The True Meaning of Christmas

I'm afraid that I've been focusing too much on the razzle dazzle of Christmas this past week.  I want to slow down and remember that this season is to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I just found this link to a site that is brim full of ideas,  music, and short videos all focusing on the true meaning of Christmas- there are even coloring pages for kids- I love it!!!

Good News!

Yippee!  I got my biopsy test results yesterday afternoon- benign!  I know as women we often gripe about the pain of mammograms, etc.  but I am so GRATEFUL for them.  The knowledge that a few minutes of pain every year (or six months in my case) could mean the chance to catch cancer early, get rid of it,  and to be able to continue being a wife and mom is so WORTH it!  Seriously, if your in the age when you need to be getting them- HAVE YOUR YEARLY MAMMOGRAMS-

Sassy Christmas Treat Toppers

Do you know anyone having a Christmas-to-much-to-do meltdown?  Well, maybe you could put one of these labels on a bag of chocolate, add a small package of Tylenol and deliver the gift with a giggle- hopefully that will bring a smile.

  

To use, save the file and resize to the measurements you need.  Then just print and cut apart, may mount on cute scrapbook paper, fold in half, place over the top of your goodie bag and staple in place- enjoy!

Pom Pom and Bead Garland

My children each get a tree in their rooms that they can decorate and re-decorate to their heart's desire.  I wanted to make this little garland for the tree in my daughter's room last year- I purchased all the supplies but didn't quite get it done.  It is a super simple garland and it came together quickly!

I purchased some pom poms, wood beads & foam beads at Dollar Tree.  This is how I assembled it:

Just take some textured yarn and tie a knot near the end.  Slide on your bead combination and then tie another knot holding them in place. 

Next take a pom pom and open it, pushing the fibers away until you can see the center, put a small drop of hot glue and place the the pom pom on the yarn.  Pull the fibers back in place around the yarn-  move on down your yarn string and tie another knot.

 Push the beads you want into place and knot again.... add pom pom, etc.  I think the garland adds a touch of whimsical fun to her pink and green tree.

More Christmas Craft Ideas

Yesterday was activity day again (for the group of 8-11 year old girls that come over).  I decided to help them make a present for their mom or teacher.  I used this idea that I found on sisters stuff and the instructions are at Kerry's Paper Crafting.  The 4x6" acrylic frames were 1$ at Wal-Mart.  The girls chose their own scrapbook paper from my stash and made their own tags and then we wrapped them so that they could keep their gift a secret. 

I also read them the story The Christmas Miracle of Johnathon Toomey which is one of my favorite children's books.  It is about a mean man that a widow and her son befriend - a very tender book with a sweet message of being kind- even when others are not... something I could remember at this busy time of the year.

One of my new favorite ornaments are these little wooden reindeer with a scrolled center.  They look a bit Scandinavian to me- but they would also look good on a country or glamorous tree (with gold ribbons all around).  They are at Target in the gift wrap section and are sold for 1$ as a gift topper.

How are your decorations coming along?

Not How I Was Planning on Spending December

Can you believe it- I need to have a breast biopsy to check out some microcalcifications that showed up on my annual mammogram and I've been summoned to report for jury duty DEC. 20th - is that rotten timing or what?! 

Um....  I had a few other things on my to do list this month.... I will try to squeeze a few crafts in- just to stay sane!

Best Creative Christmas Crafts

Sorry I've been such a slacker with the posts lately.  It seems like all of my energy got up and went- without me- I'm just getting the basics done and hoping to get back on track before the holidays come and go while I'm still napping :o)

I did search blog land for some fun ideas to use with my activity day girls- (about 10 girls ages 8-11 that come over twice a month for an activity).  Today we made advent calendars that included small tasks to remind the girls about the true meaning of Christmas. 

I thought I'd share a few of the good ideas I stumbled across in my search for inspiration:

Advent Calendars at Skip to my Lou
More adorable and some easy advent calendars at Crafty Crow
Cutest Felt Owl Ornaments at Juicy Bits  My mom, daughter and I did make some felt ornaments one night... look, even my owl looks tired!

Sarah Jane's literary countdown to Christmas
I think it would be fun to make a version of the pom pom garland over at elsie marley's blog

Hope your holiday season is off to a glorious start!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shutter Photo Display with Muslin Roses

I added a little something to the top of my shutter photo display- muslin roses with burlap leaves.

Cooking blog

Here is the link to a fun cooking blog- Our best bites- just in case you're like me and haven't found it until now : )

Free Christmas Cross Stitch Pattern- Cardinal and Blue Jay

When I was a child a sweet next door neighbor "adopted" me as her granddaughter.  We had some fine visits.  She loved animals and critters. She set up a bird feeder to attract birds- especially cardinals.  Around Christmas I could sometimes catch a glimpse of their bright red feathers.  Often at the holidays I think of her and these beautiful birds.

I decided to celebrate that memory and came up with a simple little cross stitch pattern to share with you!  Consider it your very first Christmas present of the year!  I couldn't leave out the fascinating blue jay so there is a pattern for him too- These would make fine ornaments, Christmas cards, or tiny holiday displays.

A link to the patterns is found in the freebie section on the right or here.  Below is the Christmas card version.

