Merry Christmas

Hope you & your family have a wonderful Christmas

& Happy New Year!

Spiderman Christmas Ornament

Every year I make Peepers a ornament for Christmas.
His First Christmas I used Fimo clay & made a hand print ornament. I'm no Fimo expert... In fact this was the only time I've ever used it... so here is a TIP I'll share with you... to soften the Fimo clay up enough to work with it, I put it in a zip lock bag & stuck it on the front pocket of my pants while I went on with my day. My body heat warmed the clay up & made it easy to work with.
His Second Christmas I made a Photo Block ornament.

His Third Christmas I made a Birch Branch Photo ornament.
This year, while we were decorating the little tree for his bedroom, he requested a "Spiderman Tree".

In trying to surprise him , I thought I would at least get him a Spiderman ornament from Santa for next year. I was very disappointed with the selection for a 3 yr old (or any age for that matter). There were hand blown glass ones (NO THANK YOU) or nice resin ones that were $15.oo (Also NO THANK YOU).

So out of necessity, I had to come up with a home made Spiderman Ornament (actually semi homemade, but it still counts in my book).
You'll need:

a pre-made non-shatter proof ornament - I got this one at Target. I like the shape of it (kind of like an M&M) & thought it would be easy to add my idea to the back of the ornament.
Photo of Spiderman (or icon of your choice). I just googled some images & scaled them to be smaller that the ornament
Scissors or Exacto knife
marker - I used a sharpie
Mod Podge - I used Glitter Mod Podge... it is a Christmas ornament after all!
Brush
.

First I drew on a spiderweb with the marker - I also added his name & year


Then I cut out Spiderman using the scissors & Exacto knife for the small detail.

Lastly, Mod Podge Spiderman on the ornament & let dry.
Super simple & only $2.00

I do have some ideas for next year if he still wants a Christmas tree decorated entirely in Spiderman. We'll see...

Thanks for checking in, Karla

Twirling Trees

I'm always looking for a "Project'' that I can involve Peepers in making.

This is a great/simple project for little ones who enjoy cutting.

You need: paper (green, yellow & brown), scissors, sewing machine, (or ribbon & clear tape for a no sew version), star punch (optional).

Cut Stars out of the yellow, tree trunk out of the brown & large tree triangles out of the green paper. On the trees I drew horizontal lines about 3/4" apart for cutting.
I let Peepers cut (as best he could) along the lines. I then sewed the trees back together. Starting with the star at the top & tree trunk at the bottom. I used red thread for this. For the no sew version you can cut a piece of ribbon & tape the paper pieces on.

Play with your twirling trees.
( yes, those are drawn on pants... what can I say!)
Hang your twirling trees for all to enjoy.

Peepers really enjoyed this quick project & actually suggested to make twirling snow men.

Think of the fun possibilities of using fun Christmas scrapbooking paper for your trees...

They could be fun to make out of white glittery paper for a

decoration to hang all winter long.
Thank you, Karla

Holiday Ideas to get the juices flowing

Card Board Tube Ornaments over at Don't bother me, I'm Reading

Button Snowmen & Santa’s at Rubies & Pearls

Melted Snow Man at Flexible Dreams

Felt Candy Cane Garland at PurlBee

Sweater Tree by Betz White

Felt Pine cones by Betz White

Yarn Wrapped Star at Live Laugh Rowe

Also there is a collection of 20 Holiday Ideas at Tater Tots & Jello

and Crazy Christmas Crafters at I heart Nap Time

Enjoy!

Neck Gator

Hi All,
Here is a little project I worked on a few weeks ago when the weather started to get cold because my little man said "Don't zip my jacket up - it is buggin' me." I thought he needs a way to keep warm with out his jacket bugging him, so I made him a neck gator. I let him pick out the fabric... John Deere fleece.

Cut a piece 20" x 10" (for an adult version I cut the fabric 28 " x 16"). I made it long enough so it could be pulled up over his nose, like a mask, if he wanted to wear it that way.

Fold your neck gator in half, I used a plate to shape the bottom edge. Measure 4" down & 4" in along the unfolded edge & cut your curved shape.

Your neck gator should look something like this...Fold the long straight edge over 1" & sew a casing for the elastic - the elastic measured 18" - so it has a little give to stay up over your nose.

Sew on a piece of hook & loop along the short edges - this is also how I secured the elastic in place.

Thank You, Karla

I'M TOTALLY JEALOUS

One of my BFF's just put this up on her back yard.

For those of you from Minnesota, you know what it is...

for those of you not from the frozen tundra, it is an outdoor ice skating rink.

With twinkle lights - isn't it cute?

Just add water & freeze!
Thank you, Karla

Halloween crafts

Hi All, Here are a few Halloween crafts that caught my eye out in Blog land...

thought I would share with you. Hope to make a few for myself.

TP Pumpkins from THE SWEET LIFE


Fishnet Pumpkins from THE IDEA ATTIC

Candy Corn Painted Bottles at the SWELL LIFE BLOG

Candy Corn Yarn Cones at THE MOMMY DIARIES


Thanks, Karla

Cacoon Jacket

I picked up this little flyer from JAF for a Cacoon Jacket & thought I would give it a try with some sweatshirt fleece I had hanging around. The directions were pretty easy & only 1 seam + some hemming.

This is what it looked like all cut out.

You add a few gathers (I did pleats).

Note: the pattern called for it to be cut 36", when I tried it on it was way too long for me.

(it hung hung way below my butt)

I altered it, by cutting the center back to be 26" and then slowly tapered

to cut off zero up by the neck.

Ta Da...

Super cozy for the weekends (or casual Friday at work).

Thanks for looking, Karla

2 quick (and cheap) fall crafts

Hi All,
Are you ready for fall? Seriously, I'm not - I want another month of summer, But I have a few decorating ideas to help me get ready for a beautiful MN fall & brace myself for a not-so-beautiful MN Winter.

Candle:

You'll need: Mod Pogde, empty glass pickle jar, colored tissue paper, leaves &

candle (we use an flameless one with the boy running around) Tear up the tissue paper into random size pieces & Mod Podge on to the jar.
I found these cool leaves,I think they were all chewed up by Asian Beetles, But I loved the lacy look of them & thought light flickering thru them would be beautiful.
Mod Podge them on to the jar over the tissue paper - I used a super thick coat.
* word to the wise, store your leaves flat, not is a crumpled ball will make this project easier*
I tied on a little birch branch disc with some raffia, dropped in a candle & Done!

Pumpkin Banner:

I found these felt pumpkins at Dollar Store in WI. I was not sure what I would do with them, but I had to have them. My Mom suggested this project & I turned out super cute!

I punched some holes, ties them together with some raffia (just something about fall makes me want to decorate with raffia... must remind me of hay).

Hang it above the porch french doors with some little Command Hooks
DONE!
Each of these crafts took about 15 minutes & cost virtually nothing.

Plus I was lucky enough to have most of the craft supplies on hand.
Thank you, Karla