Connecting With the Crafter: Amy Shelton

Today PYL is featuring crafter Amy Shelton. Here was her wreath entry for the Sugarplums and Snowmen Wreath Contest.

Now take a moment to get to know a little about Amy by reading her "Connecting with the Crafter" interview with PYL.

What's your name?
Amy McBride Shelton


Where do you live?
Decatur, Alabama

What was the inspiration for your wreath entry in the contest?
The ribbon

What/When did you start crafting?
I have always loved crafting and can't remember not crafting. One of my favorite craft projects was the scarecrow I painted and put together from terra cotta pots. And each year my aunt has me make Christmas ornaments for all of my nieces and nephews for her. So it is always a challenge to come up with something new and different.


What's your favorite store for craft supplies?
Going to Hobby Lobby is like taking a fat kid to a candy store and I can say this because I was a fat kid....lol. But I also love going to Parkway Variety, they have a huge selection of deco mesh and beautiful ribbons.


Tell us about your crafting space--spacious crafting suite or I craft like a nomad--constantly on the move to the best space available at the time!
I actually have a large craft room, 11 x 19, but at the moment it is being used as a storage room, which I hate!! I recently hosted a Bunco Bash in memory of my sister that we lost in January of this year from complications of breast cancer. I moved my sewing machine upstairs so that I could finish a quilt that I started for her before she passed away. And since then my crafting has taken up residence on my dining room table and continues to grow and take a life of its own. My husband has threatened to move me and my crafts outside while he lets the dogs take my spot inside!!


What's your favorite occasion to craft for?
Christmas is my favorite occasion to craft for, followed very closely by babies!!


Besides crafting, what other things do you like to do?
I love to bake, read, and dabble with writing short stories. Cooking for my family and other brings me great joy, the only problem with that is the fact that I hate to clean up the mess. At times I would love to be able to twinkle my nose like Samantha and everything be taken care of for me. For those of you too young to remember, she was from a popular show called Bewitched. Growing up my friends and I would try to twitch our nose and make our big brothers disappear!! Fortunately or unfortunately my big is still here and he is the ripe old age of 47!!


And these are just for fun:

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
This is always the hardest question for me to answer but I suppose I would be a purple crayon. That seems to be the color I always gravitate towards when picking out clothes.


Coffee or Soda?
Neither, I am a true southern belle and sweet tea would be my drink of choice.

And finally, Tis the Season:

“Miracle on 34th Street” or “A Christmas Story” or “Christmas Vacation”?
Miracle of 34th Street is a must watch each season in our household. Another family favorite that is not mentioned here is "It's A Wonderful Life". Our favorite thing to do during the Christmas holiday is to turn all the lights off with only the tree lit and each snuggle down in our usual spots and watch Christmas movies together as a family. No matter how old my children get, they still seem to enjoy this past time with the parentals as they refer to my husband and I. This is a old tradition my mother and I would enjoy while I was growing up that I passed on to my kids.

Episode 61: My Sweets Tree

I feel so behind on Christmas decorating since I was gone a week for Thanksgiving.  But, last night, or should I say early this morning, I finished my Sweets Tree.  This is the first year for this tree in our home.  I put it up in our breakfast area.  Here are some pics of the tree and the breakfast table.

And here is the video.  You can see the tree all lit up in hot pink lights and twinkle twigs (one of my new favorite decorating items this year---Target)!!!

Episode 60: Two Techniques to Create a Snow Effect

I'd like to show you two different techniques I use to create a snowy, glistening effect on home decor items and ornaments.  Here are the supplies:

(Excuse uber messy craft room!)  Spray adhesive, Twinklets Diamond Dust, Krylon Glitter Blast Clear Sealer, and Krylon Glitter Blast Glitter Spray in Diamond Dust.

Here is a close-up pick of the Twinklets Diamond Dust, just in case you aren't familiar with it.  It can be purchased at any major craft store.  Be careful!  Diamond Dust is sharp.  It cut me a couple of times while covering snowflakes.  Ouch!

Here is a before picture of the gingerbread house (bought at Kirkland's).

