Nativity Sign & Christmas Decorations

This little sign here was part of the reason I was so busy this Christmas! I posted a picture of my decorations and had so many requests for this sign, that I bought the commercial license for the design and created a "sign factory." I think I made and sold/gifted 25 of these puppies. The sign is available on my Etsy shop. 

I had the boards cut at Lowes, stained them (Kona & Barnwood), and then cut out the vinyl. Next year, I think I might try to stencil them, because I think it will go faster. 

I loved my new light up JOY sign from Big Lots and my red/white/silver/gold tree. Well, actually I loved all of my decorations! The wreath on my door was a fresh cut wreath from Lowes that I picked up while shopping for the wood.

Hot Sweet Onion Dip

I hosted our staff holiday party. It was an easy party to throw together, because everyone brought an appetizer and their own drinks! This dip was the favorite of the night! Drue brought it, and said it was easy. I made it to take to a friends house, I agree it's EASY!

Ingredients: 
1 sweet onion, chopped
8 oz. Hellmann's Mayo (it has to be Hellmann's because the other stuff separates)
8oz shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: 
Mix together, and bake for 20 minutes at 350*. Serve with Fritos Scoops.

Just for fun a few pics of my house set up for the party and the invitation!

I used wrapping paper as the table runner! Thanks Erica for the idea!!

Chevron Tree Skirt

Every year, I like to switch my tree up.  I have a bunch of colors of ornaments, and like to buy a few new ones every year to make my tree a theme tree.  This year I went for a red and green theme. I have a few tree skirts, but none of them matched my red and green theme. After a trip to Hobby Lobby in search of a tree skirt, I decided, I wanted to make my own.  I bought red chevron duck cloth and then went on a hunt for green pompom trim.  I ended up finding some at Joann's and had a 60% off coupon! So I think the total cost of my tree skirt was less than $20.

I bought a yard of fabric, but I have a tall and skinny tree. You could do this with more if you had a larger tree.


Then I folded it into a square, and used a pencil as a compass with a piece of leftover fabric.

Then I cut up one slit and cut a small circle out. (I wish I would have gone even smaller!)

Next I folded over the cut and center circle and made a nice edge.

Then, I bought 4 yards of pom-pom trim.  (I did a little bit of math finding the circumference of a circle with a diameter of 36 inches)

I sewed that all the way around!

LOVE IT!

Peace, Love, & Santa

Here are this years kiddo Christmas shirts! I wanted to use my new glitter vinyl. The peace sign and santa details are in glitter, and the rest is red flocked vinyl.  The lone boy, Isaiah, got a Ho, Ho, Ho version, with no glitter!

Looking back, I wish I would have done them all in black, because the glitter shows up much better! However, I couldn't find the right sizes in either color! So I had to mix and match.

Beautiful E rockin the onesie!

Craft Exchange Burlap Wreath

Twice a year, Craftaholics Anonymous hosts a Handmade Gift Exchange for readers and crafters everywhere. Participants make a handmade gift for another crafter with whom they are paired. This is a great way to make a gift.

 I was paired up with a lady from Sleepy Eye, MN. Sleepy Eye is a SMALL town in Minnesota, where my grandma's family lives!  I thought that was a small world connection! 

I made Alyssa this wreath.  I thought I was going to need those pipe cleaners, but it turned out I only needed 2!   I used 2 rolls of burlap, a metal wreath frame, a snowflake ornament, and some floral picks.

I started off by attaching the burlap end to the wreath with a pipe cleaner.  

 Then I folded the burlap in half, and wove it through the rings.  I went bottom, middle, top. I kept saying that over and over as I did it. Depending on how full you want it, you can do 3-4 bottom, middle, tops per section.

 Keep going around and around... when you have to add the 2nd roll of burlap, tie it on with the pipe cleaner.

 I then added in decorations! I wired the snowflake on so she can change it out for different seasons (I'm thinking a heart, clover, eggs, flags, etc!)

