How to Host a Craft Night

Earlier this fall my husband and I joined a new life class (modern speak for Sunday school class).  Even though we had been members of our church for 20+ years, we suddenly became the new people.  It was a little strange to find us introducing ourselves and trying to find our niche; but we found a wonderful group to do life with.  After just three short months, we had wiggled our way in enough for the class leader to ask me to host a craft night.  I eagerly said yes, after all, it was a great way to really connect with the other ladies in the class ... and well, CRAFT!  

Obviously there was a great desire for crafting because 25 ladies signed up!  It was a huge success so I decided to share my thoughts with you.  

 1. Plan ahead.  I'm not a big planner, so this was the hard part for me.  Make a list of all the supplies you will need.  Prepare yourself that you might have to visit more than one craft supply store.  Before I realized the crowd would be so large, I decided on three crafts.  In retrospect, we could have just done two, but it worked out fine.
2. Know your budget and stick with it.  I originally told the ladies it would be "around $10."  Our actual cost ended up being $11.75 each.  With that many women, the extra $1.75 adds up quick, so I couldn't just cover the extra cost.  Thankfully, the crafters were gracious about the expense.

 3. Provide written directions.  This will help with the chaos of everyone asking a million questions at the same time.  It won't eliminate questions, but there will be fewer.  It also helps the visual learners.

 3. Create designated spaces for each craft.  While we were preparing the house for the night, one of my kids said, "you're putting people in the laundry room?!"  With such a large crowd, we filled the whole downstairs!  By keeping the personalized coaster craft in one room, it helped contain the mess supplies.

4. Ask for help.   I only provided coffee and water... and crafts.  I asked each crafter to bring an appetizer or dessert and a glue gun. I even designated the coffee creamer.  Some brought homemade food, some brought store-bought.  One even brought some fun sparkling waters.  It all works out!

 5. Plan on mess, questions, and lots of laughter.  Crafting is messy.  Once you get over it, you will enjoy it so much better.  Sometimes even the most experienced crafters will have "silly" questions.  There is really no such thing as a silly question.  Let them know it's okay to ask for help.  You want them to go home with a craft they are proud of, not something that is disappointing because they weren't brave enough to ask a question.

When women have fun, we get loud.  Prepare your family (if they are hiding out upstairs like mine were) that it will be loud.  My husbands said he could tell we were having a lot of fun because we sounded like cackling hens.

6. Keep the fellowship flowing.  Choose crafts that aren't so labor-intensive that it suppresses conversations.  Our main craft (most time consuming) was the coffee filter wreath.  Once everyone got going, it was the perfect craft to chat through.  One of the ladies said, "I like that this is a mindless craft so that we can talk to each other."

7. Encourage creativity.  Some women will want to follow your example to the T.  Others will venture down their own little creative path.  I loved making the personalized coasters because each crafter got to choose their own paper pattern and monogram color.  There were so many beautiful, unique finished products.  Each one truly fit the owner's style.

8. Realize that each person crafts at their own pace.  The coaster craft made me realize this truth.  What I expected to be a ten minute craft ended up taking some of the women 30+ minutes to accomplish.  That is okay.  The important thing is that they accomplished it!  If you see someone lagging behind, just encourage her or help her make a decision.  Sometimes we just need someone to say, "Hey those two colors look great together!"

9. Start the evening organized and then let the chaos ensue.  Before we began the crafts, I gave directions to everyone, altogether.  This prevented me from having to explain the same craft 16 bajillion times.  I also made sure everyone knew where the bathroom was located and that the coffee was decaf, very important details. 

The craft station tables were labeled with a number. Before we began, each person drew a number (1-5) and then went to that table respectively. This helped with the whole "mingling" thing.  With 25 women, I had 5 craft stations (3 of which were the same craft) with 5 women at each station.  It mostly worked out that way.  Because of space, one station had four at a time with another holding 6 at a time. Once they finished their first station, I let them choose where they went next.  That way they could connect and chat with new friends.  Flexibility will be your best friend.  

10. Relax and enjoy.  If the hostess is stressed out, no one is going to have fun.  Use these simple steps to help you enjoy the gift of friendship.  Craft on!!!

I'm linking up with The Dedicated House, A Stroll Thru Life, Chicken Chick, Cozy Little House, Imparting Grace

DIY Scripture Pumpkin

This is a super easy craft that is perfect for the month of November

 Cast of characters: ModPodge, faux pumpkin, Dollar Store Bible,

I used an exacto knife to cut the pages out of the bible.  Then my daughter cut random pieces from the pages.

