Christmas in July #2..

Yup..
I am ever aware just how far away July is.  It is so far in the rearview at this point, but now is when I also have the time..

This sweet little block was inspired by a craft idea I saw on “How Does She”, but this version has a couple of twists to it.
(But gotta give credit where credit is due!!)
I simply took a 4x4 post, cut it, with some help ;), down to 12 inches.  It also works great in other lengths.
I painted the edges that would later peek through the paper and let it dry while I cut my scrapbook paper.  I chose to round the corners on this one, I like the way it turned out.
Next, I modge podged that cute pre-cut scrapbook paper onto the block and let it dry while getting all the wrinkles and bubbles out.
When the modge podge and paper combo. was thoroughly dry, I marked on the top, very lightly, 12 staggered little dots where I drilled with a 1/16 inch drill bit.
(You might want to distress it by sanding and staining here a little too..)
I cut wire in two lengths, 8 and 11 inches, curled half (sometimes a little more), and kinked the base of the curl. Those got stuffed in the drilled holes (and can be glued if your kiddos are like mine…  I used E6000).
So cute to display cards, pictures, notes, or even activities for the holidays, snowy days, or even birthdays..
I have a Christmas one too..  this one is for my January Snowman theme.  But I will be making many more!  A birthday display block is next on my list.  Let me know if you want to play too!

A birthday tradition.

It has been a tradition for Merrill’s birthday’s that I make him a cake with a design of his choosing.

That’s how most of the birthday cakes go around here…  but his isn’t a barbie doll, or a care bear..

It is usually an album cover.

This year, he chose his favorite album from last year.

The lighthouse kinda freaked me out, but the beams coming from it proved to be the stressful element.

He likes it, and as my dad would say, “It’s gonna turn into poop anyway…”

Christmas in July series: Part 1

Yes, I know, it is no longer July, but it was when I made these…

I love Nativities, LOVE them.
I like even more, when they are virtually indestructible.
(Three very excitable little girls helped teach me to love that aspect of a good Nativity.)
So here’s your supply list:

- 2x2 cut into 3 separate lengths; 5 inches (Joseph), 4 inches (Mary), and 3 inches (manger).
- 1 2-2 1/2 inch wooden infant (I bought the old school clothespins and cut them down to 2 inches).
- 3 6x6 squares of cloth
- hemp or other fiber (optional)
- paint, paint brushes, and sandpaper.
- Hot glue.
(My specific paint colors were: Light Foliage Green, Wedgwood Blue, AC Flesh, Light Ivory, and Burnt Umber; all Delta brand.)
I only did one coat of paint, and distressed all the pieces but the heads after they dried with the sandpaper.
Glue on the heads too.  You don’t want to miss that step!
See, they are cute..
But we’ll add to that.
 
For the fabric head dresses, take and fold down about 1/2 inch, then do it again to hide the raw edge.
Once..

And again..

Place a dot of glue in the center top of the head, and position the folded section of the fabric on top.

Dot some glue in the middle back to attach the fabric.

Repeat for the other half of our pair.
If desired, cut some fiber and tie it around the head after the fabric is attached.

And now for our little guy…

All you really see is his little head, so you don’t HAVE to paint the body, unless you are obsessive like me…  and this is how we swaddle him.
Fold the fabric in half diagonally and place your little guy in the center, the top of his head at the fold.

Fold down, one corner at a time, and securing with a dot of glue, so it looks like this:

And then like this:

The next fold makes a tighter wrap against the body.  Secure these with a dab of glue too.
 
So he looks like this:

And then, dabbing some glue on the bottom “V”, fold the tail up to meet the “V” in the neck.
 
Glue your little bundle on the manger, and re-unite the happy family.

For the birds.

 

I made a bird shirt for my friend Emily to wear while running the St. George marathon (good luck Em!!) and loved it so much, I had to make one for Peyton too…

Wanting to make more for the other girlies!

Double duty.

I am loving using all sides of everything lately.

My next theme for decorations is “Sunshine” and I had these blocks to do, but couldn’t leave that other side bare…

So I hashed it out, and “Thankful”, was what fit perfectly!

Sew easy!

I know..  been said before, but hey, I am not trying to coin the phrase, just re-cycling it.

It just is too easy..  and too cute.

I found this tutorial a while ago and had to make it.  (I will be making more.)  I just needed to find some time.

The only thing harder than sewing this darling reversible summer top was getting the model to, well, model.

While I bribed (and threatened I must admit), our dinner of hot dogs on the grill, cooked to a very inedible state. 

(Thank heavens that hot dogs come in a never-ending supply.)

But the top sure is cute!

(And the hot dogs were a good enough sacrifice for the cute pics I did manage to get..)

Call me crazy..

But I am slightly excited for fall.
I know..  I know..  it’s still summertime, an I do not wish it away or wish for it to go by any faster than it already is, but Halloween is one of my favorites, and crafting for it is heavenly.
So I was excited to have these come together..  they have been sitting around since last fall…

I used a scrap wood post that has been sitting outside, getting nicely weathered and worn, mod podge, scrapbook paper, sand paper, the remnant of a white curtain rod from the girls room cut and then painted chocolate brown and then moss green and sanded, oh, and love.

And when you turn them around, they are all ready for Thanksgiving and fall fun!