return of the chalkboards

It's been a while since I've worked on any kind of chalkboard, but I promise I haven't completely stopped doing them.

Since I spent all of Thanksgiving weekend in Lee's Summit, I popped out a Grains & Taps board for Brad. I think it's quite adorable, if I do say so myself.

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#25craftsofchristmas-nights 3, 4, 5

This past weekend I got my maximum craft on by hosting craft parties on Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday. (I also attended a craft fair on Saturday where I seemed to accumulate multiple objects of the moose persuasion. Shhhh. We're not going to talk about it).

The craft party themes were "Christmas Countdowns," "Ornaments," and "Cards." With the help of my friends, we plowed through 12 more crafts! Woohoo!

Friday night: Countdowns
7. Chalkboard Countdown - (pinspiration from item no longer on etsy)
8. Pocket Advent Calendar - (link to pinspiration no longer working)
9. Santa Beard Countdown (not yet numbered) - this was a shape I purchased from the silhouette online store

Saturday night: Ornaments
10. TMNT filled with glitter - Allison curated project
11. Cement Light Bulbs and Trees - pinspiration
12. String Words - pinspiration
13. Melted Crayons* - pinspiration
Bonus Ornament: Melted Snowman with olaf quote
*Only 1 ornament was dropped and shattered on the concrete floor in the making of this craft.

Sunday ended up being a quiet crafternoon (do you see what I did there?) for Allison and me. We used my silhouette to cut out some simple shapes to make lots of adorable cards.
14. Santa Suit - pinspiration
15. Wrapped Packages - pinspiration
16. Paper Tree - pinspiration
17. Ornaments - (pinspiration from item no longer available on etsy)
18. Ribbon Tree - pinspiration

See projects from nights 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8.

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#25craftsofchristmas - night 2

You know what I really enjoy? Watching my "non-crafty" friends create some awesome stuff. I think they enjoy it too. :)

Last night I hosted my second night of Christmas crafting with "More Winter Decorations."

4. Sharpie Mugs - these are alllllllll over Pinterest. However, we used oil based Sharpie paint markers after I read through a lot of tips. Hopefully this produces some long lasting work, because these ladies made some adorable pieces.
5. Paper Snowflakes - pinspiration. I pre-glittered all the paper (of course), which was slightly messy but mega sparkly.
6. Tinsel Trees - pinspiration. I am totally making a million of these to put everywhere. Soooo sparkly!

See projects from nights 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

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#25craftsofchristmas - night 1

Sunday kicked off the first of eight craft nights I am hosting this year for the "25 Crafts of Christmas" challenge I am completing with my friends.

For night one, I planned three projects for the "Winter Decorations" themed craft night.

1. Puff Paint Window Clings - this was an Allison curated project. The Pinterest inspiration (pinspiration. Is that a thing? I'm going to make it one. So just roll with it) can be found here. (Please note the age group for this... yeah. Kids at heart?)
2. School Glue Snowmen - pinspiration.
3. Painted Kitchen Towels - this has been an evolving project. Tutorial coming soon.

See projects from nights 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

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craft night

It's no secret I am pinterest obsessed. I just love the overwhelming source of crafty inspiration it provides. So when Allison sent me 3 emails in a row with craft projects she had found, I started formulating a plan.

I love doing crafts, and I love sharing that satisfaction that comes from creating. So as a "Christmas present" to some of my lovely friends, I have decided to work through some of my pins and host "The 25 Crafts of Christmas."

Yes, that is correct. 25 crafts.

I am aware I am insane.

Here's the deal: I'm starting early (typically I am a no-Christmas-before-Thanksgiving kind of girl), I'm spreading it out into multiple craft nights, and I'm keeping it easy. So fingers crossed this works.

I will be hosting a total of 8 craft nights (or afternoons) for my friends to come join me. I've arranged for 3 or 4 projects each night and tried to have a theme for each set. My friends are invited to come to any nights of their choosing and work on whatever projects interest them.

It's going to be a blast, and I can't wait.

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coooookies

It all started with my Christmas present from Chris last year. He showed up at my house proudly toting a box of 100 assorted cookie cutters for me (smart man). Now if I was a normal person, I'd just use those to make a few fun-shaped sugar cookies, slap some icing on them, and call it good.

But we all know I'm incapable of normal.

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Hot Chocolate Party

A hot chocolate party. Is this not the cutest idea ever or what? I mean, really. It's perfect for all ages. Who doesn't love enjoying a big, steaming mug of chocolaty goodness?

I came across this idea earlier this fall and stowed it away for the Christmas season. I'm a sucker for the holiday and love sharing it with others, so this was the perfect theme for a Christmas get together.

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Deck the Wall

Chalkboard writing is my new passion. I'm so glad I decided to take the leap and paint the wall in my livingroom with black chalkboard paint. It's such a huge addition to the space, and I love it.

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Reindeer

I think I'm developing an affinity for reindeer.

I got this cutie in a kit from target last weekend. He's hanging above the window in my kitchen.

I bought this fella from TJ MAXX when my mom and I went Christmas shopping last month.

And I made this guy a couple of weekends ago when I was on my glitter rampage.

I have the glittery ones displayed on the buffet I recently added to the living room. Do you like my usage of all the random ornamentsi had no idea what to do with?

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Christmas kitchen

So what if I've been using the top of my cabinets to hold my cereal, alcohol, 5 pound box of sprinkles, entire spice collection, and unhung pictures? I've only lived here for 5 months. Just kidding, I know it's pathetic.

But 'tis the season to make your house look like an elf vomited Christmas decorations everywhere, right?

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The Coffee Corner

Counter space is prime real estate in my kitchen. With the little area I do have, I have to be choosey about what gets to sit out. The mixer always wins. Always.

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must. glitter. everything. (oh JOY)

It's been a while since I've done some legitimate crafting. With the house buying and the painting and the moving and the unpacking and the life-ing (totally a verb... trust me), I've been a bit busy.

Now I've done some small projects, but we all know what makes for an actual legitimate craft. Glitter. Lots and lots of glitter.

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