Working in sections, we painted the pumpkin with ModPodge using a foam brush.  Then we threw all caution to the wind and used our fingers to smooth the paper down.

The last step is to cover all of the paper pieces with a coat of ModPodge.

 I love how the scripture references show up so clearly.

Easy Fall Mesh Wreath

The deco mesh is all the rage right now, but sometimes it looks a little plastic-y for my taste.  I found this roll of moss green on an after-Christmas-sale table last year.  By pairing it with some burlap ribbons, it definitely has a more natural, fall flavor.

 A couple of years ago I made a winter sparkly wreath for my front door using the deco mesh for the first time. Then last year, I changed it up a little for Christmas.

It was okay, but not really me.  Plus, the size was too big and pouffy.  Reminded me of a 1990's prom dress with christmas balls .

So I took it apart and started over for fall.  This time around, I made sure my loops were much smaller.  For step by step directions, click here.

Once the mesh loops were secured with floral wire, the burlap ribbon loops were added to the back.  The finishing touch was a simple bow and some leaves.  I truly love that black chevron burlap ribbon.  

 Yes, simple suits me much better!
How about you?  Do you typically go for the simple, trendy, sparkly, or natural style on your front door?

Amazingly Easy Shaving Cream Craft

You know it is a success when the kids say that was REALLY fun and ask to do it again.

Supplies needed:

1 can of shave cream (not gel!)

acrylic paint in various colors

toothpick or wooden skewer

white cardstock paper

paper plate

1. Spread a thin layer of shaving cream foam over the paper plate. 

2. Add drops of color and swirl with a skewer or toothpick.  Be careful not to swirl too much because it will become a plate of brown goo.

You may be tempted to stop right there and call it a day because, really, this is beautiful art!

3. Cut out a simple shape and gently place it face down onto the plate 'o magic.

 We experimented with different color combinations and shapes.

4. Let dry, and enjoy your masterpiece!


 The house smells very manly-clean when you get done!

Serving Beyond

Some years Mother's Day floats by unannounced and easily forgotten.  Don't get me wrong, my kids and husband always celebrate and treat me like a queen for the day, but this year the celebration took on a new dimension.  Service.  I had the privilege of serving the women of our church at our first annual Mothers Day Tea.  I had been asked to take care of the tables, which was like asking Charlie if he would like to taste the chocolate in the factory.  I had so much fun creating centerpieces and finding all the components to a festive, girly table arrangement.  Finding enough for 200+ ladies was challenging but rewarding.  

 The week prior to the event I was sure my new neighbors thought I had lost my mind.  After all, who spray paints 30+ sticks for two afternoons straight?  Crazy ladies on a budget, that's who!
My sweet man even got involved.  The butterfly paper punch proved to be too much for my little muscles, so he brought in his big guns and cut out more butterflies in 15 minutes than I had done in an hour.

I loved seeing all of the fun little details come together.  I know that in the grand scheme of things, matching straws and navy chocolate covered candies are not that big of deal; but it sure was a joy to see the finished product bless the ladies at the event.  

The greatest delight, however, was watching my sweet mom and my precious girls open their hearts and hands in service as well.  In other words, they worked like the dickens!    My kids (and my mom) worked without complaint on Friday as we set up for 4 hours.  On Saturday, my mom and girls helped load plates, fill tea dispensers, and serve the multitude.  We served enough fruit kabobs and scones to make the English proud.

In reality, I was the one who was proud...  the healthy kind of proud.  I was so proud to see my kids not only do what was asked of them, but to go beyond.  When they finished a task, they asked what they could help with next.  They offered others assistance.  

They served beyond.  

It really didn't matter who noticed, because for a moment it was just between Jesus and me. It was a moment that I gulped in the air that a mother needs to breathe.  The life giving moment when a momma sees the fruit of her labor.  It's the sum of all the little moments of investing into their hearts displayed.  

Yes, I have good kids, but let's be real.  They are typical kids who argue, roll their eyes, make poor choices.  Just like their momma.  They don't serve me bon bons (whatever the heck those are!) and ask if they can put away the dishes.  BUT, in the moment of serving others, they went beyond... and blessings abounded.

Mother's Day afternoon looked like this.  The weather was perfect, so I officially took the day off and read a book by the pond with kids' laughter as my playlist.

