Shoo Bugs Shoo!!!

In Florida spring and summer means GINORMOUS bugs!!!

Typically I would run to Target and immediately buy lots of raid citronella candles or sprays. Or else perish to the wrath of the GIANT Florida mosquitos!!! No fun!!!

This year, I decided on a something a little more fun than the basic citronella candle.

I began saving all our pasta, greek pepper or pickle jars. 

I spray painted them with this:

I painted several coats and though they did not come out as perfect as the tutorial, well, I thought they were still cute! Let them dry over night.

I created a "R" template on thicker cardstock by free hand. Then I traced my template on scrapbook paper and glued them to the painted jars.

 NOTE: You can find special glue for glass surfaces.

I bought soy wax (buy the big bag for more than one candle...YOU'LL NEED IT!!!), citronella essential oil from local health foods store, and candle wicks from Michael's. 

To get your color, just shave some crayons and add till you get the color you want. 

Take an old coffee can tin, fill with wax shreds, crayola shavings, and place in boiling water. I found that stirring frequently helped melt faster. 

Once your wax is completely melted add just 3-4 drops of your citronella oil.

IMPORTANT: If you add too much oil, it will separate from your wax...NO BUENO!!!

I poured my wax outside on sidewalk into my jars with a wick held in place. The tutorial I used had something more "candle professional" to hold the wicks in place, but I didn't have that so I used my nursing hemostats!!! LOL

Yep, that's the ER nurse in me coming out...IMPROVISE!!!

I placed the candles in the fridge to cool off and solidify over night.

VOILA!!

Homemade citronella candle!!!

The other colors are cooling now.

I will show those once done!

Done!

Sigh....the green one at far right is way TOOOOO light green.

Do you want to try too???

Swing over to 

Positively Splendid!!!

Hers are WAY better, but I had fun making my very first citronella candles at 

the REINER CASA!!!

xoxo

fler

SHIVER ME TIMBERS!!!

As some know, I've been in bed for a few days feeling under the weather. I've been crafting overtime because....

A. Housebound

B. BORED OUT OF MY GOURD!!!!

C. Lets be honest...THIS IS PLAIN FUN!!!

D. Lots of birthdays/holidays and I'M BORED

So, I love LIL BLUE BOO!!!

And....felt like I needed a new cute weekend shirt. 

Don't judge that my hair is drab and no mascara!!! Remember, I've been housebound!!! I do promise it's clean though!!! haha!

Tim's a big fan of the Tampa Buccs and is SOOOO stoked that they got some good draft picks this year. So why not a little pirate graphic t-shirt!?!?! I've also been having to spend A LOT of time in Tampa for work...so I mean, this just fit!

What do you think? In as much time as it takes to heat up an iron and print out a graphic...that's it! Voila, in 5 minutes a NEW TSHIRT!

A-HOY MATE!!!

Check out Lil Blue Boo's tutorial and her other AWESOME graphics free HERE

xoxo

fler

Sailors and Diamonds!

Orrrrr.....glass beads! LOL

What could this be? Somewhat nautical. Somewhat sparkly. 

Hmmmm???

So if you guessed a necklace, WELL, you ARE CORRECT!!!

Well, Tatertots and Jello is QUICKLY becoming a FAVORITE blog of mine!!!

I whipped this little guy up last night as a cute addition for my outfit today at work. Total cost?

 UNDER $10!!!

Total Time?

20 minutes-ish

I really need to stop with the cell phone photos...BUT, they make it soooo easy with uploading to Picasa vs a regular camera. Anyway, pardon the quality.

How did I make this gem???

Swing over to TT&J for the tutorial!!!

TIP: One thing I did add that the tutorial didn't suggest was some Fray Check glue to the unfinished fabric edges. It keeps the rustic feel without the actual fraying of fabric onto your clothes.

Happy Sailing this weekend!!!

XOXO

fler

RV Couture and My Mom's Turtle House!

And, YES, there is such a thing!

My Parents LOVE to hop in their RV and head for the beach on a moment's notice.

After thinking and brainstorming for creative ideas for M-O-M day...Here's what I did....

Remember the Dishtowel Post I just did HERE?

You may also remember I said I had a surprise addition, but was waiting on the materials to arrive in the mail???

Well guess what??? 

THE MATERIALS ARRIVED!!!

I used my NEW FAV TOY..."Sally" the Silhouette.

I opened the "Caravan Camper" image and designed it as I wanted to match my dishtowel.

I printed the image out on my "Printable Heat Transfer Material" for light colored fabrics.

I messed up a few times figuring this out. I tested on plain paper before trying on my fancy material. Evenso, I had one heat transfer casualty....SIGH.

I then printed and sent the image back through the Sally to cut and then ironed it onto the towel.

I let the image COMPLETELY cool before removing the backing. I have to admit...I am a little disappointed with the peeling quality of this transfer paper. I expected something a little more smooth. For the price, it really should work better.

 Perhaps I should send Silhouette feedback??? I think I will.

You can see some areas where the paper didn't want to peel away from the green very well.

All peeled!!! I'm squeeling inside because this is tooooooo cute!!!

 She now has a fun new dishtowel for her "TURTLE HOUSE" as she calls their RV!!!

XOXO

happy trails!

fler

Lovin My Mom

So I've been stuck in the house for a few days and feelin STIRRRR CRAZY!!!

Since I can't go shopping and going online just seems somewhat boring, I went to my trusted Blog World for ideas on what to do for my mom on Mother's Day.

I found something over at Tatertots and Jello

First, search your fabrics for coordinating designs (if you're like me, you probably have more fabric than projects...it's a weakness...I CAN'T HELP IT!!!)

Second, get some basic white dishtowels. I picked up a pack of 4 at Tuesday Mornings for like $5.

Third, if you have ribbon or ric rak, grab some!

DISCLAIMER: This happens to be my very first try at beefing up basic white dish towels!!! Tatertots and Jello are MUCH better at this than I am.

Follow her tutorial HERE.

I have one more addition to my first dishtowel, but it hasn't arrived yet! Turned out pretty cute. The ribbon isn't quite what I expected, but it's a good start!

I'll make sure to post each dishtowel design. 

I have three more to go!!

XOXO

fler