I'm still here!

Hello Lovelies!
It has been faaaaaar too long since I have posted, but I have been busy with the holidays! I hope you have a fantastical Christmas, and that your New Year is awesome-sauce too!
My Christmas was so amazing! I got so many treasures I can't even list them all! However, I DID get a whole TON of crafting supplies from Jeremy, so after the New Year calms down a little bit, I have every intention of getting back at it!
I just wanted to let everyone know that I have NOT fallen off of the face of the Earth, and I wanted to share a photo that I didn't get over Thanksgiving..........If you remember in the Flannel-y Tradtions post, I wasn't able to photograph the majesty of a big family all in flannels. So......here you go.....Brady style......you're welcome. ;)

 

From Top to Bottom:

Grandma & Grandpa Bratz, Brad & Chrissy, Conner, Joe & Angie, Kathy & Phil, Jeremy & Me, Luanne & Larry, Sawyer, Gunner, Ian, Larissa & Adam with Baby Danika

Sadly, we are missing Lacy & Tyler, Anthony & Crystal with Neveah...They weren't able to be there for the photo.

Happily Homemade

HELLO!
Gosh, it seems like forever ago that I last posted...(I am a very busy, and also important professional adult.)
But really, I have been quiet lately, and it isn't because I love you all any less, it has been because I have been swamped. I have been busy not only with work, but with making some lovely Christmas gifts. As they are Christmas gifts, I cannot upload any photos (yet) because that would ruin the surprise. However, I fully intend on sharing with you once they are opened.
What homemade things have you all been busy with?
I have made the effort to give at least one homemade item for every store bought one, and if it is store bought, I have REALLY tried to go small business. (although sadly, not all of the things on my wishlists could be done that way.)
If you don't hear from me until after the holiday, I hope that yours is blessed with Family, Friends, and Loved Ones!
CHEERS!

Just another Wednesday...

Oh what a blah last few days!
This last weekend, I sold my first item! I know it might be small, but I am SO excited! That last project I did with the wreath (click here for original post.) over the weekend and sold it that same day! YAY!! I am obviously hoping to do more of THAT.

Otherwise it has been pretty blah around here as of late. I did get a new item this week though, that I could not make myself. I had to get new glasses, and I haven't decided if I love them or not, but I suppose I am stuck with them either way...


Also, it is my little sister's 20th Birthday today so......
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM! She is one of the most talented, funniest people that I have been privileged to know in my life, and I am so proud of her!

In honor of her Birthday, here is my ALL TIME favorite picture of her.
You're welcome. :)

A new space, and a new project...

Hello Lovelies!

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Yet another weekend is about to wrap up, and I hope yours was GREAT! Mine was pretty lazy I guess you could say. Jeremy and I cleaned up the house a little and moved my crafting area into a different room. It is nice to have more of my own space and not be right in the main living area. Looks nice, eh?! We moved it into the "spare" room. I had some "new" shelves that a friend picked up for me, and was able to make better use of my space. I really like it!

I think the kitty does too.
So once I was all "moved-in" I of course had to go right to work! I had a TON of picks left over from our wedding, and just started messing        around with them on a wreath and ended up liking what I saw, so I just kept going with it. It was a little but tedious, but in the end, it was so worth it! Turned out great!

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Then I just painted up some letters, and finished it off.

I am in love with this one because it isn't necessarily "holiday specific". You can absolutely put it up for Christmas, but this one can be left up all year long. What do you think of it?!


I sadly have no space for it, so if you would like to take it home, message me here and it could be yours!

Another guest post! Courtesy of Savannah Drake...

Hello friends! I’m Savannah Drake, 19, currently residing in Centerville, IA! I work at Kids World as a Preschool Aide and run the After School program. My job is way too much fun and only enables my creativity to go beyond what it probably should! I am so very excited about being featured on Andie’s blog as I’ve always been a huge fan of her craftiness. My favorite part about my hobby is that I can literally use ANYTHING that most people would throw away. For example: My mom just recently bought this property with an old house, with tons of what you might consider “junk.” I have raided, gutted, and re-gutted this house and come out with tons of treasures to craft with.  Old photo frames, records, books, license plates, EVERYTHING a crafter like me could possibly dream of. 

Several people ask me where I get my ideas for such random art projects. The truth is, my mind is constantly coming up with ideas that I think are probably absolutely nuts, but when tried they turn out pretty neat! I focus on using a lot of Mod Podge, which is basically watered down glue. I like to make my own because it is kind of pricey. So like the description, you basically just add water to glue and you get a less expensive version of the real deal. As material, I collect as much old newspaper, books, photo negatives, and sheet music as I can--anything that looks vintage. If it doesn’t look vintage, I just make a batch of coffee and vintage-ify any paper by directly applying it to the paper with a paint brush! (Good scent, too! J) 

My new favorite craft is my Book Worm Lamp! This is literally so easy but very time consuming. Had I not been so persistent about getting it done in a day, it would have probably taken me much longer. First things first, you will need:

Old book pages

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Yarn (string works fine also, just need something to tie a knot with!)

