Then while hanging out on Pinterest one day, I found this tutorial.

I decided to make one for myself. I bought the wire, chain and clasps at Hobby Lobby. I really liked the dark color instead of silver. I wanted to make my friend one too and I really thought they’d be so easy that I could sell some [now I'm thinking I don't want to make that many!]

I started with the silver because I thought my friend would like that better and it was the recommended gauge (24) because it is easier to manipulate. I thought that it was more difficult because it was too flimsy and wanted to bend however. Since I couldn’t get it wound as tight it bunched up when I tried to wrap the sides. Doesn’t look much like a nest, does it?

Then I decided to try the darker, 20 gauge wire, which worked much easier for me. I made a nest with 4 eggs for myself and one with 3 eggs for my friend. The only thing I don’t really like about it is the chain. I love the way it looks, but every single link is open and it pulls apart VERY easily. Not a good thing when you have a 9 month old and 3 year old who like shiny pretty things. I wore it to church yesterday and it broke and had to be fixed once. It is easy to put back together, but I’m afraid I’ll lose it. I bought a different chain last night at WM to replace it with when I get tired of trying to keep up with it. It has solid links, but needs some clasps attached.

While these were pretty easy, they don’t look that much like nests in real life and I’m pretty sure I don’t enjoy playing with wire. Too frustrating and tedious for me. Perhaps if I had the right tools, but I don’t think I want to even find out. ;) I enjoy making a necklace here and there, but it’s definitely not my niche!

Speaking of nests, I finished my nest for my neck. Here is my scarf keeping my neck nice and cozy:

I think it turned out pretty, so I thought I’d share how I made it. Here’s the tutorial:

First, gather your supplies.
Wreath Form in the size you want – I used a pool noodle taped end to end, so mine is pretty large.
Fabric strips 3-5 inches wide – I used about 1/2 yard of white with gray polka-dots.
Wood letter
Mod Podge
Extra fabric for the letter and roses and bow
Ribbon for hanging
Glue Gun

Alright, plug that glue gun in and get it warmed up. Then attach the end of one strip of fabric to your wreath using a dab of glue. Start wrapping the fabric around the wreath and glue and repeat as needed with more strips until the whole form is covered. My pool noodle didn’t hold us very well with the hot glue [kind of melted a bit] but the fabric did stick and is staying on fine.

After your fabric is on, get your wood letter. If you want to paint it, go ahead. If you want to cover it with fabric like I did, use your mod podge and stick it on. I just cute a piece of fabric a little larger than my letter and slit where it would need to fold over. then coat the top of your letter with mod podge and lay the fabric over it, smoothing it toward the edges. Flip the letter over and start painting mod podge and folding the fabric to the back and gluing it down. After you get all of the edges folded to the back paint some mod podge over the whole back. When that is dry flip the letter again and coat the front with mod podge to seal it.

Now, you have to decide what other embellishments you want on your wreath. I tied a black polkadot bow near the top and tied the wreath to the hook with a wide black ribbon. I hung it on the door for awhile like that. I thought I wanted some fabric flowers, but I didn’t have time to make them then. So later on I made some rolled rosettes.

You can find many tutorials for making these, so I won’t repeat. They are so easy to make though! I used all three of the fabrics that I had used on the wreath. Then I just hot glued them onto the wreath.

This wreath is pretty simple to make, but it looks like it took a lot of work. It will also brighten your home and make it more welcoming. Enjoy!

Recently, my bff and I went on a little shopping trip. We were at Hobby Lobby and ventured into the yarn section. Always dangerous, this. I had no plans to buy any yarn and in fact haven’t really gotten the urge to knit much still. Anyway, as we perused the yarn I saw plenty that was pretty, but I could leave it there. Then I saw the Yarn Bee Melody Bulky yarn in the Harlequin colorway and I knew I wanted a new scarf.

You see, about a month ago I was getting ready to leave the house and knew it was colder outside. I went to grab my favorite scarf that I knit about 5 years ago. All my scarves were hanging in the back of the closet on a hanger with my other winter wear. As I went to grab it a big ball of fluff fell down and when I saw the scarf it was all chewed up near the hanger. The other scarves were also chewed and my wool peacoat had a hole chewed out as well. The mice had made a nest up on top of the coat rack. I’m not really sure how they had time to do this since we keep traps set year round (out in the country that’s how you have to roll, my friends) and we had just caught several, but they did. They also got into my drawers and ate holes in several sweaters. By the time I was done surveying the damage I was very angry and I was ready to take out some mice. We did get a few more right after that and thankfully no more clothing damage has been done since.

