The Creche

Every year for the past few Christmas' I have received a piece of the Willow Tree Nativity Scene. I really love it becuase its simple, very neutral in its colourings and it fits so nicely on my mantle. I really wanted the Creche that you can purchase however the creche itself can run about $80 and upwards in the end. See.... http://www.amazon.com/Willow-Tree-26106-Creche/dp/B000CR2NBA Hmmm...dont need it that bad.

however this year my hubby decided to make one for me ...b/c he too is Dutch! He was fortunate to receive some barnwood from our neighbour and here is his handy work. He is quite proud of it ( as he should be) and loves to show as many people as I do!

The Wreath!

I have been working on this for a long time...really a long time. I kinda stopped because I think in the end I made it too big b/c being dutch I didnt want to waste the spray foam in making the wreath itself..But I like it, and it pops on my newly painted black front door!

Because I wanted a square wreath, I took a square piece of cardboard, cut my wreath size and sprayed spray foam on it for a bit of definition. Looking back now...It was a bit too big..Oh well lesson learned...it still looks good...just more work to cover!

So here is the front..spray foamed

I cut strips of burlap, folded them over a rolled, glued and even sewed them up to look like rosettes. I also rolled to wreath itself in strips of the burlap to cover the ugly spray foam

Almost done!

Here it is..finally finished with a nice bright D on it. Not sure I love the D yet...but needed some colour to punch it up!

My new to me Table

So our neighbours down the road were getting rid of a few items..and mentioned that had this old table. It was nothing pretty ( her words not mine!) but our current table downstairs was getting somewhat annoying to use. It was a pedestal style table and when an kid (or adult) leaned on table even slightly........the coffees were a flying! So I figure I would take it and see how I could transform their table to brighten my room ( and keep coffee in the mug!)

Sorry for including the ladder, small space to work in and had to share with my painting hubby!

So I first put 2 coats of primer on so that the colour would be bright! And then on to 2 coats of colour (P.S. as a side note after the first colour coat, I had a back spasm and I do have to give credit to my hubby who did the 2nd coat and brought it down to the basement!)

We added some nice glass knobs for the pretty effect and Voila!! A new table with a lotta colour to brighten up my grayish basement!

Kids Car Caddy

So we are headed on a few trips soon...YEAH!! summer coming soon! Although really with all this rain we are getting...its hard to tell! So both boys have been moved to the back of the bus! But of course this means we'll hear alot of "mom...can you pass me this...and can I have that...I want a book!" So I Googled a few kids car caddies. I did see a really nice one that someone sewed...

but I just don't feel like buying the pattern and trying it out...plus, I still have a few other projects on the go and didn't want to do something time consuming....AND then it hit me.....See what I did with a simple Wipe box...

Wipes Box (sorry for the bad pic!), I cut off the top flaps of the box

Bought a big jar O' Mod Podge....

Quickly fixed the missing spot in the bottom of the box with a piece of the original flaps

And now the fun begins. I took some nice scrapping paper I wasn't using, and modge podged the whole box! Now its not perfectly applied by any means, as the paper itself kinda wrinkled a bit when I "podged" it down...oh well...it was my first time!

So then, I took another piece of cardboard from another box ( although you could use one flaps from the wipes box and made a "divider". I used some of the paper scraps to create flaps on either side of the divider so when I placed it into the box, there would be something to adhere it to. You can see that the divider peeks out and is shorter than the scrap paper use, thus creating "wings"

Hot glued the divider in place ( just right to hold a DVD case) and then mod podged the paper on either side down

And Voila, a nice box, that is pretty sturdy as well. Its already seat belted into the van for our first travel. I packed it with some books, reading and colouring, a cup filled with pencil crayons, and a sharpener, kleenexs, small toys, some DVDs and paper. Just some thing to keep the boys occupied.

I belted it in not because I'm worried if IT gets into an accident, but then at least I know it wont go anywhere if we stop suddenly!!

DIY Footstool

I had originally found my glider for the baby room on Kijiji for $40.00. Now the material wasn't the nicest but I figured I could recover it ( which I did!) but it didn't come with a footstool, which would have been SOOO nice to have at the beginning when I was breastfeeding. Anyways...after keeping my eyes open for various options, I snagged this table at a garage sale for $5.00!! It was just a pine colour, so I sprayed her up in a nice clean white!! ( I forgot to take a picture of the table before, sorry!!)

Then I went to Walmart and picked up a piece of foam...what...24x16 inches??? Perfect...that happened to be the dimensions of the top of the table...no cutting.

I added on some batting from making quilts to soften all the edges where I would pull the material, and I had the perfectly sized piece of material left from the chair to put on the top. Out comes the heavy duty stapler, I folded over the material so it would have a nice clean edge.

And Voila!....a nice footrest...or even a bench when all the babies are done their rockin'!

Easter Mantel

I generally don't decorate for holidays/seasons, with the exception of Christmas, but was wanting my house to feel more "spring like". Seeing variations of this set up on some blogs, I set out to see how I could do it in mine. I got the tiny little Apocrathy jar on kijiji for $2, the 2nd vase from my own collection, and the 3rd from Pier 1 ( on clearance). It was still expensive enough since I generally don't spend alot on decorations for the house. I added in some moss from the Dollar Store, some larger eggs form Pier 1 (again on 20%) and a few smaller eggs donated by my friend Rachel. All in all I love the look thats not only for Easter but for spring in general. Now....to start thinking about summer...

