Top 5 posts of 2009

Here are your 5 most favorite posts of the year! I hope this will continue to inspire you as much as I am inspired by all of you.  Thank you all so much for your comments and ideas that you have shared with me.  It is amazing to be a part of all the talent out there and I look forward to even more during this new year.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

#5  Fridge magnet makeover

#4 Fabric Wall Hangings

#3 Reusable Shopping Bag Makeover

#2 Cheap Chip Board Book Makeover

#1 My Quiet Book

There are many many more posts that have been favorites of yours, just take a look on the side column of my blog for a long list of projects and have fun finding the projects that you are looking for!  Again, thank you for letting me share all of this with you!

Here is to even a better year for all of us!

Christmas crafts for the kids

Is there any mom out there trying HARD to keep the kids busy on these last few days before Christmas??? I know I am so here are a few random ideas we came up with just using things we had around the house.

Toilet paper roll reindeer
pipe cleaner and jingle bell wrist music makers (that is what they call 'em)

snowman made from cotton balls and pompoms on a paper plate (not sure were the eyes and mouth are but they sure had fun making these)

tree ornaments using stickers

foam bells and letters (pretty proud that my 2 1/2 yr old spelled Rex without knowing it)

gum drop wreaths

And these are their craft stockings that hang in the hallway so they have a place to put all their fun crafts they have made the last few days.

Other activities we have done:

lace fruit loop necklaces, colored a lot of pictures, candy cane reindeer, made snow flakes, made a door hanger for their rooms.

Have a great Christmas everyone! See you next week!!

Pumpkin chocolate chip bread

Go HERE for the recipe. All you need to do is substitute the bananas for pumpkin and add 1/2 pkg of mini morsels and you have this:

My freezer is full of these! All you need to do is pull one out and warm up a slice in the microwave and you have instant comfort delish at your finger tips!

Happy Christmas week everyone!

2010 Family Planner Journal

I made this family journal last year for 2009 and with just the December summery left to write I am SO EXCITED to say that it's the fullest journal I have completed in many years! I have loved doing this all year long and will now enjoy going back and readying in it over and over. I have even added pictures to it and it's fun to see how we have changed as a family over the past year.

Christmas to myself for sure!

And this is my new 2010 Family Journal, all ready to go for this next year! I am so excited about this. Since I am pregnant again and sicker then I thought I would be this will be a great way to stay up on my scrap booking that has definitely taken a back seat :) It's full of month to month calendars and a page to write a monthly summary and pages to write fun things your kids say to just random thoughts and notes!

So go and check out one of my most favorite sites that I have to give all the credit too for such a fabulous idea and one that has become my lifesaver over the year!!! You will love it too!

Oh and it's free to print it out!!! She knows how to take care of us mom's :)

I use this notebook to put it together but any would do.

Little Frame Calendars

I saw this GREAT IDEA a few weeks ago and here is my twist on the idea! I needed a fun little stocking stuffer and also these were a perfect thank you gift for my Visiting Teachers.

It can sit on a desk or counter or it even can hang from the computer screen!
OK, I guess I went a little crazy but the frames were only $0.80 at walmart, I used up a lot of my paper scraps, added some rub-ons and ribbon and this is what I did in less then an hour! I have a few extra to give as gifts or a thank you later on.
Go HERE to print the small calendar.

What a perfect gift that keeps giving all year long!!

Forgotten Carols....our tradition!

If there is one tradition that I LOVE it's going to the Forgotten Carols production at Christmas time. If you have never read the book or heard the music you are so missing out! Go HERE to get the book or get the CD, or you can even get the live concert on DVD. Read it with your family every Christmas and listen to the music all year long if you want....it's just that good! It is sure to add a new feeling to your home this Christmas Season.

I am soooooo excited to get to go again this year on Saturday night! Yippeee. This year my husband and I are taking my parents for the first time, I am sure they will love it!

Repurpose Jeans into Stockings

Do you have some favorite jeans laying around that can no longer be worn but still have some life to give? Make them into stockings!! I took 2 pairs of old jeans and made more then 6 stockings out of them. Make a stocking pattern out of paper, trace it onto your jeans, cut them out cutting through both layers of the jean fabric. I added some fabric to the toes with heat and bond.

Before stitching the stockings closed with right sides together, I decided to first add some stitching to the top of the fabric.

Since I placed my pattern at the very top of my jeans I didn't have to sew the top. I placed the pattern this way to also be able to use the pockets as additional stuffing places for goodies :) I was also able to use the belt loops as a way to hang them up too.

And if you don't have a fireplace to hang them up on get yourself a board of wood, paint it and add some cupboard door handles and hang this up on the wall. It works great for us!

Advent Calendar

I finally got it done...not that it was hard to make but that darn morning sickness thing that kicks in every time I wanted to sit down and work on it. No matter the time of day!!

I love how it turned out!

Here are just some of the supplies I used.

Found this great free printable (and the idea behind my calendar) to mod podge to the inside of the cups. The words to Santa Claus is Coming to Town is revealed as you count down the days.

I found the containers at my Local Craft store, covered them with colored card stock

Typed up numbers off my computer, added more mod podge then Fine Glitter for bling!!

Glued magnets to the back, also glued a fun trinket, buttons, brads and tied ribbon to the front and

Here is the final product! I love this because you can put it up on a metal board like this, or on your fridge or even a medal door. It's great! And it's filled with a bunch of fun activities and small goodies that we can do as a family all month long.

The countdown can officially begin!! Happy Counting down everyone!