Last week we gave away a copy of Anna Maria Horner’s lovely book Handmade Beginnings
: 24 Sewing Projects to Welcome Baby. Check out our interview with Anna Maria, in which our readers asked her questions and she gave us the scoop on how she gets it all done, and some great advice for sewing and crafting. So who wins? Find out after the jump…
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How to Make a God’s Eye
When Jaime and I were brainstorming ideas for our patio makeovers we talked a lot about embracing the southwest but with a modern twist. I love how these Native-American-inspired elements contribute to a stylish yet relaxed and approachable space. One of the DIY project that took on the southwest more literally is this giant God’s Eye that I made for over my bench. I was out of cash for the patio but needed something large and eye-catching(ha). This did the trick coming in at $3.98 for the two wooden dowels. If you have some nice straight sticks you can make this with materials you already have at home! Your yarn choices can help pull the colors of your entire space together. On a personal level, this project makes me really happy because we had a similar God’s Eye that my mother had made, in our house growing up. 
I’m not sure how long we will keep this outside. Although it’s a covered area, I know this is too fragile for the winds of the wild west. Although since it was so inexpensive I can always make another when it starts to look tired. Want to learn how to make your own yarn-stash-busting God’s Eye?
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Link Love
DIY recycled cork map board, get the tute at Design Sponge.
Make a sweet cloud broach with bee inspired.
DIY this cake stand with tammy mitchell.
Use daisies from your garden to make this daisy salve with vintage savoir faire.
Also, how to protect baby scalp from the sun.
Jacinda and I are in Cleveland today, on the set of It’s Sew Easy, the wonderful sewing show you can see on PBS. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve dreamed up for our spot this season, but for now, check out all the great tutes and what time the show airs where you live here: It’sSewEasyTV.com.
what we were babbling about this week…
Mystery sculptures of coolness
25 free & gorg garland tutes
The world’s most magical fairytale style homes
25 Free Onesie tutorials…
The Courtyard Makeover REVEAL!
Back in May I asked you to advise me on making my courtyard a lovely entry to my home and a place to entertain (prudently). I gave you a whole rundown of the scenario and a bunch of before pics and you offered up fantastic suggestions that had me all excited to redecorate (or, umm, just actually decorate). Since then I’ve been diligently working away, parsing out my American Express Membership Rewards points to avoid spending cash and DIYing just about every detail. I’ll share all of the sources, a few DIYs, and a behind the scenes peek at my renovation projects. NOTHING got tossed, not that there was much there to begin with. Until then, here it is! We have already been enjoying it like it’s a new room in our home!
Read on to see more photos of my DIY courtyard and our first outdoor brunch!
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DIY Garland Bunting: 25 Free DIY Projects to Make the Sweetest, Prettiest, and Simplest Garlands
Garland bunting has taken the world of baby nursery decorating by storm for the past three years or so, but the garland trend hasn’t gotten tired yet. I hope it never does, because in the mind of this die-hard DIYer, homemade garlands and baby bunting are the ideal way for anyone (no crafty skills necessary) to customize a baby or child’s room. Why? Because making your own garland is simple, inexpensive, and doesn’t require an MFA to add a touch of your own style and heart to the place your kid rests his or her sweet head.
What is bunting, you ask? In the US we call them “garlands”, and I’m told the UK and australia prefer the term “bunting” – either way, garland/bunting is simply a series of items hanging from some sort of string. The modern baby bunting trend took off with the traditional flag-shaped pennant garland, but there are so many lovely ways to customize your own garlands (paper flowers, crochet pennants, yarn pom poms, even cupcake liners and coffee filters). I guarantee you will be surprised and delighted by the simplicity and beauty of the 25 Free DIY Bunting & Garland tutorials we’ve rounded up. Now, go check them out and tell me if you can resist immediately grabbing a pair of scissors and getting to work: DIY Garland Bunting: 25 Free DIY Projects to Make the Sweetest, Prettiest, and Simplest Garlands.
Garden Bounty
I’ve been keeping you up-to-date on our Backyard Farm adventures this summer, just like I did last year. Scarlet and I have been having a blast tending to our garden and cooking and pickling our bounty. Everything was going swimmingly, until I went on a 10-day vacation and a So-Cal summer heat wave set in. We lost a few precious leafy friends, but we also came home to a gorgeous bounty…so gorgeous I couldn’t resist snapping a few pics and sharing them with you. 
Indulge me as I share some pics of our garden bounty, if only you could all come over and have a taste…
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Living in a Fairytale: The World’s 25 Most Magical Storybook Cottage Homes
We have entered the age of fairytales in our real-world home; each night we delve into a new story rife with magical cottages and rambling country homes. Which led me to imagining life in a storybook cottage home of our own. These 25 fairytale inspired cottage houses are real-life homes from around the world. From tiny houses, to houses in trees, to stunning cottages houses on pristine lakes, to mystical stone dwellings, these 25 Storybook Cottage Homes are fairytales come true. Take a peek: Living in a Fairytale: The World’s 25 Most Magical Storybook Cottage Homes.
How to Make Sunbutter: The Best Sunflower Butter Recipe!
Sunbutter looks and tastes much like peanut butter, but instead of peanuts, it’s made from sunflower seeds. Sunflower butter is 30% lower in fat than peanut butter, chock full of vitamin E, and bonus: when you make it yourself it is entirely free of preservatives & added sugars, AND it is totally safe to send off to nut-free environments. Sunbutter has become a school lunch staple in our household. This stuff costs a fortune to buy pre-made, which is silly because it is SO EASY for Prudent Mamas to make at home. So learn how to make sunbutter now!
I’ve heard many home cooks express frustration with their attempts to make sunbutter, so I thought I’d do a sunbutter recipe and photo tutorial to explain the key to making rich, creamy, nutty-flavored sunbutter. It is all about time.
Learn how to make sunbutter with our sunflower butter recipe below, and prepare to lick your fingers, the spoon, the bowl, and maybe even that spill down your toddler’s shirt (don’t judge me)…
