Summer Nautical Navy And White Party Ideas with Paper

June 6, 2018 By Linda 2 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of A.C. Moore. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are so many things to love about the craft store.

So many things to inspire my creativity.

So many shiny things I want to take home and glue to something. Anything.

So many shades of paint I want to splatter on anything that doesn’t move. And even some that do! 😉

But the one section in the craft store that draws me in … calls my name as soon as I step foot in the store ... is the paper aisle.

So many colors. So many designs and patterns and beautiful color combinations. So many themes.

So many possibilities!

In the paper aisle, my head explodes with all those possibilities. Paper flowers … and origami … and custom cards … oh my!

Not to mention how many affordable ways I can use paper to create something beautiful for my home …

or, even better, how many affordable ways I can use paper to create something beautiful I can share with friends and family at a summer party!

For my summer nautical navy and white party ideas with paper, I zeroed in on these amazing Love Nicole paper collections at A.C. Moore in “ahoy” …

… and “seaside.”

You can find both of these collections (and even more amazing designs and colors) at A.C. Moore … and even more design inspiration by watching the A.C. Moore Hour, a recent partnership with Create and Craft airing every Wednesday at 11 AM Eastern time. Now you can tune into your TV and regularly get great craft ideas. You can watch Create and Craft on DISH Network or stream online at createandcraft.com.

Summer Nautical Navy and White Party Ideas with Paper

Paper Gift Box Tutorial

Trace cube box template onto back side of your paper (click here to download & print the template).

Cut it out.

Fold. Fold. Fold (per template).

Using a glue stick, apply to flaps.

I also used a little tape to better secure the sides of the box.

Finished box measures about 2 1/4″ square.

Paper Bow Tutorial

You can download the bow template by clicking here.

Trace template on wrong side of paper and cut out.

Add glue.

Fold over each side to form bow’s loops, adding more glue to stick ends to center.

Use a paper clip to secure until dry. (If it doesn’t stick, you can use tape or a glue gun).

I used glue dots to secure the looped bow to the base (you can also use glue or glue gun).

Wrap small strip around center of bow to finish off, secure in back (again, I used glue dots but you can use glue gun or tape).

Paper Sailboat Cupcake Topper Tutorial

You can download the triangle template by clicking here. (I used the smaller triangle for the mini cupcakes; the larger triangle is for standard size cupcakes)

Trace on wrong side of paper and cut out.

Add a small hole to top of triangle (using a small hole hand punch) along the right angle side.

And add a second small hole at bottom of triangle.

Feed through a small dowel (I used a wooden vegetable skewer that you can find at the grocery store). Add a small jute tie at bottom of triangle.

Cut dowels and insert in cupcakes.

Mason Jar Paper Topped Sippy Cup Tutorial

Trace mason jar lid on wrong side of paper.

Cut out.

Step not pictured: Before inserting circle cut outs into mason jar bands, punch holes for straws (you can also use a knife to make an “X” after you insert into bands)

Add straws … and serve!

Paper Navy & White Flag Banner

Click here for banner template.

Trace and cut out. Add to jute string using mini clothespins (you can find them at the craft store).

Paper Napkin Ring Tutorial

Cut 1″ strips of paper.

Wrap around rolled up napkins. Trim excess and secure in back with tape.

Finish by tying off with a piece of jute string.

Pull it all together and you’ve got an amazing nautical themed party exclusively using paper to create your decorations!

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Gray Painted Bathroom Vanity

May 11, 2018 By Linda 3 Comments

Gray Painted Bathroom Vanity – Sherwin Williams Repose Gray.

$gray painted bathroom vanity - sherwin williams repose gray - grey painted furniture$

You know that old saying about life handing you lemons and making lemonade?

Welcome to my lemonade.

My powder room is a lemon. It’s needs an apple or an orange or a lime or whatever the fruit equivalent is for a total gut job and rebuild.

But I’m living on a canned fruit budget. 😉

So my only recourse is lemonade making.

