DIY | Mulled Spice Favors

Looking for a fun and festive Fall or holiday favor that is sure to make your loved ones smile? Mulled Spice bags are such a creative yet simple favor, anyone can make them! These little bags of Fall goodness smell like heaven and are the yummiest flavor punch you can imagine. Stick one of these bags into a pot of apple cider and I guarantee everyone will want seconds (or thirds!).

Now, here's what you'll need:
- cheese cloth
- scissors
- tags
- twine/jute
- oranges
- spices
- stamps + ink

Ingredients:

- whole cloves

- dried orange peels

- whole allspice

- cinnamon sticks

When filling the pouches I used approximately 5 to 6 small pieces of orange peel, 5 cloves, 5 allspice seeds and 1.5 cinnamon sticks. Feel free to add other ingredients or fill yours to the amount you desire.

And. . .  here's my "Shauna's Secret Apple Cider Spice Pouch." Isn't it darling? I have an upcoming photography event with "apples + apple cider" as the theme so I think these are the perfect favor for the occasion.  I stamped the apple and SVP on my tags but the possibilities are endless with ways you can decorate these little cuties. I can also see these being an adorable personalized touch for your guests at Thanksgiving. Wouldn't they look great on the plates so everyone knows where to sit? I can't wait to see what you guys do with yours! Please do share. :)

www.shaunaveaseyphotography.com

Jack's Woodland Themed Nursery

A while back I shared with you guys that we purchased a new house in March of 2013. You can read more about that here. Since we moved, I've had a chance to slowly transform the house into our home. We have done a lot of work (with a lot more to go) and I plan to share the progress here on the blog as things get completed. Interior design is something I'm passionate about. I really enjoy creating visually appealing spaces, transforming something old and ugly into something new. The first space I want to share with you is my littlest man's room. Before doing so, I think it's only fair to show you a before picture so you can see what I had to work with.

Jack's room before:

As you can see, there isn't any damage - just a desperate need for an update. White walls and mauve (yes, that's PINK) carpet are not going to cut it for a little boy's room. Before searching for inspiration, I knew I needed a theme for the space. When Jack was born, Ariston (my oldest son) gave him his first stuffed animal, a fox. You can see him below :) "Mr. Fox" quickly became the inspiration piece for the room.

With "Mr. Fox" in mind, I decided to go with a woodland theme for Jack's nursery. I wanted it to be fresh, bright, and colorful with a whimsical touch. I knew I wanted to keep the walls and furniture neutral while bringing in layers of color and texture with the textiles. Incorporating organic elements was also something I knew the space would need. After a little Pinterest inspiration and scouring the internet for ideas, I was on a mission to make Jack's room the perfect escape for a little tot. Although I'm always changing, adding and moving things around, I'm pleased with how the space has turned out so far (product details at end of post)

Jack's Woodland themed nursery:

 "Before and After"

wall color: Sherwin Williams "accessible beige"

crib: Jenny Lind (it was mine when I was a baby)

dresser/changing table: antique

side table: Target years ago (spray painted yellow)

crib skirt: "no sew" DIY, fabric from JoAnn's, tutorial found online

white crib sheet: Wal-Mart

aztec tan pillow: my grandfather's sweater made into a pillow

other pillows: here and there ?

stuffed animals: IKEA

ottoman/pouf: Target

characters on wall : Hobby Lobby

shelves: DIY (bought brackets at local antique store)

wood/bark pencils: TJMaxx

blocks: gift from friend (etsy)

lantern: antique

succulents: TJMaxx and Garden Ridge

"Locally Grown" print: DIY on photoshop

"I knew you" print: DIY on photoshop

"You are deer to me" print: Printed Pallette

"Born to be Wild" print: Printed Pallette

"I could eat you up" print: DIY on photoshop

wood slice art: DIY gift from friend

orange initials: Hobby Lobby cardboard letters spray painted

window cornices: DIY (fabric from spoonflower)

white sheer curtains under cornices: Wal-Mart

fox pillow: homemade (fabric from local store)

faux fur: Hobby Lobby

toy jack: Hobby Lobby

frames: Hobby Lobby (Annie Sloan chalk paint)

driftwood frame: homemade with scrap pieces

orange owl: Garden Ridge

raccoon print: local antique auction

owl night light: Cracker Barrel

gold metal reading light: local antique auction

rocking horse: L.L.Bean (was my little brother's, added moose antler headband)

organic basket: mother-in-law's garage (haha)

shag rug: Garden Ridge

birch vase: Hobby Lobby

bunny piggy bank: mine when I was a child

DIY : Freezer Paper Onesie

I got into one of my crafty moods the other day and decided to make Baby Jack some custom onesies. I posted them on my Instagram but thought I'd do a quick tutorial here so that all you other crafy mamas can make some too!

