DIY: Mason Jar Flower Tops

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Something about Mason Jars just feels easy going and we really love them.  If you’ve been collecting mason jars over the years you might be wondering what to do with them.  Try a Mason Jar Flower Top.  They turn out adorable!

How to Make a Pin Cushion

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We love to use supplies we already have and turn them into something adorable and functional.

Here’s how to make a Mason Jar Pin Cushion!  If you love it please pin it and share it!!

How to Make Fabric Flowers

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Forget buying fabric flowers on Etsy – these Fabric Flowers are a great way to use what you have and dress up any outfit!

A favorite DIY flower pin!

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This is one of our staffs favorite DIY flower.  We all got together over lunch one day and made these for ourselves and our moms.   You can easily make these adorable flowers in about 20 mins. from start to finish. 

We originally found this lovely tutorial on Creature Comforts blog, but wanted to recreate with a little bit of vintage flair.

Follow the steps below – and please be cautious! There is a flame involved, so this project is not recommended for children. Make sure you take proper precautions so you don’t burn yourself or light something on fire.

Here’s What You Do:

1. Cut 5 or 6 circles of fabric (we used a silky nylon fabric) in 3 different sizes.

2. Using a candle, very carefully melt the edges of the circle by placing the fabric close but not in the flame. If you put the fabric directly in the flame, it will burn and leave black marks. Do this all the way around the edge of the circle and repeat on the other circles.

3. Cut 4 slits into your burned-edged circle so it is quartered. Make sure you only cut about 1/4 of the way through the fabric and not all the way to the center.

4. Using the same process in step 2, melt the edges of the inside of the slits in the candle.

5. Repeat on all other pieces.

6. Then, nest the circles within one another, smallest circle on top to make it look like a flower.

7. Using your thread, add a few stitches in the center of the flower to secure all of the pieces together.

8. Add a pretty vintage trinket to the middle with hot glue, and add a pin to the back so you can pin it to your shirt, your bag or a package.

And that’s it! To see a more indepth description of how to burn the edges of the petals, visit the Creature Comforts blog – she has a great video over there.

What would you use your flowers for?

DIY: Cute Crochet Flower

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Crocheted clothing and accessories are very popular, with people of all generations enjoying the craft. One of the more creative ways to decorate crocheted items is with the use of crocheted flowers.   Below is a Machine Shed DIY on how to create these cute crocheted flowers!

 

Easy Egg Garland – Great to do with kids!

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Easter is right around the corner, which means you are probably decorating and getting ready for the holiday.

Pinterest is loaded with different DIY egg and Easter ideas, and we found a paint chip egg garland that we thought we would recreate for you today.

It is bright, fun and easy enough to do with kids.

Here’s what you’ll need:

- 10 to 12 paint chips with 2 or 3 colors on each chip (We used Lowe’s paint chips)

- Yarn

- An Egg Stencil (Use this one we created for you)

- A pencil

- Scissors

- A single hole punch

- Scotch Tape

 

Here’s what you do:

 

1. First you will trace place your egg stencil on the back side of your paint chip. Make sure you are tracing on the side that doesn’t have the name of the paint chip color, and try to line it up so the white line separating the colors is near the center of the egg stencil. This will make it look like the egg is dipped in different colors.

2. After you trace all of your eggs, carefully cut out each one, following the pencil line you drew on the back.

3. Then, punch two holes about 1/2 in apart from each other near the top of each egg.

4. Next, cut a piece of yarn to the length of your choice (we used a 3 foot piece of yarn) and start stringing your eggs onto the yarn. You’ll want to make sure you put the yarn through the top side of the first hole (see image above) and then bring it back through the bottom side of the second hole. This will allow you to secure the back so the egg doesn’t slip on the yarn.

5. Add a small piece of tape to the backside of the egg to hold the yarn in place. Flip the eggs over and hang on your mantel, on your desk or in a doorway!

Easy, right?

Try it out and post your pictures on the Machine Shed Facebook page!

Adorable Felt Eggs – easy to make!

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Here’s a super simple sewing project and oh so cute for Easter – Felt Easter Eggs!

