It took me awhile to try loom weaving (I wanted to make sure I really liked the looks of it and not because it was trendy), but once I did, I fell in love. I started doing macrame a few months ago, and fell in love with that too. Yep, they are both big trends in the craft world right now, but I love the texture in them and the different patterns that could be created. Plus, the process of both is so relaxing. It’s kind of like painting with yarn or cotton cording (I’ve used this one).
I want to make a large wall hanging for our home. I’m thinking something about 4′ by 3′ (or larger) and I’ll make a loom from a large canvas. I’ve made small looms from canvases I have picked up from Michaels, so I think I’ll try to see if one of their large ones will work as a frame. I’d love something large for our entry way or the big girls’ room. Once all this house renovation stuff is done, I can’t wait to move forward and get started on some creative projects.
What craft trends are you into right now?
This post is part of the Michaels Makers series. From tie-dyeing to lettering to tassels, pom poms and even unicorns, Michaels has everything you need for the latest and hottest DIY trends!
True and Brave are going to Texas for the summer, so we wanted to do Father’s Day early since they won’t be here. Ben’s request is a tree and a gardening day, so we spent Saturday gardening with him outside (and I told him we can pick up another tree on actual Father’s Day), and then we surprised him with a garden party at golden hour later that evening. I made herb shrimp capellini with spicy bread crumbs and oatmeal pecan pie for our special dinner. The girls and I set up the dinner table outside, and we had lots of cards, signs, and presents ready for our golden papi.
We themed our celebration around gold/golden, so we picked up some golden accents to decorate our table from Michaels (these are the mercury glass candle holders). The peonies are sitting in some golden glass goblets we picked up at the thrift store awhile back. Then, all our gifts stuck to the theme and had a little corresponding poem on a gold gift tag (similar here).
Golden delicious apple… “You keep us all nutritious, you are as sweet as golden delicious!”
Gold star… “You set a high bar, you deserve a gold star!
Heart of gold (using this I HEART GUTS softie)… “Let the truth be told, Papi, you’ve got a heart of gold!”
Gold medal (made from glitter craft foam)… “You’ll see yourself in record books, for being the #1 Papi, the gold you took!”
Ben is such a treasure as a husband and father and we enjoyed showering him with lots of love.
Supplies provided as part of the Michaels Makers Series. From paper crafts, party goods and baking supplies to new outdoor lighting, glass and floral, Michaels is your DIY destination for all of your summer celebrations.
For this month’s Michaels Makers Challenge, the girls picked up one of their craft kits for kids and made flower crowns together. The kit made 4 crowns, so it was perfect for my girls. Initially, there was a bit of fighting over who got what color wire (there are tiny colored beads on it), but thankfully, that didn’t last long when the one who was fighting saw how much fun the other sisters were having.
True, Brave, and Soul each made their own, and I helped Glow put hers together. I like the sweet paper flowers and loved how easy it was for the big girls to do it by themselves. I’m thinking we will pick up another box to gift to another family we know that has 4 girls.
Supplies provided as part of the Michaels Makers Series. Another great way to explore creativity is by trying out a craft kit. Michaels has everything from sewing kits to art kits and everything in between.
I love learning new craft skills and the girls are always asking to work on some new craft project, so naturally, we love Creativebug. We’ve shared some of the projects we’ve made from some of their classes, and I have even gone on to experiment with techniques I learned from their classes. For example, the basket above is the outcome of the stitch rope basket class, so the shape is similar to what is taught. Later, I wanted to add more pizzazz, so I added some pompoms.
I got addicted to sewing rope baskets and have tried different shapes after that (remember when I shared this fringe tote?), and have even experimented with painting or dyeing the rope before I sew it (like the basket below).
The first Creativebug class I ever took was the weaving class. I learned from one of their instructors at the Michaels Makers Summit, but used the video workshop to learn other techniques and how to finish it. I have since made my own looms (the video class teaches you), and have made many more weavings. It’s such an addicting craft. Okay, I’m just addicted to making things.
