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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Ahhh the whirlwindd that is December- plus a printable :)

Yeah...so I haven't posted anything in what feels like a loooooooong time. Life has been BUSY! But that is the whirlwind that is December. Christmas shopping, parties, concerts, regular extra curriculars, plus full time jobs, 3 children, house cleaning, wrapping, and making some of my gifts- OY! Even thinking about that makes me tired. I'd ask for pity, but I have a feeling that everyones life is like that this time of year.
But in the spirit of Christmas I thought I'd share some of our Christmas Eve traditions. After supper, we all sit down by the tree, and get one present to open (its usually marked) and oddly enough, its always brand new pajamas! So we all get our `jammas`on, and then we go outside, and sprinkle Magic Reindeer food all over our lawn, and driveway (more on that later). When we come in, we set out cookies and milk/hot chocolate for Santa, and either apples or carrot sticks for all the reindeer, and my kids sit down, and write a little note to Santa wishing him well on his journey and other little tid bits. Then its the last chocolate from our advent calendar and off to bed.  And if your curious, Santa always replies to my kids letter :)
So for the Magic Reindeer food, here is a free printable to you if you'd like to try this with your kids. I set out 3 bowls, each was filled with oats, sugar, and sprinkles. I gave each child a baby food jar, and had them fill them up with the stuff from the bowls. Then screwed the cap on, cover the lid with a square of jersey, and tied the printable on with some embroidery floss.
Isn't it pretty?

Do any of you have any really fun traditions that happen the night before?

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Heeeere's Jack!

I'm sure by this point, you've probably heard of "The Elf on a Shelf", or seen pictures of him. He is EVERYWHERE right now, all over blogs and pinterest (that totally counts as everywhere). Well, I didn't really feel like coughing up the $40ish for the actual one. Plus I wasn't really feeling that elf. Sorry to everyone who loves him...he's alright, just not my type. lol. So I figured I'd give making my own a go, and for my trial elf I am happy that we decided to go that route. I think I may make a couple more before we decide on our elf, but homemade is just better, IMO.
I found a free pattern here, that I adapted slighty to suit my elf. I pointed the hat, and curved the toe of the shoes. It was an AWESOME pattern to work with.
I tried to make bendy arms and legs by adding wire, but it didn't work out super well. It does bend, but its kinda wonky. W/E, not a big deal.
I added some rosy cheeks by rubbing a pink crayon onto the apples of Jacks cheeks. And I totally (not) made his smile crooked on purpose! And I thought I'd even throw an easy little printable out here for those of you who want a little story to go with your Elf (and are also not wanting the Elf on a Shelf kit). I know I am totally ripping off that idea, but I'm choosing to call it inspired by instead. Sounds better :)
Just click on the pic, and you should be able to print or save it. Hopefully. If not, shoot me an email and I can send it to you.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Handmade Holiday

I know everyone has/is doing their own version of a handmade Christmas series, so I have decided not to add to all that with an actual series. Cause who wants to try and compete with all the awesomeness already out there? So instead I am extending the challenge that has already been extended to me...everyone following so far?lol!

My Mom challenged herself, my sister and I to make each others gifts this year. Nothing bought (with the exception of supplies of course). So thats two completely handmade Christmas gifts for me to get working on. One of which needs to be shipped. Before Christmas.

 Challenge extended. Try making at least one persons gift, entirely. It will totally be worth it. And to help, I will share some ideas, recipes and things over the course of the next month and a half or so that I have found, or come up with or whatever.

In the words of the great Martha, " A handmade holiday, its a good thing!"

__________________________________________________________________________________
in other exciting news (not exciting at all, I lied)

This is my daughters new onesie I made. Its the Dalai Lama's handprint (shes pretty peaceful, its fitting lol). Which she pooped all over the first time she wore it. I mean all over! So I washed it- no stains YAY. And she pooped all over it again the next time.
Its still stain-free but I have questioned whether she gets to wear it again. Maybe I'll just keep creating for the kids who don't poo on my projects!
Eeeeehh, she`ll probably keep getting stuff. She`s lucky shes cute :)

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Thought #31

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

and thus concludes the 31 days of Happy Thoughts.....

