picture wall

I recently rearranged some of the pictures in our house and did a picture wall in our living/play room. It is totally eclectic, but I like it. And it was all from things we already had (easy on the budget).

Nativity cross-stitch

I started this back in November and worked on it for a couple days and then didn't get back to it until today. It isn't quite what I was hoping for, but I'd say that for designing it myself it isn't too bad. It is Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus cross-stitched onto a kitchen hand towel (in case you couldn't tell). It may have missed Christmas this year, but Christmas will come again next year and I can get it out then.

2012 Memory Jar

A few days ago I decorated this jar to be our 2012 memories jar. The idea is to write down things that happen and things the kids do and say during the year and put them in the jar. Then next year on New Year's Eve take them out and read them together. Sometimes I think "I will never forget that" but then I do, so I wanted somewhere to write them down. I plan on keeping the jar and its memories and doing a new one each year, if it works well.

Happy New Year!

Ornaments for Primary

I have been trying to come up with something to give my primary class for Christmas this year. I've been thinking about it for weeks and nothing was working out. After searching for ideas again yesterday (Saturday) and not coming up with anything I about gave up. Then while lying in bed about to fall asleep I had this idea. That only gave me Sunday morning to make them (the only good thing about afternoon church), but I am glad I did it.

They are baby food jars turned into ornaments. I printed pictures of the nativity and mounted them on scrapbook paper and stuck them on one side, then printed out "My gift to Jesus" and mounted them and stuck them to the other side. Then I hot glued fabric and twine to the lids.

In class we talked about Christ's birth and then we talked about what we could give Jesus for his birthday. The kids had great answers. Some of them were "our love," "being a good example to others," "being kind to others," and "being good." Then we wrote on strips of red paper our gift or gifts and put them in the jars. And they took them home to hang on their trees.

Tree Skirt

I planned on making this much earlier in the season (I bought the supplies in October). But, better late than never.

I cut two pieces of fabric in circles as large as I could get. Then I cut small (6" diameter) circles out of the middle. I sandwiched them right sides together with the fringe in between and sewed them together. Then I turned them right side out and folded over the raw edges of the small circles and top stitched. It was very simple and didn't take very long. I like the way it looks under our tree. Now we just need to cover it with presents. :)

Snowflake dress

This is another pattern that I tested for Amy at peek-a-boo pattern shop. It was an easy dress, but the skirt took forever with all that gathering. It turned out really cute though, so I am happy. And Lena seems to like it a lot too. :)

I haven't posted much on here lately. I have been working on some things, but haven't finished them yet. Hopefully I will have some more things soon!

snowmen jars

We're into the baby food stage again at our house. So, I have a ton of baby food jars that just beg to be crafted. Since it is close to that winter/Christmas time of year, what would be better than little snowmen jars?

I painted the lids black and the jars white. Then I added a construction paper cylinder to make the hat and drew faces on with sharpies.

Then I filled them with candies.

Then I made a few more.

And a few more.