DIY Inspirational Wreath

So I have been seeing this cool wreath on Facebook a LOT lately.  It is made from an old hymn book, and they cut the pages to look like leaves, and made a wreath.

I thought that was such a beautiful idea, and pretty much left it at that.  Then one day, I was back at my favourite place ever...you guessed it! Dollarama!  Not really my favourite place, but they sure do know me there.  Anyways, I found this neat sparkly garland there, and an idea started to form in my head.

I thought that I could make a neat wreath with my "garland" (it came packaged like this) and make my own version of an inspirational wreath.  So, I printed out the key words from Phillipians 4:8. 

"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."

I printed them out on cardstock, then used my 1" circle punch to cut them out.  Then, to make them all sparkly too, I brushed on some glitter glue that I had.

I hot glued some buttons onto the back of them to make them a little stiffer, and easier to glue onto my wreath.

 After doing mine, I would recommend that you choose buttons the same size as your cut-outs.

I tried to glue them on evenly.

It didn't work.  But that's okay, since I glued them onto the wires, it was easy enough to move them around to look more even.

And here it is!

I used:

1 sheet of white cardstock

10 buttons

1" circle punch

Glitter glue

Paint brush

Hot glue

Garland ($2)

Antique Window Turned Jewellery Display

I have been working on this one for awhile, but I FINALLY got around to hanging it up and actually putting stuff onto it, so here we go...

I have used these same type of frames for the kids' art displays, but I had imagined this one as my art supplies.  Since my drawings tend to run to the stick bird kind, I thought maybe I could put up my handmade jewellery on here, and display some family photos and inspirational sayings at the same time.

I started out by sanding down the frame, than painting with a white semi-gloss paint that is meant to seal all the old stuff out. 

I measured the back to put a hanger in the middle.

I actually measured right too!  This is definitely not a strong suit of mine, so I'm pretty impressed with myself!

I used clear 3M hooks for my holders, since I didn't want to put any more holes in the frame than I had to.

The hooks on the bottom are actually small cable holders, so they work perfectly for my handmade bracelets.

I still don't have all of my pictures on it, but this gives you a better idea of what it will look like.

Free Christmas Shopping Printables!

Okay, I know it isn't Christmas yet.  But since I had the pleasure of already having to wrap Christmas presents, it got me to thinking about the other shopping I have already done, and the shopping left to do.

I made these lists to help out:

 Christmas Shopping List

Christmas Gift List

They are printable lists to help you organize who you have to buy gifts for, ideas you have for them, amounts budgeted, and when they have to be shipped by.  Enjoy!

I love Christmas!

DIY I Spy Bags

I looked all over the internet hoping to find an I Spy bag that I could buy for my kids.  Like everything else I find online, I came to the conclusion I would just make my own, using the best of the ideas I found.

I used a scrap of fabric that I found at the thrift store.  It is lined, so I don't have to worry about the rocks wearing against it so much.  I put the toys into a bag so I would have an idea of what size fabric I would need (you need to leave enough room for movement).  I haven't included measurements because they will vary depending on what materials you decide to use.  The plastic is from the packaging for pipe cleaners from Dollarama.  The picture of the toys inside is printed on ink jet printable fabric.

I cut the fabric to put in the "window" by measuring the window, then cutting down the middle of where I wanted to place it, folding back the sides, then sewing.

This is the underside after I put both the picture fabric and window in.  I went around the outside of each 3 times since my little ones will be playing with this and they aren't always so gentle.

This isn't a great picture, but it shows the bag from the inside after sewing the outside seams.  I went around 3 times for this as well just in case.

This is the bag turned right side out, before I filled it.

And here it is all done.

Pillow Case Car Seat Covers

So, we recently bought a new truck.  And new car seats.  And new car seat protectors for under the car seat.  I really didn't want to have to buy the little toy organizers that go underneath.

Then I had one of those light bulb moments while doing laundry one day.

Why don't I find some old pillow cases, and make my own?  They are completely washable, and I can find some at my second hand store, so it will be much cheaper than buying them.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a professional sewer, so if you are, please, please, please do not look at my pictures!  I have these bright ideas and dive right in.  There were no patterns harmed during the making of these organizers.

And here we go:

My pretty pillow case.  No, it isn't ironed.  I don't do that.

On top is the grippy fridge liner I bought last week.  I am planning to use this to hold the organizer in place on the leather seats.

I folded up one end of the pillow case (the non-opening end), and then sewed three pockets.

I sewed each line 3 times to make sure that they don't wear out.

Then, once I started to sew my grippy stuff, I discovered it worked so well, it stuck to the sewing machine.  Both ways.  So, I looked around and saw paper.  It worked!

And it's pretty easy to tear off after too!

See?

Top side.

Bottom side.  Little Dude's is done.

And so is Sweetie's.