Thinking ahead for V-day gifts

You all know by now how much I love VeryJane.com!  I spotted these darling flower accessories that are up for grabs now.

I thought these earrings would be a perfect little 'love ya' gift for sisters, mom, or friend.  They are only $1.99, and guess what?  They come in 46 different colors!  Such a great deal!  I have some of these earrings and wear them all the time!    See them HERE

Another flower accessory that I love are these cute little headbands.  I love giving my girls a little something to wear on Valentines Day, and these are perfect!  They are only $4.99 right now HERE and have a variety of colors to choose from!

A week or so ago I received these in the mail that I got from VeryJane.  They are crochet lace washi tapes!  Do you love them as much as I do??  I can't wait to start creating with them.  I will share what I come up with in a bit!

Keep Calm & Love On...FREE printables

I am still here, I promise!  I've got a few things I am working on, but in the meantime, enjoy these free Valentine's Printables! 

Download HERE

Download HERE

Download HERE

Minky Couture Promo Codes & Chevron Fabric

MINKY COUTURE has new chevron fabric(s)!  Click HERE to see all the colors they have!  I absolutely love this new pattern on top of the already awesome and soft blankets!  

They are having a sale this weekend both online and in stores, check them out:

Online Orders
Free Shipping with Every Order on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Monday 21st!!
Celebrate Human Rights Day, and get 40% off all purchases, plus get Free mini with every purchase over $40.
Use Code: rights40

Location Sales
25% off Friday, Saturday and Monday.
Free mini with every purchase over $40!!

Stores are open Monday January 21st, Martin Luther King Day!!

**Take advantage of these awesome deals!**

Pillow Cover - made from Ikea Ofelia Blanket

Easiest pillow cover ever!!

I love updating little things in my house for Spring.  Yes, I am already thinking ahead to Spring; that's how I get this time of year!  Couch pillows are one thing I love changing out for the seasons.

I made this pillow cover using the $19.99 Ofelia Blanket from Ikea.  See all the reasons why I love this blanket so much HERE.  I only used 1/3 of this blanket to make this pillow cover.  See what other projects I made from my blanket HERE & HERE.

This fabric is so very forgiving, that's what made this so easy to make.  Basically you just measure, cut, finish off any raw edges, dye, wash, dry, then insert pillow form!  Just a little tip when measuring and cutting out your fabric: remember that this material is very stretchy.  You don't want your pillow cover to fit too loose on your form so it's better if you measure your fabric a little smaller rather than bigger.  You will know what I'm talking about as you start to play around with it!

 Think of all the colors you could dye this??!!  I love the shabby-chic feel of this pillow!

BTW, this would make a great gift!

DIY Lamp Shade - made from Ikea Ofelia Blanket

I used the $19.99 IKEA Ofelia Blanket to make this lamp shade.  It took me 20 minutes and I only used about 1/4 of the blanket!  See why I love this blanket so much HERE.

Materials Needed:

Ikea Ofelia Blanket

Wrapping Paper

Hot Glue

Scissors/Pen

Embellishments (if wanted)

Take the lamp shade you want to make over and trace it while rolling it onto wrapping paper.  Cut it out and it becomes your pattern.  Pin the pattern onto your Ofelia blanket, then cut it out.  Now remember, this blanket is very stretchy and you would rather the blanket fits tighter rather than loose on your lamp shade, so don't over-size your pattern!

Once you have the blanket cut, fit it onto your lamp shade then hot glue the top around the inside of your lamp shade, and the bottom around the inside of the bottom of your lamp shade.  Just like that - you're done!

Now, you can embellish this lamp shade however you would like: use RIT dye to change colors, use lace/trims, etc.  I left mine plain because I feel it needs nothing else.  It's already a shabby-chic lampshade!

Here is the TV segment I did for this blanket:

Crinkly Valentine's Day Wreath - made from Ikea Ofelia Blanket

Valentines Day is knocking at your door.  Literally!

I made this wreath from the Ikea Ofelia Blanket, it's only $19.99.  See all the reasons why I love it so much HERE.

I first dyed this blanket with RIT dye.  I was going for a deep red, but this is the beautiful color I got!  The blanket is 80% polyester, so if you are going for a deep, dark color, you probably won't get it!  I am glad it turned this color though because it's pink and it's happy!

Here is a close-up of how stinking cute the material is:

 

Now, I must tell you that I only used about 1/3 of my blanket!!  You can make some other fun things with the rest of it.

I cut 6" wide strips from the blanket and then just wrapped them around the wreath until I made it completely around.  I hot-glued every now and then to keep the material in place.  I love the gingham bow to finish it off!

Fall INLOVE with it when you're all through!

