**ANOTHER PREZZY SPOILER FOR RENEE - NO PEEKING!**

NO PEEKS, AGAIN, RENNY - DO NOT READ BELOW!



Okay, now that Ren is hopefully not reading anymore, this post is going to be re-titled

CRAFTY FAIL...INTO CRAFTY 'HELL YEAH'!

Ren's birthday is shortly after Christmas, so I thought I would include her birthday gift in my Holiday Handmade Crusade. Of course I wouldn't want her to know that her birthday present was very nearly a crafty fail.

My second attempt at copper enameling was a complete FAIL!



FAIL!!! This pendant was supposed to be pink in the center, with a halo of light green around the edges. The green enamel completely disappeared. Those polka dots, which look questionably like period stains, (sorry for the gross imagery, but that's all I could think of when I saw this come out of the kiln), were clear pieces of sparkly glass. My husband, who taught copper enameling at the Bay for five summers straight, and was sitting next to me watching me do this, neglected to tell me that clear glass reacts unpredictably during the enameling process. I blame him, HA!

However, I had to pay for this piece of crap that I created, so I needed to figure out a crafty way to salvage the situation.

Origami paper to the rescue!



There ain't nothin' that Mod Podge can't fix!

I cut out a myriad of teeny-tiny flowers from washi paper, before deciding on this combination. I am so in love with this necklace, I almost considered keeping it. I'll be good though, and give it away! I hope Ren likes it!

And she'll never know it looked like a period stain!

:D

Christmas in July - March Theme Craft a Memory

The March theme for the Holiday Handmade Crusade was "craft a memory." I challenged the crusaders to think of all of the memories that they've made with a certain person, then use those memories as a catalyst for a craft project. I really enjoyed some of the personal stories that came about because of this theme. The following projects were my favorites. I hope that they inspire you!

Craftster user LoulaBear made this beautiful broomstick lace wrap for her best friend. The tutorial that she followed can be found on Roman Sock.



Craftster user Chanel made this adorable owl plush for her daughter.



She writes: When my daughter was five she found a coat and fell absolutely in love with it. It was a furry hot pink Cheetah print with pink pleather and was reversible. Well since that little coat she has loved all things cheetah print and still loves hot pink...Being the sentimental (or is that just mental?) mother I saved the coat thinking I would eventually craft something from it and I finally have. I made her an owl stuffie because she has been begging me for one. Now I just have to keep it hidden until Christmas!

Craftster user Woobie followed this E-how tutorial and made a whopping TWENTY-FIVE Scrabble tile necklaces. Way to go, Woobie!



And lastly, Craftster user GumInMyHair made this amazing t-shirt quilt for her teenage daughter...



She writes: I saved several t-shirts that my daughter wore when she was little (they all had holes or stains, etc. so I couldn't donate them) for the purpose of making her this quilt when she got older. When I saw this month's theme, I knew it was time to do it.

It's a rag quilt. I added little things to the squares like a "C" pocket, applique heart and fish, stamped a few with flowers, etc., but mostly I painted bedbugs on it. 

She's a teenager now and I'm hoping she likes the memories that these shirts bring back.

That's it for today! If you would like to learn more about the Holiday Handmade Crusade, visit this post. Otherwise, join me for more Christmas in July goodness tomorrow!

Christmas in July KICKOFF!

first snow, 2008



If you are a regular reader of this blog, you are definitely aware that I have a minor major obsession soft spot for the winter holidays. This year, my quest for bringing handmade goodness back to the holidays took a delightful turn when I started the Holiday Handmade Crusade. Each month, I am newly inspired by the participants creativity, excitement and mutual zest for the holidays.

So, dear blog readers, as July rolled around I realized something. I have been very selfishly keeping all of these wonderful people and their creations to myself! In order to make amends, I am declaring the next week (and maybe some spillage into the week after)...

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Each day will bring Christmas-themed posts with content from the participants of the Holiday Handmade Crusade. I hope that these posts will inspire you to make a few gifts ahead of time this year. You have the power to make the holidays special without maxing out your credit card at the mall. Really, you do!

Feeling inspired? If you are moved to post something for Christmas in July, leave me a link in the comments!