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random again.

April 1, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP8RB7UZHKI

have you seen this kid?
oh that mama… she must be so tired every night.
pretty funny little guy.

Crockpot Sweet Potato Chicken Chili.
my husband LOVED it. i did too. and two of my kids were brave and tried it.
and they said almost convincingly “i like it.”
i don’t believe them but they tried it and ate it too.
things are coming along… last year there is no way they would have tried it.

i have been listening to sermons again.
i REALLY enjoyed this series by Andy Stanley called Just Ask It.

i love how he can speak to anyone… whether you have been a christian a long time, brand new or if you don’t believe in jesus at all.
he is relatable.
he makes you think.
i think he’s cool.
if you have time driving in your car… out for a run or at the gym.. or just cooking dinner in your kitchen… throw this sermon series on and you will like it. 😉

c97e1d1e34abfae0ba10bc7fd7eb420c
ummm…. how rad is that shower???
i don’t think i would have the guts to do it but i do love it.
it looks fancy.
032b97f97c0586a3797b7517216a8b43
doesn’t this look so crazy good?!!!
i found the picture on pinterest with a dumb tumbler link to no where.
BUT i am going to imagine that there is a waffle truck somewhere in the world that makes stuffed waffle sandwiches.
doesn’t that sound dreamy?
i would love for someone to drive a waffle truck in to my driveway and bring me one.

and lastly….

i would like to sit and make this.
because it looks so relaxing.
i know i probably wouldn’t DO anything with these painted leaves… but creating is sometimes just for the sake of being creative.
not about WHAT you make… or what you will do with it.
it’s sitting down… stopping the busy around you… and creating.
in that moment.
i hope i can sometime soon-ish.

what is going on with you today?
are you making crafty projects? taking a nap? cooking dinner? reading a book?
please share. 🙂

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Grace - Long time reader, first time commenter, but I couldn’t resist. I’m glad you are enjoying Andy’s series. You’ll have to listen to the current one he is doing. Been on staff at North Point for 9 years now, and he still nails it. Every. Time. Anyways, if you are interested in any of the other sermons, mom resources, or small group content, let me know! I’d be happy to send some your way. Thanks for sharing your tidbits of life with us. Encouraged often.

phyllis - You’ve got me on a internet-wide waffle hunt!
I think I found yours at B.Street Waffles in San Francisco:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TplqI76oCk annnd, apparently,
you can have them sent to your door 😀

http://bstreetwaffles.com/product-category/waffles/

Candice McLean - YUM! The stuffed waffles looks delicious. Those painted leaves look dynamite… a great idea for a kiddo (and parent) fun project. Thanks for sharing!

tricia - My girls make the leaf casts every year in art class. i have a whole collection at this point. and no, i never really know where to put them. but i love them so. 🙂

Jane - At 50 I have gone back to college! Never finished and I am so lucky I can now. I have to finish a paper and a book. Learning is amazing..

Will try the recipe!! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!

amy - That little guy’s antics may be cute now, but that mama is unknowingly teaching her kiddo how to argue, bargain and be in control. I wanted to find that little guy a naughty stool – and fast!

April R - i like random 🙂
and waffles
and fancy bathrooms
and crafting for creativities sake
And I listened to Andy Stanley on the way to my Aunt’s house today. Title was “Follow” – specifically “Follow Wear” – really really good. I was planning on listening to his sermon “Nick and Joe Save Easter” again soon – if you haven’t checked that one out it’s really great as well. I’ll have to check out “Ask It”
Thanks for encouraging others to listen to good teaching and to be crafty and find all kinds of random things to enjoy in life

Elizabeth - I made the chili for dinner tonight and my family loved it. Thank you so much for sharing healthy recipes. It’s always good to have new recipes.

Cindy - The boy needs a few pow-pows! He would drive me insane.

Sara - Oh my have you never head waffles and ice cream!?! Our county fair has them every year! So worth the calories just once a year! 🙂

Stephanie C - Love these posts!
I am…..
trying to finish my last classes before earning my bachelor’s degree
finishing up lunch for the kids
looking up homeschooling curriculum for the next school year (we start over again in the summer when it’s too hot in FL to do anything else)
Missing my husband who is away for a month who also caught shingles in MD and cannot fly home even though he can’t work
Trying to figure out how to not go crazy with my seven kids and I in this house indefinitely waiting on dad to come home…someday. So thankful for FL’s early springs so I can see lots of life in the garden already.

Cara Kuester - I have a question about your 21 day fix challenge. I feel like although I don’t know you I can relate completely with your health journey. I have four kids at home-a picky eater husband and I just want to enjoy foods but lose about 15 pounds. I exercise regularly but can’t seem to stay on a health eating plan. Can you give any advice or encouragement. Thanks! I appreciate your honesty and openness to share your story and life with all us strangers.

Krystle - Sitting in my favorite leather chair checking in on your blog, dreaming about renovating my kitchen someday, and avoiding the laundry pile on the floor next to me.

Beth Ann - Megan, you have in part help to inspire me. For about 5 years I have exercised regularly – 3-5 times a week, but decided to get serious about it and the nutrition part. I joined a local ‘9 week challenge’ place to kick it up a few exercise notches and to get nutrition guidance. I am only 1 week in, but it feels good. I thought I would share my favorite snack/meal: http://iowagirleats.com/2012/07/09/no-heat-required-greek-dip-platter/

No fun things planned today, although it is early out for my kids from school. I would like to think of something fun to do with them after I get off work and they get out of school…..

Ari @ Ari's Menu - So glad you enjoyed the chili! Also, you could totally make your own stuffed waffles and then you get to put whatever you want in them like…NUTELLA! 🙂

Tiffany Gardner - OKC has awesome stuffed waffles. Waffle Champion used to be a food truck and now… they have a restaurant! Next time you are in OKC… stop by.. it is awesome!

