Homemade Gift Exchange

 This year I decided to participate in Craftaholics Anonymous gift exchange.

For those who don't know, I signed up and by randomness I receive a partner to make a gift for and send it to them.

Really FUN!

I was kinda at a loss of what to make for my partner.

I am much better at making things for people I know.

I like to make things I know they will love and appericate!

Luckily for me I have two awesome friends who just taught me how to crochet.

I am sure they wanted to tear their hair out while teaching me though.

We also had a few laughs at the way I was holding my yarn!

But in the end I learned how to do it.

 Then it dawned on me!

What girl doesn't love something pretty to put in their hair?

So I made my partner a couple of these cute and simple hairbands.

Adds a little something to any outfit.  

I think so anyway!

This wasn't the actual one I made for her.

I of course made a few for myself!

Linking up to:

Craftholics Anonymous Gift Exchange

{Joy} Bottles

I am back from Thanksgiving vacation!

And even though I enjoy getting away and seeing my family.

It feels so good to be home!

Now I have seen these bottles floating around pinterest for a while.

The links I have found were all for Fall.  

(not saying there isn't winter ones out there)

So I did my own twist on these bottles.

I really like the snowflake hanging out there.

I got the green things from Hobby Lobby when they were on sale.

I think in like October.

The are pretty simple to make.

All you will need is a few empty bottles.

You could probably even do it with vases found at a thrift shop.

Spray Paint

And whatever your hear desires to go into it.

I attached the joy with vinyl cut out with my handy Silhouette machine {heart}.

If I hadn't of procrastinated on the project it could have been done in a day.

(That is with drying time)

But for some reason I dragged my feet.

And it took me like a week to finish it.

A tree skirt got in the way.

I will show ya that this week!

And as always find me linking to these fantastic parties!

{Vacation Time}

Thanksgiving week is here!

Yay!!!

I have my Christmas tree up already.

ya I am a little early, however I won't be home the day after Thanksgiving.

(when we usually put it up)

We are leaving tomorrow for sunny California to spend Thanksgiving with my dad, step mom, and younger sisters and brother.

So I won't be around this week!

Don't worry I will be back next week.

Enjoy your week!

What I {Heart} on Pinterest #7

 Uhhh can you believe how fast November is going by?

Wasn't Halloween just like yesterday?

And with that ummmm Mother Nature you are kinda skipping Fall please keep Winter in check.

However, aren't you guys EXCITED for CHRISTMAS!?!?!

This girl right here is!

Here are my Pinterest picks of the week.

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 This is a great idea on how to keep the spirit of the actual reason why we celebrate Christmas.

I think I see a new tradition rolling through this house.

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I have been a little obsessed with headbands lately.

Maybe if everyone stopped making them so darn cute.

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 Aren't these little reindeer cookies cute?

I love them and their cute little Rudolf noses!

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 I LOVE jalapeno poppers.  

And this seems like a great way to make them.

Perfect appetizer for parties. 

YUM!

Ya I just had to through this is.

Uhhh Mandi your inner geekness is showing again..

Sorry I know,

If you don't know what this means I am sorry.

Your husband might if he likes Lord of the Rings.

My Wishes

 As my boys are getting older I wonder.

I wonder what kind of men they will be.

I wonder if I am teaching them right from wrong.

I wonder if they will be happy.

Here are a few wishes I have for them.

 I wish they will know that family is always there for you.

That they know the bond of brothers is something that should never be broken.

When their father and I are gone that is who they will have.

 I wish they will know that the possibilities for them are endless.

The world is theirs for the taking.

And they should never say 'I am not good enough for that'

 I wish they never lose their fearlessness.

That they should always take a risk.

You never know if it that risk will turn out to be the best decision of their life.

 I wish they know how much their father and I love them.

That we have given our all to them.

I wish when they grow up they will say 'Thank you for all you did'

I wish they know whatever road they take I will always be proud of them.

