The new Christmas Surprise Stocking PDF sewing pattern from Project Run and Play has so many great options! Choose from a plain, ruffled, or scalloped cuff, heel and toe appliques, and a knot or full bow in place of a cuff!
Read MoreTry this magnetic jingle bell sort for minute to win it Christmas party games or kids class parties!
Read MoreFor the Project Run and Play Pajama Party I made 4 sets of coordinating pajamas using 6 different patterns and fabric from Cali Fabrics!
Read MoreThoughts on Christmas perfectionism, how to make upcycled sweater stockings, and decorating with old Christmas card pictures.
Read MoreThese mint chocolate cookies can be made in tree shapes and dipped in white chocolate to look like snow covered trees! They are a beautiful and delicious Christmas treat!
Read MoreDecember is always a pretty slim blogging month for me. Other bloggers are sharing all of these awesome Christmas craft tutorials and I am usually just stuck at the idea stage of any Christmas craft projects. I get all of these fabulous ideas, perhaps even purchase the supplies, and then we just get busy. That is life. I have been trying to simplify Christmas as much as possible. I don't want it to be a stressful time of year. I want it to be a joyful time of year.
Everything went pretty smoothly and we had one of the nicest Christmases that I can remember.
But Christmas break is kicking my butt. It is hard to enjoy the time with your children when they steal coffee, fight, act out, trash the house, etc. I took all electronics on Day 2. We have no TV. It is too cold to play outside. They are definitely getting bored. Yet, I feel like if I take them anywhere fun it will be a reward for their awful behavior.
Yesterday I ate a half of a bag of m&m's.
So, I am trying to blog, but the words are stuck. So, although I just typed out a bunch of stuff, I am now giving you a "wordless Wednesday" post, inspired by the good old days when people read blogs daily. It is a conglomeration of fun pics snapped around the house and assorted crafts. Enjoy.
A new trend I have noticed is displaying portions of handwritten notes enlarged as a sign. I think it is a lovely way to remember special words. I was recently asked to create a sign with a portion of Clarence's note from It's a Wonderful Life so I thought I would snap a few pictures of the process to share a tutorial on the blog.
I happened to have the perfect size board already on hand. It is a rough cut board sanded slightly, so it has the rough edges and saw blade marks still visible. It really gives the piece some rustic character. I just lightly brushed some cream paint onto the board to get a weathered effect. You can also sand the edges to remove paint and make it more rustic.
Next, I resized the portion of the original note I was using and printed it out. (I just use Microsoft Word because I can use the page size to estimate dimensions.) I used carbon paper to transfer the image to the painted wood.
I used a fine tip black paint marker to paint the words onto the wood. It is more natural to make handwriting with a paint marker vs. a paintbrush. I also let the roughness of the wood texture the lettering by not filling in chips and grain.
Finally, I applied an antiquing wax to further age and seal the piece.
I think this technique would be really sweet for old love notes from your spouse, cards from special occasions, or even treasured family recipes!
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Sewing, crafts, tutorials, recipes, and a little look at our life in the country - raising half a dozen children.
Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by! My name is Lindsay and on this blog you will find sewing, crafts, decorating, recipes, and tutorials with a little bit of honesty and encouragement.
