Tag: 12 days of creating

12 Days of Creating: Pretty Muslin Banner (no sew)

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Day 12! I just can’t even believe it, December 12th already?! Tonight is one I really love. I think the possibilities are endless! Fairly simple and oh so pretty! I found a pin on Pinterest of a banner while I was searching for ideas to help decorate a recent event. It is my inspiration for tonights post. (all photos below are taken with my iPhone)

AJL Art Auction (1 of 4)

Supplies used:

Muslin – hobby lobby with a 40% off coupon

twine  (or yarn – or rope)

hot glue gun (I had planned on using a HeatNBond type thing but totally forget to get one so I used hot glue instead and it worked just find… I think it would depend on your choice of fabric)

rotary cutter (or scissors)

other fabric – for the banner words

AJL Art Auction (2 of 4)

Step 1: Iron muslin and then cut it. Mine are all 5 inches long and 4 inches wide.

Step 2: After cutting it, lay material out in the exact spacing you would like your banner to be.

Step 3: glue twine to material carefully

AJL Art Auction (4 of 4) Step 4: Draw your letters onto the fabric. I used a sharpie which is all I could find at the time ;) Maybe use a disappearing ink one instead. hehe

Step 5: Cut out letters

Step 6: Glue letters to muslin (or to HeatNBond and then iron them onto muslin)

Chaseboy worked on his snowflakes while I worked on the banner for our bedroom :)AJL Art Auction (3 of 4)Step 7: Hang and admire.

LOVE IT. So simple!

Gotta run before 12. 12. 12. turns, 12. 13. 12 ;)

G’night (or mornin’) everyone!

12 Days of Creating: The Reasonable and The Practical (DIYs)

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Day 11 is a combination: a super reasonable and fun craft for your kiddo and a few practical ideas for yourself.

The Reasonable: Chase and I found little creatures in (you’ll never guess where?! ;)) the $1 section at Target and we picked out 3 to paint for Shailo and him. PaintedToys1 (yes, he is often in just his underwear hahaha) Grab some finger paints or washable paint and let them go for it!PaintedToys2 I was actually pretty impressed with his fishy paintin’ ;)

DIYsupplyholder5The Practical:
DIYsupplyholder3I have a problem with messes all over our counter space. About a month ago, I decided I wanted to get the ironing supplies OFF the counter but I knew I needed them super handy because I iron a lot (Ted’s work clothes and sewing projects mostly). I found this tin “planter” (at a thrift store) and turned it into an ironing supplies basket. This might seem so simple and meaningless but in fact, to me it’s huge! What kinds of little things might you have lying around that could help you clear the clutter? Or maybe make a list and head to the thrift store in search of something to help! Think past the colour you may see and imagine what it could be with a little paint! Like this planter turned ironing supply holder:afterglow

Here are a few other ideas:
DIYsupplyholder6I use the Dollar store often for little baskets to help me organize. Like you see here, to store fruit on the counters (without the baggies) or to store food in our fridge.

I had a friend just recently tell me she turned the hanging IKEA book racks into a type of hanging command center! SO smart! Off the counters that tend to oh-so-easily clutter!

Tonight is a weird, kind of all over the place post but I hope you are inspired!

12 Days of Creating: Simple Holiday Tree Decor

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Day 10 is a super simple way to add some Holiday cheer to a mantle :) You may remember a Paper Tree DIY from a few years ago (shown below)… Well, we’re adding a few simple steps to create a new look.
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First, follow the steps from this previous post I wrote DIY paper trees – to make the base. (Excuse the quality of all of the below photos – taken with my phone like most of my DIYs of late!)DIYHolidayTrees-1Once you’ve made your paper trees, grab a hot glue gun and begin winding your material around them. I would start from the tippy top. For material – I used leftover beads, gaudy silver garland ($1 Target section) and lace I had.
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534079_10151166887361989_954852192_nMy cute little helper!DIYHolidayTrees-3

9658_10151166888256989_1399975745_nTa-da! You’re done :) Chaseyboy even helped a little!DIYHolidayTrees-4Super simple, and they add a fun, festive touch :)
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Our “mantle” until we have a real one someday.

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<3, Jami

12 Days of Creating: Christmas’y Beverage Gift

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Day 9 is a gift idea for your hot-beverage-lovin’-friend or family member :)
12DaysofCreating (14 of 15)

I made a few with hot cocoa and this particular one with cappuccino mix shown below.12DaysofCreating (2 of 15)

Supplies used:

Paint and paint brush

Glass bottle

Cocoa powder or other mix

Hot glue gun

Two different pieces of fabric (scraps, you don’t need much!)
12DaysofCreating (10 of 15)

Step 1: Peel of sticker and scrub sparkly clean 12DaysofCreating (11 of 15) Step 2: While glass is drying, paint the lid. (I painted two coats total)12DaysofCreating (12 of 15) Step 3: (Make sure bottle markings like this expiration date are hidden towards the back) Glue fabric piece onto bottle.12DaysofCreating (13 of 15)

Step 4: Make a pretty bow (more steps here if needed)
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Add powder mix and marshmallows and you’re finished!

