DIY Spring Moss Wreath

Dear Reader,

This is the longest part of winter in my opinion.  Once we reach mid-February, I become quite done with the weather and begin the transition to spring decor in our home even if the snow and bare trees and chilly temps suggest that spring is nowhere near!

An evergreen wreath still hung on our front door a week ago, and so I decided it was time to work on a new one.  I thought a moss wreath would provide an earthy and fresh spring look, and so I picked up supplies to craft one:

I used a grapevine wreath and hot glued bright green Spanish moss onto the wreath, leaving some exposed vine pieces.  Warning: Attaching the moss is a messy process! Then I used some spring embellishments (a nest and paper mâché bird) to provide the finishing touches.  Here is how it turned out:

This is an easy and inexpensive wreath that would be a fun addition to a front door (in my case) or to a mantel, entryway, etc. also.

I am linking up with Tatertots and Jello and Or so she says... and Osie Moats, and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Treasury: Lime

After a long break, here is my latest treasury on Etsy.  Lime seemed a nice choice with the freshness and brightness of this color (and perhaps my anxiousness that spring will arrive soon!)  Enjoy!

Free Printable for Valentine's Day

Dear Reader,

I am becoming more of a fan of Valentine's Day.  For a while I considered it too much of a greeting card holiday, but I have come to the opinion that any holiday that encourages us to reach out in love to one another should be embraced.

I have put together my first printable (sized for an 8X10 frame) for you to download.  I find myself returning to this verse often in thinking about how I spend my day and how I live out life with others (not perfectly by any means, but with the intention of love.)

I hope you have a wonderful February 14!

Winter ONEderland Party

Dear Reader,

As I mentioned in my last post, our daughter turned one a few days after Christmas.  We celebrated her birthday over the weekend between Christmas and New Years.  We are going to keep tweaking the best timing for her birthday party because it seemed quite busy (maybe a little too full!) to go right from Christmas to birthday party prep!

Given the timing of her first birthday, I decided to use a winter ONEderland theme for the party.  Here are a few of my favorite details:

coffee filter wreath using this tutorial

paper snowflakes

streamers on a hoop (which my dear husband put together)

bucket of funny glasses for a little photo booth

In the end, the best part of the celebration was watching our sweet girl take it all in!  Somehow she really seemed to grasp that it was all about her, and she loved every minute of it!

Late to the party

Dear Reader,

How are you, friend?  My summer vacation from blogging extended into fall and early winter too!  The first months of the year are always an energizing time for me - yes, even in the midst of winter grays days in Michigan.  I love making fresh to do lists, reorganizing our home while putting away the Christmas decorations, and considering what the year could hold.

Our son started kindergarten this fall which brought a new rythm to our family life and a realization of just how fast our boy is growing up!  We celebrated our daughter's first birthday three days after Christmas and watched her take off walking soon thereafter.  I consider my time delightfully full with great joys and moments of challenge.

I have missed the time to create - with words and with crafting items.  January brought the start of my enjoyment of Pinterest and Instagram (both under sincerelyabi).  I am late to join them, but realizing the fun of these sites now.  And with them has brought renewed interest in creating and reimagining.

And block making?  Not right now.  Maybe again someday.  The ideas are still there!  For today, short term projects seem to fit my lifestyle best.

Thanks for reading, and more on new projects soon!