Loving my silhouette

Mum bought me a silhouette for Christmas - I am thinking I may of mentioned this before- but just in case I didn't it was an awesome gift! 

I bought the designer program for it and then proceeded to never find time to sit down and figure it out. It was one of those blocks that after a year of thinking of all of these awesome things I could make I couldn't come up with anything once I had it.  So while Grandma was here she wanted to see what it could do so.... No better way to figure something out then to have someone sitting there waiting on you to do it! 

Seriously it's ridiculously easy! I haven't figured it all out yet but I was able to turn all of my fabric graphics into cut-able files-and then make garland... lots of garland!

So we made this garland for my cousin who is a teacher. 

And then we made this garland for my aunt who loves bears and blue... well at least I hope she does.... I need to get paper to make one of these for our house! 

And then Grandma wanted hummingbirds so I made up a graphic for that... SO ADDICTIVE!

I may have a cutting problem now! More projects to show you as soon as I get them photographed!

Patriotic Garland Tutorial

Thanks for all of the love for Isabella. We are home adjusting to life as four- it's going very well - just very busy! I will try to get some pictures up for you shortly meanwhile hope you enjoy this scheduled post!

It's been a while since I did a tutorial ... or a garland. This one is pretty basic and will work for quite a few holidays hope you enjoy! 

Supplies:

Red, White and Blue Felt by the yard- 1/8 yard of each color. The larger you want the garland the more you will need mine measures about 10 feet long. 

Red, White and Blue Embroidery Floss

Red Grosgrain Ribbon - 3 feet

fabric-tac

Scissors

Needle

Printed Pattern

Directions:

Using Pattern pieces cut out stars- you will need 2 cut outs per star. Double your felt and cut them out together to make it easier on yourself. Cut out even amount of every color if you would like the garland to alternate red white and blue. 

 Put together the end stars first. Select one red and one blue star set. Cut Ribbon in half and using Fabri-Tac glue ribbon between two stars.

 Using coordinating embroidery floss sew your stars together hiding your knot between the stars. 

 Use a large stitch. Pull thread and knot slightly smaller to give wavy effect to the star. Repeat on all stars.

  Thread stars on red floss beginning and ending with the stars attached to the grosgrain ribbon.

 Hang garland and enjoy!

Don't forget to add your garland to our flickr group!

No moose were harmed in the making of this post....

Mum bought this moose for my little brother sometime 7-10 years ago. I stole it 4-6 years ago and it has been hanging in my guest room. It's awesome. For some reason I was thinking I would probably get rid of it.... I am very confused by this train of thought...what's wrong with me? Thank goodness Micah took notice of it a few weeks ago and  he LOVES it! He likes to talk to it and give it hugs and kisses. 

 So I decided he needed some garland- I've been looking for an excuse to make some felted ball garland for ages. I'm still not sure how I want to drape it over his horns. But I guess I have time to figure that out.  

I can't wait to start setting up the new rooms... unfortunately since I am not ready for Micah to sleep in the twin bed it will probably be another two months... I would feel bad decorating the nursery in pink and making him sleep it it- he already has enough issues- haha. It will be here soon enough though so I don't feel the need to rush it!

Christmas Tour {Corinnea's House}

I decorated a little bit last year but my heart wasn't in it. This year, for the first time in about 8 years, I decorated. I wanted to do more, but there's always next year right? 

 I love chandeliers. Decorating them is so fun. Jess found this garland for me at Michael's, I added some mini glass balls and a pearl garland given to me by a dear friend (thanks Vicki!).

 I bought a tree from Costco this year. This thing better last, just sayin. It comes pre-lit which is amazing. I also received an early gift from my hubby and Jess in the form of a new fireplace surround and mantel! You can see an old version of this area here. Huge improvement no? I kept meaning to do a big reveal but life just keeps happening.

 I love it. 

I love this room. 

No, it's not really cold enough for a fire but I don't care. 

 My tiny German village found a home on the top of my cabinets. I may leave it up for awhile. I'll add green rolling hills when spring comes. 

 I have these cool mirrors gifted to my by my mom in law. Jess accessorized it with my ridiculously heavy glass balls I collected in Germany. 

 I even pulled out the snow babies this year. Anyone else ever collect those? I guess I should have taken a closeup.... they are frolicking on top of the hutch.

