10 Favorite Projects of 2010

Since posting a list of your favorite projects of the year is the cool thing to do (and a great way to sum up the year) I figured its about time I jumped on the bandwagon.  Here is a list of my favorite projects from the past year.
 

DIY Roman Blinds 

Solving the Vertical Blind dilemma.

Tour of my kid's rooms HERE and HERE

Dish Towel that stays put!

Blocks for every season.

Theater Pillows

2x4 Pumpkins

Family Rules subway art.

The love of my life... my Mantle Shelf.

Christmas Photo Booth

Well that's it. It sure is fun looking back at all the things I've done over this last year but it really makes me excited to see what will come next year.  Here's to 2011 and a new year filled with possiblities! 

Guest Posting

I have nothing new to share with you all this week.  It's been a little CrAzY with Christmas but I'm sure everyone is in the same boat and can understand.  I am guest posting over at A Little Lovely today though and would love Love LOVE it if you'd pop on over and say hello.  This is my first ever guest post and I'm more then just a tad excited!

Inspiration File

Hey everyone! I have a couple of things to share this week, first up Craftily Ever After made the CUTEST clay pot nativity with her scout boys.  I think these are one of the cutest kid Christmas crafts I've ever seen and will definitely make a set with my kids next year!



Then WipperBerry shared a tutorial on these adorable ribbon trees.  There has been a ton of tree forms around blogland this season, but I think these are my favorite...ever.  In fact I will probably unwrap my yarn trees next Christmas and make some like this.  Love!

And last but not least, How Does She shared a fabulous ham recipe.  We are all about the ham over here.  This looks particularly delicious and I can wait to try it!

If you were featured you can grab a button from my sidebar.  Merry Christmas!

The 12 Dates of Christmas with a FREE Printable!

Okay guys, this is seriously so adorable its disgusting.

Yesterday I was blog hopping and came across In between Laundry.  She had guest posted on Tatertots and Jello and I was intrigued enough by her mints to click over to her blog, and boy am I glad I did.  CUTE BLOG!!!  But the thing that really caught my eye was The 12 Dates of Christmas.

I totally copied her.  I couldn't help myself.  I loved the idea but wanted to change the "dates" up a bit.  I don't feel too bad about coping it though because she copied it too.

So here is the little book I made to go in my hubby's stocking.

I know... so adorable its disgusting.

I made it simply by printing on card stock, cutting everything out, punching a couple of holes and binding it with ribbon.

Here are the images I used... feel free to print and place in your own hubby's stocking OR if you want to see some other versions with different date options, check out this one and this one.

(click to view larger before saving image)

Enjoy!



Rejoice Pillow

This one started as an inspiration from this Ballard Design pillow, but my version is so far removed from the original that I can't really call it a knock-off.

My version is a lot more ME though and I kinda love it.

This was a pillow of many firsts for me.  My first time doing an applique and my first ever ruffle.  (I know, I know... how have I possibly gone this long without doing a ruffle?)

Now I'm not going to show you a tutorial because I had no idea what I was doing the whole time and this one is FAR from perfect, but i learned so much from it and will be sure to use both appliques and ruffles more in the future.

Pretty fun!

I'll be HOME for Christmas.

I wanted to show off my home all decked out for Christmas so you guys can get an idea of the final product of all the little things I've been showing over the past month.  I decided the best way to go about that is to take you on a video tour.  So here we go!

And for those who don't want to go on the tour, here are a few photos to sum it up.

And the classic Christmas tree at night shot, in all her glowing glory. 

Merry Christmas!

   

Sweeeeeet!

My photo booth is being featured on Polly Want a Crafter today.  I'm super excited.... eeek!  Polly Want a Crafter is the sister site to Remodelaholic and both are AWESOME blogs, so check them out and say hi while you are over there!

Raffia Wrapped Stars

Another one of the things I was inspired by in Pottery Barn's catalog was the lighted snowflakes and star votive holder.

My original plan was to make a few lighted stars.  But then I started worrying about how I was going to hang them (I knew I wanted them hung from my curtain rod) and still get access to a plug.  I thought about going the battery powered route, but then found out that a string of battery powered lights uses 2 C batteries and has a ginormous box that I would have to hide.  So in the end I decided to keep it simple and nix the lights.

Here is what I came up with.

Wanna know how to make your own? I actually made these several weeks ago and have since seen a few variations around the blog world but here is how I did mine.  While it was a relatively easy and inexpensive project, it was a bit time consuming so you are warned.  Lets get started.

I started with 5 three foot dowels. (A)  This will be enough for three stars.  You need to cut your dowels down into 1 foot sections, or whatever size you want your stars to be. (B) I used my pruning sheers to cut them and it worked like a dream.  I then printed off a "prefect star" from the internet because I was worried about my angles being off and used that to line everything up. (C)  You just hot glue the dowels wherever they touch to get your star frame.  Remember that some of the dowels can go behind.  The more connection points the better. (D) You may notice in the pic that I used some wire on the joints, this was total overkill and I only did it on one. Once complete, these babies are surprisingly sturdy.   You then take a chunk of raffia and start wrapping, using hot glue to secure as needed. (E)  About an hour and several blisters later you will have this. (F)  It needed a hair cut so I trimmed a few of the stragglers. (G)  Then just tie a loop of ribbon to the top so you can hang (H) and then repeat two more times. 

