Advent fun continued

 Well I was able to throw this post together before we dive into our family celebrations. 

Just a few more of the activities we have included in our advent this year (Find the first week HERE).

On the 12th the girls painted wooden ornaments to attach to the gifts we were giving. 

We finished them off with some glitter glue to make em' sparkle.

The next day we did a super simple project, decorating their doors like snowmen!  

Using construction paper and wrapping paper.

 On day 15 we were busy with our church Christmas concert and potluck 

so I planned something easy and relaxing. 

An early present under the tree for the girls to open. 

It was a new Wii game, Just Dance Disney. 

For a 4 year old S is pretty awesome at it already!

 

On Monday we decorated these mugs and then filled them up with McDonalds hot chocolate.

And earlier today we made snowglobes out of baby food jars. 

Kind of messy with all the glitter but we got through it.

And to finish off the snowglobe theme today I plan on printing out these FREE snowglobe templates from Handmade Charlotte for the girlies to color on.

Happy Wednesday!

a little Advent fun

The girls have been really enjoying our activity advent this year. After getting the tree and making Derek the indoor snowman we have been doing plenty of crafts as well as some other special things.

On day four of the advent the girls went downstairs to find this huge Christmas tree collage on the wall to color. 

(a FREE printable from Mr. Printables !!). 

This has been a fun ongoing project as I have the box of crayons on the floor beside it and they can color whenever they please.

Last week on day 5 we attended the Santa Claus parade. 

All bundled up we braved the -29 weather. 

It was quite chilly but it was a great evening!

The girls woke up from naps on day 7 to search for Derek who had a special Christmas treat for them: 

A new story book, which he was reading to the other Christmas stuffies.

On day 9 the girls colored/scribbled filled out Christmas cards for some of their friends.  

Which gave me a few minutes to work on my Christmas cards too!

We've had a couple days of dollar store Christmas crafts as well. 

My favorite were these little foam nativity scenes.

There are a few more days left, hoping I can get around to doing another post.

Happy Thursday!

Meet Derek

Remember my muffin tin advent calendar? 

Well this year instead of tucking candy inside of it I have put together special activities for the girlies.

On Sunday we went and got our tree and today we made Derek, the indoor snowman. 

(S named him, not sure why that name but that's what it is)

 

He was super easy and cheap to make.

I just went and bought a plain white pillow (around $3-$4) and tied string around it to make a neck as well as sewed the four corners in to make it more rounded. The girls picked buttons for the face and chest as well as the scarf and hat. 

It was actually quite fun! The girls played around me as I quickly sewed on the buttons. They love the finished product and couldn't wait to show hubby when he came home.

 I'm definitely looking forward to the fun stuff I've planned for the other 22 days! 

Kind of gives me a reason to post this month as I've been busy busy making gifts that I won't be able to share until after Christmas. And believe me there will be a lot to share...I've been really trying to stick to the 100% home made Christmas this year.

Happy Monday!

Perler Bead Keychains

I had my friends kids over a couple of weeks ago and I had been feeling like we needed to craft something. They are older, ranging in age from 8-12, so they needed something a bit more complex then my usual kids crafts. 

With all the Perler action over at Pink Stripey Socks (I'm talking stuff like Bracelets and Bowls, among others....this girls got creativity and a whole lotta beads!), 

I thought why not do some funky designs and make keychains/zipper pulls.

All you have to do is leave one bead out near to one corner so you can thread the key ring through.

I did some too, I couldn't help myself. 

I used a cross stitch pattern from Pixel Power to make a mini Jack Sparrow. I also made some other random ones.

The Pencil and smiley face were made by the oldest girl, she had plans to put them on her backpack.

 

I've had the heart hanging in my vehicle for awhile but figured it could also fit in with this post. 

Another idea for ya, now get some Perler beads and craft!

Happy Wednesday!

Shrinky Dink Jewelery

 

 S got a shrinky dink jewelery kit for her birthday and when T was napping we pulled it out for a nice quiet time activity.

She loved doodling out pictures and so did I. She also loved watching them curl up in the oven. We made enough charms for a bracelet and two necklaces. Here's her bracelet:

 I requested she draw one especially for me to put on a necklace. She drew a sun, and I love it. 
What a great keepsake!

...and the little stinker wouldn't let me get a pic of her with her jewelery, err. She was too busy looking at it, haha.

As for my own crafting, I've been wanting to share with you my latest embroidery project. I finally got around to making myself a monogrammed cushion for our master bedroom. Complete with our year of establishment!

S is off to her first day of Preschool later this morning, eek! She is so excited!

Happy Tuesday!

Jillian Jiggs Pigs

 Have you ever read the book The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs by Phoebe Gilman?

(We are huge Phoebe Gilman fans: The Balloon Tree, Grandma and the Pirates...great stpries) 

Jillian Jiggs was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl and is now one of S's favorites. I had always wanted to make the pigs but never have (there are instructions in the back of the book!).

 S had been asking to make them so I got all the supplies together and we made them while she had a friend over (and T was napping). We started off by reading the story and then got to work making the girls each a pig.

I did all the sewing while the girls picked out buttons for noses and eyes. 

Then they filled the pigs with stuffing.

I hot glued all the pieces on and sewed the cute lil tails. After that the girls were quite antsy to play with their piggies so I didn't bother putting on feet (which was just fine by them and me). 

Here are our finished pigs!

And the two happy pig owners...

 Happy Friday!

Some fineprint: This post was in no way sponsored by any company and/or person. 

It's just a great book and project that I wanted to share.

Connect-a-sticks

Another super easy kids craft for you today. 

Found this idea via pinterest at Tot Treasures, so you can thank Morgan for this easy DIY.

All you need is popsicle sticks and self adhesive velcro dots! I found both at the dollar store.

It's as easy as sticking the dots on either end of the stick (some we did both sides and some not). You would probably prefer to do opposite textures on one side, but because S was doing most of it I just let her do whatever.

 S really enjoyed sticking on the velcro dots and T enjoyed making a mess and tasting the sticks.

Once all the dots were on S got busy connecting the sticks all together.

Since making these the girls have pulled them out quite a bit. I have been showing S how to make different letters and T likes to pile them together and rip them apart (I often think she is ripping pages out of a book when I hear them and always have to run and check on what she is doing).

Happy Friday!

linking to:
We Made That