Crafting Madness!

 Getting ready for this season has kept me very busy in my little craft room, so busy that nothing else is getting done around here, there are about 8 loads of laundry to do, the dust is at least 2 inches thick, and don't even talk to me about whats in the fridge! Soon, I will be able to catch my breath again and focus on those things, but for now it's madness around here, pure madness! And I wouldn't have it any other way. Here are some photos of my craft room, you think this is bad, you should see the floor!

 Here is my set up from the craft show I was in kast weekend in Hinckley Mn. Luckily we had a nice big space. It was a good turn out, lots of hunting "widows" out and about!

I just love my Owl display, the rack came form my local scrapbook store that recently went out of business, I just painted this one brown, and my owls fit perfectly!! 

 This stocking holder says it all, even though it is a ton of work, and my house may get a bit negelcted this time of the year, being crafty brings me such joy! It never feels like "work" I enjoy ever minute of it, and I can have my kids with me the entire time, they are all such great little helpers, and even when they dont want to help, they still hang with mom just talking or watching movies. It is wonderful!!

This stocking holder was so ugly when I bought it, I should have taken before photos, but it was gold and silver, I painted it and layered it with glitter! I have 2 more to match, Noel & Hope. Such fun! 

Enjoy your weekend, I will be crafting! 

Painted Hydrangeas

What do you do with your Hydrangeas once they have all dried out for the season? 

You spray paint them of course!! I used Rustoleum, colonial red. 

 Once the paint has dried, spray with Super 77 adhesive then add glitter!

 Cut and arrange inside for a beautiful holiday arrangement! A new look for dried flowers.

They will even look great for valentines day decor! 

Owl Tree

 I know that  most of you know that I have become a little obsessed with Owls lately. I have been seeing them all over the place, and now many as Christmas ornaments, but I have not bought any until this weekend! I was visiting Snowman Hill's sale over the weekend, and amongst many, many other adorable things there, they had an old crock in the corner with broken tree trunks and branches, it was covered with white lights and some ornaments, simple, beautiful, and oh sooo inspiring! I immediatley knew what I was going to do! 

 So I went hiking in the woods with my boys, brave move on opening hunting weekend, I know. No worries, there is no hunting here, too many houses! We looked for the prefect fallen trees, I wanted birch, and found a few, but decided to mix them in with some others so we had a nice full bucket.

 I then added white lights, Brown ornaments and brown glittered pine cones, and sparkle snowflakes.

 Then I began to add all of my Owls. I have about 6 ornaments, and 2 that are just propped in the branches. This tree is here to stay all winter long. Most of my Owls are snow Owls, but I will add any cute ones that I can find!!

So if you see an adorable Owl ornament, feel free to send him my way!! :) He would have lots of friends! 

Sneak Peak

Well my first big show of the season is on Saturday, so I have been very busy getting ready! Here are just a few of the things I have done over the last couple of weeks. 

Hope the show goes well, this one is in Hinckley Mn, never tried it before, but I hear that it is a great show, if you are in the area, stop by and say hello! 

Applique Tree Skirt & Stocking

Last year I started making recycled Christmas stockings and tree skirts out of old coffee bean bags. I  knew I was going to make more this year, but also wanted to make them a little different than last year's. Since I have been so into applique with old sweaters, that is what I decided to do with my tree skirts, stockings, and burlap accent pillows.

This is the stocking and skirt I made tonight with some new bags I picked up from my favorite coffee bean roasting company. I used my cricut to cut out the snowman, Ironed and sewed him on. Added some beads and buttons, and he is done!

The stocking pieces are from a real heavy wool sweater. I have been in the mood to be done with fall lately and just move right into Christmas, and apparently Mother nature is feeling the same way. It started snowing here today around 5 pm, and still has not stopped. We have a winter weather advisory through tomorrow, so you think I might get a snow day?? Ok, wishful thinking, but then I could stay home and sew all day!!! 

Save Big Monkey's at Menards!!!

So This last weekend I used my friends cricut expression machine, & I was finally convinced that I really did need the bigger one. There are so many things that you can do with it, and I started making a new pillow design and this machine was a huge time saver! So today I called around to see who had it on Sale. Wal Mart $299, Michaels $279, and Menards, yes I said Menards, had it on clearance for $199!!!!! Sold! It even came with a cutting mat and a cartridge!! What a deal!  Here is the pillow I started making, he isn't stuffed yet, this is just the front! 

Tonight I went to Ebay to find a tote, got this cute one for only $50! 

Happy Shopping! And as my little Zachary sings"Save big MONKEY'S at Menards"  :

Birdie Inspiration

Last Night I was enjoying some kid free shopping at Shopko. I found my self wandering the Christmas aisles, and came across these adorable little birds. I was tempted to buy one, but then decided I was more tempted to MAKE one! 

So I came home and got to work, The original bird appeared to be needle felted, but it was clear that there was something inside to give it shape. So I decided to make a body and stuff it. Here are some of my pattern pieces. 

 I finished the body, which I made from quilt batting and then stuffed with fiber fill. I  then got started working on the hat. I used grey fleece and red yarn.

My Hubby Helped with the legs, he is brilliant I tell you! Drill & a Vice grip made these perfect little bird legs! 

after a few final touches, you know, the face. He is done!!

So what do you think??