Michelle from Australia - I’m in Upstate New York today. About to get on a plane to fly to Seattle.

Nicole - Had to comment about the waffles, as they brought back a wonderful memory. Whenever my brother and I would spend the night at my Poppy’s (Grandpa’s) house, he would make us waffle sandwiches as a treat. Two waffles with strawberry ice cream for the filling. YUMMMM… so good!

Rachel - So lets see…. yesterday I re-roofed the back yard awning in preparation for a “rain storm” that lasted all of 1 hour and was in the middle of the night. Today after helping sort 5000 items of clothing for our annual MOMS Club clothing swap benefiting the Mother To Mother Fund charity, I thought it would be a good idea to hang a new gutter where the previous owners of our home had decided never needed a gutter (they were wrong) in preparation for the next rain storm. And now I sit here waiting for this next supposed “storm” and wondering if maybe I should have just played dragons with the kids instead. After all, its LA. It never rains here. Only the ground shakes here.

Sandra - Love your ‘Random’ posts!
I’m on spring break enjoying Florida sunshine with my family. It’s been delightful. 🙂

Kristin S - That kid is going to be a famous attorney someday.

Jfryer - http://www.foodcartsportland.com/2007/10/23/flavour-spot/

Flavour Spot-Check out their menu 🙂

We were just introduced to one of these food carts in Portland, OR. So fun and yummy!

tasha roe - that chili looks divine!
cleaning and organizing after an ikea and target run.
our pastor, robert morris at Gateway http://www.gatewaypeople.com will knock your socks off! Texas has some awesome churches!!

Carrie - Have you tried waffatopia?

http://waffatopia.com

I am not an affiliate for them, we just live in their area and they are yummy waffles.

My two girls go back and forth with trying new foods. My youngest will eat literally all day and then when she sees meat on her plate she just can not take it. She is not super into new items lately which was a problem with my oldest a few months ago, they just can not get on the same page!! Luckily as far as veggie eaters go, I lucked out. They both get giddy over salads, one will eat ANY veggie and the other prefers most veggies raw which is fine.

Our Lent study is Adam Hamilton’s The Way. I like it and my oldest is doing the children’s version in her Sunday School class. It is nice to be doing the same thing.

Linda - we are on spring break! kids are home and i’m painting my bedroom this week!!! Love your random posts!

Julie - Right now I am putting off doing the vacuuming by reading my fave blogs. I have been to the bank and sorted out our mortgage, and I am hoping to play with some fabrics in my sewing room later today.

Enjoy your day.

Lisa - It’s snowing today (I think it’s a big fat April fool’s joke from God! ha!) and I had a ton of errands to do. Hate having to run errands in slushy snow. But I did exercise and am now home so that’s good. Hoping to take a nap this afternoon after school pick ups! Enjoy your day!

laura oyler - oh those waffle sandwiches…..can I have nutella on mine??

kathleen grace - Thank you for the link. I LOVE Andy Stanley, the man is a super genius:>) I’m listening to it right now as I type!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - I have a kid home sick today, so we went shopping, and I bought a pretty necklace. Taco soup is in the crock pot, and I am watching a movie while folding laundry. I started reading Me Before You, and I am already awaiting a gut wrenching ending. I have already cried twice. You should really listen to some pod casts from Matt Chandler at The Village Church here in Texas. He is awesome.

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popsicle stick star garland

January 11, 2014

over christmas break we made a fun craft project.
while my sister and my nieces were visiting we worked all together.
i bought a bag of 100 popsicle sticks one day (in the office supply row at the grocery store of all places).
then we used hot glue to make them into stars.

next we painted all the stars…. stars everybody was painting… even grandma!
stars2
and then we glittered all the painted stars.
glitter is the perfect addition to any and all crafts in case you didn’t know. 🙂
after everything had dried we hot glued them to a long string of baker’s twine & made them into a garland!

you could use them on their own for ornaments or gift toppers too.
or without the glitter they could be gift tags!

i asked annie and her friends to try and help me with a picture of it hanging but they are quite squirrely and this was the best picture we got.
wherever i am…. Stanley is right there at my feet.
all the time.

stars3
then we strung the garland across the dining room.
it is so cute!

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Kim - Oh how I love those two pictures of Stanley under the stars!! He is so adorable!

KWolff - These are fantastic! I have a stash of popsicle sticks just calling out for a fun and easy craft! Thanks for sharing!

Katie - Love this simple garland idea! I may try a similar one in white, wood and mint for our little one’s nursery. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kelly - What a fun idea! And that Stanley! Too cute!

Lisa - I <3 Stanley.

Julie - They look good over the blackboard, and even better with Stanley beside them.

Dawn Gross - LOVE this craft!! Nice that you can gather a gang at the craft house to play! And Stanley – what a sweet pup!

Dawn

Pamela - I just searched your blog and found your story on how you got Stanley. What a great Christmas gift! Loved the video. He is SO cute!! I’m glad Waffle likes him too.

Pamela Gordon - Love this simple project. It’s so colourful. Where did Stanley come from? He’s adorable. I missed a few posts and will go back and see. lol

julie - Wonderful project! Great pictures! Fun post! :+)

Amanda - No freakin’ way!!!! This is the coolest thing!!! LOVE all of it…especially Stanley!! 😉

Grandma R - They turned out so cute! Glad I got to help.

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kind of a big deal.

April 18, 2013

last saturday scott had basketball games all day.
but like all of those tournaments, the games are hours apart.
inbetween the games we ended up at the craft house to relax.
i was working on my pillow front….

which was just me layering things on this piece of quilt and sewing it down.
the girls thought it was so fun and i said "you can make one"
apparently i say no too often because they both GASPED and shouted "WE CAN??!!"

(parent fail)

i said "yes… you can. and i will show you how to sew it all together"

"REALLY?!!! You will teach us how to SEW!?? TODAY?!!"

