Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas from my family to yours!  I just want you to know how incredibly thankful I am for you.  It is a blessing every day to share a little bit of our lives with you.  We truly hope you have a wonderful day celebrating, laughing, and sharing! 

I plan to take off about a week, do some planning, and start again in 2011!  Blessings to you until we meet again!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Carols and Crafts: Joy to the World


Today's Carol:  Joy to the World
You can find words and music here.
This song is included in Christmas Hymn's for a Kid's Heart

We've come to the end of our 12 Days of Christmas Crafts and Carols!  I can't think of a better song to end with than a triumphant song of hope about the King!

1)  Make a cake (Dad-led cooking project - yay!)

2)  Frost and decorate the cake.

3)  Have a party!  Sing carols, read about Jesus' birth, sing a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday, and eat cake!

Happy birthday, Jesus.  May we never forget to celebrate You.

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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

LeapFrog Fridge Words for $13.49

Fridge Words Magnetic Word Builder

Here is one last Christmas idea (and one of my four-year-old's favorite toys!):  Amazon has LeapFrog's Fridge Words Magnetic Word Builderfor $14.99.  If you are a member of Amazon Mom, receive an extra 10% off by entering the code M885TY3L at check-out (making the price just $13.49) and receive free 2 day shipping.

$5 for Martha Stewart's Whole Living AND Everyday Food

Whole Living (1-year auto-renewal)  Everyday Food: Great Food Fast

Need a quick stocking stuffer?  For just a few more hours on Living Social (a daily deal site), you can get Martha Stewart's Whole Living and Everyday Food for $10.  Plus, if you haven't signed up yet for Living Social and you use my referral link, you can save $5 -- and get both for just $5!!  Here's how to do it:


1)  Follow this link to Living Social

2)  Look for the daily deal for Columbia.

3)  Click the Buy Now link and follow the instructions.  You'll receive a voucher in a day or so letting you know it is available for use!

Thanks, Passion for Savings

12 Days of Christmas Carols and Crafts: Angels from the Realms of Glory


Today's Carol:  Angels from the Realms of Glory
Find words and music here.
This song is included in Christmas Hymns for a Child's Heart.

My oldest daughter made an angel like this at church.  It turned out beautifully, so I'm taking the idea and sharing it with you!

Supplies:
Coffee filter
Cupcake liner
Glue
Markers/crayons
Used envelope
Lid or other circle template
Scissors
Glitter

1)  Fold a coffee filter in half.  Cover the filter with glue and fold in half again.  Glue again and fold in half once more.

2)  Fold a cupcake liner in half and glue on the back of the coffee filter.

3)  On the edge of an envelope, trace a circle.  Be sure not to cut the fold.

4)  Draw a face on the circle.  Glue the angel body on the circle.  Place ribbon or string across the fold.

5)  Glue down the face and allow to dry.  Decorate with glitter, if desired.

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Monday, December 20, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Carols and Crafts: Deck the Halls


Today's Carol: Deck the Halls
You can find words and music here.
Download a free MP3 here.

Here's a simple way to "deck the halls" (or your table) with a creation by your child.

Supplies:
Votive holder
Acrylic Paint
Q-tips
Tea light
Glue
Salt
1)  Using a Q-Tip, make "dots" all over the candle holder.

2)  Allow to dry.  Place a tea light in the holder.  Very pretty and simple....or you can move on to the next step.

3) Smear the outside of the glass with a thick coat of glue. Be careful not to scrape off any painted dots.  Roll or sprinkle with salt.

4)  Allow to dry completely.  Place a tea light in the votive holder.

I can't quite capture the effect, but they really do look quite festive!  And all for under $1 a piece!

handmade projects

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Sunday, December 19, 2010

Spirited Sunday: "Wall of Fame"


One of my favorite things about Christmas is receiving cards and newsletters.  I like to see what is going on with friends and family, and I love to get new pictures!

Right now, the cards hang above my kitchen cabinets, but when Christmas is over, I take them down and save the photos.  Although it is nothing fancy, I have a special bulletin board for all of the pictures -- my "Wall of Fame".  As we go through the year, I enjoy looking at the pictures and remembering.  I also use the pictures to remind me to pray for specific friends and family!

