For 2013 one of my resolutions was to get organized and stay organized! One of my problems is always having buttons, beads and pins scattered on my floor. I decided to decorate some little jars to easily to store these small items that I use frequently. I have been wanting to try etching cream again (I haven’t used it since a high school art project) and thought this would be a great way!

What you’ll need:

• Glass jars (I purchased these at Hobby Lobby but you could easily recycle some you already have)
• Glass etching cream (Be sure you’re purchasing etching cream. I made the mistake of first purchasing Gallery Glass Window Etch Medium which does not actually etch the glass!)
• Paint brush
• Reenforcements/ stencil
• Twine
• Glue gun
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Alcohol
• Marker or stamp set

Step One: Clean off your jars with alcohol and place reinforcement stickers or stencil with tape in place.

Step Two: Carefully paint on window etch inside the circles of the reinforcements. Caution: do this step in a well ventilated area!

Step Three: Wait several minutes. Wash off cream and remove stickers.

Step Four: Cut out tag shapes from card stock, write or stamp jar contents and hole punch near top.

Step Five: Glue twine around jar lid and attach tag in bow.

Step Six: Now just fill up your jars and screw on the lids!

Have fun with trying different patterns. Try masking tape for stripes!

Other organizing ideas:

• Use vintage suitcases to store supplies.
• A wooden crate is a great way to store fabric.
• Clear plastic drawers and containers are always good because you can see what’s in them. Mine are separated by material type and my containers are filled with plastic sandwich bags.
• Vintage tins add character and come in all shapes and sizes.

How do you stay organized?

I bought this blue floral dress at Good Will for about $7. The top is a recent purchase from Macy’s. Spring is close so that means my closet is filling up with pastels. I really love how these two pieces look layered together! Don’t be fooled by these pictures. It’s still freezing here but I felt the need to photograph this outfit outside. Looks like we should be getting some 50 degree weather in the forecast after some snow tomorrow. Fingers crossed it keeps getting warmer from here on out.

Dress: Thrifted, Top: Macy’s

This weeks Thrifty Thursday features this floral romper that I found at Good Will for $8. It was a perfect fit and definitely has a 90′s vibe. I love it. I can’t wait for warmer days so I can wear it bare legged with a denim jacket. I think I’ve given up on outfit photos outside until we have spring weather so these bedroom photos will have to do. Side note: I am obsessed with Summer Sweetheart lipgloss from the Mac Archies Collection. It’s a lovely peachy pink and the packaging is perfect. I could kick myself for not picking up an extra one. Seems it’s sold out online and the stores I’ve checked.

I saw baked apples on Pinterest last night and felt the need to make them immediately! They’re really easy to make. I peeled and sliced two apples thinly. Placed them on a cookie sheet and sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar. Baked at 250 degrees for 2 hours, flipping every 30 minutes. Then just leave them on a rack to dry. Delicious snack!

Hello! Here’s a little Valentine’s Day themed Thrifty Thursday. I picked up this vintage 60′s dress for only $20 (you may remember it from a few weeks back) and thought it would be really cute for today with some red tights and a red hair bow. Notice something different? I finally got new glasses! I ordered these from Warby Parker and could’t be more pleased. As someone who usually wears my contacts everyday, it’s been nice to make the switch to these a few days a week.

I need to get to packing. I’m heading off for the weekend with some friends and I’m very excited! A much needed break. Have a lovely day and weekend!

(Photo by me, at Vagabondia Vintage Pop-Up Shop)

Sweater Guards

What you’ll need:

• 1 sheet of light grey and red felt
• needle
• white and grey thread
• clip on earrings
• jump rings
• plyers
• glue gun
• scissors
• chain
• measuring tape
• pattern pieces (This link has the pattern pieces for both sweater guard and peter pan collar. I suggest saving image to your computer and printing image to fill page. Pattern piece D should be approximately 3″ x 3″ when printed)

1: Cut out felt pieces using pattern. Envelope shape (D) in grey, 2 large hearts (E) in red, and 1 tiny heart (F) in red. Also, a one inch circle of grey and red.

2. Sew red circle onto middle of one large heart using white thread and a running stitch. Then, sew two large hearts together around the edge, leaving the circle on the outside.

3. Sew grey circle onto the middle of envelope piece using grey thread and a running stitch.  Fold two side pieces in, and bottom piece up (leaving circle on outside). Using a running stitch and grey thread, sew along the edges. Fold top piece down and sew along edge. Your envelope should hold itself together now. Sew on red heart to center along it’s edge with white thread.

4. Cut a piece of chain 4 inches long by simply opening up a link with your plyers and sliding it off.

5. Attach each end of chain to it’s own clip on earring using your plyers and a jump ring. There is a slit on each clip on earring for your jump ring to wrap around. Be sure that when your clips are facing out (white tips on outside) that your jump rings are on the bottom of each clip so it lays nicely.

5. Glue a heart to one clip and an envelope to the other on those felt circles. You’re done!

Peter Pan Collar

What you’ll need:

• 1 sheet of felt in grey, red and white
• 1 yard of 5/8″ satin black ribbon
• scissors
• pins
• needle
• grey thread
• pattern pieces  (This link has the pattern pieces for both the sweater guard and the peter pan collar. I suggest saving image to your computer and printing image to fill page. Pattern piece D should be approximately 3″ x 3″ when printed)

1: Cut out felt pieces using pattern. Cut 2 (A) collar in grey, 2 small (C) hearts in red and 2 (B) medium hearts in white.

2: Layer red hearts over white hearts, pin in place on one collar piece and stitch a running stitch around each heart.

3. Cut two 18″ inch pieces of ribbon. Sew one piece to each rounded edge of collar pieces.

4. Stitch two pieces together in back.

You’re done!

Giving someone special something special for Valentine’s day? Let’s wrap it up! Here’s another simple DIY for Valentine’s day.

What You’ll Need:

• Brown craft paper
• Stamp set and ink
• Ribbon or string
• Tape

1. Cut craft paper to size of gift. 2. Stamp! I chose a heart but I think words or phrases would be really cute, too! 3. Wrap up your gift with tape. 4. Tie string around and finish off with a bow.

What You’ll Need:

• 5 wooden hearts (I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby)
• 5 colors of acrylic paint
• paint brush
• twine or string
• glue gun
• permanent marker
• sand paper
• measuring tape

1. Paint each heart a different color. 2. Lightly sand them with sand paper when dry to give a slightly distressed look. 3. Write a word on each heart with permanent marker. You can add more or less hearts if you have a longer/shorter lyric or quote in mind! 4. Glue back of each heart to string, evenly spaced.