How to set up your profile to receive replys to your comments via email....

I fear this might be kind of basic.  Although, I wasn't aware of it until a couple of weeks ago, and considering the number of comments I get without a way to respond by email, I'm guessing I wasn't the only one in the dark.

Did you know you can set up your profile to allow for email reply's to your comments?  It's super easy, and makes commenting so much more fun!  I've been amazed at how many sweet responses I've gotten from bloggers since updating this feature in my own profile.  Responses I probably wasn't getting before because they didn't have a way to contact me directly without going on a hunt.

From your Dashboard, go to "Edit Profile".  You'll want to make sure "Show my email address" is checked and that you've filled in the "Email Address" field under Identity.



It's that easy!  If you have any questions at all, just ask. 


Tell me, am I the only one who didn't know about this?  Do you have your profile set up so you can receive replys?

p.s. Don't forget to enter the giveaway from Catching Fireflies! 

For our mamas {How to Make a Terrarium}....

I know, Mother's Day was almost two weeks ago, but I still wanted to share what we made for our mamas! Inspiration hit me, and I just knew we had to make terrariums for them!  They sure turned out cute, if I do say so myself. Jon and I had a blast picking out the succulents and assembling them.  They made the perfect, unique and pretty gift for our sweet moms.  

How to make a terrarium, {based on my research}:

1. Pick out your container {vase, jar, bowl, etc.} and plants. {succulents work well}
2. Start with a layer of small pebbles.
3. Layer of Spanish Moss.
4. Potting soil.
5. Plants.
6. More small and decorative pebbles. {we also added a little frog and turtle}

The best part about these, is they need very little water, so they're easy to keep alive.


Don't you think they're fun, and summery? I kinda want one for myself!

To see my inspiration, and other oh-so-pretty examples visit my terrarium pinboard!

3 things to Make this Weekend: A DIY Tutorial List

It's that time of the week again! Are you figuring out what's on your to-do or to-make lists yet?  I know I am.  I'll mostly be painting orders, but if I get a few spare minutes, I might just tackle one of these easy DIY projects. 

1.Twenty Minute Totes by the Purl Bee {found via IHOD} 
These look super simple, even for a novice seamstress like me.  I think it's all about finding cute fabric!

2. Coffee Can Lanterns via Design Sponge
I've had this tutorial tucked away for ages, and now with warm weather approaching, I'm ready to make it a reality. I'd love to stick some citronella candles in these and help make some mood lighting for drinks on my patio.

3. First Project:  Easy tshirt Scarf via Made This Love This
Have you heard about Indiana Austin's newest project?  The darling face of Adored Austin just launched a new social, DIY site called Made This Love This.  It's just getting started, and this is the first project.  Indiana learned to sew not too long ago and is looking for a community with which to practice and share.  Sounds super fun to me!  This first project doesn't even involve sewing and is super simple.  I made a quick version the other day, but I'm determined to whip up another one this weekend!  Come join us! 

3 things to Make this Weekend: A DIY Tutorial List

I don't know about you all, but this is about the time of the week that I start thinking about what to do this weekend.

I have an ever growing pin board of things to make, and I thought I'd start sharing some of them here with you, because I know alot of you like making stuff too.  I'm constantly amazed at the incredible DIY tutorials from around the web, and all the pretty things one could spend their time creating. 

1. DIY Paperclips by Chelsea from Lovely Indeed {found via The Sweetest Occasion}

Wouldn't these be an adorable add on to greeting cards?  I'd love to sit down with my calendar and make up a bunch for upcoming events!

 2. Mini Cupcake Stand DIY Tutorial by Modern Moments {found via Papernstitch}

I mean, seriously, who can resist a mini cupcake stand.  For reals.

 3. Make Up Magnet Board by LauraThoughts

I LOVE this idea!  Sort of reminds me of my necklace holder.  I could totally see the two next to eachother, and that would free up a drawer in my bathroom vanity!

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Have you found any great tutorials lately?  What's next on your to-make list?

Make Do and Mend #1: Elbow Patches

I've had this jean jacket forever, and last year it developed a dreaded hole in the elbow.  I wore it with the hole for a while, but then I started feeling like a bum, so I put it away in the closet.

There it sat.

I'm not one to rush out to buy something new, just cause something I have needs mending.  I'm frugal like that. 


One day, while browsing through the Gap on my lunchbreak, I came across a jean jacket with leather elbow patches.

Ah-Hah!  {Insert lightbulb above my head}

So, for months, I've had this little project on my to-do list.

Saturday, it finally happened.

Easy peasy.  I made a trip to JoAnn's and picked up some suede elbow patches with pre-punched holes for stitching and some matching thread.

I covered the hole with a patch and pinned it in place.  Then, I tried it on and checked the placement in a mirror.  Once I was satisfied, I lined up the other sleeve and placed that patch accordingly.

Once both patches were placed, I tried it on again, just to make sure I liked the way they sat.

