Monthly Craft Challenge ~ Christmas Edition

Heidi's Craft Challenge theme this month is Christmas! If you've never visited Heidi's blog, you MUST check it out immediately. She is full of creative goodness, and wonderful ideas!

It's no secret that this is my favorite time of the year AND I love to craft. Combine the two, and I'm a happy gal! Life has gotten a bit more chaotic this month, as it always seems to when the holidays roll around. I had high hopes of crafting many beautiful projects, but there's just not enough time in the day. So . . . . I'm linking up the Advent Calendar we made for our Countdown to Christmas.

Each year my mom buys all the grandchildren little chocolate-filled advent calendars. This year I knew we wanted to make our own, but I was also planning a new project/activity for each day in December. I've always wanted a re-usable advent calendar, so the girls and I set out to make one!

We found the fabric at Joann's ~ Flannel reindeer for the front and red and white fleece for the back.

Originally I was going to make each pocket out of different coordinating squares of fabric, but time did not allow. We used felt instead. I love felt. No fraying! I had also wanted to applique each number, but again, not enough time, so fabric paint came in handy!

I started by cutting out a tree from the flannel. I then cut 24 squares of felt and sewed them all to the front. I cut out my backing in the fleece, sewed the front to the back, and voila! Then we added the star {also made from felt. Did I mention I love felt?}, embellished with hotfix rhinestones, because we like sparkle, and painted on the numbers.

We were happy with how it turned out. But I have to tell you, I have seen some super wonderful advent calendars recently {Kelli's is ADORABLE! And check out Jen's version. I love it! And don't even get me started on her marshmallow wreath! So stinkin' cute!} So, we may be making a new one next year ;)

Need some fab ideas for holiday decorating? Head on over to Heidi's to see more wonderful craftiness!!!

n

Monthly Craft Challenge ~ YAY for FALL!

The fabulous, Heidi from Blue Eyed Blessings, is hosting her Monthly Craft Challenge, which is all about Fall and Halloween. My absolute favorite time of the year!

This is my first time participating in Heidi's Craft Challenge, and I was so excited to break out the craft supplies. Poor supplies, they've been out of commission for, literally, months and months. I haven't even thought about crafting since before Kameryn was born. Sad, I know.

Let me tell you, I had big plans for this craft challenge. But, finding crafting time is hard when you've got a very active {very needy and clingy} 8 month old, are trying to homeschool a 4 year old and a 7 year old, are participating in a Beth Moore study and have homework each night, are trying to keep some sort of semblance to your house, and are interested in finding more time for your husband than just the occasional "oh hey, that's right, you live here too". It's hard work, I tell ya ;) So, my apologies up front. I didn't get to fulfill my craft fantasies, but I did manage a craft or two. And I think that is a feat in itself.

Kam was in need of a cute Fall topper. I happened to have many blank onesies and felt from my Etsy days, which resulted in a little of this:

I wanted to break out the Mod Podge, but alas, I was too scared to attempt it. So . . . here is an old kitchen towel that got a "Fall lift" :) Guess I'm more comfortable with the sewing projects?

Alright, the girls are a-callin' me!

I cannot wait to see what all you crafty ladies have been up to!