D-I-Y Fall Wreath

If you've been following the Pinterest Party posts you'll know that my friends and I got together and made fall and winter wreaths.  I did a fairly long, wordy, loads of pictures post about what we did, but I did not go into how I made my own personal wreath.  And of course, we have to see if it was budget friendly!

My original idea was to do a fall wreath that centered around sunflowers.  I absolutely love sunflowers and I loved all the examples I had found on Pinterest.

I absolutely loved the reds, yellows, and oranges of all the wreaths, but what I really liked was the letter!  I knew I was going to incorporate that into my own wreath somehow...

I decided to go to Michael's and see what I could find that would live up to my expectations.  The first time I went by myself and bought a vase of fake flowers that were on sale and thought that was all I needed.  But when I went back to help another friend find what she wanted for her wreath, I realized that I wasn't completely happy with the supplies I bought.

Originally I had bought a small wreath from Target for $2.50 and thought that would be sufficient.  I soon realized that such a tiny wreath would look ridiculous on my outside door and I needed something a little bit bigger.

As you can see, the wreath I ended up using could be the little one's mother!  I knew I needed to go bigger.  As they say, bigger is always better.  And while I don't always believe that is true, in this case it was!

I also needed a few smaller flowers to balance out the larger ones as well as a letter.  I also decided that I wanted cranberries wrapped around the wreath because that is something I've always loved.

I used wire to hold my flowers, cranberries, and letter in place.  Some people used hot glue for theirs but I felt like the wire held everything better for me.  I'm very happy with how it turned out!
 

Okay...let's see the cost breakdown:
Grapevine Wreath: $3.00 (originally $5 but I used a 40% off coupon)
Cranberries: $3.00 (Originally $5 but it was on sale for 40% off.  I bought two)
Flowers in vase: $2.60 (original price was $12.99 but I got it at 80% off!)
Other flowers: $5.00
Wire: $0.99
Letter: $1.99

TOTAL: $19.58  

I wanted to try to stay under $20 and I definitely accomplished that!  It is so rewarding knowing that I got a great deal on a lot of the items I used and that I am going to be able to use the wreath for (hopefully) years to come!

Next up, a Christmas wreath!  I'm already planning it out in my head and hope that it turns out just as good as my fall wreath.  Maybe even better!

Pinterest Party Success!

After a hectic day yesterday it's nice to sit down with my cup of coffee, catch up with a few friends, and settle in for a nice relaxing day at home.  We're exhausted from all of yesterday's excitement  and quite satisfied with the outcome of our crafting skills.  Let's just say that the Pinterest Party was a huge success, and now that I have the first one under my belt I cannot wait to do more!

{You can find my original party post here if you're a little unsure of what a Pinterest party entails}

For my party everyone brought one dish they wanted to try and all the materials to make a fall or winter wreath.  We spent the first hour and a half tasting all of the food and catching up. {Silly me forgot to take pictures of the food!  I guess I was just too busy chowing down!} After our stomachs were satisfied we grabbed our supplies and sat down to craft to our hearts content!  The crafting part of the party probably took about an hour and a half to two hours total.  It was so much fun to see what everyone else was done, and there were a lot of different projects going on!  I think each one reflected the makers personality perfectly, and we're all extremely proud of the outcome!

My sister J did a Christmas wreath with birds on it.  The original picture that she modeled her wreath after, is from Michaels Arts and Crafts store.  It came out so well and is so unique!  S was in love with the birds and I won't be surprised if she goes back to Michael's to make a wreath similar to the one J made.  My favorite part of the entire project (beside the birds, which are super cute!) was the snow-in-a-can that J used to give the wreath a "wintery" feel.  

I love that K's wreath was completely different than the rest of ours.  She used a styrofoam tube as the base and pinned felt to it to get the look the see in the picture.  It is so unique and fun!  K told us after we were done that using pins to keep the felt in place wore her fingers down during the process though, so if you are thinking of trying this version you may want to get something that will protect your fingers!    

