Some Christmas Joy

I don't know exactly how I feel about my first go at making collages over at PicMonkey. I love PicMonkey and I love how easy it is to arrange the photos into a collage (and thus less arranging while typing the blog post!). We'll see if I continue to use them :)

Anyways, here's a little sampling of the Christmas decor of the apartment... I've always loved decorating for Christmas! Even in college, I made sure that the dorm rooms and the houses I lived in were decorated! Thus, I've always lugged around a few totes of Christmas decorations. Thankfully, Grizz doesn't mind! 

The Dala Horse is my first try at making felt ornaments. I have a bit of Swedish in me, so I couldn't resist buying the pattern from Lova Handmade on Etsy! The button wreaths and the music balls were made last year, and the vintage ornaments were found this past summer at a garage sale - I couldn't pass them up!

I made the scrabble ornaments this past fall, and they will all be going out as gifts. It will be hard to see them go, but I hope the new owners will love them as much as I loved making them!

 Last but not least, at the top of the collage you'll see some painted barnwood signs that I created a few weeks ago (I pretty much took over the living room floor for several days as I painted and repainted until I was satisfied). They are the official greeters outside on our porch. And to top it all off, our tree has a fun garland this year :) We had our ultrasound last week, and Scooter is definitely the best addition to the tree for his or her "first" Christmas!

Embroidered Napkin Decor

Slowly, slowly, I'm starting to get the 2nd bedroom back under control: it's the location of a random assortment of *stuff* --> everything from my sewing machine to Grizz's hunting bow. You've seen the Hanging Hoop Hopper here, and I've had the embroidered napkins for a few weeks (thank you thrift store!)

 Last night, as I was walking around the apartment, in and out of rooms but not doing much of anything, I had an ephiphany. I've seen lots of hanging hoop artwork around the internet (primarily Pinterest), and I knew I had the napkins mixed in my stash of vintage linens.

 Miraclously, the hoop I had on hand actually fit the napkin - I just plopped it in and hung it up on a push-pin. Instant decor!

But, then I decided that I needed to clean it up... so today I did this:

 I started with the "Mr" napkin... rather wrinkly, eh?

 I grabbed a heavier cotton from my stash and I ironed both items...

 Instead of sewing the two fabrics together, I decided to just layer them. The hoop will hold things in place.

 Aren't embroidering hoops just amazing things? Kudos to whomever invented them!

 I decided to trim the excess. I probably could have just tucked it behind, but it was easier and quicker just to trim, and I don't see how else I'm going to use these napkins - no need to save!

And, done! It makes me laugh that the "Mr" napkin is stained more than the "Mrs" one!

 I followed the same steps with the "Mrs" napkin.

I still have one more hoop... so, either I'll find another goodie to hang as artwork, or I'll make another hopper. So fun :)

A Crafty Christmas

Well, a blog post is long overdue, and I feel like lengthening the joy of the Christmas spirit... thus, welcome to the Christmas Ornament post :)

It was definitely a crafty time for me, and I enjoyed every moment of it! I think I talked about how I crochet while substitute teaching in a previous post (remember, I am still watching the kids and ready to answer any questions they may have on their worksheet and such). Then, Miss Neighbor and I had a ornament crafting day. Thank you Pinterest for all the great ideas! 

These crocheted stockings were great for gifts - attached to presents or sent in the mail!

Sheet music (saved from church bulletins and antiqued with tea and heat) mod podged onto a glass ornament.

Buttons treaded onto florist wire.

This was Neighbor's project: shredded paper put into a glass ornament.

Sliced, dried oranges next to a crocheted star.

Hey, look! It's me :)

The stockings. I still need to get our names on them, but I'm pretty happy with how they turned out! These were my first big crochet project that wasn't a scarf :)