(hanging my head)

"Yes. I will teach you today."

i gave them each a piece of fabric as their base and told them to use the scraps and layer on anything they wanted to and it will be fun and pretty and you will love it.
and they did.
Sean was not interested and that is no surprise.
he did sit in the room with us and drew pictures of dead cartoon characters… maybe feeling a little out numbered by the women around him so he was making up for it by overcompensating in the boy department?
ha.

annie chose to make a pillow like we made at the first craft weekend. (i miss you first CW girls!!)

talby came up with her own pattern of stripes.

and suddenly…. they were sewing.

it was pretty amazing.

i don't think i was scared to teach them before… just didn't know if i had the patience.
but after a year of craft weekends and seeing that i can help women take away that fear of the machine,
teaching my girls was practically easy.
the craft weekend women are always awesome so there was no reason to feel anxious about my own girls.

that is her face of concentration. :)

beautiful pillows to be proud of for sure!!
they chose the fabrics from scraps and did all the sewing.
i helped annie cut circles. she cut the first 8 & then was the fabric chooser while i became the fabric cutter

i was so proud of my crafty girls.

—————————————

by the way…

i use two of each these machines for craft weekend and what i use myself for all my sewing.

SINGER Heavy Duty Model 4411 SINGER Heavy Duty Model 4423

i just ordered them straight from Amazon and it's free shipping!
as far as i can tell after having used them for two years now, the only difference is the Model 4423has an automatic threader and the Model 4411 does not.

i am not working for Singer.
i just like their machines.
🙂

they are very basic, non-threatening, easy to use machines.

maybe you should ask for one for mother's day???

go big or go home baby.

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Shannon - I sew(so…LOL)want to learn how. That’s a great idea a Mother’s Day gift request it is! I love their pillows!

Whitney - They turned out great- wonderful job girls! I remember when my grandmother taught me to sew basic things on her very old Singer (the old black iron kind in the built in box.) Then my mom took it a step further and has shown me how to do more advanced things on her new machine- they will always remember that day! Now I want to go make a pillow 🙂

megan - Thank you for this. My 5.5 year old id begging for sewing lessons & I keep denying her. I am now motivated to say yes next time she asks!

Linda - Thanks for the sewing machine suggestions. My daughter goes over to her elder sister’s for her quilting project. Between their 2 schedules it is hard ot get them together to finish. Now I know just what is for her next gift!

Leslie - My daughter would LOVE Talby’s pillow case design. Maybe she could do some for your shop – hint * hint * 🙂

Heidi Jo the Artist - That’s awesome they are learning to sew. That is a day they will remember always I’m sure. 🙂 Pretty, pretty, pillows! I just started teaching my daughter, almost age 6, how to hand sew a couple of weeks ago. She loves it! Now, I need to get a sewing machine hooked up and get going on that myself, so I can teach my daughter too. I love handmade stuff!!!

Andrea - Both pillows are lovely. They get their creativity honestly!
That is what I want to do – set up all my machines at a table and teach all three of mine to sew at once. (My boy is only 8 and so still wants to be like his big sisters. Well, to a point!) I have my mom’s old machine that I learned to sew on, my grandma’s old machine that I just got tuned up, and my machine. All Singers!

Kate - Those first craft weekend girls were cute, huh?! 🙂

Valerie @ Chateau a la mode - Your girlies are adorable and looked like they loved sewing and you are an amazing mom!

Juli - I’m curious…when they go back to the Craft House, do they miss living there?

Lori Austin - They did great! Those pillows are super cute.
I really need to learn how to sew. Thanks for the info
on what machines you use. I need to bookmark that for the hubby. 😉

Katie - I was so surprised when I saw on IG that your girls had never sewed! You are so awesome about crafting with them, that I was certain they certainly would have sewed before. Their pillows are gorgeous! My 5 year old loves to see when I am working on a project. I will have to let her try one of these, something real she can make from all my scraps, usually she is just coming up with her own designs–I think she would live something real she could do in her own. Happy sewing!!

Rachel B. - Very cool!

Tiffany - Good for your girls, and good for you! I’m sure this lit a fire under them to learn even more! I’m so glad you showed pics here. After seeing you doing that on ig I was curious to see the finished products. So cute!

Kimberlee Jost - So proud of those girlies!
And you, too, brave mama.
🙂

Seriously Sassy Mama - I need to get my sewing machine out of the closet. It is time to sew.

Nicole - I miss my sewing machine SO much. I messed up the bobbin and have not been able to get it working since. A lady at my local craft store said the tensions could be messed up, but I have no idea how to remedy that. Le sigh 🙁

Laura H - What a fun day!! I am determined to learn how to sew! I love pretty things like this…so MAGICAL. Love what you’re doin!

Gina - So fun!! I was the same as you, not sure if I had the patience to teach my girls sewing but I did and it was fun!! Nothing is more fun than crafting alongside my kids and having them take an interest in something I love!! I sew with a Singer too! 🙂

Marthajd@msn.com - Is there anything sweeter than a child concentrating? My sons both do this tongue thing and it’s so sweet! Thank you for sharing!

Terrie G - I was so excited for you & them when I saw that pic roll across my instagram feed! What a wonderful new world you have opened for them! Just one more way for them to create! You rocked it MOM!!

Jenny B. - That’s awesome! I would proudly display both of those pillows on my couch! Great job, girls!! I got a sewing machine for Christmas two years ago… it’s still in the box. I am so intimidated by that thing (even though came with an instructional DVD). Sigh… fear is so crippling!

