Crafty Bonanza Day 31....we made it!

GUESS WHAT???? WE MADE IT!!!! Sorry...slightly excited that we actually were able to do a post a day!! Now, I don't know if this will continue to happen daily, but I think we are in more of a mindset to post more regularly:)

I promised to show the finished framed project from yesterday, so here it is:

There is more room to add more frames which I like! Also, the blank spot on the patches is for a specific patch I went all around town for yesterday, but couldn't find. I also...the blond in me really...got the wrong map...so this is Andy's old one being a place holder until the stores open again and I can go get the right map. I'm going to put it on a white foam board and then he can put pins in the peaks he's already done.

The skis are his old ones...he got TWO new pairs this year! They aren't actually good skis anymore...the binding are no longer safe so I put them on the wall! He really liked the final product...which is all I wanted:)

 

We hope you enjoyed following the Crafty Bonanza!

Happy New Year!

Sarah

Crafty Bonanza day 30...a framed surprise!

Since we moved in last May, our basement has been pretty empty. However, since the arrival of snow and Andy's new skis...it's become the ski room overnight:) I thought it would be fun to put some decorations down there...with skiing, and hiking in mind...so I rounded up some frames(3 I had, 2 I needed to buy for a whopping $5) and some fund stuff to put in them.

I made this sign out of black canvas and white fabric from the stash using...you guessed it...fusible webbing!!!

Small map of Anchorage from a free brochure

This is something Andy cut out of a magazine...years ago, but loves dearly so I thought it deserved a frame!

Andy's patch collection...they all were iron ons except the small one, but I just added fusible webbing and voila...I'm going to look for a Chugach State patch for the empty spot. The black fabric is from the stash

This is the whole collection...the picture is of the Alyeska ski patrol this year...he left it in the garage, but I thought it needed a frame:)

Rounding up the price of my project:

1. Ski Patrol Sign: $0

2. Map of Anchorage: $0

3. Ski More sign: $0

4. Patches Picture: $2.00

5. Patrol Picture: $ 3.00

Total: $5.00

Not to shabby, right? It's pretty easy to find things in your house that you can use to make decorations! Andy doesn't know I'm doing this so I'm going to hang all of these up in the basement with a large map of the surrounding mountains, as well as his old skis and surprise him when he gets home...from....skiing of course!

I'll try to post a picture of it when it's all done...should be done later today or tomorrow!

Happy Trails!

Sarah

Crafty Bonanza Day 29...I may be slightly obsessed....and Happy Birthday Molly!

I think I may have a problem...but the first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem right? So here it is: I am obsessed with cowls. I've made five in the last week....

This is the most recent one and I think my favorite. I made it like a tube, but put a twist in it from the beginning. I didn't follow a pattern...just made it up as I went.

Of all of the cowls this is my favorite length...it sits just right:)

It looks gray in these pictures, but in actuality it's more blue.

This shows the color much better, as well as the twist that I put in it. If I knew the actual terms of crochet I could tell you what I did...but I don't:( I may have to call my mom and see if she can help with that if someone wants the pattern.

And I couldn't forget to mention my sister-in-laws birthday! Happy Birthday Molly!

Nathan(our brother), Ava, and Molly

Such a cute family!!!

Happy Sewing!

Sarah

Linked up to:

Crafty Bonanza Day 28....hair you doing?(title by Nathania!)

Late post today...oops! But Nathania and I made a few more headbands today! Most of these are either special order, or late Christmas presents. We decided to put them on the more traditional headband, per request of the recipients. We really like how they turned out!

What do you think?

You see the natural light...oh yeah, the pictures were taken at 2:30 pm...and it was so nice and light!

We've decided that we're going to make both types of headbands for next year/etsy.

 This was our attempt at getting a picture with the headbands on Aria...she doesn't really like having things in her hair so it was tricky getting her picture!

See Nathania creeping behind Aria?

Hope you all are having a wonderful day!

Sarah and Nathania

Crafty Bonanza Day 27....blanket and quilt for Mr. Bear

I have been looking for a cradle for Aria...Nathania's daughter...for a long, long, long, time. The Dutch in me doesn't want to pay too much for it so I have been patiently watching craigslist and the thrift stores. Well yesterday I went to Value Village and found a cradle!!! It was however, not as big as I wanted, but then I realized that it would be perfect for this bear she carries around EVERYWHERE! Nathania actually has three of them so that she can wash a dirty one and Aria can always have one:)

So, the cradle is not done...it needs some cleaning up yet, but I thought I would show the bedding that I made. First I made a little mattress out of some muslin and scraps of batting that I had on hand.

I then proceeded to make a little quilt.