Any buttons or jewels you decide to bling it up with!

First, you will need to have at least 3-4 book pages stacked one on top of the other. Starting from either the top or bottom, you will begin to fold it like an accordion.  

Now, you will take your yarn and tie it tightly around the middle of your accordion book pages. After securing the knot, cut ‘u’ shapes on the end of each side. This cut will create your flowered look making your book page flower the prettiest it could be! 

 
And now it’s time to open up each end and pull the delicate paper. This can be a difficult task and must be done very carefully. If you rip the paper, it’s fine! With practice you will completely master this and although at first it seems impossible, I promise it becomes very easy. Pull each layer up towards the center creating a fuller look. 

When finished, your two halves will probably not connect, so you will need to apply your hot glue gunning skills! Place a small dot and connect each side together and you will have your almost complete page flower!

Now it gets fun! Dig through your buttons, your jewelry, ANYTHING that could bling up your flower. Hot glue it to the center, and watch as it completely finishes off the look! I have been getting super creative and using peacock feathers, lace, and several various buttons to complete my flowers. Now, apply to whatever you so choose. I adore my lamp but also think it would be fun on photo frames, mirrors, or even on a canvas! The options are endless. 

Hope this tutorial makes sense and that you all get out there and get creative! Stress relief and fun are the only things that can come out of a hobby like this. Remember to enjoy yourself and create something that is one-of-a-kind! Love to all! :)

Some more homemade...

This Saturday was another good one. I was lucky enough to spend it with Jeremy and his Mom doing some small town holiday shopping. The small businesses around here really have some great stuff, and if you're a hobbyist, crafter or otherwise, there is something for you! (Bradley Hall, The Columns, Walker & Co. to name a few.)
After finding an AMAZING new tree-topper, among many other things, this is what my Saturday produced: another adorable homemade wreath. I found the wreath at Ben Franklin on the square, as well as the burlap. I bought the twine at Orchelin's, the red fabric at The Columns, and the "farmhouse Christmas" and stars at Bradley Hall.  The Buttons I had just laying around.

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A very simple project, with some very simple items. It isn't large, about medium size I would say, and I think this one might just be fore sale for the right price. I have been wanting to sell some of my projects just because I don't have space for all of them. I love them all (well most of them....some not as much as others, but for the most part, yeah, most of them.) I have thought about entering craft fairs but I just don't have the time right now. Maybe a little later on in the year!

Flannel-y Traditions

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
I know I did! I just love spending the holidays with family.....and great food too of course.
The family traditions that are both old and new are my favorite part of the holiday season. Jeremy and I starting new ones with our tiny family, as well as being able to participate with the ones that have been handed down through the generations. Some are old heart warmers, like the reading of "The Night Before Christmas" every Christmas Eve at my Grandma's house growing up. Or the saying of grace before a big Thanksgiving meal. These are ones that will be unchanged throughout the years, and that we might carry into our own families as we grow. Then there are the new ones that arise as the "kids" grow older. One in particular with the Bratz family has become a semi-joke, but more and more family members are catching on. Jeremy's cousin Sawyer started wearing flannel shirts to Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers, (the exact context of the joke, I don't recall.) and it has spread to more of the family. It is funny to see more and more people showing up in flannel shirts every birthday or holiday. Like I said, its kind of a running joke, but its entertaining if nothing else.
I guess it is just something to be thankful for. With so much of the world being wrapped up in the material (which lets be honest, we all do at some point) it is refreshing to be able to laugh at things like this with family.
So hold on to your traditions; old and new. They are what so often wind up shaping families. I never think of my childhood Christmas memories with out one of the uncles reading that famous story, or watching Christmas Vacation with my Mom and Dad before opening gifts at home. Driving around looking at all of the lights with my Dad every year on Christmas, to always find that Santa had come when we got home. Even some of the different foods that were at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner every year are so closely tied to our memories. So many of these traditions will sadly die out as we become older, and start our own families. But its the ones that we carry on that will keep family that lives hours away, or maybe just gone, close and in our hearts every year.
So as the holiday season progresses, and we find ourselves stressing over what to buy, and for whom, take a second and remember the smaller things.


Yes, I do become a sap around the holidays. I'm a VERY sentimental person, and the season is just filled with good cheer, memories, tradition and hope. Therefore, the sappiness is just busting out. I can't help it.