Cristmas Crafts

I love decorating for Christmas, but my main problem is my kids! I had 3 kids in 2 years so we really didn't decorate for years. By the time those three were old enough to get serious about decorating, my little man showed up. Sure we would put up our tree, but only use non breakable decor, and somehow things would still get broken. Now that my little guy is 4, and not touching and putting everything in his mouth, I can get serious about decorating again! Now my problem is funding. With 4 kids, and extended family to buy presents for that leaves my decorating budget seriously lacking. So I have decided to start turning my items on hand into Christmas decor.

I started with this wreath:

My daughter Jenna bought this for me last year. She was participating in a church group and earned bucks to spend at a Christmas store. She saved all of her bucks and bought everyone gifts. I was so proud of her using her money for others instead of herself! I gladly hung it on my wall and enjoyed that proud Mama feeling every time I looked at it. I sat her down and explained that I wanted to start making items I have into Christmas decor and she gladly offered her wreath for my first experiment. After a lengthy trip to Hobby Lobby(seriously, who can get through that store in under an hour?) I walked out with some embellishments for 50% off!

So first step was removing all the previous decor from the wreath. I was lucky they used pipe cleaners to attach most of it. There was some glue, but it easily came off. With a good dusting it was just like new.

The only supllies I needed was:
Christmas ribbon
2 poinsettia flowers
1 mistletoe
Wire
Wire cutters
Wreath

I started with the ribbon. I just attached parts of the ribbon with the wire to the wreath in spaces a couple of inches apart. I made sure the wire was hidden underneath the ribbon. After the ribbon was attached I added the flowers and mistletoe. Again, I just attached them to the wreath with the wire, making sure to hide the wire.

Here is what it looked like when I was done:

I love the fact that I used no glue for this! When Christmas is over I will have no problem taking off the embellishments and converting it to a winter theme.

Here it is hanging on my front door:

Not only do I love my new wreath, but Jenna is very happy with how it came out. I know when I want to change it. she will be more than happy helping pick out the new embellishments!

Have you made any new crafts for Christmas this year? I would love to hear and see your crafty items!!!

Kids Gift Guide Part 1

There are a lot of awesome stores in the Storenvyflash30 sale. There are a lot of them that offer items for kids. Which is great because I have 4 kids! So when I started the Kids Gift Guide, I am really listing items I want to get them, or wish I had when they were smaller.

We will start off with Ribbons & Robots' Unicorn.

This is perfect for my oldest, Jamie. She loves anything mythical, and she loves rainbows. I personally love the blue eyes, and the colorful mane.

Next up is Landon's Toy Box's Superhero Peg Person.

This would be for my 4 yr old Monster. I can just see him running around with these sounding off various sound effects. So he just ran in here, saw the picture and said "Cool, I want that". See! Moms always pick the best toys!

Here is another on my wishlist for my kids.  Mollie Dollie - Chloe from The Mollie Shop.

This would be for my Jenna. She loves purple. Anything purple. I could see her snuggling up in bed with Chloe, and dreaming about pretty clothes and hair bows.

I can't leave out my other boy Jesse. For him, I would get Drew Lion by Kiser Krafts.

Jesse loves cats of any kind. He doesn't have a blue one yet, and I think Drew would make a purrrfect addition to his cat collection.

Lastly for today is what I would get them, because they not only need it, they would love it to! I would get all of them Gadget Mon-stors from Lu & Ed.

What a great way to store and protect their DS's while they aren't playing them! There are plenty to choose from, so everyone would get their "own" Mon-stor.

Again, these are just a handful of shops that are participating in the StorenvyFlash30 sale. For a complete list click here. All 50 shops will have their entire stores 30% off for the entire day on December 2, 2013. Cyber Monday is going to be EPIC!

What do you think about the picks for my kids? Would you get these for your kids?

Gifts that Give Back

I have noticed that some shops are giving back to their communities this Christmas. So if you are looking for gifts that give back, here are some products for you!

