#reverb10: Make

December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

Yay! This prompt is so perfect for today! I love making things. For our wedding, I made the invitations, escort cards, table numbers, centerpieces, bouquets, favors, and a million other things. My husband got me a sewing machine for Christmas last year and after taking one basic class, I made 2 pillow covers, 4 cushion covers, and an album cover. It has been so fun making things with my own two hands and not spending a ton of money. But the last thing I made? Welll...

Yesterday I made a wreath for our front door! After I was halfway done, I realized I should have taken pictures throughout the process, but oh well. Maybe next year. I'll explain instead. Two years ago, I bought a fresh wreath from Trader Joe's. It was probably $20 and looked great, but when we put all the Christmas decorations away that year, my husband took out all the branches and saved the metal cage thingy that holds it all together. The following year (last year) I grabbed some extra branches from Home Depot when we picked up our Christmas tree - they always cut off a few from the bottom of each tree they sell and anyone is allowed to take the extra branches. It takes some time (and practice - last year's did not look nearly as good as this year's) to clip the branches and fit them in the cage so they form the shape of the wreath, but it is so fun to be able to say, "I made that!" I even saved the ribbon from last year (the gold bow was from the original store bought wreath) and added some little ornaments.

There are so many things I've been wanting to make, but haven't made time (I say "made" time because I think people always say they have no time for things, but then they - myself included - sit around and watch TV or surf the internet). Here's a list of things I've been thinking about making:

~ A quilt for our guest bedroom.
~ An apron for my friend.
~ A book page wreath.
~ A cover for my sewing machine.
~ Flower pens for my students.

I just realized the last thing I *really* made was clam chowder from scratch for dinner last night. It was delish!!

What have you made recently?