DIY Christmas Marshmallows

If you’re looking for a simple, sweet craft to do around Christmas–here it is. All you need are marshmallows, icing, and sprinkles. There really is no right or wrong way to go about it, but here are a few tips:

• The smaller the icing nozzle is, the more precise your icing drawing can be.
• If you’re working with large marshmallows, they float better in hot coco when cut in half.
• Get creative with the sprinkles. See what other Christmas scenes you can dream up.

Or take your newly acquired marshmallow decorating skills and make some very festive s’mores.

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How to Make Your Own Monster

Jessica Sheeran, creator of Cool Critters, is going to walk us through the steps of creating a monster of your very own.
Step #1: You’ll need two pieces of square felt. Cut two slits for eyes in the front facing panel that will be your monster’s face. Attach the eyes to the back panel (that will be hidden on your monster) and allow the eyes to peek through the slits on the front facing panel. Step #2: Stitch the two pieces of felt together. Make sure the eyes are in the correct place to be seen. Add additional stitching around the eyes for decorative purposes. Step #3: Fold your furry fabric in half. This will be the front and back of your critter. Cut out the face in the shape of an oval. Then pin the face in the top middle of the front of the furry fabric. Step #4: Using a sewing machine, stitch the face shape to the furry fabric. Step #5: Flip the fabric inside out (as if to make a pillow). Then pin it as it is still folded in half. 
 Step #6: Sew the furry fabric together like a pillow in the shape that you’d like your monster’s body to be, leaving only a small hole at one of the corners to turn the fabric right side out again in step #7. Step #7: Turn the fabric right side out and add stuffing through the same hole. Step #8: Stitch the small hole closed and you’re done!

Amy Peterson and Diana Russel of Rebel Nell

Amy Peterson and Diana Russel founded Rebel Nell with the desire to dig into their community. They work directly with local shelters and employ disadvantaged women in Detroit. While working at Rebel Nell, the women are strengthened with new skills and knowledge to help as they transition to an independent life.

The crew gets together and gathers chips of graffiti that have fallen off walls around the city. After taking the discarded bits through their top secret process, layers and layers of color and paint being to emerge in beautiful patterns. Then the pieces are turned into wearable art. You can shop the collection here.

Artistic skills aren’t the only thing being taught at Rebel Nell. There are also classes available on empowerment, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and a day to day support system. This self-sustaining social enterprise is a tight-knit group of women. It’s a family where creativity spurs on growth and friendships help establish a new way of life.

DIY: WIRE WORDS

Valentine’s Day can be a very divisive topic. You love it or you hate it. It does feel like a very commercial holiday that pointlessly makes us buy tons of things covered in little pink and red hearts and end the night with a self-indulgent candy binge. I’ve never been a fan of store bought cards or heart-shaped chocolate boxes. But boy do I love a good old fashioned handcrafted sentiment. That’s why these wire words are the perfect craft for this time of year. Give them as a gift or simply use them in your own home as decoration. This year, make something from the heart to remind those you hold dear how much they mean to you. Go ahead, state the obvious.

“The most important things to say are those which often I did not think necessary for me to say- because they were too obvious.” -Andre Gide

take a look at my crafting outfit: Script Logo Tee, 1889 Double Front Dungaree, & Sandstone Berkley Jacket

 

DIY: Mini Bulletin Board

 

This is a really simple DIY that only takes a few minutes. A mini, portable bulletin board is such a simple concept, and it’s incredibly useful. You can use it to display some fun pictures and keepsakes or even keep track of receipts and important papers. If you drop by your local hardware store, they usually have a scrap bin they’ll let you pick through for free. Grab a small block of wood, cover the front side in cork, and you have a mini bulletin board! Get creative and see how you can put your own spin on this project.

On another note, it’s time for fall clothes to get mixed into your outfits. Check out what’s new for Carhartt Women this season. I’m so ready for sweater weather!

DIY: Infiniti Bracelet (all with items from your local hardware store)

Ever since I was a kid, I loved going to the hardware store. To this day I still feels like a wonderland. There are so many odds and ends that have so many great purposes you can repurpose a million different ways. I’ve been seeing Infiniti symbols around a lot lately. Kinda cool new trend. Well guess what– an “s” hook looks a lot like an Infiniti sign! And so began my mission of making a bracelet entirely from hardware. Here it is. Give it a whirl. You’ll love it. I’m never taking mine off. It’s a great accessory for any Carhartt girl.

DIY: Quote Shirt

Alright ladies, it’s time to fight for your right to wear summer clothes! Before the cool weather really starts rolling in, make sure to wear those flip flops and shorts as much as you can. In the spirit of Crafted in Carhartt, I wanted to carry an adaptation of this great quote by Marie Curie around with me.

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that?
We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.
We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

I stenciled it onto the back of my Carhartt Annapolis Shirt. What a great reminder to yourself, and those walking behind you, of the hard work we should put into our passions.

DIY: Moss Sign

It’s that simple. Do what you love. If you’re crafty and love finding ways to bring nature into your living space, this DIY project is calling your name. You can pick up these supplies at your local craft store. It’s quick, simple, and to the point.

What you need: adhesive moss paper, a tree ring, an inspirational quote, pencil, sharpie, and scissors 

1. Pick out a quote that inspires you.
2. Type it up on a computer, mirror it horizontally so that it reads backwards.
3. Cover the back of the paper in graphite so you can transfer the letters to the back of the moss paper.
4. Flip the paper right side up (so that it reads backwards again), place it on the back of the moss paper, and trace the letters.
5. Your quote should appear backwards on the adhesive side of the moss sheet.
6. Trace over the graphite with a sharpie so you don’t smudge the tracing off while cutting.
7. Cut the letters out.
8. Peel and stick to the wooden palette.
And you’re done!

check out my crafting outfit here: Traverse City Hoodie & Straight Fit Slim Jean

Nicole from Pewabic Pottery in Detroit

Pewabic Pottery in Detroit was founded in 1903 by Mary Chase Perry Stratton. Her ceramics were nationally renowned, landing her a spot in the Michigan’s Women Hall of Fame. Mary went on to win several awards and established the ceramics department at the University of Michigan. The touch she had on Michigan and the arts and crafts community will always be remembered. The shop is still operating to this day and is now a National Historic Landmark. Nicole, pictured above, works as a ceramicist for Pewabic creating commissioned work and their trademark Pewabic blue pieces.

shop this look: Women’s Quarter Zip Sweatshirt, Double Front Work Dungarees, and Duck Nail Apron

Sometimes You Just Need to Make a Mess

One of my best stress relievers is painting— how the paint moves around the canvas naturally, flowing together in some places and beautifully discordant elsewhere.

When I paint, I throw on a pair of Carhartt bib overalls. Since I’m the master of making a mess when I get into arts and crafts mode, they are the perfect thing to wear. I don’t mind when paint splatters on them. In fact, I kind of love it. It shows that they are well loved and I remember all the things I’ve made while wearing them.

Another reason why they are perfect for us ladies is that the clasp that hooks the strap onto the button in front is flat so that it doesn’t catch onto long hair. (We all know how much it can hurt when your hair gets caught while working.)

You can snatch a pair of Carhartt bib overalls here.