We will start off with a collaboration Ornament that was designed by 2 shop owners. Cody of Lu & Ed and Danielle of Squshies designed this limited edition holiday ornament featuring Gabos, Lu & Ed's mascot. 50% of the sale price will be donated to Drumm Farm, a home for kids and young adults in the Missouri foster care system. http://drummforkids.org/

I love Gabos and think he would be a perfect addition to any Christmas tree! You can find him over at Lu & Ed's shop.

Next up is for the writers in your life. Little House of Crafting created this button to help support National Novel Writing Month.

 50% of sale price will go to support National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org)!
You can find it at Little House of Crafting's shop.

Lastly Fairy Tale Accessories does a variety of donations to multiple organizations. So today I will show you one part of her Breast Cancer Awareness collection.

This Breast Cancer Angel Blessing Stretch Bangle is gorgeous. Proceeds go towards "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Fund" of American Cancer Society. You can find it here at Fairy Tales Accessories shop.

I love businesses that give back to their communities, and think we as consumers need to fully support them! Have you seen any other businesses giving back this year? If so, please leave a link in the comments!

Around the House Gift Guide

OK, I had to take a couple days off from my Gift Guides due to my husband and kids all being home this weekend. :) So now I am back and ready to go!

Today we are going to see what Cyber Monday Storenvy Flash sale has to offer for Around the House.

My first pick would be this lovely handmade Large Owl Rug - Rope Rug by Twisted Thread and Hook

This would be a great addition to any room in your house, and I can't get enough owls!

Next on my list would be this Deluxe Wine Set by Mystic Eye Creations.

I am known to enjoy a bottle of wine after the kiddos go to bed, and I think this set would be perfect for any wine lover!

Along with the Wine Set, I think these Multicolored Chevron Coaster Set by Sweet Pepper Parties would be a great addition.

I can just see me now, my wine time would be heaven with all the accessories!

Lastly I can't forget my Husband. He loves to cook and I think these Star Wars Comic Pot Holders by Poppy's Garden Gate would be a great gift for him!

I can imagine him using these exclusively, and never touching the other pot holders in our house!

These items are just a small sample of the products offered in the Storenvyflash30 sale happening on Cyber Monday, December 2, 2013. For a complete list of shops click here. All stores will have 30% off for the entire day, just use the code storenvyflash30.

Would you use any of these in your home?

Cuteness Gift Guide

Who doesn't love items that are over the top cute? Sometimes I will see something and instantly have to have it because I automatically say "awwwwwwwww". So as I was making my wishlist from the #Storenvyflash30 sale, I saw these items. Instantly my heart squeezed and I knew this was something I wanted! Hopefully you can use these items to cross someone off your to buy list too!

First on my cuteness list are these adorable Cupcake Cellphone/Bag Charms by Afua Handmade.

What can I say? These are not only loaded up with cuteness, but when she says she can offer them scented I realized what everyone was getting from me for Christmas! I will take one of each please!

Next up would be Santa and Mrs.Claus amigurumi by mohu.

This absolutely amazes me! These are handmade! Every time I see these little Christmas wonders I am astounded by the talent that it takes to create these.

Now we move on to Tree and Bird Cute Stickers by Adore by Nat.

Not only do I want to find these stickers in my stocking, I am also tempted to wrap all my presents in brown paper and stick these all over them! I can also imagine having whole scrapbook pages themed around these.

Lastly I will leave you with Kira Kira Kawaii's Owl Resin Heart Necklace.

The second I saw this I thought of my daughter. Owl? Check. Peace sign? Check. Sparkly? Check. Pink and blue?. Check. Perfect gift!



Hopefully you have have looked over #Storenvyflash30 sale that is happening on December 2, 2013. Everything in 50 shops will be 30% off. If you haven't checked it out yet, you can by clicking here.

Which item would you ask for?

Get Warmer Gift Guide

This time of year is perfect for finding those gifts that can keep you a little bit warmer. With temperatures dropping, and snow starting to fall in some places, now is the perfect time to get warm gifts. Here are a few of my favorites.