In return she sent me this: 

An oven mit, tea towel, cute little bag, and a lace reindeer ornament! Wishing I would have put up my pink tree this year!

Wreaths & Wine Party

Last week, I had my friends over for a "Wreaths & Wine" party.  I had given a few wreath lessons, during the fall, so I thought, "Why not have a party and get them all done at once?!" We met at my house, and then headed off to Hobby Lobby.  In the days before the party, we were pinning inspiration pictures, so most of us went with a vision in mind.  I was there to help them pull their vision together! I wish I would have taken pictures of us shopping. It was a sight to see! We all had our phones out with the pictures trying to find the perfect ribbon, pine branch, or ornament! Andrea even made a friend who was making a similar wreath! I thought she might invite her over too!

All of us spent around $25-50. Some of us hit up the fall sale, 80% off, so they spent a little more, because they bought more than just wreath supplies!

First we had a little dinner, then we got to work! I set up a large 6 foot table and the glue guns.  I would also suggest having out wire cutters, wire, picks, and scissors.

I gave a little lesson on deco mesh wreaths, and we all got to work! I love how they all turned out! Even some of them who are not crafty, and didn't have a vision, came out with great wreaths! It was a hit! A little wine, helps boost confidence too! :)

This is what happens when you try to do a self timer, that shoots 6 pics every time! As you can tell we were having fun! 

Our AWESOME wreaths! 

LED vs. Incandescent Lights

We did a neat experiment this week in science.  We compared different kinds of holiday lights and the energy they used. I was blown away by how much less energy the LED lights used.  I didn't realize it was that drastic! They cost more, out of the box, but end up costing less to light up and last longer! They also don't get hot!

We went through the scientific method using a sheet that we have been using for all science experiments. I think my kids finally know how the steps and how to write a hypothesis!!! I provided them the pages suggested by the lesson plan to conduct their research, as well as let them read the box of the lights, and observe the lights. 

Activity Sheet and Directions from The Need Project: http://www.need.org/needpdf/decJanEE1105.pdf (pages 4-6)

Calculator: https://www.dom.com/about/conservation/holiday-calculator.jsp

Finally, we were able to do the experiment! They recorded their data and wrote a conclusion.  After they had their information down, they got to display it in a fun way.  I made light bulbs that had each step of the scientific method on it.  They had to copy their information into a final product.  Then they got to make a construction paper light bulb, and glitter glue the cover and make it fancy! I hung up the LED bulbs around the board.

Christmas Photo Booth

I decided at last minute to make a photo booth for my Christmas party.  I'm so glad I did! I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a few shapes; I also found a few hats around my house to use as props.  I put up some wrapping paper on the wall, set up the camera on a tripod and it was ready! The pics came out great and it was fun!

I used www.iPiccy.com to make the strips! 

NOEL

Love how this turned out! I bought the N, O, and E at Hobby Lobby.  The O is actually a small candle holder.  I made the L out of scrap barn wood from my Mom's house.  I just cut 2 pieces and glued them together. I can change it to spell LOVE for Valentine's Day by adding a V! 

Tis the Season

This year I got a little anxious and set up my tree before Thanksgiving. Ever since I was younger I liked having a matching tree. My mom likes the hodgepodge look, but I am all for matchy-matchy.  I have had pink trees, blue and white trees, red and green trees, and this year I decided to tone it down and go more neutral.

I got a new tree this year, a find from my grandma's basement! It is much taller than my old one, which means more room to decorate.  I bought 3 new shape ornaments, and a few more gold balls.  I also bought burlap ribbon and burlap to make my tree skirt.  I plan on making a few burlap ornaments too! Stay tuned!

To make the tree skirt, I used my old one to use as a pattern. I just cut it out along the lines. I may add a ruffle to it if I have time!

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2012/12/2012-christmas-tour-of-homes.html