Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Another Christmas Season Over

Well it is 3 days after Christmas. By now I am sure trees are coming down and the home is becoming less stressful for some, others are probably still eating left over turkey or ham.

I had a really good Christmas, nice gifts and money. I hope others had a wonderful Christmas too.

I won't be taking my tree down until New Years day or so, because that is what my family did growing up.

I just wanted everyone to know that with Christmas over this blog won't be getting as much attention for the time being. I am hoping to start another blog on Valentine's Day :)

Anyhow seeing that New Years is almost here, I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!

And thank you for all the people that read my blog and left a comment.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Making a Bookmark

A homemade bookmark would be a good stocking stuffer for the reader on your list. You could also choose to accompany it with a book you may purchase for someone.

You Will Need:
- Paper or Bristol Board
- Scissors
- Cards
- Glue

I am not writing steps for this because you can add what you want to your bookmark.

This is how mine looks:


I used a spare piece of red bristol board and cut out pictures small from cards, most pieces on the bookmark are from bigger cards I had already used.

I simply cut and made sure it fit and then used glue to stick it on.

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Recipe Card

You will be using the back of a card (backside of picture part), and writing a recipe on back. If you don't want to write it out, you could always type it and print it off, just make sure it fits the card.

You Will Need:
- Old Card
- Scissors
- Pen
- A Recipe

Before you do the project make sure to find a recipe, Christmas related to put on the back.

Step 1) Cut the card in half, you will be using the backside of the card with the picture.


Step 2) Write out recipe on back of card.


You can choose to deliver this gift any way you want. I think it looks nice poking from a stocking! :)

Monday, December 19, 2011

5 Days Until Christmas!

Well to be exact 5 days and 9 hours. Holy moly I cannot believe how fast it is approaching and it looks like in Nova Scotia we won't be seeing any snow. Right now there is a couple spots with a dusting of snow but I still can see the grass!

I have had a lot of people tell me this year that they just want Christmas to be done and over with because of stress... Or they don't feel it. Well you can feel the cold outside but there is no snow.

This week coming I have a lot of days off and the next week even more! This is good because of the break feel but bad as I will have some shitty pays. So sadly my Christmas shopping has to be fully finished now.

I hope everyone out there is ready for the holidays :)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Making a centerpiece using old cards

I think this would be a good project to do with kids. You will be using cards to create a scene of sorts which could used as a center piece or decoration on a stand.

You Will Need:
- Blank White Paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Cards

Step 1) Carefully go through your cards to make your scene.


Step 2) Cut what you will be using


Step 3) Fold and glue onto paper. The actual picture should be sitting up







Finished product looks sort of strange in a way. However, you have to remember this is intended for kids!



There is only 2 more post to go in this series, so stay tuned. The last two post are great gift ideas! :)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Make a Christmas Collage/Picture

I don't think this post needs a list of steps because a collage is all about imagination.

What you will need:
- Bristol Board or Cardboard
- Lots of cards
- Scissors
- Glue

All I did was cut a small piece of bristol board and cut some pictures to make my collage. I didn't go to crazy. So to me it looks more like a picture I suppose. Anyways it is short, sweet and easy!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Hanging Decoration

This is a great way to recycle old cards. You can create something to hang by your tree, above the stockings or anywhere else.

You will need:
- String or ribbon
- Scissors
- Christmas cards
- Scotch tape or tacks
- hole punch

Step 1) Cut out the pictures going on your hanging decoration.


Step 2) Hole punch each picture.


Step 3) Cut the string or ribbon you will be using. Any length will do.


Step 4) String the pictures through the ribbon or string.


Step 5) Use tacks or tape to hang up your creation.


You probably can't see the tacks but I used tacks and just placed it in front of the tree. I thought it turned out kind of nice for something that didn't even take 15 minutes to put together and none of it cost anything. The ribbon was from 2 years ago and the cards were old and I have lots of tacks, so free, quick and easy :)

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Little Decoration Idea With Dollar Store Stuff

I wasn't suppose to buy anything for decorating this year but I bought a few things from the dollar store. I browsed the Christmas isle for a long time trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I didn't want to spend money on lots of stuff or anything.

Today I happened to do a lot of cleaning and got my first 2 Christmas cards I received out with my decoration.

So this is what I bought:

You can probably notice the $2.00 tag on the basket from the dollarama. So I choose this basket because I liked it and a box of wrapped present decorations.

