posts in category homemade
Friday, June 30, 2017
diy patriotic fabric wreath
Next week we will be celebrating Independence Day!! I thought it would be fun to change up the wreath on my front door to fit the season. My friend from church told me about a wreath she had made using a bandana and when I saw similar fabric the other day I decided to grab some and make my own wreath.
Here is a quick photo tutorial so you can make your own patriotic wreath for your front door too!!
Materials used:
3 fat quarters of fabric...
one in each color (red, white & blue) with whatever design on it that you'd like!
one in each color (red, white & blue) with whatever design on it that you'd like!
A wreath form...
or if you're like me and don't have a wreath form but have
extra embroidery hoops lying around use that.
The one I used was a 12 inch hoop!
or if you're like me and don't have a wreath form but have
extra embroidery hoops lying around use that.
The one I used was a 12 inch hoop!
Scissors
Cut the fabric into approximately 1 inch strips the long way on your fat quarter. I lined them all up and cut them at the same time. Cut those 1 inch strips in half. So you'll have a strip that is one inch thick and 6-10 inches long.
Basically you're going to loop the fabric through itself. So make a loop behind the hoop, then pull the ends through going around the front of the hoop. Hopefully my pictures are helpful and not more confusing!!
Continue this process until you have the hoop (or wreath form) all filled up. Make sure to alternate the red and white and keep the blue to the top left side of the hoop. Make sure to put tight on you loops otherwise they will want to come off.
Hang the hoop (or wreath form) on your door and call it good. I will probably go back to this and add some starts or some other sort of patriotic goodies because it looks a little bare...but I do like the simplicity of it!! Share with me what you make if you use this tutorial. Tag me on facebook and instagram @purejoycreative #purejoycreative
Monday, April 18, 2016
mirror image canvas art
One day when I was using my kids bathroom I had a brilliant idea (because let's be honest isn't that where most brilliant ideas start?! HA!)...they have a wall only a couple of feet behind their sink and above their sink is a huge mirror. So my idea was to paint some large canvases and write some words backwards on the canvases in order for the kids to be able to read them while looking in the mirror!
They spend more time looking in the mirror in that bathroom than looking behind themselves so it just seemed logical. I got this idea about a year ago. Slowly but surely I started to make things happen.
First I wanted them to have a place off the sink to store their toothbrushes. So I got some ideas from pinterest and got to work. I got some 2x4s cut to size, bought some plumbing clamps and hooks from Lowe's and I was set for my project. I screwed the hooks and clamps to the boards and put mason jars in the clamps. I made a place for each kid to put their toothbrush and hang their towel. Then above those hooks I hung up the canvases where I wanted them to be.
Some time passed and I printed out some Bible verses backwards and just taped the paper to the canvas. I wanted to get an idea of what it would look like. More time passed and then right before Thanksgiving we decided to get a new faucet for the kids bathroom along with new hardware...the problem was, the previous homeowners had painted around the current hardware so we couldn't just replace it with our new hardware because it was different and didn't match the spaces where we took the old hardware down. Why do people do that?!! So, the Monday before Thanksgiving we spent the day painting the kids bathroom...that was not our plan for that day but it needed to be done. And we got it done.
Fast forward another few months and I got around to painting the backgrounds on all the canvases! About time right?!!
I hung them back up in the bathroom and waited until I could get more time to do the decoration part. I made time a couple of weeks ago to get these canvases done. I hate having projects in an incomplete state and this one was just dragging on too long. But the joy of them taking so long is that I was busy making custom pieces for other people!!
So, long story short I finally got the pieces finished...but I feel like I may go back over the white with paint to make the words stand out even more! So here's a small little picture tutorial on how I did the backwards canvas art!
Firs I painted the backgrounds apricot...the blue ones were for something else which I'll share tomorrow!
This is a picture of the mirror. So the canvases have a little ombre' effect because they start light and get dark...or start dark and get lighter depending on which way you're looking at them! You can also see the little toothbrush holder things that I made...and our new wall color (which is way better than the seafoam green they used to be).
