Moving can actually be quite pinteresting...

The last few weeks of my life have been consumed by moving, moving, and more moving. Although I absolutely loathe the idea of packing everything I own and transporting it to a new location, this move has been rather pleasant. Maybe it's due to the fact that it was a close move, or that the house we moved into is amazing in every way...or perhaps it's because it has given me even more of an excuse to craft. I'm guessing it's a combination of the three, but I thought I would share with everyone what crafts I have been up to. Now I cannot say that I deserve credit for the ideas of the crafts...that I owe to my wonderful dear friend Pinterest. It has become a slight addiction of mine but I think it's a healthy addiction (if that is even possible). Below are some of the crafts I have created along with material lists and directions.

Fabric Covered Bulletin Board:

Materials:
Cork Board (I got this one at walmart for 9 dollars, frame and all)
Fabric (1 yard worked for this size bulletin board)
Staples
Scissors
Ruler

Directions:
1. Measure fabric according to the size of the board (Measure a tad bigger than the board)
2. Lay fabric on bulletin board
3. Start with one side, pulling fabric taught, stapling every few centimeters as close to the frame as possible
4. Continue until all sides are stapled down

Note: You could wrap the fabric if you wanted, but I liked doing it this way so I could easily change the fabric if I wanted to.


Yarn Wreath

Materials:
Foam wreath
yarn
felt
scissors
hot glue
Ribbon

Directions:
1. Tie a knot with the yarn around the wreath
2. Wrap the yarn around the wreath until the wreath is no longer visible (This doesn't need to look perfect...some bumps will be normal)
3. Tie the yarn off at the end (should be where you started)
4. Make rosettes out of yarn- cut circles, then cut circles into spirals. Then wind spirals and hot glue until they look like rosettes
5. Cut leaves out of felt
6. Glue flowers and leaves onto wreath
7. Tie ribbon on wreath and hang from wreath hook.

I hope these ideas inspire you to create something that you will benefit from and is beautiful. I can honestly say I use the bulletin board every day and think the wreath is one of the most beautiful things I have made. Be inspired.

-M

New Year, New Attitude

As I dragged my butt back to the gym for my first post holiday cookie binge workout, I cringed and dreaded every moment of it. I must say, however, now that I have endured the horrible first day back to the gym workout, I feel great...a body cleansed mentally and physically. While 2011 brought me many blessings, I cannot wait to take 2012 by its horns and show it what I am made of. While huffing and puffing during my workout, I was able to formulate some goals for myself for 2012 to help keep me on track and accomplish things that are important to me. I know, I know...New Years goals are corny, but hey they can't hurt right? So as I share with you some of my personal goals for this new year, I ask you to think of your own goals...and what it will take to turn them into actions, rather than just words.

Goals:

1. Land my own classroom for the 2012/2013 school year.

2. Live a healthy lifestyle that consists of working out throughout the week (No matter how tired or lazy I am feeling from teaching) and eating better foods for my body.

3. Start spending less and saving more.

4. Be more patient with those I love.

5. Enjoy the here and now, rather than being consumed by the future.

Have a happy new year...make it count.

-M