Advent Countdown

Advent calendars are such a hit with kids anticipating the excitement of Christmas Day! I wanted to make a simple countdown calendar to give to friends and neighbors. It had to be simple so that we could mass produce them. After sleepless nights tossing ideas around in my head, this is what we ended up with:

We cut brown wrapping paper 4"x 36" and wrapped 12 candies into it tying them off with fabric strips that I cut 1/2"x 6". I got wrapping paper that had the grid on the back so that it was easy to cut it to size. I decided to make the advent for only 12 days before Christmas since we were making so many of them. The poem that will be attached reads:

Start this advent on December the 12th,

Each day untie a treat for yourself.

When the end of the chain draws near,

You will know that Christmas is almost here.

I Spy Table II

It was so much fun making the first I Spy table that I wanted to make another, smaller one. I am pleased with how it turned out. I found a simple side table at Goodwill for a few dollars. Then came white spray paint and the trim on the edge of the table. Since this one is so much smaller than the first and because I knew what I was doing this time, it turned out with even more of a spying challenge.

We had our fun with it and then gave it to the school to be auctioned off. I don't know who won it or how much it went for but hope that it is being enjoyed by someone, somewhere.

P. S. I Spy Waldo. (As in "Where's Waldo)

From Nasty to New

The nasty old high chair cover had to go!

Good-bye!

The new and improved high chair cover is BRIGHT!

But wait, there's more! It's reversible!

Inspired by ikatbag

I wonder if I was ever so inspired before the internet came along. I glean so many ideas from looking at everyone's projects. This one comes from ikatbag. My sister approached me about making it a combined project, which was perfect. She is more paper and I am more fabric. Take a look at the finished result.

I wish I would have had a little more experience doing a zipper closure. I can see how it would be so much better now that I have all of the bakery items in their jars. And the verdict? My kids love it!!! Even the older ones that I thought would likely be less interested. Thank you ikatbag!

Paper Mobile

I have always loved hanging things! It gives a room more demension. Pottery Barn for teens had a mobile a while back that inspired this:


Paper and strings make pretty things.

Teacher Doors 2011

It's time again for teacher appreciation week at my kids school. I was assigned 2 doors to decorate. The decorations are in mint condition on my floor. Now to transport them to the school doors...hmmm. First is one for the 4th grade teacher. It is made from wrapping paper, bright colored paper and plenty of glitter. This one is for the librarian's door. I used paper and felt to create the finished product.

It was sure fun to create these door hangings but I am sure glad they are done too! On to the next project!

Valentine Topiary

Last year I wanted to make the ladies I visit a Valentine's Day gift. Here's what they got:
I used broken toothpicks to stick gummy candies on to styrofoam balls which I had painted pink. I used more painted styrofoam balls in painted clay pots to stablize the topiary. Long popsicle sticks worked perfectly to bring it together. Everything is better with a bit of tulle! I found most of the gummies at Walgreens with some gummy frogs and mushrooms from World Market. Sweet to eat!