Snow Day Craftiness February 10, 2010
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When the kiddos are home because it looks like this outside:
It is definitely time for some craftiness. The fact that the daughter said “Mom, you know we need valentines for tomorrow because Valentine’s Day is Sunday” had nothing to do with it, really.
Here is a small disclaimer, this is not my original idea. It came from the long thread with some help from make and take. Check over there for the how-tos and whatnot.
We used all kinds of valentinesy colors.
Broken Crayons
I used a silicone ice cube tray from Ikea. I tested it in the oven first before we melted the crayons. It worked ok, but it left a little residue in the container and the bottom of the hearts look matte (which is actually pretty).
Molten crayons.
The finished product.
The daughter expertly used my paper cutter to cut apart the fabulous valentines from the longest thread
Orange and Cloves January 4, 2010
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I have wanted to make a pomander made from orange and cloves for a very long time, so in the midst of Christmas cleaning I pulled out an orange and some cloves, found a fabulous tutorial at organic.org then proceeded to stick cloves into this orange producing a wonderful smelling, super fun project.
Here is the results:
I did half and the daughter did half.
Carols December 22, 2009
Posted by hollyspinner in Advent Calendar 2009, Craft, holiday.add a comment
Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart… filled it, too, with a melody that would last forever
-Bess Streeter Aldrich
I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.”
~ Norman Vincent Peale
Five Fabulous Things about Christmas Carols
1. Singing with friends is so much fun.
2. Christmas carols are great any time of year.
3. There is frequent mention of holly.
4. Singing of our Savior’s birth is always a picker-uper.
5. I love singing with my husband – especially when he sings harmony.
Make
Do
- Sing from your heart
- Appreciate holiday sounds
Bake
Photos by Marcel and Moe
Christmas Lights – Soltice December 21, 2009
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Your friendship is a glowing ember Through the year; and each December From its warm and living spark We kindle flame against the dark And with its shining radiance light Our tree of faith on Christmas night
– Thelma J. Lund
Five Fabulous Things about Christmas Lights
1. There are all different kinds of Christmas lights – electric strings of lights, fires, candles, and stars.
2. Christmas lights right after a big snow fall.
3. A fire in the fireplace.
4. Stars in a clear (non light polluted) night sky
5. Going with the family after Christmas Eve candlelight service to look at everyone’s lit up houses.
Make
A snow globe out of a light bulb
A glittering lightscape in your house
Do
Wash your windows to let in the most winter sun.
Take a minute to enjoy the lights.
Reflect on the last year. What good has happened in your life?
Bake
View
photos by jalalspages, wolfsavard, and Rosino
Angels December 18, 2009
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An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:9-14
Make
Recycled Christmas card angels
Do
- Contemplate the divine
- Find joy in the season
- Anticipate surprise
Bake
View
Photos by aussiegall, and dichohecho
Shepherds December 14, 2009
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And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night….
Luke 2:8
Make
Shaun the Sheep from pom poms
Do
- Take time to contemplate the reason for the season.
- Be ready for some good news.
- Remember the little ones.
Bake
Chocolate Hazlenut Crinkle Cookies
View
Photos by a4gpa and Moe
Stockings December 11, 2009
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“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?”
G.K. Chesterton
Five Fabulous Things about Stockings
1. Fortune Cookies and oranges.
2. That little gift that fits perfectly in the stocking.
3. Stockings are the best side to the early morning cinnamon rolls.
4. Anticipation
5. They are the perfect decoration for the mantle.
Make
Stockings from felted sweaters
North pole produce stickers for that perfect stocking stuffer
A Stocking with an embroidered name
Do
Put something in the stockings, even if it just underwear or an orange.
Find hand made stocking or make them yourself – they have so much more character.
Bake
View
this is a fabulous adaptation of a book that I had as a child
Photos by adjustafresh, and Andrew Whittaker
The Stable December 9, 2009
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While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6,7
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
Make
A nativity picture with paint and paper
Do
Read the Christmas Story
Think about what Christmas is all about
Bake
View
Peace December 8, 2009
Posted by hollyspinner in Advent Calendar 2009, holiday.add a comment
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
~Author Unknown
A Little True Story
During World War I the men along the western front, both allied and German forces did not expect to get a Christmas holiday, but one could say that a small Christmas miracle happened on that day. On Christmas Eve British and German soldiers began to sing Christmas carols to each other from their respective trenches. Then on Christmas day the Germans came out of their trenches to no man land and called out Merry Christmas in English to the British soldiers. Some feared it was a trick (they were at war after all), but when they realized that the German soldiers were not armed they also climbed out of their trenches to exchange Christmas greetings. There were gifts given between enemies, cigarettes, plumb puddings and the like. There was even one friendly game of soccer. Some men put the truce to good use, retrieving the bodies of fallen comrades in arms.
Learn more about the Christmas Truce here
Five Places of Peace
1. Holding a sleeping baby
2. A clear night in the country
3. An empty church or school
4. Surrounded by loved ones
5. Christmas morning 5 am
Make
Dove of peace from yogurt containers
A wish for peace Christmas card
Do
Forgive your enemies
Find love at Christmas
Bake
View
Photos by LOLren and saebaryo
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