At first, S wanted to do her own version of this wreath, but ended up with a finished product that looked more like a variation of the hydrangea wreath.  There were a few people (myself included) who did different versions of this.  The most unique part about the whole wreath was that S wrapped her letter in ribbon which gave it a completely different effect.  

L and I did different versions of S's wreath (see above).  I love L's wreath because the colors match the theme of her house and not only is it chic, but it is very unique to her taste.  Oh...and the colors are gorgeous of course!

All the ladies with our newly crafted wreaths!
There is one person whose wreath I did not get a picture of in an individual shot, and that is E's (top row, second from the right).  E made hers with coffee filters and the reason I don't have a finished shot is because she is not done with it yet.  Hopefully she will send me a picture with the finished result because I am so anxious to see it!  I absolutely adore the coffee filter idea and love how full her wreath is!  Even if she just put a bow on it I think it would look fantastic!    

Before everyone left I had a small surprise for them.  I wanted to say thank you for coming and to give them all a little momento to remember the day by.

And here are the bags they went in:

Even though I was stressing a bit, the party turned out to be a success and we all had lots of fun!  I am very excited to have left over snacks to eat and new recipes to print out for my recipe binder!

For now, I'll leave you with a few links for some of the food my guests made:
1.  Strawberry Cheesecake Bites: verdict?  A hit!  People gobbled them up.
2.  Moscato Spritzer: verdict?  Okay, not my personal favorite but still pretty good!
3.  Lemonade Punch: verdict?  Delicious!  I will definitely be making this again!
4.  Strawberry-Mint Water: verdict?  Holy cow.  I loved it!  In fact, I'm having a glass right now!
5.  Easy Parmesan Knots: verdict?  The best bread I've ever had.  Seriously!

There were also meatballs, spinach and feta cheese dip, shrimp dip, and blue cheese bread bites!  I'll have to get the recipe for all of those and update this when I do.  Everything was delicious though and my mouth is still watering thinking of all the deliciousness!

I hope you've enjoyed my long picture filled post!  And I also hope that it has inspired you to do some crafting of your own!

Giving Thanks: Part Three

I wasn't really sure what I was going to write about today.  I didn't want to give a generic thankful answer because I really wanted to go outside the box and come up with something new.  Of course I am thankful for my faith, family, and friends, but there had to be something else to write about.  Something that is unique to my life.  And then it came to me.

I am thankful to be a stay-at-home-wife.

From the day Chris and I were married I have been lucky enough to be labeled as such.  Not many people are able to have this opportunity, and not a lot of people want to have it.  I am part of very unique and small group of women who are able to do this.  Who want to do this.

I love staying at home during the day.  I love the freedom it gives me as well as the opportunities.  And I love that when Chris gets home I can be waiting for him at the door, with a home cooked meal on the table.  

Does that make me old fashioned?  Maybe it does to some people, but not to me.  I've always wanted to stay at home ever since I was a little girl.  My goal in life was not to be a powerful business woman, but a loving wife and mother.  And God has blessed me with the opportunity to be just that.  

I honestly believe that being a stay-at-home-wife is preparing me to be a stay-at-home-mom.  Not only am I able to establish a daily routine but I am also free to experiment to see what works best for my family.  And once Chris and I make the decision to start having children, I will be blessed with the time to prepare. 

It is so easy to forget that being able to stay at home is a blessing.  There are some days where I honestly don't feel like doing anything and get bored pretty easily.  But then I remember that I am allowed to have a time out and relax for a day.  My chores and experiments will always be there tomorrow.  

But, I cannot forget the real reason I am able to do what I want: My husband.  Without God blessing Chris with a job that is able to provide everything we need and more, I would not be able to stay at home.  

