FROM HER.

Nate here with an update today. I know I don't post here as much as I should, but maybe I'll be better in 2012.

Janae surprised me this Christmas with LEGOS! I guess she got the idea one of the several dozen times I've oogled them in the toy aisles. But how could I help it? Legos have just been too awesome lately. We've been having fun building them together.

NINJAS FIGHTING SKELETONS!

 How could we pass up a couple with an air stream trailer?

 We still have one more set to put together, but I thought I'd give you all a peek at the fun we've been having.

FROM HIM.

This ahhh-mazing vintage arrow ring is my favorite gift from the mister this year. I absolutely adore it!

I have been compiling a 'Greatest Hits' album of photos tonight for an end of the year celebration of all the amazingness that has happened. From our new apartment, the best Valentines day, and our first solo vacation, these are all things I will remember and cherish from 2011.

I am getting all sentimental. That's just what the close of a good year does to a girl!

Xo-
Janae

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Merry Christmas! I hope you all had the most magical of days!

 she wore: Forever 21 with exception of Vintage Ring- Christmas gift from the Husb :)

 We may not have had a white Christmas but we sure had a merry one full of family, fun, and of course ... food!

Xo-
Janae + Nate

DIY: FELT WREATH.

1. SUPPLIES NEEDED: Felt in multiple colors, Styrofoam wreath, magnets, glue, scissors. STEP 2: Cut out your felt circles, I used different sized paint bottles as my stencil, you could use any round object. STEP 3: Plan your circles, how you want them layered, what color order. STEP 4: Glue your circles down. Make sure you use a glue that won't melt foam, read the lable to make sure it is truly a multi purpose glue. STEP 5: Glue magnets or a hook to the back of your wreath. I used magnets because we have a metal door.

Super simple, and with the blue color palette I plan on keeping this one on the door all through the winter!

Happy Crafting!

Xo-

Janae

DIY: BE MERRY BANNER.

This project was so much fun to do! I love all of the banners I have been seeing lately and am obsessing over making ones for my favorite holidays.

 You will need: letter stencils (these are actually little post its I found at Target), felt, fabric, ruler, scissors, needle, embroidery thread, rope and a pen. Step 1: place your letters on the base felt color to measure what size you want your square. Step 2: Cut your felt letters out of your second felt color. I traced mine but you could easily just cut around the letters. Step 3: Sew your letters on to your base felt with contrasting embroidery thread. Step 4: Cut out your fabric that will make your banner 'Flag'. I added an inch and a half all the way around. Hem, and fold one end down and create a place for your rope to slide through. Step 5: Sew your letter patches onto your 'flags'. Step 6: String onto your rope, space as desired. Tie the ends off in a loop for easy hanging.

 You can use any holiday saying you want, use your creativity! I am really enjoying the 'Be Merry' theme this year for our nest. Peace & Joy, Merry Christmas, Be Jolly, Ho Ho Ho are some other ones that would be cute :)

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Xo-
Janae

BROWN PAPER PACKAGES TIED UP WITH STRING.

Don't you just love presents under the tree? Most of our gifts have arrived and are wrapped and ready to go. We chose brown paper with yarn, pipe cleaners, wrapping paper cut outs and paint pens to decorate them. I love how they turned out :)

 6 days until Christmas! This week I will have some little crafts that are quick and easy to add some more last minute holiday cheer!

Xo-
Janae

COFFEE BEAN.

Hello there friends!

Have you been to the shop lately? Its all 20% off this week! Its true!

What better way to show your passion for coffee than on your dress? And I am not talking about spillage. We debated at work on whether this print was peanuts, lips, the cereal Smacks, or, as I believe it to be, coffee beans! I guess this would go under 'conversational prints' again?

 she wore: Forever 21

 Due to rain and some mighty wind I had to take cover on our balcony. It was a mild 56 degrees around here today, it almost felt like spring ... the weather is such a tease!

I finally finished our Christmas cards! Each one is different and chosen specially for its recipient, I had so much fun making them this year.

Washi Tape, Pipe Cleaners, Felt, ribbon, Polaroids, and a whole lotta glue and love :)

So glad tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!

Xo-
Janae

FORT CHRISTMAS.

Xo-
Janae and Nate

HOMEMADE GREETINGS.

How I made each card:
Starlight: I free-handed a star shape with Washi Tape and kept layering yellow and orange until I liked the design.
Polaroid: Snapping a picture of a favorite holiday decoration or a family holiday heirloom makes a great little 'happy memories' greeting! Just attach with double side stick tape.
Winter Forest: Felt makes for fun texture, cutting out fir tree shapes and then adding something special like a hand-drawn birdie or snowflakes makes a cute mixed media card.
Sparkly Swirl: Take festive pipe cleaner and wrap around a pencil. Spread out the swirls and glue down in any pattern you choose with craft glue.

Xo-
Janae

HOLIDAY DIY: CHRISTMAS CARD BOX.

This is the official kick-off of 'A Very Crafty Christmas'! I have been crafting away all weekend with some sweet and inexpensive ideas to dress your nest for the holidays.

One of my favorite ones (oh who am I kidding? They are all my favorite :)) is the Christmas Card Box. We don't have enough space to display all of the Christmas cards we receive, and hanging on to the previous years cards/envelopes can help with addresses and who you need to return cards to this year, but where to store them? In a cute box of course!

Supplies Needed: Paper Mache Box (I found mine at Hobby Lobby for $4), Mod Podge, Wrapping Paper, 2 Brushes (one for mod podge, one for painting), Paint, Optional- Ribbon.

1. Tear your wrapping paper into small pieces- if you are just doing the top of the box keep in mind that you will want some straight edges. 2. Begin Mod podging your paper to the top of your box. 3. Start from the outside and work your way in, using straight edged pieces for the edge of your lid. 4. Choose a fun color to compliment your paper. 5. Paint the rest of your box. I painting the larger areas with a larger brush and then went in for the details around the hardware with a smaller one, I wanted to keep the hardware in its original state.

Options:
You could trim your edges with pretty holiday ribbon
Paint or decoupage the interior in the same or a complimenting paper to the outside
Add a high gloss finish (I did in the end, it gave it a polished look and helped seal the top)

Happy crafting!

Its one crazy rainy night here, lots of wind and rain making it oh so nice to stay snuggled inside!

Xo-
Janae