Find Your Crafty!

My family has a myriad of holiday traditions, and I love all of them, save one. Each November my mother hosts a "craft day," which is historically attended by my grandmother, my sister, dear family friends, and of course, me. We enjoy a soup bar and complete hours of Christmas crafts. This is a fun day for my mother who is very crafty (in the best sense of the word), but not so fun for me. Though the crafts varied from year to year one thing was was consistent. I always ended the day in tears. It wasn't just that my projects did not become the realization of what I had hoped--they were complete failures. My crayon wax candle couldn't stand up straight, the paint on my ornament had mixed together leaving me with a hideous gray-brown angel, my snow globe leaked, etc. These botched attempts were made more tragic by my younger sisters final projects, which were always far superior, if not downright lovely.

Surely, everyone supposed, it was because I was so young. We all reasonably expected that once  I was older these mishaps would cease. Middle school came and went with no change. Attending high school did not bring about the desired change either. No, definitely not. By college I was no better, but I had at least learned not to cry... in front of anyone.

When my super awesome boyfriend (now husband), came home with me for Thanksgiving I knew that the time had come to tell him the truth, since he would be included in our craft day:

"So...I'm not crafty, and I'm kind of sensitive about it."

"I'm sure you are perfectly crafty."

" No, I'm not. I've barely learned to color inside the lines, and even that can be touch and go."

"Oh, ok."

"Also, I sometimes cry."

"Oh...wow. It's that bad, huh?"

It was. But, luckily it wasn't a deal breaker for my prince charming.

Later, after two years of marriage, I was showing off the fabulous mobile I had made for our unborn son to him when he declared, "You tricked me! You said you weren't crafty! You didn't even have a pattern or tutorial for this!"

In that moment I realized he was right. I had become crafty! As I pondered how this miraculous change had come about, I realized that the projects I had so successfully completed were completely unlike any of the past craft day endeavors. I had been crafty all along, I just took a while to discover the right mediums!

Here are my words of wisdom: You can DIY, just realize that not all types of projects will be your cup of tea. As you continue down the path of crafty your confidence will grow, and so will your abilities. Never be afraid to try. Failures are doorways to better craft-sense in the future.

If this looks like your kind of crafty try out this Easter decoration project! It requires some very simple sewing.

This shabby chic banner looks so cute in my house! I'm so glad to have something to decorate my home with for my second favorite holiday (second favorite partially because of religious reasons, and partially because I love ham!).

I got the four shapes for free from Nana Company. Then, I used word to make patterns for the letters. Choose any sans serif font you like, I used Gill Sans Ultra Bold. Print your patterns and cut them out.

 

Use the patterns to cut out the shapes/letters in coordinating fabrics. Cut rectangles out of  linen or burlap.

Sew your shapes/letters to your rectangles, and then sew around the edges of your rectangle to prevent fraying.

 

When all of the rectangles are sewn, hang them from a piece of twine or ribbon using miniature clothespins. 

 

 Put bows between each square to make it extra cute! I used lace hem tape for mine.

Let me know if you try it, or if you have any questions about the process! Happy Easter!