Homemade Christmas

Plush star

Recycle vintage braided garland from the wedding.

I have been so excited to decorate our house this Christmas because we moved our last Christmas and if was all packed away. Pulling out the holiday boxes from the garage was exciting. I almost forgot what we had! We bought a real tree and we used the trimmings to make a wreath for the front door. It was daunting at first because I've never done it. I bought some wire and a wreath frame. T.J. and I put it together in the front yard. He cut off pieces and I binding them onto the frame. (He kept on saying I was picky because I was rejecting some of his pieces). It was SO EASY! It took about 15 to 20 minutes for something that cost about twenty bucks at the store. I've always wanted to make a pom pom wreath, so to do a similar form I made a couple and just tied them on to the branches.  

I've found that most stars in the store....well suck. Or maybe they are just not what I want. So I made a star. I did find this felt star online through Pinterest, but I didn't want to have to buy any materials. So I just drew a star on paper, cut out the points, and traced them on the fabric adding fabric for seam. Then sewed a back and stuffed. I added a ribbon to tie on top of the tree. Also on the tree, I have recycled something from our wedding. The braided vintage sheets garland wrapped the bouquets at my wedding. T.J's even helped with this project! 

We have started a winter program at my school. Each class chooses a holiday. Since I have a classroom full of toddlers, Christmas is the most familiar to them. I started to make snowflakes for our doors and windows, because again I wasn't finding anything at the store that I liked. I enjoyed making them so much I spent an evening watching Christmas movies and cutting out snowflakes. T.J. said it was cute. It's such a simple way to decorate old windows....or even new ones!

Wedding Photo Booth

My has time gotten away from me!! The wedding was beautiful! And my now sister in-law Cassie created this photo booth. Here are some of my favorites!

Little Dresses and Little Boots

 

My sister was having trouble finding a flower girl dress her daughter Izzy for the wedding, so I made her one. The design is by Cassie, with my touches of the ruffles and the giant pin wheel. She wore boots with the dress and had a flower crown in her hair. 

Engagement Sesh

I almost forgot! We did engagement photos back in August in Amarillo, TX. T.J's family is from Amarillo and I love the quirkiness of it. From a little amusement park called Wonderland, to the Stanley Marsh signs placed in random spots around town. Cassie, my sister in-law again helped us with these photos. We did them right before we hopped on a plane back to Dallas. I had fun but felt sick from all the crazy rides we went on.

Finds

Antique stores are fantastic. Filled with treasures. Hunting for specific objects. Searching for the best price. Me, I've been shopping for the wedding, looking for vintage table clothes, wire baskets, mason jars, and wooden boxes. While doing this I found things for the house too. Every thing I purchased I wondered about of the journey it's been through and the story it tells.

These finds are from downtown McKinney and Plano, and a garage sale. I'm about to go out Amarillo next month to do some more antique shopping with T.J's family. Something about west Texas, they have great antique stores. Can't wait! 

Finds:

1. Old Minnow Bucket :: ideas on use :: hold the skewers for smores at the wedding, at home I use it to hold my placemats.
2. A Green Glass Jar with the words "water" and "juice" going down the sides :: ideas on use :: hold flowers at home and at wedding.
3. Handi Holder :: Use :: makes pouring carton milk or juice easier. 
4.  1970's Re-purposed Sheet Napkins
5. Princess and the Frog Nesting Dolls
6. Old Wire Hand Shopping Basket :: ideas on use :: hold graham crackers and chocolate at the wedding, at home it holds magazines and toilet paper in the bathroom. 
7. 1950's Table Cloth
8. Extra Large Mason Jar
9. Wizard of Oz Nesting Dolls

I started cooking again. T.J. has been busy with work and this has sparked my interest. I made a menu for this week. One of the meals I cooked was Thai Curry Vegetable and Tofu Soup. It was delishious!!! And very easy. Try it! Even though it's summer this is a very light soup, stocked full of veggies. I used fresh basil from my garden to add a little on the top.

And it Begins

The wedding planning is starting to make way. I'm so excited about these save the dates. My sister, Becca designed them for T.J. and I. I wanted something simple and in post card form. I found some inspiration on Oncewed and 100LayerCake and this is what resulted from that. I can't wait to see what she comes up for the invitations!

Memorial Weekend

I've been very busy with my  infant/toddler Montessori certification and have been trying to use my weekends for relaxation. T.J. and I had our engagement party and got to see friends and family on memorial weekend. I also bought some plants and soil and spent the afternoon in the yard on Sunday. I had an old galvanized tub that my childhood dogs got washed in and had a rusted hole on the bottom. T.J. drilled some holes in the bottom as well. I filled it with dirt and planted some flowers. I also planted basil, sweet mint, a succulent, tomato, and a pepper plant. I was inspired by Cassie and Hank who made lemon basil gin tonics at the engagement party. I think it's too late for the tomato plant to produce fruit....but oh well. 

We also had some guests stay with us. Rachel, T.J's sister in-law and his niece, Maggie, came and stayed the night while T.J's brother spent the remaining of the holiday weekend at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Maggie and I made chocolate chip buckwheat pancakes in the morning and she helped stir the mix.....and eat some chocolate chips while doing it...ooops!! Then we walked to the park and Maggie enjoyed being pushed in the swing by T.J. and climbing. We walked home and enjoyed looking at all the pretty gardens, while I showed Rachel examples of annuals and perennials.

Happy Girls

Graduation Gifts for my UNT girls. A mug rug for coffee, clippies, and a reusable snack pack.

A simple skirt by Cassie Cakes

 

Alli with her new skirt and watermelon at her families farm house.

Boxcar Bandits

Two of my friends graduated this past weekend that I'm very happy for. My friend Katie finished up her art education degree, and Alli finished with child development and family studies. They both have an open plate to fill. Katie is looking for a place to set some roots and find a job, and Alli going to grad school in Denver, CO. I wanted to make them gifts but was so busy I never got a chance. This is when having a future sister in-law who's crafty comes in handy. Cassie always has a inventory of handmade goods. I got the mug rug and the clippies for Katie and Cassie whipped up a simple skirt with the really pretty fabric for Alli. I put them both in snack packs for a quick wrapping. I always enjoy handmade gifts and I thought these girls would too. Congrats to them! Alli had a great Sunday afternoon party with lots of friends, food, drink, and music. It's so beautiful out at her families farm.

A Change of Pace

The kids love to discover the masks

Easter with Izzy

Pottsboro, TX Camping

I am now a lead Montessori teacher in Plano, TX. Healthy Beginnings Montessori House is where I've spend all my time now, except on the weekends. Taking on a full time position after working only a very part time job for the past couple months has made me more tired then I can ever believe. I am now responsible for 11 toddlers and twos who are all learning the practical life skills to survive as independents. I love every single one of them, and watching them learn new words, accomplish new works, and discover life. Creating has slowed down in my studio and has moved to my classroom. The weekends have turned into pure relaxation with family and friends. At the moment a messy house is okay as long as I have some time just to watch a movie and or read. Life has taken a change of pace.