At a Christmas party with a group of friends, we decided to do a favorite things gift exchange. Kind of like Oprah. We didn't have to draw names or shop for a specific person or wrap the presents.
We just chose something that we love and bought 3 of them (they had to be under $6 each).
Then at the party, we wrote our name on 3 slips of paper and then drew three names that would be the recipient of our 3 gifts! The gifts at my party were EOS chap stick, a Ghirardelli peppermint bar, fine tip Sharpie pens, snowman ornaments and a mason jar drinking glass. It was so fun, sharing our favorite things and making people happy.
As the hostess, I made gift bags for people to take home their gifts in and it was my first time using washi tape - I love it!
I actually wanted to print on the bags, but they were way too thick for my printer, so I went to plan B and printed my design on normal white paper and tried out my new washi tape.
Another great thing is - this exchange doesn't need to be at Christmastime - you can plan a Favorite Things party any time of the year!
My sister Jordan requested an infinity scarf (above), so I started researching them and making practice scarves. Here is what I discovered:
1. Use soft, lightweight fabric - knit or flannel. Jordan had a specific look she wanted and I could only find cotton fabric and that turned out well, just a bit more stiff than other fabrics.
2. My first attempt ended up too wide, but not long enough. Length is probably the most important part of the scarf. 14 x 67.5 is what worked for me, but it is really a matter of preference. H is for Handmade is the tutorial I used and she prefers 22 x 63.
3. Cut two lengths of fabric 14 x 67.5 each - these can be the same fabric or coordinating fabrics
4. Lay right sides together and sew the two long ends, leaving a 3 inch opening on one side. Be sure to backstitch before and after the opening.
5. Reach through the tube of fabric and pull the short end through, until the two short ends meet.
6. Sew all the way around the short ends.
7. Pull the scarf though the opening.
8. Hand stitch the opening closed, using a ladder stitch.
The planning is the most work - once you know the fabric you'll use and the right length - it is very easy to make!
My mom, front row, modeling an infinity scarf I made for her - gray fabric with silver metallic chevron print.
That is me, top center with my gorgeous family around me!
I wanted to find a craft for my Bible Study girls to make at our Christmas party. My requirements:
1. easy
2. not too time consuming
3. inexpensive
4. something cool they would actually use
I don't ask for much!
I think I found the perfect thing - a yarn-wrapped star ornament (don't think "kindergarten project", think "Pottery Barn, rustic chic").
For this Project, you'll need:
printed star shape (or hand-drawn, if you can)
scissors
cardboard (mine was literally a Crate & Barrel box from a recent order)
hot glue gun/glue sticks
twine
yarn
Decide on the size and shape of star you want and print it. You can find a customizable shape Microsoft Word under Insert<Shapes.
Then cut it out and place it on top of your cardboard and trace around it.
Cut the star out of the cardboard.
Hot glue a length of twine to the star, to be the ornament hanger.
Hot glue the starting end of the yarn - then start wrapping - there is no right way to wrap, as long as you cover all the cardboard, you will be successful! I found it helpful to hot glue the yarn at each of the star points. When you've finished wrapping, cut the yarn and hot glue the end to the back of the ornament, tucked under.
The stars can be used as ornaments or as a decorative element on gifts.
Look how great it looks on my tree (bottom right)!
All the girls in Bible Study did a great job!
Look how cute Gayle looks while crafting!
I can just picture these stars on a garland or on a rustic-themed tree!!
For the last few years I have given homemade food gifts to my co-workers and friends. It's become a really fun tradition for my mom and sisters to come over to my place for an annual baking day, then I take them out to dinner for all their help!
The first year was Gourmet Cookies
Second year was hand-dipped pretzels
Third year was peanut clusters, peanut butter balls and holly clusters.
And this year, I decided on gourmet popcorn. I searched different recipes on Pinterest and online and decided on:
It was a lot of work, but it was great! The recipe turned out AMAZING! The best part was spending the entire day just hanging out and working in the kitchen with my mom and sister.
Cut the tulle into 8.5-11 inch strips (depending on how full you want the wreath to look. This one, I used about 9 in. strips) and tie them, all the way around the wreath, with the tie at the outer edge of the wreath.
Step 3:
Add embellishments. I clipped my feather to the tulle and hot glued a jewel in the center.
I've been working on this particular project for 3 years! My first book! I started brainstorming in 2010 after reading a news article about Pluto changing colors - the book is not about Pluto, space or colors - but that article kick-started my imagination!
It's been a great process - brainstorming, outlining, developing characters and plot, revising, making revisions, editing, formatting, proofreading, designing the cover and publishing.
I wrote this book because:
1. I have a God-given need to express myself though creativity.
2. Personally, I am always looking for Christian fiction to read. I want to make a deliberate choice to fill my mind with certain things:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
From experience, I can say - the things I allow into my mind make a difference in my everyday life. If I'm listening to Christian radio or reading Christian fiction - my life, my choices, my thoughts are more Christ-like.
3. I want to use the gifts God has given me to glorify Him.
Writing a book ends up being a very personal endeavor and when you let other people enter the world you've created - it's nerve-wracking. I sent it to my family last August and asked for any feedback. Later that day, my sister Jordan wrote:
"I'm halfway though it! It's so good!! What an inspirational quest!! You have to write sequels, I love all the characters!!"
(her response made me cry, in a good way)
Several times through the process, I got tired of writing and thinking and editing and I just quit for a few months, but I wanted to finish! (Just like last summer when I walked my first 5k - VERY slowly. I had huge blisters on my feet and it was pretty excruciating, but I didn't want to stop or take a shortcut - I wanted to finish!) So I pressed on with my book and it was VERY rewarding to get it finalized and see it on my Kindle. If you're in the midst of a difficult creative project - I encourage you to press on!
My book, The Missing Part, is for sale on Amazon.com in eBook format. If you decide to read it book, I would love to hear your thoughts!
Legend states that the Lacunan people were created with a
missing part and each year, the tribe sends all Eleventh Years on a Quest to
find the missing part.
Deep in the Amazon jungle, eleven year old Xander
is set to begin The Quest, but Xander has more riding on The Quest than any
other. The one who solves the quest opens the door to eternal life…and Xander’s
father is dying.
Xander observes the awe-inspiring nature around him as
he searches in vain for the missing part. He begins to wonder about the creator
of the Earth and then has a miraculous encounter with the Creator.
Xander’s newfound faith is tested when he returns to the tribe to find a
new Chief - one aligned with demonic forces.
The Missing Part culminates
with a spiritual battle of epic proportions.