I'm linking up with Imparting Grace's Grace at Home series and Titus2sdays

Chalkboard Bling

Do you have a chalkboard?  Do you use it practically or decoratively?  We have one that sits on top of the desk in the kitchen.  It is definitely decorative.  I'd love to add one to the mud room that is practical.  Baby steps, right?  

Anyhoo, we made this chalkboard several years ago with a cabinet door and a can of chalkboard spraypaint.  (See the details here.)

While I love using the Bistro Chalk Markers, sometimes my board looks a little bald.  Since Christmas, I've been adding a little bling to the top of the board.  It's like adding the perfect scarf to an outfit.

Over spring break, I stitched this little banner using some fabric scraps.  By the time our spring break rolled around, Easter was already over, so my "He is Risen" theme got skipped.  I decided to write "Served With Joy" to remind myself to serve my family with joy and to let all who visit our kitchen know that we are joyful about serving them.

Sometimes I use the "bling" as part of the message.  For the month of February I used the "Love" sign (found at Hobby Lobby for $2 last March).  The "one another" is written with a red Bistro marker.

Over Christmas, a glittery "JOY" from Target helped create the message.

The possibilities are endless.  No matter the size of your chalkboard, you can add a little bling.  Maybe a flower for summer or a sprig of leaves for the fall.

Since this board sits up so high, I usually only change it seasonally.

 Eventually, I'd love to have a board that we can all write on: love notes, Bible verses, messages, and lists.  And bling!

What's your favorite use of a chalkboard?

I'm linking up with the Shady Porch and Savvy Southern Style

Crafty Tuesday

We watched the rain come and go at the farm yesterday.

 It was cold enough to keep us indoors.  We decided to create spring with paint and paper.

We go through crafty seasons.  I wish I were more consistent.  We all love doing it.  Until someone gets the I'm-not-good-at-this bug.  But for the most part, my kids still get excited when I pull out the craft stuff.  We used a white crayon to draw Easter eggs, our names, "spring" onto craft paper. I still haven't discovered my box of water color tubes since the move, so we improvised and watered down acrylics.  Tomato, tomoto.  We then brushed lightly with the paint and revealed the image.  Simple fun.

Last night my girls and I had a lesson on pysanky egg making, which is a true art, not just a craft!  A sweet friend invited us into her home (with all the cool supplies) for a lesson on wax and dyes.

We had so much fun learning an ancient craft.  Ours weren't perfect, but we sure had fun leaning!  My friend gave us the etched brown eggs from our hens!
Today the kids wanted to make paper pysanky eggs.

 I found the printables here.

Tomorrow we will read this:

And we will try this easy craft.  I'm going to keep this craft ball (or egg) rolling!
Happy Tuesday!

Easy Mod Podge Flower Craft

 Ready for something easy, fun, and ADORABLE?!  We did this craft with a couple of my girls' friends and I couldn't have been more happy with how they turned out.

Supplies:
   blank canvas (we used 12x12)
   mod podge
   scrapbook paper
   acrylic paint
   sponge brush

 I googled "flower petal template" and printed off two different sizes of the same petal to use as my pattern.  We went through our old scrapbook paper and chose some fun, bright colors with small patterns.
Michaels sells 12x12 in packs of 7 for $20.  With my 50% off coupon, it was a CHEAP craft!  Woot woot!

The hardest part was deciding the background color.  Once the girls got over that hurdle, the fun began.  I let them decide how many flowers and what size they wanted their flowers to be.  The only advice I gave them was that the center of the flower didn't necessarily have to be in the center of the canvas.  I think it looks more whimsical to have it off centered.

I love how different each one turned out.  The girls' personalities really fit their art designs.  

 This is the one my daughter made for her new zebra and pink room.  Love.

My son wanted to get in on the painting part, so I let him choose a color and paint my canvas.  He chose Poppy Red.  Double love.

 Directions:
1. Paint canvas with color of your choice.  Personal opinion: the bright colors look best
2. Cut out petals out of regular weight paper (not cardstock)
3. When paint is dry, arrange petals.
4. Using sponge brush, "paint" bottoms of petals with Mod Podge to make sure they adhere as the MP dries.
5. Generously cover entire canvas with Mod Podge.
6. Enjoy your masterpiece!

*I am not affiliated with ModPodge.  Just have a slight obsession!

I'm joining the party at Imparting Grace, 504 Main, Common Ground