Ruffle Tree Skirt {plus a peek at my Christmas tree!}

Oh yes, I did!  I made something I stumbled on and then pinned to help me remember to make it.  And I actually did.  I've probably only made like 1% of all the things I've pinned.  But this was too great to just sit on my Pinterest board and never get around.

What is it you ask?  Why a gorgeous ruffly tree skirt!

It was inspired by this one from Miss Mustard Seed.  Oh my, so beautiful!  I needed it.

So I followed her tutorial.  Which was super simple and easy.  You wouldn't think so by looking at that gorgeousness.  But it is! 

I used some scrap white fabric I had that was big enough for the base.  Miss Mustard Seed used drop cloth.  Great idea if you don't already have something big enough on hand since it's cheap for the amount you get.  It doesn't really matter too much.  Just something big and neutral. Lucky for me we only have a small tree so I halved the amount she recommends. 

Here's my base piece. {and you can see the tutorial I was referencing on my iPad, haha}  It ended up being about 5 feet in diameter. 

Then I cut out tons of strips of fabric.  I bought the cheapie muslin for $2 a yard at JoAnns.  And I got 3 yards of it.  I didn't quite use all of it, 2.5 yards might have been enough.  But remember, I did a baby tree skirt.  A real size tree would need a whole lot more! 

My first ruffly ring.  It took the longest, obviously.  I like that it gets faster as you work your way in.  

And then after tons of glue sticks, a couple hot glue gun burns, and a few hours...

The fabric will fray, which adds to the beauty of it. 

 I'm in love with it!

After I finished I was kinda glad we don't have a full size tree.  Phew, that would have taken way longer to make. 

And for fun, here are a few of my ornaments that I love.

We got that horse one last year.  I HAD to get it.  I mean, we live in Lexington, KY- the horse capital of the world!  Is there a better way to remember and document our few years here?! ;)  I always get an ornament each year that has the year on it.  That's what my mom did.  And now I love picking one out for my family tree.

Now that my tree has a skirt it looks so complete and perfect, I'm just so happy!  {Plus she's modest, so that's a bonus;)}

So whaddaya think?  Did it turn out almost as good as the original?!

linking here :)

Dish Towel Apron

I participated in the Craftaholics Anonymous Handmade Gift Exchange this year again.  It's so much fun to make someone a surprise gift and receive one in return!  I had emailed my partner a few times back and forth before deciding what to make her.

My partner was Tracy from Tennessee and she is super nice!  We became friends on Facebook and Pinterest.  So I decided to browse her Pinterest boards to get an idea of something to make her.  I figured if she had pinned it, she'd for sure like it.  Brilliant, no?  She had pinned a couple dish towel aprons.  I loved the idea of it and figured that was something I could do.

Here are my results.

 This was the tutorial I used.  I had to improvise at the end because I didn't understand the tutorial.  But I think it turned out well!

 And then I decided to model it for you all, lucky you!

 Pretty cute huh?

Made me want one for myself.  It's a pretty handy thing to have a dish towel as an apron if you ask me.

In fact, I may or may not have already started one for myself...


And this is what Tracy made me!

A darling memo board.  I just love the fabric she chose, it's perfect.

And I've already put it to good use. :)

Hanging right by my calendar- the perfect spot.

 

Thanks Tracy!


I'm linking this up to the Gift Exchange Linky Party and a few others too. :)

Florida Trip

My dad has practically been begging for me to post some pictures of Grayson and him during our trip to visit them Thanksgiving week.  I could also post about Christmas decorating or some funny pictures but I'll put those on hold for now.  So Daddy, this is especially for you!

Oh, and we did a few other things while Grandpa was at work.


Like go to a couple parks.

And Gray liked to have other people dance with him and Elmo.

His loved his Elmo that Nana bought him.

Nana took great care of Grayson, especially in the mornings while his mommy slept in. He he.

Play with Nana's bowls was especially fun.

There was a big tractor thing just sitting at the end of the street that Grayson loved to play on. 

 Look how little he looks next to it!

 With Uncle Bryan and Aunt Holly.

All of us girls.  Even Skittles puppy got in the picture.

 {Holly, Me, Mom, and Kyla}

Gray LOVES to play in the front seat of cars.  He's a great driver.

Yum. Ice cream!

As you can see, we had a blast.  See you in 2 weeks family!  And this time Josh will be with us, YAY!