Supplies:

Felt squares

Egg Template (Click to Download)

Assorted ribbons

Scissors

Sewing Machine

Poly-Fill Stuffing

Fabric Glue

 

Instructions

 

Cut out two felt egg shapes using this template (click to download)

Place strips of ribbon across eggs on right side of felt.

Place the second felt egg cutout right side in on top.

Sew around the three edges, leave the bottom open. Turn inside out and stuff with poly-fill. Glue the bottom with fabric glue.

And there you have it! Super simple felt Easter Eggs.

What’s your favorite Easter DIY? Share it in the comments below!

Taxes: DIY or Pay a Professional?

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Taxes – Do it yourself or Pay a Professional?

 When should you do your own, use a tax filing company or hire a tax accountant?

We compiled several different reviews to help you with the process, however we are no experts.

Should I do my taxes myself?

Information written by: Dorothy Bland • edited by: Donna Cosmato • updated: 3/8/2011

The less complicated your tax situation, the more sense it makes to file on your own. For example, if you have only worked one job during the year and are not claiming itemized deductions, then filing on your own is a straightforward process.

Should I pay to have my taxes prepared?

If you are self-employed, own your own business, or need to itemize your deductions, then an accountant can prove useful. If you think you qualify for education, child tax, retirement savings contributions, or other credits having an accountant can help you get the largest possible return.

 Below is a list of different options to have your taxes prepared, review and see which one best fits your needs.   Sourced from William Perez, About.com Guide

1.  Using Retail tax franchises such as H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax Service offer competent tax service for individuals who need to file relatively straight-forward tax returns. Some tax preparers will be more experienced than others, and you can sometimes find CPAs and Enrolled Agents working in these offices. Prices are often determined by how many tax forms need to be filled out. Here’s a tip: ask if you can meet with a CPA, enrolled agent, or senior tax preparer. You’ll pay the same, but you’ll get to speak with a seasoned professional.
2. Local, independent tax firms often specialize in the tax needs of individuals and small businesses in their neighborhood. Again, some independent tax accountants will be more experienced than others. Ask if the firm has the expertise to handle your taxes.
3. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are accountants who have passed the rigorous CPA Exam and are licensed by the state they work in. CPAs will specialize in a specific area, such as audits, tax, or business consulting. CPAs are best at complex accounting work, and not all CPAs handle tax issues.
4. Tax attorneys are lawyers who have chosen to specialize in tax law. Often, tax attorneys will have a master of laws degree in taxation (LL.M.) in addition to the required juris doctor (J.D.) degree. Attorneys are best at complex legal matters, such as preparing estate tax returns or taking your case before the US Tax Court.

 

 

 

 

5 Tips to keeping your work desk clean

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 Written by staff writer Stacy Christoffersen

5 Tips to keeping a clean desk

 Take a quick look at your work space – is it time for a little organization?  Award winner Jennifer Garnica, who recently won the office’s “Cleanest Desk Award”, gives us all tips on how to keep a neat and tidy work space.

 

1.  Keep a file for every category of your job. 

I am an accountant, I keep separate folders for:

• Accounts receivable           
• Accounts payable
• Payroll
• End of month items

If your individual files become too large, you might have to do a monthly folder for each category.

2.  Deal with items in your inbox immediately.

This is true for both electronic and paper inboxes – open it and make a quick decision to file it or delete it.  Your inbox should not be a “hold for later” box.

3.  Finish a project or job before starting the next project. 

Keeping your focus is key to staying organized.  Of course, this may vary by the nature of your work.

4.  Replace personal objects, do not add to it.  

If you child makes an art project, display it, when they make another project, remove that project and replace with the current one – do not continue to add.  This also goes for pictures.

5.  Take the last 10 mins. of your day to organize and get ready for the next day.

Just to be fair, I took a picture of my work space and I have already been working on steps 4 and 5.

What tips do you have to share that keep your work space clean?

 

So Easy, Bacon Hearts!

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This took just a few minutes to prep in our Machine Shed test kitchen and all of our staff were “Wowed” by the end result – we think the bacon lovers in your life will also be “Wowed”!