Crafts 4 A Cause!

 I helped with a Zumb-a-thon that was held on December 1st.  It was for World AIDS Day.  I was on the committee helping to plan the event and one of the Instructors teaching at the event.  But I also donated some "handmade" items for the auction.  These are some of the Christmas blocks from my last post.  And I made a darling jean apron.  I couldn't believe how easy it was.  Cut the back side off an old pair of jeans and make a ruffle to go around the edges (I cut my material to be 8-10" longer than the measured edges).  And then add ties.  I made 3 aprons in about 2 2/1 hours.  Easy peasy!!

The last project I made for the event's auction was this old window frame.  I painted it a light blue and then we made the glass a "chalk board" with chalk paint.  We did prime the glass first so that you would be able to write on it and not have the paint chip off.  It also had a little hook on the bottom that I spray painted a brass color.  It turned out so darling.  I'm just sad I forgot to get a picture of the finished project.  I am going to make another one so I will take step by step pictures of the next one!!  And of course a finished picture as well.

Christmas Blocks

 These are some of most favorite Christmas gifts to make.  They are simple yet fun and beautiful.  My kids love running them around to neighbors and they make a great Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching gift.  We use them as teacher gifts as well.

 Last year I found scrapbook paper that was designed with 3 rows of 4 Christmas themed designs.  I also found winter themed and Valentine's ones as well.  I also found one's that were 2 rows of 3 designs and were a little larger.  This year my amazing husband cut out wood with his Birthday present (a table saw) so I could make blocks.  He hasn't cut out the large ones just yet, but that is okay I love how the smaller ones turned out.  I hope everyone we took blocks to this year love them as much as we do.

How did I make them?  Simple all you need is acrylic paint to coordinate with your paper, my favorite color right now is Trail Tan by Ceramcoat.  A paper cutter and Mod Podge (I like a matte finish).  And if desired distressing ink for the edges, (note: I do not distress all of my edges) glitter and embellishments for added bling (again I do not embellish or glitter every block).

After sanding down the blocks, paint them, let them dry then apply Mod Podge to the side of the block that you are going to place the paper on.  Place the paper on the block while the Mod Podge is wet and make sure that you smooth any bubbles or puckers in the paper.  I let mine dry just a bit  before putting a top coat of Mod Podge on.  Once the top coat is dry then I embellish and glitter.  If you want distressed edges make sure you do that before Mod Podging and placing on the block.

Ward Christmas Party in Wenatchee

 I was asked to help with our ward's Christmas party.  They asked me to lead up the decorating committee.  Oh boy, I was nervous.  The ladies in charge told us the sky was the limit and to dream big.  Basically GO BIG or GO HOME :) hehehe!  With the help of two amazing women in my ward, Robin and Joanie, and Jess too of course.  We pulled off some amazing decorating.

 I was extremely nervous, having been to many "Utah" ward Christmas parties and the decorating that was done there was phenomenal but I think we made it shine and shimmer.  We were going for a "cozy Christmas".  We found trees and tons of lights that our Stake owns and was allowed access too.  We put about 9 or 10 trees up on Tuesday night.  Then Wednesday afternoon we set up tables and moved the trees to the floor and started stringing lights.  The Young Men and Young Women in the ward helped to wrap presents, set up the chairs continue to string lights and wrap up the tables.  And we worked on the centerpieces too.  They were my favorite!

 I think I am going to have to find some awesome vases and make cool centerpieces for my dining room table and my mantle in the living room.

This is a side view of the set up.  We turned the lights down low and it made it so cozy and quaint.  

There was the most darling Christmas skit that just made the whole evening so much more fun.  

This is another vase that we had all dressed up for a centerpiece and the table runners were red shimmery mesh.  I loved how it turned out.  I hope everyone else in the ward enjoyed it as well.