Toasty toes are the way to go for me. We have no carpeting in my house and socks are a must! I would appreciate any of the many socks from Sandys Shop, but these Vintage Geometric Pattern Socks - Green look perfect for those cold mornings.

Next up would be some Pink/Purple/Green Fingerless Gloves by Jaime D Designs. I love having my fingers free so I can operate my phone and knobs in the car.

I also love knitted hats. I can't have enough! I normally have 3-4 hats laying around.  Tiger Knitty. made this Slanty Shanty Unisex Beanie and it is the perfect color for me.

This Levi Hat for 6-12 month old's by June's Pretty Things would look adorable on any baby!!

Last but not least, if you are not a hat fan, then the Ear Warmers are the way to go. My girls love ear warmers because they can wear them as headbands while in school. I am thinking some Hot Pink Ear Warmers from The Knotty Boutique just might show up in their stockings.

Don't forget that all of these shops are participating in a HUGE Cyber Monday sale. On December 2, 2013 51 shops will have 30% off everything, just use code Storenvyflash30. Please come check all the goods here!

Whats your favorite item to help you warm up?

Christmas Crazies Gift Guide

I know you have one of those people on your list this year. One of those that goes crazy for holiday decorations, you know, the Griswold's gone crazy! Everyone has one of those Christmas Crazies they have to shop for, but what can you get them that they don't already have?

Or maybe you know someone like me. Someone who wants to be a Christmas Crazy, but needs help getting a good collection of Christmas items.

Either way I have some awesome gifts for you to choose from. Lets get started!

We will start things off with an ornament that I hope to get for myself. Could you imagine a better flower to decorate your tree with? This Heart and Flower holiday ornament by Violet's Buds would be the prettiest thing on my tree!

And it is handmade!!!! I can never get enough handmade gifts.

Next we will sashay on over to Sassy by Sacha. This Polka Dot Stocking is customizable.

This would make things a lot easier around my house. Every year we are mixing up who gets what colored stocking.

Of course, I can't leave out this adorable Mistletoe Owl by Unique Creations by Tracy!

Instead of Elf on the Shelf, I would use owls! Sneaky little guys look like they are sleeping, but I know better. They are Santa's spies watching out for good deeds.

Last one for Christmas Crazies would be my own Poinsettia Ornament.

All of these shops are participating in the Storenvyflash30 sale on Cyber Monday. 51 shops will have 30% off all items in their shop December 2, 2013. Just use code Storenvyflash30 at checkout. Want to see more items to choose from? Click here!

Which one would you choose for the Christmas Crazy in your life?

Coffee Lovers Gift Guide

I am participating in a HUGE Storenvy Sale on Cyber Monday. Not only am I having all items in my shop at 30% off, so are 50 other stores!! With all these shops having a sale, I thought I would show you some of the items on my wishlist, and also to give you some great gift ideas.

I am starting off with Coffee. I love coffee. I can not start my day without at least 2 cups. Even my kids know to only ask me yes or no questions until I am done! So, as I was browsing I came across some perfect gifts for the coffee lovers on your list.

We will start out with Scrawny Girl's Kawaii Latte Love Mixed Media Original Painting

This would be a perfect painting to hang above the coffee maker and stare at the calming colors until you can wake up fully. I love mixed media art, and really enjoy seeing different textures. I really think this would look lovely in everyone's coffee corner!

Next we move onto the drinking experience. I get really upset at having to wait until my cup cools enough to hold it. The best part of the wait is to put your nose down close and take a really deep sniff. Only drinking coffee wakes me up faster than smelling it. So to be able to hold onto that cup right after it has been poured you need a Braided Cozy by Fairy Tale Accessories.

Look at all the colors you can choose from!! Not only are they pretty, you don't have to worry at wasting all those paper sleeves anymore. Just throw your cozy in your purse and show off your amazing reusing skills at the local coffee shop.

Now we move onto those delicious smells I was going on about earlier. Playa Blu can have you or your coffee loving friends enjoying the smell all day long with this Cup O' Joe Candle and Mug Rug

I would get the cafe caramel or cafe mocha scent. The best part of this candle is it is made from Palm and Soy wax, with a cotton or hemp candle wick, which are all non-toxic.