[photos taken with iPhone]

What you'll need:

• Onesie (Gerber onesie from Wal-Mart)
• Freezer paper (Wal-Mart)
• Fabric paint (Hobby Lobby)
• Iron
• Sponge brush (Hobby Lobby)
• Exacto knife (Hobby Lobby)
• Sheet or other thin fabric

STEP 1

Using the Exacto knife, cut out a design on the freezer paper to make your stencil. I did this on a cutting board. Keep in mind, if you are using letters/words, you have to cut them out backwards.

STEP 2

Once the freezer paper stencil is made, iron it onto the onesie shiny side down. Do not steam the stencil.

STEP 3

Using the sponge brush, dab the fabric paint onto the onesie. After it dries, do a second coat for better coverage.

STEP 4

Allow the paint to dry for at least an hour. Peel off freezer paper, and WAH-LAH!

STEP 5

To set the paint before washing, iron over the dry paint with a sheet or other thin fabric inbetween the onesie and iron.

And if you're anything like me, you won't be satisified with just one. Here are some others that I've made...

[photo taken with iPhone]

Good luck, and Happy Onesie-Making!

XO

DIY :: Succulent Terrarium

     Ok, I have to confess: I've been wanting to do a DIY post for a very long time. Why the wait, you may wonder. Well, I thought maybe by posting DIY projects my blog would be a little, well, all over the place. And then I realized, it's already all over the place. Just like me. Thank you, blog, for representing me in such an accurate light: scattered ideas, covered in pictures and smothered with love (scattered, covered, smothered- anyone want some Waffle House?).  So, I've decided that since it's my blog, it can be whatever I want it to be. It's my journey and my story, right? Who says I can't add DIY posts to my photography blog every now and then? My blog is a big ol' melting pot of all things ME. 

     Another confession: Pinterest has gotten the best of me. I am an addict tried-and-true. Absolutely no denying it. If you haven't checked this site out, you HAVE to... especially if you're interested in home design, fashion, DIY projects or photography (just naming a few). It's a fun place to find inspiration- which is exactly why I mentioned it. (Fair warning- plan an becoming an addict as well. Don't say I didn't warn you!) Pinterest inspired me to make my own Succulent and Moss Terrarium. Something about succulents make me happy. They are so cute and so full of personality. I often think of my mom when I see them. She has always had them in her house or on the porch ever since I can remember. Anything that reminds me of her is worth having around.

     Making a succulent terrarium took me 30 minutes, at the most. Anyone can do this- it's so easy, and so FUN! It would even be a good activity to do with the little ones.

Materials:  

• Assortment of Succulents - these can be found at any plant or home improvement store. I found these at Home Depot. They were only $1.50 each- what a steal :) 

• Terrarium or Glass Jar - I found both of these at Michael's. The large one with a lid was $9.99 and the small one was $3.50.

• Stones or Pebbles - I've had these lying around but you can get them at Home Depot or Lowe's. Feel free to get creative with color! 

• Moss and Soil - I actually know of a place on the edge of our woods that's very mossy so I went the free route here. Can't you just invision me digging up moss, in the dark, with a flashlight, and my pajamas on. Hold back the laughter. If you're not into moss spotlighting,  Michael's has foe moss that will do the trick. 

Steps:

1. Place the stones in the bottom of the jar, about 1-2 inches high. This allows the water to drain through the soil rather than sit at the bottom.

2. Very carefully place the succulents in the center of the jar on top of the stones. This was probably the most challenging step. The succulents are very fragile. While holding them in place I accidentally knocked off some of the leaves :( Organize them in a way that is flattering- I tried to place them so that the ones that were the same color were separated by ones of different color. Also, I like altering the heights so that some of the shorter ones were beside the taller ones. Spice it up a little ;) After placing them where I wanted, I spooned soil around the succulents until they held themselves up. I did pack the soil in, but not too tight. Also, make sure you use soil that drains well and isn't as moist as others. Succulents like dry, arid soil. 

3. Lastly, add the moss and Wah-Lah! You're done. Isn't it lovely? Oh, and don't forget to water it, just a little. Now, if only I can keep these guys alive. Wish me luck :) 

Oh, and I made this one for my kitchen window sill. 

Succulent Care Tips:

Succulents would rather you ignore them than lavish them with attention. This way they'll actually grow better.

When the soil is completely dried out, spritz your succulent with water from a spray bottle to keep it from getting too parched.

Full sun is best!

If your succulent develops any brown leaves, simply pull them off and let the plant keep growing.

Give your succulent a breath of fresh air once in a while by placing it on a porch or a balcony.