Smells like Thanksgiving. Tastes like it too?

Pinterest has turned us all into DIYers. And Starbucks has turned the world into Pumpkin Spice obsessives. So it was a sudden whim of obvious genius when I decided to make Homemade Pumpkin Spice Soap.

I'd never made soap before, and I've got to say, having done so now, it's a weird idea to me. Melting down soap base, adding color and scent (in this case pumpkin spice), and reforming it into soap seems a bit silly and redundant. But it's easy and fun, and it leaves you with something personal and handmade.  

There's loads of links and DIY resources and ideas on Pinterest. The one soap making tip I have... use a plastic silicone mold, don't pour into glass containers to harden. Other than that, it's easier than (pumpkin spice) pie.

DIY: Easy Afternoon Stamping

This is a Pinterest find that I just think is so brilliant in it's simplicity. A quick craft that anyone can do with items they  have around the house–a rubber stamp made from a pencil eraser!

This blogger over at Cut & Paste used the stamp to make simple and adorable stationary, tags and wrapping paper.

If you're looking for a bigger cutting surface or different texture, try a cork! Another reason to drink more wine!

Cut, Pasted and Pinned

Before there was Pinterest, I  had scissors, glue, bulletin boards... and my little blue book.

Pinterest has greatly organized my life. As a crafty crafter, the ideas pile up, get lost and often forgotten. Before the internet knew how to sort and categorize my thoughts and ideas, I would paste magazine tear-outs and illustrate ideas in notebooks.

Pinterest is now my visual bookmarking system. A searchable bulletin board. I still reference and add to my blue book, but Pinterest is my go-to, for how-to's, decor ideas, typography hints and of course, recipes! 

The anxiety is lessened knowing my ideas are neatly pinned, sorted, and shared! If you're a habitual DIYer and you haven't turned to Pinterest for inspiration and stress-free idea filing... I'd recommend making it a New Year's resolution!

Can it.

Growing up with a mother who canned (incessantly), I've been entertained by the resurgence of the Mason Jar. From vases and drinkware, to storage and home decor, people seem mesmerized by finding new-fangled uses for an old-fangled item. 

Check out this Pinterest page devoted entirely to Ball Jars and their alternate uses!

I ove that people discovering the (re)usefulness and beauty of this classic item. For me though... I think the Mason Jar will first and foremost serve as a container to store food! 

Growing on Pinterest

Oh Pinterest, how you waste my days in the most wonderful ways. 

Came across this masterful family trees by French Artist Maissa Toulet, and pinned by Diva Smoker Bohemian. Absolutely love the collage-like approach and the use real natural elements. These are the most poetic trees I've ever seen. 

I had started trying to notate our own family tree a few years back, and the diagram got rather twisted and daunting. Unfortunately it didn't look this nice, and I never completed the project. One to be revisited someday, most certainly. 

Getting Ink Done

So I was browsing these Geometric Tattoo Designs—a lot of which i think are fairly interesting, and I was quite taken with the clean use of clean black and white.

And I was suddenly struck with a thought.... Spirograph tattoos!? Certainly this has been a thing. I turned to Google.

If you're not familiar with Spirographs they are a geometrical drawings of symmetrical curve patterns. And i was right in assuming they'd make lovely tattoos. It most definitely is a thing in the tattoo world, perhaps not quite up to I [heart] mom standards but a thing nonetheless. I think this pattern would be intriguing on a joint, say like a shoulder or an elbow. 

 

All that said, I am also quite taken with several of the lace tattoo designs you can see on this Tattoo Inspiration Pinterest board (much more so by the lace than all the butterflies!). The intricacy of the pattern detailing is so delicate and beautiful, it makes a tattoo suddenly seem much more feminine. 

And no mom, I'm not currently planning my next tattoo. Just admiring. 

Go To Snickerdoodles

Thank you to Pinterest for this new Go To for Snickerdoodles.

From Lovin' From the Oven, these are buttery, soft and amazing. Two swings at this recipe and two homeruns!

From Lovin' From the Oven

Baked, tasted and approved! Click here for the full recipe.

Five Inspiring Pins

Pinterest went fully mobile this week launching apps for iPad and Android. Pinterest is officially the third most visited U.S. social network and is no longer by invite only, and is open to all.  

In  honor of the app debut, here's 5 Pinworthy Pins for the week.

An Inspiring Pyrex Collection

Kevin & Robin's – Pyrex Obsession

An Inspiring Library 
Christine Martinez – Interiors I Dream Of

An Inspiring DIY
Bright.Bazaar – Crafting & DIY Ideas

An Inspiring Smoothie Palette
Josie Goldberg – food glorious food

Some Design Inspiration

Jamie Wagnor – Design Inspiration

Got time to kill? Join Pinterest and consider it killed (or pinned).
Follow my personal pinning habits here.