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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I love a great themed get together, whether it’s a costume, murder mystery, or decade themed party.   Another great theme party for grown ups is throwing a blind wine tasting party at your place complete with great vino and good eats!

The fun of a blind tasting is the mystery of what’s in the bottle – you can choose different wines and make people try to figure out the varietal (Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc.) or you can tell them the varietal and have them rank the wine with points and compare everyone’s notes at the end.  You can supply the wine or have everyone bring a favorite bottle.

I bought a single varietal, Pinot Noirs, and three I found at my local grocery store.  It’s fun to throw in a really fancy or really cheap one too just to see how people respond to it!

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Hello all happy Sunday, just popping in to share a few of the highlights from this past week’s Spring Craft Link Party, enjoy the creativity!

Alphabet stamps transform a plain pitcher into a personal memento with this quote pitcher project by Crafty Scrappy Happy.

Wood stain plus painter’s tape led to this original art on plywood over at Welcome to the Mouse House.

Yarn and rope combine with these clever colored coil containers by Craftberry Bush, a great Anthropologie knock off.   

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Hello everyone, I look forward to this party every year, and I’m so glad you’re here.  We’re continuing along with the Holiday Home Link Parties, and today is all about crafts!  For the occasion, I created two simple DIY ornaments, one with a little glitz, the other more rustic and natural.  Here’s the first ornament I made this past weekend, a mini mirrored starburst. These are easy to create with just a few supplies from the craft and grocery store.

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