#DIY4Halloween - Scrappy Burlap Pumpkin Pillow

Hello Lovelies! I am so excited to get back on this here blog and share a fun craft I made today! I am in full fall decorating mode and I have loved searching Pinterest for some more fun, thrifty ideas to decorate my home on a budget. Recently I have been seeing so many fun burlap pillow ideas. I am a huge fan of burlap and I have always wanted to make a pillow, but have not taken the time to do so. Since the kids were working on an independent writing assignment, I decided to pull out my craft stuff and get to creating.

I recently purchased some fall themed fabric fat quarters and burlap from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store. (Oh how I heart that place. It is my Disneyland!).  My craft glue I already had in my stash. It is the new Aleene's Craft Glue. This stuff is awesome-sauce people! No more shaking that bottle till the glue runs to the tip of the bottle. The new design means the glue is always ready for you! Oh and it is only a few dollars a bottle, which is always a score in my book!

Once I had my items ready to go, I got to crafting!

I took my rectangle of burlap and made sure it measured 22x16 inches. This makes a small size pillow. Increase your measurements if you want a larger pillow.

I folded my rectangle in half and pinned around the sides. Sew around the sides, leaving an opening to reverse your pillow and fill with stuffing.

Once the pillow is sewn, it is time to add your fabric scraps. I cut small strips from my various fat quarters. I tried to get a good mix of fall colors when I was picking out my fabric. I love my decor to be able to be out not only for Halloween, but for turkey day as well. I feel like then you get more use out of your decorations. I figure if I am going to take the time to make them, I want to be able to enjoy them as long as I can:)

Lay out your scraps of paper to find out which pattern you like the best. I did a fun mix of patterns. Once I had them in the right order, I trimmed around them so my fabric would start to resemble a pumpkin. 

I placed a piece of construction paper inside, so that when I began to glue on my fabric, any glue that squished through the burlap would go on the paper.

A double line of glue on each strip is more than enough to glue your fabric onto your pillow. I added a gold and black chevron ribbon for the stem. I am in love with the metallic chevron ribbon! Too fun!

Once your pumpkin is glued, allow it to dry for about an hour.  After it is all dried, it is time to fill your pillow. I have been reading a lot about people filling outside pillows with plastic grocery bags. I have been itching to try this. I think it is such a frugal way to craft and recycle as well!

I was able to use up my stash of plastic bags with this pillow. Once my pillow was stuffed, I sewed up the side by hand.

 

Easy peasy! I love how this brightens up our front walkway! It definitely puts me in the fall craft mood! I loved this fun pillow so much, I decided to add some fun damask print pillows as well! Throw some Funkins into the mix and you're golden!

 

Joann Fabric & Craft Stores is hosting a campaign called Trick or Trick: A Halloween to DIY for! So tag your photos on any social media outlet using the hashtag #DIY4Halloween

To be Halloween inspired go to the Sharing Hub on Joann.com.  Here is a sneak peek of what you can find on there…

Looking for more Halloween Inspiration?

Try out these ideas from the archives :)

Halloween Rosette Wreath

Halloween Movie List

Halloween Bucket List

Halloween Printable

Halloween Dipped Marshmallows

Teacher Treat Halloween Bags

Paper Plate Pumpkin Craft

Halloween Book List

Shabby Chic Puppy Costume

What have you been creating lately?

XO Danielle

National Craft Month With Joann Fabric -- Radiant Orchid Wreath

The following review is part of the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores® National Craft Month campaign.  
I received compensation for this review; however, this is my personal, honest opinion based on my experience.

It's National Craft Month!  That means that we need to stop what we are doing, and get our craft on! Jo-Ann makes spring crafting easy peasy during National Craft Month with a $5 off $25 or more purchase coupon and a spring crafting inspiration website.

To celebrate National Craft Month, I decided to focus on this seasons hottest new color? Have you all heard what it is? It's radiant orchid and I have been seeing it all over Pinterest lately. Whether its a flowing skirt, wall color, or a fabulous new wreath, I am in love! That deep purple is on my gorgeous radar right now. 

After drooling over this rich purple hue, I knew I needed to make a wreath in that color. I had a simple vision of a yarn wrapped wreath, with yellow floral accents. I love wreaths. They're kind of my crafting kryptonite.  I have at least four in my house right now and one on my front door...I know I know...a bit much, but I love them. They're easy to make and beautiful to look at.....not to mention I once found 20 wreath forms at a thrift store for $15. Now I can make a wreath anytime I want...I mean those wreath forms aren't going to beautify themselves!  

With my wreath image in mind, I needed supplies, but the thought of bringing my littles into Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store did not sound fun. I had been having a crazy week of homeschool, spring cleaning, and many littles extra curricular lessons. Then the light bulb went off and I remembered I could get my supplies online. I ordered my goodies (using coupons from my Joann app) and the following week I was able to get my craft on. 

I put those littles to bed, got my supplies out, and watched Dancing With the Stars (I'm team DJ Tanner).

You can hot glue on your flowers, but I just pinned them in place. I also used ribbon to hang my wreath up. The yellow and purple just makes me smile! What have you been creating this month?

You can get all the items listed above to make your own Radiant Orchid Wreath at your local JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store or online~

Here is a fantastic coupon from JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store so you can 

make something fun too!

