celebrate CREATIVITY in all its forms

Cottage Charm

I

've got a thing for pincushions, all kinds when they're handcrafted.  They can be apple shaped, pear shaped, pumpkin shaped or even teacup shaped, it matters not. 

I have loads of handcrafted pincushions because they're so much fun to make and even more fun to gift.

The embroidered trio in the photo below represent my latest pincushion fancy.

From Crazy Chaotic to Super Cool (boy's room makeover)

A

new year means new organization and refreshed decor at my house.  Last year I shared some of the changes I made to Cameron's room to transform her space from messy to marvelous.  Well, now it's Jordy's turn.

Throughout this post I'll share a few easy makeover ideas which helped to totally transform this room.  

 

The Year in Review 2011

Happy New Year!  Welcome to 2012 and with the new year comes my annual recap of all the creative blog posts from the year that was.

If you missed any of my posts last year, simply scroll through the links below to review the projects I featured throughout 2011.  Enjoy the browse.

Year in Review 2010  Check out a quick recap of all my posts from 2010.  Lots of easy, inspiring projects to create for fun or gifting. 

Bloggie Awards  My first ever entry into the prestigious Bloggie Award competition.  Thanks for all the support and votes for my blog.  Feel free to nominate this blog again this year and don't forget to nominate your own blog too.

In the Kitchen with Nana  Candy making has never been so fun with a little help from my mom, Nana Banana.  These Martha Washington candies are a sweet treat, well suited for any time of year.  You'll also fall in love with my mom who can belt out a pretty nice tune as you can hear in this post.

(Log) Cabin Fever   If you've always wanted to make a quilt but never thought you could, the Log Cabin quilt pattern is among the simplest for any beginner.  Even veteran quilters return to this tried and true quilt pattern that produces gorgeous, versatile results every time.

Magnificent Monograms  Handmade napkins get a special, personalized touch with a little fancy embroidery.  Check out the embroidery process along with easy tips on constructing your own handmade napkins.  You'll love the monogrammed gift bag I made to go along with this project.

Spring Springerles  These cookies have a distinct taste and an even more distinct appearance.  Old fashioned Springerles are a long-time tradition that uses special molds that can not only be used for cookies but also used for crafting projects too. 

A Drop in the Bucket

E

ven though summer is winding down, there's still plenty of time for end-of-season barbecues and outdoor gatherings.

Throughout this post I'll show you a fun and easy way to dress up your table for any upcoming soiree.

 

 

Roaring Ruffles

Who doesn't love a good makeover?  I love to transform items from an original state to an unexpected and different state altogether.   

Whether it's old dresses, picture frames, out-dated ironing boards or (in this case) an old sweater. 

It's always fun to create a new look for something old.

A Gift for Baby

When it comes to crafts, I'm definitely the go-to gal in my circle of friends.  It's a fun position to be in because many of the projects I help with also end up getting shared on this blog for all of you to enjoy.

Recently, my friend Suzie asked me to monogram a baby blanket as a gift for a friend of hers. 

Throughout this post, I'll walk you through this embroidery project and I'll also show you how to pump up the "too cute for words" factor to make a gift like this even cuter (even if you don't have an embroidery machine).

Teacher Appreciation

Hard to believe that summer break is right around the corner.

As this school year winds down you may be thinking about ways to say "thanks" to that special teacher in your child's life.

In Full Bloom

April showers bring May flowers, but with this project you don't have to wait until next month to enjoy the blooms.

Fresh flowers abound with this embroidered pillowcase which features a field of delightful, 3-dimensional petals.

 

The Year In Review

Happy New Year!  Hard to believe we're already into a brand new year. 

Before embarking on the next 12-months of colorful crafts, projects, quilts and occasional recipes, I thought it would be fun to share a quick recap of the year that was.

Perhaps you missed a few projects from this blog last year.  Here's a rundown with thumbnails and links that will get you caught up on everything from celebrate CREATIVITY 2009. ♥

 

A Bushel of Apples

Who doesn't love a beautiful apple orchard?  A recent family orchard-excursion not only yielded a ton of apples for us but also sparked the inspiration for this fun-filled post for you.

Grab a cup of java or better yet, pour yourself some apple juice and relax for the read. 

With 40 colorful photos featuring creative apple ideas, this is my biggest post ever.