Hello everyone! I have a new DIY project to share today: fabric covered boxes perfect for storing keepsakes or office supplies. I love the idea of wrapping plain boxes in pretty patterns (like I did last year these marbled paper versions) and this time I made them with some beautiful fabrics sent to me by Annie Selke from her Pine Cone Hill collection.

To read the step by step, hop on over to Annie’s Fresh American blog to read today’s post on how to make fabric covered boxes!

Annie is hosting a giveaway for $100 worth of PCH products on her blog and so am I! If you’d like to get your hands on $100 worth of Pine Cone Hill fabrics, here’s how:

Eligibility to win $100 shop credit for Pine Cone Hill fabric:

1) Hop over to Pine Cone Hill fabrics and pick a favorite pattern from the yardage collection, then leave a comment on this blog post naming your choice!

One winner, US and Canada only. Giveaway ends at midnight PST on May 6, 2013. By entering this giveaway you agree to this site’s giveaway policy and Official Rules of Entry.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Winner: #204 Mimi Matthews, winner notified via email

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I was out in the yard clipping back some overgrown hedges last weekend and some of the shrubs that required trimming were my lavender varieties. Then I remembered that I forgot to share this sweet and simple sewing project that I made last year for Souvenir Magazine.

Lavender is my favorite botanical scent, and I’m lucky to have a few dozen plants that thrive and produce dried lavender every year, but you can also find dried lavender buds online -  check Etsy! I gave a few of these to my sister in law, and I use them in my dresser drawers. The scent of lavender is therapeutic and these are easy enough to make as a gift for moms, sisters, friends, and teachers too.

Supplies you’ll need to make them: 5-6 oz. dried lavender, 3 cups rice; simple cotton or linen cloth (4 layers cut into 6″ x 6″ squares for each); pale purple and green embroidery thread, embroidery needle, small embroidery hoop, sewing machine.

Mix the dried lavender with a few cups of rice. You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil to intensify the scent.

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Hey y’all – I’m so glad it’s Friday – and a three day weekend!  Thanks for all the comments and pins on the new bookcases this week – many of you wrote to me asking where I found all the gold and brass accessories for the shelves.  Truth is I find them all over, some of them are many years old, some are newer.  I keep my eyes open for objects that are unique looking, shapely, functional, and ones I know I’ll love for years to come. 

Etsy and antique stores are fabulous sources for old brass objects, and a lot of retailers are now selling accessories in golden shades since these warmer metals are again in vogue.  If you’re on the hunt for accessories to bring a golden touch to your bookcase, wall, or tabletop, here are a few of my favorites found online.

From top left: gold leaf ampersand /  heart tree print / gilded dog print / golden glazed vase / starburst bowl / metal stand / wire sphere / scallop brass bookends / hammered brass bowl / gold leaf trim bowl / paper mache bowl / gift box / gold urchin / gourd vase / hammered pillar candle / crackle pot / monogram letter / geometric frame

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Hello all and happy weekend to you.  I was looking through the links from the Holiday Craft Link Party and there were so many lovely ideas, I just had to share these inspiring projects.

Stitch retro fabric Christmas light ornaments with Our Family Four.

Make a wall merry like this charming display of a tree farm sign wall by Creek Line House.

This oversized JOY sign welcomes guests for the season, project by Love of Family and Home.

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