whatever

january sponsors

each craft weekend we have RAD sponsors that send their product for our guests!

they are the best!

check out ALL of their shops below! 

 

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  Little Branches

    

adorable shop filled with hand painted signs for holidays, sports fans or just because!

shop / blog

 

Jeanne Oliver Designs 

 vintage treasurers, beautiful art work, jewelry and courses that encourage creativity

shop / blog

 

Stitch Craft Create

this magazine is so much fun for anyone who likes to get crafty!

shop

 

Sorta Southern Boutique

super cute cases combining a place for your phone and wallet in great colors!

shop

 

Dayspring

 

christian cards, inspirational gifts, home decor and more!
shop

 

Jenze

Jenze shop is all things paper and party!

shop

 

Crystal B Jewelry

crystal makes beautiful jewelry in lovely colors!

shop / blog

 

 

Studio Mela

awesome prints illustrated by Shelli Dorphe

shop

Ike & Co. Jewelry

pretty stone jewelry in every color and style
shop

use the code:MEG20 for 20% off your purchase

thank you to all our january sponsors!

you make Craft Weekend

even more fun than it already is!

craft weekend is my fave.

alrighty... i have made it home from Haiti.
it was a super quick trip to meet some of the stove vendors and see how it all is working IN the field.
my trip was lovely.
i will share my pictures and stories at the end of the week.

i stupidly left my phone in the car of one of the girls living in haiti so i am without a phone for awhile.
feels like i am missing a limb.
somehow though i think will survive.... ha! 

and now.... Craft Weekend January 2013!

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a new year begins for Craft Weekend.
it is pretty exciting to me.
we have some pretty big plans for the Craft House and Craft Weekend this year.


we brought in a new piece for supplies....it's from the barn.
it is so COOL!  
it was from a post office but i am sure it is much happier living at the craft house now.
it was a pain to clean but i am loving it!
i  want to paint it.... although i never have time.  

(Katie Daisy art is from Pottery Barn Teen)

lindsey helped me set up my shop on the stairway.... so adorable!
she is so good with displays!
and a new/old map is up in the foyer making me happy every time i walk by.






we were ready a little bit early this time (YAY!!) 

our guests arrived and the party was officialy under way!

after dinner we got busy on our aprons.
i am always so interested in watching how they choose.
some are done right away and some are still deciding an hour later.

:)





ironing, hemming, pinning, sewing...almost done.
i love the sounds of 6 sewing machines going at once!





they were all done earlier than any group has been! 
that doesn't mean it was early, but it was earlier than the previous groups.
and i am fine with getting a little more sleep.  


on saturday we took a COLD field trip out to Marion to our favorite shop, Bearly Makin' It.
it was crazy cold.
craaaazy.


tere had a jeanne oliver bag!  
so cute.

i always like to see what people gravitate to at the store... the quilts? the books? glassware?

after a sonic break we made it home to get crafty again.

these girls were fast workers!
most of our projects get quite messy.
if you are going to make a mess it may as well be a pretty one right?



i found another 7up crate at the barn (and then quickly got back in the van before i froze to death)


Lindsey led a project that she has posted about on her blog before.
it was so fun to make!! i LOVED it!!

i want to make a huge one now.  :)

joy led a project that let us use hammer and nails for the first time at Craft Weekend!

its fun to get a little noisy!
(actually it was A LOT noisy...kind of unreal how loud it was!)














my canvas before i started with bright colors. 
we used canvases and paint sponosered by DecoART! 
we love thier products!


my friend wendy of blue lily photography came for friday & saturday to take a ton of photos for us.
i was so happy to have extra time with her!
she squeezed us in before she took off her World Tour with Tyler and her kids.  
i am so grateful!
you NEED to get on their schedule .... they go every where in the world!  
check out their dates by you!

roomie pics.....

                     

                    


seriously adorable aprons!
they added flowers and pom poms and really cute trims.




i don't think i have ever been able to pick a favorite.



we made fabric covered button bracelets..... LOVE these!





these are the signs we built with joy.
everyone came up with neat quotes and colors!



our paintings with lindsey!




everyone's was slightly different in the shades they chose.
but i thought they were all awesome!  

what an awesome group we had!

i felt completely relaxed when it was over....love that...how wonderful to finish your WORK and feel great?!

    krista from kansas                                                       erin from kansas

                                                       mary from kansas                                     angie from dominican republic

   katherine from texas                                                    meredith from texas

                                                           dani from utah                                                   tere from washington

   charly from kansas                                                       sara from kansas

                                                                                                                                           gale from kansas

   joy from california                                                       lindsey from california

 
here's the whole gang!  
such a lovely group of women.... i miss you girls!

