New year faith renewal...and a little craft tutorial

I think we all could use a little spiritual motivation and faith renewal no matter what time of year, but it seems to be fairly prevalent with every coming new year.  Resolutions that motivate us to "stay strong", "be healthy", "put more happy in our life" are all very common but unique to each individual making them.  Each resolution is special and a reflection of the person's past experience and hopes for the future.  

In thinking about my resolution (and I have the hardest time keeping one), I wonder what motivation I need to keep that resolution.  What it boils down for me is faith--faith in knowing that everything will be okay because we believe God is holding our hands and guiding each of our steps.  When we fall, He picks us up and when we succeed, it's all because of Him...so we dance...like no one is watching...and sing....like we're on American Idol.  We stay HAPPY in all that we do and thankful for this life.

Now the tutorial....which is completely related.  =)

To help us keep our thoughts in place and where they should be, I wanted to put up motivational sayings in our home as a constant reminder of God's blessings to us each and every day.  Pretty Print Shop is a fabulous Etsy shop that specializes in digital prints that serve to motivate and inspire.  Hannah, the owner of the shop, designs each and every print--such a talented person and I'm blessed to have met her at the Penelope Lane Holiday Boutique last November.  She has these beautiful designs below, all printed on high quality photo paper--everything so bright and cheery.

I decided to decoupage these prints on canvas (those ones that artists use to paint on).  I wasn't sure how they would turn out because I didn't know if the paper type (glossy photo paper) made a difference with the Mod Podge.  Using a sponge brush, I applied more than a thin layer of Mod Podge on the canvas and then lay a print on it.  

It worked out well and I was very happy.  

I waited a few hours for the Mod Podge to dry completely and then applied another thin layer to the top of the prints to seal them and add a bit of glossy sheen to them.  I really liked how they turned out especially with the texturing of the gloss resembling the texture of the canvas.

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I will hang these up in a spot in our home where we will see these every day as daily reminders of God's blessings. Such an easy little craft with lots of meaning--right up my alley!

Happy Crafting!

Crochet + Something Cute = Uber Cute

I crocheted a donut one time complete with little sprinkles.  I was simply in love it and laughed every time I saw it because it was so cute.  A crocheted donut!  When you combine something already cute (like tiny cakes and sweets) with crochet, you get something like these:

Sweets & treats: KTBdesigns @ Etsy

 

 or a Breakfast Set: KTBdesigns @ Etsy

or a serving of Mac n' Cheese:  KTBdesigns @ Etsy

 

or a Hair Design Set: KTBdesigns @ Etsy

or a Cookie Baking Set :  KTBdesigns @ Etsy

I love just about everything at KTBdesigns @ Etsy.  All of Sally's (the owner) creations are her original designs.  I haven't purchased any patterns, but I have purchased her completed creations and given them as gifts to friends. With Valentine's Day coming up, I couldn't resist purchasing these from her:

Play Food (Cookies): KTBdesigns @ Etsy

They're just so darn cute.  They make great additions to  your little one's play things, kitchen sets, and just about anything else.  Give as a gift to a friend (or yourself) and watch a smile form from ear to ear.  Add little round magnets to the back and put them on your fridge or attach a key ring and you have a fun little key chain.  The possibilities are endless!

I look forward to when my littlest little is old enough to play tea party with Mommy.  When she is, you can bet we're going to have fun with little crocheted goodies.  I might just have to purchase this in the meantime, to you know, practice =)

 

 Tea Set:  KTBdesigns @ Etsy

Happy Crafting!

Uber Cute Hair Clips on Etsy--Busy Beezzz Bowtique

I love browsing through Etsy looking at all the cool and creative hair clips sellers come up with.  I stumbled across Busy Beezzz Bowtique where I found these UBER cute ribbon hair clips.  I may have to buy some of these when little Baby G arrives in December!  (click on the links for more info on the items)

Tim the Turkey Hair Clip

Minnie Mouse Ribbon Hair Clip

Pink Lollipop

I think Tim the Turkey is totally cute!  Seeing that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (and our Xavier was born on Thanksgiving), I may have to purchase this little fella not for Xavier but....well, just because! 

Happy Crafting!