Archive for the ‘Holiday’ Category

This fall DIY tutorial will show you every step in how to make a fall mum pallet door hanging with your initials on it for under $20!

Mmmmm, crisp fall air, sweaters, leaves as they flutter to the cool ground…these are just a few of my favorite things about fall & I can’t believe that it’s (finally) almost here (even if it doesn’t feel like it yet). One of my other favorite parts of fall is picking out the perfect mums and enjoying their colorful, hearty blooms for the season. That’s exactly what inspired my DIY tutorial today—I just couldn’t wait for the right season to get planting mums all over the entryway, so I thought I’d just make my own a little bit ahead of time! Read on to see how you can make your own fall door hanging, instead of the same old wreath! (Continue reading…)

Schedule your sewing and quilting projects with this yearly schedule to make sure that all your projects get done on time!

August is here—and I’m already ashamed that I haven’t yet started a Christmas Quilt, or my nephew’s quilt for his birthday (in October!). Somehow, these big events that come around every year surprise us. We then find ourselves up until all hours of the night sewing, ripping out, and mumbling a few select words. Then off to the longarmers to beg a rush job on this particular project! I always think that I’m going to be right on schedule with my projects, but then life gets in the way—every time! Today I’d like to share a few tips with you on when to start quilting and sewing projects so that you meet your deadlines! (Continue reading…)

This is a gorgeous DIY sewing tutorial to make a felt table runner for Valentine's Day! It's really easy and I love that it's a dimensional table runner!

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to go a little over the top, a little girly, and certainly fancy. My family always enjoyed a “love fest” dinner and decorations complete with a giant heart-shaped cookie every year. It’s a fun time to spend with your closest friends and family. Today, I’m sharing a free pattern with you that is sure to set the mood for your very own love fest, Valentine’s Day tea, or whatever you like to call your Love Day gathering! (Continue reading…)

sole-candle-on-cake-1323916-639x968

Rachel: Are you sure your anniversary isn’t the 25th?

Sara: Yes, I’m sure. It’s always been the 5th.

Rachel: Well, my board says the 25th…sorry!

Yes, I am that Rachel and my sister, Sara, has been married for 5 years. Apparently I’ve gotten their anniversary wrong for the past 5 years! The board I’m talking about was my inspired attempt to remember everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries—clearly it has not worked! My new year’s resolution for 2016 is to actually send my loved ones birthday and anniversary cards on time. I know that doesn’t seem like a huge thing for some people, but I feel so special when my family and friends remember my special day! There’s nothing better than getting your very own birthday card from someone who really remembered. I’d much rather get a single card than 50 Happy Birthday posts on my Facebook wall from people who don’t acknowledge me the rest of the year.

(Continue reading…)

Christmas Joy

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! Christmas Eve has always been my favorite day of the year, even more than Christmas Day. It’s the magical, sweet, candlelit calm before the storm of flying wrapping paper and stockings pregnant with Reese’s and little goodies. There are candlelit hymns sung in my small home-town church, followed by snacks and board games with friends, cousins, aunts & uncles—it’s truly the most magical day of the year for me and I can’t wait to get home tonight!

(Continue reading…)

Antique Bed

Pennsylvanians do some weird things, and no matter what it is, we totally embrace it as “part of our Dutch roots.” Whether it’s saying phrases like “all the further,”  indulging in whoopie pies, or hiding pickles in our Christmas trees—we love our weirdness. Today, I’ve got a new one for you: his name is Belsnickle. You may have heard the name before, or even seen him represented as someone like Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Belsnickle comes from our PA-Dutch folklore. It’s said that he would visit children for two weeks, starting the week before Christmas, switches in hand. Yeah…you read that right: switches. (Continue reading…)

Holiday Tree Napkin

This quick and adorable tutorial is perfect for hostess gifts, grandparents, or for your own table. These half-circle Christmas tree napkins are more interesting than a square napkin and sew up in a jiffy! There’s a ton of different ways to fold them too! Below I’ll teach you how to fold then how to sew half-circle napkins, starting with a simple Christmas tree fold!

(Continue reading…)

Embroidered PillowEven in my 20’s, I still get nightmares…often. One night, my husband wondered if doing something like embroidery or reading before bed might help. After a few nights of passing out less than one paragraph into Jobs, I decided to give embroidery a try. Let me tell you: I haven’t had a nightmare since! It’s fantastic!

(Continue reading…)

Christmas Placemat DIYAfter a week of fabulous giveaways and turkey-eating, I thought it would be fun to kick back with a little tutorial! You can whip up this placemat in a jiffy for under $20! It’s sure to make your plates look fabulous without dishing out cash on an expensive charger set! The best part is that you can customize it to match your colors! Let’s get started, shall we? (Continue reading…)

Peace on Earth TemplateWelcome to December: The whirlwind of holiday dinners, parties, family gatherings, cookie baking, and card sending. Christmas Cards. The thought of wrangling Steven and I up on a Sunday afternoon, getting the perfect pose, the right smile, and good lighting seems like a bear. Don’t even get me started on how expensive cards are to order! Every year I scroll through the endless pages of cards on Shutterfly or Snapfish, and decide to make my own cards—I’m not about to spend $1.50 on paper…I’m sorry, but that’s all it is! (Continue reading…)

Christmas StockingHappy Thanksgiving! Now lets get to Christmas! I get so excited to decorate for Christmas every year—it’s a great refresh for the whole house and allows you to have more fun with decorations than ever before! And honestly, I can’t wait to get home from Thanksgiving dinner and get started—and I know you’re sitting there nodding your head, getting ready to go and decorate yourself, but first let’s go over some rules to make decorating for Christmas a joy! (Continue reading…)

Decorating for winterThe Christmas tree drops needles every time someone breathes, and the presents are piled up under the tree…still. You love Christmas decorations, but it’s probably time for them to go. STOP RIGHT THERE! I’m going to show you how easy your winter decorating can be this year. So, put down the forsythia wreath and back away slowly—it’s not spring yet!

(Continue reading…)