Christmas Creations

I have really struggled to make some diy posts after writing about Africa but I have accepted that I am where I am for this season. And I will continue to write about what brings me joy while I am in this stage of my life. 

Naturally my posts will shift as I become pregnant, possibly move overseas, enter into new seasons, but until then I will share yummy recipes and diy crafts.

So with that said, here are some gifts Michael and I created for Christmas:

1. A laptop case for Timothy, made out of a cool plaid skirt, some grey felt, and quilt batting.

I even added a pocket in the front for the charger. I really liked how it turned out!

2. Michael made a box for Evan's art supplies.

It has a little drawer in the top for brushes. 

Here they are at Christmas, Evan with his box and Michael with his sweet wine rack that Evan made. I love handy/crafty/creative men! (Oh and their new pj pants) 

3. I made a pen and ink piece of art for Sami and Jonathan. Michael created this beautiful frame.

The verse in the middle says:

"By wisdom a house is built,

and through understanding

it is established;

through knowledge its rooms are filled

with rare and beautiful treasures"

-Proverbs 24:3-4

I love lots of details and lines! I am really happy with it. 

4. I made a quilted picture book for my nephew Liam. 

The cover says "Who loves Liam?" and then I added 8 pages that say "Mommy loves Liam", "Aunt Merrill loves Liam", "Abi loves Liam", etc. 

I was going to create a diy blog with instructions on how to make it, but I decided there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Here is Susan Weinroth's blog. She has great instructions. Her blog is actually the blog I stumbled across that led me to start quilting 2 years ago. 

What new crafty creations have you made recently? 

DIY Pretty white board

Super simple but unique way of creating a white board.

Bailey and I created these together, you can view her blog here. 

What you need:

-Fabric or scrapbook paper

-scissors (or paper cutter) and glue

-Frame, the size that you want the board to be.

**Buy frames that are in good shape at a thrift store. They will cost you less than $2. No need to buy a brand new frame**

1. Take your frame apart.

2. Cover the backing with paper or fabric. 

You can cover that matting separately if you like or just put a single piece of paper or fabric in the frame.

3. Put the frame back together

4. And done! You can write and rewrite as many times as you like :)

*we put ours in the bathroom and use to write reminders and love notes of course. 

You can use it as a "To Do" list or create a weekly menu calendar like the one below:

Enjoy your crafting!!

Simple Wreath DIY

This project has been floating around pintrest and facebook and I decided to give it a shot!

You will need:

-Styrofoam ring (I got it for $5 at JoAnn's)

-Yarn

-Scrap Fabric

-Hot Glue gun

1. To make the wreath, simply wrap yarn around the ring!

2. I decorated mine with fabric flowers. (Sorry bad lighting on the final picture, I will add a new picture soon!)

How to make fabric flowers:

1. Cut out a strip of fabric

2. Fold it in half and begin tightly rolling it.

3. Add a dot of hot glue as you wrap the fabric around

4. After you've created the rolled center, begin twisting the fabric around, adding hot glue to hold it together

5. Cut off excess fabric and hot glue it to the back of the flower.

6. I glued all my flowers together and backed them with felt.

7. Then hot glue to your wreath!

*note: the longer the strip of fabric, the bigger the flower!