XO Danielle

Celebrate the Season: DIY Wooden Blocks

Today I have a new craft for you all to help celebrate the season with Joann Fabric and Craft Store. There is nothing that makes me happier than creating, so I snagged a few goodies from Joann Fabric and Craft Store, set up my GLEE episodes via Hulu+, and got to crafting.

I used my Christmas and Winter Paper Stack from DCWV and wooden blocks I bought with a coupon. I wanted to create a Christ themed Christmas decoration, so blocks spelling out His named would be perfect. These blocks just make me happy...making them reminded me how much I love scrapbooking and working with fun patterned papers.

To make your own Christ blocks, you only need to follow a few steps.
Start by painting your blocks. Make sure that the sides are covered completely with paint. (Check out my silly tutorial video on instagram). Once dry, trace your letters onto scrapbook paper. I used DCWV 12x12 Christmas and Winter Paper Stack. I love these, since you know all the papers coordinate with one another. Cut out your letter and trim the sides if needed.



Use modge podge to adhere your paper onto the blocks.
 Add ribbon, twine, and other baubles.

Joann Fabric and Craft Store has a fun coupon for all you lovelies today :)




XO Danielle

DIY Service Themed Christmas Countdown

A few days ago my sisinlaw posted a link on facebook. It was to a blog where a sweet person had set up a countdown of 25 days of Christ. I loved the idea of this. Focusing on Christ for the full month of December sounded like an amazing idea. I didn't want to buy the ornaments (although they are super cute), so we have just been following along with the scripture reading each night. It has been a great way to end our busy days. I always feel like come 7 pm I am at my wits end. I am one tired mama, who still has to make it till that 8 pm bed time. During that last hour, before my mommy quiet time, we are brushing teeth, reading stories, doing pajamas, and all that goodness. There are usually fights to break up, cups that have been spilled, and everything else you could imagine. In the past few weeks that hour has seem to have gotten crazier and crazier. I knew we needed a little help.

While watching this video, the idea of a 10 days of service came to mind. I had already received some amazing goodies from Joann Fabric and Craft Store and DCWV, which I knew would be perfect for this project.

I don't want my children or myself to get caught up in the commercialism that is found with Christmas. I want us to remember that Christmas is about Christ. I figured 10 days of service would be a great way for my littles and myself to remember the birth of our Savior and to focus on serving other.

Whether you want to make yours a religious countdown or not, that's totally up to you, there are some many fun activities/acts of service your countdown could have in it. The possibilities are endless, which is why I love it!

Once I had my plan, I got out all my crafting goodies....ribbon, glitter, glue, and some DCWV paper stacks. I love all their coordinating papers. It made pattern mixing so easy!

I used The Winter Basic Stack and The Christmas Basics Stack, both in the 6x6 size, for the paper pockets. I also used The Christmas and Winter Glitter Stack for the pocket inserts.

This was a simple project to make. I used one 6x6 piece of paper for the back of my pocket. I then took another sheet of 6x6 paper, in a coordinating pattern and ripped it in half to make the front of the pocket. I used my sewing machine to keep everything together. Glue would work too, but I love the extra goodness the stitches add to each pocket. I also added a few odds and ends too!

Once my pockets were completed I added inserts, using the glitter stack pack.
My kids are very excited to start our countdown. I taped my pockets onto our chalkboard wall and we can't wait to start counting down with our acts of service. Below is a list of what we will be doing during our countdown. 

10 Days of Service 

bake cookies and share them with a friend
make and send a card to a relative
make a meal and share it with a family at church
do yard work for a neighbor
donate food to the local food bank
donate toys to charity
make pillowcases for ConKerr and deliver them
Donate to Operation Smile (all donations double this month)
Buy a present for a needy child (donate to firefighters to deliver)


I'm missing one more act of service. Any ideas?

 

XO Danielle 

Shop at Joann's and save this December!
 Here's a 50% off coupon for all you lovelies!

DIY Trick or Treat Tote

 

Good morning lovelies! I have been in crafting over drive the past few days and boy does it feel good. There is just something about sitting down and crafting that calms my heart. It is that little bit of "me time" I sometimes need after the end of a long day. I love sharing those crafts with my family as well, specifically those munchkins.
 

Since it is Halloween, I knew my chickadees would be needing new candy totes. We are all about the Trunk of Treat in our house. We trunk or treat at church, at our community center, and any other opportunity we get. We basically stock up on candy in October...Who doesn't right?

Earlier this month, Joann Fabric and Craft Store sent me a goodie box in the mail. In that box was a canvas bag. It was the perfect size for filling with our candy haul this Halloween.





I added some polka-dots to one side of my canvas tote. I used round sponge brushes I purchased at Joann's. Want to know a secret? I rinse out my brush, so I can get more use out of them. Since I rinse out my brushes, I don't have to replace them as often.

After my polka-dots dried, I added a black flower. I love to purchase flowers when they're on sale at Joann's. I added an alligator clip to the back of the flower, so after Halloween is over I can use the flower in my hair.
 

Now that we have our totes, we're ready to get our trunk or treat on. There are Reese's and Twix to stock up on....and freckled faces to enjoy them.

Happy Halloween Lovelies!

Tune in tomorrow for my Shabby Chic Puppy Tutorial.

XO Danielle

Use this Joann Fabric and Craft Store Coupon to Save some $$ this Halloween

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