Nina Newswanger - Hello-just had to stop by and say I LOVE YOUR BLOG, I am not particularly creative or crafty, but I happened upon your blog a couple weeks ago and have been hooked-like digging through your archives!:) I love your large family, your honesty and your christian spirit. I have 4 boys under 7 so it’s interesting to me to see what life looks life as kids get older, I hope we can do as great as job as you and your husband, (my husband is Craig too:) doing things as a family. Thanks for being real and honest-love it!!! Also, I’ve been making tons of your recipe’s-you have SO many great ones!

JulianneB - An automatic threader…be still heart…. the most frustrating part of sewing to me is threading the machine

Wendy - My girls love to sew and I love to watch them create without all of the perfectionism that resides in my head. They are always so proud too of their creations. My big problem is letting them use my fabric. I am a bit of a hoarder when it comes to my stash of pretty fabrics. Why do I do that? Love this and thanks for the tips on the machines!

Jen - Love the pictures of Annie and Talby sewing. I wish I knew how to sew at times because my two girls have shown an interest. In fact my 5-year-old has been designing clothes on paper recently and wants her grandmas to help her. Good on ya, Meg!

Lindsey - Love this! I’ll bet it won’t be the last time your daughters will want to sew! You win the cool mom award for the day!

Claire - Love it! What a joy to see the little ones on the machines! Those look like great sewing machines too. I just got my first machine and love it. It is the Brother XL2610 and it is awesome!
http://www.amazon.com/Brother-XL2610-Free-Arm-Built-In-Functions/dp/B000A5CKHG/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1366298313&sr=8-11&keywords=sewing+machine+brother

angela - That’s a REALLY big deal! Good for YOU and good for your GIRLS!!!!!! Dead animals…lol!

beth - very cool!
: )

Lisa - Love <3

Melissa - Love those pillows! Great job girls. I remember my grandma teaching me how to sew years ago – priceless

jill - I love in life when doing one thing (hosting craft weekend) by accident makes something else much easier to do (teaching your girls to sew). This is why I think trying new things/taking risks is so important, you never know how it will impact your life in unexpected ways.
Feeling philosophical today…

Dawn Gross - That’s pretty cool! They did a great job!
I sewed that awesome ruffle apron at craft weekend and now I’m scared to try something else. Just do it, right?
Dawn

Allison - My 5 (almost 6) year old wants to learn how to sew. I’m afraid of her sewing her fingers on my machine so we might start out with hand-stitching this year. I taught myself how to sew so being able to teach my girls how to do one of my favorite hobbies is exciting for me.

Lynette - So fun! I am determined to teach my girls to sew this summer. This looks like a great beginner project. I think we will start with pillows too. Your girls did a great job, their pillows are great.

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glitter and glue.

January 4, 2013

this is the last craft we did over the school christmas break.
it's kind of christmassy but can just be fun for winter too.

IMG_0540-8

for supplies:
we used photographs, school glue, paint brushes, martha stewart fine glitter, mini pom poms and pre cut wood snowflakes from hobby lobby…they were like $1.50? or something like that.

they came already painted white.

take a photo you like and draw a circle over it with whatever circle shape that fits your sowflake…we used a drinking glass from our kitchen.

cut out your picture.
then cover your entire snowflake (only one side) in glue.
we poured glue into a small bowl and painted it on the snowflake.

after the picture is on you cover everything with glitter.
(the fun part. 🙂

you wouldn't have to use the martha stewart glitter but it IS amazing.
everything looks so good with it.
it's pricey and regular glitter would still work….but the MS stuff is my FAVE.

when the glitter & glue was dry we hot glued the mini pom poms around the photo.

they were very fun to make.
glitter is messy i know but all you need is a hose attachment to your vaccum to clean it up.
and honestly…i like having glitter fall off me everywhere i go around my house. :)

we made some for our friends…

annie made this one for talby.
IMG_0530-5
i think you could just hang these up around your house all winter…it is not strictly christmas that gets the glitter.

creating with glitter makes me happy.

the end.

happy friday to you.

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House Cleaning Chester NY - So love the idea! It seems so easy to make. I’ll be making these for my kids.

Heidi Jo the Artist - Fun!

Kate - Super Cute!

Amy Hartman - This is so pretty! Pinning this

Heather - We’re doing it! So fun.

Liz Botts - Love this. My kids would love doing it. Awesome project idea. Thanks!

Kimberlee Jost - Wow, those two kids hugging it out are so cute.
😉
Very fun craft. Talia would love it.
Too bad her mom hyperventilates at the thought of her with glitter in hand.

Jenn - Love this! Perhaps someday when my boys are bigger… Or perhaps I will have a glitter afternoon all by myself 🙂

Jess - So fun to see my boys on here today. 🙂 I told Levi to come look at what Miss Megan made and he said, “Awwww…that’s cute!”. Ha. Silly Bob.

Kori - What you wrote about having glitter fall off you wherever you go totally made me laugh out loud! 😀

Eva Scott - These are so cute! I’m gonna try and find something for the Spring and do this!

misty - meg- this is random, but isn’t this pic in your house?
http://laurawinslowphotography.com/blog/2011/04/12/wall-art-wednesday-sweet-little-memories-mesa-family-photographer/
maybe I’m wrong, but it looks familiar…
love this craft project 🙂

Tanya - My daughter’s teacher did this for each child to bring home for Christmas.
I still have it hanging on a cupboard handle cause it’s so cute. Definitely worthy of a full season! 😉

Tiffany - Super fun and cute!

donna - those are just about the cutest things i have seen………love them and will for sure put this in my to do file!!!! love it.

Malinda - These would be great to make with Christmas cards that people send out. I never know what to do with them but, never want to throw them away.

Shara - Seriously Meg, you have the best ideas! I’ve bookmarked so many of your crafts. I just don’t have that crafty eye!!!Thanks for sharing your creativity!

Crystalyn - These are fantastic. I love the pom pom detail, and I’m pretty sure everything looks better with glitter all over it. (Yes, even dining room floors.)

Southern Gal - Cute idea.

