friends, have you check out my sidebar recently? there are so many fantastic makers over there offering some incredible handmade goods perfect for gifting during this time of year!

i am over the moon with my friends at haven enterprise & their wood working magic.

i was so excited to work with them to create this gorgeous trivet with the word “gather” carved into it. 

it makes me teary just thinking about the word gather & it’s significance in our every day lives. 

i think it’s so important that our family gathers at the table each evening to share a meal. luke’s family lives just down our dirt road so every week we share at least one dinner with them. we gather at the table & tell stories, share podcasts we’re listening to & books we’re reading. they taught me the value of slowing down to break bread together.

in those moments, we find everyday beauty.  

my friends at haven enterprise are offering up a giveaway today, too!

one lucky natalie creates reader will win the “i am” butcher block from haven enterprises!

to enter, simply:

1. visit the haven enterprise website & take a look around

2. sign up for their newsletter here!

3. share your email address & what “gather” means to you.

i will pick a random winner next wednesday, 12/17, & announce it here!

love,

natalie

p.s. receive 15% off at checkout with the code “MERRY14” in the haven enterprise shop until december 19th! 

immediately when i saw these united states cutouts at hobby lobby in the wooden ornament section, i was inspired. there are so many possibilities for what crafty goodness you could make out of these ornaments. 

i knew they were just perfect for our dear friends who just recently moved to our town from missouri. 

a little back story – our dear friends & their little family just moved from our college town in missouri to our current hometown in arkansas just a handful of months ago. i remember that transition & how difficult it was adjusting to a new town & new people. we are so happy to have them here, but i wanted to honor their big move in 2014. 

with just a buck (& my 40% off hobby lobby coupon!), some supplies i already had on hand & a bit of time, i was able to make a cute ornament they can hang on their tree in their new home.

first, find some acrylic paint & two pieces of fabric that all coordinate & match one another. paint your wooden states cutout & let it dry for about ten minutes. 

once the paint is dry, tie ribbon of your choice to the ornament & gift away!

i plan to attach my ornament to a little holiday gift basket of goodies for our friends.

happy crafting & don’t forget to check out the fun projects happening for the next 12 days!

December 1 – Rustic Wooden Chalkboards with Living on Love
December 2 – Fabric Candy Cane Ornaments with Crafty Mally
December 3 – Cookie Jar Snow Globes with Tag & Tibby
December 4 – DIY Bath Caddy with Down Home Inspiration
December 5 – “You Are Home” US Ornament with Natalie Creates
December 6 – Fat Quarter Cloth Napkins with That Moxie Girl
December 7 – Painted Decor Blocks with Classic Play
December 8 – Footprint Reindeer Aprons with The Caterpillar Years
December 9 – DIY Hostess Gift with Buzzmills
December 10 – Emoji Onesies with Frock Files
December 11 – Dried Fruit Ornaments & Garland with Maker Mama
December 12 – Salt Dough Frame Ornaments with Small + Friendly

love,

natalie