Yearly Archives: 2013

Thirty Days of Thanks # 18

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Blessing Branch

Reinstate the gifts of your life with a homemade homage to you.
Take a little walk outdoors in search of a branch to bring home and decorate. Keep in mind that the details of the branch need only suit you. Once decorated it is meant to be displayed so feel free to make a statement with a big branch or subtly captivating with a small branch. Then, take a field trip around your house to gather things that can be wrapped, tied, taped or glued to your branch that please you. Once you find items you would like to use the real fun begins. Add your items and embellishments along with fortunes or quotes or words that reiterate the gifts your life holds right now. This activity can validate what you want to see more of too. Have fun, play around and make a statement with your branch. You are a blessing and you deserve to be celebrated and appreciated by you.

 

Material of the Week 11/18-11/24

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Republic of Tea Bottles
These glass bottles are not your everyday. They have an air of mystique about them, a genie jar, a potion place.. I feel inspired.

Cardboard

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Family crafting is so fun to watch.
Little did I know that the cardboard initial Ice breaker craft we were offering for would spark the crafty imaginations of the birthday boy’s parents! I watched the host father as he worked so hard to get the party ready, helping his wife. He spent all the prep time carting cases of water and ice along with veggie trays and boxes of bagels upstairs prepping food, then welcoming guests. Once the guests were in their creative groove Dad saw his chance to explore. He had an idea! He could decorate an initial for his younger son.
It was a treat to watch him get caught up in the process. He was having such fun , he got his wife involved. The result is an initial befitting their boys’ room decor. Hopefully they hang it and reflect often on a happy, creative memory.

A letter for Jacob
Dad

Thirty Days of Thankful # 17

Monday, November 18, 2013

Glad Paper Pumpkin

Here’s a clever paper pumpkin craft I found on moffattgirls.blogspot.com. It would be great to make right now or saved for Thanksgiving Day as guests of all ages arrive for an afternoon of feasting and fondness. Looks like 7 to 9 1″ x 8″ construction paper strips would work great. Write your thankful notes on each strip and tack all strips together as pictured with any handy glue. Finish off with contrasting paper or even outdoor leaves to detail your pumpkin. In my thankful search I have even seen these pumpkins strewn together on twine as garland. The glad possibilities are endless.

Thirty Days of Thanks # 14

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Thank You card

Back to basics is the name of the thankful game. The point of thanks and this season of it’s focus is to connect with what we value, the good fortunes we have. Let’s use today to share our thanks with an individual that touches our lives. Maybe your mail carrier makes you glad, the rubbish collector always greets you with a smile or your neighbor always has what’s missing from your pantry when you prep a recipe. Say thanks to them with this old fashion activity. A thank you note that shares your sincere appreciation for someone and how they touch your life.  Feel free to gush a little, I promise you will truly make their day.

Thirty Days of Thanks # 16

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Table Leaves
Get outside on a fall afternoon and collect leaves!
Fresh air just makes the day better and leave hunting, maybe even leave-crunching under your feet is what fall outside is all about.
Grab a bag or a basket and set out to find choice leaves to later be painted with Thanksgiving guest names (you can do this whether you are hosting or being hosted!). The leaves I have are Magnolia, nice and sturdy for art purposes. Once you have your leaves you’ll need any kind of craft paint you can get your hands on, acrylic was the choice here. Paint on or have your kids paint on first names or even nick names for friends and family. You will have a blast painting names and find that you really have a bounty of love in your life. Not to mention, the leaves will look lovely, casually scattered around a Thanksgiving table.

Thirty Days of Thanks # 15

Friday, November 15, 2013

It’s nice to end the day on a high note. Make a “Today I Was Thankful” box for your child’s bedside table.
As you go over your nightly tucking in ritual, add a box to hold daily notes of what your child was thankful for that day. It’s a great way to reflect, regroup and connect teaching our loved ones to look for the good.
You’ll need an empty tissue box, scraps of paper for note taking, a pen or marker and embellishments to decorate the box.
For extra reflection at the years end, empty the box to reveal the gifts the days gone by have held.

 

Thirty Days of Thanks # 13

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Message on a bottle.
Going to someone else’s house for Thanksgiving this year? Show your appreciation with this simple treasure. Purchase a bottle of sparkling juice or tea in a glass bottle. Purchase spray Chalkboard paint or drop by CReATE and use our brush on version. Paint the whole bottle, label and all (sans lid). Once the surface is dry, grab some chalk and write a thankful message to your holiday host. They are sure to display the bottle when finished and remember their gift for years to come.

Thirty Days of Thanks # 12

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Creative Fridge Reminder
The fridge is an excellent place to post a reminder you want to see everyday.
Make a fun magazine collage reminder of a word that inspires you to be thankful. It takes just a few minutes to make but the reminder can last as long as you like. Grab a magazine, a pair of scissors, a glue stick and your are good to go!

Thirty Days of Thanks # 11

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Thankful Napkin Rings.
I was inspired by my friend Cindy who made these napkin rings at the studio a few days ago for her family Thanksgiving. I thought it would be fun to type up a simple thank you “fortune” to share with guests. Each note can be written or typed on small slips of paper, generic enough that they would work for any guest seated at the table. Once written, take the notes, fold one note into each napkin before tucking them into the napkin rings. As your guests prepare to eat they will receive their surprise, enjoy their happy note and relish time spent together this Thanksgiving.