Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere!

The only project I've completed is project dechristmasification. (And to think that spell check is trying to tell me that isn't a word!)  While its an important job and actually a lot of work, its not really very exciting to blog about so you'll have to be patient with me a little longer.  I already have my project list worked out in my head and have some fun things coming up though, AND I will get back to doing an inspiration file at the end of this week.  So be sure to check back!

Oh, and tomorrow Polly Want a Crafter is sharing one of my tutorials so go check that out in case its one that you missed.

Talk to ya soon!

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?!

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