                     

kimberlee and i pretty much have the best jobs ever!  
we love serving all these women and guiding them as they create alongside their new friends.
somehow i have no photos this past month of all the YUM-O food she prepared.
i was too busy shoveling it in my mouth apparently.
her meals are just the best...prepared so thoughtfully...taste so GOOD!
i am so grateful for everything she does at Craft Weekend.

but it's really too fun to be called work for us both!

what is your favorite part of craft weekend when you read about it?

i would LOVE to hear that!

happy monday!

 

it's a good monday.

i slept until noon today.
i did get up from 6:45 to 7:30 to see my kids off to school but then straight back to bed.
sleep is a good thing.

craft weekend was pretty excellent this past weekend.



lindsey and joy came as helpers and were nothing less than amazing at that job.

we did not plan our wardrobe... we just happened to all match perfectly!

wendy came too!!  (blurry picture is better than no picture? maybe ;)

she took a bajillion photos for us doing all the things we do at Craft Weekend and i got to spend time with her which was super happy for me.  

i hope you loved being here as much as i loved having you here wendy!
maybe you should ditch your world tour and just come to craft weekend every month???
there will be cinnamon rolls.... 

i know you are tempted.

 

kimberlee pampered us all with food that tastes so much better than anything i could ever make.

and our crafty guests were awesome.
so kind.
so happy.
so lovely.
such a treat to have them and get to create alongside them.

tulips are so cheerful in the freezing cold of january.
 

we made a really cool painting!!



and these were the treasures i brought home from the antique store on saturday.
a quilt...some vintage trims... salt shakers for holding tiny craft supplies...sugar shakers for twine...and a pencil sharpener for the craft house because we are always looking for pencils!

i can't wait to share about the actual weekend.
and tell you about our awesome sponsors we had this month.
it was just a really great time.

now... i guess i have to go run off the cheesecake & cinnamon rolls i stuffed myself with this weekend.
or at least i should go.
but... i would have to get out of my jammies.
and it is 25 degrees out.

we'll see what happens....

 

happy monday to you! 

 

i love our sponsors!

each Craft Weekend we have wonderful, generous sponsors who send our guests their product!
we appreciate all of our sponsors SO much.
our sponsors make Craft Weekend even more special to our ladies who come!
thank you for being an awesome part of Craft Weekend!
 

Holiday with Matthew Mead ..................................................

Matthew Mead sent us the latest copy of his magazine Holiday.
it is filled with page after page of gorgeous christmas decorations and ideas.
you can read his blog HERE to find out what is coming up next and get great style tips. 
you can purchase your own Holiday magazine HERE. 

 

 

Elisa Lou .......................................................................................

Elisa Lou sent sweet little coin pouches for our crafty girls.
i will love having this little extra pocket in my purse to store my change or lipstick or anything small.
her etsy shop is filled with bags and pouches that are ready to ship in time for christmas. 

Use the coupon code Holiday12 for free shipping in her etsy shop!

 

 

Little Branches .............................................................................

Little Branches sent our group these absolutely lovely handpainted christmas signs.
she has a sweet shop filled with signs, baby gifts, pillows and more.
she is running a sale on her mini signs (like these) today... 2 for $25!!
these will look so perfect in your home this christmas and would also make GREAT gifts!!
go shopping at Little Banches! 

 

 

A Cottage Life ...............................................................................

A Cottage Life sent our girls a spool wrapped with mini bunting.
it is the cutest little bunting!!
her shop is a fun spot with a mix of vintage finds and handmade pretties.
she makes the hankie embroidered dish towels that i love!
go check our A Cottage Life on etsy and use the code WHATEVER10 for 10% off your order through december!

 

Avenue Lou ...................................................................................

Avenue Lou sent their awesome sunglasses cases for our crafters!
these sunglass cases are perfect for protecting the latest fashion in sunglasses.
the hard study case has a suede-feel interior that will keep your eye-wear safe.
The outside is durable and washable.
they would make PERFECT christmas gifts...it would be a great stocking stuffer or teacher gift!

use the code Craft  in their shop... making the cases only $12!

 

 

Lisa Leonard ............................................................................

Lisa Leonard Designs has jewelry for everyone.
you can find gifts for anyone on your list in Lisa's shop.
she carries a whole line of gold jewlery now too!!
i am SO excited about her latest new charm bracelet...a new charm comes every month all next year!
i can't wait for that to come in the mail!
have you seen it yet?  it's going to be so pretty on my wrist.   

Use the code meg20 for 20% off anything in the shop
{except gift cards or the discount charm bracelet} Expires Dec 10th. 

