Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A glimpse of 2013

Its always crazy when another year has come and gone and truly humbling to take a moment to look back at the last year and remember the great moments, milestones and memories the past year holds.  There were so many things I wanted to include here and it was so difficult to narrow each month down to one glimpse.  We have had so many great opportunities and moments together as a family and friends this year and some awesome moments in student ministry.  Taking a look back definitely puts things in perspective and fuels the fire to move forward and run towards the goal even more.  I can't wait to see what 2014 holds and so thankful for each day 2013 has given.


I also had fun going back and remembering some of my favorite blog projects of the last year.  Here are a few that I enjoyed..


1. Easy Herringbone Table
2. DIY Fabric Ottoman - I was chosen for the Pinterest Challenge and blown away!
3. Making fun crafts with Silas
4. Finally posting about our finished Exterior Paint Job
5. Building our Patio
6. Getting Organized
7. Making wreaths
8. Easy Deer Silhouette
9. Our Christmas Home Tour

Thank you so much for joining me on the blog this year.  I'm so thankful for all of you!  Happy New Year!!!

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!


Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Merry Christmas to you all!  


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

An Easy DIY Reindeer Silhouette

Am I the only one who wishes the rain was snow?....thought so.  But the rain is a beautiful reminder of God's grace, it falls on the righteous and unrighteous and no one really deserves it, but God provides even so.  Its always something we usually take for granted and complain about when it ruins our plans but what a simple yet complex way for God to continuously reveal Himself through his creation.  And since its raining, its a great time to write a blog post, think about God and make reindeer silhouettes.  It all goes together somehow in my head, so let's make a reindeer...


I had so much fun making this little guy.  I don't know if I haven't really sat down and made something from scratch in a while or what but it was enjoyable.  I made this in under an hour and with things I already had.  That's always my favorite kind of craft anyway.  Using items on hand forces you to think a little bit more creatively.  Here are the supplies I used:

- an embroidery hoop (you can find these in any craft store and they are inexpensive)
- felt
-paper
-fabric (I used an old sheet)
-pencil, sharpie and scissors
- hot glue
To start off this project you need a reindeer template.  I decided to just free hand draw a simple silhouette to use.  But, if the thought of free hand drawing freaks you out then calm down, take a deep breath, I have some great news - you can find many places online that offer free printables you can use like here or here!  Bloggers are awesome like that.  Thank you awesome bloggers!  After you have your deer template ready you just need to trace it on your felt, I used a sharpie because it was just easier that way and then finally cut it out.  Simple!

Now its time to get the embroidery hoop ready for your awesomely easy ready to go reindeer.
You don't have to sew things to have available fabric to use for this.  I couldn't find anything I liked in my stash so I opted to use an old sheet I really didn't use anymore.  I've used sheets, tablecloths, shower curtains, t shirts...you get the point.  Fabric is everywhere in your house and if its not being used on a regular basis then its fair game for me to cut up.  So, I cut out a piece the right size, pulled it tight around the hoop frame and trimmed off some of the excess.  Then just for a nice clean and neat finish, add a little hot glue to the hoop backside and fold over the fabric ends to finish the back.

Now all that is left is hot glueing your sweet little deer right onto your fabric hoop.  Done.


You can make this!  I know it!


And then you can admire your reindeer from near or from afar.


I used one of those removable hanging strips to secure him to the wall since I'm feeling he is more of a festive Christmas deer that will be up only during this the holidays...although I'm kind of growing an attachment to him so I'm either going to have to make a new replacement or just keep him.  We shall see.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day...whether its rain, snow, ice or shine!

Monday, December 9, 2013

Christmas Home Tour

Welcome to our humble abode.  Over the weekend my friend Erin and I went on our town's historic Christmas home tour.  It was so much fun.  We are so lucky to live in an amazing town with awesome historic homes sprinkled all over.  There was so much inspiration to be found in those homes.  We enjoyed it so much.  Last week Jennifer Rizzo hosted her annual Holiday House Walk.  If you haven't checked it out, you totally should...especially if you love christmas decorating.  So many beautiful homes and hours of enjoyment - warning you will get sucked in and it will be difficult to walk away from the computer.  So make sure you take a peek when you have a good chunk of time to kill - like so many of us do.  Ok, so now its time to take a peek at our little house all decorated for Christmas.  Its simple with lots of handmade elements throughout.  You don't have to go crazy and there are so many things you can do yourself to make your home special during christmas.  So come with me and take the tour...




I love lanterns, especially old ones.  This lantern was my great grandfathers, it has gotten a little spray paint touch up (it was pretty rusty) but I love it all prettied up for christmas and on our from stoup.



This year I really wanted a fresh wreath and I'm also really loving plaid at the moment - so this wreath was born.  


Its been a while since I've updated the blog, but I'm getting there.  So, there are probably many things that look different in here besides the christmas touches.


One of my favorite things I made this year was this little reindeer silhouette.  It was so easy, I'll share soon!



My little square boxwood wreath I made last year found a new home this year.  



Another old lantern sits in our living room housing a nutcracker of course.


Our christmas tree is real, its not perfect or immaculately decorated but I love it.  Our tree every year represents us.  Each ornament means something and reminds of us a special moment of our lives.  


The ornaments are often moved around by Silas and that's totally ok with me.  He loves sitting by the tree and asking about the ornaments and hearing the stories.


I also have some handmade elements on the tree, like this simple scrap fabric garland.  Something I made last year - and from leftover fabrics (so it was totally free!).




We don't have a mantle (even though we have two chimneys..the quirks of owning an older home) so this little place always kind of acts like a mantle for me.




I went simple with the advent calendar this year too.  And reused a banner I made a few years ago (from leftover paper and fabric again).



One of my favorite things we have started is collecting little nativity scenes from the different countries we visit.  Represented here is Ecuador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Panama.  Silas loves these and I often find them in little places all over the house.



Ok, this is totally a pinterest thing I had to do this year.  I love these little winter scenes.




I love changing around this chalkboard for each season and I love seeing this reminder each day.  


He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn of all creation. For by  him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.  Colossians 1:15-20

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Posts of Christmas Past

Hands down, this is my favorite time of year.  I love the time with family and friends, listening to christmas music, decorating, christmas lights, christmas crafts, all of the special events and I love focusing on the Joy in the most beautiful story in the whole world - God reconciling himself to man, by an infant born in glory.  This year Silas is into everything and can really understand what is going on and is so excited - which in turn makes me excited.  We are getting our tree up and welcoming in the Christmas season this week along with everyone else so if you are looking for some Christmas crafts to do this year, here are just some of the past ones I have done.   


     1. Chalkboard Ornaments
     2. Christmas Mantel
     3. Reindeer Silhouettes
     4. Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
     5. DIY Gift Tags
     6. Ribbon and Burlap Banner
     7. Advent Calendar
     8. Salt Dough Ornaments
     9. Yarn Wrapped Ornaments

I love making wreaths, especially for the seasons.  They really are way easier than most people my think and you can use all sorts of items to make them.  These are a few of my favorites - a square boxwood wreath, a yarn embroidery hoop wreath and a yarn wrapped felt flower wreath... and also a felt flower tutorial.


Enjoy your christmas crafting!  I know I have several crafts on my list to do this year so hopefully I will share soon!  Have a great week!