I figured out my spacing by placing the paper on the canvas and then drawing out where my blue paint marks were. Then I drew on the opposite side so that my words would still fit backwards.
I then took my paper and colored all over the front of the paper where I had written the words with chalk.
Then I placed the paper chalk side down onto my canvas and traced over the letters with pencil. I used a sharpie to write on printer paper because I wanted to be able to see the words through the paper. This is a case where it's good for the pen to bleed through the paper!!!
If you were doing a regular canvas painting with words facing the correct way you can use this same technique to transfer your words. This is how I started transferring all my lettering and still do on occasion. Just color the back of the paper with chalk, place it down on the canvas and trace the words again with pencil. The chalk acts like carbon paper and leaves a chalk outline of your words (or whatever you traced with the pencil on the paper)...hope that all makes sense!
This is hard to see but it is the chalk line on the canvas!
Then I just went over the chalk with my permanent chalk marker. I love the American Crafts chalk markers and you can get them at Target (amongst other places I am sure).
Here are the mirror images all hung up...
It was a little bit challenging but very fun to write backwards!!
And here's a shot straight into the mirror!! Hi!!!
I am happy with how they turned out and glad to have it off my to-do list. Like I said earlier I may go back over the words with the marker again or paint them, but only if I have some free time...so it may never happen. But I am pleased with the results! Do you have a wall close to a mirror? I'd love to make some of these for you also!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
free valentines day printables
So you all know how cheap I am right? I mean thrifty. I love to spoil my kids and other peoples kids...but I try to do so in the thriftiest way possible. I also love to draw and do hand lettering, obviously...so I combined all those things and came up with these Valentine's Day printables! I had so much fun creating these! I also made some adult ones (adult meaning, kids don't really know what a typewriter is!) that you can find on my etsy page! These school supply valentines and the heart Valentine printables can be found over at A Glimpse Inside blog today where I am a contributor now! I'll be sharing things over there once a month. I guess it's a good way to get me to write on my own blog as well!!
But I've also got a fun printable for you here! Just download this Star Wars Valentine page have your kids color them in and give them to their friends!! Or just tape some crayons to the Valentine and let their friends do the coloring! I would love to see how your kids use all these different Valentines. Please use the hashtag #pjcinthewild on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your creations!! Hope you enjoy these goodies!
You can get the FREE Star Wars Printable HERE!!
Wednesday, January 06, 2016
homemade spaghetti sauce
So, if you've been hanging around my blog for a while you know that I love to dabble in cooking. In fact I probably already shared how I make my own spaghetti sauce but I thought I'd do it again. I am a by the recipe book kind of cook...but sometimes I branch out and try to my own spin on things. Spaghetti sauce is one of those things that is good to experiment with. If it doesn't' taste right just add something else until it's good. Once you have a good base you can play around with the flavor! So I'm going to give you a general idea of how I do it and then it's up to you to try and make it your own!
I start with a hot pan and a good drizzle of olive oil. Then I add one chopped onion. Stir it a bit so the onion is all coated in oil and let this cook for a while before I add anything else. Then I add in some minced garlic and let it cook some more.
After about five minutes they were already turning to mush!!
What do you add to your homemade spaghetti sauce? Do you have any suggestions for the leftover meat sauce?
I start with a hot pan and a good drizzle of olive oil. Then I add one chopped onion. Stir it a bit so the onion is all coated in oil and let this cook for a while before I add anything else. Then I add in some minced garlic and let it cook some more.
Next I added two peeled and chopped carrots and let that cook for a while.
I usually make my sauce in the fall when my tomato plants are producing more tomatoes than I can keep up with...however this year my tomato plants didn't do so well...luckily I had frozen a bunch of tomatoes from my abundance from the previous summer. Just cut the tomatoes in half, throw them in a freezer bag and get as much air out as possible. These tomatoes were frozen for at least 14 months and I couldn't tell the difference in my sauce. So I ran the tomatoes under some warm water in a colander to get the freezer burn ice crystals off and then I just added them to the pot.
After about five minutes they were already turning to mush!!