They are our joy.

The reason we work so hard.

Jingle Bell

 I get excited for Christmas.

It takes you back to being a kid and magic is in the air.

Now that I have become a parent I love seeing how excited my kids get about it.

My middle child has gotten the concept of Santa this year.

He pointed to the fireplace and asked if Santa was going to come down there.

He also said Santa was going to bring him a dinosaur.

I hope he doesn't think it will be a REAL dinosaur.

Cause Santa can't bring that!!!

I have gotten a little ahead of myself this year.

Just because there are SO many projects I want to do.

  I feel like there will not be enough time to do them all!

So this is one of my first projects of many I hope!

I got the letters from 'The Wood Connection'

I really wish they would start shipping again!

My favorite part is the jingle bell inside the center of the 'O'

So sweet.

Wanna know where I party?

Click HERE

Fall Centerpiece and a WINNER!

I made this centerpiece for a church function I went to the other night.

I love how simple it is.

Just a package of cranberries and a bundle of wheat.

I am very excited to announce the winner of my very first giveaway!

 There were 30 entries and I got the number from Random.org.

The winning comment is number 5!

Which is:

Chrissy from Boerman Ramblings!

Email me so I can get this off to you!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who entered!

I will be having another giveaway soon!

What I {heart} on Pinterest #6

 Happy Thursday everyone!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic week!

I have been and that is because of you!

Yesterday I reached 100 FOLLOWERS!

EEEKKK!!!

So THANK YOU to everyone who is a follower and even if your not!

At least you are here reading my blog!

Pinterest has been acting really weird for me this week. 

So my pins have been few and far between.

Here are a few things I was able to pin.

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When I first pinned this.

It didn't link right.

So I did a little clicking around to make sure the credit was going back to the person who posted it.

But this is a great idea!

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 You can't see this very well but it is 6 different ways on how to tie a scarf.

Very useful for this coming Winter.

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 I love everything about this except the purse.

The purse really turns me off.

Ewww...

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This wouldn't be a craft blog if I didn't show something crafty right?

This wreath doesn't need any description.

It is too cute for words.

 These are my favorites this week!

I hope Pinterest stops being moody for me.

I miss it.

Come follow me on Pinterest and we can be PBFF!

Mandi's Pinterest

Kids and Manners UGH!

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 I remember when I was little.

There was a woman, Mrs. Reed, who lived a few doors down from my dad.

I used to play in her house, and her back yard.

Some of my fondest memories of my childhood are in the company of that dear sweet lady.

Mrs. Reed had invited myself and my dad over for dinner one night.

She gave me a brief lesson on manners.

I still remember the words today.

A few pointers that she gave me are:

• You never say you don't like the food.
• Even if you don't like what they have prepared, eat it.
• Never spit food out onto your plate.
• You do not start eating until everyone has been served.

Really great advice that has helped me into my adult life.
A week ago my little family was invited over to a friend's house for dinner.
Remembering the advice of Mrs. Reed I gave my oldest son a run down of how to act.
Thinking that I was prepared to at least have my oldest son behave we went to dinner.
Oh how I was wrong.
I won't give you all of the brutal details.
Just the one that has stuck out.
The kids were getting drinks for their dinner.
'Trouble Maker' looks in the fridge with the other kids.
Out of no where says,
'OH, I can't have apple juice, it gives me diaherra'
*FACEPALM*
Then he proceeds to repeat himself two or three times!!!!

We all had a good laugh about it.

I guess I forgot to cover that,

You don't talk about your bathroom business while in some one's house.

There is only two more days to enter my GIVEAWAY!

Have you entered yet?

Hoo are you #60

Here is another round of Hoo are you from Night Owl Crafting.

This is a great way to get to know fellow bloggers.

I enjoy reading everyone's answers each week.

Here are the

1. Do you type on a keyboard the correct way or do you peck like a cute little chick?

I type on the keyboard the right way, except when entering a password.

