Crochet Mock Socks!

Don't you love those warm, fluffy knee socks you wear under your riding boots? Me too, but I can't stand that bulky, uncomfortable feeling in my shoes all day. I recently found a genius idea on Etsy, and decided to try it out myself. I am calling them... Mock Socks!

Now, you can have the look of warm, wool socks without that big, bulkiness squished into your boots! These socks were selling on Etsy anywhere from $12-16 dollars. I purchased yarn from the craft store for $4 and with a little time and creativity, was able to crochet three pairs with that one $4 roll of yarn!

Here is how I did it...

Hint: If you do not know how to crochet, or need a refresher- just go to YouTube.com. You can find all sorts of tutorials there.

 1. Chain 25.

2. Stitch a double crochet into each chain.

 3. Do this until you have 25 rows of double crochet stitches.

4. Next, you take the two ends and stitch them together with a single crochet. You do this by threading your hook through corresponding loops on each side, pull the thread through both loops and finish off with a slipknot.

 5. Do this all the way down.

 6. If you decided to stop here, tie a knot in the thread and then flip the sock inside out- you want those stitches along the side to be on the inside of the sock. OR you can add some designs to the top of the sock.

Here is how to do the shell stitch trim-

 7. Stitch three double crochet stitches into the same loop.

 8. Chain 2.

 9. Stitch three more double crochet stitches. Chain 2 more. Then skip three loops, enter in the fourth loop and repeat steps 7, 8, and 9 all the way around the top of the sock.

 10. When you have made it all around, thread a few slipknots down the side of the sock. (About 3)















11. Tie a knot, then trim the ends with a scissor. Then turn the sock inside out, so that the stitches down the side are hidden inside the sock.

Finished Product!

Good Luck, and Happy New Year!

Dramatic Entry Make-Over

My husband and I recently decided that it was time to ditch our small, one-bedroom condo and move on up the property ladder to a new home. However, before we put our condo on the market, I wanted to make some adjustments. It's not easy for some people to imagine the possible potential of a given space, so I decided to make a pocket-friendly improvement that will help a buyer imagine themselves in our condo. After all, you only get one shot to make a first impression! Here is a sure-fire way to spruce up the entry to your house- prepare to watch the jaws drop of potential buyers, or house guests if you don't plan on selling!

 My inspiration for this project came from a post on Pinterest.com (as do many of my inspirations!)

This project works in ANY entry way and seriously can transform the look of your home! I'll take you step-by-step how my husband and I created ours...

Shopping List:

Here are the board sizes you will need- the lengths depend upon the size of the walls you are working with. 

3/4" x 6"- Horizontal pieces

3/4" x 3.5"- Vertical pieces

3/4" x 2.5"- Corner pieces and Top Ledge pieces

First, you need to determine if the corners of your walls need corner pieces. Where two walls meet, a corner piece is needed. If your door meets up in the corner (like the left side of our door) you do not need a corner piece in that corner. If your door doesn't touch any corners, you will need corner pieces in both corners.

Next, cut your 3/4" x 2.5" board. You'll need two pieces at 34.5" long and two pieces at 15" long.

If you have a table saw, all four pieces should be cut on one side down the length of the board at a 45 degree angle so that they meet up in the corner. (see picture to the right)

If you don't have a table saw, you can place the two pieces of wood against the wall just as shown, but leave a gap in the back so that only the front corners match up. (If you push one board all the way back against the corner, the two boards will become different widths) At this point, you are only nailing the 34.5" boards to the wall.

Do this on all necessary corners.

Once your corner pieces are in, you need to measure each wall and figure out how many vertical panes you want. Our largest wall was only 41.5 inches, so we decided to go with two panes.

Next, use a pencil and sketch out where your molding will go. I drew over my pencil lines so you could see them better. On your wall, the height placement of the wood should be the same, but the length of your boards will differ depending upon the width of your wall.

Once you have your boards drawn on the wall, it's time to start cutting! First, you'll need one 3/4" x 3.5" board cut 35.5" long and one 3/4" x 3.5" board cut 15" long. Then, you'll need two 3/4" x 6" board cut the same width of the wall. (This is based on two panes, if you want three panes, you will need one more of each vertical board.)

Start by nailing the 34.5" board at the bottom, and work your way up the wall.

Again, the length of all your horizontal boards will depend on the width of your wall.

The next step is to add wood filler to all the corners and nail holes. I used Elmer's Pro Bond WHITE.

Next, add the top ledge. This is a 3/4" x 2.5" piece of wood-
cut at the width of your wall.

Now you are ready for paint! I used Valspar's indoor paint and primer, white and eggshell finish and an angled brush.  

 ***PAINTING FYI***

Don't you hate when you wipe the brush on the side of the paint can, and all the excess paint somehow seems to find it's way down the side of the can? Just wrap a rubber band around the paint can! Now, just wipe your brush on the rubber band instead and all the excess pain drips right back into the can!

I totally get if you are reading this and feeling a little bit overwhelmed  but once you see this before and after shot you will realize it is totally worth it!

Good Luck, and Happy Inspiring!

"Recycled" Gift Wrap for the Holidays

Christmas is a week away, and my thoughts have been consumed with the presentation of my gifts. I'm sure once I have kids of my own the last thing on my mind will be color-coordinate my gift wrappings, but for the time being- I'm doing it!

This picture of simple, recycled gift wrapping on the cover of the Gaiam Holiday 2012 magazine inspired me to make my own "recycled" gift-wrap.

I looked into ordering some recycled wrapping paper and common sense lead me to believe that wrapping paper made from recycled materials would be cheaper than regular wrapping paper. Boy was I wrong. My creative juices began flowing and I came up with a way to wrap ALL 30 Christmas gifts for only $12! Here is how I did it:

Floor Protection Paper from Lowes for $4

I purchased brown floor protection paper from Lowes. The roll I purchased was 180 feet long and only cost $4. This gives the gift wrap a recycled look, for way less. (And will last for next year's gifts as well- I didn't even get close to using it all up!)

I purchased some glitter ribbon from the dollar store and used this to wrap the present. Then, I went to the craft store. Pre-made bows were $5 each and I needed quite a few-not happening! I went back to the dollar store, and purchased 6 rolls of ribbon for a dollar each and made my own bows. Here is how you do it:

1. Wrap the ribbon around your fingers 4-6 times.

2. Pinch the ribbon in the middle. 

3. Cut another piece of ribbon about 8 inches long.
Use this ribbon to tie a knot around the middle of your looped ribbon.
Tighten the knot.

4. There should be 4-6 loops on each side of the knot.
(Depending on how many times you wrapped it around your hand.)
Gently pull each loop and separate it from the rest.
Keep doing this to all 8 loops until the bow looks full.

5. Use the ends of the 8 inch piece of ribbon to tie a knot
around the glitter ribbon and secure it to the gift.

Mix and match different colors and textured ribbon!

Although making each ribbon is time consuming, it is well worth it for the beautiful outcome. Your closest family and friends deserve a gift with your own personal touch!