Best of Holy Craft 2015 a year in review

I can't believe how quickly this year came in and now it's nearly over! I've been doing this Holy Craft year in reviews since I started my blog back in 2010. It's hard to believe that I'm going on six years of blogging! That's a lot of projects a lot of random thoughts and a lot of garage sales!  In case you missed it, you can find the best of year in reviews here: 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 This is always one of my favorite posts all year because it's fun to look back at the projects that I worked on this year. Won't you take a look back on 2015 with me and see some of those projects?

I made my first video tutorial {it also happened to be my last!} and showed you how I created this heat transfer vinyl LOVE sweatshirt from a $1 garage sale sweatshirt. I still love wearing it today.

In case a new Silhouette machine made it under your tree, and you want to try your hand at heat transfer vinyl, you can follow my tutorial on how to cut {and use} heat transfer vinyl like a pro.

When I started writing Holy Craft, I was hoping to use my blog as an outlet for my long days as a stay at home mom of three littles. Now those littles aren't so little anymore, and this blog offered me a really amazing opportunity to travel with several journalists on a media relations trip to Zambia, Africa. After my first trip to Africa in August 2014, my heart burst for the people of that continent. I have been given the unique opportunity to share the stories of those people who I met and who have changed my life forever. You can find links to all of those posts from my most recent trip here.

I always knew I was a bit of a wanderlust, but parenthood has kept me from traveling excessively. Thankfully, my kids are getting older and they are much easier to travel with. I made this zippered travel bag with some great quotes on them for next to nothing.

I haven't strayed away from my love of upcycling and you can find project after project of worn or boring items I have taken from blah to awesome.  This painted bowl is one of my favorites from the year.

Apparently, my love for metallic runs deep and I also upcycled this $10 secretary desk with some silver paint. 

I also gave this Adirondack chair that I had had for years a little refresh with a new coat of paint and my favorite paint sprayer.

My daughter had a tie dye party with her friends and we refashioned the t-shirts six different ways. I had no idea it would be quite so popular on Pinterest, but you should see the shirts and how they were upcycled yourself.

I jumped on the adult coloring page bandwagon {or came out of the closet...whatever}, and put together a little round up of free printable coloring pages you can use. Go ahead and bust out those markers!

It's never too early to start thinking about teacher appreciation. This pencil vase was so easy to make but it looked like a million bucks!

I wrote this as a sponsored post, and I really can't tell you enough that while I love the opportunity to make money for the long long hours that I put into writing this blog, I really do only accept posts for things that I love. This chicken burrito bowl recipe is a family favorite that has made it into our dinner rotation.

I participated in a few craft challenges this year. One of my favorites was this one from Wayfair where I took boring cutting boards and made them into something that would wow in the kitchen.

I live by the beach, but not by the kind of beaches that have shells. They are mostly lined with driftwood. So I created a few projects with driftwood this year. This succulent planter is probably my favorite.

I didn't do as many sewing projects as I have done in the past, but the one that I did sew took the cake! I love this infinity scarf with snaps and wear mine quite often. You can find the full tutorial here. Make one and we can be twinsies.

I made this fall grass wreath that was inspired by the African Juju hat trend. If I make it back to Africa, that's one of the things that's top on my list to find. In the meantime, I love my wreath.

I also offered quite a few free printables this year. This thankful chain printable is probably my favorite one. 

Followed closely behind by these free K cup printables.

I also brought on a fun contributor this year. Her name is Kate and she has provided us with some great recipes like this green bean bacon side dish.

I also got to talk about things that were near and dear to my heart and share a little bit about consumerism versus compassion and what that looks like. It pretty much made my month when Patricia Heaton retweeted my post on this. I super love The Middle!

And of course, I finished off the year sharing six days of handmade ornaments. You can find links to all six tutorials here. 

I know there is so much more to share, and I hope you have read along with me through this year. If you are new here, welcome. I'm happy to have you. 

I started a newsletter this year so that you can subscribe and get all the new content delivered right to your inbox.  You can find me on instagram, twitter, Facebook and Pinterest too.  I'm looking forward to this new year and new projects as well as new transitions as we prepare to launch our oldest son off to college. Bear with me, it's going to be a tough one!