christmas-y trees

DIY December: Glove Squirrel

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, last minute gifts were being made, even a mouse!

So, this last minute DIY December gift is quick, easy, and oh-so-cute!

Instead of a mouse though, we shall be making a squirrel from a glove!

Now, to get started, this is what you’ll need:

An old glove, thread and needle, batting, and a bead for its nose.

Take your glove, turn it inside out, and draw out this template:

Then sew the pieces appropriately, cut them out, turn them inside out and stuff them with batting.

Then you will have something that looks like this:

The head is a bit difficult. pinch the back of the head together and fold over the top.

Sew it shut.

Then take the ears, fold them, and sew them into the little creases created at the top-back of the head.

It'll look like this:

Take the arms, tail, and body and do a running stitch across the top, leaving a bit to tuck in.

Tuck in the top and pull the stitch shut.

Then do the same to all the rest of the pieces.

Decorate the tail…

Stitch all the pieces together…

Add eyes and his button nose…

And there you have it! A cute vintage looking toy squirrel that will be sure to make anyone smile!

DIY Potpourri Owls

With only a few days until Christmas, last minute shoppers are scrambling around like crazy people making the malls a place for only the brave of heart. So, homemade gifts are the perfect ideas during the home stretch.

This DIY December gift? Potpourri Owls!

To start off, this is your list of needs:

Fabric of your choice, buttons, thread, potpourri or scented oil (I did it and don’t recommend the oil option cause it seeps), stuffing, and some pebbles or beads to weight it.


Take this pattern and use it to cut out your fabric:


You can adjust it to any size to make different owls. I'm making two here, one large owl and another smaller one...maybe a barn owl or something...


Once you have the pieces place them together with the pattern sides facing each other because once you have stitched them you will be turning your owl inside-out.


Stitch the owl together using any kind of stitch you want. I’m no sewing expert and just did a ghetto whipstitch.


When you have sewn your little owl together, turn him inside out.


Fill him with your pebbles or beads to weigh him down.


Then stuff him with the batting and smelly stuff of your choice.


Fold the bit of fabric over to create his head, sewing a beak with thread and then buttons for eyes.


And there they are! You can create a whole owl army to put in drawers, rooms, closets, shelves, kitchens, cars, or wherever else you can think of that you want to smell good!


I just love how cute and crafty they look.

Provo Tabernacle Burning

The Provo Tabernacle burned down this last Friday. It was a sad day, and I felt a special loss seeing as how my stake would meet there for conferences.

It was a beautiful and historic building, and a guy at my work got some footage of it as the fire was being put out.

click here!

DIY Peppermint Bark

This time of year is a time to treat yourself, guilt free. After all, you totally are going to start that new year’s resolution in a couple weeks, so you can as indulgent as you want until 12:01am on January 1st.
...at least that’s how I feel…

So, in keeping with the “tasty food is everywhere” tradition seen at Christmastime, I will show you a super easy and delicious treat you can give to that sweet tooth in the family.

Presenting, DIY December: Chocolate peppermint bark

Now, this is a really simple recipe, all you need is 1 bag of chocolate chips, 1 bag of white chocolate chips, a bag of peppermint candy, and a Christmas tin to put it in!

Take your peppermint candy and crush it into little pieces. It’s messier than it looks, so try to crush them on a towel incase (or when) the bag breaks open.

Melt the dark and white chocolate.

And then layer it in a pan that you have covered in either wax paper or foil.

Sprinkle the crushed peppermint on top, and place in the fridge until cool.

Take your slab of peppermint-y goodness and break it into pieces...

Place it in a tin...

And you have a delicious gift that anyone will love!

There is nothing better than tasty Christmas cheer.

Questions and comments please!

DIY Homemade Journal

I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday week, and is getting excited for Christmas, especially because it is only 8 days away!

I just realized this actually. It is a lot closer than I thought, so I need to get on this Christmas thing!

If you are feeling like me, then I have a great holiday gift idea to help you move your shopping along.

This DIY December gift is: A homemade journal!

Now, you can make a journal out of whatever you want, it can be cardboard and wallpaper, a notebook with a crafted cover, or a unique one that I found…an inside-out book cover journal.

Now, what you will need for this craft:

An old hardbound book, paper of your choice, a hefty stapler, and whatever you want to decorate the front!

Take your worn hardbound book and tear off the cover. Save the pages for other crafts!

Turn it inside-out and soften the binding so it bends nice and easy.

Cut your paper however you want it to fit. You can have the edges torn, or offset, or whatever your heart desires.

Staple the pages together, and then inside the book.

Now you can decorate the book however you want! I just took some wood pieces that I got on sale for $2 at the craft store and squished them in ink.

It gives it more of a child wood-block letter effect, like they are stacked on each other!

And... perfect! A fun and useful gift to accompany all the wonderful holiday memories that will be made this year!

Mine are really simple, but totally bedazzle your journals to your heart's content!

Questions and comments below!

the discovery of a beat

It's good music exposure time again everyone!

Today I'm giving a shout-out to one of my new favorite artists: Erin Rauch-Sasseen.


She is, I think, the first beginning-to-bud musician I've ever posted on my blog. If you google her name there is not much to be found folks... but that is not going to stop me from spreading word of this girl's talent!

Hailing from New York and specializing in folk/pop, this girl has got a sound all her own. Mix that smooth jazz-folk with her unique rhythms, whimsical guitar/ background vocals, and charming lyrics... and you've got yourself a great soundtrack for your cozy-type days.



My favorite song of hers is "Stuck In One Place," but her whole album Frolic is great!

Check out her myspace page everyone, listen to her music, buy her album, and support awesome music!