And after Twinklets Diamond Dust was applied to the roof.

Subtle but more sparkly!!  Glitter is so hard to photograph!!!

Here are some pics of snowflakes covered in Twinklets Diamond Dust.  This product gives items a glittery flocked appearance.

Now here are some pics of snowflakes covered in Krylon Glitter Blast Glitter Spray in Diamond Dust.

And here is the how-to video:

Connecting with the Crafter: Katherine Watkins

Today PYL is featuring crafter Katherine Watkins. Here was her wreath entry for the Sugarplums and Snowmen Wreath Contest.

Now take a moment to get to know a little about Katherine by reading her "Connecting with the Crafter" interview with PYL.

What's your name?

Katherine Watkins

Where do you live?

North Carolina

What was the inspiration for your wreath entry in the contest?

My whole house is decorated in a fun whimsical theme for Christmas so I just decided to make something that would work with that.

What/When did you start crafting?

I think wreaths, floral arrangements were my first projects. I have been a big crafter since I was a teenager, but really got into it more when I got married 4 years ago.

Where's your favorite place to find craft supplies?

A.C Moore and Michaels.. I really wish we had a Hobby Lobby near here..

Tell us about your crafting space--spacious crafting suite or I craft like a nomad--constantly on the move to the best space available at the time!

I pretty much craft like a nomad right now.. We just bought our first home and now have a office/ craft room. So I will probably start working in there.

What's your favorite occasion to craft for?

Hands down CHRISTMAS!!

Besides crafting, what other things do you like to do?

I love decorating our home.. Finding cute, cheap ways to make it our own.. I love going to antique shopping, baking and working on our blog.

And these are just for fun:

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Seafoam green

Coffee or Soda?

Coffee!!

And finally, Tis the Season:

“Miracle on 34th Street” or “A Christmas Story” or “Christmas Vacation”?

Miracle on 34th Street, but my favorite Christmas movie of all time is White Christmas.

PYL Is About Town in Boerne, Texas

I recently decided that whenever I find some local businesses with wreath supplies and decor I would share them with my viewers.  This past week I was down in the San Antonio area in a town called Boerne, Texas.  As we were driving down Main Street or Hauptstrasse (German town) I saw the front of this building covered in deco mesh, so naturally I had to stop. 

The business is called "The Rusty Bucket" and carries home decor items.  The owner attached the deco mesh with a staple gun.  She said that she will be carrying deco mesh after the first of the year.  Then she told me that a store down the street had some.  So my deco mesh adventure continued...

This store is called "La Te Da" and is FABULOUS!  So many sparkly things!  Great for girl birthday decor or, in my case, the PYL craft room...lots of pink, glitter, Paris-themed items, fairies...very feminine!  I had to hold back!!!  She sells the metallic deco mesh year round in pink, aqua, green, and silver.  She sometimes carries seasonal colors.  The prices range from $13-$20 a roll.  So as we have found before, local is usually more expensive but nice to have in a pinch.

So if you are ever in Boerne, TX stop by and check these stores out!



Happy Thanksgiving

From my home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!!!  I hope you have a blessed holiday with family and friends.  Thank you to all my supporters.  You've all inspired me and blessed me in more ways than you know!

Angela

Episode 59: Using the Jolee's Hot Fix Tool

We got to my in-laws' house a few days ago for Thanksgiving Week, and I excitedly discovered a project my SIL (sister-in-law) and MIL (mother-in-law) are working on.  It's a church banner for a Christmas cantata.  They chose the Lion of Judah for their banner, and it's made completely out of BLING!  Naturally, me being a bling freak, LOVED it!  I had only used my Jolee's Hot Fix Tool on a t-shirt once before a couple of weeks ago, so I was very interested in being taught some tips and tricks by my SIL.  So I've made a video to pass along what I learned fron her.  Thanks to my SIL and MIL for allowing me to share their FABULOUS project with the PYL viewers!  It will have the words "Lion of Juda" underneath the bling lion.  And the words "Love's pure light" (from "Silent Night") will be on the backside of the banner.  First, here are some pics of the project.

