Simple Wooden Nativity

When I spotted this lil' Nativity on Pinterest I immediately knew I wanted to copy it. 

I ran into a few bumps while constructing it... so I thought I'd show you all exactly how I made mine.

You need to start with gathering your supplies.

2"x2" Wood (which is really 1.5"x1.5"... didn't know this)
2" Wooden Door Knobs
1" Flat Circle Buttons
Wood Craft Spoon
Felt
Burlap
Acrylic Paint & Brushes
Twine

You'll need to cut a 6" and 5 1/4" pieces from your 2x2 wood.
Paint them and glue on the heads, I just hot glued them on, it works just fine.

Notice that the "Mary" figure's head isn't centered on the block.

You need to off center it a little so that they will stand flush together.
I promise once the burlap is on you can't tell it is off centered. 

Before you glue Joseph and Mary together, you'll neet to but the burlap on Mary. 

I cut a circle about 11" in diameter in half to get my burlap piece.
This was the piece that took me forever to figure out.

I just used a large bowl as my pattern to keep it simple, and it was perfect.

Drape the burlap, flat side on her forehead.
Make sure that both sides are even at the bottom. 

Tack it in place on either side, about where her ears would be. 

Add a large dollop of hot glue to her chest and pull around both sides and tack them down.
WARNING: The hot glue will seep right through the burlap, so be careful, it is hot!

Here is how you tack down the back:

First add a little hot glue to her back and tack it down.
Then pull the right side across and tack it down with a large dollop.
Repeat with the left side.


Now to make our baby Jesus.
On Pinterest they used all wood, but I liked the softness the felt added.

Attached a painted flat button circle to one end of the craft spoon.
Cut out a piece of felt into a 4" square.

Tack back one corner with a little glue.

Pull bottom corner up and glue it to the craft spoon.

Fold the left side over, folding it outward as you pull it across.

Repeat on other side and glue down in the back.

Awe, all cute and cuddly. 

Now to glue the family together. 

First liberally add hot glue between the Joseph and Mary. 

Be sure to give it a really good squeeze to let it seep through the burlap to Mary.
Also, make sure that you keep it level on your table so that your blocks don't end up being uneven.
Then add baby Jesus.
Lastly, tie up the new lil' family with twine. 

I cut my twine to 26".

Tack down the bow with a little glue at the base of loops so that it doesn't come untied.

Front.

And Back.

Now sit back and enjoy your simple and beautiful new creation.

Need to add some more of the Christmas spirit to your decor?
Or want to make some simple holiday gifts?

Craft.Me.This

Easy-Peasy Placemats

I don't even know if should really even post this. 

It wasn't even really a craft project. 

All I did was cut out the fabric.

But don't they look awesome?

My friend found this fabric and Joann's and every time I went over to her house, 

I drooled over them. 

I love how it looks quilted.

It looks better on her light-wood table.

So when I found the fabric in the red tag section (with an additional 50% off)

I thought I had hit the jackpot. 

(I think it was $2-$3 for a yard and I got 8 placemats out of it)

I don't even know what type of fabric it is. It has a soft rubbery backing on it, and it's surface isn't slick like vinyl, but it is sort of textured and rubbery. 

I'm not explaining it well.

Guess you'll just have to come over for a visit to check it out for yourself. ;)

I'll find out the type of fabric it is and when I do, you can...

Craft Me This

**Update on Fabric**
So I did some research and found the distributor of the fabric (Momentum Textiles). They classified it as a "Coated Upholstery Fabric"... wow. That helps a lot. It front side is 100% vinyl (textured, not glossy/smooth) and it has a soft "Polyester Knit" backing. Don't know if that is even worth sharing... other than my search lead to just as lame of a description I had already provided. Sorry. 

Decorative Drawers

I decided to use leftover scraps from my Owlie Picture on this little shelf of drawers.

My mother, the queen of thrifting, found this little treasure years ago.