If you want to attempt a lighted star, just wrap in Christmas lights before you wrap in the raffia.




So there you have it, raffia wrapped stars!  I know I've said it before but who needs Pottery Barn?!

Linking to THESE weekly parties and events:

Scrumptious Sunday- Poppy Seed Pasta Salad

This is my all time favorite pasta salad recipe.  I don't make it very often because I can't resist it and will eat myself sick.  However, we had a church potluck a few weeks ago so I made this to bring and snapped a few pictures so I could share it with you.  (You can thank me later...or curse me as the case may be.)

Poppy Seed Pasta Salad
(adapted from Betty Crocker's Recipe)

1 package tri-colored pasta (prepared according to package directions)
1-1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
3/4 cups red grapes, halved
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cups slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup of your favorite store bought creamy poppy seed dressing. ( I like Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing)

Now, like most things I make, I don't actually measure.  I just chopped up my ingredients in the proportions I think look right, add my cooked pasta, and then add enough dressing to give everything a nice coat.  Toss all together and enjoy!

This recipe is best when served soon after its mixed with the dressing.  If you plan on making it in advance then just wait to toss the dressing until you are ready.   If you do end up refrigerating leftovers you may have to add a little bit more dressing before you eat it again.

Inspiration File

Its a big one today.  I have found a bunch of things I want to share with you (and remember for myself) so here we go.

First up, I discovered a new "must read" blog this week, Grand Design.  Now there are a bunch of great things on her site, but I came across this one and about died.  You can make your own "mason jar" snow globes.  I know, I know...who knew?!?  I TOTALLY want to do this!


A few weeks ago A Little Lovely showed this reindeer re-do.  Its an old decoration from her Mom and turned out so cute.  I think what I love about it is that anyone with some wood cutting skills could do a knock-off.  I hope to develop some of those wood cutting skills over the next year so I want to remember this cute little guy for next year. 

Now here is a super cute kids craft idea from Impress Your Kids.  Mini Pot Trees.  My kids love to paint and would think this was the coolest thing ever.  I think we might have to make these for the kids to give to the Grandparents.  How fun would that be with a picture of their little face on the star with the year written somewhere.  Okay, I've convinced myself, we are making these.

Here is another adorable Christmas tree idea from Lemon Tree Creations.  I think they are too cute for words and look fairly simple to make.  Definitely gift worthy.  Love them!

Poppies at Play made the cutest printable gift tags.   As in seriously adorable.  So hurry over and print some off so that you can finish your wrapping.  Thanks Andy!

Now, I am more then just kinda in love with Crafts & Sutch's sweater snowman.  Don't you just want to squeeze him?!  Another super fun, inexpensive and totally gift worthy craft idea. 

Now for a couple of recipes.  First up, The Scrap Shoppe has been featuring a bunch of recipes that look amazing, but I really want to try this Watergate Salad.  I have a weakness for jello salads but this one looks so pretty and delicious!

And finally, Craftaholics Anonymous made Pumpkin Fudge.  Uhh... hello!  She describes it as creamy, melt in your mouth pumpkin pie without all the baking, but she had me when she combined the words pumpkin and fudge.

Wow! I told you it was going to be a lot! Great projects though huh?  If you were featured you can grab a button from my sidebar if you'd like.  Thanks guys!



Nico Graphics and a free Printable!

I am so pleased to introduce you to my newest (and first) sponsor Nico Graphics!  Nicolette (aka Cola) who owns and runs Nico is my BFF, my co-conspirator on the photo booth, and she also happens to be a REAL graphic designer. (not a fake one like me)  She's super talented too!  Nico Graphics is your one stop shop for any graphic design need.

Nico Graphic specializes in small businesses and "focuses on helping small businesses get branded and get started with an affordable marketing campaign,"  but she can also help with any creative project anyone might need. 

Here are some of the great things Nico Graphics can help you with. 

A Logo,

Wedding Announcements and other event invitations,

A Website or Web Banner,

A Banner,

Advertising,

Company Apparel,

Christmas/Greeting cards, Birth Announcements, Business Cards, Brochures, Flyers, Posters, Photo Editing (so you can photoshop your uncooperative child into your Christmas cards.  Speaking from experience here.)  and so much more!

Cola also just started a BLOG!  Her blog is a place where she can share the fun things Nico Graphics is involved with and also some more personal creative endeavors.  (Like Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies... need I say more?)  Cola is also offering a different FREE printable everyday this week!

Be sure to check out her blog to collect the whole "Dear Santa" series and follow her while you are there.  We all know how badly we want readers when you just start a blog, so go and show some love!

Thanks Cola!