{DIY} aromatherapy rice sack

I don't know about you, but with the changing of the seasons, coupled with living in the south, I frequently find myself warding off sinus headaches around this time of year.  

I prefer natural remedies when possible, and these essential oil rice sack's hit the spot!

Like many, prior to using essential oils, the biggest apprehension I had was that I was unsure exactly how to use these amazing health remedies. {Hello perfectionist}

So today I want to show you one of the easiest "essential oil D.I.Y."...an aromatherapy rice sack.

All you need is fabric of your choice, rice, essential oil,
 needle and thread or a sewing machine.

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Here's how to make them:

cut a piece of fabric 15" long x 10" wide

Fold in half, with wrong sides together, sew along all sides leaving one end open

{I recommend stitching w/ a tight seam atleast 1/2" from the edge to ensure a strong seam.

Turn your fabric right side out and iron.

In a glass bowl, pour 1/2 cup of rice; add 5-8 drops of oil.

{I choose lavender or peppermint}  

Essential oils are highly concentrated, so I recommend letting your sack air out overnight prior to using. 

Fill your sack half full with rice.

Turn the open seam down, stitch closed. 

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please exercise caution whenever heating rice sacks as severe burning can result from improper use. do not heat in a conventional oven or toaster oven as fabric can catch on fire.

grace upon grace is not responsible for damage or harm caused in any way shape or form from usage of rice sacks. this is simply an instructional how to make tutorial.

End of the Year Portfolio {a Homeschool D.I.Y.}

Earlier this year, while listening to a podcast from Sarah McKenzie, my heart jumped at one of her inspirational ideas to create an end of the year portfolio. 

This was one of those I wish I'd been doing this for the past ten years moments.

but it's never too late to start though, right?! Right!!

These portfolio's aren't anything fancy, just personal, which is exactly what I wanted.

I made mine similar to Sarah's, which you can read all about on her blog, Amongst Lovely Things.

I chose to include artwork, a narration sample, book/poetry list, along with photo's of special moments from the year. I think the best part was asking each child what specific highlights of the year were for them.

Compiling these folders encouraged my heart tremendously! Revisiting the moments from the year truly allowed me to conceptualize the beauty we had in our days.

  These portfolio's are such an encouraging reminder of each child's personal efforts and

highlights of my children's life captured, well that's priceless.  

 

{fabric wrapped hangers} D.I.Y.

September barn sales are right around the corner, and I'm gearing up for my semi-annual events at
The Strawberry Patch and The Hayloft.
I'm routinely asked about my fabric hangers, so today I wanted to show how truly simple they are to create!

  

With a handful of lovely fabrics and inexpensive plain jane hangers, you can create a perfectly, colorful

 "pretty-fied" {yes, that is a word!}happy space in your closet!

 

All you need for this D.I.Y. is plastic hangers, scraps of fabric / lace, and a hot glue gun.

First, cut your fabric into approximate 1" strips 

{this doesn't need to be perfect, you just don't want your pieces too thick, as they wrap easier when thin}

Next, apply the hot glue directly to the hanger, beginning at the top curve.

{I like to use multiple, short scraps around the top area, then longer strands at the bottom area.}

Continue applying hot glue, wrapping the hanger in small increments. Rinse and repeat!

If you're anywhere in the Nashville area, The Strawberry Patch and The Hayloft are not to be missed!

Especially in the fall! A weekend of barn sale shopping in the crisp, cool air is good for the soul!

 I'm definitely loving our laid back summer, but equally looking forward to the changing of the seasons. 

inside our home {pantry}

I'm so glad spring is here, aren't you?! I'm home after being away at Teach them Diligently.
I'm exhausted.

I don't know what you're experience has been with a home school convention, but personally, there is abundantly more material than I can take in.

I listened to a handful of encouraging speakers, bought a few fossils, pondered science curriculum and walked endlessly. My overwhelmed, introverted mind just needs to decompress!

Saturday evening, as I pulled into the driveway, my amazing husband was working in the garage,
                         Finishing the barn door I've been dreaming of for our new pantry addition!