3+ items made from IKEA Ofelia Blanket

This is the day I reveal to you what I have been working on.  You have heard me say "IKEA, IKEA, IKEA" for the last little bit and now you'll know why.

I used the $19.99 IKEA Ofelia Blanket to make these three items!  Yes, one blanket, three items!

See why I love this blanket HERE, and also win one for yourself!

Here are the three items I made from my blanket, you can watch my TV segment I did with these at the bottom of this post.

Valentines Wreath HERE

Shabby-Chic Lampshade HERE

 Ruffled Pillow ...tutorial coming soon

 I invited a few of my blogger friends from out of state to join me in this IKEA Ofelia Challenge and here are the darling things they came up with!

Valentine Heart Throw Pillow

Diary of Dave's Wife

Cotton Candy Skirt

Sugar Bee Crafts

Ruffled Scarf

I Heart Naptime

STUDIO 5 SEGMENT, UTAH

8 Reasons why I LOVE the {IKEA} Ofelia Blanket

There are sooooo many reasons why I love the $19.99 Ofelia Blanket.  I will list a few and then I will give one away to one of YOU!  This is my all-time favorite item from IKEA.  I was first introduced to this by my mom years ago and now have two in my home!

1.  Texture.  This blanket is made out of the cutest, softest material with the coolest-looking texture.  You could never find this material in any fabric store, and if you found something similar, it would cost you a fortune for the amount you get here.

2.  Price.  It's only $19.99, which goes along with reason #1.

3.  It washes up nicely.  We used this blanket a lot for newborn baby pictures, because of it's awesome texture.  So...you can imagine all of the 'stuff' that gets on these blankets during the photo shoot!  When you wash it, everything comes out!  It is as good as new and in fact the more you wash it, the softer the blanket becomes

4.  Adds instant shabby-chic to your room.  Okay so, when this blanket is sitting on your ottoman or couch, it instantly becomes part of your home decor!  It doesn't have to be folded, even if it's wound up in a ball right after someone has been snuggling with it, it still looks picture-perfect!

5.  Not too hot.  The material of this blanket it sheer so you don't over-heat when you wake up from a nap!  I love napping with this blanket because it's so light-weight but keeps you warm without making you sweat.

6.  The perfect gift.  If you do not own one of these, next time you go to IKEA, pick up one for yourself and pick up an extra one to have on hand for a gift.  This is a great gift because it's $19.99 and everyone can add it to their home!'

7.  Dye-able.  You can dye this fabric any color you want.  It is made out of 80% polyester though, so keep in mind that it may not get as dark as you'd like

8.  Bang for your buck.  Like I mentioned before, the blanket sells for $19.99 and you would never be able to find awesome fabric like this at the material store.  It is a good sized blanket

Okay, there you have it.  Are you sold on this blanket?  Here is the thing:  Some IKEA stores do not sell this blanket, and you cannot purchase this blanket on their website, just an FYI.

**Did I mention I made some fun items from this lovely blanket?  That's right:  one blanket, three items!  See what you can make from it HERE

My Top 10 favorite Ikea Items...

 This week is IKEA WEEK on my blog.  I'm excited to share with you a few things that I've been working on.  Today I am sharing with you a few of my favorite items that are exclusive to IKEA.  I asked my Facebook readers "what's YOUR favorite IKEA item(s)" and would love for you to join in on the conversation HERE.  Tomorrow I will be sharing with you my top #1 pick and the rest of the week you will be seeing items made with this particular IKEA favorite.  But for now, let me share with you my favs (in no particular order):

Fejka artificial plants

I mean...if you don't have at least one of these in your home then you must think I am crazy, I have like...5!  These plants are only $4.99!

Skurar Plant Pot

To go along with the plants, IKEA has a great selection of cute vases & pots.  This one is my favorite, I love the femininity of it!  You can pick this up for $3.99

Gislev Rug

I am sure this rug is in a lot of your homes!  It is 6ft x 4ft and only $19.99!

IKEA Toys

It's hard to choose only one toy at IKEA that I love.  BUT...these little finger puppets make a great add-on gift for baby/toddler!  Only $4.99, we have at least all the sets they sell!  Remember my busy bag?  Well, these are in there for sure.

 Ung Drill Mirror

I mean...who hasn't seen this??  I think everyone has and I believe it is a favorite of many!  This is only $39.99!

Ofelia Blanket

This is my go-to gift right here.  Do you know that I have not one, but TWO of these in my home right now?  This super-cute blanket it only $19.99!