$gray painted bathroom vanity - sherwin williams repose gray - grey painted furniture$

Now, the thing is about making lemonade is … I’ve never made it from scratch. No juicing of lemons and adding of water and sugar for the perfect balance of tart to sweet. No sprigs of mint to top it all off.

I’m all about easy lemonade making with instant powder mix and water. The closest I’ve gotten to using a fresh lemon is as a garnish.

So when it came to making lemonade out of my old powder room vanity, I took the easy instant mix way. Down and dirty without a juicer or fresh lemon in sight.

🙂

$crystal cabinet pulls - gray painted bathroom cabinet - sherwin williams repose gray - grey painted furniture$

Which means the end result isn’t perfect. There are flaws.

$gray painted bathroom vanity - sherwin williams repose gray - glass cabinet pulls D. Lawless$

But that’s okay. Because in the end, my lemon cabinet looks much better than the before. And much, much better than the before before …

Gray Painted Bathroom Vanity

Materials

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray (flat finish)

Annie Sloan Clear Wax (affiliate link)

Paint Brush

Clean Rags (for waxing)

Satin Nickle Cabinet Hinge

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

I sed Sherwin Williams Repose Gray flat latex paint on the cabinets (it’s the same paint on used on the bathroom walls). I removed the doors first and painted the base in place. It took two coats of paint, with drying time between each coat. Sand as needed to smooth out any drips (I sometimes take a heavy hand with the paint which results in drips!).

Once dry, I took a rag and the Annie Sloan clear wax (my preferred top coat finish choice because it gives a more matte satin finish vs. higher gloss poly) and added wax to the doors and base cabinet. Then I came back with a clean rag and removed & buffed.

That’s it.

My instant lemonade mix makeover of my bathroom vanity cabinet.

$gray painted bathroom vanity - sherwin williams repose gray - grey painted furniture$

I finished it off with new satin nickle hinges …

and these pretty antique crystal glass pulls from D. Lawless Hardware (and this is not a sponsored post).

Oh, and I used this same instant lemonade mix fix for the molding around the bathroom mirror. Painted & waxed in place.

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Pretty Bathroom Storage with Fabric Mason Jar Cozies

Mason Jar Cozies Bathroom Storage

May 4, 2018 By Linda 6 Comments

Mason Jar Cozies Bathroom Storage – Gold Mason Jar Lids with Crystal Knobs.

I just realized something.

Nothing big. Nothing earth shattering. Nothing to write home about.

But …. my blog design and my home’s decor are becoming synergistic.

I’d like to say it was by design.

Literally.

But no. It’s pure coincidence.

…. or is it?

Perhaps when I was drawn to a blog design with gray with gold highlights so many years ago it was a sign of things to come?

Or maybe it was a self-fulfilling prophecy?

If we look waaaaaaaaaay back to October 2011, my first blog design was blue and white.

Do you remember that?

And as I type this, I sit in a blue and white room. Okay, navy blue (unlike the original French blue color). But blue nonetheless.

Yet, when I first chose that blue and white blog design my home was all red and green and purple and jeweled tone.

Could that original blue and white blog design also have been a self-fulfilling prophecy?

And then …

do you remember when the blog design went full on color crazy? I wish I had a screen shot of that design with all the different colored paint rollers?

That design happened about the same time I was painting my son’s room bright orange.

Dare I say …. self-fulfilling prophecy?!?

🙂

So, for now, I’m all about the gray and white. I’ve painted my entry in that color palette recently. I’ve painted the powder room in that palette (and will be sharing the full reveal with you soon) …

and next up this month is tackling the living and dining room with some gray paint.

I’ve even decided on the color (the most challenging part of all!).

So stay tuned …

And, in the meanwhile, I’m sharing how to add some pretty gray and white bathroom accents with fabric mason jar cozies bathroom storage with glam gold tops with crystal knobs.

