home-made christmas

In our family room I wanted our Christmas decor to be "us". I wanted to create it myself, reflective of comfort, tradition, and love. I think I've done it. I love the vibe.
I papermached some cheap-o ornaments and then painted them in my colors and I made our stockings out of old sweaters. They turned our great, were cheap (free!), and individual. The front of my house if very formal and beautiful, but the heart of my home just needed to feel that....home!

nativity stones

I had a lot of fun creating this nativity scene. It was fun to hunt rocks with my little ones, cut out pieces of paper and simply mod-podge them on.
I still need to make and angel and maybe a camel, donkey, cow and star. We'll see how far I go, but for now I'm happy with this.
I based my idea off of these story stones I saw a long time ago. They were so cute, I had to use them somehow.

christmas banners

As you know by now I am into banners. Here's my Christmas one as well as one for my SIL. Love them both, but will probably do different ones next year. Just want it to go with my colors and decor a little better.
These banner were made with the Cricut cartridges "B is for Boy", "Sugar and Spice" and "Country Life".

felt-loop christmas tree

While making some really cute hair accessories for my niece for Christmas this idea started brewing in my mind, so I tried it out and I am so glad I did. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how this turned out. My favorite projects are always the ones that just pop in your head, you do it, and magically it just works.
Just cut your felt in strips twice as wide as you want. Then fold them over and glue the long side. Then snip the felt to the glue (on the long side) every 1/4-1/2 inch. Glue around your cone and repeat. The star is the same concept, just spiraled in a downward motion (so as to fit on the tip).
I just 12x12 green card stock for the cone, 4 colors of felt (one for the star), twine, and 2 bells.
Wool felt is my favorite to work with, my the ivory is just the $.25 a sheet felt. The project only took like 20 minutes and that was with my 1 year old in my lap.-Now that's what takes talent. I grabby 1 year old and a very hot glue gun....I have most of the feeling in my finger tips still! :)

christmas trees

I made these gathered ribbon trees last year. I love how they turned out. I used some really ugly cones I found at the dollar store for my shape. Ribbon was from Hobby Lobby and what I had on hand. The wood tops and bottoms were from Hobby Lobby as well.
I believe I saw this idea at Shanty2Chic (can't find the link, sorry).

felt mistletoe

When I saw this I was so excited because I have been looking for some cute mistletoe for a door way in my house. My door way just so sad until I made this! In love with how it turned out.

ornament paper art

I stole this cute idea off my good friend. We always laugh at each other because our homes always look so similar around the holidays with all the cute things we do together.
I love this because it is simple and I used materials I had....free is good! :)
To make the ornaments simply cute two of each one. Fold them in half vertically and past together to create the 3D affect.

meet peter pan, our elf

So, I am a sucker for cheap and home-made, so I could never bring myself to buy "The Elf on the Shelf" book and doll. I love the concept and poem, just not the illustrations or doll...cute, but not me.
So, "Mrs. Claus" finally made her own using wool felt, craft glue, wire, and a sharpie. She's been thinking about it for a while, but not sure how to make him or how to present the "book".
She got some help from some of her virtual friends and away she went....
Gluestickshelped her get her cricut out and make a pattern using her "Paperdolls" cartridge. And Blossom Bunkhousehelped the creative thinking continue.
Santa sent my boys a package one morning with a letter, the poem (abbreviated version), and the elf. The elf was small so he could fit in the package. My kids were so excited. They have been loving looking for "Peter Pan" each day. He even moves during the day sometimes just to trick them even more!


Checking out our tree...

Gettin' comfy in the stockings...

Hanging from the curtain rod...

Reading a good book...

Sneaking some hot chocolate...

neighborhood cheer {free printables}

I am one for keeping the holiday spirit alive by thinking of ways to go stop by out friends and give them a little something. I never give anything extravagant, but I just think it's nice to think up something fun, make it, and take it around. I like having my kids to talk about it with too so they see the fun in giving.
Here are some of the things I've done over the past few years, and a few that I love that I've received.
2011-
I'm starting to see a lot of these pop up all over. Here's my version. Oatmeal, Christmas sprinkles, red, green, gold, and silver sprinkles.



Just click on the printable below if you want it. It will fit over a sandwich/snack size zip lock.

2010-
Wrapping paper. Practical can be cute and fun too!


Click and get...

2009-
Magnets glued on the back of mini ornaments. So festive!


Just click and save. Punch a hole at the end and string on bag!

2008-
(Can't remember right now...I'll have to remember what we did)
2007-
(Threw a Neighborhood Christmas party where kids came and decorated their own sugar cookies)
2006-
Rice Krispie wreaths with red hots. Just add green dye to your marshmallow mix. Mold in a bunt cake pan and sprinkle rod hots on top (you may have to push them in a bit so they stick).
2005-
Favorites I've gotten from others:
Delicious! White chocolate candy melt frozen on plastic spoon with candy cane chunk accompanied with hot chocolate. Ready for mixin'.

This smells so good! Lemon, orange, cinnamon stick, cloves, and