Family Tree

My dad turned 75 last week. Clearly a big birthday and I wanted to give him something that was thoughtful and would mean something to him. Even though wall real estate is a rare commodity in my parent's house so I knew what I was planning was a risky move.

The Family Tree idea came to me nearly a year ago when my mom announced our family reunion at Bear Lake that would take place over my dad's birthday. Being the prolific procrastinator that I am I spent an entire day making it the day before Sir Luke and I left. Despite the rushed nature of the project it came out splendidly.

 I used the Martha Stewart leaf punch to make all the leaves and designed the tree's branches and roots with scrapbook paper. The wood grain paper was perfect for the trunk. The background paper is made with an old map of California I got at the BYU library back in 2005. My dad's family has been in California since the 1850s so I thought it was fitting. I wouldn't even have thought of it if Sir Luke hadn't mentioned it.

My dad loved it!

Onesies

I made my nephew James some onesies for Christmas. I, geniusly, forgot to take any photos before we mailed them across the country.

So this fine photo is all I have. There was another with a plaid tie on it and another that says "The Future of Rock" with a little lightening bolt on the butt. Pretty stinking cute if you ask me. And the bow-tie is perfect for church!

'Tis the Season

Remember when I showed you what I was working on a little over a month ago? Well it's all done and today is the first day I get to enjoy the fruits of my labor! And believe me it was some serious labor!

I'm going to work on making a pattern for my advent calendar so you can make your own! I don't even want to think about the number of sequins I hand stitched during this project. But in the end, I think it was well worth the effort!

 

 

My sister, Kathy, made one when she was a kid and I grew up placing ornaments on the tree each day counting down to Christmas. It was my favorite part of every morning during December. I bought the felt and cut everything out last Christmas but hadn't worked on it until a couple months ago. I'm so happy with how it turned out.

I had to make a heart to go in on our anniversary.

So would you be interested in a pattern? What custom ornaments wold best express your personality? Clearly mine were a little Holga camera and Sir Luke's light saber. He didn't even mind that it was covered in sequins. At least not too much.

I hope your holiday season is everything you hoped and dreamed!