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Happy Thought #30

Sorry todays post is a weeee bit late...its been a BUSY BUSY weekend, and I am very quickly popping on to the computer to do this.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Happy Thought #29

So I am stilling having a wee bit of computer issues at the moment and so again this Happy Thought may suck a bit.

What do you call a blind dinosaur???













Idontthinksaurus! HAHA

if that didnt brighten your mood try eating some chocolate or icecream or any comfort food that you prefer.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Happy Thought #28

So you guys are probably wondering "What's today's happy thought?"

That's a good question.... I'm experiencing minor difficulties with the computer I am currently using and as a result am stuck telling a joke.

Why did the scarecrow win an award???














He was outstanding in his field. HAHAHA( I know its pretty lame but it's all I got)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

HURRY HURRY HURRY

VOTE NOW!!!! Final round of Crafting on the Sidelines! CLICK here to vote! Please please do :)

And you should totally scroll all the way to bottom of the blog...theres some funny things to ponder :) Have a great Wednesday!

Happy Thought #26

Learn more....



Kinda wish this was my lunch kit, wouldn't that make for awesome lunches everyday- Say goodbye to lunch time boredom!! Especially in the winter here in Canada (Northern Alberta to boot), I'd LOVE to see grass everyday!!!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Happy Thought #25



So this will probably be my last Happy Thought (wha,wha,whaa)(well not MY last happy thought). Lara will have to continue the Happy Thought giving...posting...thing.


So you're probably thinking "How is this a Happy Thought?" ...it makes me laugh, and that is my only reason for posting this. That is all.


Good Day!






Monday, October 24, 2011

Fancy a New Fan???

Isn't she a beaut?? Look at those cute little hearts up there on the blades. So sweet right?? Right?? I know, I know, this is just your typical, plain ol' ceiling fan. Sure the hearts are kinda cute, but aside from that it is dull!Untill of cours I rescued it from complete and utter blandness! So get ready for some awesomeness.....We went from that to this:)
So if you are interested in fancy-fying your own fans (it would look super fantastic in a master bedroom, just sayin') continue reading ....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First you need to remove (and clean if you're like me) the blades.
I chose to go with a scrolly type design. The design I chose was a sticker on Picnik, i just enlarged it so it covered a full page and printed it out. Trace it onto some heat and bond.
Iron it onto some fabric (I went with pink since it was going to be in my daughters room). I probably only used about a fat quarter or so of fabric, it didn't use much at all. Cut it all out, remove the backing and place onto your blade.
This is supposed to show that the shiny side goes down....can't really see the shiny side, but its there. I swear :)
Iron it on. (If you are worried, this is completely removeable...not re-useable though). And
 TA-DA!!!
Beautiful :) And simple and you could totally stop there if you wanted. A nice subtle dressing up of an old plain fan....but I said fancy right? So I cut out like a zillion butterflies outta vellum (and I did it by hand because I don't have any fanccy machines) and ended up with
Using a thumbtack I punched holes in the butterfly bodies so that I could string them onto some invisible jewelry thread, fishing line would work just as well though.
Lots of people have made these into mobiles by stringing them onto rings, I just tied the tops into loops and hung them by the screws at the top of the fan blades. I may add more butterflies later, but for now, it is just enough. I love how it turned out, and more importantly so does my daughter :)
I am linking up to Round 4: Home Decor found here on my blog. Go check it out, and vote for someones project. Some awesome ideas to be found :)

Happy Thought #24

Oh my...I just realized my sister (the other 1/2 of this blog) is going away and it will most likely be up to me to finish the month's worth of HAppy Thoughts. Pressures on.

