Top Reader Posts - February 3

• My next comment comes by way of only a little bit of jealousy. . .How do these people think of this crap?!? Now remember I make (didn't say think of) crafty crap so crap is a term of endearment--most of the time anyway. Here are two examples: First we have wreaths made from a book and a wire hanger. . .(Words and Wire from Wendy at The Shabby Nest), then we move onto the even more creative Toilet Paper Roll Art from The How to Gal (I am still a bit baffled by that one.
  
• Just to wrap up all of the Valentine's Day crap (not a term of endearment) here are some ideas you can use for making Valentine's Day crap (term of endearment) for your friends or family.
  
  • The gals at How Does She... have compiled many ideas for several Valentine's Day related posts. You can get 11 Free Valentine Card Downoads (a few have been featered in other Top Reader Posts), 11 Easy to Make Valentine's Card Ideas, and Super Fun Valentine Activities all by clicking the link you are interested in reading.
    
  • You can also go to Under the Table and Dreaming where Stephanie Lynn has a tutorial for making a Valentine's Mailbox for your home.
    
  • There are many things you could do with this Playing Card Coupon Booklet w/Template post from JenJena at tatortots & jello. You wouldn't have to limit it to a Valentine's Day project (think Mother's Day, birthdays, Christmas, etc.).
    
  • And finally, the last one I have to post because it includes food. These Chocolate Dipped Heart Treats from Stacy at The Creative Crate look simple and delicious. I am thinking I might make them for Bob's class.
• I have mentioned/featured the rain gutter bookshelves before but this time the post I am featuring has step-by-step directions. Heaven forbid I just get the idea and run with it. . .nooooo, if I have the steps written for me (no matter how simple they may be) I am more likely to do it. Thinking for yourself is highly overrated when someone else has already done the thinking for you (does not reinventing the wheel ring a bell). Anyway moving on from my lazyiness resourcefullness to the links. Kimberly at Raising Olives was so kind as to share the Rain Gutter Book Shelves: Tutorial.
  
• There is a slight baby boom going on in my vacinity (friend, co-worker, friend's siblings, etc.) and I think tag blankets would make a cute gift for some of them. Granted not a cute gift I would ever make but just the same a cute gift maybe one of you will be inspired to make for someone you know. Sumo from Sumo's Sweet Stuff has a Tag Blanet tutorial and if you (like myself) don't get the point of a tag blanket, Sumo explains it at the beginning of the post.
  
• I have decided that Stef at Frugal Home Ideas and I could be good friends because of what I read in her DIY Decorative Balls post. This statement alone, lead me to believe this "I just can't buy knick knacks. Don't get me wrong - I love knick knacks. I walk through the aisles of Home Goods and drool. It's one of the first things I envy in others homes. But when it comes to forking over the cash for a ceramic dog, or in this case, "balls of string" (as my husband named them), I just can't do it. I can't pay for something that doesn't have meaning or function or sentimental value that will just need to be dusted. I hate the idea of spending money on something random purely to take up space. But that doesn't mean I won't accept a gift! Or re do a tacky good will find, or make something from scratch. That I can handle." I will definitely be looking around her blog for more ideas in the very near future.