What do you do with the Christmas cards you receive?

handmade projects

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Friday, December 17, 2010

Candyland for $4

Candyland

Candyland is currently available for $4 at Amazon, but it may not last long!  It ships free with an Amazon Mom membership!

This is one of the games I like to keep on hand for those surprise birthday party invitations that come up during the year!  If your budget allows and you can buy a book, toy, or game for a super low price, I think it's a good strategy.  It can help you save on gift expenses throughout the year (as long as you remember you have them and don't go out and buy another present)!

Free 8x10 Canvas from Canvas People


Putting your photo on canvas can be pretty expensive, but Canvas People is currently offering (through the end of the month) a FREE 8"x10" photo canvas or $55 off a larger size.  Shipping charges are $15, but that is still a great deal!

You might consider a family photo, a business logo, or photo of your child's artwork.  I browsed the website and found many other fun ideas!

12 Days of Christmas Carols and Crafts: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Today's SongRockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Find words and music here.

Need a quick gift bag?  Your child can easily make this Christmas Tree sack!

Supplies:
Paper sack
Green construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Stickers

1)  Draw and cut-out a Christmas tree shape.  Glue to the paper sack.

2)  Cover with stickers. 

We used office supply color-coding dots for our trees! 

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Carols and Crafts: O Little Town of Bethlehem


Today's Carol:  O Little Town of Bethlehem
You can find words and music here.
*This song is included in Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart.
You need:
Thin cardboard or cardstock
Scissors
Glue
Tissue paper
Ornament hook or ribbon

1)  Cut two triangles out of thin cardboard or cardstock.

2)  Glue the triangles together to form a star.

3)  Cover with glue.  Crumple tissue paper and place on the star.

4)  Poke a hole with a thumbtack and hang with an ornament hook!

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Carols and Crafts: O Come All Ye Faithful

Today's Carol:  O Come All Ye Faithful
You can find words and music here.
*Download a free MP3 here.
*This song is included in Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart.
Recycle a Christmas card with this craft!

You need:
Card with Nativity scene
Six craft sticks
Crayons or markers
Glue


1)  Lay out the craft sticks to form a frame.  This gives you a guide for the size to cut the card.  Cut the card.

2)  Color the craft sticks (if desired).  Glue on the sides.

3)  Glue the top and bottom sticks.  Allow to dry.

4)  Form a triangle at the top and glue on the last two sticks.

I prefer to use the jumbo craft sticks with preschoolers, but older children could do this as well with the smaller sticks!

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Monday, December 13, 2010

12 Days of Christmas Carols and Crafts: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Today's Carol:  Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
You can find words and music here.
*Download a free MP3 here.
*This song is included in Christmas Carols for a Kid's Heart.

These handprint (and footprint) angel towels would make a great gift!

You need:
Dish towel
White acrylic or fabric paint
Paint brush
Paper
Milk lid
Scissors

1)  Cover foot with white paint.  Step on the towel.

2)  Paint right hand white.  Hold fingers together and press onto the left side of the foot.  Paint left hand white and press onto the right side.

 3)  Trace a milk jug lid onto paper.  Cut out the inside to make a stencil.  Use a sponge or brush to paint the head.  Add a halo if desired.

Allow to dry overnight before using the towel.

(My six-year-old wants you to know that she was the photographer today.  She got a little picture happy, and when I uploaded them there were over 60 photos!)

Linking up to Homeschool Creations:  Preschool Corner!

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$16.99 for Scotch Thermal Laminator

Scotch Thermal Laminator 15.5 Inches x 6.75 Inches x 3.75 Inches, 2 Roller System (TL901)

By now, you know I love my laminator, right?!!  So, I'm excited about Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day!

The Scotch Thermal Laminator TL901 (which is the same version I purchased last year) is on sale for $16.99 today only!!  It's usually priced somewhere about $34 on Amazon.  The laminating pouches (50 ct) are available for $13.22.  Get free shipping with an Amazon Mom membership!