Craft-Happy Goodness

Happy Wednesday! Today has been a good one out here in Oklahoma, despite those ever-present oppressive temperatures. Took Sadie to chick-fil-a for lunch, and then we headed over to the playground, where I met up with the ladies from the meetup group. It's great to have some adult conversation while the kiddos play.


After the playground, I decided to go to Hobby Lobby. I can always find something new to get into when I visit that store. Sadie cooperated beautifully and I was able to get all the supplies I needed to make the subject of today's post, which brings me to it. Drum roll please....

Yep, I made a Halloween wreath. I realize it's still August for one more day, but Mama gets bored. Also, I have Halloween fever! It was fairly easy to do, and it didn't cost much. Cost breaks down thusly:


Orange ribbon/Black gingham ribbon: $3.99, 50% off
Wreath form: $4.99
Black Tulle: $2.99, 50% off
Wooden Jack O'lantern: 99 cents for a pack of 3
Orange Paint (outdoor paint, small bottle) $1.50
Gold Glitter: $2.50 
Paint brush set: $3.99
Orange polka-dot ribbon: FREE! (Already had it at home.)

Total with tax came to $17.47. Not bad if you ask me! That's why I love Hobby Lobby, they always have great sales. Anyway, back to the task at hand.


First thing I did was paint our friend the jack o'lantern. I used outdoor acrylic paint. I believe the brand name was Patio Paint. I chose the shade of orange aptly named "pumpkin." I applied two coats, and while it was still wet I added the glitter. I set it aside to dry while I worked on the wreath.

Next, I wrapped the wide orange ribbon around the wreath form, leaving space between wraps for the next color of ribbon. I used fabric glue to secure it, but hot glue would really have been better. (I would've used my hot glue gun, if a certain two-year-old I know hadn't decided to hide the glue sticks from me!)

After wrapping the orange ribbon, I wrapped the black gingham ribbon. On top of the gingham, I wrapped the polka dot ribbon. The ribbon wrapping process was painstaking to say the least, and my shoulders are hating me right now for making me do it. Just a fair warning!

After I had all the ribbon on the wreath, I tied on the tulle. I cut the tulle into strips, folded them, then tied them in a basic knot. That was the easy part.

All that's left for me to do now is glue on the jack o'lantern. I will have to wait until I go back to the store for more hot glue sticks to finish, but I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out. I still might trim the tulle down a little bit, and add a few more strips for better spacing. All told, this project took about 2 and a half hours of uninterrupted work. (Thank goodness for Nick jr!) 

Until next time, hope you have a great afternoon! Hope I've inspired you to make something too.

Pottery Barn Halloween!

Hi folks, I'm back! I apologize for the lack of posts lately, but I honestly haven't had the blogging "bug". Maybe it's the heat frying my brain and zapping all those creative juices.

Anyway, that all changed when my beloved Pottery Barn catalog arrived today! Those who know me best understand that I adore Pottery Barn. If I could afford to fill every room in my house with things from that catalog, you can believe I would own nothing else. This issue made me extra happy, because...it's the fall/Halloween issue!

Pottery Barn always has some amazing seasonal decor. It's always right on trend and always right up my alley. This year is no exception. They've gone rustic AND Victorian with their Halloween decor! Oh yes...I'm in love. Here are a few of my favorites.

Mercury glass pumpkins! Ranging in price from $24.00 to $39.00, these are an affordable way to brighten up a table or mantle. With the silver color, I think these would look great for a Thanksgiving centerpiece too.

Mini skull vase filler. I know some people might find this macabre..but I think it would be amazing at a Halloween party! It would definitely spark some conversation. And at $24.50 for both, it's not going to break the bank.

Lit grapevine pumpkins are always a classic! These would look so inviting on your front porch. These could also transition to Thanksgiving, since they don't scream Halloween. They are a little pricier at $59.00-$79.00.

Ok...how cool is this?! A lit twig gate! I can see this as a prop in a front yard cemetery scene. Can't see myself spending $129.00 on it though....

Caged crow string lights. Genius! I would love to have these hanging in my entryway to greet trick or treaters or party guests. You get 10 per string, and each string is $29.00. Not bad!

Another awesome string of lights, this time with burlap ghosts. I love how their heads glow! I think these would look great on a mantle. These are also $29.00 per string of 10 lights.

I completely adore this pumpkin punch bowl. I like the glasses too, but since they only come as a set of 4, I would probably use some that I already have. This is another piece that you could also use for Thanksgiving. The bowl is $49.00, and the glasses are $26.00 for a set of 4.

I like each and every Halloween and Autumn piece in the catalog, but these are my absolute favorites. How many do you think I can convince Ben to let me buy? Haha. Until next time, see y'all later!

 

Let Freedom Ring

Happy Fourth of July to my readers! I hope you all stay safe and have a great time, whatever your plans may be.

I think it's important to remember why we celebrate this day. It's not just about parties, fireworks, and hotdogs. It's about America, the land of the free. And we are free because of the brave! We owe a debt of gratitude to our men and women in uniform, who line up willingly to defend our nation.

So pack up that cooler and head to the water, or fire up that grill and light some fireworks! Just don't forget why we have this holiday. After all, it's America's birthday! And she deserves a celebration!