Spring Wreath DIY

I always love this time of year.  Things start warming up, the days start getting longer, you see little buds and blooms pop up, the grass turns greener, the air is fresh - its just wonderful.  Then the pollen comes and the humidity is quick to follow...but we won't talk about that.  Today is all about feeling springy and cheery.  I have a little wreath/embroidery to share with you today.  It meets my three criteria for projects- easy, simple and cheap.  For projects like this, just use what you have already and be creative.  No need to spend a bunch of money on seasonal decor.  I used pretty much leftover supplies from other projects to make this one.

For this project I used:

- Embroidery Hoops  (4"&12")

- Scrap Fabric

- Scrap lace ribbon & felt

- Embroidery Thread

You will also need a hot glue gun and needle

First step is getting your fabric framed inside your small hoop and then you just cut your felt and ribbon to the size you want and lightly hot glue it down to your fabric.  Cut a longer strip of fabric for the bigger hoop and wrap it around the entire hoop.  I used a little hot glue and the beginning and end to secure it.  I kind of love the frayed ends and shabby chic feeling of this so no need to fret over frays or fringe.  This fabric is actually a leftover kitchen towel from my luggage rack redo and the shower curtain I used when we built our fabric ottoman.  Both are from Target in case you are wondering.

Ok, don't let the next part scare you.  I simply stitched a little "happy" into my embroidery.  I was going for a vintage/shabby chic feel so its just a quick free-handed embroidery.  Really, really easy.  I don't sew at all and I can do this - so can you!

I also made a few rosettes out of my scrap fabric/kitchen towel for the larger hoop.  I used the same technique as I did with these felt no sew flowers.  They are super easy to make.  

Finish it off with a little lace ribbon and you are done!  Now my little faux mantel is starting to look all springy and bright.  

This milk glass vase and turquoise ball jar are two of my favorite things.  Now I just need some of our flowers to spring up so I have something to put in them.

Aren't you guys ready for pretty spring days?  What kind of springy projects are you working on?  Share with me!

Have a great Wednesday!

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Christmas Yarn Embroidery

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Joy is one of those Christmas words that we love but there is so much more to it than a holiday song or celebration.  Joy truly came to us when Jesus took on flesh and entered our world.  He came to reconcile God and man, to bring us hope of salvation and comfort in life everlasting in his promises.  Joy is an outpouring of our heart because of His great love, hope and promise for us.  No matter what comes our way, we can always have Joy because Christ came here. 

I decided to keep going on the yarn craft train (after making these yarn wrapped ornaments) and grabbed a few items I had in the ole craft stash to make a Christmas yarn embroidery.

Here is what I used:

Yarn

Burlap

Embroidery Hoop

Plastic Needle

Scissors

Marker

Joy Template (which was just my handwriting on paper)

So I decided before I started embroidering I needed a template to go by.  I simply grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote out the appropriate sized letters to fit my embroidery hoop.

Then I used a permanent fine tip marker to trace my letters onto my burlap just to make it as easy as possible.  I was afraid if I just free handed it I would never get it right.

Next I just cut a long strand of yarn and started looping it through my burlap following along on my stencil.  I wanted it to be kind of rustic and not perfect looking so I tried not to worry about it too much.   

After I was finished I trimmed the burlap where it was overhanging and decided that I wanted to make it our tree topper this year.  It's a little different but I like it,  I love the rustic and crafty touch it gives the tree and the reminder of the reason for this beautiful time of year.

This was another one of those calming and relaxing crafts.  These projects are like instant anxiety busters for me and I love taking the time to think on things like Joy and pray while I have a few moments of calm and quiet.  I know it can sometimes be difficult to find those moments to step back and talk to God.  Quiet craft moments are always huge to me, my mind gets calm, I can hear clearly and Jesus teaches me a lot in those moments.  Usually I run to the bible a few times in between or after to seek more wisdom and comfort.  You never know when God will speak - crafts, remodeling projects, reading books with your kids - God is always present and searching your heart.

So I'm curious, what's on top of your tree?  Do you have something traditional like a star or do you have a different element that tops everything off?

Happy Crafting!  Thanks for stopping by!

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