How To Make Fabric Mason Jar Cozies Bathroom Storage

Materials*

Ball Pint Size Regular Mouth Mason Jars

this Etsy shop

Gray & White Fabric (I purchased my fabric from this Etsy shop)

Measuring Tape

Thread

Pins

Sewing Machine

Iron

*Includes some affiliate links.

1 – Start by measuring your mason jars. You’ll cut the length of fabric and extra inch (or two) to allow for a 1/2″ seam allowance when sewing.

2 – For the quart jar, I cut my strip 3 inches wide (I actually did the fabric rip thing versus cutting to get a clean edge. Just snip a little at the edge of the fabric and then rip.

3 – For the pint size jars, my fabric width is 2 inches.

4 – For an unfinished edge look, I pulled a few threads to give it a frayed look. I also trimmed off a few of the longer pieces.

5 – Wrap fabric around jar (good side towards the jar) and pin.

6 – Sew along pin line (right sides together). Cut off excess fabric.

7 – Iron seams open.

8 – Slip onto jars.

How To Make Gold Mason Jar Lids with Crystal Knobs

Materials*

Metallic Gold Spray Paint (my go-to metallic is Valspar)

Clear Multi-Surface Glue (I used E6000)

Regular Mouth Mason Jar Lids & Bands

Crystal Knobs (I found mine at Home Depot)

*includes some affiliate links.

1 – Spray lids and bands with metallic gold spray paint. Let dry overnight.

2 – Add glue to lids. Attach crystal glass knobs.

3 – Let dry overnight.

4 – Fill jars and add your new, glam gold lids with crystal knobs.

So the lesson learned here today (besides how to make mason jar cozies and mason jar gold lids with crystal knobs) is that they next time I change up my blog design, my home design will follow suit!

🙂

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How to Make Balloon Shade Tutorial

March 13, 2018 By Linda 4 Comments

How To Make Balloon Shade Tutorial – Balloon Shade DIY.

Soooooooooooooooooo ……

Do I really need to address the elephant in the room? Or can we just move on. Move forward.

Because, honestly, I blame it on the so. Well, more accurately, the sew.

As in sewing.

Because sewing tutorials are the worst.

They are complicated. On so (and sew) many levels 😉 …

Starting with large swaths of fabric that are nearly impossible to photograph in a single frame without moving every piece of furniture out of the room.

And as a reminder, my house is already space-challenged.

Then there’s the whole sewing terminology barrier. I’m not a professional seamstress. I’m an amateur.

Okay, maybe there was that one class I took way back in junior high school. But that was loooooong ago and these days I’m mostly winging it.

I mean, have you tried reading a sewing pattern lately? It makes toilet paper math looks like kid’s play.

In trying to write up a sewing tutorial, I realize I don’t know the correct terms. Or stitches. I don’t even own a serger … or is it a serging machine? …. I don’t even know what it is. Or what it looks like. Or even when I would need to serge something.

And with all that said, I’ve been making balloon shade curtains for 25 years. My sister taught me as we made four giant balloon shade curtains for my first apartment. And when I moved into this home, I was a balloon-shade-making maniac. And then when I was pregnant the nursery got it’s own balloon shade. And then when I redecorated the nursery for my daughter (child #2), I made yet another balloon shade curtain …

With this gray and white buffalo check balloon valance, it took me close to two months to make — and share — this balloon shade curtain tutorial. A curtain I could whip out in a day.

Sigh.

Two weeks spent procrastinating because of the dreaded sewing tutorial.

Another week spent flip flopping and agonizing over scrapping the tutorial and just making the curtain.

And all the while the bare window looked so bare. And sad.

And then I gave in. And spent 3 days making this balloon shade (2 days longer than necessary) while documenting the process. As best I can.

And then another four weeks was spent in procrastination mode. And avoidance mode. Because I was procrastinating and avoiding writing up this post.

Sigh.

Because, as I said before, sewing tutorials are the worst.

