As a mom of three or maybe just being a women, I feel like I’ve just got so much stuff to get from point A to point B. A girl really can’t have too many bags, so I decided I needed a big, but still stylish tote for those days that require carrying more then just a purse. This DIY Reversible Bandana Bag with Leather Straps instantly makes whatever I’m wearing look so much more trendy. I’m loving bandanas these days, I’ve been wearing them tied around my neck and on the straps of my purse.

This is really a great beginner sewing project. Actually, everything I sew is super simple, straight-lines-only, sewing. I’ve got detailed step-by-step instructions to walk you through every step of this project. Be sure to check out the full how-to over on eHow!

I’m starting to think about the holidays already, and this might be a cute gift I could make for some of the ladies in my life. And with bandanas coming is every color under the rainbow, I could add a pop of color to the inside of some of the bags.

So, are you loving the bandana trend? Does it feel too cowboy/country or maybe like you are a part of a gang? Well, usually I don’t feel very trendy, but I’m embracing this one whole heartedly. I’m sure you’ll be seeing more of this here.

Be sure to check out the full tutorial HERE!

If you’ve been following me for a while now, you know that I LOVE making cool, customized pieces for my home with my Cricut Explore Machine. It’s really my favorite crafting tool ever!

And do you remember when I got to design a whole bunch of fun projects for the Cricut Gold Machine for JoAnn? Well, if you don’t remember, I’m about to remind you – be sure to check out the Half Moon Wall Hanging, Geometric Patterned Edge Throw, these fabulous pillows, and also these fun Tropical Leaf Napkins. When we moved this last month and I unpacked our kitchen boxes, I realized that my kitchen linens had seen better days. My oven mitts, pot holders and dish towels were stained and just down right ugly. So, I decided to add a little style to our kitchen linens by customizing them with some of the modern geometric patterns I’d designed for the Cricut Gold Machine.

Using the metallic gold, glitter gold and white iron-on vinyl, I cut out a couple different sizes of this pattern. (And if you don’t own a Cricut, you can still use this awesome iron-on material and just cut out simple shapes with a pair of scissors.) And then I just ironed the patterns onto generic, inexpensive grey towels and oven mitts.

Now I’m drying dishes and grabbing pots in style!

This post is sponsored by Cricut, thank you for supporting the companies that help make this blog possible. 

Well, I’m just about ready to tackle some more wallpaper in our house. It’s a messy job, but I think we have a pretty good system down. We opted to not use harsh chemicals or expensive steamers.  The sunroom wallpaper came off a lot easier then we thought it would. And those white walls make me VERY happy.Please don’t be tempted to paint over wallpaper. This is not a shortcut you want to take. You’re walls will look so much better if you strip all the wallpaper off and start with clean bare walls.

We did a little pinterest research and I followed Cyd of The Sweetest Occasion‘s dawn soap suggestion she shared on Snapchat.

So, here’s what worked for us.You’ll need:

• spray bottle
• Dawn dish soap
• painter’s tape with plastic drop cloth attached
• wallpaper scorer
• wallpaper scraper

Step 1:

Tape all the way around the room with the painter’s tape drop cloth. This is a messy, wet job. You will want to protect your floors.

Step 2:

Using the wallpaper scorer, run the scorer over all the walls. You do not want to apply a lot of pressure or you will damage the walls. Just move in a circular motion to create tiny holes all over the walls.Step 3:

Mix one part dawn dish soap with 5 parts warm water in a spray bottle. Work on one wall at a time. Spray down the entire wall with the warm, soapy mixture. Be generous! And then allow the solution to sit on the walls for about 5 minutes.

*Warning* – Even though this is just soap and water, the smell is pretty strong and it kind of hurts your eyes. Step 4:

Using a wallpaper scraper, begin to scrape away the soggy wallpaper. If some wallpaper is stubborn, spray down generously with more warm soapy water.Step 5:

As you begin to scrape, you will be able to peel off some bigger pieces of wallpaper.

Step 6:

Once all the wallpaper is removed, wipe down the walls well with a rag and warm water. Remember you have soaked the walls in soapy water, all the residue needs to be removed in order to prep for painting. You will need to wipe and rinse down the walls at least 3 or 4 times.And now you can paint!!!! I know wallpaper is making a strong comeback, but this room feels so much bigger and brighter without busy, floral wallpaper. I do plan to add some wallpaper to a room or two in this house, but whether I paint or re-wallpaper, starting with clean, bare walls is definitely the first step.

Do you have some wallpaper removal tips or tricks? I’d love to hear what has worked for you.