Cindy - So pretty!

Sarah Wolfe - I want to try these next year, or if I get around to it this year. I love having glitter show up in random parts of my house too:) It’s such a happy thing to have around 🙂

Ashley O. - I would leave them up all winter!
They are not just chritmas-y

Jenny B. - Those are SO adorable! I love them all. 🙂

amanda - I love having glitter falling off of me wherever I go. It’s probably the only craft mess that doesn’t get on my nerves.

Susannah - So cute! I love your fun, easy crafts!

Angela - Awesome!
Angela

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Super cute! I’ll bookmark this to use in my classroom. Thanks for sharing:)

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throw back craft

December 30, 2012

i call this a throw back craft because it was based from something my great aunt Liza hung on her wall at christmas time… i don't know where that ended up.
i forgot about it until christmas.
hers was velvet and was covered in pearls and rhinestones sewn to it…in an antique frame.
she hung it above her fireplace.

IMG_0453-1

we created a modern version of liza's tree…using craft supplies she gave to me.
she always sent me home with a box of supplies that she wasn't going to need any more.
she loved to hand sew, preferably with felt, seqins and beads.
i have thousands.

first we painted a canvas all one color. (this is a 16×20 canvas..we used acrylic craft paint)

she had bags of scraps of this puffy bright colored yarn.
so now i have bags of scraps of puffy yarn.
🙂
i traced a tree shape (cut from paper) on our painted canvas when it dried
and we hot glued the puffy yarn in the shape.

this big bowl of sequins and beads is a teeny fraction of the stash i have from her.

then we poured glue into the tree shape.
like…. we used almost the entire bottle of tacky glue.

i poured it out and spread it with a paint brush.

then we dumped the sequins and beads on the glue until every single bit of glue was covered.

the girls were LOVING it!!

it was messy.

but what fun is making art if you can't get messy?!

it's like a game of I Spy.

the gold star sequins were in their own glass pill bottle.
it was the perfect finishing touch.

i hope that we will hang this up every year too…for a long time….and that my girls will remember making it.

it is pretty awesome.

different from liza's but perfect for us.

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Kathy - Love this! It’s just what I’m looking for. Perfect for grandkids to create together and remember every time they see it hanging at Christmas.
Thank you!

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Catherine Gee - 6 yr old girl to make Christmas crafts and decorations.

Christmas Tree Crafts - bright & colourful - Fun Crafts Kids - […] We adore Christmas Tree Crafts – there is something so very special about a Christmas Tree and how it puts us all in a very festive mood. So when I saw this sparkly, colourful and simply cheerful Christmas Tree Craft, I knew we had to share it with you. A great way to use up all those “bits and bobs” knocking around the bottom of your craft drawer, whilst creating something fun and pretty. […]

Lasso the Moon - O Tannenbaum! 10 Christmas Tree Crafts for Kids - […] Vintage Catch-All Christmas Craft I absolutely adore this beaded yarn Christmas wall hanging. It is a must-do on my holiday list for this year. Pin it for later | See full post […]

5 manualidades navideñas para niños: árboles de navidad | Pepita Pancracia - […] 1. No me digas que no tienes botones en la casa que te sobren o no tienes fácil comprar una bolsita de botones la cual no sería costosa. Esta manualidad es mi favorita tienes diversión asegurada con goma y un poco de lana. El árbol botones te enseñan como hacerlo aquí. […]

Meredith @ Homegrown Friends - I LOVE this! Too funny I was just looking at an extra canvas we have leftover from a summer project and was wondering what to do with it. PERFECT timing 🙂 Sharing and pinning!

Top 10 Best Preschool Christmas Crafts - Top Inspired - […] DIY Project and Photo credit to megduerksen.com […]

brittany - i will try this craft with my kids when I get all the supplies

25 Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids - hands on : as we grow - […] Christmas Tree Throw Back Craft Whatever […]

Kris - It’s lovely, what a wonderful idea. What a wonderful memory!

Antonette - This is so beautiful. I love the contrasting turquoise. Really makes the tree pop.
You could bag up some of the beads/sequins and sell them on etsy. I’d buy some. 🙂

Mary - totally rad!
i love it!
what a treasure.
🙂

MissKathy - Very clever use of all those prettys that just can’t be thrown away. I like large scale but I feel inspired to go smaller – would make great personalised cards for family and friends. Sure they would get an extra glow to recieve art made with love.

Lisa - I love this times a TRILLION! Favorite craft you’ve ever posted.

Laura - gotta admit, when i saw this on IG, i thought, “Well now THAT will be a huge mess!”
I grew up the daughter of two artists…two artists who are CRAZY CLEAN AND NEAT
when I got spin art for my 8th birthday, my father took it…and I NEVER SAW IT AGAIN
why?
because it would make a mess
i try really hard to allow mess in my home
and this week, i have succeeded
sadly, not because of crafts
just grief and chaos 🙂
anyway…i do love this
i think it is beautiful
worth the mess!

Leslie - I’ve been blog-hopping and “Pinterest-ing” today and came to your site. I love this tree. What a sweet memory for you and your girls of your aunt. It’s so pretty! I love all the sequins. 🙂

kristina - Fabulous! Funny thing is that I saw one of these at an antique store yesterday and stared at it forever and thought it was awesome. And look at you making one… I think I have to do this for next year. Thanks for sharing!

Abaker71605@gmail.com - Love this Idea, I did it with my kids tonight and they turned out adorable!

Danielle - I was hoping you would post this tutorial after I saw it on Instagram! Thank you! Happy New Year!

Jackie - Definitely a memory maker!

dee - hi-love this idea and i love that this will be a family heirloom one day with wonderful memories-love dee x

Gina - Gorgeous!! I want one! Best wishes for a very happy New Year Meg. Thanks for all the inspiration and fun stories!! I always enjoy checking in on your blog!