{And the best part is that Chris has a job that he loves, so the money is only an added bonus}   

Successful Shopping Day

I am by no means, an awesome clothes shopper.  In fact, I'm probably one of the only girls on the planet that hates shopping for clothes.  Let me rephrase that...I hate shopping for clothes for myself.  So when I got my birthday presents from my family (thanks you guys!), I knew I had to spend my gift cards (and cash) wisely and I knew that I was in desperate need of new winter clothes.  I mean, I have a few favorite sweaters that still fit and are in tact that were new when Chris and I started dating three and a half years ago.  Yea...that's kind of sad.

See, I would much rather spend money on things for the house.  Or on my crafting, reading, or movie watching obsessions.  I am not a happy shopping person.  That gene went to my youngest sister and I do not envy her at all.

However!  I decided to treat myself today.  Mostly because I only have about five sweaters in my closet and I knew they were not going to last me all winter.  But, the reason behind the shopping really doesn't matter.  What does matter is the fact that I went and I was successful.

I went to at least four different stores today.  That may not sound like a lot, but for a reluctant shopper like me it feels more like browsing in four hundred stores.  

I have been eyeing this outfit from American Eagle for some time now, but I was not willing to shell out $109.90 for two pieces.  That just wasn't going to happen.  So, I began to look for cheaper alternatives and was very lucky to find one at Old Navy.

The above dress was originally $38 online and not sold in stores.  I was really disappointed because (1) I didn't want to pay that much, and (2) the cheaper alternative wasn't going to ship out until December 22nd.  So, I ended up going to the store and was lucky enough to find that someone returned it in my size and preferred color!  I also got 50% off of the dress just in case something was wrong with it (there wasn't) which, in my opinion, was a complete steal!  (insert happy dance)  

I couldn't find a cute cardigan to go over the dress though, so I went over to Target to try to find something.  Unfortunately, my luck ran out over at Target and I couldn't find a cardigan I liked.  But...I was able to find an outfit similar to this one to buy:

 
I'm pretty darn excited!  I think I've got enough cardigans, sweaters, and long sleeve shirts to last me a while now.  And I can't wait until my two pairs of boots (I'm finally getting a pair of cowboy boots!  YeeeHaaaaw!!!) come in from Amazon next week.

I'm so thankful for the thoughtful gifts from my family.  They were put to good use, and I feel like I'll look really stylish this winter!

Pinterest Party Projects

I'm having a Pinterest Party!

Yep.  In a few weeks I'll have a few friends over to craft, eat food, and hang out.  I don't know about everyone else, but I am so excited to do this!  In fact, I'm so excited that I've already started making a few preparations that could technically be held off for another week or so (thank you OCD).

If you've never heard of a Pinterest Party before, let me fill you in on all the fun!

The point of the party is to get together and make a (reasonably priced) craft (or two) that you've found on Pinterest.  
At my party we're going to make wreaths!  You can either have your guests go out and buy their own supplies to bring with them, or the host can buy the supplies in advance and have each guest bring money to cover the cost.  This differs depending on whomever is throwing the party, but since everyone that is coming to my party has different styles I decided to have everyone get their own supplies.    

You can also have each guest bring a dish that they've found on Pinterest and have been dying to try (like a potluck!).
I've asked each of my friends to bring a different dish without being too specific (we could either end up with a lot of dessert or none at all!).  I've also asked that they print out directions for the recipe they've made, that way we can give it to someone else to take home if they like it.  OH!  And, if you have food allergies like I do, you can always specifically ask that no one brings a dish that you can't eat.  

That's about all a Pinterest Party entails.  Pretty simple, right?  I've also got a few surprises up my sleeve and will wait until after the party to share them with you!  I don't want to ruin it for the people who are coming.

So far, I've done a few things to get ready for the party that I'd like to share with you.

I'm not much of a e-vite person.  I love the old school charm of a handmade (or even a cute store bought) invitation.  There is just something so personal and sweet about someone taking time out of their day to write out a card to you.  That is why I decided to make my own Pinterest invites!