How To Make Balloon Shade Tutorial

Materials*

Fabric (I found this gray & white gingham at this Etsy seller) – I used 1 3/4″ yards of 60″ width fabric

Thread

1/2″ Plastic Rings

Cording (I used about 20 yards)

5 Metal Eye Hooks

Wide Pocket Curtain Rod (2 1/2″)

*Includes some affiliate links.

Start by measuring your window area. As you can see, I chose to hang my curtain much higher than the top of the window. The ceilings are tall in this room and the window is short. I wanted to make the window look taller.

And here’s how I set up the hardware. I put the curtain rod hardware slightly outside the width of the window measurement by about 1 inch. You also need to install 5 eye hooks where the strings you’ll thread through the back of the curtain and then through the eye hooks to make the balloon curtain balloon.

For the fabric, I cut three panels 19″ wide and 74″ length (the finished width will be just about double the width of the window and about double the length. This extra width & length fabric will help give the “balloon-ing” when the curtain is pulled up.

Pin the three panels together, right sides together. Sew along 1/2″ seam allowance.

Press open the seams.

Hem the bottom. Cut off excess fabric.

Create a top hem and a pocket for the hardware. Fold down the top fabric 10 inches. At the 4″ down from the top fold, create a sew line.

Make a the pocket 3″ to accommodate the 2 1/2″ hardware.

Sew along the lines to make the pocket.

Sew rings along the panel seams (and on outside seams). Space 6″ apart.

Thread your cording through the rings, starting at the bottom (where you’ll tie a knot. Thread up and over like so …

Insert the hardware through the pocket. Now you’re ready to hang.

Thread the cording through the eye hooks. Starting from the outer edge. The first cord will go through all four eye hooks.

The next goes through three eye hooks.

And next through two eye hooks.

The last through the last eye hook.

Pull on the cords until you like how the balloon shade balloons. Then braid them together and fit onto the 5th eye hook on the side of the window.

And we’re done. A full two months later …

sigh. 🙂

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March Calendar Page Printable

March 5, 2018 By Linda Leave a Comment

March Calendar Page Printable – Free Calendar Page March 2018.

Well, hello there March.

Where did you come from?

Wasn’t it just February 1?

Wasn’t I just bemoaning the start of a month traditionally filled with cold, gray, snowy/rainy/sleety and dreary days?

And then here you are. Showing up last week on my doorstep all shiny and new. All sunny and warm(ish) and snow melty. With nary a raindrop in sigh.

Now, I have to tell you March: We have high expectation of you.

The pressure is on ….

First (and most importantly) you usher in the start of Spring. Filling our heads with dreams of blooming flowers and warmer temperatures. Shedding coats and scarfs and snowboots for jean jackets and cardigans and flip flops.

Oh, and we are itching to sip wine, eat great food, and people watch at an outdoor café,

And we are counting on you March to make all this happen. On the 20th. Though we wouldn’t mind if you can make that happen sooner. 😉

And then there’s the whole shaping up for summer thing. March … with your Spring dreams of sun and warmth … you also usher in those dreams of our fit and toned bodies romping on the beach this summer.

Okay, I’m too old for romping. More like slow walking and sitting with a good book in a chair with my feet dipped in the surf.

Either way, bathing suits are involved. And we all know bathing suits are unforgiving.

So with the onset of March begins a renewed and reinvigorated exercise and healthy eating regime.

See March? I told you we expect so much of you.

Granted, you have a few weeks to get your you-know-what together. To shed your “in like a lion” ways. We’re so looking forward to “out like a lamb” ….

and to help you count down to the all-important 20th day of the month, I’ve made a March Calendar Page Printable. It’s FREE. It’s easy to download. And, like January and February, it’s paint themed (this time playing off an old Japanese proverb) …

Click here to download & print the March Calendar Page Printable for 2018.