 

 

the Pleated Poppy .................................................................

the Pleated Poppy is such a happy shop.
her handmade pouches and bags, covers and fun christmas decor will be your favorites too.
i LOVE her messenger bags....so cute and roomy with fabulous color & patterns mixing perfectly.
go shopping at the Pleated Poppy and use the code WHATEVER15 for a 15% discount! 

 

 

Thirty One Gifts ............................................................

Kerry Perkinson is an Independent Senior Director with Thirty One.  
She sent CUTE bags for each crafter!
you can visit her facebook page to find out about deals and promos she carries.
she has a 12 Days of Christmas special that looks really amazing!

Go visit her site to see all the super cute and functional bags & gifts that Thirty One has for you! 

 

 

Dayspring .................................................................................

Dayspring sent their mugs from their shop for our guests.
each mug has a bible verse and a beautiful design.
dayspring carries an entire line of inspirational products for your home.
i love to go through their shop and find gifts for friends and family and also... for me!

 

 

Close2MyART ..........................................................................

Close to My ART sent her Dangling Doodles for our crafters!!
i love these little pieces of art!
each one has such character and is so unique.
these would make wonderful ornaments for your tree this year.
her entire shop is filled with creativity from frames to clocks to paintings to soap dispensers!
go look through all of it and you will love it all! 

 

Broward Patch ........................................................................

Broward Patch sent camera straps for everyone in all differnt patterns.
i fell in love with the rainbow chevron immediately.
they are all so fun in her shop!
use the coupon code Craft20 for 20% off your entire order!!
which one will you choose?!  these would also make great gifts for christmas!

 

 

Inspire Lovely ..........................................................................

Inspire Lovely is just that...completely lovely.
this shop is filled with paper goods, party supplies & packaging in patterns and colors that i love!
they sent twine to our crafters packaged so sweetly on little wooden spools.
i really just love every page in the shop.
use coupon code INSPIRE15 for 15% off your first order (coupon expires the end of November).

 

 

Bake it Pretty ............................................................................

oh how i love Bake It Pretty!
when i go to their shop i am filled with ideas of every kind of party i dream of hosting.
they sent a box filled with pretty awesome goodies...including my favorite product of theirs...
a cupcake frosting decorating kit for each of guests.
go look through their site and you will be set for ANY party or special occasion you have coming up. 

 

 

Barn Owl Primitives ..........................................................

Barn Owl Primitives is an awesome shop filled with colorful and sweet signs.
they sent one sign to our weekend and we got to pick one lucky winner to take it home!
she sent this christmas sign and i love it so much...red and turquoise are my favorite!
go look through her shop to find a great sign for your home too! 

 

 

Lovely Little Whimsy .............................................................

this sweet shop sent earrings for our craft guests.
her shop is filled with unique jewelry and scarves and baby gifts.
i really love this owl necklace right now!
go peek around in her shop and i bet you can get some christmas shopping done while you are there. 

 

...................................................................... 

 

 

thank you sponsors for

making our last craft

weekendof the year

A M A Z I N G !!!

 

seriously....you could be DONE with your christmas shopping if you wanted from this post!
:) 

 

 

broken bones and KAKE news.

 

*********************************************

on monday evening craig & i were looking forward to our free night with no plans or practices.
and then i heard a SCREAM outside that was so loud and annie yelling "I BROKE MY ARM!!! ITS BROKEN!!!"

i doubted for about five minutes but then i felt her arm.
yeah....
i called craig & he was on his way home from work "i think annie broke her arm.  i am taking her to the ER".
he said he would meet us there.


two hours later they determined it was definitely broken.
we expected it to just be a cast and we'd go home.

then a dr came in and said "it's a really bad break.  REALLY BAD.  we need to do surgery"
what?!
so at 9 PM they took her in and put her under.

that was very hard to let her go.

a piece of her bone broke off and was floating in her arm.
they put two pins in her elbow to hold it in place until it heals.

she's smiling but it was just for the camera.
she and i slept in the hospital (if you can call it sleep) monday night to keep an eye on everything.


we headed home late morning....dead tired.
we both rested all day yesterday.
the doctor says a cast comes next week.
she is hoping for lime green but thought red and blue for KU would be cool too.

we've got some serious bedhead going on that we will have to deal with today....



she slept all night last night.
i just feel so bad for her.
she is miserable.
i think we will paint nails and toenails today.
and finish her chapter book.
and we watched Crocodile hunter this morning.... how much tv can one person watch?!

so send up some prayers for annie when you think of her.

 

and on a completely different subject...........

 

Craft Weekend was on the local news!
they interviewed us before the last CW and then came back AT craft weekend during our apron making.
some of our guests were interviewed about why they came.
i was really nervous about the whole thing but i think it turned out well.

it's pretty cool. 

