Drop Bottom Long Johns for Baby

 

 

I saw these drop bottom long john pajamas on a little crawling baby a couple Christmas's ago...ADORABLE! 

I had to have some since I just happen to have an almost crawling baby this Christmas.  I looked around on line to buy some...they are pretty pricey, I couldn't justify buying them.  So I bought a shirt and refashioned it..they are not perfect but I think they turned out pretty dang cute.

 

 

 

 

 

They are pretty cute on a standing baby too.

 

 

 

He's pretty happy in his new jammies.

 

 

 

He is nowhere near naughty...but he has been wreaking havoc on our poor little tree!

 

 

 

But he also smiles like this..so I guess we'll allow it.

Merry Christmas and happy sewing!

 

(I'll put up a tutorial by next Christmas)

Puzzle Piece Wreath Ornament

 

 

This is one of my favorite ornaments for little kids to make...they are easy and fun. We made ours about five years ago and it has held up really well.

 

 

We have been busy around here with all the fun that Christmas time brings we visited Santa at our local storytime.  I was pleasantly surprised by my kids...they actually sat on his lap and talked to him

and everything.

 

 

 

 

I think this friendly little guy showed them how to do it... he wasn't scared a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 My traditional picture of the kids in front of the Christmas tree went really well

3 smiles + 0 tears = success!

 

 

 

Watching this little guy discover everything is the best.

 

 

 

If your'e interested in making an ornament click on read more.

Ruffled Burlap Stockings

I have been seeing burlap everywhere and I could resist no longer. Some of the stockings I have been seeing are so dang cute and burlap is really cheap so I thought I would give it a go...

 

I really love the way it turned out, now I just need to make five more, or maybe I'll just stuff one stocking for all six of us.

 

If you're interested in making one for yourself click on read more.

The Big Picture of Christmas

I love traditions and coming up with meaningful new ones for my little family...I decided this year to put up the Nativity as a family.  We had a little lesson on the big picture of Christmas and then let the kids take turns picking a piece and talking about each one as they set it up.  

 

image source

 

"No worry or anxiety over the choosing of gifts; no enjoyment of holiday feasts; no decorations however modern or attractive; no social parties however jovial, should ever overshadow the fact that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ who came to give life, light, and peace to all mankind, and who marked the way by which these eternal blessings may be obtained.  Let us ever remember that"...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

(John 3:16)  ('Man May Know for Himself:Teachings of President David O. Mckay"pg 434)

 

This quote was a part of the lesson I found, it is a great reminder for me to remember what
Christmas is all about.

 

 

This is free and it has descriptions of all the Nativity Pieces

http://www.jennyphillips.com/christmasfhe/

Simple Christmas Decor.

 

 

There's a new love in my life...my new berry wreath.  I love the way it looks on my old window, I might have to leave it up all year long.  I didn't make it this time I couldn't find any berries for cheap enough to make it worth my time.  Walmart-$15.00

 

 

 

And I finally filled up my apothecary jars from one of my very first posts

 

 

This little guy was giddy with excitement when we busted out the Christmas stuff...he wore himself right out.  He plopped himself in front of his little Christmas tree the kids had just decorated and I'm sure visions of sugar plums danced in his head!

 

 

 

 

 

I'm excited about my new burlap which I'm hoping to turn into stockings...

 

We'll see if I can get them made, all six of them...gah! 

 Maybe one per year

 

Thanks Giving

 

 

My sister had the great idea to have a kid friendly feast before all the adults sat down to Thanks Giving dinner...so it would be a little more peaceful.

 

 

And if you want you can even dress them up like little pilgrims and indians.  The kids felt special and had a great time at their own little feast.

 

 

 

Afterwards we sent them downstairs to watch a movie while we ate, this worked well for most of the children some of the two year olds were not so  cooperative.  Mine kept coming up for more rolls and wanting me to change his clothes for some reason. 

 

 

 

The older indians were quite helpful with the little ones

 

 

 Everyone in my entire family was able to be there..and that is quite impressive since there are about 30 of us now!

 It was a great day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old Fashioned Christmas Tree

I have been wanting to do an old fashioned Christmas Tree for a while now, I have been seeing a lot of cute ideas using burlap, bakers twine, rope, sticks...what a cheap way to decorate the tree.  So today I'm just brainstorming on my blog....

