"Berry" Cute!

How stinkin' cute is this?!?! They are SUPER easy to make.
My kiddos made these on their own
(minus the last step).
I can honestly say, I have never seen
my busy, wild but sweet little guy
sit still for so long!! We just might be
making these all year long (haha)

I found the frame at Michael's and used
Apple Barrel acrylic paint (fyi...be careful
if you use this with kids...it stains clothes, carpet etc)

We painted both sides but the back is

not necessary.

I bought the berries at Michael's as well.
They were $1.99 each but I got them
50% off (woo-hoo!)
Next, pull the berries off of the branch.
This step is fairly easy however there
were a few that I had to use my wire
cutters on.

We took a little break to do a little
dancing with our berries.
shake, shake, shake!!

Cover your frame in tacky glue.
Do not be afraid to use a TON!

I squeezed a bunch all over and then
spread it with my finger.
The glue dries clear so having too
much is not a worry.
Next, put the berries on the frame.

When covered, it looks like this.
I used the palm of my hand to push them

down a little...just to be sure they were
good and stuck!

Last step...this is my part!
Spray your frame with acrylic coating.
It makes the berries look really
shiny and glossy!

Kim (the creative teacher I borrowed this idea from)

suggested putting a black and white picture

in the frame. I tried both and I have to agree...
the b&w one looks best.

Thanks Kim for the CUTE idea!

Happy crafting!

Recycle

I came across a cute game where you

punch out a circle (or any shape) from old Christmas cards

and make them into a matching game. So cute!

I used last years cards and made a set

for my two kiddos to play with...they

love it!

Candy & Candles

I love to make these cute little

candy trays out of candlestick

holders and plates! When I garage sale, I

search for the glass candlestick holders knowing

that I can make fun little gifts with them.

I

Coasters Gift Card Holder

Gift card holders made with coasters

and some fun tags

Reindeer Food

December To-Do List:

aReindeer Food

Burlap

So. much. to. wrap.

I am bored with the same old

bags and paper. I needed a wrapping

break so I pulled out my burlap and

sewing machine and came

up with this....

then this...

and finally this...
inside is a gift card.
and then I made this...
a bag for another gift card.
I think I really like burlap!

Corn & Ham Chowder

Here is one of my favorite soup recipes.

Sue's Corn & Ham Chowder

2 tbs. butter or margarine
½ cup chopped onions
1 cup diced ham
1 can cream of mushroom soup(or other cream soup)
¾ cups whole milk
¾ cup half & half
1 can cream style corn
1 package frozen cream style corn
1 cup diced potatoes
Salt and pepper to taste


Sauté onion in butter
Add ham
Blend in soup, then milk
Add corn, potatoes and season to taste
Simmer about 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender

**Do not cook in crock pot…it waters it down!

Perfect for a chilly day...not

that we have many of those in SoCal

:)

Nie-Nie

It's no secret...I LOVE blogs.

Most of the blogs in my favorites
list are crafty ones...full of
happiness, glitter and Mod Podge.

There are also ones that bring
sadness to my heart.
Heartbreaking stories of people I have
never met but I pray for them like they are
part of my family. I pray so hard
calling out His name to bring peace to
them. I have sooo much
admiration for these families. Their
honest and painful words fill the
space on their blogs...but behind
there suffering is beauty. I don't know
what keeps pulling me back to these blogs
but I wake up every morning yearning to
check them. If the days between their
posts is longer than three...I worry.
I Google to see if I missed something.
I hit the floor on my knees praying that
the Lord will grant them more time, more
peace, less pain.

One of my daily reads is NieNie
You may know of her. She may even
be one of your daily reads. If not,
I hope that you can be filled with
the overflowing emotions that I get
from her...excitement, hope, sadness,
desire, confidence, fear, anxiety,
worry, concern, happiness, love,
devotion, anger, rage, joy...
and that is just how I feel. I can
only imagine what her list might look like.
Hugs to you NieNie

Friend

We made these two cards

at one of our MOPS meetings.

All the materials are from Michaels.

For You...

With Love...

Valentine Poem

Here is a cute poem that I used when I was teaching.
I use it now for the grandparents…they always love handprints!

This isn't any handprint
As you can plainly see,
For it is a special handprint
Made for you by Me!!
Along with this handprint,
I send lots of hugs and
kisses your way,
And ask that God bless you
On this Valentine's Day!

Note Cubes

I am really liking these stamped note cubes.

What a cute gift this would make for
a teacher or friend.

You can find them at Stamp On This

So Thankful!

Blessing Box
A fun way to count your blessings. Each day for the month of November you add a
thankful thought to the blessing box. On Thanksgiving, you read them together!

Here is what you need...
box with lid, paper torn into pieces and mod podge

My daughter did most of this on her own. She tore scrapbook paper into pieces and
adhered them onto the box with the Mod Podge. (You know you have a crafty kid when
they get excited to use Mod Podge!!)

Once dry, cut a slit into the top of the box

Handprint Turkeys

Cute Thanksgiving Turkeys!

Fall Foliage

Look how cute these are!!
We made these at our MOPS meeting and I LOVE them!

Here is what you need...

-frames (our craft coordinator bought these ones at the Dollar store!),
-a piece of burlap that fits the frame
-leaves. If you live in an area that has great fall foliage colors you can use real leaves!
We used paper ones but they look so real!

Arrange your leaves on the inside of the glass, lay burlap on top
and put frame back together. So easy!!

Cards

Here are a couple of cards from the Stampin UP! club I am in.
I always leave with such great ideas!

I have always wondered how to make cards like the one above. You know...the ones that you can shake and it has beads or other embellishments in it. Now I know...to make this, you use transparency paper, two pieces of cardstock and foam strip tape.

For My Teacher

Jake started preschool and his teacher asked if I could make a new sign-in clipboard for their room. With help from my two itty-bittys we made these….

I must admit…I really like the colors of the paper on the clipboards and I have to share where I bought it from…Big Lots! They had paper stacks for $5! Love!!

Back To School

…a survival kit for K&J’s teachers

Starburst – when you need a burst of energy

paper clips – when it feels like things are falling apart…use these to hold it all together

mints – you are worth a mint to us

highlighter – there will be many highlights this year

tissues – to wipe away the tears…yours and theirs

Peach Crumb Cake

This is not only EASY to make but super yummy!!

Peach Crumb Cake (click for recipe)