2x4 Merry Christmas

Believe it or not, I did not find this on Pinterest!  I actually found this last year on one of the many craft blogs I follow.

 

Here is the link with the instructions and measurements so you can make one of your own.

 

 

Her blog has many ideas using 2x4s and 2x2s.  So, ladies, make your husband save those wood scraps!!!  You can turn them into gold!!

Baby Doll Sleeping Bags

There were a lot of homemade gifts this Christmas season - all Pinterest inspired of course.

 

Here we have baby doll sleeping bags.  The original pinterest link required purchasing a pattern.  Since I can't read sewing patterns to begin with, I just made up my own version of how big a sleeping bag should be.

 

 

Large sleeping bag - measured Bree's largest doll from top to bottom and side to side then added a few extra inches to allow for seems (and mistakes).

 

I did the same thing for the medium and small sleeping bags.

 

It all worked out, there were no mistakes and Bree loves them.  Who needs a pattern anyways?

Beaded Ornaments

Pictures do not do this ornament justice.  Trust me, its beautiful.  We made these for Bree's preschool teachers this year.

 

2.5 inch styrofoam ball, red and green seed beads, red head pins, straight pins and clear faceted beads.

 

 

It'll take an evening or three to pin every single bead all the way around the styrofoam ball but its well worth it.  Stunning results.  Not to mention since both hands are busy its a great way to NOT spend the evening muching while watching tv.

Christmas Pizzas

Holiday themed pizzas are fun and easy.

 

The plan was to make candy cane pizzas, however, Bree had a better idea.  She wanted a 'J' for Jesus.  Its all about perspective I suppose.

 

Use your favorite pizza dough recipe or do the semi homemade thing and buy a bag of Martha White pizza dough crust mix and shape into whatever holiday shape you choose.

 

 

 Set out your families favorite pizza toppings, let them decorate their pizzas and bake.

 

 

Best tasting candy canes out there.

Hopscotch

Sshhhhhh...

 

My children are getting this for Christmas but I couldn't wait that long to share it with you.

 

Pinterest inspired Hopscotch

 

Made from 2 yards of material that I bought in October 2011 and felt given to me from a family member.

 

The pinterest link was from a stay at home mom who created her hopscotch mat using material and hot glue.

 

 

 

I turned it up a notch and sewed everything together. Hopefully it'll last a little longer.

 

The black line is meant to be a balance beam but the kids will use it however they want.

 

The dots didn't really have a purpose or a specific game.  I have faith they'll come up with a game or something creative to use them.

 

The white base material cost $3.68, the felt was free and the 2 packs of denim binding was $10.

 

$14.00 for a homemade Christmas gift for both children. 

Money well spent.

Pinterest Mess Free Lifesaver

 

Haven't decorated Christmas cookies yet? 

 

AWESOME!

 

Here's a Pinterest find that works and will save you from the finger licking frosting mess that is decorating cookies with children.

 

Walmart sells reuseable ketchup/mustand dispenser bottles for 97 cents each.

 

Buy them, fill them with frosting (I saved myself the trouble and just used canned Pillsbury) and let the children have at it.

 

 

I microwaved the bottles for about 10 seconds to make the squeezing a little easier.  Just be careful to not microwave it for too long or the frosting will become almost liquefied.  On a side note, that is how you empty the bottles when you're done.  Microwave for about 30 seconds and all frosting will pour out lickity-split.

 

This is definitely a kid tested, mother approved technique that we will use for any holiday or party scenario.

Christmas Crafts

Take one felt Christmas tree (that you might have stolen from your mother in law)...

 

 

Add one 5 year old and a few jars full of buttons...

 

... to create a masterpiece that will hopefully last for years to come.

 

 

We also took a white tree and adorned it with neon pinks, purples and greens to make an ultra girly hip happening, funky Christmas tree.  I just forgot to take a picture of it before Bree gifted it out to a favorite cousin.  Oops.