I’ve wanted a wreath for my front door for months.  There are SO many gorgeous ones out there, but they also come with a price tag.  Since fall is birthday extravaganza around here, I knew I had to stretch my creative muscles a bit and make my own.    

After seeing this tutorial, I knew that it was the perfect project to try.  I pretty much copied Amy’s wreath exactly, from using the same color yarn (which is a great price right now on Amazon!) to investing in the pom pom maker.  I did find her photographed instructions a bit confusing, but this video on YouTube was helpful.

After the tiny learning curve in creating the pom poms, this project became the perfect mindless activity when I watched television at night or listened to podcasts during naptime.  I made a few pom poms whenever I had a bit of free time, but I’d imagine you could knock it out in a few hours if you had that uninterrupted stretch of time.


After finishing, I hung it on my door with a thick red and white striped ribbon.  My photos don’t do the wreath justice – I’m in love with the contrast on my black door and the textured look! 

This is a bit of a catch-up post since I forgot to write about the boys’ pillows back in the spring!  


These pillows were a long time coming.  I started cross-stitching the first superhero pattern in 2013 (!!), shortly after moving to this house.  I was able to finish the stitching part quickly…but then they just sat in my closet, untouched and collecting dust.  Thank goodness for my boys!  Their frequent reminders (“When are we going to make our pillows, mama?”  “Could we make our superhero pillows soon, mama?”) got my bum in gear and this project checked off the list.


Each pillow uniquely fits the owner.  From choosing the pattern to picking the fabrics, each boy had a hand in every step and they are so proud of the results!  I am too.  

If you had been in my house this weekend, you would have heard me crazily exclaim, “I knit!  I’m a knitter!  Guess what, guys?  I knit!”  (Obviously a spin on one of my favorite movies.)

In reality, that is SO far from the truth.  Until last Saturday, I have never touched a skein of yarn.  Ever!  I am left-handed and have baffled almost every knitter I’ve asked to teach me.  Still, the knitting process has always been intriguing, so after watching a tutorial online, I thought I’d give arm-knitting a shot.  Because using your arms has to be so much easier than using needles, right?

Um.  Not so sure.

The tutorial claims that once you get the hang of it, you can knock out a scarf in about half an hour.  It took me probably double that time.  Looking back, I was so thrilled to be actually knitting something that I may have miscounted a bit too.  Maybe a lot.  My final result doesn’t look anything like the one shown in the video, but gosh darn it, I am so proud!  First tries don’t have to be perfect and obviously, this is far from it.  But I’m proud of myself for going out on a limb and trying something new.  I can’t wait to try again.  Hopefully next time, I’ll pay attention and get the stitch count right.

I knit!  I’m a knitter! 

And from our 2014 book:

This cross-stitch project had been in my “to complete” pile for two years when I found it again last summer.  I have a bad habit of starting a craft with excitement, only to fizzle out and put it aside.  Am I the only one who does this?


Sophia provided the encouragement to see it to completion.  She loved to sit next to me as I worked and hold the different colored threads.  I couldn’t wait to surprise her and frame it for her room.    

I purchased the pattern as a PDF from The Floss Box here.  She carries a ton of adorable cross-stitch and embroidery patterns, so be sure to check out her shop.  I think Sophie needs this one next!