Days 20-26: 365 Photo Challenge

Here are all the photos I took in the past week for my 365 Photo Challenge!

Day 26: Valentine's Day crafting.


Day 25: Look at that Sunset!!


Day 24: Wall art.


Day 23: A great new ring from Etsy!


Day 22: Beautiful puffy clouds.


Day 21: Inauguration Day!


Day 20: Having a Lazy Sunday, reading and watching shows on DVD.

D.I.Y. Valentine Treat Bags

You only need a few supplies to make these quick and easy treat bags for Valentine's Day. After you've printed the free printable Valentine cards and created these heart shaped crayons, assembling treat bags for your little ones is a snap.

You will need: Scissors
Small piece of scrapbook paper
Stapler
Clear plastic/vellum bag (or recycled card protector)
Printable Valentines
Heart Crayons Cut the Valentines in quarters. Fill in the "To" and "From" section of the card. Place one card and one or two crayons inside your clear plastic treat bag. You can see that I recycled a clear card protector for my treat bag.  Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to size for your treat bag, with enough to fold over the top (or opening). Staple each side of the paper topper to the bag to hold it in place. Now you have a cute goody bag to give to someone special on Valentine's Day! Have fun and share the love!

Crayon Heart Valentines

This craft is a fun idea for Valentine's Day! Have your favorite little ones help make these simple and colorful crayons shaped as hearts. All you need is a silicon baking tray with heart-shaped molds, crayons (new or old), and an oven. Using the oven you will melt the crayons in the molds to create heart shapes!

First, you will need to remove the paper wrappers from the crayons. An easy trick to do this is to submerge the crayons in hot water. The wrappers start to lift off of the crayons in only a few seconds in a bowl of hot water. After you peel off the wrappers, dry the crayons on a paper towel. After the crayons are dry, break them into pieces and arrange them in the silicon mold cups. I like to keep like-colors together and then throw one random color in, like pink shades of crayons with one white, or purple shades with one yellow. You can make any combination you like! Next put the silicon mold on top of a baking pan before placing it in the oven at 230 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. After the crayons are melted, remove the baking pan from the oven. Be careful of the hot wax liquid! Place the pan on a level surface and allow the crayons to cool. They cool pretty quickly, but I let them sit for about an hour before touching them. When the crayons look solid, simply peel the silicon away and pop the heart crayons out of the mold. Any size silicon molds will do. I made large and small crayons in all sorts of colors! Pair the heart shaped crayons with these free printable Valentines, and they make a great present. The best part about these crayon heart Valentines is that they are a cheap, and healthy alternative to candy! They last longer than candy too! Enjoy this craft with the kiddos and have a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Color your own Valentine's Day cards!

I have created a new printable for Valentine's Day! This one is a coloring page with 4 cards to a page. It can be downloaded here. Pair it with some crayons, and they make a fun gift for kids!

If you like these Valentine's Day cards, you might like the ones I made a few years ago too! You can find all of my free printables here.

New Year's Craft videos

Here are the next two videos from the New Year's resolution crafts that Julee and I made on WDRB in the Morning.




If you are local to Louisville, be sure to set you DVRs again for this Wednesday, when we will be on WDRB in the Morning again doing Valentine's crafts!

Day 19: 365 Photo Challenge

Today's photo is from the KY Center for the Arts. My mom and I went with my brother's girlfriend and her mother to see "Kentucky Show." It is a great short film that is really a love letter to Kentucky. It made me proud to be from such a beautiful state, with such a rich and colorful history. I love to see the progress we make as a state (and as a country) and I think that was reflected in the film. If you ever visit Louisville, you should be sure to see it!

Day 18: 365 Photo Challenge

Secret Message in the Library books today. This photo is from day 18 of the 365 Photo Challenge!

Days 14-17: 365 Photo Challenge

Day 17:
This is another sneak peek of an upcoming project for Valentine's Day!

Day 16:
A crazy colorful sunset!

Day 15:
Yummy cookies straight from the oven! Day 14:
Trash pick-up day. This is the city logo on the bin.

Day 13: 365 Photo Challenge

Today I am doing some crafty experiments. In other words, I'm experi-crafting. Stay tuned for some fun craft tutorials for Valentine's Day, and hopefully a new Valentine-themed printable!

Day 12: 365 Photo Challenge

Today's photo is from the wee hours of the morning when little C spent the night. Sleep faces are so sweet!

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Days 8, 9, 10, & 11: 365 Photo Challenge

I have definitely been taking photos each day, even if I haven't been able to post them! It's been fun trying to find different things to take pictures of. I am trying to stick to using my Canon to take the photographs, but one mobile phone photo did creep in here from January 10, because it was a busy day!

