12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 9

Per request of Karalyn, we are starting off today's post with a picture of Sydney and a furry lurker who is just waiting for some Cheerios to fall.

Today's craft is a ribbon Christmas card holder. I hand-sewed paper clips on a ribbon and tacked it on the wall. I tried to cover the tacks with some ornaments. I think it'll look a lot better when I attach more Christmas cards to it. Hint, hint everyone (including myself)! : )

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 8

I guess this isn't necessarily a Christmas craft. I had the idea bottled up in my head for awhile now and I had to let it out! I made these flowers from tissue paper left over from my birthday presents. I put some Mod-Podge on them to shine and stiffen them up. I inked the edged and I also glittered the ball in the middle. The ball is just pulled from a floral pick. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these yet. I might decorate some presents with them.

On a different note, Matt finally came back last night from his 6 week training! Yea.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 7

Okay, today we have some small gifts to give to neighbors and friends. I saw these origami boxes done in the December issue of Creating Keepsakes. Even though, this link has the directions if you want to make your own. The top box is from a 12" x 12" piece of paper. The bottom box is from an 11.5" x 11.5" piece of paper. It's great way to use up all that extra Christmas scrapbook paper that has been sitting around. I know I can't be the only one with this dilemma!

Inside the boxes is peppermint bark. I melt (using a double boiler) milk chocolate and spread it out on cookie sheet lined wax paper or parchment paper. Next, I melt white chocolate and spread it out on top of the milk chocolate. While the white chocolate is still soft I sprinkle crushed candy canes over all of it. I break it apart when it's all hardened. Super easy to make or you can just buy it here. I line the paper boxes with parchment put the bark inside and tie it up with some bakers twine. Viola!

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 6

I always see some decoration hanging from chairs in magazines and catalogs, so I thought I would try it. Mine is just an ornament with some extra decoration. The first one, I added a little tag and a glittered holly ball and felt leaf. I've been glittering everything lately.

The second one, I made a snowflake out of wire and beads. I think it's funny that you can see me taking the picture in my workout clothes and the stroller in the back. It's a good indication of how I spend my time - playing outside with Sydney and crafting.

Here's the chairs with the ornaments on them. They are attached with ribbon.

The decorated table.

I have to share my great find for all you who love Pottery Barn but hate paying Pottery Barn prices. I think that really covers everybody! Target is usually really good about making Pottery Barn knock-offs, but this time it's Walmart! Pottery Barn has these trees that are just beautiful. I found mine at Walmart in the Christmas section. They have 2 sizes. The medium is $7 and the large is $10! I couldn't believe it. I believe they are a bit smaller than the designer trees, but for the price does it matter?! Here's my tree on my table.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 5

Today is the 5th right? Haha. All I know is today is Wednesday. I think that's a good start!

Anyway, here's some pine cone trees. I saw this huge pine cone thing at Target that I thought was really neat so this project was inspired from that. It was easy to make, just time consuming. Each "branch" was individually cut and hot glued. I think I might add some white glitter to mimic snow. I'm not sure, maybe a bow? I think it does need something else. Also, in the picture is some deer I glittered. I bought the plastic deer at Michaels spiced them up with Martha's glitter.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 4

Today, we have house gift boxes. It's my own template that I put together. They are very fun to make. I decorated them with a wreath (make from various paper punches).

I made some barrettes for Sydney and her friends. Here's the box with the goodies inside. I need to add some filing.

Here's the barrettes. Very easy to make. I machine sew a border around the white felt. Then to add the decoration you can glue or hand sew. I've done both. The glue is faster. I've seen them done here or you can just buy some super cute ones them here.

My model.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 3rd

Here is today's baking craft. Last year I received this snowman cake pan from Jean's parents for Christmas. It's a spice cake (the recipe that came with it) and it's pretty tasty.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 2nd

Guess where I saw this done? Anyone? That's right Martha Stewart! I get myself into so much mischief when I watch her show. Here is the link if you want to make your own. I have to say Martha's glitter - pretty phenomenal stuff. It really sparkles. I really love this one and I am planning on keeping it out well past Christmas.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - December 1st

Ah geez. I can't believe I doing this. I thought the "Week of Pictures" was tough to keep up with, now I'm making it even longer! I just have so many Christmas crafts I want to accomplish that I thought this would motivate me to get them done and be able to enjoy them for a little bit. Don't worry I'll try to sneak Sydney into these crafty pictures! Heaven forbid I turn this into "Becky's Crafting Blog!" : ) Then even Matt wouldn't read it anymore! Ha!

My first craft to share is actually a craft my mom made. It's a least 15 years old! It's very precious to me. She did everything with such detail. She made the bodies, the clothes, and even painted their faces. I guess I get my craftiness from her. Afterall, she did teach me how to sew. I have to say my dad is pretty crafty too - more with woodworking tools than with a sewing machine though!

It's time to play with your food

I'm so excited to finally put these up on the blog. I've been working hard on them. I made all the patterns. I gave a set of these to my niece, Karalyn, at Thanksgiving. I also made a set to hopefully sell on Etsy, which I'll put up tonight after Syd goes to bed.

Update (12/1): They didn't last that long! Only the veggies are left, but really what kid wants to eat his veggies!?

Thanksgiving in Dallas - Part 1

First, I have to explain my acorns that were posted Thanksgiving Day. I made these little guys with velvet and actual acorn tops. Very easy project - a little hand sewing and glue. It ended up being my one and only "fall" craft. I'm quickly moving onto Christmas crafts.

We all went to my brother's for Thanksgiving. We had a good time and ate a lot of good food. Sydney did great on both plane rides. Here we all are at the Dallas Zoo. I can't believe how cold it was in Texas. It actually snowed on Thanksgiving for about 2 minutes! I'm very glad to be back in Florida with a high of 80 degrees.

Yep, Kevin is pretty tall these days!

She's sitting on an armadillo in the picture below.

Kisses.

Hugs.

She absolutely loved playing with Karalyn. They were so cute together too. Here they are at the otter tank.

I was only able to see my best-friend & college roomie Jenn. We went out for the morning and basically ran errands. When you have young kids, going to the store and lunch without them is the best treat of all! Jenn took me to Sprinkles. We both have an affection for cupcakes.

Sidenote: When I came home and browsed through my new Williams Sonoma catalog, I saw they sell the Sprinkles mixes there. Cupcake destiny! Jenn says the mixes taste just like the real thing. I think I might have to try it.

Part 2 of Thanksgiving will come later when I get everyone elses pictures. I'll be sure to share.

Can you believe those Aggies!? Two years in a row. I'm speechless! : )

Happy Thanksgiving

Like mother, like daughter

It was just a matter of time...

Friends are fun.

Sydney's best friend, Emily, came over the other day for a play date. They are just too cute.

High fives.

Snacking & chatting. They are probably discussing Elmo.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes too!