Monday, October 10, 2011

My Yarn Wreath

So after posting the idea to create the yarn wreath, I went home and started on my creation. I was tweaked the instructions slightly to make do with what Michaels had. I'm sad to say they did not have a straw wreath and given my intense desire to start working on the project I opted for a foam circle instead. It was a little more straight with the edges, but I took sandpaper and sanded it to be round like a wreath.

Given that this was my first wreath I didn't want to assign it for a specific idea. So I selected colors that I liked just to see the combination. Here is my progress (remember, this is using the instructions from Take Heart which were really easy)....

Cut the felt according to the instructions to start the roses

The final product! The yarn part was easy, sat in front of the tv & did.

The pretty roses! After gluing I felt they needed something so I
bought pins w/pearls on the end. Sweet & perfect!

I am super happy with the final result and already have another order. My mom, of course she loves my "work", said she'd like for me to make her one. Plus, now I know how to do it I'm thinking a holiday one will be perfect for my front door!!

So what do you think....don't quit your day job, or not too shabby? :)

Friday, October 7, 2011

DIY Yarn Wreaths

Ever since we started doing this DIY video series at work I have been dying to do my own yarn wreath. I have seen so many variations, including some on Take Heart and don't even get me started on Home Made Crap (graphic below).

The owl one in the middle is amazing!!
So this weekend I'm taking the challenge and doing the yarn wreath. I'm going to Michael's Arts and Crafts right after work so I can get started this evening. The Take Heart post that I linked to has a really simple tutorial, so I think I can manage.....I'm pumped. If it turns out well, I'll be sure to post photos!!

Hope everyone else has a terrific weekend as well. :)

Thursday, October 6, 2011

30 Before 30 List Update!

I have another update for yah'll! Remember my 30 before 30 list? Well, I've got a couple updates to that list.  Thus far I have completed the following (those crossed through):

1. Get another dog (Bailey needs a playmate)
2. Mend broken relationships
3. Do a full marathon (run/walk)
4. Take a cake decorating class
5. Take the next step in my career (management)
6. Buy a new car (that I LOVE)!
7. Have a professional maid come in and clean my house
8. Do a home renovation project on my own!
9. Become a mom
10. Create a piece of art (painting or drawing) I’d be willing to hang in my house
11. Get back into scrapbooking; make scrapbook of home renovations
12. Pay off my student loans
13. Read the Bible cover-to-cover
14. Finally be happy with my body
15. Redo two bathrooms in my home (gut & start over) RENOVATED ONE BATHROOM, SO 1/2 A POINT! ;)
16. Visit all the wineries in Virginia (that’s 156 wineries)
17. Go to Boston and see the RED SOXs play
18. Do another tropical vacation
19. Go camping
20. Not have a farmer’s (soccer) tan for one summer!
21. Take a cooking class with Ryan
22. Go on vacation and bring Bailey
23. Paint a mural on a wall in my home (future baby Luce room)
24. Take one full day to watch old classic 80’s movies (This list looks good: http://www.angelfire.com/pq/philgee/movies.html)
25. Keep a plant alive for longer than 1 week!
26. Convince in-laws to move back down to Virginia
27. Get a Smartphone
28. Run in a race with Ryan (5K, 8K, 10K…whatever!)
29. Make my own greeting cards for every occasion
30. Throw/host an elaborate black-tie affair! (Perhaps for my 30th Birthday)
So my two updates to this list would be #7 and #20.
I have successfully gone one summer without getting a farmers tan! While it may not sound impressive, it really is. You're talking to a girl who played soccer her entire life. HER ENTIRE LIFE! Those knee high socks to cover shin-guards just do not let sunshine through; therefore, I have lived with a wonka tan for most of my life. This summer I started off great laying out by the pool with friends. That wore off as the summer progressed, but I was diligent in the sunscreen department and viola! No farmers tan. Next year I think I can do better; I want to go for a sun kissed glow all over! ;)

My next update, and one I'm most excited about, is I got my house professionally cleaned!! I know it seems rather frivolous but it was something I've wanted for a long time. I have a lot of pride in my home. As such, I want it taken care of. But with so much else going on personally, it was nice to have it taken care of for me...and by a professional! Signed up for four hours worth of cleaning. We had to go through and remove knick-knacks to help reduce the time spent on removing personal items by the individual so the real stuff could get cleaned. Tell you what, there are so many small spaces in my house I just don't want to clean....i.e. bathrooms. The professional spent time in there and you can tell. It was so shiny and white! :) I smiled as soon as I walked into the house. Oh and the appliances....they never looked so good. 
So yup, slowly but surely I am knocking things off my list!! I have three more years to knock the rest off there too.