After I let the tomatoes, carrots, garlic and onion simmer for a couple of hours I added in some herbs and spices. I used salt, pepper, basil, oregano, thyme and a little nutmeg. Taste it once it's simmered for a bit and add more of whatever you'd like to make it suit your taste. I added more salt and basil once I came back to taste this sauce. I used to add a little brown sugar which helps cut the acidity of the tomatoes but since we are trying to cut out sugar I used the nutmeg instead.
After I let it simmer a little more I get out my stick blender and puree the whole thing. Then I add about 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to help thicken the sauce a bit. Blend it again and let it simmer until I'm ready to add the meat.
This time I added in my cooked ground pork and just made it a meat sauce. But you obviously wouldn't have to do that. I served this meat sauce with spaghetti squash "noodles" and some roasted broccoli. A delicious dinner that my kids love. Even Abi, the pickiest, always asks for seconds of this meal! Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to use if you're wheat free or trying to stay away from grains...we go through months where we eat wheat free to reset our tummies and other systems and this is a great meal to fall back on! Plus I love using fresh veggies. You could totally use a jar of sauce, I do when I don't have tomatoes in abundance. And yes, this sauce does take a while to make but it's something you just add to, leave it alone for a while and stir once in a while when you come through the kitchen! It doesn't take a lot of work...just some time!
What do you add to your homemade spaghetti sauce? Do you have any suggestions for the leftover meat sauce?
Monday, December 02, 2013
child's advent wreath tutorial (repost)
This child's advent wreath is my most viewed post. So, I thought I'd bring it to your attention again in case you haven't seen it or in case you're just looking around the web for a child friendly advent wreath. I made this in 2009 and haven't made another one since...I think this year, I'll have the kids make their own!! This was even featured over at Christianity.Answers.com and on Good Morning Girls.
You will need three purple candles, one pink and one white (although the white one is optional).
Cut the paper to fit the toilet paper tubes. Glue or tape the paper onto the tubes.
Cut the green paper into the shape of evergreens or holly leaves.
Glue or tape to the paper plate.
I noticed after the fact that my tubes were longer than my popsicle sticks so I had to get creative. I cut slits into the bottom of the rolls and folded them in. Then I used the folded in part as my base to tape to the paper plate...so my mistake actually made it easier to attach the candles to the plate.
Attach the purple and pink candles to the outer edges and put the white "Christ" candle in the middle. Cut out 2 matching flames for each popsicle stick and glue or tape them on. Then you're all set and ready to let the kids light the candles for Advent!
I'd love to see your version of this...leave me a comment and let me know where I can see yours!
I found this helpful information about advent wreaths on Wikipedia.
The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. It is usually a horizontal evergreen wreath with four or five candles. Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading and prayers. An additional candle is lit during each subsequent week until, by the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth, "Christ" candle which can be lit at Christmas. The custom is observed both in family settings and at public church services.
There are several interpretations of the symbolism of the Advent wreath.
The accumulation of light is an expression of the growing anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, who in Christian faith is seen as the light of the world. The circular wreath represents God's eternity and unity. Evergreens are a symbol of enduring life.
In some traditions the first candle is called the prophet's candle and is meant to signify the hope of Jesus' coming. The second is called the Bethlehem candle in honor of the city of Christ's birth. The third candle is the shepherds' candle. The final candle is the angels' candle, symbolising the angelic proclamation of joy at Christ's birth. A number of carols have been written for use with the short liturgy accompanying the lighting of the Advent candles in church services. A common format is to add an extra verse each week, relating to the symbolism of that week's candle.
I know that the advent calendar is a big deal in MANY homes across America.
What a great way to slow down and savor the special moments before Christmas.
What I don't know is how widely used the advent wreath is.
Is this just a Catholic and Lutheran tradition/custom?
Do you use the advent wreath in your home or just the calendar?
If it's not a tradition in your home maybe you'd like to start a new one.
And here's an easy way to make an advent wreath that the kids can help light!
Although blowing out these candles may prove a bit tricky at least we don't have to worry about anyone getting burned!
Here's some basic instructions for making your own!
You will need....
5 toilet paper rolls
What a great way to slow down and savor the special moments before Christmas.
