crafty christmas gifting

am i the only one in a crafting frenzy?? i don't think anyone has mentioned that we have been crafting weekly. due to the holidays and our never ending lists of ideas, anyone who can has been getting together every monday. we rarely do the same craft as we all have different gifts to make and decorations to create. some of us are night owls and we tend to get into a groove around 11 pm. let me just say that crafting until the wee hours definitely makes for crafting hangover the next day. 

i have been guiding some along in sewing (not that i know enough to do so), so you may see more sewing ideas in the next few months.

i just posted a few tutorials on my own blog, but since i haven't posted on here in a very long time, i thought i would share. unfortunately, i don't know how to get the posts to this blog, so i will share the finished project and the link and you can read more there.

this is my anthropologie inspired squiggle scarf:

and, this is my anthropologie inspired letter stand:

i whipped both of them up on the same day with a little kiddie patrol help from my parents, so they are definitely doable in the next few days if you need a quick, hand crafted gift. only 5 crafting days left til christmas!

maribeth's spring banner

materials:

making memories garden party paper pack 6x6

cricut & accents cartridge

sewing machine

white cardstock

making memories paper flowers

pearl stickers

making memories ribbon

corsage pin

white crepe paper

autumn leaves buttons

small clothes pins

white twine

tim holtz distress ink in walnut stain

dauber

sand paper

green thread

mod podge

foam brush

glue dots
what to do:

1. cut letters and flower shape using cricut. this step could be completed with any shape and could be handcut. the letters can be purchased as well.

2. using distress ink and dauber, antique letters and shapes to your liking.

3. adhere letters to flower shape using glue dots.

4. embellish:

s:3 paper flowers & pearl stickers, p: ribbon & corsage pin, r: create crepe paper rosette and accent with layered buttons, i: paper flower & button
5. create butterfly: trace butterfly template onto paper twice. trace again in smaller size. using mod podge and brush, glue pieces together creating two butterflies (one large & one small). using sewing machine, stitch two pieces together down the center leaving threads longer to create antennae. distress with ink and sand to liking.
when working on this banner, the papers reminded me of vintage aprons so i decided to clothes pin the flowers to white twine to create a laundry line effect. i hung it in my dining room window, hence the night time picture so you can see the details. please ignore the sticky little finger prints. i just love how spring-y it turned out!

maribeth's bunny garland

jennifer's bunny garland inspired me to make a similar one. i drew this bunny last year to create an applique for my children to wear during easter. on the applique, i used a chenille dot from a vintage comforter. for the garland, i used a variety of embellishments-
1. making memories brad 2. prima paper flower and pearl sticker 3. handmade pompom from embroidery thread 4. autumn leaves button and making memories tulle flower (cut into circle) 5. prima paper flower and pearl sticker

if i were a good crafter, i would have taken pictures before and after, as well as created a tutorial for the pompom, but i just didn't think ahead. i will create a tutorial in the future, i promise. until then, let me know if you have any questions!

maribeth's easter eggs

here is my version of the craft:

i used the exact same materials and steps as jennifer did here. the main difference was that my eggs are smaller. i purchased a package in the easter section of hobby lobby. the kraft colored eggs are just the original paper mache with white polka dots added. then, (of course,) i distressed and sanded them. because my eggs were smaller, when i decoupaged the one egg, i cute my paper in 1/4" strips. 

for display, i used some reindeer moss and jennifer "zshushed" them for me. "zshushed" means to fluff or pretty up for display purposes. i hope i spelled it correctly!