 This is a favorite view of mine. I love the layers.

 For my dining room chandelier I placed two dowels across the opening and strung a million balls from them. I may leave these up year round too. 

 This wreath is new. I found it at Micheal's and embellished it with the ribbon and sparkly purple branch things. I strung small snowflake lights through it but forgot to turn them on for the photo. Target had a cute selection of battery lights this year. 

This is my view as I sit here and write. Well, except now my feet are propped on the table and the coffee is almost gone. 

Thanks for taking my little tour. 

Thank You!

First of all, thanks so much for following us over to our new space! We hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Ours was spent with family, friends and food. It was good.

So on to our winners!

For her choice of pouch from Mums shop number--

 Crafterhours - Adrianna


For her choice of garland from the my shop number--

 Sherie Lee

And for the Suprise number--

Kelly's Korner

So what is the surprise? Well Mum and I were feeling festive and I stumbled on this photograph for sale on etsy the other day. (shop here) 

It inspired me because I remembered Mum told me that the Cinnamon ornaments were very popular back at the Patch Craft Shop... (Mum still has the ornaments she bought from Mary) and I thought wouldn't it be awesome to make a cinnamon garland?! (I am not sure what they are made out of in this photo- maybe FIMO? )

So we got to work - and decided it was amazing and we must send it out to someone to enjoy or we'd be fighting over who gets to keep it... which would be messy... mainly because of the glitter but also because we both really want it! (I still think I would have won)

We enjoyed it so much we realized  we should just show everyone how to make their own because it's so easy and fun and it will make your house smell like Christmas.

Cinnamon Ornament Garland Tutorial

We used this recipe with variations (I bolded them below).

Ingredients

• 1 cup ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon allspice
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 2 tablespoons wood glue

Supplies

ginger bread cookie cutter- we used the Dad from this set which we found at Michaels

Craft hole punch or circle icing decorating tip

Glitter - We used Martha Stewart Glitter in Brownstone

Glue/paint brush - We used Martha Stewart Glitter Glue which includes a brush inside

Ribbon

embroidery needle

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Mix in the applesauce and glue. Work the mixture with your hands 2 to 3 minutes to form a ball. If mixture is too wet, add more cinnamon. If mixture is too dry, add more applesauce.

Lightly dust a clean surface with cinnamon. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread men. You can re-roll dough to get as much as possible out of each batch.

Use a hole punch or circle icing tip to make a hole for hanging with a ribbon.

Dry in a slow oven, 200 degrees F (100 degrees C) for several hours, or air dry in a sunny spot for 4 or 5 days. Some people suggest flipping to keep them nice and flat. 

When dry coat top with glue using a paint brush, sprinkle generously with glitter and then knock off  the excess for reuse.

When dry, string on ribbon. We used a continuous piece of ribbon and just went through each arm twice to create a loop, then ran the ribbon along the back to keep each gingerbread man from moving

Enjoy decorating your house with garland or ornaments- these things smell wonderful and with the glitter addition the sparkle like crazy

**Winners** Please contact us with your picks and address information so we can mail your prizes.
(jessica_m_m@hotmaildotcom)


Thanks so much for playing along!

Why aren't weekends longer?

We had a lovely weekend. Micah got a nap in the hammock...  which is why he has the red mark on his cheek...he loves the thing

 We went out for a ride with some of Ubers coworkers Sunday afternoon who just happen to be the nicest group! 

 And another garland is up in the shop

I'll be back tomorrow with a crafting project/mini tutorial.

Etsy Update

I've been adding some things to my etsy shop- not super interesting but it's where I've been. Things take much longer now then they used to! 

Growth Charts- just the printed portion so you can decorate and finish them yourself.

I restocked the sunshine garland

and added two new versions 

 this blue one is my favorite

I have a few more that in the works... need to make a joanns run so it will probably be another year... yuck!

And here is the boy- I meant to post this picture with the video the other day as an AFTER shot he wore himself out! This was his first fall asleep while playing... I love it!

and here he is rocking his outfit from Grandma C she sent a box of awesome goodies- I need to show you the toys... they're awesome. We we're able to squeeze him in the shirt once- he's such a porker he is already up in 9 month clothing  (sometimes 12 month) but the pants will fit for a while longer.

Alright off to see what I can accomplish today!