I love the colors that were originally on it, but it got a little beat up in our move and since I had to sand and repaint it anyhow... I decided to add a little more.

Here is the before 

(after I had sanded out most of the scuffs)

and after

Really not too much of a noticeable difference, but trust me, it was marked up all over and needed some TLC. Plus, now it is all cute and matchy in the girl's room.

Those blue walls in their room are really growing on me. 

I'm sure glad we didn't paint over them.

Sprucing up old decor is fun and easy.

Craft Me This

PS - my lil' one insisted that the owl be in the picture too, she kept setting in on the dresser, so I decided, why not. 

Pom Pom Bunnies

 Okay, I don't know if anyone else will think these are cute.

I love them because I grew up with them. 

I thought this would be a fun little craft to make with my girls... 

it actually is a bit to hard because you have to hold the pom poms on until the glue dries a little, and my little ones are still to little for that. 

Anyway, my mother made similar bunnies I was a little girl 

and I wanted to make a few for my lil' girls to love..

 Look at them all lined up.

I really think they are cute, no matter how dated they may look.

I sent my mom a picture 

and my lil' brother told me that they have

"Mandibles of Death"

They aren't that bad are they?

Regardless of how big their lil' checks are

they sure were a hit with this lil' one. 

She has to be very careful (they're a bit fragile) but while baby sis is sleeping, 

she can sneak them for a little adventure or two. 

So, if you're dying to pull out your pom poms and tacky glue

Craft Me This

PS - I debated making a little tutorial... but I don't know how many of you actually would want to add this lil' item to your decor.

Owlie Picture

Okay, I am such a nerd. 

I could hardly sleep last night because I was so excited to post this picture I finished.
Just ask my hubby, I asked him a gazillion times how what he thought. 
Why don't guys gush over projects? is that too much to ask?

Anyway.

You wanna see it?

Isn't it so cute?!!!

I love finally having an idea of how I want to decorate the girls room (almost two years later). 

Pinks and Greens are so fun, and who doesn't love owls? 

I copied this canvas print I saw at Target. You may have seen it. 

But, since I can't paint, and I don't have any paint supplies I decided to modge podge paper onto a piece of wood. I think it turned out so cute, but then again, it is my project so I'm biased.

I was going to modge podge paper onto the sides, but then I remembered I had some left over ribbon from my Giraffe Puppet and it was the perfect color. 

Now don't tell me that giraffe print is out!!

I think it really adds to the picture. 

Curious if I saved any money making my own?

I think the picture at target was around $25. 

This project cost me about $2.
Yup, TWO dollars.

Why so cheap? 

Well, Joann's had a killer sale on their 12x12 paper (5 for $1 PLUS 25% off)

I had the modge podge, brush, ribbon, and wood on hand. 

If I had to buy everything, I'm guessing it would be around $10 to do this project... so much cheaper.

Plus, I got to customize it to match the girls room. 

And come on, it was so fun!
Plus, it feels so good to just sit and stare at your work when you're done...
....
...
..
.
Hmm, what was that? *cough* Oh, right...

So, if you've seen a piece of art that you love, give it a shot, if I can do it, anyone can.

Can you see my goof ups? The random flowers on the owls are covering them up... no one's perfect.

Give it a try and share what YOU did. 

Craft Me This.

Snuggly Owls

I have been in love with THESE owls at Target. 

Have you seen them?

Well a while back one of my crafter-idols did a tutorial HERE on how to make one. 

So, here is how mine turned out.

Don't you want to just pick it up and love it?

I decided it would be cute to make a littler one as well, so I printed the pattern 75% to scale and made this little guy. 

Oh, they are just too cute.

How could I not make them?

Don't you love how they look at each other... and I guess when they are mad the could look away from each other too. 

My girls love them. 

Perfect for snuggling.

And lounging on the floor. 

Copying is fun, so go on and give it a try. 

Craft me this.