And if you prefer to count down the days on a calendar page featuring a mason jar theme, you can find the download link for the March Mason Jar Calendar page at my other blog, Mason Jar Crafts Love. Just click here …

Vanilla Sugar Scrub

February 9, 2018 By Linda 2 Comments

Vanilla Sugar Scrub Recipe – Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe Idea

I try not to ascribe to (or is it subscribe to? or buy into?) conspiracy theories …

but ….

something has been afoot (or is it underfoot?) when it comes to this vanilla sugar scrub project.

Dare I say there has been some type of conspiracy at play?

You see, someone …

or something …

does not want me to put this vanilla sugar scrub recipe out into the universe.

I’m not sure why it’s so controversial.

None of the ingredients are contraband. Quite the opposite. They’re readily available products typically found in most households.

The methods (or is it methodology?) of combinning said non-contraband ingredients is not classified. A bowl. A mixing cup. A spoon. Mix.

And yet, it’s been an uphill battle trying to get this post up on the blog. A battle that has been raging on for weeks.

Sigh.

Let’s start with conspiracy #1: Way back in early January I made and photographed this Vanilla Sugar Scrub project. Thinking it could be a good homemade Valentine’s Day gift idea. It also falls into my “craft with what you have” mantra for 2018.

I download the photos onto my computer into my photo editing software program (Adobe Lightroom), carefully picked my favorites, and edited them. I did not take the final step – exporting them to my hard drive, figuring I’d get to that later.

Big mistake.

When I went to download those carefully-selected-and-edited pictures, I discovered my photo editing software program got a glitch. Okay, more than a glitch. It wouldn’t open. So I had to purchase new software. And download. And when I opened it up, all the previous photos were gone. Gone. GONE.

So I had to return to step one. This time, though, I exported those edited pictures.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Conspiracy theory #2: Years ago I dropped my laptop (I don’t recommend the dropping of laptops). Ever since, getting the charger wire to fit the charger wire hole has been a balancing act of precision that I perfected. Until …

last week …

when the charger would no longer charge. No matter how many times I tried to get the connection to work.

Unfortunately, I did not notice this until there was only 26 minutes of power left. Panicked, I grabbed my external hard drive and starting moving as many files as I could onto it.

Many photos made the transfer. This Vanilla Sugar Scrub project did not.

Sigh.

Fast forward to today. Here I sit with a brand new laptop. With my Adobe Lightroom photo editing software successfully downloaded. And I start he process all over again. Download photos. Carefully pic faves. Edit and export.

And, finally, get this months-in-the-making blog post up on the blog!

How To Make Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Makes enough to fill 3-to-4 1/2 pint mason jars

Ingredients*

2 cups Granulated Sugar

1/2 cup oil (I used Almond Oil, but Coconut or Olive Oil work too)

10-15 drops Vanilla Extract

1/2 pint Mason Jars (I used Ball Elite 8 oz. Pint Jars)

*includes some affiliate links.

Instructions

1. Mix sugar and oil together. Add vanilla extract a few drops at a time until you reach desired scent.

2. Spoon into mason jars.

3. Add jute tie and free printable gift tag.

4. Share with your loved ones.

I also made some free printable tags to download (luckily these did survive the emergency external hard drive transfer!). Just click here …

Now that I have a new laptop, I’m hoping the rest of 2018 will be conspiracy free. Well, at least until I drop my new laptop …

😉

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February Calendar Page Printable

February 1, 2018 By Linda 1 Comment

February Calendar Page Printable – Free Calendar Page Printable.

Why, hello there February.

Where did you come from?

How did you arrive so quickly?

Wasn’t it just January 1?

Wasn’t I just telling all my lovely readers (that’s you) how motivated I was feeling in 2018?

Wasn’t I just bragging about how I had an editorial calendar all mapped out for the month? How I planned to blog more and more consistently this year?

And I did get off to a strong start …

for the first two weeks.

And then?

And then I fell off the motivational bandwagon.

Sigh.

And now is the part of the blog post where I list a litany of excuses as to why I fell off that motivational bandwagon …

but I won’t.

And now is the part of the blog post where I promise that February will be better …

but I won’t.