This was the result:
Very simple, I just put all the little wrapped gifts in the basket. I don't know why but I thought it looked cute and it was simple and cheap. I don't think it even cost $4.00.

And here is the start of decorating other then my tree:

The space is very limited and that is my boyfriends bookshelf by his desk. Last year there was no dinosaur or sword on that shelf but there is now. So he told me I could put the cards infront of the sword. It doesn't look the best but its a start and I like the little basket with gifts.

Anyhow Just a thought to throw out there for people not wanting to spend big bucks on decorations some are worth while from a dollar store.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Activity to do with young children, make a winter scene story

This would be a good activity to do with your kids on a stormy day. You will be using pictures from old Christmas cards to make a scene or story.

You will need:
- Old Christmas cards
- Construction paper or blank paper
- Scissors
- Glue Stick

Step 1) You will be choosing a piece of construction paper for your background or use white plain paper.



Step 2) Select the cards you want to use and cut the piece off the cards you need.



Step 3) Before gluing, sit the pieces of the card on the paper to decide how it will look. Use crayons or colored pencils to add to the scene or story.



Step 4) Glue the pictures where they need to go.





My picture example is suppose to tell a story. The story is what kids did a winter day. If you can't make it out this is what the pictures say



"In the morn we made snowmen"
"In the afternoon we watched the robin sing"
"In the evening we wore our new winter suits and sung carols."

This is my attempt oh how I would make mine if I was a kid. Remember it is a good activity to do with kids so let them be creative and have fun.

Monday, December 5, 2011

My Christmas Trees Over The Past 5 Years

I was looked at old pictures earlier today that show my trees over the last 5 years since I have been on my own, I wanted to share them all here.

This is my Christmas tree from 2007. I never bought any decorations just the tree which is fake. My boyfriend had a box of stuff from the 80s and 90s so we used that.

I honestly do not like this tree very much because of the bows and red tinsel (What was I thinking?)

But oh well we didn't have much to work with as far as decorating goes!










This is the tree from 2008. I didn't add any garland just beads I think and silver tinsel. I really liked how this one turned out it looked much more Christmas like :)










This tree is very much like the one from 2008. This is the 2009 tree and I did add garland to this one. You will notice its pretty much the same as the other tree minus garland.












This is my tree from 2010. Many of the same decorations as the others. This was a very empty tree as you will notice it does have a few newer decorations on it.











And my newest tree. This is new as the other one had to be tossed because it was falling apart. This one is 3 feet but in its own way looks cute.












Very random post but I felt like posting my trees :)

Not So Expensive Stocking Stuffers For Kids

Just a list I had in my head about cheap stocking stuffers that are easy to find and great for kids!

You know when I grew up I never once had a overflowing stocking. The most items I migt of seen were 6 things. Normally me and sister would get an orange or apple, small candle, mittens or socks, chocolate, a card with money and a scratch ticket. We never got that every year but those were the gift ideas.

Now here are some ideas that can fit into a stocking for kids.

- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste with an animated character
- Mittens
- Scarf
- Socks
- Small box of chocolates, candy bar, tube M&Ms, etc
- Crayons
- Activity flip book
- Deck Of Cards
- Hot Chocolate Mix
- School Supplies/Craft Supplies
- Small Plush
- CD
-DVD
- Gift Card
- Bubble Gum
- Card With Money
- Trading Cards
- Jump Rope

This is just to name a few. Now before you start thinking things are expensive on the list only a few would be. During the year stores knock down prices on games, movies, DVDs, etc... So do your shopping when those sales are going on.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Reusing Christmas Card Series - Making a simple ornament for your tree

This is probably one of the easiest craft ideas out there. I have seen people do it before so I am going to write about it today. It doesn't matter what type of Christmas card you use as long as you are ok with cutting it.

In this activity you will be cutting the card, a picture from that card that will be a hanging decoration for your tree.

You will need:
- An old Christmas card
- Scissors
- Yarn or Sewing needle
- Thread

Step 1) Cut out the picture that will be used for your ornament (No picture for this, I somehow manged to delete it. Sorry!)

Step 2) Thread your needle and then carefully use the needle to make a small hole through the top of the picture.



Step 3) Once the thread is through, cut the needle free and tie a double knot. (No picture for this either apparently. Anyways it is easy enough to tie a knot)





I put it on the tree, I figured since it is homemade it has to go on there. You may notice to the left a Santa hanging card piece to, I found my boyfriends initials on that from 1996! So he must of made it in school :)

Stay tuned for the next post which will appear on Tuesday, December 6th!