We moved into our new builder style home five years ago, and while our home has been maintenance free, we wanted to add a few additional, functional spaces. This space is downstairs near our kitchen / dining area and originally was a small coat closet. Now it's a beautiful pantry, with floor to ceiling wrap shelving.

The door coordinates perfectly with this gorgeous light fixture hanging above our kitchen table, which Ben also made! I love it so, so much!!

I absolutely love all things farmhouse with a mix of industrial/vintage texture, 

                                         You can view some of my inspiring home ideas over here

D.I.Y. birthday photo display

Sweet Pea just celebrated her fifth birthday and I can hardly believe it! We've completely cherished every moment of her life! She has brought immense joy and beauty to our hearts and home!

 In our home, we celebrate birthday's based on each child's interests; I also keep the decorations simple. Here's a peek at my current photo display's which I rotate out for each child's special day.

This horizontal piece of chicken wire hangs in our living room, displaying family photo's throughout the year.
Each birthday we customize it; add pom garland and twine across the top. simple. lovely. and personal. 

 

I also strung a piece of jute across our fireplace mantle, attaching photo's to paper doilies with clothespins.

 Happy Birthday my Sweet Pea! You are SO incredibly loved!

Best of my Days 2016

           Christmas morning is extremely fun with a house full of kiddo's let me tell you! I absolutely love it!!

On Thanksgiving, each of our kids draws another sibling's name to buy a gift for. They look so forward to it!

Christmas Eve is their day to exchange their gifts. 

Christmas morning seems to start earlier and earlier each passing year; kids pile on our bed, even our two teenagers who are officially taller than Ben and I both. Stockings are dug into while hubs and I sip espresso,

 the Christmas story is read, presents opened and our bellies full as we enjoy Christmas breakfast.

For the past couple of years, the kids have enjoyed getting "The Best of My Days" as a stocking stuffer thanks to Ashley of Under the Sycamore, 

              You can head to Ashley's blog to download your own...it's never to late to start using them!!
{Warning: You'll want to give yourself plenty of time to browse her blog; it's one of my favorites!} 

Christmas DIY {winter scene jars + lavender face balm}

Today I'm posting two easy D.I.Y. inspirations for your Christmas season. 
One for your lovely home. One for your lovely self.
The kids and I did made these both for Advent activities and they were lots of fun! enjoy!

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                                                               winter scene jars 

supplies: jars {any size / shape}
              adorable winter figurines {Michael's}
              felt snow {craft store}

assemble: Layer the felt snow on the bottom, then add your cute figurines.
{optional : spray paint the lids}
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                                    lavender coconut hand balm

supplies: coconut oil
              therapeutic grade lavender oil
              jar with lid

assemble: 4 cups coconut oil {needs to be liquefied}
               add about 20 drops of lavender oil and stir.
               fill your jars about 3/4 full and let sit until the oil solidifies; then cover.

               makes 10-12 jars
{optional : spray paint the lids, add jute with knit doilies, and label}

This balm is terrific! our entire family uses it on our extremely dry hands and I use it on my face as well.
They make great teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, or party favor gifts.  All natural and smells heavenly!


                                                    Happy Holidays!
               

DIY: Popcorn Valentines {link up}

                  It's love day so I wanted to link up a bit of D.I.Y. craftiness.

If you haven't heard of  Be Crafty, you should check them out! Amanda is seriously so creative! 

{I'm hoping to convince her to bring one of her crafty workshops toNashville!}

   Today's D.I.Y. is from her blog and is super easy to make, so head here for the full post and instructions

                         { I modified and just used plain white coffee cups that I had on hand.}

                                   Hope you're having an awesome day with those you love most!

perpetual Thankful calendar {DIY}

                                        this year i've begun a new habit; a daily thankful calendar. 
       i'm sure you've seen many varieties over the websphere, so this idea is nothing new ~ just my version.

i've had this project on my "to do" list for some time, but starting in the middle of the year was unmotivating.
                                  thanks to Christmas break, i've got my calendar started!