Ok, these are just some of my favorite items from this HUGE Storenvy sale! So this is a big HINT HINT to those with me on their lists! If you would like to see all the shops participating click here. Remember all stores are going to have all products 30% off for the entire day on December 2, 2013 for Cyber Monday, just use code Storenvyflash30 at check out.


Please let me know which is you favorite in today's post!!

A Quilled Christmas

I had a wonderful time making these Quilled Ornaments last week!

They were not too time consuming and I think they came out beautifully!

The Poinsettia took more time and paper than the angels, but I love it. So simple and elegant, I can't wait to get my tree up and start decorating! Now that I know it can be done, I am wondering what other designs do I want to make?

*All of these ornaments are available to buy in my shop

Quilling

Quilling to me is an art. You start with a blank canvas, and create whatever is in your heart. It just happens to be with paper instead of paints.

The possibilities of what you can make is limitless. If you have the drive, and the paper, you can make it happen!

Both of these portraits were made and designed by me. I am hoping to continue with quilling and see where it takes me.

Monsters-R-Us

I have always called my little guy Monster. He has had a knack at creating havoc all throughout my house since he learned to walk. Give him five minutes on a computer and he will rename all your music ashjikkkijhgighj, delete your favorite photos, and start a system restore. Papa(my father) has learned never to leave him unattended with his Kindle, due to Monster buying games while it was on Airplane Mode. Monster also knows how to change Xbox default settings to Chinese. He can wipe out all saved data on your Wii in under 1 minute. He has taught all of us that game data is saved on the cartridge for the DSi. He thinks jumping off the top bunk bed to the bottom bunk is fun. He refuses to ride his bike, while every time he sees a bike in a store he "wants that". He kicks red ant hills in the yard, and refuses to wear a shirt while in the house.

So with all of my Monster experience, when I saw Lu & Ed put out a contest for creating plush Mon-Stors from kid's drawings I knew it was for us! I sat my kids down yesterday and had them create their own monster. Of course my Monster wouldn't participate, but my older kids had a blast. They sat at our table giggling about how many eyes, legs, or arms they should have. It gave them quiet, no TV or video games time, and they flexed the creative side of their brains. It was also something my older son wanted to participate in since this wasn't girly. After they finished drawing we went into round 2 of giggling from trying to come up with names. It is so much fun sitting with your kids and thinking of silly names. I love watching their faces as they think, you can really see their eyes light up when they come up with something new! That had to be my favorite part to my whole weekend.

Here are what my kiddos created:

Eatsalot

Queen Zoey da Awesome

Joey the Bull Monster

So a big THANK YOU to Lu & Ed for giving me a reason to sit down with my kids and having a wonderful time! You can see details for the contest here.



**Disclaimer: Even with all of his shenanigans, Monster is one of the four best kids in the world! He loves hugs, kisses make his boo boos go away. He loves anything soft and squeezable. He thinks anything our cats do "is soooo cute". He uses his napkin at the dinner table, and helps me wash laundry. If I sneeze or cough, he asks me if I am ok. So when I call him Monster, it is in an endearing, loving, and exasperated way!!

Chain Mail Fun

I love the look of antique copper. So when I saw these beautiful antique copper jump rings I new I had to get them! I am pleasantly surprised how easy this latest bracelet was. What is your favorite metal?

Happy Handmade

I love Handmade items. I love making my own handmade items. I love buying handmade items. To know that someone was inspired, gathered materials, and sat down and made something with their own two hands inspires me to stop buying generic cheap things. What also amazes me is the sheer creativity that most have. To look at some material and imagine all the different possibilities that can be done with it is something that I struggle with. Sometimes I will find a different shaped bead and then not make anything with it for a while because I get into a creative block. I love being able examine a handmade item to try and see what their inspiration was.

