Winter Crafts

Easy to make Christmas Crafts

                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

Its never too early to start getting things ready for Christmas. I had some extra time this evening so I whipped up a few things. I bought the frame for $15.00 about a month ago. I painted with a aqua spray paint, and then used my glaze to give it a more antique look. I initially found them for $65.00 on ETSY. I think that's called a rip-off. I painted the insert with chalkboard paint so that I could have fun with different sayings. I got the other crafts at Wood Connection. I just bought the letters for Jolly separately and then found some coordinating papers at a scrapbook store. I painted to "O" and while the paint was wet, I pressed glitter onto it. I continue with my obsession for Subway art. I got a shadow box and painted it white. I glued the paper to the front of it and then applied the vinyl. I added the ribbon so that it would kinda look like a gift.
The pictures at the top are of a Lemon Poppy seed cake. I made it last Sunday, It turned out perfect! I love that cake, so moist and the lemon flavor is delicious.

Book Wreath

To begin, take one used book. I picked one up a DI for two dollars. I wanted an old book so the pages would appear very worn. If you don't like the thought of destroying a book, quit reading here....

Take three or four pages and tear them out.

Draw a swirl pattern starting in the middle of the book. Try and keep the lines evenly spaced, so your flower is the same all the way around.

Here is the close up of the lines. I drew it in a pink pen, so it doesn't show up very well in the pictures. Start on the outside edge and start cutting it around.

It will look like this when you are done cutting.

Line up the edges, so that you can begin rolling them together.

You will roll the center really tight, and then loosen up as you get farther out.

Keep rolling.

Now you have the nice round center at the bottom of the flower shape. Fill the bottom with hot glue, and then push the round part over the glue. This helps keep the whole thing together and stable.

This is the result of one flower. Aren't they cute?

Are you now prepared to make a hundred or so of these? If you are then you can proceed with the project.

When you have a few done, then you can begin hot gluing them onto a wreath form.

Are you starting to get the picture?

Almost finished product. I wasn't going to have time to finish the whole thing so I wrapped some pages around the rest of the wreath. I will continue to fill it in when I get the time. These wreaths(although much smaller than mine) are being sold on $40.00 or more on Etsy. I think its going to be quite lovely. Now you can see why I may have gotten a few burns. In case are are interested my finger is doing better. I am receiving treatment from my roommate, Brittany, who works in the Burn Unit. Lucky I have here to look after me when I make foolish mistakes.

Furniture Redos

Furniture Redos

Freedom

I have been given a lot of time to think about the Freedom that I enjoy as an American. To celebrate and to help me remember the sacrifices that have been made for the blessings that I now receive, I made a little craft. I bought the letters at Wood Connection. My Cousin Leslie helped me get it painted. I decided that I wanted it to resemble a flag, so we embarked on tracing our lines, and painting inside of them. It turned out just as I planned. The flag on the side, I made in June. Miranda should put up a picture of the one that she completed at the same time.

Time to Sew

What the heck is that you may ask. Just keep going.....

Its a super cute bag. And yes I made it. It took me almost all day but I figured it out. thanks to Sara and mom for translating the instructions a few times. It is the Amy Butler Birdie Sling pattern. I would recommend this pattern for any beginner. You have fabirc leftover, which you could then turn into cute headbands or use them as little scraps in other quilts.
I made this on Monday. I decided that I needed to become a quilter, like everyone tells me too. Not bad.

A Delightfully Fresh Summer Treat

These are the ingredients. Tomatoes, Basil, Olive oil, Garlic, Crescent Rolls, and Provolone Cheese.

Make a Basil and Garlic infused olive oil. Just add them all together in the pan, and let it warm up. Its going to smell great.

Spread out one can of rolls in a pie tin, and then poke them with a fork. Stick them in the oven for 15 minutes at 350.

 

Cut up all of your tomatoes. You are now going to alternating layers of cheese and tomatoes.  You top the tomatoes with mozzarella cheese and the olive oil and basil. Bake it until the cheese is melted. Its a refreshing dish, that uses to of my favorite flavors. Enjoy it.

Feature

My new Spring Skirt was featured on The Sisters Quilts Blog. Head on over and check it out.
Spring Skirt

Spring Projects

Something Old, and Something New

Does anyone remember this dresser? I have been stalking some design blogs for a couple of weeks. It inspired me to take some of my families old furniture and redesign it. I had to fix a couple broken parts, and then I took it apart. I primed each piece, and then painted them a dover white. I used a dark brown glaze(someone else had chosen the color but didn't like it) I got it for half price at Magnusons. I applied it on the dry paint, and then wiped it with a damp cloth. It turned out really cute. I can't wait to get some old glass handles on the doors.
Total cost:
1 can of primer-$4.00
4 cans spray paint-$15.00
New Hardware-$16.00
= $35.00 and a brand new dresser!