Carol S. - Sweet! Awesome homemade Christmas ARTwork. You will love pulling that out each year. Happy New Year! Just the four of us, board games, tv ball games, movies and munchies…more of same tomorrow. That’s a happy holiday to me. Enjoy.

Georgia - Ohhh my god… i had to scroll to the end straight away to see the finished product… its so spangly and amazing… im going to collect buttons etc this year to make it next xmas!
awesome craft! 🙂

Prairie Jenn - Love! My girls would flip! We’ve got to make one next year:)

Lynn - I SPY a jingle bell 🙂 I love this – maybe will try to make one with my boys before they completely lose interest with crafting with me (sigh). Happy New Year.

Janelle - Love this and I already have a canvas painted just like this! Do you add anything once the glue is dry to preserve it?

Heather - So cute. I wish I had seen this before Christmas. It will be on the mandatory list for next year. Thanks for sharing!!

Kerrin Norman - Love it! We are totally going to do this with hearts for Valentines Day! So excited!

lorel - I think Liza would love your adaptation. beautiful!

Lisa - This is so fun!!! You will never get tired of looking at it. I wish I had wonderful bowls full of prettiness like that. Maybe I’ll start keeping a jar to drop in leftovers and found pretties, and by next Christmas I can make my own sparkling Christmas tree! Happy New Year!

Jen - P.S. Once again my 8-year-old daughter is dressed just like your 8-year-old daughter. Same red sweater dress. She loves it! I hope you’re having a great day, Meg!

Amber - Oh my gosh! Perfect! Pinning it for us to revisit next Christmas!

Sarah H. - I love it! I was hoping after I saw this on instagram that you would give us all the details! How fun! I think we will do this for Valentines Day. My daughter would love it! Thanks for sharing!

Amanda - I love this!!!!!

Michelle from Australia - LOVE it!! I had never crafted until I ‘met’ you Meg. But your Christmas bauble wreath post two years ago has resulted in me making nearly two dozen baubles wreaths since. And the orders for them just keep on rolling in. I wonder if I do a button tree like yours whether I’ll have people wanting them too?? Thank you for sharing and thank you for helping me find the ‘inner crafter’ in me that I still get surprised by each time I finish a wreath.

Meredith - As my kids would say…..totes amazeballs!! As always Meg – fun, imaginative, delightful. Much love and Happy New Year from my family Down Under to yours. Thanks for another year of generously sharing life from your delightful perspective. Meredy xo

Kizzy - What a wonderful creation, I will be tryjng this with the kids next year, thank you fir sharing.

Comfypjs - I like it! I just may have to add this to the craft list.

Kelly - Soo fun!!!! Love it. Kelly

Jen T. - I too know exactly what you mean! Every year I hang up our vintage jewelry tree. It’s made with old vintage earrings and brooches and bracelets and so on placed in a Christmas tree shape. It was created on black velvet in a vintage frame as well. And the finishing touch is my uncle (who made it) drilled holes to string up a short strand of Christmas lights. I love it so very much. Your version is absolutely delightful!

Kate - I love this

Karen - Oh my. That is just awesome!!!!

Jenn - So fun!!!

Jenny - ThAt is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing. Happy new year!

Ella - I know exactly what your Aunt had hanging on her wall. My Grandmother had one too that came out at Christmas time & I always adored it as well. I believe hers was on burgundy velvet with lots of “golden” detailing, pearls & some good old fashioned vintage jewels. Loving your modern spin on it and can see doing this craft next year with our youngest one (she’ll be 3 next Christmas)!

Amy Woods - Uniquelyand wonderfully adorable! Love it!!

Heather - I love it! I have an 8 yr old girl that is going to love it too! I am putting it on next year’s craft list! THanks! Merry Christmas!

Pat - Meg, I love the craft and will have to do that with my niece next year! Can you (or anyone else out there) please tell me where you got the JOY christmas wrapping paper? It is so cute!
Pat

April R - Look at that left handed crafting! Love everything about this craft 🙂
And the gold stars in the star were perfection!
Merry Christmas!

Esther - Meg–love it. I think I will do this with my grandkids next year for Christmas, I have to start collecting beads and such–thank you for sharing with us.

Christy K - Ok, this is seriously the cutest craft EVER! Love the creativity and color involved and I LOVE that you found your inspiration from one of your great aunt’s creations! I hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas and all the best to you in the new year!! : )

donna - that is just too adorable. i love it.

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - How fun! And inheriting bowls and bottles of art supplies? Heavenly! Happy New Year Meg:)

Alicia @ La Famille - ok now that is just plain fun! i love every bit. that bowl of randome sparkly things is amazing!! yeah for aunt liza!!!

Kerstie Pederson - Rad!!!! Got my wheels spinning for next year’s Christmas crafts.

Verna Lantz - This is one of the most wonderful things ever! I adore how it turned out. We might have to steal this idea. 🙂

Jen - I agree. That. is. awesome. Want to make one with my girls next year!

Melissa - That. Is. Awesome.

Kristen - That is so cute! I bet it was a blast making this with your girls. Messy is always more fun.

elma - I love it!!!

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SNOW! and crafts.

