Hello new Friend!! My name is Jenna, and I am so excited that you have found my creative space on the inter webs! This blog is where I share tons of helpful information to create the home life of your dreams! If you want to rock homemaking then this the place for you! I strive to break down everything creative, to show you that creating the home life of your dreams is extremely attainable!
Creative Topics Found at Making Things is Awesome!
Here at “Making Things is Awesome” you will find tons of easy to follow step by step DIY tutorials, to decorate your home in your own unique style! I will add ideas at the end of most tutorials to make the project your own.
I have a passion for sewing, although I am no expert. I am self-taught through books and online tutorials, and I will walk you though beginner sewing projects, as I discover them myself, to show you that learning new sewing techniques is super fun, and provides an amazing feeling of accomplishment.
I also create easy healthy recipes for the busy family, and a lot these recipes will promote weight loss, while still feeding your whole family! Because I know having the body of your dreams can be difficult to maintain, when your family seems to take up a lot of your time!
I pretty much cover everything creative for your home life! And I won’t forget about seasonal décor, seasonal eats, kids foods, and awesome ways to get your kiddos creative too!
On the main menu, found at the top of every page, you can find lots of different topics on my favorite ways to be creative!
About Me!
My Back Story…
I am a creative soul who has always been drawn to DIY, cooking delicious food, and wanting to raise a family (I always wanted to be a mom, but didn’t realize how hard it can be… Lol).
I am a former Registered Nurse who has decided to follow my creative passions, and find a way to live true to my life purpose. Although I enjoyed nursing (at times), this career did not offer me the creative outlet that truly feeds my soul. I felt drained and emotionally exhausted while caring for the sick or dying. I found myself emphasizing very strongly with others, I’d feel their emotions, and I found myself trying to just hold myself together emotionally while trying to care for them. I think nursing is important and wonderful, but emotionally not a good fit for me.
My Current Life…
I share my home life with my beautiful, tall, extremely handy, amazing father, and lover, Shawnikins! As well as my two kiddos Corbin (Corpus porpoise, Mr. Toots) and Ivy (Lynnkins). My kids are 18 months apart and are now 2 and 3 years old!! So I’m busy, but I love it!
We are an active family, not necessarily naturally I would say, but more because it seems when we stay at home the kids turn into crazy animals. So most days I take the kiddos to the gym, where I can get some healthy me time, and they get to play with other kids. This really sets us up for a more positive day! If we are not at the gym, we are probably having a fun adventure in our home of Kelowna, B.C. Canada. I will share these adventures if they are super cool!
Our home… We recently bought our first house! It’s a 20 something year old house with an unfinished basement (which we are currently renovating), as well, the whole house needs updating, so you will probably see a bunch of before and after renovation projects, with small attainable DIY projects that you can do yourself!
Food… I have the appetite of a horse! Many times I have fallen into the trap of eating all the kids left overs (because kids are the biggest food wasters EVER), snacking on their snacks (1 for you, 2 for me), getting myself very addicted to SUGAR, or just making quick processed convenient foods to feed the family. BUT… no more!!! I am currently on a weight loss journey, where I have found a way of eating that I love, and now crave (while still eating like a horse, Lol). I am also able to feed the whole family this way, without feeling deprived, and I want to share these meal ideas with you!
My Blog Life…
All my life I have created “Jenna things,” and now I am so excited to share all of my creative ideas with you! I strive to create content that is attainable, and inspiring, so you can create beautiful things, food, memories, and life too!
There is something about creating new things with your own hands, that will add a spark to your life!
So, if you want to have the creative home life that you have always dreamed of, follow me on this fun adventure, and subscribe to Making Things is Awesome, so that you never miss a new creative project! When you subscribe you will instantly be emailed my Free to subscribers list of 22 ways you can boost your creativity today!
I’m so excited to have you here and look forward to getting to know you! I’d love to hear from you in the comments! If you have any questions about any creative endeavour, ask away, and I’ll do my best to get back to you that day! Love!
XO JCL
Hi Jenna, you are so very talented. I have a question about the queen size chenille quilt. Do you piece the flannel? It is usually only 45” wide so for a backing on a queen size quilt wouldn’t you need to piece? Can you buy flannel in a wider width? I have made a baby chenille quilt but would love to make a queen size. Yours is beautiful!!!!
Thanks so much Jonelle. Yes I did piece the flannel fabrics together to make it wide enough for a queen sized quilt. Another option would be to buy king sized flannel bed sheets and cut them down to size. I have been collecting some from thrift stores to use on another large chenille quilt. Hope this helps and have fun quilting!
Hi Jenna,I would like to know what type of paint did you use for your wooden Easter bunny painting craft? Is it the kind similar to finger painting , or is it poster color?
Thanks much!
Hi Herlina! I believe it was acrylic paints from the dollar store. You can find them in a ton of different colors, but make sure they say non-toxic for the kiddos. I’m also right there with them when they are working with their art supplies to make sure they are not eating it. Lol. Acrylic paints are very pigmented paints which makes them great to put on wood! Hope that helps. Have a beautiful day!
I love your site, you have so many amazing ideas, sometimes in motherhood thinking up a creative snack or activity just doesn’t work but following you means I have so many great ideas at my fingertips! 🙂 You write beautifully and I really like reading your stuff! I have nominated you for the 2018 Liebster Award!! https://livinthecountrylife.com/2018/03/12/liebster-award-discover-new-blogs/
Wow! Thanks you so much Ashley! This made my day! I feel so honored to be nominated by you! I look forward to responding to this nomination and finding some new bloggers to share it with! Thanks so much! Much love sent your way!
Dear Jenna,
how beautiful to read of your life’s unfolding with husband and family and creative drive.
So happy you are able to take time out from nursing to be a Mum.
Such an important career choice and one that keeps on giving far into the years ahead.
I just became a Grandmother. I am so delighted.
Little baby boy. Mowat.
Thanks for your invite to your page on FB it was lovely and nourishing and refreshing to land there this morning.
Viv
from the floathome
Thanks so much Vivienne! Whenever I think of my mom’s life on the water I think of you too! So excited for you and your grandmother adventures ahead. Such love and fun that a new baby brings to the whole family! Great hearing from you! xo
I nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Here is the link to my post with the instructions!
http://thecraftycultivator.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
I have just discovered your blog, and I couldn’t be more impressed! You are very talented 🙂 I have recently been thinking about taking up quilting. My sewing skills are limited but I really love the creativity of quilting…it looks like fun! You quilts are beautiful — how long have you been quilting for? I am obsessed with your queen size faux chenille and was wondering how long it might take me to get to that level. Thanks -Shel
Thanks Shel, I actually just started quilting 2 years ago. I do come from a very creative family so picking up a book about quilting and a sewing machine was pretty easy for me. I just followed tutorials from other experienced quilters and come up with my own style. That is how I was inspired to blog about my own creations. Im sure you have the ability to do it too. Just follow great tutoirals step by step and you will create your own unique quilts. Have fun creating!
Jenna
Jenna Claire, you are mad talented! No surprise though, you always were! I love reading about and seeing your creations. Keep it up. xo.
steph (stevie)
Thank you so much Stevie! I have so much fun creating super cute things. 🙂 I too love reading your blog of all your adventures in motherhood. You are a very talented writer. The way you put words together makes me want to read more and more. I hope everything is well with you and your super cute family. XO
Jenna