I wanted them to look as much like the Pinterest logo as I could, so I pulled out my cricut, plugged it in, and got to work.  Here is what I came up with:

I also made this super awesome printable using Photoshop.  I'm starting to get really good at just bs'ing my way through using it and making stuff look good.

And that is it for now!  Stay tuned for some more fun projects that I'll be starting for the party and check back in a few weeks to find out how it went!

As always, you can find the downloadable version of the above printable on my google site.  It will print up to an 8x10!

Happy crafting!  

Giving Thanks: Part Two

This is going to be such a great week.  I can't believe this crazy election season will all be over tomorrow night!  I know that I am not the only one tired of the constant political ads between my favorite shows, turning on the news and only hearing about what each candidate is doing, and reading countless posts on facebook about someone's personal political beliefs (yes, I'm guilty of that too).  I am counting down the hours until it's all over and we can all go back to our regular day-to-day activities.  I'm more excited about that than my actual birthday tomorrow!

I am so thankful that we live in a country where difference of opinions are a good thing.  Where voting in elected officials is not a luxury, but our duty as citizens.  Some of us take this for granted, we figure that our votes do not count or that we don't have to vote because someone else will.  But our voice does matter and what we think is important because we, as citizens, get to decide what kind of country we want to live in.  Not a lot of people in the world are as lucky as us.  We, as a nation, decide our fate.  How many people get to say that?  So, first and foremost, I am extremely thankful that I get to cast my vote tomorrow.

I am super excited to get a sticker tomorrow!

On a completely different note....

I also have to give a huge shout out to my husband who stayed up late last night teaching me the in's and outs of HTML.  Without him my blog would just be another blog on the internet, but now I'm finally learning how to personalize it and make it my own!  I still do not understand how to code but I am one lucky girl since my husband doesn't mind helping me out.

{Thanks babe!}  

It's still a work in progress as I figure out the do's and don'ts, what looks good and what doesn't, but I'm pretty happy with it so far.  So poke around and see what's new here.  I hope you like what you see!

Just Some Food For Thought

Dear political activist,

I'm sorry, but I think it is time I said something.  I have sat idly by and read your political rants day after day without saying a word (except to my husband, he gets earfuls).  I can no longer pretend I don't see your ignorant posts, or you hateful commentary when it comes to this election because what you say hits close to home.  So close in fact, that I feel like you are directly speaking to me.

I know that there has been a lot of heat between Democrats and Republicans lately.  I watch the news and know how ugly it can get.  I also understand that the two parties will never see eye to eye on most of the major issues.  But that is the beauty of being an American.  We are all allowed to have differing opinions and ideals because of a little thing called the Revolutionary War.  But when your difference of opinions are used to belittle and condemn a political party you are not a part of, it makes you look ignorant.  It does not make the party you are talking about look bad, but it does make you look like a fool.

There will always be someone who is rude, ignorant, arrogant, or a racist no matter what party you affiliate yourself with.  Those characteristics are not found in just one group, but rather intertwined within the entire population.  You cannot control what another person decides to say or do, but you can control those actions in yourself.  Next time you decide to call an entire group racist, take a step back and think.  Don't throw those hateful words around just because you think it's cute or funny to say.  By using hateful rhetoric, you are making yourself look just as ignorant as the people you have decided to "call out".

I may not be able to control what you say or do, but I can call you out on what you have done.  You may think you are part of the solution, but instead you are part of the problem.  No one has ever been able to solve anything with bullying, name calling, or racial profiling.  I like to believe we are all trying to work towards one common goal, even if the way to get there differs depending on with whom you speak.

While we are American's and do have the right and privilege to speak our minds without consequences, there is never a time or place to be hateful or rude.  Just because one person is a racist does not mean everyone in their affiliated party is.

There are only a few more days until this election (thank goodness) and if the person you are not voting for is elected, you will have to live with all the hateful things you have said as of late.  Is that really what you want to be remembered for?  Do you want to be judged by all of the hateful things you have said?  Because by judging others, you are opening the door for them to judge you.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Luke 6:37

Giving Thanks: Part One

It's that time of the year again!  I cannot believe that November is here already.  Where has the year gone?!?!