Instead I’ll just say it looks like 2018 might look a lot like 2017 …

🙂

To download the February Calendar Page Printable, click here …

As a total aside that has nothing to do with editorial calendars and blog post frequency, my laptop died over the weekend. I have a new one with amazing screen resolution. But it’s throwing me off. Because I fear while my photos are looking pretty sharp on my screen they may look washed out and/or the white balance might be off on yours. If so, my apologies as I work through this all!

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P.S. If you prefer a side of mason jar with your free printable calendar page, I have a February mason jar calendar page up on the other blog, Mason Jar Crafts Love. Just click here for the download link …

How To Make a Bow

January 16, 2018 By Linda 2 Comments

How To Make A Bow – Wreath Bow DIY Tutorial.

Today’s post and project is from the “crafting with what you have” archives.

Or is it annals?

Perhaps annals today but archives after it’s published and … you know … officially archived?

Oh, and by archives (or annals) I mean the one other crafting with what you have project I did last week. But hey, the archive (or annals) has to start somewhere, right? 🙂

Either way, today I’m crafting with what I have.

And I’m hoping this turns into a common theme/trend (for me) in 2018. Mostly because (1) I really need a good purge of the crafting supplies accumulated over the past six years of this blog; and (2) I really need to stop giving all my hard-earned cash to Michael’s and JoAnns.

I mean, I have college tuition to pay ….

for the next, consecutive five years.

Oh, and I really need to invest in a new laptop (mine is literally falling apart). Pro tip: Dropping your laptop is not a good idea.

With all that in mind, I decided to re-purpose my Christmas wreath into a winter wreath.

Using what I had.

Which included painted pine cones I made a few years back (tutorial here) and 2 1/2″ wired ribbon I picked up last year at Michael’s. I had big plans for this ribbon …

that quickly fizzled and died. So I threw the ribbon into my crafting stash. And quickly forgot about it.

Until now.

Out it came.

And I tried my hand at making a bow …

How To Make A Bow

Materials

Wired Ribbon (I used Celebrate It! Brand from Michael’s that is ” wide)

Twisty Ties

Stapler

Scissors

Start by cutting four lengths of ribbon. For my bow, I cut:

One 8″ strip

One 27″ strip

Two 25″ strips

Fold the two 25″ strips into thirds with raw edges overlapping in back. The folded length should measure 11 inches. Staple closed along back raw edges.

Now accordion fold those two 11″ strips and staple in the middle.

Like so.

Now, my original plan was to stack the two stapled accordion-folded 11″ strips, add the 27″ length folded in half and then wrap the 8″ length around them and staple shut to hold together. But this plan did not work. Everything fell apart. Sooooooo …..

I folded over that 8″ strip and gave it three staples to make the bow center.

Using some twist ties (are we the only family that saves twist ties), I twisted three together to make a longer length. And then threaded it through the bow center piece.

I placed the bow center on top of the stacked two now 11″ pieces and the 27″ length.

And I used the twist ties to secure it all together.

After a little floofing …

and trimming, a bow has been created. Using what I have.

Up next, is a little floral wire. Again which I had …

To secure the painted pine cones onto the wreath.

Voila!

And now, with this how to make a bow post, my “craft with what you have” archives (or annals) has two submissions. 🙂

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White Rose Valentine Heart Wreath

January 9, 2018 By Linda 3 Comments

White Rose Valentine Heart Wreath – Grapevine Heart Wreath with Roses.

The house feels … well … naked.

And not naked because it’s clutter free. Quite the contrary; clutter and errant pine needles abound.

No. The house feels naked because the trees are down …

and with them goes the twinkle light warmth.

Ah well.

Time to move on.

Time to move forward.

Time to finally fully embrace 2018.

