a tale of 2 wreaths

okay. it's not really a tale. i made 2 different wreaths thanks to ideas i found here and here. they were fun to do.

let's start with the square momgrammed wreath i found that idea at for what it's worth-or not. i love this one. mostly because i didn't go out and buy a thing to make it. (except one tiny piece of garland, which you will hear about later.) everything i used, i had here. the garland was in my christmas stuff. have had it forever. the wood letter, i bought awhile ago, not knowing what i'd do with it. same with the berries and ribbon. the frame is one i bought last year to make a magnetic board. it was too heavy for my little m3 hook, so it kept falling off the wall. it was in pieces, but gorilla glue to the rescue! good as new, and ready to be re purposed. i wrapped what seemed to be about 350 feet of garland pieces around the frame, and hot glued as i went. i ended up with this...



okay, so it really wasn't 350 feet. but i estimate it was pretty close to 30 feet. and i only had one really long piece of garland left. and it didn't match what i had already used. it was the wrong color of green and the fringe was really short. so, i embarked on a journey, and do your know what? this fringy garland is an endangerd species. i went to the dollar store, target, walmart, micheals, porters (local craft store) and nobody even carried the stuff. final stop...k-mart. and they had an 18 foot garland for $3.99. it wasn't an exact match, but close enough for me! so i went right home, neglected my motherly duties and finished the wreath. it made me happy. my husband thought i was crazy. but here is the finished product...



and now for the burlap wreath. this one is from craftaholics anonymous. apperantly, burlap is kind of a big deal in decorating right now. i like it. but i really loved the wreath. not so fun to make. burlap is MESSY! or maybe it's just because i got mine from cheapo walmart. not the highest quality, but it worked just the same. i got my wreath from the dollar tree (a buck), and the burlap from wally world (2.97 a yard), so that's cheap, i think. here is mine finished...




love it next to the burlap trees above my kitchen cupboards. i found the idea for the burlap tree's here. the only thing i did different was i wrapped some hemp cord around the trees after i covered them in burlap strips. then, i added some glitter to both the trees and the wreath. love them!! i think i still might add a red fabric flower like linda did. it needs a splash of color, don't you think?

go get your craft on and have a fabulous day!

A Meme....for a fabulous giveaway!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
***a finished basement...with craft room just for me!
***a cricut, and a kindle
***a house that stays clean for longer than 2 hours...2 weeks would be nice.
***a magic bullet...smoothies whenever i want!
***happy, grateful children.

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
***so many....i'm gonna go seasonal, and say the hand painted ceramic Christmas ornament from my aunt granny jo-anny. i think Iiwas 3 when she gave it to me. it's a little santa peeking out of a chimney.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
***homemade pj's for each of my kids. may sound simple to some, but i have 5 kids, and i'm not a sewer.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
***legos. oh, and a cabbage patch doll.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
***well, they keep changing their minds, so this is probably wrong...
madi- a nintendo ds, or a cell phone
alex and gabby- new bikes
jake- seriously, changes daily...ummmm...i'm just gonna say the last thing he saw on tv.
jaxson- he's one. he'll be happy with the wrapping paper.

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
***all of it. i love food. mostly all the finger food type stuff. and hot chocolate.

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
***mostly home decor. i've made a couple of wreaths, and some burlap covered cones to look like christmas trees. i'm also planning to make a little something for my sister and sisters-in-law.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
***a christmas story, white christmas, elf, and polar express.

9. Favorite holiday song?
***breath of heaven (mary's lullaby).

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
***looking at christmas lights with the family.

Now...if you want to enter to win this sleighful of prizes...



Click on the link above. But don't get your hopes up...that baby's mine!

I'm Ba-ack!

Wow! Never thought I'd be away from the blog that long! But, hey...life happens. And now, I'm back. At one point, I thought I'd try to catch up, but I know myself too well. That will NEVER happen. So, let's just start with now. Here are a few randoms...

It's cold.

It's snowy.

The economy has hit us hard, like alot of people, so I'm stressed.

It's the Christmas season...my very favorite.

Our camera died. We got a new one (cheapy, though) at Wally World the day after Thanksgiving.

I've started feeling the urge to craft lately. So I have. Thanks to the inspiration of some blogs like this one ,and this one, and this one .

My kids are growing up way too fast.

I'm still addicted to facebook. And Dr Pepper. And looking at Craigslist.

Got a new Christmas tree for my birthday. $50. From Craigslist. Nine feet tall. I LOVE it!

My favorite Christmas scent this year? Candy Cane. From Walmart. Cheap scentsy knock off type thing. But, they are CHEAP. And it smells good.


There. I've posted. Stay tuned for a little looky-loo at some of the stuff I've been doing. Now, I need to go and care for the very tired baby and the very hungry kindergardener. Have a fabulous day!