Hope this helps for those who (like me) are cramming to get gifts bought/made … finished!

x, Jami

12 Days of Creating: Christmas Party or Holiday Decor

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Are you having a Christmas party anytime soon? Or maybe just looking to decorate your home for the holidays? Day 8 (a day late) is just for you :) Easy, cheap Christmas Party or Holiday decor.

Supplies used:

Cardboard box

Frame (I think it’s safe to say that most have frames lying around, unused!… or maybe that’s just frameaholics like me? hehe)

Rotary cutter (could use scissors instead)

Napkin (could use scrapbook paper or even fabric) – I just used on napkin from the pile I had for our party! (In case you are wondering, napkins are from Target!)

Modge podge

Stickers

12DaysofCreating (6 of 15)Step 1: Measure and cut cardboard to fit tightly into frame.12DaysofCreating (7 of 15)

Step 2: Lay napkin (or paper/fabric) down to see where you’d want to position it.

Step 3: Modge Podge little bits at a time and smooth as you go.12DaysofCreating (1 of 15)Step 4: Ready your stickers… for me this happened while nursing. Haha! That little chubby thing beside my arm is indeed Shai’s leg… no worries ;)

12DaysofCreating (4 of 15)
Step 5: Place stickers on board and you’re done!12DaysofCreating (3 of 3)

As you can see, this particular one was made for a Ugly Sweater Party we had here!12DaysofCreating (1 of 3)

Another one, a funny one I made for our party  – the “ugly” for our sweaters but of course ;)

This also takes no time at all, which is perfect for party planning!

Hope you’re inspired!

12 Days of Creating: Simple, pretty decor.

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Day 7, also late – hurricane vase decor. This will be a super short DIY because I’m not feeling so well, and also… it’s pretty simple :)

Supplies used:

Hurricane vases – you can usually thrift these for really reasonable or find them at the $1 store.

Tissue paper – colour of your choice. I did gold (on two) and silver (on another two) because it was a part of the colours for an event I helped decorate.

Modge podge and brush

Rotary cutter (optional)

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Cut the paper – you can decide a size that looks good to you.

Modge podge tissue paper to the vase, one at a time. I overlayed each piece slightly. (Pic below)

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Spray painted wine bottles. Pretty simple, super cool. Soak wine bottles in water for a few hours and peel and scrap paper off. Spray paint them. Add tall candles.

Ted took a few photos at last nights event:
Beautiful Wife (2 of 4)

Beautiful Wife (4 of 4)

Thanks for popping by. I’m so sorry this is pretty much a short post. Please pray for healing in my chest? My lungs are really struggling lately. Hope to post 2 more DIYs tomorrow :

12 Days of Creating: Marble Art

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Day 6 is unfortunately a few days late due to sickness here but I still would like to keep this up! Plus, it’s another fun one for kiddos… or adults :)Beautiful Wife (3 of 6)
Supplies used:

Canvas (could use paper too)

Paint

Marbles

Pan to work in

Beautiful Wife (2 of 2)Just place marbles onto the canvas.Beautiful Wife (4 of 6)Beautiful Wife (1 of 1)Shake, shake, shake it side to side.Beautiful Wife (2 of 6)

Chase {really} enjoyed this!
Beautiful Wife (5 of 6)

Beautiful Wife (6 of 6)

He was quite particular too ;)Beautiful Wife (1 of 6)

This particular piece was made for a silent art auction for Art & Justice League, a non-profit we work with. It was pretty fun to see Chase’s artwork up at last nights event!
Beautiful Wife (1 of 3)

The mighty dapper artist and his little brother at last nights silent auction.

12 Days of Creating: Felt Nativity Board

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Hi! Can you believe it’s already December 5th? Just 20 Days ’til Christmas! Today’s DIY is for the kiddos. Not necessarily the DIY part but the playing-with-afterwards part ;) Today we are making a felt nativity “board”.
DIYNativityandBoard-5I stumbled upon the {cutest} already-made felt nativity people at Hobby Lobby. The price reads $6 but I got it for 50% a few weeks back. But you’re in luck (if you really like this DIY) because I noticed in the ad that all Christmas’y things are still on sale right now!
DIYFeltNativityBoard Supplies used:

– Pre-made felt people (Hobby Lobby $3)

-Scissors

-Velcro (seriously not much at all, I used just 2 of those 4 strips you see here)

-Hot glue gun

-Yarn + 2 thumb tacks to hang it up (you could use whatever you wanted to hang it)

-Felt for backs of people (you can buy this for 4/$1 at Hobby Lobby)

-Felt for the board (I had to iron mine flat with no lines/creases)

-Cardboard for back (Totally optional. I actually decided against it last minute! If you’d like a more sturdy board, I would recommend that.)