Here are some pics of the Jolee's Hot Fix Tool

And here's the video:

Happy Blinging!!!

Connecting with the Crafter: Julia Brown

Today PYL is featuring crafter Julia Brown.  Here was her wreath entry for the Sugarplums and Snowmen Wreath Contest.

Now take a moment to get to know a little about Julia by reading her "Connecting with the Crafter" interview with PYL.

What's your name?

Julia Brown

Where do you live?

 Elizabethtown, Kentucky

What was the inspiration for your wreath entry in the contest?

 I love snowmen, so I wanted to make a wreath with a snowman on it. I love bright green and red too, so I incorporated those colors in with my snowman.

What/When did you start crafting?

I have been crafting since I was little. My mom was and still is, very crafty. I love using my imagination and creativity to come up with a wreath or whatever I am crafting at the time.

Where's your favorite place to find craft supplies?

Well the only real craft store we have close to me is Michael's. But I love to drive about 30min to Hobby Lobby. I could stay there for hours!

Tell us about your crafting space--spacious crafting suite or I craft like a nomad--constantly on the move to the best space available at the time!

Well we have already outgrown our house, but until I'm done with nursing school this is where we'll be staying, so I either craft in the dining room on the huge table we have or in my bedroom on the floor. Can't wait to build our next house and a HUGE craft room!

What's your favorite occasion to craft for?

Any occasion. I do a lot of crafting for the people I work with. I am busy year around. I guess though if I had to pick one it would be Christmas.

Besides crafting, what other things do you like to do?

I love spending time with my kiddos. I love the outdoors and cooking. I also love gardening and canning. Can't wait to be done with school so I have more time!

And these are just for fun:

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Pink!! Hot pink though! I love bright, cheery colors

Coffee or Soda?

Coffee for sure

And finally, Tis the Season:

“Miracle on 34th Street” or “A Christmas Story” or “Christmas Vacation”?

"Miracle on 34th Street" for sure. I love all the old classics. "White Christmas", "Holiday Inn", "It's A Wonderful Life", and the original "A Christmas Story". Could sit all day and watch them.

Connecting with the Crafter: Lisa Gray

Today marks the start of the PYL featured section for the rest of the contestants in the Sugarplums and Snowmen Wreath Contest. This is an interesting way to learn about other crafters around the country and to discover what inspires them.  Hope you enjoy it!!!

Today PYL is featuring Lisa Gray. Here is a picture of her wreath entry:

Now take a moment to get to know a little about Lisa by reading her "Connecting with the Crafter" interview with PYL.

What's your name?

Lisa Gray

Where do you live?

North Carolina

What was the inspiration for your wreath entry in the contest?

I was originally going to do a Santa, however my daughter and I were at Carolina pottery looking around and they had the cutest elves I had ever seen, and that is what inspired me.

What/When did you start crafting?

Well, I don't do much "crafting" other than the wreaths, I do however decorate cakes, I started making the wreaths last April, I also dabble in flower arranging, silks mainly.

Where's your favorite place to find craft supplies?

Carolina Pottery, AC Moore, Michaels

Tell us about your crafting space--spacious crafting suite or I craft like a nomad--constantly on the move to the best space available at the time?

I do all of my work in my home, on my dining room table. Oh, you should see the stuff all over the place. LOL.

What's your favorite occasion to craft for?

All the time.

Besides crafting, what other things do you like to do?

I like the beach, reading, fishing, and I am a reality TV junkie.

And these are just for fun:

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

blue

Coffee or Soda?

both

And finally, Tis the Season:

“Miracle on 34th Street” or “A Christmas Story” or “Christmas Vacation”?

I love all 3 movies, do I really have to choose just one. Love Christmas Vacation, then Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story last I guess.

"Connecting with the Crafter"--An interview with Jaimie Engle, winner of the Sugarplums & Snowmen Wreath Contest!

Jaimie Engle recently won PYL's first ever contest, the Sugarplums and Snowmen Wreath Contest.  Here is a picture of the award-winning wreath.

