Weekend Inspiration: Snow Days

Well, this time last week we were just getting over a 3 day snow break. Today, it was 70 degrees outside. It's nice to be able to walk outside again but I have to be honest and say I miss it a little bit. With memories of sleeping in and watching the snow fall still in my head, the weekend inspiration is snow days! Since many parts of the country still have a few months of cold left it's got to be relevant to someone still...






1. Snow day popcorn is everything you need. And by that I mean white chocolate nutmeg.

2. This cozy cartoon is everything I want on a snow day.

3. If you're in a place that doesn't normally get snow you can make the most out of it for the time being by making a duct tape sled.

4. Warm your bones with a caramel apple cider cocktail.

5. If you'd rather not eat the snow, can you paint with it instead.

6. Macaroni snowflakes would be adorable to make with kids or as simple snow party decorations.

7. When life gives you snow, turn it into snow cream.

Is it sunny and warm where you are or is it still snowy? How is your favorite was to spend a snow day? I'd love to know!

Sheila

Last Minute Valentine Idea! (3 Day Snowpocalypse/Craftathon)

As everyone has heard by now, the south got slammed with Winter Storm Pax this week which has resulted in my work being closed for 3 days. Growing up in Florida, we never had snow days. Hurricanes days, yes. Snow days, no. Even though I lived in Montana I don't think I ever had a snow day until this week. I can't even imagine how much snow would be required to shut everything down there... *shudders with snowy thoughts* But here in the south, where snow is possible but not necessarily expected it only takes a few inches to shut it down. That said, I finished the Valentine's I would be giving out if civilization in Greenville is allowed to continue again. 

I tore the existing tag off a tea bag, folded washi tape over it and cut it into a heart shape. It took about 30 seconds. I just happened to have these little cello bags so I put the tea bag in there to give away. I couldn't resist the urge to incorporate a pun ("You're my cup of tea!"). Sealed the bag with another little piece of washi tape and it's all ready to give away to coworkers or friends.



I have made the most of these snow days. By that, I mean I've slept in, stayed in pajamas, eaten junk food, and watched wayyyyy to many movies. AND crafting!  Scrapbooking, crocheting, sewing, printing. The life and times of a lazy crafter. It's been wonderful :)

Wherever you are I hope you're safe, warm, and have everything you need to make fun last minute valentines. How did you spend your snow days? Did you make anything? I'd love to know!

Sheila

Weekend Inspiration: Valentine's Day!

I shamelessly love Valentine's Day. Yeah I know all the arguments: blah blah commercialism, blah blah single, blah blah shouldn't need an excuse for chocolate. STEP OFF ME. I love it anyway. Why? Because making people feel loved is something I feel like we should all be doing all the time anyway regardless of relationship status or day of the year. Usually my love is expressed in the form of food, more specifically sugar. I promise I will reach beyond the norm and find other ideas for this Valentine's themed weekend inspiration.

Make your own Conversation Candy hearts. You know, so they can say things that make sense instead of sounding like a creepy middle schooler wrote them.

Glitter sidewalk chalk! If you don't want this, I don't understand you.

I made these mini heart pies last year for the people in my office. They were so much fun to make and everyone loved them.

Knitted Heart Valentines. Because we knitters have so much love to give.

This pretty paper heart garland could easily be up all year round.

  

Who knew homemade crayons could make such a beautiful Valentine gift? As a (pseudo) adult, I would be thrilled to get this from anyone.

We're all a little more lovable when we're caffeinated.

A sweet, healthy touch to any Valentine's cocktail, heart shaped ice cubes made with pomegranate seeds.

What are your plans for Valentine's Day? A big trend seems to be staying in this year. As a shameless homebody I fully support this idea. Whatever you do, and whomever you choose to spend it with, I hope it's a day full of love (and sugar).

Sheila

A New Love: Craftsy

Hi Y'all! It's been a minute since my last post (and by a minute I mean a few weeks) but not for lack of ideas or enthusiasm. Do you ever have something you're so excited about that you don't know how to fully convey your sincere appreciation? I hope so because then you'll understand my feeling while I'm telling you about my new favorite time-spend: Craftsy.

What is Craftsy? A little crafter heaven. On a website. For reals. Check it out. What makes it so awesome? First there is a blog section with a ton of ideas, tips, patterns, and anything else you can think of related to crafting. Second, it's a store with great craft supplies and not terrible prices for the quality. They always seem to have a sale going which helps too. Third, and my personal favorite, CLASSES. You can learn a lot from the internet but it's not always easy to keep it organized and it's easy to get overwhelmed. Craftsy has a ton of classes at varying prices, including free mini classes. I just signed up for this one and can't wait to try it out.

If you're looking for some inspiration, or just a tune up to your skills this is a great way to spend a few hours and still feel like you're accomplishing something. If you've always been interested in picking up certain skills but don't have time for a public class schedule or want to teach yourself, this might work for you.

Craftsy in no way sponsored this post, I just think it's really cool and you might enjoy knowing about it. If you do sign up, please tell me what classes you take or what you end up making. I'd love to know!

Sheila

P. S. It's too cold in South Carolina. What is this about!?

Oh 2013...

This Christmas in Ohio, someone pulled out a box of old family pictures. We all sat on the floor and sifted through the faded images, laughing at the hair and clothes, reminiscing about the ones who were no longer there to share the moment. That cardboard box held 70 years of memories inside. 70 years that went by far too quickly if my short 24 years so far are any indication. 

With my Sister on the family Christmas card. 1992, maybe?

Is it just me, or does 2014 sound like an unrealistic year? Shouldn't we have hover cars and robots by now? Isn't that what everyone expected of the future? And now that future is here. We may not have hover cars, but we have phones that require zero cords or cables plus they can do just about anything you may need at any time. Are you lost? NOPE. Have a song stuck in your head that you can't wait to hear? NOPE. Bored? NOPE. Are you wishing you remembered your camera to take a nice picture of events unfolding? NOPE NOPE. It's cellular magic.

Now that 2013 is just about over, I've become nostalgic just like the rest of humanity. For starters, this little blog was born in 2013! I have loved coming up with fun things to share, "meeting" new creatively inspiring people of blogland, and (perhaps most importantly) had a great project to keep me out of trouble! In the coming months, I plan to overhaul the archive sections so it will be much easier to find past projects or just browse. I also plan to go back to a regular posting schedule and stop tricking everyone. Slowly but surely, good things are coming this way.

Also in 2013, I finished my term as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader and moved to Greenville, SC to start working at what just might be the most perfect job I could have asked for. I love the city, I love the work and the people. I'm excited to have more than just a year in this place after so many short stays!

There were some slightly less good things about 2013 as well. I had a lot of lingering worries and emotional struggles after my accident in 2012 that I had been trying to ignore. Once I acknowledged the effect it was having on my life and my happiness, I could begin the process of addressing it. Life is short and uncertain; why should I spend it worrying about things beyond my control?

I don't have any resolutions for the New Year yet. I was trying to think of some to list but they all seemed so forced. What are your resolutions? Maybe I'll steal some of your ideas :)

Happy New Year!

Sheila