December 20, 2012

************************************************

finally.
we haven't had snow for way too long.
even if it knocked out my plans AGAIN today…i am still so happy to have snow.

talby was sick yesterday all day.
so sick.
poor baby…waffle tried his best to keep her happy. :)

she felt well enough in the afternoon to work on a project with me.
she was so bored all day.

step one for our ripped paper tree is to paint a background paper.
we taped annie's down because with only one arm the paper moves around a lot.

also i painted paper the night before for them to make sure it was dry enough to work on it all at once.

i used acrylic craft paint (you know…the .97 little bottles in all crafts stores)
for all of the painted paper and annie's background sheet too.

just green paint painted over the whole thing.

when your green paper is completely dry…then you rip your sheet into strips about 1-2 inches wide.

when your background sheet is dry you begin shaping your tree.
we forgot to make a snowy ground…. but it still worked out fine.
rip the strips into the right size to form a tree shape.
we used ten strips total.

it's FUN to rip the paper into the shapes you want!
i love how the ripped edge shows, the white on some sides and how all the strips are uneven.

we also painted paper with different colors to use for the star, the presents and the ornaments.
we made patterns in the paint by using the pointed end of a paintbrush
and making dots with a pencil eraser dipped in paint.

macaroni and cheese break!

you could use a glue stick but i think school glue would hold better in the long run…the painted paper gets heavy.

add some "snow" with a q-tip or splatter it on.
and some yarn bows on the gifts.
and you have an Eric Carle inspired christmas tree work of art!

talby chose a night scene and used water color for her background.

SO much FUN!!!

i found this idea on Artsonia.

************************************************

How about ONE MORE IDEA FOR A GIFT???

for just $20 you can purchase a stove for a family in Haiti and give the gift of coal efficiency!

you can buy a stove "gift card" to give to someone on your gift list!

how much better is that than another tie?

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY

TO GET A

STOVE CARD

mailed in time for christmas!!

you can give it to your dad.
you can give it to your husband.
you can say "it's a gift to me!" and purchase a gift card.

or two or three or ten.

GO TO The Adventure Project TODAY for information.

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Christine Ishmael - Hey Meg…don’t know if you get time to read all of your comments but I’m wondering if I can buy a print of the chicken coop with snow on it from you? I’m trying so hard to find beauty in all of the snow we’ve had dumped on us…that picture spoke to me…thanks, christine @ christineishmael@gmail.com

Rach - Thanks for the snow pics. I needed that. 🙂

Becki - I LOVE this Eric Carle Craft!

tiffany feger - i just donated. thanks for the idea. i donated to the water cause b/c my dad is really into clean water for the world. my donation will be matched it says. awesome and a great gift for my dad! i’ll forward my email conf Christmas morning!

Kelly - Go to
http://www.featureshoot.com/tag/henry-hargreaves-photography/
for some holiday break rainbow food ideas for your family – or your wall!

kim - Yay!!! I’m glad I’m not the only one 🙂 Merry Christmas!!!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - We just woke up to our first snowfall. Its not much but I’ll take it over the hammering that other parts of our state are getting this weekend.
Merry Christmas, Meg!:)

Jules - Lovely craft Meg! Your girls are adorable, they look so grown up in these pictures! Thank you for all of your bright and happy blog posts throughout the year, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas together. All the best for the coming year! Jules x

Tanya - LOVE the trees a lot!
Just bought three stoves for Haiti ~ now my shopping is officially done 🙂
Thanks for the link <3

Tracy - I wish I shared your love of snow. I really can’t stand the cold white wet stuff! It would make it a lot easier to make it through these Kansas winters.
Loved this craft! Look forward to the next one!

Tiffany - I was thinking Eric Carle the whole post, and then you said it! Super cute! I think I’ll have to make one with Olivia soon. She’d love it! Thanks for the idea!

Jen - Beautiful snow, Christmas trees, and girls! I hope Talby is feeling all the way better now. Finally got some flurries here at home last night – southwest Ohio. Happy Weekend!

Ashley - Oh I really like this one…adding to the list…hopefully it won’t stay on the list, but I’ll actually do it with the kids 🙂

lisa - Very cute! I would totally frame those and pull them out every Christmas. They are bright and colorful. Really cute.

erin - The picture of the sun coming through the tree is so pretty!

alicia @ la famille - love this craft and SNOW!! yeah for you guys!!

Patti - Love your craft ideas! Also wanted to say that thanks to a post of yours a week or so ago, I went searching for, found and ordered the Memory Challenge Holiday Edition Game. It arrived a few days ago and we’ve been playing it nonstop in the evenings at our house. Its so much fun!! Thanks for enabling. 😉

happygirl - Great tree idea. I love your snow shots. Kansas and snow just go together. 🙂

Lisa H. - Love this!
Will definitely save in my files to make with my Art students next Christmas.
Thanks so much for sharing your family’s creations.
We love to craft at our house too.
Lisa

Shannon - I love the craft idea! The colors are so bright and beautiful. I’m a whole lot jealous you guys have so much snow, I’m hoping for some this weekend!!
Merry Christmas 🙂

Amy - Awesome craft! Time to break out the paints and gather the kiddos!!!

Eva Scott - Really pretty idea! And fun!

Stephanie Talty - So stinkin cute!!!
I may have to try this craft with my son over Christmas break.
The storm is moving into out area (Ohio) tonight.
It is going to be a white Christmas!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Stephanie

Kim - Made our donation today!!! My youngest daughter & her boyfriend travel to Haiti for mission trips. For a small $20 donation you can help a family 🙂 Great cause & I hope more people donate!!!

Holly - cute idea! Love it!

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snowflakes

December 18, 2012

***********************************************

this first holiday craft was super duper easy but looks really cool.
we made 3D snowflakes!

you will need only pipe cleaners and beads.
we choose silver pipe cleaners and clear beads.
(but you could do white pipe cleaners with rainbow colored beads and it would be adorable!)

clear beads from the plastic crafty bead section at the craft store.
they are like $1.99 a bag or so.

take 10 pipe cleaners and lay one the opposite direction of the other 9.

wrap the 9 together tightly a few times with the one pipe cleaner…twisting to make it stay.

then fan out the pipe cleaners as evenly as you can in all directions.

then we snipped off a few inches from all the sides EXCEPT ONE.

on the ONE tall pipe cleaner…place one bead and the wrap the end into a loop.

next place one bead or more on every pipe cleaner.
they stay on whereever you place them…they don't slide around.
i like that.

we took some of the small pieces that we snipped off and wrapped them
around the ends of a few of the points…to give it that "snowflake" look.

and that's it!

my kids each made several.
and argued over whose was the best.
of course.

happy crafting!