Back to the yarn. When I saw this particular colorway (harlequin) I knew I wanted to replace my fallen scarves. So I decided to buy a skein. Yeah, I thought I could get a scarf out of one skein of bulky yarn. I probably could have if I’d made it skinnier, but I want a longer scarf that will wrap around my neck. I used the entire skein and I am halfway to where I want to be. So, somehow I’ve got to acquire another. I really don’t want to pay shipping for it, but will if need be, so I can have a nice cozy scarf for the cold time ahead. It has been so nice for the past week that it almost seems like winter is leaving already, but I’ve lived here long enough to know that now is about the time it starts to get really cold. I know it’s coming and I know I want a good scarf around my neck when it gets here!

I made this little rocket wallet for one of Kristopher’s friends. I hope he likes it. Fabric is from Sarah Jane’s Children at Play line for Michael Miller. Tutorial can be found here.

The inside has 4 slots for cards and a large cash pocket like a regular wallet. The card slots on mine are almost too small, so I would say when sewing the double lines in the center to put them slightly closer than 3/4″ apart. This wallet was pretty easy and my mother in law was impressed with how quickly it went together. She was hanging out while I made it and playing with the kids, which was so very helpful!

When I showed it to Kristopher he wanted to know why I didn’t make him one, so I may be making another this week for his birthday. It’s funny to me how I think it will make a great gift, but I don’t really see Kristopher as the wallet carrying type. Guess I still think he should be a little boy and he’s growing up so fast. We all know if he asks for a handmade wallet he’ll get one, so that’s what I’ll be working on. I love to make things for my family and friends!

Many headbands and a couple of rosette clips:

A fleece UK blanket for my dad:

Kameron’s robot quilt for his toddler bed:

This was a simple square patch quilt, backed with white flannel, quilted with simple lines. It is nice and cozy and was to go with the robot blanket I made him last year. It looks cute on his bed!

A pennant bunting for my niece’s wall:

A little hat for Kyler:

Cute reversible pants for Kyler:

These pants are the “quick change trousers” from Handmade Beginnings by Anna Maria Horner. I love this book! These pants took me awhile with 4 little ones to take care of, but the pattern is easy to follow and they are the most adorable things ever! I have plans to make more of these for Kyler. One side is Car fabric from Riley Blake with brown flannel on the behind. This reverses to Brown flannel with owls on the behind. The whole time I was working on these Taylor offered her two cents. She thought they looked huge and would not fit and made that known. However, they fit perfectly!

A house pouch for a little girl:

I made several of these in the summer of 2010 and when looking for a quick easy gift for a little girl I remembered them. I stuck some paper dolls in it for fun. The roof fabric and the paper dolls are by Sarah Jane Wright, my fave designer/illustrator. If you haven’t seen her work please go check it out. Fabulous!

I have made 5 so far and have two more notebooks that I can cover if I think of someone to give them to. Or they might turn into birthday gifts…several of those coming up! As you can see, Taylor loved hers. Everyone else who received one seemed to like it too!

I wanted to write a little update on the Christmas gift crafting. As you can see from the title I have more than 7 completed gifts. I finished Kyler’s blue hat. In the photos you can see a little sneak peek of some of the other finished things. I can’t tell you all the details now since I’m not sure who actually reads my blog. ;) I will take more pictures and give details closer to or after Christmas. I know I have one other gift done that isn’t pictured and I have a few little things in my box that I keep on hand for little gifts. Not sure if any of those will work for anyone just yet, so that’s the +.

Still to go are quite a few of the larger things. Tomorrow, I think, I will work on some pants for Kyler and possibly try to finish up a few more of the unfinished projects I found when I was cleaning up the sunroom and organizing my sewing stuff today. One of those things is a fun pennant banner out of Christmas fabric that I started last year. All that I have to do is sew it together and I want to be able to decorate with it this year. I’m actually enjoying making all of these gifts (not always the case with my holiday sewing) and I’m not even feeling rushed or stressed out about it yet. I’m thrilled with how things are turning out too, and I hope that each person who gets a handmade gift from me likes what they get!

Or, as the case is here right now, ambition.

I realized, with the arrival of November 1st, that I am running out of Christmas preparation time. I usually have a closet full of things that I have bought throughout the year that I can hop from and I usually have kind of an idea of what few gifts I’ll need to make for people by that time. This year, however, I have very few things in the closet (this situation was made even worse by some mice that ate parts of a pair of socks and fleece sweatshirt for Kyler.) With 4 children and not a big amount of extra budgeted money for Christmas gifts, I was in despair! So, I’m feeling rather ambitious now. I sat down with some of my books and made a rather large list of things to make between now and Christmas. I’ve even gotten started, as is evidenced above. That is Kyler’s soon to be hat, made from Malabrigo. Tonight I’ll be scouring the fabric cabinet to get some of the other things started. When I’m not preparing for the yard sale that we’re having tomorrow, on top of the last soccer games of the season. And I guess I really need to clean off my sewing desk so I have a place to create. Don’t laugh, I’ve totally got this. :-D

Here’s my list:

At least 3 Composition Notebook covers (Sewing Bits & Pieces)
Pirate Quilt – not sure on the size yet
Robot toddler bed quilt
Little Red Rding Hood cape for Taylor (either Small Things from Oliver & S or Growing Up Sew Liberated)
at least 2 flower headbands
Pants for Kyler (Handmade Beginnings)
Knit Hat and Bear hood for Kyler (my head, Small Things – Oliver & S)
Envelope Tee for Kyler (Growing Up Sew Liberated)
Pairie Blouse for Taylor (Seams to Me)
UK quilt/blanket
Flower clips
Ruffled Camera Strap
A couple of zip pouches (Sew Darn Cute)
Possibly an Art Satchel (Growing Up Sew Liberated)

I made a list last year and shared it. I did complete some of it and I think it helped to have it on the WWW to keep me accountable. So, ask me if I’m getting things done every so often and I’m sure I can do it! Once again, don’t laugh!

I finally have the baby’s section of our room done, as much as it’s going to be before he arrives anyway. I finished this argyle blanket for him a few months ago, but didn’t post about it. Front is just argyle cotton from Hobby Lobby. The back is brown minky dot.

I wanted this baby’s things to sort of match our room since that’s where his stuff is. I bought my owl sheet and blanket – can I just say that I love the dwell studio owl print? It was hard to get these pieces, but I am so glad I did! I have ordered a crib skirt with big matching dots, but it was maybe out of stock, then back, then out and now should be shipping soon.

The art on the wall isn’t finished. I know his name will start with K, but since we don’t have a middle name yet that canvas isn’t done. It will match the other one, just have a different letter. (Everyone encourage Kody to decide!!) Anyway, the owl fabric is Hooty Hoot by Riley Blake, the argyle matches the blanket. I got the idea for these canvases from Handmade Beginnings and went my own way from there. I love hers in the book, but that was a lot more work than I had time for!

Last, I finished these newborn booties this morning. They are out of a knitpicks sock yarn that looks tweedy…I think it’s the Essential sock, but I’m not going to go look! They are really cute and have been added to that green diaper bag on the dresser. Baby’s bag is packed. Mine is almost packed. Still waiting on my nursing gown to arrive…yes, I waited this long to get one. I just hope it comes in time!

Oh, and that dresser is now filled with baby clothes and diapers. It was Kameron’s dresser until this morning. I gave him mine and moved it upstairs and filled it with his clothes. He helped and I think he had fun moving his stuff up there with his bed. He’s been doing such a good job sleeping upstairs with the other kids, I am so relieved that it hasn’t been a difficult transition. While I was rearranging dressers and clothes I went ahead and got out the other kids spring clothes and put away stuff that’s too small. Everyone was happy to have their short sleeves out.

I’ve looked at 3 vans this week. Sadly, none of them were right. I am still hoping that we can find one soon that fits in our budget, but only God knows what he has planned for us. Can you tell I’m trying to get everything squared away at home? I also baked some bread to freeze tonight and will be cleaning the kitchen completely. They’re saying the moon is supposed to be bigger and brighter this weekend…does that mean it could be time? I really would like to wait a few more days. Kristopher has testing starting on Monday and I want to be able to be there to help him feel better about it. He’s kind of nervous (truth be told, so am I – I guess we’ll see how I measure up as a teacher!), but I’m sure he’ll do fine. I keep telling myself that I won’t go early, because Kameron waited until the scheduled day, but I just feel different and ready physically this time. I hope I’m right. :)

So, I can count it as a sick/snow day! Love it when things work out. :) Anyway, we still needed something to keep us occupied for the long day inside. We have a homeschool Valentine’s Day party on Thursday and I had ideas and supplies, we just needed to get them done. Here’s what we’ve worked on:

Maybe I’m a little bit of an over-acheiver… Anyway, the little bags are from all three of my children to each child that will be at the party. There’s 33 in all since I counted my own (they’ll want a gifty too) and I was tired of tying ribbon by the end, but I think they turned out cute! In each bag there is a card* signed by my kids (well, I signed Kameron’s name), a lollipop, a chocolate heart and a few stickers. Then they are closed with a “bag tag” that we made. I printed the names off on cardstock and then the kids drew/colored on each tag, I laminated them and then punched a hole and tied a ribbon through. I am a big fan of a gift or card that can be kept instead of little throw away things. Who wants to bring home a bunch of stuff and then have to get rid of it later? Anyway, the kids did almost all the artwork; I only had to do abou 5 of them myself when they got tired. We had art today. :)

I can’t wait for the party on Thursday. I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day, but I do love a good party! I’m going to make cupcakes too. Kameron has been trying to get me to make them all day. It’s so hard for a 2 year old to understand: Wait.

What’s next for today? Definitely, hot chocolate, movies and prayers for Kody’s safe trip home. Hopefully, some Valentine mailboxes, if I don’t lose steam! Hope you’re having a good day wherever you are!

*cards were downloaded here after finding a link on tatertots & jello. So cute!