This one made me laugh, so it actually became my fb profile pic for awhile. And now, its time for me to get it started in here.

*Almost finished my Round 4 project... if you'd like to enter just link up here! There is still time*

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Happy Thought #22

For your enjoyment today please click right here. Trust me, you will not be sorry. Totally worth it. I literally LMAO!!!!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Happy Thought #21

Thought I would take a more serious route with my happy thought of the day...



..money also buys chocolate, which is even better than marshmallows

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Happy Thought #20



Thankfully I don't have kids yet and don't have to worry about it. So I'm taking advantage of my childless-ness to have a chuckle at those with children (and have to put up with the "Rules")and that makes me happy.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Happy Thought #19

I recently decided to look for work elsewhere and found this picture fitting hahaha.


ROUND 4!!!!

Round 4 for the Crafting with the Stars and the Crafting on the Sidelines challenge at Northeast of Eden is
HOME DECOR!!
So on Monday October 24 link up your home decor projects for the Sideline Challenge and on Tuesday link up at the Crafting with the Stars challenge, and you might win a big ol' ego boost at one and actual prizes at the other!
Ready, set, CRAFT!
I over the next few days will figure out how to set up a link party as its my turn to host this round. Wish me luck :)


Monday, October 17, 2011

Elena's Blankie

This week's theme in Crafting with the Stars/on the Sidelines was Fabric. Yay!! I was planning this project even before I knew the theme, so it worked out perfectly for me :) It is my first blanket, and was an awesome/easy one to start with. Here's where I found the tutorial. I had to alter it a bit, because I only had 5 fabrics that I wanted to use, not 7 and mine is a tad (one or two panels) shorter than theirs. Its the perfect size though, for on the floor, and when Elena is big enough for the toddler bed. I tried it out on her sisters bed, and it is exactly the right size.
I am so pleased with how it turned out. My other two kids are now a little jealous that they didn't get one, so I am now on the prowl for some good fabrics for theirs...maybe it'll be Christmas presents. :)
And I tried mitered corners, they need alot  a little work, but for the first time doing them, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

And that is my submission, please go vote here at Northeast of Eden. Good luck to me, because there has been some insanely awesome projects coming out of people.



Happy Thought #17



Sunday, October 16, 2011

Happy Thought #16

Its getting cold up here in the great white North- not this cold yet though, thank goodness!!
and I have a kid friendly joke for you today too ....
What is a clear gas that smells like carrots??

Bunny farts!!!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Happy Thought #15

"Wooaaahh!" Happy thought: Even Polar bears look silly when they slip and fall haha

Friday, October 14, 2011

Jack-O-Lanterns for the Kiddo's (all ages)


This is one of my FAVORITE things to make with the kids at this time of year. I did it when I taught Playschool( 3 and 4yr olds) and I did it this year with my dayhome kids (2 and 3 yr olds). My almost 8yr old even did one, its that fun! Because I've done it with large groups of kids, I've always broken it down into a 3day project, but you really don't have to.
Here's how I do it :)
Day 1: Stuff your bags. {I used an old phone book, ripped into long strips and we crumbled, and crumbled and crumbled some. Our pumpkins are stuffed pretty tightly, we used ALOT of paper to do these}
Tie off with some rubber bands to close the paper bags.
And now you will havea bunch of stuffed, brown bags :)
Day 2: Paint your bags.
Pretty self-sxplanatory I know


and now you will have a bunch of orange stuffed bags....almost there
Day 3: Jack-ify your bags. I cut out a bunch of shapes {triangles, circles, smiles, etc} and let the kids pick their faces. Because I had younger kids who love glue, I pre-glued the pieces and just let them stick them on. They turned out AWESOME!!!
A close up of my daughters Jack-o-Lantern. The other kids were so excited about theirs that I didn't get too many pictures lol.

I hope you try this with your kids, and I'd love to pictures if you do :)