Some Christmas Decor

 Made a wreath from the discarded branches of the Christmas tree. I like the way it turned out this time. I also added some juniper from one of our bushes outside. I made a little one for the front door as well. I took pictures to do a tutorial, so we will see if that happens.

 Topped with the felt circles banner. Instant color and festivity.

I decided to display Christmas cards a little differently this year. I took some old frames (that I pulled out of someone's garbage can), tied some string around them and clothes pinned some cards to it. I like how it turned out. Add another felt banner for color.

2011 Ornaments

I get the kids an ornament every year. I started making them a few years ago, because my favorite part of Christmas (the decor, at least) was getting out the little wood toys that my Dad would make us every year. Here are the ones I made for 2010.
Last year I packed up the ornaments I made before I could take pictures.
Zoe got an orange Converse shoe. She loves orange and Converse shoes.
Liam got a white dove to represent the year he was baptized.
Lydia started school this year so she got an apple.
Felix was obsessed with the alphabet last year, so got a chalkboard with the alphabet letters. He also started pre-school, so that counts for that, too.

infant circle skirt

Okay, so I am modeling this skirt on my leg. I wish I had a picture of it on my little niece, for whom it was made. I used this tutorial. Super easy, super cute!

Robot costume

 After last years viking costume, which was discarded 30 minutes after starting Trick-or-treating, Liam wanted something more accessable this year. Epic fail! This one didn't make it ten minutes. But it looks pretty cool.
I had him completely design it. Okay, I showed him some examples, but he chose which elements he wanted to use.

 I got some silver spray paint, boxes, silver (shiny) duct tape, and some stuff at the dollar store.

Turned out pretty cool. The light on his belly glows (can you tell?). The orange part on his forhead was a strobe light.

striped knit cowl

Okay, so I am a little obsessed about cowls and scarves. I love keeping my neck warm! I decided I wanted a super soft knit one. Actually, my inspiration is a funny story, so I will share it. Last year my husband sent me to Hawaii for ten days because I was so miserable to live with he knew I needed a break. It was the most perfect, inpiring, life-changing, soul searching, rejuvinating trip ever! On the way home (it is February, by the way) I was freezing. I hadn't packed many warm clothes, but all the ones I had packed were on my body. I needed a scarf! During a layover I grabbed my pajama pants out of my suitcase and I tied them around my neck for a super comfy scarf!
So, inspired by how comfy my PJ pants were as a scarf, I went to go get some soft fabric to make one. I made 3 in a matter of 10 min (there is really nothing to it...one straight stitch). The other two I gave as gifts to ladies I HOPE enjoy them as much as I do. Also, when I bought the fabric the lady that sold it to me said that she had never seen uglier fabric in the 6 years she had been working there. I consider that a success!

Downstairs bathroom redo/ chevron painting

 Decided I wanted some color in the bathroom so I painted it purple. I am not even sure I like it. I like the way the oval white mirror (that I snagged from Zoe's room) looks next to the purple. I still need to put up some quarterround or something to help transition from purple to white.

 I wanted something hanging on the wall, so I made this chevron stripes painting. It is a fun burst on color, but after Travis said it looked a bit 80's I don't like it quite as much, because I see what he was saying.

I did find this little iron bird hook for the towel that I was excited about for $3 at Hobby Lobby.
The bathroom is better than it was, but not finished yet. It still needs some stuff. I just don't know what yet.

Halloween Felt Circles Banner

Nothing like some felt circles to make any spot in the house festive and popping with color!