Day 11:
Sunset


Day 10:
The most important building in the Louisville skyline/Downtown at night


Day 9:
Behind the scenes at WDRB in the Morning with Julee


Day 8:
Reflections

New Year's Resolution crafts

This is the time of year when people start focusing on making and trying to keep New Year's Resolutions! (I know I made mine already!) Two resolutions, getting organized and starting to exercise more, are always on top of everyone's lists. Julee from D.I.Y. Louisville and I decided to make it easier for you, by showing you how to make simple crafts that will help you stick to your resolutions. Over on her blog, Julee has an awesome magnetic/chalkboard message center and free printable calendar.

Below, I will show you how to make a simple strap to carry your yoga mat, and a sturdy handle for your keys or water bottles as you trek to the gym!


To make the yoga mat strap you will need:
A length of cotton webbing (mine measured 48 inches)
The same length of ribbon
fabric glue (I like tacky glue)
needle and thread
scissors
2 key rings


After you cut the cotton webbing and ribbon to your desired length, glue the ribbon in the middle of the cotton webbing. Allow several hours to dry. When the glue is dry, take a key ring, and fold the end of the strap over the ring. Hand sew to finish this end. Repeat on other end of the strap. Loop each end of the yoga map strap and secure the key rings around the strap.

Pull straps tight.

Now you have an awesome strap to carry your yoga mat to class!

You can use the same supplies to make a "key fob" or handle for your water bottle.

For the key fob you will need:

12 inches of cotton webbing 

12 inches of ribbon

1 key ring with (optional) carabiner clip

fabric glue

needle & thread

Again, the first step is to glue your ribbon to your cotton webbing.

Once the strap is dry, place one end of the strap under the key ring. Loop the other end of the strap through the key ring, and fold end under.

Sew loop into place, finishing ends of strap and securing key ring into place.

The carabiner makes it easy to clip your strap onto your keys or a water bottle as you dash to the gym!

I hope you are having an excellent New Year and that these simple crafts make it easier to keep up with your New Year's resolutions!

My New Year's Resolutions

I usually do not make New Year's resolutions. I don't know if it's because I fear that I won't be able to stick to them, or if it's because I am already a compulsive list maker, and really don't need one more list to keep track of. However, I love the idea of setting and accomplishing goals that help you live life to the fullest. I am going to try to focus on these ten things in 2013, because I know they will make me a happier, healthier person.
1. Make more dolls (and other crafty products to liven up my etsy shop)!
2. Read as many books as possible.
3. Take more walks.
4. Focus on my photography (365 project!)
5. Get involved with local volunteer organizations.
6. Blog more.
7. Choose nutritious foods.
8. Organize my craft room and paperwork. 
9. Remember to draw, write, sing, and just be creative.
10. Take time to relax and spend good quality time with those I love.

Craft E Magee & DIY Louisville on WDRB again!

Set your DVR's, because Craft E Magee and DIY Louisville are returning to WDRB in the Morning! On Wednesday, January 9, 2013 we will share crafts to help you keep your New Year's Resolutions! We will be on air at 7:45AM EST and 8:15AM EST sharing crafts for the top 2 resolutions: organization and exercise!

Julee has already posted an awesome printable calendar on her blog which is part of her do-it-yourself message center. She has some clever tips to craft this from stuff you probably have around the house!

I will be making some easy and fun crafts to organize your exercise gear: a yoga mat strap and water bottle handle or key fob.

If you can't tape the show, look out for the link on facebook later that day!

Day 7: 365 Photo Challenge

Today's photo is a book that I've been reading lately. I had the good fortune of hearing Salman Rushdie speak at Bellarmine University while I was a student there. What he had to say about freedom of speech has always stuck with me.

He said that once, during the fatwa years, a terrible film was made about him and they wanted to show the film in Britain. The film council wanted to block the movie, but Mr. Rushdie spoke about how freedom of speech means that everyone has the freedom to speak, not just those who we agree with. In the end, the film was shown and no one came, because it was rubbish. If he had allowed Britain to block the film, the controversy would have made the film a bigger deal. I continue to see the relevance in what he said in the headlines of today. He recounts that same story in "Joseph Anton," his autobiography.

I really enjoy learning more about his life, his writing, and all the famous writers and politicians that fill the pages of this book. It is so interesting to hear the story behind it all, told with so much humor and skill.

Day 6: 365 Photo Challenge

Today's photo subject is pretty cool. I happened to receive this awesome piece of paper in the mail yesterday, informing me that I am now a Kentucky Colonel. So awesome!

Day 5: 365 Photo Challenge

Today's photo is of my little nephew. We got to hang out some today and he enjoyed a blue push pop that I bought him, which should explain the purple lips!

Day 4: 365 Photo Challenge

I'm posting it a little late, but this is the photo I took on Day 4 of my 365 photo challenge. Another Christmas decoration, I know, but they are so pretty!