Easter Basket

So this might not exactly be something I created, but re-created. I wanted to get a similar easter basket for G but knew I wouldn't find one. I stopped in at a garage sale and found this one and thought...hmmm it looks similar...but the colours weren't really easter.

So off to Home Depot to see what I could find to change up the drab basket. So I added in some Carribean Blue Spray Paint...

And Voila!!! New easter Basket for under $5.00...I might even get 2 more colours and re-do the other boys baskets....

Ruffle PIllows

I made these pillows because I wanted to do a bit of a trial run before making ones for my upstairs living room ( which needs a punch of colour!). I had some material from another project and some scraps ( I can't bear to throw good chunks of material away!) and some ribbon that kinda co-ordinated as well. So I followed this tutorial from Tatertots and Jello I love their blog and get so many great ideas from them and other craft bloggers...

Now seeing as I dont have girls, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with these now that they were made. My sister in law Jenn just decorated their girls room in pink and yellow...it was meant to be...Hope they enjoy them!!

Now onto my burlap wreath...lots of rosettes to sew...a new post soon...and then I really like this idea...but I'm not sure I can do it but I love the idea!

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/03/hello-fellow-readers-tater-tots-and.html

Camera Strap Cover

So I have seen these covers on a few blogs. What I love most about it is the pink patch on the bottom of the strap cover I made is actually a little pocket to hold the lens cover. Super great idea otherwise I fine I always put them in my pocket or plain just misplace them.

I got the patchwork idea here from LBG Studio. I used up some pieces I had left over from various other crafts. SO its not as perfect as hers. But I like it the same. Next time I will make it like her 2nd version, all one fabric

or maybe like this with a ruffle, made by "Crap I've Made"...I just love the colours!!

Next time I will make it like her 2nd version, all one fabric, or maybe like this with a ruffle

Cozy Cup Holder

OK..Im sure I have done some more craft between the quilt/shirt but will have to track down pictures! So onto my next creationg/idea!!!

I go out to IKEA with my "house in Campden" girls and a few extra. I had seen these POKAL mugs before and I love them. This time as I was drinking more and more tea, I thought hey..its a big cup and I can put more tea per cup in this...what a great idea. My friend Donk says..." I never get a mug without a handle". I though...why..no big deal..its cool!!

Until I make my first cup of tea.....Duh!!!!
The whole cup is way to hot, possibly scorching to pick up.

So I had to sew a cup cozy. Which I love as well. I mean I can pick my own pattern and everything...so here is the first one I made...

I checked around for a few tutorials, and even found one for this specific cup, but it didnt fit so I had to rework it. Now I find it a little big..but it still works

Addy is One ( Part Two of Gift!)

So the 2nd part of the gift was that I made her a quilt. I bought a material pack, already cut up in fat quarters I believe at Joannes ( in the US..my favourite crafting store!) And made a few more cuts to make a square and then some long pieces. I had many one quilt before for our camper, and I will post a picture of it later. But I received some better advice about spray adheasive ( which has been a very bad thing to have in our house...another story!!) and how to simply finish "quilting" all the pieces together. Its by no means perfect, but it was made with love by Tante Carolyn. Hopefully I hope to make more as I really enjoy the final outcome...and the receivers smile!!

Addy is One ( Part One of Gift!)

So I saw a friend of mine who did a spectacular job on throwing her little girl her first birthday party. What I loved most was her little shirt that had a one on it. It was so cute and again I thought...how could I make them. From there I started researching DIY appliqués. Not hard at all...It would be nice if I had a Silhouette machine...**sigh** well a girl can dream. For now...not necessary! For now I will print and cut one my own! I know Kristie loved the shirt...and I look forward to make more!!

Emmeline Apron

I again had seen beautiful "girly" aprons for sale at a mom 2 mom sale. Going for $40 or more! I thought, I have to make me one of those. I can understand the cost involved especially when you take in consideration the time to sew the apron. I picked the Emmeline Apron pattern up off ETSY at the time and feel in love with it.

The first time I made it was for my sister Debbie, and the second for my sister Kristie. No worries other sister, mom and sister in law...yours will come! Now that I made it twice, I will admit I am quicker at putting it together. Practice does make perfect...

Sister Kristie Side 1

Sister Kristie Side 2 (sorry for the blurriness...still learning camera at this point!)

Faux Flower Box

So again, I saw this Faux Flower box on Samster Mommy, and loved it!!

So I had to make one myself. I think though the biggest issue was finding a square basket similar to hers that was kinda long. I think it turned out well. My mom even liked it so much she said I could make her one! Thats a compliment coming from her, she used to work at a flower shop arranging flowers.

LIttle Girls Headbands

So I kept seeing beautiful baby headbands for sale for $15.00 or more. Super cute, and because I was taking more and more photos for newborn baby girls (there seemed to be alot of them at one point in time...now its all boys!!) So after searching for a good tutorial, and stumbled across Samster Mommy Blog

I LOVER HER IDEAS....its an understatement. She is super creative and was my inspiration for making things on my own and fulfilling my creative needs!! Here was her tutorial for the flower headbands.