New hats!

I made a couple of hats a little while ago.  I used a tutorial I found from Maybe Matilda for the curly-cues.

I made two matching ones for a baby and her big sister.

I think it looks pretty cute on Lotte!

Lotte's Advent Calendar

I did a guest post over at GLUESTICKS on Friday.  I was going to wait awhile to post this here, but it is dated material, if you will.  I told you about it in my thankful post, but if you didn't take the jump and see it, here it is....


Lotte is 2 and a half and it is the first Christmas she is able to understand the magic of it all.  So I wanted to give her a calendar of her own to help countdown until the big day!

This cute little guy is in her room above her bookcase.

I didn't want it to be too expensive or too heavy to hang so I made it out of Balsa board.  It is only $3.00 from the craft store, and it can be found in the modeling section.

I used Martha Stewart glitter paint (AMAZING STUFF) on clothespins that I already had in my stash.  Everything is hot-glued together in a sort of random fashion.  The circles where cut from my Cricut and I hand drew the numbers on.

I couldn't find the "perfect ornaments" so I picked up a bag of vase filler from the craft store ($4.99 with a 40% off coupon!).  I made them into ornaments with a straight pin, some glue and ribbon.  If you have ornaments around those would work too, or making them out of felt would add a great touch.

Every day in December she will wake up and put a new ornament on her mini Christmas tree.

This advent calendar is something we will have for years to come and I can't wait for the many Christmases filled with wonder and excitement!

Linking my advent calendar up to these jolly good hostesses!
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
DIY Under $5 @ A Little Tipsy
12 Days of Christmas @ Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive, 365

Guest Post...Post Thanksgiving

I hope you had an EXCELLENT Thanksgiving!

Before I get into my thanksgiving thankful list, I want to share something that I am sooo grateful for...

I'm doing a guest post at GLUESTICKS today!  Come and check out Lotte's Advent Calendar over at Brandy's Homemade Advent Calendar Week!

It turned out EXACTLY like I wanted it to, and I'll give you the how-to over there!

Here are half a dozen things that I'm thankful for this weekend and EVERY day!
1.  Health:  I thank God that I'm healthy and that I have healthy children.  I don't take that for granted.  I'm thankful that my family is healthy, including my step Dad.  Almost exactly 3 years ago he was diagnosed with a mean form of cancer.  He has been healthy for just about 2 years now, and I pray that he continues to stay that way.

2.  Family:  I think it goes without saying that my family is incredibly supportive of my husband, myself and our children.  I wouldn't be able to make it without them.

3.  My job:  There are too many people who do not have work right now to not be thankful for my job.  I'm thankful that I have a boss who helps support me and my family by keeping me employed.  In this time of economic hardship I am more than thankful that my employer has done all that he can to keep me employed and that he has gone above and beyond thinking of my family and not just his budget.

4.  My husband:  He does more during a day than I do, and for that I'm ever grateful because I couldn't do everything without him.

5.  My children:  They are incredible.  They are both special in their own way and I'm so thankful that they are who they are and I can't wait to see who they become.

6.  My blog:  This blog has given me something to do for myself.  It has made me a better person.  It has made me more accountable to my dreams and my aspirations, and most of all it has been a motivator for me to be a more productive person!  Thank you so much for reading and following me on my creative journeys!

A Garden Update???

Look what we pulled out of our sadly neglected garden.

We honestly didn't think the carrots would ever come in.  Nearly six months and 4 or 5 good frosts later, my husband pulled out 8 fully formed but small carrots.  Out of a garden that I haven't been out to in months!

HAHA! RANDOM!

Acorn Cookies

Here are some easy additions to your fall cookie plates or your desert spread.

I originally saw these in Family Fun magazine.  I followed their recipe...

Unwrapped Hershey Kisses

Chocolate Frosting

Mini Nilla Waffers

Pretzel Sticks

Put a dab of frosting on the bottom of the Nilla Waffer and attach the Hershey Kiss.  After they have dried for a bit add a smaller dab of frosting to the top and attach a 1/4 inch piece of pretzel.  I let mine sit over night for the icing to "harden" so that it was sure to hold.

But mine needed just a little something extra, so I drizzled melted chocolate over the tops.

I made about 4 dozen in less than 20 minutes...super duper easy!