I'm not going to lie, this did take some time.  Since you're adding patches to a sleeve, it has to be hand sewn, so you might want to watch a movie or something while you sew.  I listened to Pandora while I worked on it.

Then again, I'm not the most experienced seamstress, so you might be faster than me.  It took me a while to get the hang of it.

And I most definitely got the needle turned around once and stabbed myself pretty good.

I'm happy with the way it turned out.  Part of me kinda wishes I'd used brown patches, but I do wear black alot, so it will match almost everything. 

Now I have a like-new jean jacket, and just in time for spring! 

Have you mended anything lately?  I'd love to hear about it!  If you've done a post, leave the link in the comments.  If not, tell us about it!

What are you Making Do with?

Repurposed Frame Necklace Holder Tutorial...

Hey, remember in my New Year's post how I said I'd bring you a tutorial once a month? Well, here I am, being true to my word! {Hooray for goals!}

My first tutorial for 2011 is this super simple Repurposed Frame Necklace Holder that I've been wanting to make for a long time!  One snowy afternoon, I decided to make it happen, and it was really so simple!  We're talking a 10-15 minute project once you have all your supplies ready.  If you're anything like me, you'll spend more time arranging your necklaces than making the frame!   I really love the way it turned out, too.  It gives the perfect funky vibe to my side of the bathroom, and it's great to finally be able to see all my options at a glance.

My inspiration came from this image I had pinned on Pinterest, originally from here.

Okay, here we go...

All you need is an old frame,a couple of branches, some hand snips and a hot glue gun.  {And possibly some paint if you so wish.}

I picked this frame up about a year and half ago at Goodwill for a couple of bucks.  My original thought was to make it into a chalkboard, but then I lost interest.  It's been hanging out in the coat closet ever since.


1. You'll need to paint your frame prior to starting this project.  Mine was already painted, so I skipped this step.

2. Lay your branches out and decide how you want them to fit.  Keep in mind that your necklaces will hang down from your branches, so you'll need to space them accordingly.

3. Snip each branch to a length that will allow for a very snug fit with your frame.  {like, I'm talking having to bend the branch just a smidgen to slide it in there.}

4. Squeeze some hot glue onto the frame, and then Place branch over the glue.  Squeeze more glue on top of the branch to hold it in place.  {Repeat for each branch.}

6. Allow to dry.

7. Hang in your bathroom, closet or bedroom, and arrange your necklace collection into your very own work of art!

8. Enjoy!  {Mine makes me happy every day!}

*************************************************************************

If you decide to make one for yourself, I'd love to see pictures!  I might even post them here on the blog! 

And, as always, let me know if you have any questions!

Fall Bunting Tutorial...

I am so excited to share with you all today the very first tutorial here on jdavissquared!

I have been in love with buntings for a long, long time, and finally decided it was time to make one.  This is so simple you guys!  All it takes is a little time and minimal sewing skills to produce a super cute decoration that you'll be able to use for years to come.

The one I created is for fall, but you could easily use any color combo you like for holidays, birthdays, or just to add some spunk to a room.

You will need:

• at least 2 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 inch felt in any colors you like
• ribbon of your choosing {approximately 7 feet long}
• straight pens
• scissors
• a ruler
• thread to match/contrast
• sewing machine {or the patience to sew by hand}

{I forgot to picture the ribbon and thread!}

1.  Fold your felt in half longways.  I used 4 colors in mine, and this yielded enough to make two full buntings {*plus a bonus one, that I'll show you later}.  If you want to only cut for one, you can cut them in half longways, or only use two colors.

2. Mark the corners of your triangles with the straight pens. Download a template here.

3. Once you've marked your corners, cut your triangles. You'll want to use good sewing scissors so you get a clean cut.   If you've folded your felt in half, you will have to separate some of them down the seam by cutting like this:

4. Leave about 8 inches of ribbon on the end, and then start pinning your flags onto the back side of the ribbon.  You'll want the flags to touch at the corners.  Place your 24 flags all in a row and leave another 8 inches on the other end.  {You can easily make your strand longer or shorter to your liking by adding or subtracting flags.}

5. Once you've pinned all your flags, sew them with your machine.  {Or, if you're like me, and the machine hates you, you can ask your sweet husband if he'll pause the football game and come help you.  Yes, I'm that lucky!}   I used a zig zag stitch on mine in contrasting thread to give a little extra detail.

6.  Remove your pins.

7. Wha-lah!  Cute bunting!

I hung mine across our mantle using a little masking tape in a hidden spot to secure.  {You could also tie the ends to something.}  And look, down in the bottom right corner, even Chloe likes it!

*bonus...the extra end pieces of your felt, can be made into a mini-bunting!  I used the extra ribbon and these extra pieces to create a little something for the pantry door.  Who says you can't decorate the kitchen for fall too!?

I hope you all enjoy this inaugural tutorial!  If you decide to make one, I'd love, love, love to see pictures!

Thanks everyone!