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!