I did some funky stitching to actually quilt it but I think it turned out pretty cute...still have to stitch the binding on the back:)

It's a little big for the cradle, but it will be perfect for the bear and when it's folded in half it fits just right:)

Not, wanting Aria to have only one blanket I made a little crochet blanket!

Not sure if I'm gonna keep the cradle a wood color or paint it....what do you think I should do?

Happy Sewing!

Sarah

Crafty Bonanza Day 26...picture this

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! Ours was hectic but we had a great time with family here in Alaska and in GR via skype. I decided I needed a low key day hence the late post, sorry. One of my favorite things about Christmas is getting Christmas cards. I love all the pictures of family and friends but I'm not so keen on trying to keep them organized on the fridge so I can enjoy them or picking them up off the floor.
This year I decided to try something new and I love it!!  I haven't had to pick up one picture and I can enjoy them all. I took some wire edged ribbon that I had handy and wrapped it vertically around my cupboard doors, tacked them down with push pins and attached all the lovely Christmas cards and pictures with clothespins. Super easy!!  I should have done this yrs ago.

I hope you all enjoyed your Boxing Day! 

nathania

Crafty Bonanza Day 25....Merry CHRISTMAS!!!

 For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9: 6

We would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas! We hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating the Saviours birth with those you love!

Nathania and Sarah

Crafty Bonanza day 24....Holy Cowl! A winner!

GIVEAWAY WINNER is...Jean in BC! Congratulations! Please email us with your favorite colors and address so that we can get the mittens made and sent out!

So...I may have gotton a little obsessed with the cowl necklaec thing....and I made three more today!

I tried three different versions...and I think I like them all!

This coral colored one is not quite long enough to make it around the neck twice, but it gives an outfit a lovely burst of color...

This braided one is from Andy's inspiration...he suggested that I make one out of a loose braid...I think it turned out really well! It's a little fuller than the other ones.

 Last but not least is the blue and tan...it is able to be wrapped around twice for a fuller look.

For all of the cowls I used a thicker acrylic yarn, and for the braided and then blue one, I used two differnet colors, adding to the chains thickness. I've really got to stop making them...not sure what I'll do with these:) but they are so fun to make! If there is interest in seeing them on a person I can try to take a picture tomorrow!

Happy Christmas Eve!

Sarah

Crafty Bonanza Day 23....crochet cowl

Anybody else seen the latest craze of cowl scarfs? Well I have, and I decided to try my own! I've seen some really cool cowls, all over the internet, but my favorites have been the ones that are considered cowl necklaces.

To make this one I found some yarn that I had laying around the craft room...it happens to be a all cotton yarn...but I think really any yarn is usable! All I did was crochet a link stitch...I don't even know what it's called because I never "technically" learned how to crochet:)

I used the whole skein of yarn and then wrapped it around my hand and elbow...like you would a long rope. I suppose you could make it shorter, or longer so that you could wrap it twice around.

I think if I make another one...which I plan to do ;)...I would use a heavier yarn or double up two different colors. If you try one I would love to see the results!!

Two days until Christmas!!!

Sarah

PS: DON"T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE MITTEN GIVEAWAY! 

It closes tonight at 9 pm Alaska Time.

Winners will be announced tomorrow morning!

Crafty Bonanza Day 22....yummy treats

I don't know about you but the first thing I do when I get a box of chocolates is go for the caramel ones!!  I love them to death so when I found this recipe I had to try it. Mind you it doesn't have chocolate but it didn't stop me from OD'ing on them :).  They are called Caramel Shortbread Delights and they are delicious!!! I found the recipe on pinterest, my favorite pastime at the moment. Follow this link for the recipe http://www.doughmesstic.net/2011/01/06/caramel-topped-shortbread-bites/.

For my first attempt at caramel's I think they turned out ok. The recipe called for an 8x8 but all I had was a 9x9 so the caramel isn't as thick as it could be and while it set nicely in the fridge once it's out on a plate for awhile the caramel softens and "melts". Not sure I didn't cook the caramel long enough or if that is bound to happen but they are still tasty and just means they have to be eaten quickly! What a shame! :)

Enjoy

Nathania

Don't forget to sign up for the MITTEN GIVEAWAY!!!! You've only got two more days!!

Crafty Bonanza Day 21...christmas garland

Andy and I moved into our house in May last year and have done absolutely nothing about window treatments...the blinds seemed to be enough at the time. The previous owners had some heavy duty window treatments that they took with them, and when they left they took the hardware, leaving ugly peach colored spots that didn't match the rest of the room.

I decided that it might be fun to have some kid of valance over the blinds...at least to add some color and cover up the ugly peach. So I made a scrappy Christmas garland to go above the window.

I gathered all of my Christmas fabrics and tied them onto a thick twine/rope. I cut the fabric about an inch to and inch and half wide....I didn't measure, just eyeballed it. After seeing it in pictures, there are a couple of places I need to add some extra fabric

\

As you can see the fabrics aren't exactly one length...but I like the look of it!