I took a keyboard class in Jr High, and I have worked in many call centers so it feels weird any other way.

2. Typically how long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Depends, if I am in a hurry to go somewhere about 45 minutes.  

If I am being lazy a couple hours.

I take breaks and let my hair air dry a little.

3. Do you prefer lip gloss or lipstick?

I usually don't wear either, I prefer chap stick.

But if I had to chose it would be lip gloss

4. Do you take clothes to the dry cleaner or wash them yourself even if they say dry clean only?

I dry clean them.  But if I notice that something is dry clean only before I buy it, it goes back on the rack.

5. Do you prefer Wal Mart or Target.

uggghhhh I despise the Walmart we have where I live.

I don't understand why people have to be so rude in a Walmart.

Oh I am sorry that you think you are better than me because I am at Walmart.

Guess what you are too.

So I like Target.

Linking to:

{Baby, It's Cold Outside}

It snowed for the first time in Utah on Saturday.

Well snow in the valley anyway.

I have mixed feelings about snow.

I like it when it is falling.

But it can pretty much get lost after that.

Oh and it hardly ever snows on Christmas.

So after the snow has fallen in Utah it usually just stays in the mountains.

And brings in freezing winds.

And I do mean FREEZING winds!

I have been coveting scarfs on Pinterest lately.

And found a tutorial from Pink Lemonade.

It was easy for a beginner sewer such as myself.

I made it in about 10 minutes.

Including CUTTING!

My neck won't be cold this winter!

I am going to make more in different colors.

I love me some ruffles!

As always you can find me linking here.

{Giveaway Time}

Giveaway Closed!  

I am excited to do my very first  GIVEAWAY! 

This is what you are getting!

Cute right???

One lucky reader will win the whole kit!

Included:

Trees with stands

Paper

And Ribbon!

Cute, right?

I will even include some jingle bells..
Just because I like you that much!

Want to know how you can win?

It's pretty simple.

Just be a public follower of my blog

and "like" Mandi Being Crafty on Facebook!

For an extra credit entry, share this giveaway with your friends via Facebook or Blog!

That's it!

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Giveaway will end November 11th!

Good luck!

What I {heart} on Pintertest #5

Here is my weekly installment of What I am LOVING on Pinterest!

I have found some really neat things this week.

Many things I am wanting to try!

I am going to work on something this week.

I hope it doesn't go into the fail pile!

So here they are!!!!

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 After being sick and spending alot of time in my room I have decided I hate the curtains in there.

They are just ugly.

I will have to show you a picture sometime.

They have been here for who knows how long.

(we rent)

So these would be a nice change.

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 I signed up to make some centerpieces for a church thing next week.

This is the winner in my book.

I am making this next week.

 These cute little trees made out of Popsicle sticks are way cute!

Kid friendly too!

I couldn't find a link back to the original site.

So if it is yours or know who this belongs to let me know!

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This cute scarf has an EASY tutorial attached with it!

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Do it yourself volcanoes!

My boys would get a laugh at this!

These are just a few of my goodies I have pinned!

Want to see what else?

Come visit me!

Mandi's Pinterest

Did you know?

Did you know that I have a facebook page?

I do!

And it is lonely over there.

Since we are bloggy BFF would you be a doll and go like my page?

That way I feel important for the day?

Thanks!

Oh and you would probably like a link huh?

Well here it is

Mandi Being Crafty Facebook

P.S. I have something on Friday that I think you will love.  

My very first giveaway!

Baby Gift

 As you probably already know I am not blessed with a girl.

As I am typing this right now 'Monster' is climbing all over me.

Oh the joy of boys.

So whenever I find out someone is having a girl I jump on the opportunity of making things.

I made these for a new mommy in our church.

 Baby shoes to keep little toes warm.

 I really like the pink flower fabric!!!

I made her three sets of shoes, bibs, and burp cloths.