Showing posts with label year in review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label year in review. Show all posts

Best of Holy Craft 2015 a year in review

I can't believe how quickly this year came in and now it's nearly over! I've been doing this Holy Craft year in reviews since I started my blog back in 2010. It's hard to believe that I'm going on six years of blogging! That's a lot of projects a lot of random thoughts and a lot of garage sales!  In case you missed it, you can find the best of year in reviews here:
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
This is always one of my favorite posts all year because it's fun to look back at the projects that I worked on this year. Won't you take a look back on 2015 with me and see some of those projects?
I made my first video tutorial {it also happened to be my last!} and showed you how I created this heat transfer vinyl LOVE sweatshirt from a $1 garage sale sweatshirt. I still love wearing it today.

In case a new Silhouette machine made it under your tree, and you want to try your hand at heat transfer vinyl, you can follow my tutorial on how to cut {and use} heat transfer vinyl like a pro.


When I started writing Holy Craft, I was hoping to use my blog as an outlet for my long days as a stay at home mom of three littles. Now those littles aren't so little anymore, and this blog offered me a really amazing opportunity to travel with several journalists on a media relations trip to Zambia, Africa. After my first trip to Africa in August 2014, my heart burst for the people of that continent. I have been given the unique opportunity to share the stories of those people who I met and who have changed my life forever. You can find links to all of those posts from my most recent trip here.


I always knew I was a bit of a wanderlust, but parenthood has kept me from traveling excessively. Thankfully, my kids are getting older and they are much easier to travel with. I made this zippered travel bag with some great quotes on them for next to nothing.


I haven't strayed away from my love of upcycling and you can find project after project of worn or boring items I have taken from blah to awesome.  This painted bowl is one of my favorites from the year.


Apparently, my love for metallic runs deep and I also upcycled this $10 secretary desk with some silver paint. 

I also gave this Adirondack chair that I had had for years a little refresh with a new coat of paint and my favorite paint sprayer.


My daughter had a tie dye party with her friends and we refashioned the t-shirts six different ways. I had no idea it would be quite so popular on Pinterest, but you should see the shirts and how they were upcycled yourself.


I jumped on the adult coloring page bandwagon {or came out of the closet...whatever}, and put together a little round up of free printable coloring pages you can use. Go ahead and bust out those markers!


It's never too early to start thinking about teacher appreciation. This pencil vase was so easy to make but it looked like a million bucks!


I wrote this as a sponsored post, and I really can't tell you enough that while I love the opportunity to make money for the long long hours that I put into writing this blog, I really do only accept posts for things that I love. This chicken burrito bowl recipe is a family favorite that has made it into our dinner rotation.


I participated in a few craft challenges this year. One of my favorites was this one from Wayfair where I took boring cutting boards and made them into something that would wow in the kitchen.


I live by the beach, but not by the kind of beaches that have shells. They are mostly lined with driftwood. So I created a few projects with driftwood this year. This succulent planter is probably my favorite.


I didn't do as many sewing projects as I have done in the past, but the one that I did sew took the cake! I love this infinity scarf with snaps and wear mine quite often. You can find the full tutorial here. Make one and we can be twinsies.


I made this fall grass wreath that was inspired by the African Juju hat trend. If I make it back to Africa, that's one of the things that's top on my list to find. In the meantime, I love my wreath.


I also offered quite a few free printables this year. This thankful chain printable is probably my favorite one. 


Followed closely behind by these free K cup printables.


I also brought on a fun contributor this year. Her name is Kate and she has provided us with some great recipes like this green bean bacon side dish.


I also got to talk about things that were near and dear to my heart and share a little bit about consumerism versus compassion and what that looks like. It pretty much made my month when Patricia Heaton retweeted my post on this. I super love The Middle!


And of course, I finished off the year sharing six days of handmade ornaments. You can find links to all six tutorials here. 


I know there is so much more to share, and I hope you have read along with me through this year. If you are new here, welcome. I'm happy to have you. 

I started a newsletter this year so that you can subscribe and get all the new content delivered right to your inbox.  You can find me on instagram, twitter, Facebook and Pinterest too.  I'm looking forward to this new year and new projects as well as new transitions as we prepare to launch our oldest son off to college. Bear with me, it's going to be a tough one!

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Holy Craft year in review

I can hardly believe that 2014 is over. 
It was probably the best year of my life!
Mostly because I got to take an amazing trip to Africa,
a country that I have longed to go to for as long as I can remember,
and an experience I can hardly put out of my mind for even a second.