Raskog Kitchen Cart

I have been waiting for the day to buy one of these.  No, I don't own one yet.  I am kind of waiting until I have a craft room.  Every time I go to IKEA I really just want to buy this to have one anyways...screw the craft room!  $49.99

 Flackig Mixing Bowls

I know what you're thinking, "They're just mixing bowls", right?  ...Wrong!  I use these bowls every morning while making pancakes.  I use the big one and Charli uses the little one because she always wants to 'help' me!  These bowls are sturdy and so great.  They come in a set and are only $4.99.  Try finding that at Bed, Bath & Beyond!

Plastis Dishwashing Brush

I think I've mentioned before how much I love these.  I don't know why I love these brushes so much, but I do!  They are so convenient, cute, and the bristles last long.  They don't shed or get yucky!  Each of these brushes are only $0.99, a great add-on gift!

 

Lappljug Ruta Pillow Cover

(don't ask me how to pronounce this!)

I love ALL of IKEA's pillow covers.  They have a great selection and for a very great price.  This is my newest favorite!  I love the 'tribal' pattern!  This is $10- a great way to freshen up your home!

 

 And there you have it.  This was very hard only choosing 10!  Stay tuned for tomorrow, I will be sharing one of the items above as my #1 favorite.  Along with that, I will be giving one away to a lucky winner!  YAY!  You will want to win this for sure (especially because it isn't sold online!)

Happy {IKEA} Shopping!

...because I know you all want to go there now!

DIY Big Heart Wreath Form

UGH... Why is it sooooo hard to find a big, thick wreath form?  I feel like all the stores I've searched only have small, skinny wreath forms and they cost too much in my opinion!  So, I searched Pinterest trying to find other options and there were no ideas for a heart-shaped wreath form.  I did expand on the idea, however, of using a vent duct as a wreath form, but I really wanted a heart.  So, without further adieu...

How to make a heart-shaped wreath form:

what you'll need:

Big, Sturdy cardboard box

Vent Duct

Duct Tape

Cut out a heart shape from your cardboard box.  Because I wanted mine big, I had to cut half of my heart from one side of the box, and the other half of my heart from the other side of the box, then I taped them together at the bottom.  I didn't tape it together on the top because you will need your heart to be open so you can feed it through your vent tube.  I also put a little duct tape around the sides for extra support because it was starting to bend a bit.

Once you have fed the cardboard heart through your vent tube, duct tape the cardboard heart together and then make sure that your vent duct completely covers the cardboard, and duct tape that closed as well.  And there you have it!

Facts:

I used a diapers.com box.  BTW, I order all my diapers and wipes here because it's cheap and I get free shipping and receive them them next day!  These boxes are BIG!

The vent duct I bought was 8 ft. long and 4 inches wide.  I got it at Lowe's for $10.  The wreath form I made here is 26 inches wide!

I CANNOT WAIT to show you how I finished this wreath!  You will see the finished item next week!

Dirty Diet Coke - the recipe

I like it dirty.  My Diet Coke, that is!  I've never been much of a soda drinker, ever.  My mom got me started on this drink a few months ago and I turn to a Dirty Diet Coke whenever I am craving sweets, it helps!
So..."you put the lime in the coconut and mix it all together"...

Ingredients:

Can Diet Coke

Torani Coconut Syrup

1/4 Lime

Pebble Ice

Pour your Diet Coke over lots of ice (yes, pebble ice is the best).  Add two squirts of your Torani Syrup, then squeeze your lime and then drop it in.  Mix it well with a straw or spoon so that the flavoring gets through all the ice.  Enjoy!

Now, you may wonder where you can get pebble ice.  Some grocery stores sell it, but some grocery store meat departments sell it!  You can go back to the butcher and ask him to fill you up a bag of pebble ice and he will!  (hopefully!)

Torani Syrup is also sometimes sold at your local grocery store, however, they are in small bottles and I haven't had luck finding the coconut flavoring.  I get mine online at Torani or at World Market.

The ingredients to a Dirty Diet Coke makes a great gift!  I gave a few of these away over Christmas time!  If you aren't a diet coke fan, this also tastes great in Dr. Pepper.  You can also add any Torani flavors to Hot Chocolate!  Yum!

LIVE: my word for 2013

I love the idea of choosing one word to live by in the year 2013.  I thought I'd join in on this fun idea and choose the word "Live".

What this means:

I find myself always looking past today and into tomorrow.  This year I want to live in the moment and fully enjoy every day to it's fullest.  Trying new things, going new places, making new friends, and finding new hobbies are among some of the ways I hope to do this.  I want to live up to every opportunity that comes my way and don't want to have any regrets in the year 2013.

"Live like there's no tomorrow"

I invite you all to join in and choose a word that you hope to live by this year.  I'd love to hear some of them and what they mean to you!