own love words and passages 
visit my tutorial here.

this wreath has been transformed with every change of the season 
by just changing the ribbon,
and for valentine's day, i stamped a burlap ribbon 
using a {heart}-shaped rubber eraser dipped on white acrylic paint
(my kids usually get these erasers from classmates' party favors - 
they come in different shapes, 
i'm sure you have one somewhere ☺)

i cut musical scrapbook paper in {heart} shape and 

put together with a baker's twine 

to make the garland for the mantle

using 2 coordinating fabrics ( i love polka dots)
i made these 20x20 pillows with {heart} applique

i just have to try these little crochet {hearts}

(click here for free pattern)

they are very easy to make-

try them in different colors 

♡♥♡

#66 christmas 2013 home tour

merry christmas and welcome to our home!

i finally put them all together in time for this post

given so short time between the holidays

it's all about silver, white, beige & gray this year

calm, clean & handcrafted

hope you enjoy our home

❛it's the most wonderful time of the year❜

merry christmas
and to all a good night.

see christmas 2012 home tour here


♥♡♥

#65 grand opening

my etsy shop is now open

today i open my etsy shop, 

please, join us!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlecottagecrafter

i am so excited 

(almost teary-eyed) 

to finally see that 'grand opening' 

banner on etsy

there is no better way to open the shop 

but to showcase the holiday seasons
because
--it's the most wonderful time of the year--

please feel free to browse around

i promise to bring you more 

handmade and one-of-a-kind items 

only from

aLittleCottageCrafter: the shop

and as always

thank you for shopping 

aLittleCottageCrafter

♥

in the light the disaster in the Philippines,

i will be donating 50% of the sales from 

now through December 15, 2013

to the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines

[make & give - handmade to help]©

go to etsy.com/shop/littlecottagecrafter

thank you for your generosity

click here to shop and to help 

♡♥♡

#64 breast cancer awareness 2013

celebrating october

the breast cancer awareness month

at the new york city

susan g komen race for the cure 2013

it's pink and white tie dye shirt and rubber band bracelet

for 

team cottage crafter

this year

let's do it, let's do it, let's do it all again!

♡♥♡

#63 flea market finds

very excited to find vintage stuff for my craft room

at a flea market

on a very lovely autumn weekend

this brings back memories of the

same sewing machine my family had growing up

 the sewing machine that sent 6 children to college

so happy to have one for only $20

it is from 1955 and still works!
it also comes with a hideaway cabinet
yes ... for $20

the metal embroidery hoops 
(hard-to-find nowadays) 

and good quality wooden hoops

in different sizes and shapes

all of these for just $3 ... can you beat that!

would love to display these metal and bakelite knitting needles 

-not quite sure if i will be using them in my projects-

i rather use bamboo needles

the old mason jars and buttons

add to my collections

♡♥♡