Thanksgiving Craft Party

This morning I will be hosting a holiday crafting party!  I'm so excited!!  I expect about 10 friends over to make wooden Thanksgiving letters. I have even more coming to make wooden Jingle Bells.  (I have a second date also scheduled so I am not entirely sure how many we will have today.)   I have everything lined up and ready to go- wood, paint, paper, modpodge, paint brushes, vinyl, scissors, ribbon, buttons, and probably the kitchen sink!  Lol.  I love crafting with good friends!!  I have finished my Thanksgiving craft so that the women can look to it for inspiration, but I will also be crafting with them to complete a custom order. 

Enter If You Dare

Confession.  I don't always cut my own vinyl.  I found this gem while scrapbook and craft shopping in Utah.  Once upon a time there were seven scrapbooking stores in the Houston area, and now there is only one.  And it is a 90 minute drive away.  So when I am lucky enough to make it back to Utah to visit family and mountains I soak in the creativity and inspiration and probably spend a little too much.  But I digress...

I saw this vinyl in a store and immediately knew what I wanted to do with it.  I wanted to put it on glass, and frame some Halloween fabric.   I love this decor approach because it allows you to use a larger frame, not being limited to a 12 inch scrapbook paper, plus there are so many wonderful fabric choices to consider!  I landed on this vibrant green and hung it on my front door.  I think I might find a new spot to hang it next year, I was so nervous that my boys would slam the door and break the frame.

Happy Halloween!!

Love is Spelled Time

I love this!!!  This was a custom request from a girl I used to teach in church, and who is now a newlywed.  She approached me before her wedding to have this made because she wanted it hung in their new home together.  She purchased the sign and we worked together to find fonts and embellishments she was happy with.  I hope they have a long, wonderful life together!!

I've discovered wood signs!

So I learned about a business in Tomball named Junkin Gypsies that helps you create wood slat signs.  I love the look of these signs so I was glad I was able to visit with my neighbor.  We had an absolute blast!!!  I know many do not like to get dirty, but I love working with my hands.  I loved the smell of the wood as I sanded the edges.  I loved hammering the nails.   And I loved painting my creation.  They had so many adorable designs to choose from, but ultimately I opted for  this Christmas tree design.  It definitely took longer than we expected, but I am super happy with how it turned out and I am already looking forward to returning to make another sign or decoration.

Families Are Forever

My heart is breaking.  I lost my dear friend after a long fight with breast cancer.  I will miss her dearly, and I ache for her husband and young children.

While she was fighting I made her two crafts.  My hope was to inspire her, to lift her up, and to give her family some comfort.  I would like to share those crafts.

The first craft I made was an anchor.  I chose this symbol in part because my friend loved the ocean, and a small group of us were lucky enough to take a cruise with her as we "Threw Cancer Overboard."  There are a few phrases you can tie to an anchor.  I ultimately landed on "Refuse to Sink" on one side and "Anchored in Christ" on the other side.  I painted the anchor her favorite navy blue and added fun chevron paper.  I then added some rope to give a 3-D effect.

The other craft I made for my dear friend was a temple.  We are both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  An important tenant of our faith is our belief that there is life after death, and that our families can be together forever.   I decorated the temple in embossed white paper, and then I added white glitter on top.  I was honored when her family displayed it at her funeral.  I miss her dearly but look forward to the day we will have a happy reunion.  Please hug the ones you love today. <3 p="">

I have tagged this post with "craft party" because I was asked to organize and lead this craft later for a Relief Society Super Saturday activity coming up in a few weeks.

Dinosaur Skull

This was a custom request for a birthday party!  I think the customer might be putting them on buckets for little excavators.

Star Trek

This was a custom request meant to be given as a gift to a Star Trek fanatic.  Live long and prosper!!