Our Christmas Tree

Since we are living in South Korea we are not able to have a real Christmas tree this year. There are fake trees available but we didn't want to pay for one that we won't be using next year. At first, I was pretty bummed but then I decided to just make my own!

I used an old cardboard box that the previous teachers left in our apartment. It was for a keyboard stand so it was long and thin. First, I drew the basic cone shape on it (so I wouldn't make one side too fat) and then just started cutting out triangles to get the points. Once I had one tree cut out, I traced it on the other piece of cardboard and cut that out, too. It took a long time and I had to take breaks because the scissors were hurting my hand.

Then I cut a line down the center of one of then and slid it down on the other one. It wasn't really staying together that well because it was so long and flimsy at the top. The top pieces kept drooping off to the sides. If I was back home, I would have used a glue gun and just glued it together, but I don't have a glue gun here. I improvised and used a needle and thread that we found in a little sewing kit in one of the junk drawers. I used the green thread and sewed the very top first and then again about half way down. It wasn't the best solution but it was the best I could do with what I had at the time. Plus, you can't even tell I sewed it after it was painted.

Spencer brought home some green paint on his way home from work but it was reallly dark, like almost black-dark. The color was lost in translation to him, as sometimes happens when you don't speak Korean in Korea.  I still painted the whole thing but after it dried, it was way too dark. The next day, I bought some lighter paint and mixed them to get the colors I wanted.

I painted three sides dark green and one side (the front) a lighter green to get a shadow effect. I'm happy with the outcome and I think it looks really great with the paper chain and little star. It's amazing how much happier I am now that we have a tree. Before, it didn't even feel like Christmas and now I feel like Buddy the elf I'm so excited!   

Seoul: A Crafter's Paradise

Seoul, South Korea is a crafter's paradise. You might not have known this before, but I can assure you, it's true. You can find everything to make anything in Seoul. I saw endless amounts of beads, elastics, thread, fabrics, fur, zippers, cords, feathers, rhinestones, string, yarn, and so much more! You name it; they have it. I was so overwhelmed I could hardly buy anything but I did manage to buy some embroidery floss and a few needles. :)

S. Korean Craft Store

On the walk home from work on Tuesday Spencer suggested we take a different route home. If we got lost we could always just hop in a cab so I agreed. I am so happy I obliged because we found a craft store!!! :) 

I am so happy to have found art supplies in Suncheon. When we interviewed for the positions, I asked another English teacher if there were any craft stores in the city. He said, "oh, the school will have everything you need." I'm sure he thought I was thinking of art projects for the students but I was thinking about art projects for me! I didn't bring it up again but was a little disappointed that he didn't automatically say, "oh yeah, there are tons of craft stores!" I figured I would have to go to bigger cities to find materials. 

I was so happy in that store! I wanted to look at everything and buy paints, brushes, stamps, stickers, colorful paper, paint pens, and tons of other things! Unfortunately, we haven't gotten paid yet, it was getting dark, and Spencer was tired (well, I was tired too but I was on a creative high!) so we went home. I took pictures of the store sign, the stores across the street, the high rise apartments near it, and tried to memorize the whole walk home so I would know exactly how to get back. 

You better believe that I will be back the day after payday!

Nine Cities I Love

My Top 9 Cities:

1. San Diego, CA - where I fell in love with my husband and met some really amazing friends

2. San Francisco, CA - I love SF with a burning passion...every time I visit, I love it more.

3. Cape Town, South Africa - beautiful city! I loved visiting the botanical gardens and climbing Table Mountain. The view from the top was spectacular!

4. Tokyo, Japan - vibrant, fast-paced, clean, safe, wonderful

5. Paris, France - I love/hate Paris....but I learned a lot from this city and always dream about returning and perfecting my French

6. Modesto, CA - I grew up here. The people make the place: my family <3

7. Amsterdam, The Netherlands - the bikes, the Dutch, the canals--this city is a dream

8. Suncheon, South Korea - my new home for the next year

9. Melbourne, Australia - a place I would love to visit!! the only one on the list I haven't been to

I first saw this picture on my friend Robin's blog. Go check out her top nine cities.

The Prettiest Bar Stool

This has to be the cutest bar stool I have ever seen! I love the different fabric patterns. I feel a DIY project coming on.... :) 

source

Crochet Flowers

How adorable are these Forever Flower Garlands??? They are hand made in the UK and can be custom ordered so you can pick the colors. What a fun project. I think they would look great at a vintage wedding, don't you?



Tissue Paper Frilly Cupcake Topper DIY

This is my favorite topper so far! I love the frilly, softness of it and I can just imagine it billowing softly in the warm May breeze on my wedding day. It's fun to play with the different color tissue paper and make pretty color combinations. 

Without further ado, here are the do-it-yourself instructions. I hope you like it! 

Supplies needed:

- tissue paper

- scissors

- glue (I used hot glue but I think a normal white glue would work great!)

- ribbon
- lollipop sticks

Fold tissue paper in half and glue the ends together lightly without creasing the fold. Gluing it will make it easier to cut the fringe. Cut the fringe in however big portions as you like.

Lay the tissue paper down flat and put a line of glue along the bottom. Roll the paper onto your lollipop stick. I started with a yellow, smaller fringe in the center and blue on the outside to make it look like a flower.

Roll it up!

Finish it off by gluing a ribbon around the bottom of the tissue paper to get a finished look.

C'est fini!

Happy Valentine's Day



I hope you all have a swell day cherishing all those people you love <3

I made this little votive holder using a small, white paper bag I got at the craft store, some pink scrapbook paper and some paper punchers. Isn't it cute?? It's only about 5 inches tall so I made a set of three for my romanic, at-home dinner tablescape tonight.

Constellations of the Northern Hemisphere



This is so cute! What a fun way to learn about the stars...

first seen here

Felt Ball Garland

The lovely Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day! made this cute garland out of felt balls. The color possibilities are endless. This is a fun and easy craft that anyone who can handle and needle and thread could do. It's great for Christmas or any occasion. Wouldn't those shiny felt balls add some sparkle to your tree? 

See her post here.