I made these wooden arrows for Valentine’s Day, and the girls have watched the videos and made their own too (and then we all did it with their friends later). The girls have made things from the Love Bug class, Handmade Deer Ornament, and House Book class. It’s been great to use Creativebug as a supplement to art in their homeschooling.
The most recent class I took was the Macrame Workshop and it was amazing. Another thing I’m addicted to! I might even like this slightly more than weaving. Slightly. Okay, maybe they’re tied. My macrame piece looks kind of plain now, but I want to add some tassels to the end or possibly dip-dye the whole thing. I just haven’t decided what color yet.
I had been wanting to take a weaving or macrame class, but I just don’t have the time to go out and take one, so it’s been so much more convenient to learn new skills from the privacy of my own home. In the summer, I want to try my hand at their Hand Built Ceramics workshop (you don’t even need a potter’s wheel).
I’m a Creativebug fan, and if you’re addicted to making things too (and wanting to learn new craft skills), I highly recommend Creativebug. It’s also been great to use as a supplement to homeschooling. We are definite fans of Creativebug in our home.
This post is in partnership with Creativebug. Creativebug is a video subscription site for arts and crafts. To learn more about how easy it is to take their workshops, watch here. You can sign up for a 14 day free trial here, or subscribe for $4.95 a month.
Directions:
1. Turn on the oven to 275° F. Pinch off a piece of clay and roll out until about 1/8″ thick. I mixed a pinch of white and blue clay, with tiny bits of pink.
2. Place the template on top of your clay and cut out the shape of your clay necklace piece.
3. Poke holes into the top corners on the clay piece.
4. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and place your clay pieces on to the paper. Bake the pieces in the oven for about 25 minutes, then take out, and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, paint your design onto your clay piece.
5. Cut a 30″ strand of leather cording (or whatever your desired length may be). Insert each end of the cording through each hole, and double knot to secure.
This necklace is simple enough for the kids to make for Mother’s Day. It would also be fun to gather some friends and make this necklace together. Grab a bottle of wine, some cheese and crackers, and call it a girls’ night! I could definitely use of one of those.
Directions:
1. Cut out 4″-6″ long leaves from the cardstock.
2. Cut a 1″-2″ slit down the middle of each leaf length-wise. Then, cut little notches on both sides of each leaf.
3. Add a dab of glue on the bottom of one side of the leaf, then overlap the other side to curl the leaf upwards. Hold in place, and allow glue to set.
5. Cut off flower head from the stem, and proceed to glue on leaves and flowers onto the embroidery hoop.
6. Cut out a 24″ strand of yarn and tie that onto the wreath … and hang!
I wanted a black string for a modern contrast, but you can use twine for a more natural look. I love mixing faux flowers and paper for some texture; this would make an adorable flower crown too!
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See other photos and videos by Christian and Reinna here.
Supplies for this provided as part of the Michaels Makers Series. Currently, you can enter to Win a Trip to the Makers Summit Contest (read last year’s recap here; watch the video here). Get more details here and upload a photo of your personalized project. There will be 50 winners and I’ve got my fingers crossed one of you win. It would be so fun to hang out and craft together!
Last week has been special because Ben's mom and sister were in town (they haven't been here in a few years), so we were relishing our time together. There was a lot of special grandmama time with the girls, and a lot of sister bonding time between Ben's sister and me. We saw them in Texas this past Christmas, but it's been awhile since they've been on our turf, so we are having fun hosting and cooking them some of our favorite foods. If you know us, well, more the girls and me (not Ben), the first thing on the agenda was take them to our favorite ice cream place, A la Minute. His mom and sister agreed that their ice cream is pretty terrific and the best they both ever had. There wasn't much on our agenda during their stay except spend quality time together. We did have plans to go to the Lavender Festival, but Ben's mom and sister got sick the last two days, so we had to scrap that idea. Thankfully, the festival will be going on next weekend, so Ben and I are hoping we can still take the two little ones. It was a fast 5 days with them and we look forward to seeing them again in July when they come back to drop off the big girls.
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