Need a gift for someone with a 3, 4, 5, or 6 letter name?

I'd seen these before in some catalog for a ridiculously high price. I am plagued with the disorder of looking at everything I might want to buy and trying to figure out a way to make it :P hahaha Sometimes it's just easier to buy it. HOWEVER, in this case it was super simple to create and the result exceeded my expectations.
My first disclaimer is this, I've only seen the type of photo frame you would need to do this project in numbers of 3, 4, 5, or 6. I've really only ever looked at Target, Wal-mart, (where I got the six-photo one I neede) & K-Mart though, so somewhere else might have the amount you need. Or you could possibly just use separate frames put together. OR you could collage your photos together youself with the computer and print them out on some framed print size (11"x14"vmaybe). Anyways, here's what I did, you could totally do this too! It was fun!

1. Pick your name you want to spell out and find a frame/decide what size/format you want your letters to be
2. Go out and take some pictures with the letters in mind. Could that stair rail look like the letter S? What about the molding on the old theater building? The possibilities really are limitless here. You could even look to nature, architecture, hardware on the doors. As long as you've got some sort of photo editing program it really doesn't matter how you take your picture as long as the "letter" is in there.
   
3. Once you've got at least 1 option per letter (i took a few because I wasn't so sure how they would all look together). Upload them and crop them so they make a pronounced letter shape. You can also mess with the color/lighting. I made all of mine black and white with pumped up contrast, I find that they make up for my lacking photography skills :)
   
4. Arrange your letters in the frame and voila!
   

I had a lot of fun with this project and really loved how it turned out!!! Alas, my own last name is tragically long so I won't be making one for myself any time soon :)

***If you don't feel like taking these but like the look, I think some folks on etsy do them. Just search architecture alphabet and you should find 'em.

Create The Perfect Holiday Crafting Environment

1. Have at least a grande Pumpkin Spice Latte on hand (oh how I truly, truly love them).

2. Prepare a cozy/inspiring crafting soundtrack. My current favorites to get my creative juices flowing are "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson (yes, I was suckered into loving this song through the means of an Old Navy commercial, but listen to it while it's chilly outside and you've got a ball of yarn and some broken in knitting needles in your lap, and you'll know what I mean) and "The Man With The Bag"' which is just a really great Christmas song . . . possibly also used in an Old Navy commercial several years back . . . I am a sucker! OR

3. Pop in a cozy/inspiring happy movie to play in the background. (Love Actually, Elf, Olive the Other Reindeer, etc.)

4. Make sure you have all the supplies and utensils you need!!!! I spent WAY too much time in Wal-Mart today because the sharpener that came with my kitchen knife set failed to sharpen the only pair of scissors I could find. (However, I am now the proud owner of shiny, sharp scissors!)

5. Get that baby down for a nap or that Grandma over to watch her! I did manage to cut a few pattern pieces while Miss Y feasted on some Banana star puffs, but that's the extent of my "While She's Awake" crafting.

My new love affair with Michael Miller and Alexander Henry

It's official, I'm in love with two men that are not my husband . . . or at least their fabric designs. I'd been drawn to Alexander Henry before. His bold colors and unusual designs (i.e., pagodas, kittens, jewel-toned wild grasses) had peeked my interest whenever I stumbled across them. But, ladies and gentlemen, I have recently fallen HEAD OVER HEELS in love with both his and Michael Miller's holiday fabrics! They are the utmost epitomy of christma-fabulous and I foresee some horribly tragic overspending in my very, very near future. I've been yearning to fling myself into some serious Holiday crafting for a possible craft bizzare in early December, but find myself presently swimming in a sea of precious new baberlets and baberlets-to-be, which has, in turn, filled all my "Y is sleeping so it's time to craft" time into baby afghan making time. But these fabrics have given me an extra surge of crocheting-stamina to finish these lovely baby blankies and make some truly truly glam-fabulous-holiday-extravaganza Christmas Crafts! Take a peek, but beware, they'll make a sewer out of you! (and I don't even like to sew!!!)

Election Day Etsy

No, I did no make any election day crafts. However, I did find these amazing ones on etsy :) I love cruisin' the etsy aisles with a theme in mind :) You should try it sometime.

Spoonflower for everyone!

I love cute fabrics! With Spoonflower, you can make your own! Previously by "invitation only" Spoonflower.com is now open for anyone who wants to make their own designs. Prices are $11 for a fat quarter and $18 per yard. Check it out!

http://www.spoonflower.com/

Winter Pillows

While I enjoy Halloween and Fall immensly, I find myself just anxious to get over the "hump" of Friday so I can fling myself into full-fledged winter holiday mode. I'm just ready to super-Christmas-ify my life :) I know that is nausiating to many people (my husband included). But I just love it! Especially when it comes to crafting. The project of the weekend should have been Halloween centerpieces/decorations for a party, but my mind jumped ahead and I can't say I'm sorry. Cute critters, warm winter accessories, and snippets from winter-y songs have all melted together in my creative consciousness and the outcome is really fun and fabulous so far :) My inspiration is all about winter right now: bunnies in red boots, snowflakes with giant glasses, a gorgeous Tiffany box blue flannel fabric I found in the bargain bin at Wal-Mart! I'm trying to focus all these fun ideas into a cohesive "collection" of winter-y throw pillows, but I can't promise they won't spill over and accidentally turn into some Holiday Cards, tote bags, or even jewelry and such . . . Keep an eye on my shop if you're interested in any of these.