I finally found a way to display my rather eclectic collection of wall art that makes me happy! Previously, I had it all pinned up in a clump on this wall. A few lucky finds led me to come up with this speech bubble idea. First, I bought this giraffe decal on Etsy a few weeks ago. Then, I saw that Target was selling sets of 10 various sized frames for $12!  So it's meant to look like the giraffe (in the bottom, left hand corner) is dreaming about all these wonderful art prints. 

I measured the space on my wall where I wanted to put them and laid them out in a pattern on my bed. But my measurements must have been off or something because as I was putting them up I realized they weren't going to fit the way I planned. So I just thought "screw it" and put them up wherever they fit. And it worked! So the lesson here is: don't plan things out. Right? 

Some other things I've learned while creating this: I guess I like foxes more than I realized and I'm becoming slightly obsessed with giraffes!

The first tradition I've decided to start this year is to make an ornament for the Christmas tree. I only need to make one each year and eventually I'll have a tree full of unique, handmade ornaments! Sounds pretty good to me! I've seen knitting patterns similar to these little guys, but I wanted something quicker so I put together this crochet pattern. And I wrote it out so you can make one (or more) too! I made a bunch and gave a few to family members as Thanksgiving presents.

G Hook

20 yds White yarn

Polyfill

4 yds Other color yarn for scarf

Black, Brown, and Gold Embroidery thread

Needle

sc: single crochet

inc: 2 sc in one stitch

dec: 1 sc over two stitches

Make a 6 stitch magic ring 

Row 1: Inc around (12)

Row 2: *sc 1, inc 1. Repeat from * (18)

Row 3: *sc 2, inc 1. Repeat from * (24)

Rows 4-7: sc around

Row 8: *sc 2, dec 1. Repeat from * (18)

Row 9: *sc 1, dec 1. Repeat from * (12)

Row 10: *sc 1, inc 1. Repeat from * (18)

Rows 11-13: sc around

Row 14: *sc 1, dec 1. Repeat from * (12)

Stuff with Polyfill

Row 15: dec around (6)

Row 16: dec around (3)

Scarf:

Chain 43

Turn, sc in 3rd stitch, sc all

Embroider hands, eyes, and mouth.

Attach 6 inch length of embroidery yarn in a loop at the head for hanging.

Tips:

To mark the beginning of each round, I like to use a bobby pin. Just clip it onto the first stitch and it will hang there out of your way but holding your place!

If you make one, let me know! I'd love to hear how it went or see some pictures! Here's the Ravelry page.

And thank you for the birthday wishes! I had a good day of hanging out with my sister. She made me a yummy meal of some of my favorite foods and gave me lots of cool prezzies from Etsy and Jaffa Cakes from London!

I admit I may have gotten a bit carried away when naming this. I'm a fan of alliteration, ridiculousness, and the word 'butler' so it was inevitable.  Moving on...

 I'm allergic to metal so I have never needed any kind of jewelry box or case or whatever you call the place you store jewelry. However, I needed somewhere to put kitty charms before they're dispatched to their homes and thus was born the Beastly Bling Butler!

It's a very easy, relatively quick, and quite inexpensive to make. A quick break-down of the process:

Step 1: Paint the wood your desired color. You could skip this step and leave the wood alone too.

Step 2: Paint the animals. You could also skip this step or paint them different colors.

Step 3: Cut the animals in half. 

Step 4: Glue the animals to the wood at 1 inch intervals. Mod Podge really holds these suckers on. No need to worry about them coming off from the weight of your jewelry.

Hang using your preferred method. I'm thinking of using some of those double-sided sticky things as they work well but come off easily when you want to move things around.

I got some magnetic strips and glued tiny pieces to the butts to make magnets. Put them on your fridge as a midnight snack deterrent! 

I'm completely overwhelmed by so much positive feedback on my kitty charms! As a thank you I put together this acrocat wall decal kit. I just put them up on my wall and I can't stop looking up and giggling at them. Would putting them all over my wall be too much? I think I might have to. Yes. I would be crazy NOT to!  

To get your own, all you'll need is some contact paper from any hardware store and some scissors (or an x-acto knife).  They're easily removable and reusable if you feel like moving them around to constantly be within view. 

Here's what to do: Download the images here and print them out. Place the printout on top of the contact paper and cut through both layers at once  (Or you could cut out the shapes, then trace them onto the back of your contact paper, and cut them out separately if you wish). Finally, peel off the paper backing and stick them to your wall. Or on a door. Or a window. Or anywhere really!

Look at what my sister gave me for my birthday! She contacted the artist and asked her to make a print just for me! Best ever! (sister AND print)

I free-handed some other designs too. It's so easy and fun! 

I'm finishing up another DIY, so come back soon! Thanks for reading!