Ladies Craft Night {3 Holiday DIY's}

Well Happy Friday to you all! I wanted to get this post done earlier this week, but if you all follow me on Instagram, you know that we have had some exciting things going on around here! We found out this week the gender of our twins. We couldn't feel more blessed that we are going to have one of each! Eeek! So excited. So lots of doctors appointments ate into my blogging time. But, I think that is a pretty good excuse, don't you?

Last Friday night I had a Holiday craft night with some of my dearest, closest friends. I set out some hors d'ourves and drinks and then we chatted and crafted the night away.

Holiday DIY #1: Book page Potted Trees

I absolutely love how these turned out. They were fairly simple.

Supplies:

*Old Books (found at local thrift store)
*Small Terracotta pots
*Styrofoam balls
*Skewers
*Moss
*Scissors
*Hot Glue Gun
Optional:
-Paint for pots
-Paint Brushes
-Paper or stickers for top of trees

Because we had three projects to complete that night, I made templates for cutting the book pages starting with 4" all the way down to 1 1/2" descending in 1/2" increments.

Of course I don't have pictures on how we assembled the trees. I was talking too much! But, you can probably figure it out. We started with using the templates cutting about 20 pages of each size. Then we picked what moss we wanted (I had options) and hot glued the styrofoam ball to the pot as well as the moss to the top of the styrofoam ball. Next, we pushed the skewer into the center of the ball and started stacking our book pages on top. Starting with 4" all the way down to 1/2". We alternated the pages turning them every couple to create a textured look.

Some friends decided to paint some gold trim on their pot. Some even decided to start with 3 1/2" template making for a skinnier tree. The possibilities are endless I tell ya! 

Holiday DIY #2: Christmas Tags

This was a great craft where everyone could be creative and do their own thing. I placed out lots of supplies like: washi tape, glue, buttons, stickers, glitter, ribbon, makers, chalk pens, etc. I also cut different color and size tags with my Silhouette. If you don't have a cutting machine, you could always pick up some pre-cut tags from Jo-Ann's or Michaels....and don't forget to use your coupons!

Holiday DIY 3#: Sugar Hand Scrub

This little craft was so easy and only takes two ingredients! Sugar & Soap!

Supplies Needed:
*Sugar
*Dawn (Pink) Dish Soap with Hand Renewal
*Jelly Jars
*Spoon
*Label (optional)

First, fill your jar about 2/3rds full with sugar. Next, squeeze your soap to fill the rest of the space to just below the lip of the jar.

Lastly, Stir the two ingredients together. Mix well. I had to add just a touch more sugar to mine to make it a bit more like a paste. That's It!!

Some friends added a little coconut oil to the mix. You could probably also add an essential oil, but is not needed. It smells magnificent anyway and really makes your hands nice and soft. A Must Try!

A great little neighbor or hostess gift and doesn't take any time at all!


We really had a wonderful time socializing all together. I can't believe I didn't even get a picture of my beautiful friends. Oh well...there is always next year!

So what do you all think? Are these DIY's you would like to try?

Have a wonderful weekend! I will have my holiday home tour up for you next week...right after I finish my shopping. Yikes!

Haven Conference {Recap}

Hi All! I am finally rested and rejuvenated from my amazing weekend away. If you are a blogger and have never stepped out of your comfort zone to attend a blogging conference, I highly recommend it. This is my 3rd conference and my second Haven Conference. Conferences are a great way to meet so many talented individuals from around the country while learning new tips and tricks as bloggers and DIYers. If you aren't a blogger, think about different classes in your area that would be fun for you to get involved with. You never know where stepping out of your comfort zone might take you.

The conference was held at the beautiful Crown Plaza just north of downtown Atlanta. It was decorated top to bottom for our arrival. Classes were held throughout the day and cocktail events were held late into the evenings.

There might have been some dancing involved, but some things are best kept secret! hehe

During breaks throughout the day we were able to visit so many wonderful sponsors. They had some adorable booths set up where we had a chance to win a product or just connect with a representative. 

Of course I loved the Online Fabric Store booth...full of patterns and pillows! 

I even received some fabric and can't wait to get started on a project. 

{Photo with Jen & Angie}

There was also a lot of shenanigans that went on including this photo above where we are trying to take a shower together just to win a free shower head. So glad I did it because the shower head is quite fabulous and I can't wait to get it installed. 

{Me posing with Home Depot's Sign}

A bad picture, but I was trying to show some Midwest girls how to pose with the right amount of southern hip! These ladies thought it was hilarious. They kept wanting to take pictures so they could try the "southern" way of posing. Too funny! Sometimes you just have to roll with it. Did you know there was a certain way to pose in the south? Me either! HA!

These fabulous sponsors also spoiled us this year with a dynamite swag bag full of goodies:

The absolute best part of this conference was connecting with friends new and old. There are so many wonderful bloggers out there that are new to me and I so enjoyed meeting each and every one. I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed last year at Haven. I thought the "big time" bloggers were stars and I was so nervous to approach them. But let me tell you...they are just like everyone else! Who knew that some of these online bloggers would become some of my closest friends in real life.

{Lauren, Danielle & me}- Raleigh Bloggers

{me & my favorite blondes Megan, Cassie & Jen}

Some new friends that I had the pleasure eating lunch with one day. They are just the sweetest and I can't wait to keep in touch with each one of them!

{Wendy, Kim, me & Claire}

{me & Sarah} So happy I got to meet this talented girl! 

{Jen & I saying our final good-bye until next year!}

I absolutely love this blogging community. It amazes me that every time I step out of my comfort zone I am the one who is blessed with new friendships to last a lifetime. Whether you are a blogger, stay at home mom or career women...make sure you take the chance to step out of your inner-circle. I promise you won't regret it! 

A HUGE thank you to the Haven Team for all of their hard work. I am so excited for next year!