Craftiness

Chris and I didn't leave for Asheville until Christmas day, so the week leading up to Christmas was catch-up-on-life week for me. I cleaned parts of our apartment that had been neglected (e.g. mopping the kitchen floors) and started my periodic declutter regimen (going through the filing cabinet, organizing craft supplies, etc.). Also, I took the opportunity to catch up on all the crafts that I had collected the materials to do, but hadn't had the time to finish.

Coasters for my Mom for Christmas

A few coasters for me :)

Re-usable shopping bag from t-shirts

Small ribbon pillow

Giraffe ornament for a guy in Chris' Bible study 

Frosted wine glasses

Unfortunately, the frosted glass paint comes off too easily, so unless I can find a way to make it stay on better, I will have to use these for candle holders or something. In my defense, the can of spray paint said for glass on greenhouses, insides of doors, the outside of shower doors, etc. If drinking wine out of the glass messes it up at the top, then that is a fail.

But don't worry - I spent plenty of time being lazy and unproductive as well. I read The Help in two sittings (fabulous book and movie, by the way), watched several movies on Netflix, and slept in at least until 9 on most mornings. Yay for Christmas break!!

Coasters

Due to the lack of funds in the Meriwether household, I have been getting really creative with Christmas gifts. I love giving gifts - I just don't always have the money to buy them. But I can make them! I also like to make practical things for others - I don't presume to know their decorating styles and what they will/will not like. So, I decided on making these clay winter coasters! They're not perfect, but that's part of their charm. :)

I used holly sprigs and berries, and some clippings from our Christmas tree. You're supposed to be able to roll the clay out, but the clay I had was super moist, and the wax paper I had simply wasn't up to the task. So, I decided to take out my frustrations by hand-pounding the clay (hence, the unevenness of the coasters).

After they dried, I lightly brushed paint on them to make the impressions stand out a little more. Surprisingly, my perfectionist tendencies kind of go out the window when I'm doing artsy things. Like somehow I can turn it off when there's art involved, and I can appreciate the imperfection as something beautiful. So here's to my 6 sets of 4 imperfect coasters! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cards

So a while back, I decorated clothes pins to use for hanging up Christmas cards. Also, I took it upon myself to make all of our cards this year. I realized, about halfway through, how incredibly ambitious that was. Between family, friends and supporters, I think I made about 45-50 cards. Whew! I did enjoy some wonderful Christmas music while I was doing it, though. Before sending them out, I hung up a few of my favorites and took pictures!

Chris says I should try to make money selling handmade cards, but honestly, after making all of those, I don't want to make another card for quite some time. However, with enough monetary coercion, I could be convinced to make you some. :)

Merry Christmas Mitchell!

This is a tribute to my wonderful little brother, whom I love very much! I miss going through the holiday season with you, and can't wait to see you on Christmas day!

Turning Page

You know how you get stuck listening to a song over and over and over and over because it's just that good? Well I recently found an amazing song that I am seriously obsessed with right now. It is beautiful and I love it!


Turning Page by Sleeping At Last

i've waited a hundred years.
but i'd wait a million more for you.
nothing prepared me for
what the privilege of being yours would do.


if i had only felt the warmth within your touch,
if i had only seen how you smile when you blush,
or how you curl your lip when you concentrate enough,
i would have known what i was living for all along.
what i've been living for.


your love is my turning page,
where only the sweetest words remain.
every kiss is a cursive line,
every touch is a redefining phrase.


i surrender who i've been for who you are,
for nothing makes me stronger than your fragile heart.
if i had only felt how it feels to be yours,
well, i would have known what I've been living for all along.
what i've been living for.


though we're tethered to the story we must tell,
when i saw you, well, i knew we'd tell it well.
with a whisper, we will tame the vicious seas.
like a feather bringing kingdoms to their knees.

Listen to it here! Yes, it is from the new Twilight movie, which I did go to see, but I actually heard it on Pandora first. :) Enjoy! I do :)