I am also a person that likes to try any craft. Sewing, painting, beading, chain mail, wire wrapping, crocheting, embroidering, needlepoint, beadpoint, and knitting are all things I have done. With a little bit of experience in many crafts I know how hard most of these projects can be. For all of the materials to come together and look beautiful takes a very rare talent.

I also love buying handmade because I know I am supporting a small business. I like to buy locally at farmers markets, and shop at independent shops as much as I can. I also like finding other crafters online. Ever since I have joined Storenvy I have been introduced to some of the most talented group of store owners! I love their support, encouragement, and positivity. Every small business owner I have met has had such a great passion for what they do. You can sit and talk with them about their shop, and what motivates them to do it. You can see their eyes light up when they talk about it, and you can see how really special their shop is.

With all that said, I am proud to be a small business. I am proud that I make products with my own two hands. I am also proud that I have a passion to make beautiful items!

Now it is time for you to see where I find all kinds of handmade goodness! I found a handmade link up for online shops. I have been participating on and off for a couple of months and I am proud to share this site with you! Daft Crafts holds a weekly Happy Handmade link up and each week it just gets bigger! This week my favorite items are the Peacock Glasses, the Rainbow Girl Resin Heart, and the Pride and Prejudice playset. So come on over and leave a message telling me what your favorite items are! You can find Happy Handmade #23 here!

Wire Wrapping Fun!

So I ran out of jump rings. Teaching myself new techniques and trying different designs with the little metal rings is challenging and exciting! It really was a surprise when I sat down to make another bracelet and I was out. Since I will not get more for another week or two I decided to mess around with some wire that has been laying around. I have been wanting to experiment with wire wrapping and I thought why not now? I dug through my supplies and found a pendant that I love and just dove into it. The first experiment didn't turn out to well, so I tried again. This second attempt turned out much better and I am very pleased with the end result! What do you think of my new Purple Haze Necklace?

Chain Mail

I am having so much fun messing around with all these little jump rings. It is amazing putting them together to form something new. Earlier this summer I bought a Tree of Life charm that caught my eye, so today I sat down and made a bracelet to put it on. I love the fact that now I can make my own chains any length to fit my needs. I can tell right now that this bracelet is going to be worn everyday!!!! Now I just need to go out and get more supplies so I can add them in my shop!

Play time is over!

So I have been missing in the action since summer has began. I have been traveling with my kids and just enjoying some lazy days with them. It is amazing how quickly time flies when you are having fun, but now is the time to start working again. I have some projects in mind to create this summer. I have started playing with chain mail and I am really starting to get the hang of it. Linking the little jump rings in patterns is as soothing to me as weaving with seed beads. Something about the repetition is comforting to me in a way. Almost like it soothes my soul and allows me to meditate. So far I have only been working on the various instructions to most common patterns. I am going to work on my first bracelet and we will see how it turns out. So I am off to my much needed chain mail therapy session, and I will leave you with my favorite picture of my kids from our vacation to Ohio.

Special Request

Ok here it is:

Light blue crystal bicones, with black seed beads woven into a flat spiral. Made specially for one lucky Lady's prom. I am so happy with how this came out, and I can only hope she loves it as much as I do!

Prom Time!!!

I have had a special request for a bracelet. This special request is actually a really special, special request! A very sweet girl has requested a bracelet to match her prom dress! SQUEEEEEEE!!!!! I remember all of the dances I went to when I was in school. I still own 3 of my dresses!! I remember the shoes I wore, the way my hair was done, and yes I remember all the accessories I wore too. I am so honored that she has requested something from me to wear on such a special day! I will post pics as soon as I finish.

Tragedy

Today is one of those days that you just want to hug all of your family. I want to hold my kids for a little bit longer and wish I could shield them from this big bad world. It is so hard to explain to children why some people would want to hurt others. How can you explain it when it is so incomprehensible to me? So to all of you out there, hold on to your loved ones, tell them you love them and say a prayer for those lost today, and for healing of the other victims from this horrible tragedy.

Here I am!!!

So I thought I would start a new experience on Blogger! This is very exciting and I can't wait to get started. I was hoping I could use this space to showcase some items from my store, and also just talk about life in general.