Teach Love Craft - Page 9 of 42

05
Jan
2015

a few of my Favorite Things Party

Written by: Grace

“Brown paper packages tied up with string; these are a few of my favorite things [party]!”

This year marks the 3rd year of my hometown besties’ Favorite Things Party. In its fledgling year, our gal, Gayle, suggested this party, and it was such a fun time that we declared it to be an annual/quarterly event (we haven’t gotten to the quarterly stages, but we always talk of it).

Before, I get ahead of myself, I better explain the deets on a Favorite Things Party. Or better yet, I will let the coordinator, Gayle, explain it:

“This is sort of a spin on a yankee swap. You bring the determined participant number of your favorite thing at a $5 value (or $10 or less). Let’s say you have 10 participants, then each person bring 10 of the same item (her favorite thing), and then everyone leaves with 10 different favorite things from everyone. It’s sorta like the Oprah favorite things episode but we aren’t talking cars and cashmere sweaters.”

Still not clear on the details of a Favorite Things Party? How about a list of what was given and some pictures?

2012 Favorite Things Party:

Each gal at our party left with the following:

- Homemade salsa in a cute Ikea jar with chips and a miniature of booze

- A assortment of delicious cookies from a local breadery

- A monogrammed hand towel.

- Two delicious and beautiful boxed Georgetown Cupcakes (GTCs!)

- Lip Balm and cocoa butter sticks.

2013 Favorite Things Party:

- Homemade truffles in a cute tin

- The ingredients and recipe for some delicious and healthy Quinoa Pumpkin Muffins and an original print (someone was healthy and artistic that year)

- A reusable tote filled with a wine glass, hershey hugs, and three hair ties

- Speculoos Butter (cookie butter) and chocolate coins from Belgium

- A Dark Chocolate Bar

- Homemade Organic Soap

- Organic Beeswax chapstick

- Eos Lip balm, Wet n Wild nail polish, and some creaseless hair ties (anthro inspired)

- Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Hand soap

- Two favorite pens, a little journal, and Instagram prints of Baltimore (this was cool because then I used the same company to print some of my Insta prints).

- Coasters and Gift Tags from Paper Source

2014 Favorite Things Party:

- A bottle of wine

- Another bottle of wine with all the ingredients to make mulled wine

- a Quest Protein Bar and a little cute glass jar of coconut oil

- a plastic mason jar cup filled with M&Ms

- A mulled spice candle

- a tea infuser with assorted loose teas to fill our empty tins

- Rose Salve Lip Balm

- Healing Crystals for our Chakras

My group of gals are not the only Favorite Things Party goers because my sister-in-law (remember her button tree on burlap, which she made that for a Craft Yankee Swap) and my cousin both attend/host their own Favorite Things Parties. Have you attended a Favorite Things Party? And if so, what favorite thing did you bring? I would love to hear the highlights of your Fave Things Party in the comments below!

30
Dec
2014

DIY Framed Holiday Card Display

Written by: Grace

There are a lot of things that/whom I love, but today’s post I am going to focus on just a few of the million: Holiday/Christmas cards, a bargain, and jute twine. When these three powers (things) combined, here comes ~~Captain Planet~~ DIY Frame Holiday Card Display.

December is the month for mail correspondence, and if you don’t remember, I looovvvve some good ole fashioned correspondence. I love all the beautiful pictures of my friends and their families, the fonts, the designs, etc. I just love it, and it is always nice to get something personal in the mail besides another Pottery Barn Catalog (don’t get me wrong, I love PB’s catalogs…). But what do you do once you open those gorgeous holiday/Christmas cards?

I originally tried to use my Chicken Wire Frame, but that proved to be too small since I am soooooo popular and the cards kept rolling in.

Luckily, I happened upon another favorite thing in Michael’s. I found a huge empty frame for $5 (marked down to $8. but I had coupons, holllllleerrrr), and because I have a bevvy of jute twine and upholstery webbing (because I looooove burlap, twine, etc. ) I quickly whipped up a solution.

So, ladies (and gents?), I bring you my DIY Framed Holiday Card Display.

Here’s what you’ll need for your DIY Framed Holiday Card Display:

- Large frame— You don’t need the glass, the board, etc. Just the frame. May I suggest

- Staples and a Staple Gun– If you don’t have one, run and get one.. I use that puppy for everything.

- Assorted twine/jute/burlap rope, ribbon, etc. (burlapfabric.com has the hook-up!)

- Clothespins– assorted sizes, although, even those those super tiny ones are cute, they break on me left and right.

Here’s what you’ll do for your DIY Framed Holiday Card Display:

Lay out your lines. I alternated between webbing, burlap straps, and jute twine. I did make sure my lines were level, but because I left some give in my lines, the twine does droop a little once the cards are on it. I’m cool with that. If you are not, then staple securely, friends.

Here’s the finished product.

Once you think it is socially appropriate to take down the holiday decor, this frame could function as a place to display artwork, pictures, etc.

How do you display your Christmas/Holiday Cards? I am sure there are some brilliant and beautiful ideas out there!

19
Dec
2014

Yarn Christmas Trees

Written by: Grace

Whew! We’ve got some creative friends! Two weeks ago, I shared with you my sister-in-law Courtney’s ridiculously cute Button Tree! Today, I am thrilled to share with you these yarn Christmas Trees completed by friends and colleagues of ours.

Our mathematical and Whovian (sidenote: Is anyone obsessed with Dr. Who? Out of principle, I have been taking a stand not to watch it, but…) friends Jill and Annemarie recently wrapped up some styrofoam cones with yarn to create some adorable and festive yarn Christmas Trees.

These trees are warm and cozy, and definitely a doable craft.

These yarn Christmas trees are so very cute. Check out some of our other favorite cozy trees. And an added bonus, this is a craft small kiddos could help complete, too!