                                                  here's a peek and {very simple} how to:

my husband built this little box in shop class from high school, and i never found the perfect use for it, till now. I downloaded the front page "Count your Blessings" {here}trimmed it and then cut graph paper just a bit smaller. inserted monthly dividers, then wrote the date on the top of each page.

                       
i believe every day holds a reason to be thankful ."may we all have eyes to see the beauty in every day"

Merry Christmas. Happy New Year & "Best of my Day's" DIY link up

 

This year I didn't get around to Christmas cards, again. To those special friends who sent me cards,

 I truly loved receiving yours.

This season of life I'm learning that the plans I make, just don't always go the way I want.

 I'm growing through the painstaking process of prioritizing

It's 2014. A new year and there's so very much on my heart.

the abundant life I'm so blessed to live; beautiful friends who inspire me; crafty D.I.Y.

homeschooling six kiddos, one who is on the cuff on being a teenager!

For now, I'll link you over to Ashley's blog, {Under the Sycamore}

Over the Christmas holiday, I made each of my boys one of these "Best of my Days" notepads.

{photo via Ashley}

I originally planned to give these to the boys in their stockings, but I'm so glad life delayed it until today.

While I'm not a "New Year's resolutions" type, I love establishing new traditions,

meaningful traditions.

I know that through recording their joys, each of my boys will grow in the awareness of how abundantly blessed they truly are.

Blessings to you this new day and this new year!!

D.I.Y. {colorful arrows}

                        I haven't posted a D.I.Y. in a while; so here's a fun one for your weekend.
 

                                                               

I spotted these arrows a while back over at Heather's blog, lifemadelovely.

 Carly made the above arrows for her sons room, found here. 

I thought these would be great for my "bigger" guys room.

I made mine up this week, while my kiddos had a spring break of sorts. I do want to make more, but I only accomplished this single one. It's not complicated, just takes a bit of time...

                                materials: dowel rod, embroidery thread, felt, and hot glue

assemble: wrap embroidery thread around the dowel, hot glueing as needed, then hot glue the arrow pieces.

                                                                 
                                                   Hang in a colorful, happy place and enjoy!

{DIY: covered canisters}

Now that school is in full swing, I'm in You've Got Mail mode, organizing pencils, scissors and paintbrushes.
This lovely D.I.Y. scrap canister inspiration originated by Ashley Ann {here}

                                              

                         These are quick and simple, inexpensive and lovely. Here's what you'll need:

cans {i use my coffee cans}

paper of your choice or fabric scraps {which is what I used}

scissors

hot glue

embellishments of your choice {paper doilies, ribbon, washi tape}

assemble: 

Cut the fabric in lengths that can wrap around the can, then hot glue and embellish!

For the can on the left, I used a large paper doily, then layered a vintage crochet doily on top.

Repeat a dozen times!

           

     You can check out my other D.I.Y. projects under the {Ideas}section.  

DIY {tutorial : paper HEART canvas}

Ben and I celebrate our anniversary this week. While contemplating the age old question of "what in the world to give him", I took a moment to create a little something for him.

I have a handful of canvases lying around because a long time ago, I dabbled in painted. 

This little artsy craft is quick and easy, if you have a canvas and a few other supplies on hand.

materials:

canvas {doesn't need to be new}, hot glue gun, paper, scissors

create:

Cut out paper hearts in various sizes, Dab a bit of hot glue on the back crease, place them on your canvas.

Simple enough?!

{Valentines 2012}

I'm not the biggest fan of Valentines Day. I love tradition; I love holidays.Overpriced roses, oversized bears and crappy chocolate, no thanks. I know these are Valentines stigma I suppose. How does one reconcile "non consumerism" with celebrating a day that my son's future wives may appreciate? Honestly I think it's up to the parents to celebrate special days in a creative way.

I want my children to feel celebrated and remember special days fondly from their childhood. I long to show affection all throughout the year. Here's a peek at our special day. 

We are delicious red velvet cake and GF cake pops, and enjoyed a sweet day off school. It's official. It's documented. I celebrated. Happy Valentines Day!