Jingle bell runner!!

Okay, so for the craft I promised earlier that I discovered in a magazine. I found it in Good Housekeeping and felt adventurous enough to try it. After all it didn't require any sewing on my part-Score! And it didn't look that difficult...HA!

Mine turned out alright but not perfect like theirs. First they tell you to cut a piece of fabric (heavy duty like felt or wool) the size of the runner you want. I went out after work on Friday and because it is the Christmas season everywhere was a ZOO! I had lost all patience for people in general and just wanted to get home so I told the lady at the counter to just cut 2 yards of red felt, thinking it should be plenty. It's a little short...

Then it says about 4 inches up from the runner's bottom and three inches in from the edge (well you know mine isn't large enough for this), cut a 1/2 inch pair of vertical cuts three inches away from the first set. Make another pair of vertical cuts three inches away from the first set of slits. Thread a 1/2 inch velvet ribbon through the slits. Punch a hold through the fabric to insert the end of the ribbon. Tie bells onto the end of the ribbon for a jingly finish.

Okay, so I know where I went wrong. First, I didn't have the directions with me when shopping and just the idea of what was needed (felt, velvet ribbon and bells). It's important to take note the measurements of the ribbon because well it's imporatant as you will soon see. So I couldn't exactly follow their instructions because well first the felt was too short, my ribbon was not the right kind and my bells were slightly too small to push the ribbon through without destroying the ribbon. I decided to make do with what I had anyway and I would creat a version similar but not perfect.

Here are some pictures of my very imperfect runner for a very perfectly imperfect girl...

Well now that I have botched that what else can I get these hands of destruction on!?!?! Maybe some wreaths I plan to give to some co-workers for Christmas. I joke, but really if I were terrible at everything then I wouldn't still be attempting this type of stuff. I always ruin something when I do not take my time and think that I know better than anyone else. I've never been the best at reading instructions...ha ha ha.

These wreaths are actually really easy as long as you have a glue gun. First I grab liked colored items and place them on the premade wreath form to get an idea of what I want it to look like when it is complete. I tend to stick to simple designs and leave room for the owner to either add a ribbon or other items that will work with their Christmas themes. Although sometimes I do go crazy and put items everywhere I didn't do that here.

Once you have pre-placed the items where you want them to be then it's just dobs of hot glue and pushing it into place. If the item has a wire stem or just a wire at all it is best to try to wrap it around the metal ring on the wreath but if not, hot glue should work just fine-at least it always has for me in the past. Here is another one...

Here are the pics of the final looks...

I just fluff them a bit and they are ready to hang. I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend like I did. This imperfect (ha ha ha) girl is truly content with how she spent the weekend. Now I have to get back to real life....you know, laundry, dishes and vaccumming-the inlaws are coming! Yikes! :)

Patty Cake, Patty Cake...Bakers (Wo)Man

I spent the majority of yesterday baking. It was absolutely wonderful!! First I had plans to meet my dear friend to help with her baking for a cookie exchange she had been invited to. I told her about this wonderful recipe that I found on Sarah's blog If you haven't checked out Sarah's site I encourage you to. She is funny and amazing at home decor and pretty much anything she wants to tackle.

My friend didn't want to spend hours slaving in the kitchen making batter because let's face it we all have more exciting things to do and besides she had to make 5 DOZEN COOKIES!! Holy! That's a ton of cookies folks, I don't blame her at all. The recipe I found was soooo easy because the cookies were already premade (Pillsbury). Before I headed out to help though I wanted to bring along a surprise for her 2 1/2 year old daughter who I absolutely adore.

I found this idea here. It was the perfect fun idea I was looking for. I could also use it for the nieces and nephew when they come over for our Christmas party this year. Score!! Thanks Lindsay!! Seriously, check out her site also. Both of these women are absolutely creative and crafty!!

Here are pictures of what mine looked like...


It was extremely difficult for me to get the wrappers off of the crayons so 'J' decided that I should soak them in a bowl of water to see if it would help. And it did...on most of them.









They turned out great! I put them in a white paper bag (I have tons left over from the wedding) and put some holiday stickers on it and wrote her name on them as well. It's a super easy craft!

After I was finished helping my friend with her cookies; well mostly playing with her daughter, not so much helping-Sorry; I came back home and decided that I would make Mr. Wonderful (my husband) cookies also. He loves plain sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles-easy enough. I also decided to make beer bread. I had a box of batter from Pampered Chef but instead of regular beer bread, which is delicious, I was going to substitute beer for sparkling cider and add in chopped apple, walnuts and cinnamon/caramel sprinkles (also from Pampered Chef). I might take the bread to work with me tomorrow. Here are some pic's of my two cooking adventures...

Easy cookies from a package:

A different version of beer bread:

Next up are some Christmas crafts I also did. It was a truly busy, busy weekend. I love it when I stay busy!

Oh Christmas Tree, part 2

Seriously!! Seriously!! For the love of all that is good in this world; I am itchin, twitchin and breaking out with hives. This tree is something straight out of another dimension.

I love a theme; whether it be with color, a particular item or a favorite team/food/sport/car etc...this "thing" 'J' calls a Christmas tree is seriously going to give me nightmares. As discussed previously, I get a tree (the best tree EVER) and 'J' gets a tree-wah wah wah ;)


"J's" tree is always a real one, it is always in the living area and it is ALWAYS covered in a variety of items. First we covered the tree with colored lights and then we started adding decorations.
At first I tried to position the god awful looking items in some sort of fashion but it really wasn't going to help (who am I trying to kid), so I then just randomly placed items where ever. Here is a picture of the whole tree and then to follow will be pictures of certain essential decorations.

So he has the typical colored bulbs; red, blue, silver, green, gold and purple but then he adds other items like the skunk

and then the firetruck, the tractor, the bowling pin and an elephant...



Folks, this is why I will be screaming in terror tonight; this tree is something else. Here are some more photos for your amusement.

Why yes, that is a giant squid attacking a Christmas bulb; your eyes are not playing tricks on you.

Oh and the cherry on top, well it's not typical either (why would it be)...


Yep...it's a moose. on. iceskates. But seriously people, I joke and rough "J" up but it's actually sweet the way he wants his tree--I love you Babe! It is very unconventional and he loves everything random, odd and interesting and that makes me love him even more. And besides he does great work everywhere else; check out the lights outside.


He lined our entire picket fence (trust me when I say it took 7 boxes-45ft each to complete) and also put white lights (my FAV!) on a maple tree (picture didn't turn out-Sorry).

This is the arbor he built for us to stand under at our wedding ceremony. He later moved it to outline the fence and walkway in the front yard. Every time we walk under it to get to our house it makes us both reflect on that day and smile. We are very blessed!!!