 

ok....another cup of coffee is needed.
and i am going to do 7 loads of laundry today.
i am.
keep me accountable.
make sure i do it.
cause my laundry situation is downright embarassing right now.
i have let it go for far too long.
sitting at the hospital knowing i needed clothes and dreading the thought of having a friend go into my house to look for my clothes was mortifying.
1. i doubt i had any clean underwear for me.
2. to get to my clean clothes....you had to climb the mountain of dirty clothes first...seriously a safety risk.

so today i am playing nurse, manicurist and laundry aid.

what are you doing today?
getting ready to cook?  are you hosting thanksgiving? what kind of pie are you making? 

last Craft Weekend of 2012

 

***********************************************************

as suspected....this group of girls was wonderful.
:)

it's so much fun getting to make new friends!
they came from all over again this month...with only one major flight delay...so glad you made it sunny!

we had lots of instagrammers this month.
it is fun to help newbies get started on a new addiction.

i used their pictures from the #whatevercraftweekend group to make some collages.

looks like fun doesn't it?!

we made our aprons on friday night.
this group was quick...several of them were finished before 11:30! that's unheard of at craft weekend!
:) 

we tried something a little crazy with this group... a late night donut run!

our little local donut shop opens at 11:30 PM on friday nights with hot fresh donuts.
it felt pretty crazy getting the van to go somewhere that late.
like we were wild kids....just like all the kids that were AT the donut shop.  
it was yummy and fun!

our saturday at the antique store and barn was SO WINDY!
ridiculous kansas wind.
but these girls did just fine finding all kinds of lovely treasures to take home.





kimberlee scored vintage ornaments for $1.00 at the thrift store down the street.
they were the prettiest colors...pink, yellow and orange!!!

we are quite a sight when we pull into town every month.  

chippy paint makes me so happy.




lauren found this quilt and said she is going to recover the seat in her old truck with it!
that is a dreamy idea.
so creative.


becky had a hard time deciding on this owl... i am glad she got it.
it's unique and sweet.


paige snagged the quilt i pick up every time i am there.
i have almost gotten it so many times.
but it was meant for her... i am so happy she is loving on it at her house.

then it's back to crafting!
they spent all saturday evening making beautiful projects and laughing and talking.
saturday night is my favorite part of Craft Weekend... no one is nervous and they get really creative.





Megan lead a hoop art project that was so cute!
everyone's was different... i love seeing that.




i need way more glitter next time.  :)

megan also taught us how to cover big bracelets with recylced sweaters.
i loved all of them!


the t-shirt flowers are so fun to make!




i love these covered button necklaces... soooo much!






adorable right?
i love every single set of the J-O-Y words.
a few chose to cover them with non-christmas fabrics to keep them up all year.






the ruffle aprons are the most cheerful pictures every month! 








roomies..... seven of them meeting each other for the first time on friday night!

becky & megan were our helpers for the weekend....and our roomies.
becky helped kimberlee in the kitchen and megan helped me in the craft room.
they were lots of fun to meet in real life!

 
                                         joanna from tennesse                                       angela from north carolina

                                                       ali from utah                                                     jill from kansas

 

                                             lauren from indiana                                                   sunny from idaho

 

                                       bethany from minnesota                                          tiffany from minnesota

 

                                           amy from minnesota                                          shannon from oklahoma

 

                                           paige from oklahoma                                              april from oklahoma

 

                                             becky from virginia                                            megan from michigan

******************** s q u e e z e! *********************

************************************************************

there was amazing delicious food from kimberlee.  
she cooks for 15 women like it's no big deal at all....she is an inspiration.
i love to eat anything she cooks.
and my extra weight i have gained this year is proof of 11 WONDERFUL craft weekends.
but apparently i was so busy EATING her meals that i took no pictures.
lame.
trust me...D E L I C I O U S!!!

i am so grateful for kimberlee and all her HARD work.
she does so much for each weekend to flow smoothly.
i just adore her.

and somehow we ended up with NO pictures of the two of us together.
except this one....

the wind on saturday was unbelievable...i think we captured it perfectly!

 

well....a year has come and gone since we began this crazy Craft Weekend adventure.
it's wild!!!
it's so much more amazing than i dreamed it would be.
i love that God has brought so many absolutely beautiful women into my life.
i feel so blessed.
we have so much fun!!

but this is just the beginning!
we have so much more in the works for 2013 and beyond.
i can't wait to share with you what we re dreaming up.

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would you like to come to Craft Weekend next year?

first READ THIS and then sign up for the wait list!
it's chosen by random number generator so you could get picked next....you just never know!
it's worth it.
get on the list!