Crafts

  • Crafts,  holidays

    Write This Way Valentine Card Printable

    Last weekend my husband, daughter and son were bonding over some sort of computer game. It’s what they do. Picture them all sitting in a row, almost shoulder to shoulder, each playing the same game on their own computers. All of the sudden, my daughter realizes there is instant messaging “chat” functionality on this game. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “Now we don’t have to talk to each other!” I just…I can’t even…I… Let’s just say it is a little ironic that she picked a communication-themed Valentine’s Day card. My brain is still processing all the hope we are hanging on this next generation, so I  can’t remember if the idea or the trinket came…

  • Crafts,  decorating

    Gold and Turquoise Wood Arrows

    Now, I don’t want you guys to take this the wrong way, but I’ve been mulling an idea over. I really think that instead of streets of gold, Heaven should be filled with the aisles of Hobby Lobby. Furthermore, the 40% off coupons could be replaced with 100% off coupons. Imagine it… The last time I was there (Hobby Lobby, not Heaven), I was on a mission to find something that could pass as a Valentine’s Day decoration, but wouldn’t actually BE a Valentine’s decoration. Do you get what I mean? Yeah, me neither. But I knew it would all become crystal clear the minute I saw the thing that I didn’t know…

  • Crafts,  holidays

    Printable Valentine’s Cards for Kids

    I’m working on Valentine’s Day cards for the kiddos to hand out to their classmates. It’s quite a process in deciding what type of card each child wants to hand out. It reminds me of my most favorite time of year when my kids go about picking their Halloween costumes. Without fail that process goes something like this… Child: I want to be a (insert any random character here). 5 seconds later… Child:  No, I want to be (insert a combination of random characters here). Me: So, you want to be a Storm Trooper My Little Pony Ghost? Child: YES! That’s exactly what I want! 5 seconds later… Child: No, I just want…

  • Crafts,  holidays

    Paper Arrows

    I’m on a Valentine craft roll! If you call two similar crafts a roll. On Friday I showed you my Valentine plant stakes. In that same crafty surge I also made some arrows. These came about as a result of my weekly sojourn to Target. I always walk through their dollar section and decide I need EVERYTHING. Then I decide that would be a little excessive, so I walk away with nothing. I’m all about balance. This time I took away an idea. Those, my friend, are free. I thought these clothespins were cute. Probably because they were embellished with felt. Felt is a close second on my list of things I’m…

  • Crafts,  decorating,  holidays

    Heart Plant Stakes

    Valentine’s Day is a month away. In truth, it’s not my most favorite holiday. I like the sentiment, I just think we should let people know we love them a little more regularly than when Hallmark tells us to. That said, if my husband wants to shower me with gifts, I won’t turn them down! Also, my kids love Valentine’s Day, so I’m getting into the spirit of things – on my terms. First up, flowers. I treated myself to some happy yellow roses from Trader Joe’s. $5 in that cute little tin! Don’t mind if I do! Yellow roses remind me of sunshine and definitely brighten up a dreary winter day.…

  • Crafts,  decorating,  holidays

    Felt Wreath

    Some people decorate with oil paintings, animal head sculptures, found objects and let’s not forget that chevron trend. I think I’ve found my decorating “thing” though. Felt. That’s right, felt. I’m a little enamored with these 25 cent sheets of crafty possibilities. Either that or I’m reliving my childhood. No matter! When this trend gets a rollin’, be sure and remind HGTV it started here. 😉 I already showed you my yarn and felt wreath and now I made whatever this is called. How about a stick-it-in-a-frame wreath? I sure am on top of the technical jargon today. To make the felt wreath I first cut out a piece of card stock…

  • Crafts,  decorating,  holidays

    Kid Craft: Tree Artwork

    After Thanksgiving the kids helped me with a little holiday decorating project – painted tree artwork. Usually I keep sketches my mom made in fashion design school in the 1970s in these frames (shown below in our last house), but I wanted to switch them out with something more festive for the holidays. My two little artists-in-residence would be perfect for this job. I covered our dining room table in a plastic tablecloth – always necessary when paint is involved – and let the kids go to work painting trees on regular computer paper. It was easier for them (or me) to sketch a tree first and then for them to…

  • Crafts,  decorating,  holidays

    Our New Christmas Stockings

    Way back in November I confessed our Christmas stocking situation. In short, I had a long con running that was about to come to an end. Have you been holding your breath this entire time waiting to see what I would do? Yeah, I didn’t think so. 🙂 I tried and tried and tried to purchase the knit stockings from Joann’s, but when you end up ONE PENNY short of free shipping, it kind of chaps your hide. Or, at least, it chaps my hide. Instead, I purchased 4 white knit stocking from Target for $13 each. They are almost identical. My plan was to have my super talented friend from Blue…

  • Crafts,  decorating,  holidays

    Yarn and Felt Holiday Wreath

    I’m already looking forward to summer. I know, I know…it’s not even technically winter yet. It’s just that we have almost reached the milestone where I can press pause on the constant paranoia of drowning and simply enjoy our days at the pool. It’s liberating when your children learn how to swim. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be vigilant, but I think I can step it down a notch and at least let my eagle eye blink every now and then. 😉 All of that was a roundabout way of saying, do not throw away those worn out pool noodles. They make excellent wreath forms. Since I’m dispensing advice today, I will add…

  • Crafts,  decorating,  holidays

    No Sew Holiday Pillow

    I can’t think of a sad story that starts with “I went to TJ MAXX/HomeGoods.” Can you? That’s how this story starts. I went to my local TJ MAXX/HomeGoods store and found an over-sized Christmas dish towel for $2.99. I wasn’t looking for it per se, but I find it hard not to walk down every single aisle when I go in that store. Don’t judge. Now, when I commit to something, I really commit to it. I’m not going to go halfway…I don’t want to be a slacker or anything. So, I’m committed to avoiding the trouble with my sewing machine and the mess I made of the bobbins.…