(idea for this craft was found here)

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Beth - So cute, meg! I am really looking forward to the days when my kiddos are old enough to do crafts like this – they’re 3 and 1 now.

emily hope - really love this – so simple & pretty. I think we’ll continue making Christmas crafts all month too 🙂

Tracy Fisher - thank you for this “happy” blog today. much needed. love love love the trees and ornaments. cherished items for sure. -tracy

Tammy - Love this idea! I just saw that the Sandy Hook PTA is asking for snowflakes to decorate the school the kids will be going to in January. http://www.ctpta.org/SANDY-HOOK-FUND.html We’ll definitely be making some over our Christmas break!

Amber - I love all your crafts. I really need to step up my crafting lifestyle. 😉

tara - amazing craft idea….
talby looks so grown up. 🙂

Kimberlymccoy@mac.com - oh perfect! Thanks for this. I’ll be doing this with my girl scout troop on Saturday. Beautiful!

Jennifer - Great idea 🙂

Ashley - Woah black and white photos! I am not used to that here 🙂 I like them…just like I do the color ones. Miss you.

laurenrger@yahoo.com - Loved this too! The first thing I thought was they would be great to send to CT! So glad someone alrwady provided the dets.

Lisa - I saw on Facebook they PTA at Sandybrook was looking for snowflakes for the children/school…these would be perfect to send if you have extra:
Connecticut PTSA is deeply saddened by the tragedy that has struck our Newtown community. We have met with the PTA and community leaders in Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary to offer our assistance at this very difficult time. They have asked us to spearhead the following efforts on their behalf:
Snowflakes for Sandy Hook
Please help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!! No two snowflakes are alike. Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013.
Mail snowflakes or donations to: Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514. Phone: 203-281-6617
For questions or to reach anyone at Sandy Hook PTA, please email us at sandyhook@ctpta.org. The Newtown community has requested monetary contributions, but we do know there may be service and product donations that will be offered. For service or product inquiries, please contact

Michelle from Australia - Maybe we could do yellow ones for the hot Australian sun? Oh for a white Christmas…..

jen - we are so making these this weekend!! thank you!

Tanya H - This might be my favorite craft you’ve ever shared, and we’ve done several of yours in our house! 🙂 Thanks so much!! 🙂

Lori Austin - So pretty and so simple. Thank you for sharing. These supplies are on my shopping list.
Btw, are you aware Katie Brown has a pic of yours on her blog? Wowza!!

Kim - You made my day with this post!! I am in charge of my daughter’s Christmas party at school on Thursday and she really wanted a craft as part of it…but I am just not naturally good at that and couldn’t find anything online that thrilled me. Until this. Perfect! Yeah!!!

Carrie D. - I think this is going to make a great last minute addition to my daughter’s preschool Christmas party!

Kirsten J - Bah!!! How do you make these look so good???? I’ve tried them and they looked like they were done by a two year old in the dark.

alimoll - I love this idea! So simple, but they are soooo beautiful!

Liz - This is so neat – love this craft!
Did you hear about the snowflake drive for Sandy Hook Elementary? Just wanted to pass this on in case you’d like to send some there (c&p from a friend’s Facebook feed):
* * *
So many friends near and far have asked how to help. There is a Snowflake Drive for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary to turn their new school into a winter wonderland being sponsored by the PTA.
Like our children, no two snowflakes are alike. We invite you to
create snowflakes to decorate Sandy Hook School’s new home. Be creative! All colors and designs are welcome. You can mail your snowflakes to
Connecticut PTSA,
60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103,
Hamden, CT 06514
by January 12, 2013.
Please feel free to share this with others.

Jamie M. - So cute!! Thanks for sharing this, I pinned it so I would remember to make it with my kids over winter break.

Kate - Cute! Thank you!

Kimberlee Jost - Those are beautiful!
And seem so easy…even I could do it. 😉
Talby always looks so serious when she is crafting, and I KNOW she’s loving every minute of it.
I wonder if that’s how I look when I’m into my craft.
Ha.

Penny - I agree, so well rounded. He will make someone a wonderful husband!

Tracy - Love this simple craft! And love that there is very little clean-up 😉

Melissa Kojima - Oh, they’re beautiful. I’ve never really like pipe cleaners, but this is perfect for them. I bet your place looks really wonderful with all your crafting decorations!

Molly - Also, my daughter needs scissor practicing, do you have any crafts for that?

Molly - I love this idea. I have these beads in green, red and white left over from a craft I did on my own and I think I have pipecleaners too. Thanks, we are off next week, so I appreciate the crafts you are posting. 🙂
My friend did the ice cream cones with frosting and sprinkles with her kids yesterday, have you tried that one?

Linda - WOW My 12 year old son saw this post this morning and said”MOM we have to make those” I was blown away, lately he has been too cool for crafts! Thanks for the great idea!

alicia @ la famille - sooo fun! i love the clear beads with the sparkly pipecleaners.

Seriously Sassy Mama - Love it. Too bad my house is already overflowing with Christmas. This will make a great craft for next year. Love the black and white take.

Debbie Hargadon - Loved This! So simple but so nice, as Jaimie said. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Meg! Thanks for exposing me to so much great stuff on the internet that I do not have time to find myself. Your blog is my guilty pleasure. I’ve found so much great stuff at your direction. And I LOVE Sean! How lucky his friends will be in his adult life with his grounded background of crafts, sports, God, Kansas living – I love how he is not too cool for these things. He seems to be comfortable in his own skin, which is so fabulous for a middle school boy. Bravo to him!

jaimie - Thanks for sharing…what a great craft! Love the simplicity but great impact! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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