Top projects from 2011

I have been taking a little blogging break this week to enjoy the time off with my family.  My parents and younger brother have been visiting us this past week from Arizona so I have taken some time off of blogging to be with them.
But, I don't want to let the year go by without highlighting some of my favorite projects from 2011.  It's been a busy year for our family with a new home, a new puppy and a new community.  Holy Craft has grown by leaps and bounds this year and I look forward to what 2012 has in store.  If you missed some of my past projects, here they are in a nice tidy month by month package.
January
The year started off with lots of unpacking and settling in.  I did manage to get my new silhouette machine humming and made these house numbers for my front door.

I also made this hand stamped initial necklace

February
The month was a bit slow for me as I tried to make our house feel like a home and get into the routine of a having a new puppy.  
I shared with you my skills on a lathe though and featured this ring that I made my husband out of a hunk of stainless steel.
March
I started March with a four part series I called "or current resident".  I was getting magazine, after magazine, after magazine for the old resident and took advantage of the inspiration that I found from them.  This shirt is one of the things that I made.

April
We celebrated my daughter's 9th birthday with a spa party with posts here, here, and here

May
May brought you this book page EAT sign out of vintage utensils

and a tutorial on how to make a fruit platter.

June

June brought you potato sack pillows

and DIY mercury glass

July

In July, I completed a master bedroom makeover.  I spray painted all of our existing bedroom furniture and gave our bedroom a face lift.  Check out the before.

 My husband also made me a new mirror for our bedroom.

August

I took a little bit of a blog break to complete my second and third half marathons  (then quit running and told you about it here) and to enjoy the last month of our kids summer at home.

I did manage to complete the "or current resident" series and shared this ruffle shirt with you.

September

In September I shared with you the "She's about to Pop" baby shower that I co-hosted.  The shower provided several posts through September.  You can read more about the sweets and treats here, and the popcorn containers here.

  

     

October

While September started baby season, October only continued it.  I made two different versions of the 12 month onesies.  You can find them here and here.  I must say, it's been fun to see the babies wearing these onesies as they grow each month.

I also repurposed cashmere sweaters into soft and cuddly baby blankets.

And I tackled my sons room and made him this gear wall art.

November

I made several versions of subway art

 

and a few versions of book page wreaths.  

This

 

and this

December

I shared with you how I made my ornament garland

and also a few of the baby gifts that I made

  

Did you have any favorites that I missed?

I had such a wonderful time sharing these projects with you throughout 2011 and can't wait to share many more in 2012.  

Happy new year!

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Merry Christmas!

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I wanted to share with you this reminder from a devotional that I recently read.

When we see a wreath, let's remember that God's love is never ending.

When we see the lights, let's remember that Jesus is the light of the world.

When we see candles, let's remember that our lights, however small, shine brightly enough to spread to those around us.

When we see presents, let's remember that God gave us the greatest gift of all in His Son, Jesus Christ.

When we see a Christmas tree, let's remember a tree on top of a hill called Calvary.

When we see snow, let's remember the One who cleanses our sins in a way that makes them pure white.

When we sing carols, let's remember the importance of making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

When we sit down to Christmas dinner, let's remember that Jesus is the bread of life.

When we see all those around us in need, whether physically, financially, emotionally, or spiritually, let's remember that Christmas really shouldn't be limited to one season of the year.

God's gift was for all seasons. And, every time we share that gift, it's Christmas!

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Merry Christmas to you!

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Christmas Family Festival

 For the past 20 years, our church has put on a Living Nativity production for the community.  It was an amazing Christmas production complete with Roman soldiers on horses, angels appearing in fog, young Mary on a donkey and older Mary explaining her response, villagers selling traditional wares, and often times a live newborn in a manger.  There were lots of live animals and an even larger cast and crew for the four or five productions each evening over that many days.

This year, things were a little different with more of a focus on family.  There was a Bavarian market feel to the sanctuary with lots of various foods and treats to buy (the money goes to missions) and snack on.

These are the toppings for the waffles

Several church members brought their delicious snacks and treats to sell as well.

There was a petting zoo with several animals

And a story time with the shepherds

 There were crafts and lots of fun things for the kids.

We had fun with sharpies!

I was asked to help plan and organize the crafts for the kids.  Since this was the first year of the festival, we weren't sure what to expect.  I wanted to plan simple crafts that could be enjoyed by kids young and old.  I was amazed at the amount of pre-teen boys who were excited to make crafts!

I went to pinterest to find some ideas.

The wool acorn provided inspiration for the pine cone trees

Martha Stewart provided the inspiration for the candy cane mice.  We attached the candy cane story as well.

 

Remade simple provided the inspiration for the baby food jar tea lights.

We made several variations of the jar tea lights adding Christmas fabric, holiday paper or tissue paper to the jars before embellishing them with stickers, letters, hand drawn decorations, ribbon and/or glitter.

It was a great craft for all ages.

Families were also able to take a hay ride with Roman soldiers leading the way.

The festival was a lot of fun for the families that attended.

What type of activities does your family do to celebrate Christmas?

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