The Crafting Bug

So for the last several months, I've had the biggest crafting bug.  Really.  daggone.  big.  It all started when I became interested in deco mesh wreaths.  I thought: Hey, maybe I'll watch some YouTube videos, make the wreaths, sell them on Etsy, and get rich!  Well, the part about getting rich is a bit of an exaggeration.  I didn't really think that.  But I did think it would be a nice on-the-side hobby that could help me make a few dollars (since I currently make ZERO dollars staying at home!).  I ordered some supplies from Trendy Tree and got busy.  Here's my favorite that I made:

I actually opened an Etsy shop, then wound up closing it fairly quickly.  Do you know how many results pop up when you do a search for "deco mesh Christmas wreath"?  2,194.  Yep, that's right.  So I didn't have a chance.  But it all worked out OK because I sold most of the ones I made just by word of mouth on Facebook.  I kept this one for myself:

And donated this one to the Benefit Auction for Brooklyn Disselkamp (read more about Brooklyn's story here:

I am no professional at this stuff, but believe me when I say that it's sooooo easy!  There are lots of free tutorials and videos online about how to make deco mesh wreaths.  You should try it!

And I almost forgot that I tried my hand at grapevine wreaths, too.  I made this one for my daughter's bedroom door.  She has a gender-neutral room because we didn't find out ahead of time what she was, so the wreath doesn't match her room (which is green and brown).  BUT it adds a nice girly touch to things!

To support my crafting bug, I thought it would be a good idea to make some homemade Christmas gifts this year.  I'm not going to post pictures (yet) of the finished products because I obviously don't want any family members to see their gifts before they open them!  But here's one project I finished last week: mod podge tissue paper ornaments.  Super easy.  All you need are glass ornaments, tissue paper, and mod podge.  I found this idea on Pinterest of course.  The ones I made look similar to this, except with different tissue paper.

 

Now.  I think this next project is going to be my favorite, assuming that they turn out exactly as I have pictured in my mind!  I still have to pick out the fabric for the canvases (won't be using chevron), but check this out:

They will look something like this.  Can't wait to post pics of the final products!

Last but not least, I had a friend over last week and we made something for ourselves, which is always fun.  And what better than homemade cinnamon ornaments?!  Soooo easy and they made my house smell so, so cinnamon-y wonderful.  The inspiration came from none other than...drumroll please...PINTEREST!

http://www.katyelliott.com/blog/2011/12/cinnamon-applesauce-heart-ornaments.html

What crafty things have you made lately?

Diving Right In

So I've had this blog set up for a couple months now but was never sure what to write about until today.  The first blog post should be something spectacular and life-changing, right?!  I've had lots of ideas over the last several weeks but kept shooting each one of them down with thoughts like: That's been written about 50 times before or Would anyone really be interested in that?  Then I realized that it doesn't really matter if something has been written about before; lots of people can write about the same thing but in very different ways.  And yes, even though this is a blog that I hope will earn some followers over time, it's mainly for me to use as an outlet for my thoughts...and share with others along the way!

So.  Here I am.  Let's get back to that "spectacular and life-changing" part.  I want to share with you a story about a little girl from my hometown that is battling cancer.  I came to know about Brooklyn's story through another blog, which just so happens to be written by a girl I went to elementary school with.  My jaw literally dropped when I read that Erin and Daniel's baby girl has Neuroblastoma.  Yes, there are many other children in the world currently fighting cancer, but I know Brooklyn's parents.  I "know" them as in, we went to school together, talked a few times, and went our separate ways in life.  Far from being friends (maybe not even acquaintances), but yet, I feel like I know them for one simple reason: I am a mother.  A mother with a baby girl not much younger than Brooklyn herself.  A mother or father's love for their child is unexplainable and immeasurable.  So when I stop and think about if this were my precious baby fighting for her life, I am brought to tears.  I cannot even begin to imagine what Erin and Daniel are experiencing on this journey, because I don't think it's something anyone can understand until they have experienced it.    

Brooklyn announced (via a super cute t-shirt!) to her family on Thanksgiving day that her "only child" status would be expiring next summer.  Then, one day later, she was diagnosed with Neuroblastama.  Not only is Brooklyn's mother trying to make it through each day while her sweet little one fights cancer, but she is also carrying new life inside of her.  Even more reason to pray for this young family.

If you do nothing else today, please pray for this family of Erin, Daniel, and Brooklyn.  Please include in your prayers their extended family, as well, that are supporting them during this difficult time.  And I invite you to read a beautifully-written letter from a big sister (Selina) to her little brother (Daniel) entitled For My Brother.  If you would like to make a donation to help with Brooklyn's hospital costs, visit this page.  And here is the Caringbridge site.

If you're wondering how the part above about how a first blog post should be "spectacular and life-changing" fits into all of this, just think: The outpouring of love and support for this family has been truly spectacular and I know that it will only multiply as the days continue.  What a life-changing journey this family is on, and oh how much sweeter all of our lives are after being touched by Brooklyn's story.

Last of all, become a Brooklyn Believer by liking this page on Facebook.  Stay updated on fundraisers and events to benefit Brooklyn, and most importantly, SPREAD THE WORD!

Until next time...