I mean, if twinkle lights were year-round they would lose their magic. 🙂

So instead of tackling the clutter and pine needles, I decided to look forward to Valentine’s Day. And make a white rose Valentine heart wreath …

How To Make A White Rose Valentine Heart Wreath

Materials*

Grapevine Heart Wreath

White Faux Roses (I used 4 bunches found at The Dollar Tree)

Wire Cutters

Length of Twine

*some affiliate links included

Start with your materials – grapevine heart wreath from Michaels and four bunches of roses from The Dollar Tree.

Cut roses from stems leaving a short length of stem.

Push that short length of stem through the grapevine to secure.

You could hot glue gun to attach the roses for a more permanent solution.

Continue adding roses.

I used 4 bunches of The Dollar Tree stems and a total of 18 roses.

Then I just added a bit of twine (tied through the grapevine on the back and hung it in my entry.

The white rose Valentine heart wreath …

… and the entry …

are setting the tone for my home in 2018.

De-saturated.

Neutral.

Simple.

And … hopefully … clutter (and pine needle) free. 🙂

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Yarn Wrapped Hearts

January 4, 2018 By Linda 15 Comments

Yarn Wrapped Hearts – Neutral Valentine’s Day Craft & Decor Idea.

I was toying with putting together a top 5 or top 10 posts of the year post.

But then I looked up from my computer screen at Kelly & Ryan on my television screen. And they were doing a show showing their top moments (or maybe it was favorite moments) from the past year. And it hit me …

the only people who enjoy a show featuring the show’s top moments from the past year are the people working on the show.

Hmmm.

And that put a kibosh on a top 5 or top 10 posts of 2017 post.

Instead, let’s look forward and open our (yarn wrapped) hearts to 2018. 😉

But seriously, I don’t want to make any resolutions. Per se. Because then I’m destined for failure.

Instead I’ll call them minor improvements. And minor adjustments. Things I want to improve upon — and adjust — in the coming year.

Let’s start with health. Eating better. Exercising more. And, most importantly, trying to get on a real and sustainable eating-better-and-exercising-more schedule.

Then there’s the rabbit hole that is social media. In particular, a Twitter feed I used to keep apprised of current events. I hop on first thing in the morning and …

well ….

fall head first down that hole, only emerging for tea refreshes and bathroom breaks and sustenance.

To put it in perspective, over the past 12 months I’ve tweeted and re-tweeted 11.6K times. In my defense, 95% are re-tweets …

but, yeah, this Twitter habit needs to be cut back. Waaaaaaaaaay back.

Even as I type this post I keep jumping back on Twitter to peak at my feed.

Sigh.

Next up is blogging.

Last year was, quite frankly, lackluster. Weeks would go by with no posts. No projects. No motivation. There was even a time my blog was hacked and I didn’t realize it for days. Or maybe weeks?

Yeah. I was inattentive.

I hope to remedy that this year. I actually spent the past weekend putting together a list of projects. With deadlines. And creating an editorial calendar for January.

Fingers crossed I can keep to the schedule. Though this post was supposed to go up yesterday.

Oops.

Finally (because I think it may be too ambitious to focus on more than four “improvements” when I’m already failing on “improvement” #2 on this 4th day of the New Year) there’s my heart.

I need to open it up more. Wider.

Okay, I truly do have an open heart. In theory. Now I need to take that open heart and put it into action.

In my community.

In my city.

In my state.

In my nation.

I started small yesterday. With a donation to a group in Chicago helping the homeless stay warm with clothes, blankets, and meals.

And I will continue to look for opportunities for open-heart-driven improvements. And adjustments. 🙂

In the meanwhile, I’ll be wrapping up my heart with yarn …

How to Make Yarn Wrapped Hearts

Materials*

Cardboard

Yarn (I used this Lion’s Brand chunky yarn in Wheat)

Heart Shape (you can download & print at this link)

Pen & Scissors

Masking Tape

*some affiliate links included.

Print out and cut out heart shape (you can download at this link); trace onto cardboard (I used an old box that was originally destined for the recycle bin)

Cut out cardboard hearts.

Use a piece of masking tape to tape end of yard to cardboard heart.

