Felty Balls

Can we ever have a post without a play on words? The answer is no, we can't. We have to be as dirty as possible with these crafty posts!


So felty balls have become a favorite pastime for my mom. Now, I wish I could give you a step by step tutorial on how to do these...but we aren't there yet people! If you want a beginning tutorial, check out this blog post or this one! I think the take away message is to be as creative as possible (obviously, this is usually the end goal...). Here are just a few examples of the felt balls made so far!

My mom obviously hates water and the beach. As evidenced here, here, and here.

Remember Hans and Baer? Obvious cute inspiration:

How cute are the backs?

Part of the decorations in the GetAway Attic

Have any tips for ball felting? Want to share your felting projects! Please share below!

homemade pin cushion

Mobile for Adults

This is not about which cellphone adults use. Mobile structures are not just for newborns! This mobile is made out of different papers and fabrics. Some are cut-outs from paint samples and scrapbook pages, while others are actually pieces of paint. They are strung in random patterns and tied to a spray-painted thrifted metal lamp shade. There are a few seashells attached as well. Easy, Thrifty and Beautiful! This is how it goes with the rest of the room.

BeachHaus Touches, Part 2

Is it cold where you are? Because today was pretty darn chilly in Wisconsin (and will be for the next 4 months...boo!!!). Makes me wish that I was sitting on a beach....

Dining Room: hand painted candle stands, dog organization and bananas. Makes me want to watch a sunrise with a cup of coffee in my hand.

Save that Art! Most pieces of art in the house are pieces we made when we were youngins. This particular picture is glue on a piece of paper, and then colored sands make a pattern. Keep, paint a thrifted frame, and hang!

Part of the staircase. Mom painted the lamp, we seem to have done most of the rest!

More Candle Stands. These can be found at any local thrift store/St. Vinnies/Savers. They may not look like much when you start out, but let your imagination run wild.

Shells and Hammocks

Frames Frames Frames

P.S. Interested in seeing this in real life? Go here and here for details.

have I mentioned our house isn't boring?

I think the one word people wouldn't use to describe my family and our house is boring. Between the German in us, there being 6 of us, and my mom's hatred for the color white, there isn't going to be a dull moment in our house. While this can be a bit daunting for people coming into the family who aren't used to such a commotion, I don't think any of us would have it any other way!

I mean, come on! Who has this in their house? Apparently we do.

Thrifted pull cabinet

Sea Horse Details

Instead of not allowing us to write on the walls (okay, hopefully we are all past the "writing on the wall with markers" stage...maybe), my mom painted 2 wood panels with chalkboard paint and let us go crazy.

While this may not look toooooo out of the ordinary from the front...

Look at the top and inside! The top is mosaic-ed with plate pieces (hand broken for anger release) and fishbowl marbles, while the drawer and legs are

BeachHaus touches

Having newly fulfilled a life long dream to own a house on the beach, my mom went all out on the personal touches for the house. Here are just a few of them:

mosaic-ed mirror, with artist inside. Not only is this a great DIY idea, it lets your release some pent up anger since you have to smash all of the plates yourself!

pillows and side tables

hand-painted thrifted candle stick holders

the doggy area.the picture is a replica that has been modified to look like our retriever Toby. If it were a true depiction of Le Tob, he would only have 1 eye!

one can never have too many candles

Attic Escape

When you have four children...you need a place for yourself. Insert Attic Bedroom here:

saxophones and doctor bags

sands from all of the beaches that have been traveled

the reading nook

Life's a Beach Bathroom

Our family is a beach family - with 6 of us total, it has always been cheaper to rent a house on the beach than to go on a cruise or fly somewhere. Living in Wisconsin, we don't always have that beachy weather available, so my mom turned a bathroom into the beach away from the beach.

walk-in

the brother's side of the bathroom.

DIY frames of different sizes...and since the bathroom is a man's office, a phone is a necessity

thrifted surf board painted to match

life's a beach