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Denise Breimeir
A few years ago, I saw this wreath on Pinterest and was inspired to make a wreath like it. I then searched for and found a great yarn wreath making tutorial on Pinterest. I was so happy with how my wreath turned out, that I started making yarn wreaths for other seasons and holidays, and now I have a collection of them to change out with the seasons and enjoy all year long on my front door. Yarn wreath making can become addictive because the wreaths are so easy and fun to make. Wrapping the wreath with yarn does take…
Here is a collection of photos of all the wreaths I’ve made over the years, in the order I’ve made them. For more DIY details on how to make your own yarn wreath, see my St. Patrick’s Day wreath post. When I need inspiration, I browse wreath makers on Etsy and Pinterest, and see what seasonal decorations I find at my local craft store. Which one do you like the best? I’m contemplating making an Easter wreath next. I hang a wreath made of fresh greenery for December, so I haven…
On Valentine’s Day, or All Hearts Day as it’s known in Sweden, I had a date with the new IKEA Fishers store! I’ve wished for a central Indiana IKEA for years, since the store closest to me until now was the Cincinnati location in West Chester, OH. So I was thrilled when IKEA opened just five miles from my house last October 11. (I’ll always remember the opening date since my friend Rebecca’s baby was born on the same day.) I can’t believe I waited four months to check out the new store…
Super Bowl Sunday was super indeed! The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl, and I had a pre-game meal at our new Portillo’s for the first time ever (they’re famous for hot dogs, and I’d been craving a good hot dog!). But those weren’t even the best parts of the day. The highlight was my friend Jessica’s Year of Cards Make and Take class. I love her card classes and attend as many of them as I can. During the class attendees choose five projects to make for a class…
My friend Rebecca’s daughter Abbie just turned three on Groundhog’s Day and celebrated the occasion with a fun birthday party. She was REALLY into playing with all her presents this year and enjoyed everything about her birthday cake, from the adorable Daniel Tiger design her Grammy made to the ice cream accompanying it, and us singing Happy Birthday to her. Unfortunately her birthday fell on a bright, cold day, so she saw her shadow and we’re in for six more weeks of winter! Abbie is the cutest little fairy princess so I wanted to make a card…
Today’s the day! I’m excited to announce the grand opening of the Gnome Décor online shop, featuring handcrafted goodies like greeting cards, tags, goody bags, and gifts. I’m opening the shop with a collection of Valentines and will be adding more Valentines soon, then introduce birthday cards and tags. I plan to add more items in a week, so let me know if there is anything in particular you’re looking for. You can email me at gnomedecor@gmail.com or leave a comment below. Check out a video of all the products on Facebook now…
Oh the weather outside is frightful! Greetings from Indiana on a snowy and icy day where I’m stuck inside and dreaming of spring. Luckily we had a five day break from winter’s extremes earlier this week, so I was able to squeeze in a visit to the Indiana Chinese Lantern Festival on the last day of its run. I’d been trying to get to this new event since opening day November 24, but between a full schedule for Christmas and the two weeks long deep freeze that followed, it didn’t happen sooner. Temperatures were in…
I hope your 2018 has gotten off to a great start! It’s been bone-chilling cold here in Indiana for the past week and a half, as it has been for many parts of the world. Yesterday we were at -12 F, colder than both the North and South Poles! Today it’s snowing, because the side streets weren’t slick enough already. Can you sense my sarcasm, and tell winter is my least favorite season? Bring on Spring… I’m already dreaming of flowers! My favorite belonging these days is my electric blanket. And I’m bringing in…
Merry Christmas! This holiday season is going by faster than any I can remember and the past month has been a blur! Luckily before I got wrapped up in everything I had to do, I was able to slow down and enjoy several Christmas festivities with friends and family like the Handmade Ornament Exchange and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Another holiday activity I enjoyed earlier this Christmas season with my parents was the inaugural Winterlights at Newfields, the new name for the Indianapolis Museum of Art and its gardens. A million lights were used to create the Winterlights display and they…
Happy Handmade Holidays! Last Saturday’s cozy get together with crafty friends for a handmade Christmas ornament exchange was one of the highlights of this year’s Christmas season for me. I’ve hosted handmade ornament exchanges twice before in past years, but it had been four years since the last exchange. (Where does time go?) This year I organized the event; my mom and I provided snacks; and my friends Erin and Deanna graciously hosted the event at their art studio Caravan Classes in downtown Noblesville. This is the same awesome studio that had an Artist Halloween Party I…
Season’s greetings! The most wonderful time of the year is here, or – if you prefer the warm weather months like me – at least, the most festive! My favorite part of Christmas is making memories, so I love to attend various Christmas events, and this year I am so thrilled there are several new Christmas festivals in central Indiana. Now, how to find time to check them all off my list? 2017 marks the first year for the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, which is open Wednesday through Sunday from now until December 24. There is no admission charge and parking is free…
I never realized making tags could be so much fun until I took tag classes at Archiver’s several years ago (R.I.P. to my favorite scrapbook store of all time). At Christmas time they had a workshop called 10 Little Tags which my mom and I took it each year they offered it. Every tag we made was completely different, and perfect for dressing up Christmas presents. In fact, I still have some Archiver’s originals stashed away somewhere because I couldn’t bear to give away my favorites all at once. Lately I’ve been obsessed…
Today I’m sharing some last-minute quick & easy fall decorating ideas that you can enjoy now before it’s time to put up the Christmas tree. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, or just prefer waiting until after that last fall holiday is over to decorate for Christmas, here are quick ways to incorporate some fall touches into your décor now. November tends to be overlooked for seasonal decorating. Halloween is over and Christmas decorating hasn’t yet begun, although many people do start on their Christmas displays in November. My tradition is to start decorating for Christmas…
This past weekend was warm and rainy, the kind of weather that fools you into thinking Christmas is much further away than it actually is. Some of my perennials are confused and are starting to show signs of Spring growth from the mild temperatures and rainy days. We’ve had frost but not a hard frost so my fall fairy gardens are still going strong too. But there are only – GET THIS – 50 days until Christmas. Gulp. So when my CFF (craft friend forever) Wendie invited me over for a Saturday crafternoon, I was determined to focus…
Happy Halloween! I hope you are enjoying a spooky sweet day that’s filled with terrifyingly tasty treats and creative fun! My favorite way to celebrate any holiday is with good friends, family, and crafts, so when I heard Caravan Classes was having an Artist Halloween Party, I made plans to attend this fun event with my mom. Caravan Classes is an amazing local business that offers art classes, parties, events and custom art projects for both kids and adults. They have a studio by the Noblesville, Indiana courthouse square and also a vintage camper which serves as a…