About a week ago, my daughter asked me about the red bar at the top of my website.
What happens if I click it?
You get crafty emails with Christmas crafts and DIY ideas.
This apparently piqued her interest.
Really? Crafts that people can actually do?
Yes. Of course. That's the whole point of sharing...
In fact, it's the whole point of my blog. To share inexpensive and easy craft and DIY ideas that absolutely anyone can do.
Without any prior experience.
To decorate their home.
To be honest, I was kind of shocked at this line of questioning since I've been doing this for over 7 years now and the kids have been here watching me for all of it.
I couldn't understand why this all seemed like new information.
No. It's not new information, it's just that well...you're crafty.
And..
.I responded.And you make really beautiful things...naturally. I'm just not sure they're as easy as you might think they are...you know...
For normal people.
Well. First of all, I thanked her for the lovely compliment, but then I assured her that I was a lot less talented than she thought I was and truly anyone could do these things.
I even told her stories and showed her the many pictures I'd received over the years of projects and curtains, all based on my posts.
All made by other people.
Yes, other crafty people...
Not necessarily. I'm sure there were some beginners in the group.
Mmhmm...we'll see...
So you know what that stinker did?
She decided to test it out and told me she was going to challenge herself to make some of the crafts in my holiday tab.
Apparently after months stuck in the house, we're running out of things to do.
No, she assured me that it wasn't boredom, it was scientific.
She wanted to see if real people, who had no formal crafty training, could replicate my projects. Of course, I told her that wasn't always the goal.
A lot of times my projects are really just there to serve as inspiration, that people could take them and make them fit their individual style, home or taste.
Ok...than that, too.
And with those words, she was off and running. Raiding my craft closet.
First on the list, was one ofmy gift bag wooden sign posts.
That sent her ripping through my box of Christmas wrapping where she found a bag I was going to make a sign from last year, but never got around to.
When she couldn't find a board in the garage that fit, she emerged from the living room, where I had just finished redecorating, with a picture frame I decided not to use and said, Do you need this?
Nope, have at it.
Over the next 15 minutes or so, she gathered ribbon and scissors and clear packing tape and created her own gift bag Christmas decor.
She cut the front of the bag out, so it was a flat rectangle that would fit in the frame.
Then she cut the ribbon to create a matte for the bag. It was more dramatic and festive than the plain white one it came with.
She used clear tape to hold it all together.
Lastly, she put everything back under the glass and closed up the backing and - ta-da - she had a gorgeous new accent for the holidays.
I have to say, I was quite impressed with her version of my craft and I think she was, too.
Hmmm. Easier than I thought.
Score one for mom.
It's actually perfect and exactly what I hope people will do with my crafts...make them their own. Work with what they have and create what makes them smile.
Even if it's not red?
Well, let's not get crazy.
However, since blue is her favorite color, when she tried one more craft, just to be sure, she incorporated it.
Following the directions from my sock angel ornament post, she made her own boy sock angel ornament. Can you even stand it? Isn't he darling?
Since we already had a girl angel, we clearly needed a boy.
Using her newly rediscovered knitting skills, she whipped up a blue cap, in place of a halo, and now we have an adorable pair for our tree.
Or a gift for my nephew's little one on the way...baby boy's first Christmas ornament perhaps?
That decision is still up in the air. However, the verdict is in and apparently, I was right.
It was easy. They were all easy.
You were right.
I was right...
Words a mother of two adult girls...young women...doesn't often hear.
My easy, inexpensive - since we had all the supplies on hand- and very elegant craft tutorials had passed the test.
And now I have two {more} projects to prove it.
Made by a real person.
A college student, in fact.
Not a crafter.
Well. I guess she is now.
And that's the point, isn't it?
Have you ever made one of my crafts?
