Learning to Crochet and Snow Balls

A new skill is sometimes hard to develop.  I tend to look at someone who seems to have it all together and then end up not even trying.  I can't decide if I'm a perfectionist or not.  A perfectionist wants to do things perfectly, but do they give up if they can't do it?  I don't know, but I totally wish I knew how to crochet.  Over Christmas, I decided to simplify my decorations, mostly because I couldn't access them and didn't want to, but I started over from scratch with my deco.  One of the things I wanted to do with my tree was a pom pom garland, you know, because all pine trees have snow balls on them.  But anyway, I was inspired by this blogger and her farmhouse perfection at Fairview Farm.

I could handle the basic crochet chain and a hot glue gun.  It's not perfect, in fact it's a bit like a Monet...it looks better from far off.  But it was fun...I'd like to learn more than the basic chain stitch, I found the whole thing of it, yarn and hook, very therapeutic.  I need to give up on my expectations of something needing to be perfect and just do it.  I may very well find a new hobby.

Do you struggle with perfectionism?

What are your hobbies?

The Year there were NO Stockings Hung With Care

Life is complicated you know?  Here it is December 23rd, and I still haven't gotten all my decorations out.  I mean getting decorations out would have meant cleaning out a closet in order to access the bulk of my decorations and who has energy for that.  Not me, not lately...My kids just realized that the stockings aren't hung from the chimney with care.  Nope, they are not there.

I'm not being grinchy...just overwhelmed.  We put up the tree because it was in the garage and a small box of red balls that I could reach in that blasted closet.  But that was it...I happened upon a Christmas clearance sale and bought some pinecones and woodsy animals all under $20.  Then in my sacred, few and far between sitting down moments, I made that pom pom garland.  Wallah, Christmas decorations, and a nativity, of course, because I love my Savior.

Here it is December 23rd, the day that has traditionally been set aside as the day of baking and Christmas movies with my daughter, but I made 5 visits today to families trying to spread my Christmas cheer...plus a dentist appointment.  Now I sit on the floor surround by gifts to wrap and there are things to bake, and dinner to make and I feel so completely and utterly overwhelmed and am wondering where is my Christmas cheer.  Did I give it all away?    I know I have lost sight of what this here holiday is all about.  I mean my shoulders are only so broad to carry what I carry and do what I do.

We all struggle with this and that, but this year has been a little more difficult for me.  I suppose I have forgotten my own advice from years past and it feels like sucking on lemons.

A Christmas Tour

As Christmas draws near, I join with other blogger in sharing pictures of my home and of our Christmas.  I'm not over the top creative and fancy...Just decorations that we have had for years, that hold memories of Christmas' past.

A white fluffy kitty sleeping on a red blanket.  

He decorates my home...

A cozy plus to snuggle up and read a good Christmas book

or my favorite magazine.

Cute Nativity made by a friend...

Did you think to pray?

My favorite Nativity, a Willow Tree.

It is light up by lovely light and looks amazing at night.

A Snowman collection.  I have a fetish.

Christmas books

 

Summertime Lovelies

I love changing things up for the seasons in my home decor.  Summer is no different.  I go for simple changes.  Since Memorial Day, I have been leaning toward the Patriotic decor...we have Memorial Day, Flag day and Independence Day.  The following are some fun ideas I came up with to change up my decor and reflect our Patriotism.

I love changing up my mantle. A cute, seasonal printable is an easy change up.

I found this one here.

Red, white and blue table runner...

Easiest wreath EVER...I still feel like it's missing something.  Any suggestions?

Oh, and Happy Flag Day?

 

Decorating with the Spirit and {MMB}

As a Woman, wife and mother, I have the awesome responsibility of setting the tone for my home.  The way I decorate and how I act can invite the Spirit to dwell there.  Today I am posting at MMB.  I hope you will join me in my debut article.

How do you set the tone in your home?

How do you invite the Spirit to dwell there?

Embracing V-Day

In years past, I haven't thought much of Valentine's Day.  It's commercialized, and I feel like I've said this before, but KT says "Every day is like Valentine's Day when you live with him."  He has a mighty big ego, but that's probably what drew me to him...all that magnetism.  Last month, in my January Funk, I decided to Embrace Valentine's Day.  I have absolutely no decorations for this holiday, but I ignited my craftier side that lays dormant more often than not.  This is what I have been doing to make my home more cheery, and LOVEly.

I downloaded this printable and strung it on jute across my fireplace.  I wish I could reference where I got it, but I can't find it in my feed anywhere.  I usually like to give credit where credit is due, so if you know who created and posted this printable, please let me know.

I downloaded this cute printable from Simple as That, and decided to make a heart bouquet.  I had everything to do it, cost was $0

Then I decided to make some Valentine slip covers for a couple of throw pillows.  I already had the pillow forms so the fabric at 40% off was my only cost.  I found the directions for a novice seamstress here.

Be assured that I will not be decorating for St. Patrick's Day.  I find little leprechauns to be quite creepy.

Decorating with Simplicity

As I pulled out boxes of Christmas decorations,

I was overwhelmed with the memories of it all.

I was overwhelmed with the amount of it all!

With my 2012 motto being Simplify, 

I decided to simplify my decorating.

Decor totally enhances and helps to immerse

in the spirit of the season.

But, I think the simplicity brings the focus

back to Him

My tree is very simple this year:  

white lights, red balls and snowman ornaments

I have used not even half of what I have.  

Less feels better.  It feels lighter and less burdensome.

My mantel is simple, not ornate.  

My three stockings for my three babies

A snowman (because I have a fetish) 

And a cute printable you can get here.

Decorations & Simplicity

I began decorating over a week ago.
It wasn't a big event, like it has been in the past.  

I have simplified my decorations.  

But, the first decoration to come out was the most important one to me.

It will also be the last to be stored away at the end of the season.

"Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. To us He has said, 'Come, follow me.'

"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others"
~Thomas S. Monson~

Do you stand out?

"Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord’s path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people."

~Russell M. Nelson~

Do you stand out in a crowd?  

By the light in your eye do people know your are different?    

Thanksgiving Deco...

 I truly love to decorate for the season.  Simply, of course, but I feel it truly invites the spirit of the season.  On my little blogging break, I actually crafted something.  I made a fall banner.  I see a lot of them on pinterest and blogs, it was pretty simple, once I learned out to work my sewing machine.

I found the pattern and simple instructions here.  

I love printables, and I found this one for free here

I made these guys a long time ago at a church activity.  

I just really like their rustic flare.  

Do you enjoy decorating for Thanksgiving?  

What kind of things do you put out?

DIY Chalk Board

Can you believe I crafted?  Yeah!  I was shocked, too.  As part of the big bedroom makeover, Ladybug and I had a few fun things on our agenda.  She wanted a chalk board, but not the boring old things...

This is what we came up with:

Black tray from Hobby Lobby, used a 40% off coupon

Black chalk board paint again from Hobby Lobby, used a 40% off coupon

Add some hangers on the back

And Ladybug's favorite saying
The tray provides a nice little shelf for chalk and eraser.
A place for Ladybug to write notes to herself