I will never forget the smiles on the children's faces and how unbelievably happy I was to be experiencing just a snip it of life with these amazing loving people.


I don't know if I could have ever dreamed that I would have the experience of going on safari in the Masai Mara


or to have the opportunity to meet Masai Warriors.


I soaked up every bit of that experience.
Part of my heart will forever remain in Africa.


Besides travel to Africa, I also went to Maui. 
Twice.
I also traveled to Whistler, Canada for a family ski trip and to Chicago for a few days with my husband on business.
I told you it was a good year!
There has been more to my year than just travel and vacations.
I thought I would recap my favorite posts or projects month by month.
January started off with a few DIY projects.
The first one being this felt woven pillow for my son's room.
In February I shared one of my favorite lunch recipes, 
Taboule wheat grass salad.
I still reference this easy pajama pant tutorial from March.
I made some DIY sharpie mugs in April.
In May I completed a six week room makeover design challenge and redid my son's room into a vintage airplane themed room complete with moving propeller.
In June I completed a Harvey's seat belt purse knock off.
In July I shared why we call it a trip and not a vacation when we travel with our kids.
In August I completed a vintage mirror and frame gallery wall in my daughter's room.
In September I freed you of the guilt to buy school pictures of your kids.
October had me crafting for Halloween.  
My favorite craft from October were these dollar store crows.
November had me starting my Christmas crafting.
One of my favorites from this year were these bleached bottle brush trees.
And finally, in December I loved making these clay ornaments with my kids.
This month marks my 5th year blogging here at Holy Craft.
It's pretty amazing that I have been sharing my life in this format for so long.
As I put a bow on 2014, I can't wait to see what projects, crafts and life 2015 will bring.
I'm thankful for each and every one of you who share, pin, and like my projects.
I truly hope you can find inspiration here.
Thanks for being on this ride with me!
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Top projects from 2011





I have been taking a little blogging break this week to enjoy the time off with my family.  My parents and younger brother have been visiting us this past week from Arizona so I have taken some time off of blogging to be with them.

But, I don't want to let the year go by without highlighting some of my favorite projects from 2011.  It's been a busy year for our family with a new home, a new puppy and a new community.  Holy Craft has grown by leaps and bounds this year and I look forward to what 2012 has in store.  If you missed some of my past projects, here they are in a nice tidy month by month package.

January

The year started off with lots of unpacking and settling in.  I did manage to get my new silhouette machine humming and made these house numbers for my front door.


I also made this hand stamped initial necklace


February

The month was a bit slow for me as I tried to make our house feel like a home and get into the routine of a having a new puppy.  

I shared with you my skills on a lathe though and featured this ring that I made my husband out of a hunk of stainless steel.

March

I started March with a four part series I called "or current resident".  I was getting magazine, after magazine, after magazine for the old resident and took advantage of the inspiration that I found from them.  This shirt is one of the things that I made.


April

We celebrated my daughter's 9th birthday with a spa party with posts here, here, and here







May

May brought you this book page EAT sign out of vintage utensils


and a tutorial on how to make a fruit platter.



June

June brought you potato sack pillows




July

In July, I completed a master bedroom makeover.  I spray painted all of our existing bedroom furniture and gave our bedroom a face lift.  Check out the before.


 My husband also made me a new mirror for our bedroom.


August

I took a little bit of a blog break to complete my second and third half marathons  (then quit running and told you about it here) and to enjoy the last month of our kids summer at home.

I did manage to complete the "or current resident" series and shared this ruffle shirt with you.


September

In September I shared with you the "She's about to Pop" baby shower that I co-hosted.  The shower provided several posts through September.  You can read more about the sweets and treats here, and the popcorn containers here.


  

     

October

While September started baby season, October only continued it.  I made two different versions of the 12 month onesies.  You can find them here and here.  I must say, it's been fun to see the babies wearing these onesies as they grow each month.


I also repurposed cashmere sweaters into soft and cuddly baby blankets.


And I tackled my sons room and made him this gear wall art.


November

I made several versions of subway art


 

and a few versions of book page wreaths.  
 
and this


December

I shared with you how I made my ornament garland

and also a few of the baby gifts that I made

  


Did you have any favorites that I missed?

I had such a wonderful time sharing these projects with you throughout 2011 and can't wait to share many more in 2012.  

Happy new year!









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