January 2013 Recap

As I was putting together my Top 10 of 2012, I told myself that I would start doing a monthly recap to make that end of the year business easier.

And then January disappeared.  But I'm not too late.  Especially not in Michelle terms.

Here is what happened on the blog in January.  In case you are new or missed something important.

Best of 2012 Plans for 2013 Tidy Kitchen Tips Homemade Soft Pretzels New Shop Photos Sign Painting Tips DIY Scarf Hanger Meal Planning Tips Craft Room Inspiration O' Henry Bars Our Paint Colors DIY Blogger Favorite Paint Colors

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What was your favorite post of January?

Easy Valentine’s Yarn Wreath

I am a wreath making fool lately.  It’s become some sort of sickness.

This Valentine’s Day wreath isn’t entirely my fault.

Kim (NewlyWoodwards) and I have started a monthly craft night.  We’ve even allowed others to join us in our crafting awesome.  We’re nice like that.

Our craft night has two simple rules:  1. The host picks a project that the will be completed by the group.  (Other crafty things can be worked on after the group craft.)   2. Everyone brings a dessert or appetizer.

Kim was the first to host.  She chose yarn wreaths as our craft.  These wreaths only took us about 3 hours to wrap. (Please note how far behind Mrs. Woodward is.) Of course there were food and adorable baby distractions. 

The directions for yarn wreaths are pretty self-explanatory. Wrap yarn around the wreath until it’s covered.  I used two colors (because I like to make things hard) but it was fairly easy to keep the colors alternating.

This is how we ended the night.  Most of us were yarn wrapped but not finished.  Even though none of us completed our wreaths, we are still considering craft night a huge success.

I finally took some time this week-end to crochet some hearts to finish off my project.  (I used an excellent tutorial from Maybe Matilda.)  In true Michelle fashion, I wanted to keep the wreath nice and simple.  I’m not big on things screaming “HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!”.  I like more of a Valentine’s whisper.

Ike loves how the wreath ties in colors from our Be Awesome Today sign and our rug.

I’m this month’s host.  Which reminds me.  I need to pick a date and a craft. Yikes.

(Read Kim’s version of this story over here!)

Any craft night project suggestions?  Are you a wreath fan?  Do you like Valentine’s decor to scream or whisper?

Linking up to: Bower Power

Thrift Shop Challenge

Yesterday I mentioned my concern with the blog becoming too serious.  And then I announced a Hey Girl Link Party.

Today Young House Love is hosting a Thrift Shop Challenge based on the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Song called Thrift Shop (I highly suggest clicking the link to watch the clean version of the video.).

I couldn’t pass up this challenge because 1. I love thrift shops.  I stop at the Salvation Army at least once a week.  At least.  2. I recently have a love of awful rap/hip hop/Today’s hits.  I think I’m going through some sort of mid-life crisis.  (I think it’s stemming from people calling me a “lady” on Pinterest pins.  Ladies are old.  Don’t call me a lady!  I’m only 30, yo.)

Step #1: Go to a thrift shop with – just as the chorus of the song says – “$20 in your pocket” and take a picture.

Do I get bonus points for including Jesus?  And I have never have cash.  Don’t mug me because all you will get is credit cards and lip gloss.

Step #2. Spend that $20 any way you’d like and photograph your spoils.

What does $20 get you at a thrift store in Iowa? The Salvation Army in town has a new manager and they’ve decided to price furniture at ridiculous prices.  I’ve noticed that the prices have started to come back down to reasonable levels in the past couple of weeks.  The house ware items and clothes are still pretty reasonably priced.

• $2 Pyrex
• $3 plaid blanket

• $0.90 mittens
• All of the shirts were $2 or under
• A couple were shirts with the Target tags still on them.
• $3.00 Target cow creamer
• $5.00 pajamas (more info below)

Step #3. Find one item (or more) referenced in the song and snap a pic.

This one is a stretch because I didn’t have time to look for an actual challenge item this week because of lovely recent snow storm.  (I’m moving South.) 

But I am going to claim this as R. Kelly’s sheets. (“Probably shoulda washed this, smells like R. Kelly's sheets.”)  I’m sure Mr. Kelly would totally use a lovely vintage floral sheet and I’m sure this sheet probably smelled like the referenced R. Kelly’s sheet.  (All of my Salvation Army items get a triple wash.  Seriously.)  And it was only 99 cents.  Seriously.

Or…

“I'll take those flannel zebra jammies, second-hand”.  So they aren’t quite zebra and they aren’t quite second-hand but I did get this flannel pajama set (with the Target tags still on them) for $5.  Totally popped some tabs. 

There you have it.  Thrift Shop challenge complete.  Off to take your grandma’s style…

Did you partake in the challenge?  What’s your favorite thrift store purchase?