This only took me about an hour, with cutting. It was an easy fun project!

On another note...does anyone know what happens tommorrow?

THE LIGHT STARTS COMING BACK!!! WOOHOO!!! This is probably not as important to people in the lower 48...but let me tell you, it's exciting here in Alaska!

I'm super excited about it!

Whats even better though is that Christmas is only 4 days away! Hope you all are enjoying this season to be with the ones you love! We're going to Skype and spend time with our family and I can't wait:)

Sarah

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE MITTEN GIVEAWAY!!!

Crafty Bonanza Day 20...Mitten Giveaway

Yay for making it to day 20 with a post each day...what better way to celebrate than to do a Giveaway?

Thats right...another giveaway...so...who wants a pair of mittens? Below are a few pictures of the mittens we make(these are not actually in stock...)and one lucky winner is going to be able to pick the colors of their mittens! Thats right folks...custom made mittens to order!

We have almost every color available in our sweater stash to make the mittens with, but the patterns always vary!

The winner will get to e-mail us their choice of colors and size and we'll make some especially for them...who wouldn't want a pair of their own unique mittens!

So here are the two ways that you can enter the giveaway...

1. Make a comment saying you're a follower

AND/OR

2. Make a comment saying what your color choice would be

This GIVEAWAY will be open until 9 PM Alaska Time on the 23rd

The winner will be annouced the morning of the 24th!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Good luck!

Sarah

Crafty Bonanza Day 19....bath crayons

Nathania made these bath crayons for her daughter, Aria so that she could color in the tub...whats more fun than that?

 She used glycerin and food coloring and then put them into the tube ice cube trays.

It was pretty simple to make and turned out pretty colors in my opinion!

However, she tried them this morning to see what kind of mark they would make on the tub, and how successful they would be as bath crayons....woh woh woh...they didn't make much of a mark. We are thinking that they would be much darker if more food coloring was added.

Has anybody else tried to make them? With more success? We would love to hear from you with your ideas to be able to make them more successfully!

6 days til' Christmas!

Sarah

Crafty Bonanza day 18...hoop it up

I was at the thrift store the other day and found this fantastic giant wooden hoop...for only 1.99 with 30% off....holla!!! That's just how I roll:) I decided I wanted to do another SEW DUTCH sign....more for personal use, but may come in handy when we can't display our big bunting signage.

My new favorite love is fusible web...makes projects so fun! I used an old shirt sleeve from a shirt I had used in a different project and took the green from my stash.

I free-handed the letters and I like how they aren't your standard block letters. I was going for a more bubble letter look. It took me a while because I accidentally cut the letters out backwards...can be tricky when you don't write it out!

For now it will grace the walls of my sewing room, but I think it would be really cute in a nursery or little kids room with a large initial and their birth date...if I find another hoop I may try it!

Happy Sewing!

Sarah

Crafty Bonanza Day 17...pretty in pink

Anyone else out there love a good bunting/banner/pretty string to jazz up their lives? Well I definitely do! I made this pretty in pink bunting to decorate a banner in our house. I really like the added pop of color it gives...

...isn't it cute?

 I used some felted wool scraps in different size circles and then layered them. I ran out of the dark pink so I put a solid pink bobbly and made a cute little pattern.

Two colored

Solid pink bobbly

Once again, one of the most fantastic parts of this craft was that I spent...$0!!!! I was able to use some cotton yarn and then the felted wool that I already had in the house. WOOHOO!!

You know what else is great? I'm officially on Christmas Break!! I'm super excited to get to sleep in, craft, ski, hang out with family, play in the snow...and most importantly see the sun!(my office at school has no windows...so I go to work in the dark and leave in the dark!) Bring on the Vitamin D!

Sarah

Crafty Bonanza 16....magazine revamp

Anybody else out there see all the different Christmas trees made out of recycled magazines and books? Well I seem to run into them EVERYWHERE...so that means I have to try them right?

Most of the different blogs I've run into use two magazines to make their trees....but they used skinny magazines. I have a plethora of Real Simple magazines lying around the house, so I figured one of those would equal two skinny ones.

Most of the trees I've seen, either cut the bottom parts off or fold them up. I didn't want to do either...too much work, plus I liked the look of the bottom. It mad it look more like a Christmas tree to me. The problem with keeping the bottom was that it couldn't stand up on it's own without bending the paper...totally defeating leaving it on. SO....

I busted out the glue gun and some skewers I had, as well as a bottom to a little pot that I had gotton as a gift...voila a instant tree stand. It's a little wonky, and hasn't found it's permanent home yet!

It was super easy, only taking about an hour...now it's your turn to try one:)

Sarah