Wrap yarn randomly around the cardboard heart. Continue until cardboard is completely covered.

When covered, cut off yarn and then loop the end through another piece of yarn and knot.

Cut off excess length.

And you’re done.

And you know what the best thing about this project is? I used what I had.

Hey, that’s going to be my improvement/adjustment number five in 2018. Craft with what I have …

because I’ve accumulated a lot of crafting materials over the past 6 years of this blog. 🙂

What improvements and adjustments do you have planned for the coming year?

Pin It!

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Sharing: | Between Naps on the Porch | Savvy Southern Style |

Free Calendar Page Printable for January 2018

December 31, 2017 By Linda 1 Comment

Free Calendar Page Printable for January 2018 – Craft Room Calendar Page.

Hi there!

Surprised to see me? Here? On a Sunday …

and not just any old Sunday. But the last Sunday of the year?

I wanted to pop in and wish you a Happy New Year!

And I wanted to pop in and say thank you for coming here all year and hanging out with me …

and I wanted to thank you for laughing and joking and (sometimes) crying right along with me. You have become such a dear friend to me!

I don’t know how I could have survived 2017 without you. And looking ahead, I’m not sure how I’ll get through 2018 without you too!

So … again … thank you for your support and friendship!

I’m also popping in to see if you remember that time last December when I decided to create free printable calendar pages for the year.

Remember?

And do you remember how I made a single month and …

then …

nothing.

Nada. Nunca. No February calendar page. No March calendar page. And by April I knew it was a lost cause.

So sorry.

In hindsight, I mistakenly thought calendar page printables would kick start my blogging. You know, force me to keep a regular schedule. Because I was lagging behind. And at a loss inspiration.

Um, yeah, that didn’t work out too well. 😉

The calendar pages also didn’t have a real purpose. Or place.

But this year I’m going to try again. This time with craft room (or office) space themed pages …

playing off paint.

You know, because of the blog name and all. 😉

To download & print this free calendar page printable for January 2018, click here

I also made a mason jar calendar page for January 2018 as well that I shared on my other blog, Mason Jar Crafts Love (which, by the by, I’ve been making mason jar calendar page printabless for the past two years; this is year three’s design) …

Click here for the link to download & print the mason jar calendar page printable.

Happy New Year!

The Saddest Day of The Year

December 27, 2017 By Linda 25 Comments

You know what the saddest day of the year is?

The day the Christmas tree comes down.

Or, in my case, trees plural. As in three.

And, yes, I know I’m still clinging to Christmas. And, yes, I know I need to move on …

but it’s so hard to do when all I see for the next three months is a vast, cold, windy, overcast winter.

With nary a twinkle light in sight. 😉

And this Christmas was an especially merry one. As I’ve shared before.

Oh, and the make this Christmas even more magical was the snow. On Christmas Eve day! Blanketing the city in white …

and making Christmas morning just that much more magical.

This is Christmas tree #3.

This the last tree to go up. Waited for someone to return from college.

This was the last tree to get decorated. I added the red balls and ribbon … and waited on college student and high school junior to add the assorted decorations. This happened the eve before Christmas eve.

This tree has no rhyme or reason. No theme. No color story. Just a mishmash of ornaments accumulated over the years. Some I bought early on before kids. Some the kids buy during their annual pilgrimage to the Kristkindlemarket with their aunt. Some given as stocking stuffers from Santa over the years.

And I’m not even counting all the ornaments that did not make their way onto the tree.

We all clearly have our favorites.

Molly has a strong kinship with this lady. And always reserves a branch so she will hang front and center.

Sam likes non-traditional ornaments. Non-traditional colors. Non-traditional Christmas themed …

like what is that?

He even loaded one side of the tree with his favorites so he that he can see them as he sits on his usual perch on the couch.

This one is my favorite.

I’m not yet ready for the saddest day of the year. So I’m holding out until 2018.

Because who wants to ring in the New Year without twinkle lights? 🙂