Here is PYL's light-hearted "Connecting with the Crafter" Interview:



What's your name? Jaimie Alexandra Engle

Where do you live? Jackson, Kentucky

What was the inspiration for your wreath entry in the contest? My Mother came home from Wal-Mart with a cute little snowman. The snowman matched my deco mesh perfectly.

What/When did you start crafting?
I along with everyone in my family have always been crafty. My mother use to make wood crafts for a craft store and I use to help. All of my friends call me Martha..lol..

What's your favorite store to find supplies? Michael's (I also make cakes..Michael's has everything)

Tell us about your crafting space--spacious crafting suite or I craft like a nomad--constantly on the move to the best space available at the time! I don't have a craft space.

What's your favorite occasion to craft for? Easter

Besides crafting, what other things do you like to do? I love baking cakes.. I would love to enroll in Culinary School


And these are just for fun:

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple

Coffee or Soda? Neither, I prefer Kool-Aid

And finally, Tis the Season:
“Miracle on 34th Street” or “A Christmas Story” or “Christmas Vacation”? A Christmas Vacation

Sugarplums and Snowmen Wreath Contest Winner!!!

Wreath Contest

The winner of the Sugarplums and Snowmen Wreath Contest will be announce via video on the PYL blog, You Tube, and the PYL Facebook Group at 9pm CST tonight.

:-) Angela

Episode 58: Angela's Basic Wreath Formula for Newbies

A lot of newbies have said that they are overwhelmed and don't know where to start or what to buy in order to make a fabulous deco mesh wreath.  But, they know the want to MAKE one.  So, I've put together my Basic Wreath Formula.  It's simple.  Five supplies, with one optional component.  Done.

Supply List:

1.  Wreath Base--Work wreath, plain Christmas wreath, or a wire floral form with pipe cleaners
2.  One 21" x 10 yard roll of deco mesh
3.  10-15 yards of ribbon for wreath loops and a wreath bow.  Wire ribbon is best.
(Optional):  10 yards of deco flex tubing
4.  Embellishments--for example, a Dollar Tree sleeve of ornaments
5.  Picks--3 to 5

And Ta-Da!  You have yourself a fabulous wreath for about $30 that people are charging $60-$90 for in the stores.  Here's the Video:

And here are pics of the supplies:

Supply #1:  Wreath Base (work wreath shown below, $7)

Supply #2:  One 21" x 10 yard roll of deco mesh (has several names...all will work)

Hobby Lobby, $5 on sale

Supply #3:  Ribbon--at least 10 yards. Hobby Lobby, $10 on sale

Optional Supply--Deco Flex Tubing.  Local Store, $7.

Supply #4:  Embellishments.  Dollar Tree, $1.

Supply #5:  Picks--3 to 5 for a wreath. Hobby Lobby, about $.67 a piece.

The Finished Wreath using my Basic Wreath Formula

 

Check the website links in the left-hand column of my blog for resources.  Additionally, I have a Retail and Online Supply List on my FB Group--Prettify Your Life.  The direct link to the FB Group is located at the top in the left-hand column of my blog. 

HTH!
Angela

Episode 57: Hanging Garland Around the Door

Here is a quick video that explains how I hang my garland around my door.  I know there are many ways to do this, but this is what works for me.  HTH!  (A few close-up pics to follow)

Ceiling hooks are used to secure the garland at the top of the door.

One heavy duty 3M hook is used on each side of the door facing.  I zip tie the garland to the hook to help prevent it from blowing too much in the wind.  (My awesome hubby came up with that idea.)

Episode 56: Thanksgiving Door Decor

Well, I FINALLY got my Thanksgiving decor up!  This is all the Thanksgiving decorating I do.  I am already starting on Christmas!

(On a side note, the video says Episode 55, but it should be Episode 56.  I still haven't figured out how to edit a completed video, and it is very frustrating!!!  So, if anyone can help me out with this issue, message me!)

Supplies:
Gold Mesh--purchased at a local store
Ribbon--Hobby Lobby
All other embellishments--Hobby Lobby

Work the sales!  I have the links to the weekly sales ads to the major national craft stores in the right-hand column of my blog.  Check it every Sunday!

Here are the pics:

And here is the video: