You knew I was going there.  You knew when I spied those jeweled wineglasses at Chateau St. Jean winery last weekend that I would be forced, literally forced, to recreate the look for less.  Just cause it’s in my DNA. 

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One observant reader wrote to me the other day reminding me that I never followed up on my first article about my DIY supply closet.  Now that it’s December, it seems time to talk about my favorite tools that I’ve used over the past few years.  I’m also including my wish list for 2010, especially since I know my secret Santa is reading.  (Hi shmoopie.)

I’m not one of those gals who wants jewelry for Christmas.  Nope, not me.  My Christmas list includes some serious gadgets for advanced levels of home improvement and furniture fixin’.  I’m just one of those chicks who really digs tools, so you’ll have a tough time labeling me as any sort of damsel in distress. 

When I see pictures like this from the war era, and I am reminded that my affection for power tools is not something strange to my gender or new to my generation.  Au contraire.  In fact, I know that most of you who read my musings or write your own DIY blogs have a deep affection for power tools as well.  

Source: Getty Images

Here’s a look at some of the tools I consider important for my own DIY projects. 

Note, this list is not exhaustive, nor is this list anything near what a professional might possess.  These are just my personal favorites and the tools I frequently use.  Perhaps these will give you a few ideas for gifts for yourself or a fellow DIYer.

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When I first got married ten years ago, I started collecting Christmas decorations.  Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I’d always dreamed of having my own home filled with the sights, sounds, and scents of the season.  Every year, I like to add something new to my growing collection.

This year I was inspired to create some decorative pillows with felt. The nice thing about felt is that it is inexpensive, it doesn’t fray, and it adds just the right amount of coziness for those upcoming winter months.  I wanted to create something bold, something stylish, but nothing too busy.  Poinsettias were my inspiration. 

Here’s what I came up with:  

Red version, up close:

If you want to create your own version of these simple sew poinsettia pillows, here’s the step-by-step.

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One of my most favorite things about blogging is the friendships made online with other fantastically creative people.  One of my many blogger friends is Kim over at Newly Woodwards.  Kim doesn’t really have fingers.  No, in fact she has ten green thumbs.  Don’t believe me?  Check this out.  And this.  And she’s kind of famous in her hometown.  I truly envy her gardening skills.   But Kim doesn’t just garden, she cooks, she decorates, and she does it with style.  She’s my kind of gal.  So when Kim wrote up this post about her desire to sew a retro apron, I leapt at the chance to join her in her endeavor.  And today we’re both featuring our apron projects. 

Off to visit my friends at the Material Girl fabric store I went, to select my fabric.  Which designer should I choose?  Heather Bailey ?  Amy Butler?  How about both ?!  Today, I came up with my own version of a reversible apron – just for futzing around the kitchen.   No pattern at all – just a series of simple steps and straight stitches on my sewing machine.   

Here’s a peek at the final apron, and my step by step.

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Hello friends, and happy Friday.  I have the most marvelous news !

But first, have you heard of Stella & Dot?  Stella & Dot is a relatively new line of jewelry that has everybody talking.  Babes, it’s all the buzz. 

Stella & Dot’s gorgeous pieces have been featured in In Style, Lucky, Teen Vogue, Better Homes and Gardens, and Cosmopolitan magazines, as well as the New York Times and all over television.  See all the press right here. 

Now check out a few of these spreads 

I have perused this site several times and I am smitten with so many of these pieces. 

So here’s my sassy and classy giveaway that I’m bringing to you, courtesy of my friend and Stella & Dot stylist Jacquie.   

One lucky winner will receive this La Coco Brooch Necklace, inspired by style icon Coco Chanel.  It is a $98 dollar value, and isn’t it stunning?   I want one !

What I love about this necklace is that this double chain of two different sizes is paired with a brooch and can be worn eight different ways, depending on the look you want.  And the brooch will be updated every season. 

This piece comes apart and can be restyled however you choose:

I can so see this paired with my jeans and a great top.  No fair one of you gets it.  *Pout* 

But here are some of my other favorite Stella & Dot pieces I’m considering buying. 

 Garden Party chandeliers, the Kelly cuff, Charlize teardrops, and the Bloom Flower Ring,

All images courtesy of Stella & Dot. 

Want a chance to win that La Coco necklace ?

Giveaway Eligibility 

1. Visit the Stella & Dot website, then come back and leave a comment on my site telling us your most favorite piece. 
2. Random question just for fun.  In the same comment field, tell us what is your most prized fashion accessory and why? 

Important note:  To be eligible, your comments must be entered on this website’s comments page under this post, and not via email, or in my contact form, on Facebook, or in your reader.  Thanks in advance. 

Giveaway ends Sunday October 4, 2009 at 8 p.m. PST.  One entry only please. Winner will be chosen by Random.org. 

Finally, I’ve been very busy working on many more projects this week.  I can’t wait to show all of you.  Stay tuned.  And best of luck in the giveaway. 

Thanks to all participants in the Material Girl Fabric.com giveaway!  Your pie suggestions had me drooling for days. 

Congrats to these randomly chosen three winners:

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Last time, I showed you how I made cement candleholders out of ordinary plastics purchased from the grocery store.  Today, the focus is planters.  Unless you want just a simple cachepot, if you truly want your planter to drain there is an added trick.  How to add drainage holes to a cement planter?  With the addition of plastic straws to your plastic molds. 

Here’s a glimpse at some of the planters I made using regular plastics for the outside mold.  For the inside mold, I used the plastic container that housed my plant from the nursery.

A fern planter for my master bath:

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Hello friends.  This weekend, I am pleased to showcase the oh so chic, oh so talented Alexandra Ferguson and her gorgeous line of decorative pillows. 

Alexandra works in the fashion industry in NYC, so she is well versed in patterns, sewing, and serious style. 

Featured several times on Apartment Therapy here, here, and here, Alexandra is known for her super stylish designs created from 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles.  Did you know that every pound of felt is the equivalent of 10 water bottles?  So instead of ending up in the landfill, those plastic bottles get turned into this loveliness. 

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I do not like plain mouse pads.  They bother me.  There are plenty of pretty pads available out there for purchase, but I wanted to recycle my old one with the use of some fabric.  This is such a simple project !

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Hello friends. I am pleased to introduce you to an amazing travel and interior design photographer, Mr. Tim Irving.

Tim Irving is a full time photographer, who has been taking photographs since he was 9 years old. He’s English, and attended art school in London, which included a spell at the Royal College of Art.

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