What I don't know is how widely used the advent wreath is.
Is this just a Catholic and Lutheran tradition/custom?
Do you use the advent wreath in your home or just the calendar?
If it's not a tradition in your home maybe you'd like to start a new one.
And here's an easy way to make an advent wreath that the kids can help light!
Although blowing out these candles may prove a bit tricky at least we don't have to worry about anyone getting burned!
Here's some basic instructions for making your own!
You will need....
5 toilet paper rolls
5 popsicle sticks
a paper plate
a paper plate
construction paper (green, white, purple, pink and yellow)
Scissors
glue or double sided tape as I used.
You will need three purple candles, one pink and one white (although the white one is optional).Cut the paper to fit the toilet paper tubes. Glue or tape the paper onto the tubes.
Cut the green paper into the shape of evergreens or holly leaves.Glue or tape to the paper plate.
I noticed after the fact that my tubes were longer than my popsicle sticks so I had to get creative. I cut slits into the bottom of the rolls and folded them in. Then I used the folded in part as my base to tape to the paper plate...so my mistake actually made it easier to attach the candles to the plate.Attach the purple and pink candles to the outer edges and put the white "Christ" candle in the middle. Cut out 2 matching flames for each popsicle stick and glue or tape them on. Then you're all set and ready to let the kids light the candles for Advent!I'd love to see your version of this...leave me a comment and let me know where I can see yours!
I found this helpful information about advent wreaths on Wikipedia.The Advent wreath is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western church. It is usually a horizontal evergreen wreath with four or five candles. Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading and prayers. An additional candle is lit during each subsequent week until, by the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth, "Christ" candle which can be lit at Christmas. The custom is observed both in family settings and at public church services.
There are several interpretations of the symbolism of the Advent wreath.
The accumulation of light is an expression of the growing anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, who in Christian faith is seen as the light of the world. The circular wreath represents God's eternity and unity. Evergreens are a symbol of enduring life.
In some traditions the first candle is called the prophet's candle and is meant to signify the hope of Jesus' coming. The second is called the Bethlehem candle in honor of the city of Christ's birth. The third candle is the shepherds' candle. The final candle is the angels' candle, symbolising the angelic proclamation of joy at Christ's birth. A number of carols have been written for use with the short liturgy accompanying the lighting of the Advent candles in church services. A common format is to add an extra verse each week, relating to the symbolism of that week's candle.
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
veggie spaghetti sauce
I've posted in the past about veggie spaghetti sauce...but now I found a way to make it easier and much more delicious!! Since trying to eat more real foods I've been spending more time at the farmer's market and people from church have often blessed us with produce..but one thing I'm good at but trying to recover from is letting food go bad. So, I try to use my produce as soon as possible. Like when I bought peaches at the farmer's market on Saturday and noticed they were more ripe than I hoped they would be so I made some peach cobbler Saturday night. Well, I've gotten some green peppers and tomatoes from a family at church and I had some in my produce basket before that so I ended up making two batches of homemade spaghetti sauce. And here's how I did it!
I cut up a bunch of veggies....
peeled and chopped three carrots, one zucchini, chopped one onion, three green peppers, and about five tomatoes. Then I threw that all in the crock-pot which was set to low. I added some garlic, oregano and basil. I also added one can of tomato sauce and the first time I made the spaghetti sauce I didn't have as many tomatoes so I added a can of diced tomatoes. I let it simmer and cook all day long...at least eight hours. I think the longer it cooks the more the flavors come out and the onions get caramelized and the sugars in the sauce come out even more pronounced. I know that my second sauce cooked longer and it tasted a little better to me...could just be what I added or didn't add. The great thing about this sauce is that it doesn't really matter what you have on hand...lots of things work and it's a great way to hide veggies!! I also added a small can of tomato paste and some italian seasoning right before I pureed the whole thing.
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Then I busted out my immersion blender for the first time ever (I got it as a Christmas gift last year) shame on me I know. I could have been making so many things smooth so much easier...but now I know!
And I ended up with 8 jars of spaghetti sauce. Most went into the freezer but a couple are in fridge for me to use this week!!
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