Thinking of a 365

Been thinking a lot lately about a 365 project. Basically doing something every day for a whole year. As the new year draws closer I am craving meaning and direction and I think perhaps this kind of project could help me with that. I think of myself as a creative person but I know that I lack direction and discipline. One week it is jewelry the next it is dolls the next quilting. I am all over the place and I always have been in most areas of my life. I changed my major about 4 times before I just wrote my own. I have extremely eclectic taste in music, movies, food, fashion, and often get on 'kicks' that are intense but short lived and inevitably fizzle out until the next thing comes along.

I thought my life direction would present itself to me in a nice little package in college. Didn't happen. For the past few years since I have been floundering in a world of low wage jobs as my friends start careers, get married, and settle down. Of course I do have a pretty good idea of things I do not want to do but that isn't the most helpful. I know that I do want to do something creative. I want to work with my hands and make.

I do not know what it will be yet but I think a 365 project will help me out of my rut. From reading about/following several others it seems like a really great exersise to do. It might not fix all my problems or answer all my questions but perhaps it will give me the structure I need to get to the next step. Maybe it will be a 365 days, maybe 52 weeks, maybe it will be a year of different monthly themed projects. Whatever it is I am going to figure it out soon because what better time to start than the new year.

Have any of you attempted a 365? What were your projects? How are they going/ how did they go? I would love to hear about more!

Team Friendship

My friends are such nerds. Recently the joke has been 'Team Friendship' and it is our slogan, motto, and battle cry. Two friends in particular were really into the idea. They decided who was in (almost everyone :) and they also wrote a little jingle that they sing together. We joked about getting t-shirts or sweatshirts made. So when Christmas rolled around and I was having trouble thinking of gifts for people I decided a couple of sweatshirts where just the thing. Of course I waited too long to get them screen printed so I headed to my trusty craft store and bought some flocked iron-on letters.

The results were pretty good!

They loved their gifts. Now I will probably make more for the other members!

Happy Holidays!

The last few days have been a whirlwind of holiday celebrations. Thanks to all my friends and family who made it such a special season! I will have to do a post about the generous gifts I received (my friends know me so well!) but today I am going to share with you a little post on what to do with some of that Christmas candy you got in your stocking.

Candy Christmas Trains!

This is a project my mom used to make when I was little. I made a few up this year to give with gifts but they would also make great party favors, gift card holders, ornaments, or place cards.

Basics:

 Candy. At the very least you need a pack of stick gum and some lifesavers. Around Christmas I buy the lifesavers in the 'holiday storybook' packs of six. I had to hunt around for the gum but the basic candy aisle in the store is your best bet. For the wheels peppermints work nicely. The 'cab' is a flatter piece of chocolate and the smoke stack is an upside down chocolate bell but a chocolate kiss works nicely as well. These are simply guidelines you can tailor it to your tastes and needs.

Now all you need is your trusty glue gun.

 The order really doesn't matter as long as it works for you but for me I always start with the gum and lifesavers, then the chocolates on top and the wheels last. Since it is hot glue it dries super quick and when you are ready to eat it you just pop off the candy.

 I made up a whole bunch for this family I babysit for...unfortunately the mom let them dig in right away and 5 minutes later the trains where decimated and I was left with 4 very sugared up kiddos! My mom used to make lots of these and I would take them to school as a treat. Since they are not strictly Christmas-y they work really  nicely for that. We just always had them at Christmas so that is what I think of when I see them.

Have fun with it and Happy Crafting!

Holiday Decorating on a Budget

And when I say 'on a budget' I mean zero money. Well actually I think I spent 3 bucks on computer paper.

I took some old Christmas garland from my mom's house and spent a night watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and cut out some paper snowflakes. I didn't use any fancy schmancy patterns but I hear that there are some really good ones out there.

 Strung some up with yarn to add some dimension above our table- also borrowed the table cloth from my mom!

 My empty frames are back! I just love them so much. I strung them with some vintage white garland and hung a single snowflake from each one.

 We decided to leave our 'Three Broomsticks' decoration up from the Harry Potter Party so I decorated them too. (Roomie changed the sign to read 'It's a Wonderful Life'!)

All the extra snowflakes got stuck up on a blank spot. Easy, festive, cheap. That is the only way I decorate! We have been just getting warmer temperatures and rain for the last couple of days here in MN so our perfect dusting of snow has left us! Hopefully we will get some more before Christmas...until then the inside of our house will have to function as our Winter Wonderland.

Happy Holidays!

Keep crafting...only ten days left before Christmas!

All I want for Christmas....Tickets to the SOLD OUT Doomtree BLOWOUT tonight.

Not gonna happen but a girl can dream right? As long as I am dreaming I might as well add that I want Michael Fassbender to take me to the concert. Sheesh.

What unattainable things are you wishing for this holiday season?

Happy December!

This post celebrates finally have internet at my new place. Plugged in and ready to go! December is here and now is the time to buckle down and get stuff done. I already have a white elephant party under my belt and the month will hopefully be filled with other fun with friends and loved ones.

Until then I will be waiting under the mistletoe, just like Joan Crawford....

 

I am in love with this picture. 

Happy Holidays!