 Enjoy!!!

Beaded Craft Project Gone Wrong

I checked out a book from the library on seed beading because I wanted to try making a wintry brooch.  I found and adapted a simple cross stitch snowflake pattern. Yep, those are my reading glasses- don't need 'em for reading yet, but I sure do for fine craft work!  

In case you are a novice to seed beading you should know that it requires an investment of time and patience.  It took me forever just to thread the teeny, tiny needle!  Well, after working through two BBC Jane Austin movies (and one Deanna Durbin chick flick) the pin is done.

.... unfortunately the end product isn't quite what I'd planned.  First: it's too large. Second: the blue snowflake gets lost in the silver background.  Third:  I messed up and stitched the beads on the wrong way in one corner....live and learn.  It does sparkle beautifully!  Maybe I can use it as a lumpy coaster...

Happy Veteran's Day

I just want to send out a special thank you to all the veterans and their families.  I'm so grateful for your sacrifice.  The school my kids go to is so awesome.  Their Salute to Veterans program is one of the key events of the year.  They made special signs to put on the back of each veteran's chair.  As I watched this large group of young people singing the national anthem, joining together in the pledge of allegiance and singing God Bless America my eyes filled with tears.  I  join them in stating, "Thank you veterans and may God Bless America"!

Link to Adorable Free Thanksgiving Printables

I think these are the CUTEST Thanksgiving printables ever- and they are free.  Check out the entire collection over at anna and blue. 

Wreath hanger and Burlap Wreath

I found this cute little cabinet door at our habitat for humanity store (the selection of cabinet doors has been drastically reduced- I hope that won't be permanent!).  It just needed cleaned, fresh cream paint, lightly sanded and brown stain applied to edges.  I'm not perfectly happy with the end finish as the cupboard had almost a "plastic-y" finish that was really weird to work with- but it will do for now.  I added a cute hook from Hobby Lobby - now I can hang a burlap wreath or other such things on it :0)

The wreath is made by taking 3 inch strips of dark brown burlap and bending forward and back while threading onto a metal hanger as shown here- takes five minutes if you really drag your feet dilly dally.

11/9/10  Oops, forgot a step.  After threading the burlap onto the hanger twist it- keep adding burlap until it has the fullness you are looking for.

11/8/10  Don't miss the other creative ideas at skip to my lou and making the world cuter.

Free Amazing Online Christmas Craft Magazine

Amy has created a free beautiful online magazine FULL of craft ideas for every style and taste- go check it out!  Just click on the link above and then on the magazine picture and then flip through the pages- place your mouse on the right of your screen- near the middle- an arrow will magically appear to take you through the entire magazine.  Have FUN!!!

Shutter & Pictures Decor- a copy

My daughter showed me this cute shutter makeover from How Sweet it Is and I decided it would be perfect for my new/up-do/ in process photo wall.

Here is my version. 

The shutters cost $2 at the Texas yard sale.  I used WalMart's store brand, red spray paint.  I simply sanded the shutters and added some walnut wood stain to antique them a bit more. 

I followed the tutorial for clothes pins from Twice Remembered.  Now I can have a rotating (if I keep up with it) photo display in my family room!

I decided to link up with Thrifty Decor Chick's Before & After party- so here is the before-the-TLC shutter photo-

Christmas Gift Boxes at Target

I was just at Target and they had the cutest Christmas gift boxes in the dollar section.  You could decorate an entire room- just by stacking these cute boxes around---- or hang them on a tree!  You could even glam them up a bit with glitter, scrapbook embellishments, and adorable bows.

My favorites were the Victorian gingerbread house boxes.  Wouldn't it be fun fill it with a family of gingerbread people for the lucky people on your gift list?  You could even use glossy white puff paint to decorate the boxes- just like frosting!  Or use the box as a decoration by putting a fake candle inside so that you could watch it flicker through the tiny windows....  Too cute!

Sorry about the sorry picture-- I've been a bit harried lately.  Today when I tried to call my husband about our lunch date I dialed my zip code by mistake.... ah, well.  I'll be feeling better soon. 

I relaxed last night by reading a good a historical Christian romance (stayed up WAYYYYY past my bedtime)  --now I need a nap!

Apples and Caramel

Today's snack was caramel and crispy, crunchy apples.  Just make your favorite caramel candy and only cook it to the soft ball stage.  Then it will be softer- like a thick sauce.  My daughter and I used Betty Crocker's recipe with condensed milk.  Easy and Sweet.

Best Fabric Flower Tutorials

I'm sure you've noticed the 3000 fabric flower tutorials out there.  I thought I'd share links to a few of my favorites- in a variety of styles.

Made by Lex has a bunch of fashion makeovers to check out- I'm a big fan of her flowers too!

100 Layer Cake has wedding ideas and some pretty flowers too.

Scrap a little has a tutorial for tiny flowers that can be used for babies or to embellish gifts, cards, etc.  You can make just the center rose or add the bow back piece.

Maize Hutton loves the frayed look- and I like it too!

Oh, I really like this variation on the melted edge flower over at Simply Vintage Girl Blog!

Create and Delegate has some cute rolled roses.

Wow- just came across another blog round up over at Little Birdie Secrets- you might want to

check out some of her favorites.