Monday, December 9, 2013

New Website

OK, so I finally did it. I started a new website! You can visit here: The Blueberry Bee. I want you to know that all won't be lost when this blog is deleted. Any pertinent content, as well as tutorial uploads will be made visible on the website. I'm probably most excited about the addition of a print button, so that you can freely print recipes & free patterns without hassle. I'll be leaving this blog in play until after the first of the year, but I won't be adding anything new. All new offerings will be on the website. Thanks! Have a great holiday season!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Easy Soap Pump Cozy Tutorial

Cozies are all the rage. You can find patterns for cozies for just about anything, from coffee mugs to mason jars and a whole lot more. This project is easy, inexpensive, fun. Use colors to match the decor of your home or simply make a statement. Everyone will wonder where you got these. . . and you can proudly say, "I made them."




Friday, December 6, 2013

Christmas Bow Wreath

This project idea came to me suddenly, as I was trying to decorate for Christmas. Usually, the kids & I don't get started decorating until it's almost too late to enjoy it. And, quite frankly, I just wasn't in the mood last year. We were all still grieving over my Father-In-Law's passing, so the holidays didn't hold as much cheer for any of us. This year will still be hard, especially for my husband & Mother-In-Law, but the kids & I seem more able to get into the Christmas spirit. 

I've been in a Christmas music buying frenzy. I got a Bing Crosby CD (because I'm not sure what happened to the old one), Mannheim Steamroller, The Chipmunks, & 3 Harps for Christmas, Volume 1. I'm really happy about the 3 Harps CD. If you haven't heard it, you should give it a try. It's very pleasant & soothing. It's not down at all, though. It's lively & upbeat with that Christmas-y twinkle you would expect from a fine harp player (Sylvia Woods). I purchased mine through Amazon, but you can find it on iTunes, as well. I also purchased the second volume & downloaded it to my iPhone, so I can have it wherever I go. This is arguably the best Christmas music I have ever owned! I plan to listen to it often, especially mixing it in with The Chipmunks & Francesca Battistelli while we decorate the tree!

So, I wanted an easy fix for my front door & came up with this. I hope you enjoy it, as it's easy, quick, inexpensive, & fun. To keep it on the cheap, you could skip the plastic canvas & use cardboard instead. It would be a bit sturdier, too! Add jingle bells, ribbon, glitter, or whatever you can come up with. You could even do lots of them & have a Christmas fund-raiser -- a great way to raise money for your church or favorite charitable organization. Have a great Christmas!