DIYNativityandBoard-1This is another SUPER simple DIY:

Step 1: Glue people to felt (colour of your choice. I just used what I had leftover from Shai’s 1st birthday- teal)

Step 2: Cut out people

Side note: How CUTE is that Mary?! I just think that is the {perfect} expression ever for the momma of Jesus. LOVE her!

DIYNativityandBoard-2Step 3: glue small pieces of velcro to backs. A little velcro went a long way here!DIYNativityandBoard-4Step 4: (optional) I braided my hard to make it a little stronger to hold better.

Step 5: Glue back edge of felt over the yarn.DIYNativityandBoard-3

Step 6: Hang it and let the kiddos enjoy it!

Our “board” ended up matching the wall almost perfectly which was kind of a bummer. I just used what I had and it was either the cream or an obnoxiously bright red haha.

DIYNativityandBoard-1-2

The boys absolutely love it and I have found Chase telling Shailo (and then again today, with the little girl I watch) about “baby Jesus” which is super sweet to watch!

The board looks a little sparse at the moment and I was thinking once I could get a piece of brown felt I will make a barn for them to go in! The possibilities are endless ;)

Hope you are inspired!

12 Days of Creating: ‘Days Until’ Chalkboard Sign.

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Day 4 is one I’m especially excited to share because it’s one I feel many of you could really enjoy! I found a sign at Hobby Lobby that read “Days Until” but it was around $35 which was a bummer. I looked at the sign and really wanted it but not at that price. I knew I already had chalkboard paint (I’m a little obsessed with my love for chalkboards) and wondered if I could re-create my own! DIYDaysUntilSign-2

Supplies used:

Thrifted piece of wood or probably even a 2 x 4 – I searched the ARC and found this La Toilette sign (it is cute, but not at all my style!) for $1.50.

Chalkboard paint- there is also a spray paint kind but I prefer the can kind. It can be kind of expensive right off the bat ranging from $4-15 but I have used my can for multiple chalkboard project, some of which I will show you here.

Paint brush

Stickers or a cricut and vinyl – I just used what I had leftover from a previous project and it has stuck very well.

9a256c24195311e299e022000a1fb043_7I have already put our sign to good use. I LOVE it! And it’s so simple to make!

Steps:

Step 1: Paint it. (I put 2 coats on ours)

Step 2: Give it 24 hours to dry (I am not very patient but have learned that this is really important)

Step 3: Add words. You can also have it read “days ’til” or “sleeps until”. After I made it I kind of wished I had done “Sleep until” because that is what we say with Chaseyboy!DIYChalkboardFrame-1

Another use of the chalkboard paint. I decided to find a few pics I had on the computer to show you just how far that little can of chalkboard paint can go.

DIYChalkboardFrame-2See that HUGE chalkboard? Another example of the amazing little can, it even has 2 coats on it! (wall pic is pre- our crazy gallery wall. Hope to blog that soon.)
DIYChalkboardFrame-1-2

(chalkboard paint was also used in the little window)

I really hope you enjoyed today’s post! Would make a fun gift or just a great thing to have around for those who love countdowns to fun events/goals/holidays, etc!

xx, Jami

12 Days of Creating: Simple Mason Jar Decor

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Hello friends! Welcome to day 2 of 12 Days of Creating! Today is SUPER simple but cute. Let’s spice up some jars to look holiday ready! Don’t worry about ruining your beloved mason jars because this DIY is 100% removable. So with a new season, you can easily slip off the holiday pretties we’re about to add!
diyjarsCollage4Supplies used shown above. The twine/string was from the $1 section at Target. Also helpful to put cute but super active baby in jumperoo and visit HGTV.COM and watch Design star while you create… Oh wait, that’s what I sometimes do! :)

embroideryhoopDIY-3-2

Step 1: Measure your fabric

Step 2: Carefully glue the fabric pieces together without a) burning your finger and b) getting it on the jar. Use paper/cardboard if you need to.

Step 3: Tie a pretty bow and if you want, dab a small piece of glue behind to straighten the bow.

For the second jar look, follow the steps below:

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Create a cute bow!embroideryhoopDIY-1-4

Simply follow above steps as you glue the fabric carefully on so not to glue on the jar. Hope you are inspired! These particular jars were decorated for a Ugly Sweater Christmas Party we just had this afternoon. I will post pics of that soon! Stay tuned this week and next for more DIYs and even a few gift ideas!

xx, Jami