I love November.  Not just because it's my birthday month (yay!), but because so many good things happen during it.

I love the cold weather it brings and the fact that election day is always on the first Tuesday of the month (yeah, I'm a bit of a goober). 

 It is always exciting to know we all get an extra hour of sleep thanks to daylight savings and we can curl up in bed, under the covers, and stay warm for just a bit longer.  

The leaves are gorgeous shades of reds, greens, yellows, and oranges this time of year!  I always love driving down country roads and taking in the sites.

We have one day this month to eat gloriously rich foods with family and friends and not feel guilty about how many calories we've had until the next day.

After Thanksgiving I can put up all my Christmas decorations!

And who doesn't enjoy the feelings of gratitude and general happiness towards others?  

On the topic of gratitude and happiness, every year I write down what I am thankful for.  God gives us so many blessings and it is easy to get caught up in life and to take what He gives us for granted.

This year has been pretty amazing so far and getting married was definitely the highlight.  I would say the first thing I am thankful for is my wonderful, hardworking husband, but I think that's a given.  Instead, I'm going to tell you how thankful and overjoyed I am to officially be a part of my husband's family!  They are some of the nicest, most giving, and wonderful people I know.  I met them a few months after Chris and I started dating in 2009 and have been a part of the family ever since (and now, it's official!).

This family photo is from December 2010.  Our niece was about
three weeks old in this picture!  

I'm officially part of the family now!  Unfortunately our
brother-in-law couldn't be there but he was definitely missed!

My entire family at our wedding.  This doesn't include
all the cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, or our
brother-in-law, but this is most of our immediate family!

We also had one other addition to our family: our nephew.
My youngest sister was able to visit the family in the hospital
and get pictures of him.  I'm a little jealous that he is awake
in this picture because every time I've seen him he is fast asleep!

Stay tuned for part two of my four part series! 

Favorite Fall Recipes

The weather finally seems to have evened out and has been consistently cooler over the past few days.  Cold fall weather always makes me want to curl up on the couch in my jammies with a bowl of whatever warm and comforting meal I cooked in my crockpot that day.  That is my ideal fall day.    

My favorite thing about cooking in the crockpot is that it usually takes about ten minutes of prep time and then I can just let it cook all day without having to lift a finger!  Ahh...perfection!

Here are my top five Fall Recipes:

1.  Pulled Pork!  I use the recipe on the back of the slow cooker seasoning packet you get at the grocery store.  It's delicious!
2.  Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili!  A friend turned me onto this recipe and it has now become a staple in my household.  Chris hates chili but I would cook it for my sister all the time, put it over rice, and chow down to our hearts content.  Yum!
3.  Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup!  Who doesn't love soup on a cool fall day?  This is another recipe we make at least once a month.
4.  BBQ Ribs!  Yep, you read that right.  You can make BBQ Ribs in the crockpot!  This is a fairly new recipe that I've tried but Chris and I love it!  There was lots of basting involved during the last few hours of cooking but it paid off and the meat practically fell off the bone once it was done.
5.  Italian Roast!  I love roast recipes!  They're so easy to make and so delicious once they are done.  I can't find the recipe anywhere on line so here it is!
     Ingredients:
          - 4 to 6 lb. chuck roast
          - 1 packet ranch seasoning (buttermilk recipe)
          - 1 packet ground gravy mix
          - 1 packet zesty Italian mix
          - 1/2 cup water
     Directions:
          - Combine ranch, Italian dressing, brown gravy, and water in a separate bowl and mix together.  Pour over chuck roast in the crockpot.
          - Cover and cook on Low for 6-10 hours.

There it is!  My favorite five fall crockpot recipes.  Do you have any recipe staples in your home?  If so, share in the comments below!