Gettin' Crafty

So like 30 years ago April 1st, I met up with a bunch of other craft-lovin' bloggers for the Always Crafty Event.  I was soooo super stoked about this, especially since I had to bail out of the Always Bloggy Event in October (you know... birthin' a baby nine days before made it a little difficult to attend).  

Image stole from Shannanigans.
L to R Adrienne, Michelle, Mary, Shannon and her adorable babe Gabe, Bethany, Lauren,  me and Kate

Oh yeah..be tee dubs, I chopped nine inches of hair off in February.  Forgot to tell you all.  Moving on...

Shannon from Shannigans hosted the shin dig at her house and as soon as I walked in, there was a welcome center, with a sweet vignette of flowers, rain boots and complete with swag bags.  Swag bag= free shit.  I love free shit.

For refreshments Shannon provided us with refreshing lemonade and iced tea to sip from mason jars with mint and vodka as garnish.

stolen via

stolen via

Of course as a breast feeding momma I didn't partake in the vodka.

That's a lie.  I had me some vodka.  I missed my old friend.

Can I give you my honest opinion about these paper straws that are oh-so Pinteresting right now?  I know they are great for photo shoots, but they are a little strange to drink out of.  I don't know why, but it weirded me out.  I did enjoy a personalized straw, though.  I am totally that girl that puts her drink down and walks away.  Then I don't even remember what I was drinking, so I'll start sipping on your Merlot-- even though I had chardonnay.  So yeah... if you have me over for a party, label my drink.

Shannon's cohort in this was Bethany from Rinse.  Repeat.  If you know anything about these two, you know they are not gonna half-ass it when it comes to charming decor, such as fresh lemon swag on the back of the chairs, doily chandeliers or flowers made from Trader Joe bags

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We were given lunch to help soak up the vodka as well, and it was delish and packaged in the cutest boxes that matched the color theme!

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Shannon had different craft stations scattered around her house complete with instructions and an example.  We were able to walk freely from station to station and craft and chat as we pleased.

My favorite craft was the monogram wreath.  I tried hanging mine from the front door but the foyer was littered with fake moss so it's new home is on the mantel.  And I lurve it.

When I first saw the mason jar sewing kit, I was all "this is kind of stupid", but lemmie tell you, I use this thing more then anything else from that day.  Shannon sent us home with vintage notions to fill it, and I added all my loose thread and needles from the junk drawer.  Now I have a place to corral all my sewing whatnot as well as an actual pin cushion for my needles so I won't leave them in the couch pillows.  It's cute enough to leave on the shelves in our office so I have easy access to it as well.  And it pairs nicely with the sweet bird painting Bethany gifted me years ago.  Winning!

..and for the record, I had to look up what a 'vintage notion' was, because these girls were tossing around the term like it was common vernacular.  Cue me feeling like a crafting dunce.   But I'm not gonna tell you what it is.  Because if I have to google, so do you.

The fabric flower garland looks way more difficult that it really is.  After not knowing what a notion was, I didn't want to really blow my craft-cover so I was hesitant to even attempt this.. Once I got started, I realized how easy it was.  This is the kind of thing I could see myself making while watching a Say Yes to the Dress marathon and suddenly I've lost track of time, it's three hours later and I have a twenty-five foot garland.  My (much shorter) version is currently housed in the guest room.

My chicken wire frame ended up in Hunter's room and is the perfect place to stick cards from grandparents, or recent pictures of his girlfriend, Jenna...

We also made knock-off of Terrain's $18-a-piece napkins.  Eighteen.  EACH.  Jeebus.  I like these napkins better because I got to personalize it with 'noms'.  Happiness is a hand-stamped napkin.

Afterwards we took a trip to Terrain so the non-local girls could experience the insane prices for in person.  I fell in love with a beautiful ring and thought about purchasing it for myself to celebrate my up coming birthday... until I found it was $3,700.  Yeah.  Not happening.

Yup.  Hot glue guns nestled among yummy food and drink with new friends.  That's a Sunday well spent to me.

Always & Forever,
  ME