For the first time in years, I'm looking forward to some serious downtime this summer. Snowpeak Retreat makes it easy to want to be hiking, on the lake and taking afternoon naps. We have a longer than usual fourth of July break, and dedicated weekends with friends in the sun! So I'm thinking long and hard about planning for easy days by the water, and want to share some of my favorite items* for being just that -- easy days!

craft: free fourth of july printable

The important thing about creativity is to always try something new, challenge yourself and learn a new skill. I’ve been thinking about creating downloadable digital files for my Etsy shop, but don't have the experience of original digital designs (that people will pay money for!). Since I have the drive and creativity, today’s project takes one of my watercolors and challenges me to utilize my digital skills to create a unique design.

home: easy open shelves - a success story

You probably grabbed a glimpse of the open shelves we added to Snowpeak Retreat with the kitchen update, but this easy DIY project wasn't as straightforward as it looks. Let me run through the challenges and win of this project, and inspire you to just do it yourself in the first place (learn your lessons from this lady).

craft: DIY Lake Tahoe subway art

Subway art was always something I saw in stores, online and magazines, and thought that it would be a fun project to try not buy. (I do that a lot, actually.) With so many blank walls at Snowpeak Retreat, this was my chance to add this fun creative project to my list of DIY challenges.

sew: tested (useful) fabric scrap projects

I'm Debbie and I'm a fabric hoarder. First, it started with paper and the attractive prints and weights. But then fabric came into focus and before you could put your thimble on, I had a stacked assortment that was collecting dust more than it was being used on projects.

My Pinterest board - Sewing and Knitting - collects ideas that will one day bring this stack to a limited supply and I would have shelf space again. That day turned into weeks, months, years ... It's a sad story that many crafty homes across the world can tell (thinking you quilters are guilty of this fabric pleasure).

home: decorate on the cheap

Let's face it: sometimes it's just easier to buy the finished item than actually making it. There is still a solid amount of pleasure creating something from scratch and showing it off as your piece, so don't stop doing that. But home trends change quickly and the cost of purchasing materials for a project that you may never make again is just not worth it.

organize: pictures and memories

Scrapbooking used to be life for me. I would spend entire spring or holiday breaks pulling together pictures of sorority events and hunting down the perfect matching scrapbook paper and stickers. I spent hours coming up with new page layouts and fitting as many pictures as possible on one page.