 

Twine covered candy canes

 

 

 

Twine covered Christmas balls

 

 

 

Cinnamon applesauce ornaments, the kids are excited to make these with me.

 

 

 

Pine cones and bows... simple and cute

 

 

Old fashioned wrapping paper...cute and cheap

 

 

This would take a while but would make the tree look full and finished

 

 

 

And to top it all off you could make some stockings to go along with the theme.  I am in love with these... they are so pretty.

 

 

I know, I know... what happened to Thanksgiving !?  I'm definitely not skipping out on a Holiday completely devoted to being grateful for all that we are blessed with, I love that our Country has a Holiday solely focused on giving thanks.  I am grateful for family, friends, my home and my Savior and can't help but get excited about the season that is approaching.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Old Country Pancakes

Image Source

 

This is a family recipe that has been passed along for generations from my Swedish ancestors. My Grandma used to make these for us when we would visit, we still make them when we get together. My little boy requests them almost every day, "I want roll up pancakes Mama."

 

Recipe

 

3 eggs

3/4 cup flour

3 Tbs sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 cup milk

 

Whisk together eggs and flour til smooth, mix in sugar, add vanilla and milk and blend well.

Pour into greased skillets (Teflon or cast iron) on medium heat and swivel until pan is coated evenly.  Cook until edges start to brown a little then turn. 

 

Warning- the first one usually sticks a little.  Don't give up it gets easier.

 

We like to top them with raspberry jam and whip cream, nutella and bananas, fresh fruit and syrup, and my new favorite butter milk syrup.  The possibilities are endless, heck my ex step grandma topped them with refried beans! Wouldn't recommend.

 

Enjoy!

Super Saturday

We spent almost all day Saturday out in the shop cutting, gluing, nailing....in preparation for our Church's Super Saturday, which is quickly approaching. 

 

 

The crafty man whipped out his saws and nail gun and went to work. 

 

 

 

 

We made seven of these...if you're looking for something really affordable and easy to put together these are definitely the way to go. 

 

 

 

 

And we put together 22 of these..I didn't have pictures in when I took this but there is a groove cut into each piece of trim so you can slide your pictures in.  When I finish mine I will post a tutorial and some better pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made it a family event and it went a lot faster with all those hands...even the little hands were busy and quite helpful, most of the time;)

How to make the perfect bow every time

My sister's and I got together and decided to make some bows for our girls...my sister showed me the easiest way ever. Usually when I make a bow it takes forever cause inevitably one side is longer or one loop is longer.. this is a fast and easy no fail bow.

You can finish them off however you choose...ribbon knots, just ribbon,  jewels, string... 

I love glitter ribbon for Holiday bows.

Cover clips with ribbon using hot glue then glue bow on top.

I found my clips at Sally's Beauty Supply

 Hold ribbon in left hand

Wrap around hand

Slide ribbon off hand

Wrap with wire or string

Enjoy your new fantastic bows! 

Special thanks to my lovely five year old photographer.

Make Your Own Child Size Football Helmet

Do you want to make your little boy's day?!  I have just the ticket...what little boy doesn't want a football helmet made just for them and just the right size?  They can even help you make it, that might be the funnest part. 

He felt so cool sporting his new football helmet, we may have a future football player on our hands.

Suddenly he became Mr. Cool tough guy

 If you are interested in making one click on read more.

Happy Halloween 2012

 

We had a great Halloween...it was almost as fun as getting ready for Halloween!  I feel so blessed to have these four cute little kiddos to dress up and have fun with.

 

 

The football player with his baby brother football, neither one of them would look at the camera even though all of us were trying our hardest to get their attention!

 

 

They just wanted to play in the leaves...can ya blame them?

 

 

 

Beautiful Belle from Beauty and the Beast and the cutest Pirate I've ever seen

 

 

 

 She felt like quite the princess in her crown, new yellow shoes, fluffy dress and she even got to wear makeup.
(the snot running down little brother's nose just makes him look tough right!?)

 

 

Our little football had a big day and was pretty tuckered out.

We have been busy making accessories-Refurbished Yellow Princess Shoes

 

A last minute foam bejeweled princess crown to match the ensemble

 

 

Every pirate needs a sword of some kind especially one with gems all over it...she had a good time making this and became quite skilled with the hot glue gun...valuable lesson!

 

 

And last but definitely not least

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Ta da!! 

 Yep that's a homemade football helmet, he was sooooo excited.