NYE Decor - Feature of the Day

Are you having some friends over tonight for New Year's Eve, but still want to add some last minute decor?   The Crafty Lumberjacks have some decor  ideas that you can whip up this afternoon, for some extra dazzle tonight.  To see how to make this sparkly votives and a star garland be sure to stop over at the Crafty Lumberjacks here.   Thanks so much for linking these great crafts to Dare to Share! 

My Top 13 Posts in 2013

I just went through my posts of 2013 this past weekend.  Some of the top posts I was expecting, a few were a surprise.  I now see why I had the highest number of views in September.   That was when I featured my Despicable Me 2 Party, and people seem to love Despicable Me. All of my posts from that party were in the top 6 of my most viewed posts of the year.   I also  had three money saving posts in the top 13.  I think this means I will have to share more money saving tips in the upcoming year.  Another interesting thing that I noticed is that most of the crafts on the list  were made  from recycled items, three of the crafts specifically were made  from  cardboard tubes..

Now on to the top posts.. 

The Adventures of Buddy the Elf, Weeks 3 and 4

Buddy had a busy last week and a half at our house.  With Thanksgiving being so late this year, the time with Buddy really did seem to fly by.   In this picture he was  using a candy cane to hang from the peppermint garland in the kitchen. 

Dare to Share #91

It is Friday night, so you know what that means.. 
It is time to Dare to Share!! 

How was your holiday week? 

Stuffed Snickerdoodles- Feature of the Day

Are you enjoying your holiday week?  Now that Christmas is over, it is time to think about New Years Eve/Day. We usually have a low key New Years Eve either at home, or hanging out with friends.  For those of you who do have parties, or family gatherings, you might want to try to make these Old Fashioned Stuff Snickerdoodles by Diane of Recipes for our Daily Bread.  I have not tried to make Snickerdoodles before, but seeing this recipe, I think I need to give it a shot.  You can see Diane's recipe for these delicious cookies on Recipe for Our Daily Bread here.  Thanks so much for linking up this great recipe Diane! 

Peppermint Krispies

This week we wanted to try something a big different than plain Rice Krispie treats, and it started with the bag of marshmallows we found on a recent trip to the store.  

Cinnamon Rolls - Feature of the Day

We are in the final hours before Christmas.  Have you thought about what you are going to serve for breakfast while opening presents with the family? Connie from Hill House Homestead shares a step by step picture tutorial  on how to make these delicious looking cinnamon rolls yourself.  If you would like to see how to make some of your own,  be sure to check out Hill House Homestead here.  Thank you so much for linking up to Dare to Share Connie! 

Dare to Share #90

Can you believe it is the Friday before Christmas?! 
But because it is Friday, you know what that means.. 
It is time to Dare to Share!  

Amaretto Chocolate Chip Cookies - Feature of the Day

There are just a few more baking days until Christmas! We are doing some of ours this weekend and upcoming week, now that school is out for break.  This delicious looking cookie by Amee of Cooking in Bliss caught my eye while picking today's feature.  The combination of cranberries and white chocolate chips is what  makes this cookie sound so good.  There is a teeny tiny amount of Amaretto  in them, but  it is a small enough amount that you need not worry about these cookies getting into the little hands. To see this recipe, be sure to check out Cooking in  Bliss here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Amee! 

Rustic Log Centerpiece - Feature of the Day

Are you having guests over to your house for Christmas, and need an idea for a centerpiece?   Joy over at Yesterfood share this gorgeous Rustic Log Centerpiece on this week's Dare to Share.   I love how simple, but yet elegant this log she found in the yard looks on the table.  To see how she made turned a basic log table worthy, be sure to check out her post here.  Thanks so much for sharing this great idea on Dare to Share Joy! 

My Woodland Themed Christmas Tree

I finally feel that my Woodland Tree is finished.  I was also going to show you one more ornament, but with sick kids and crazy scheduledes, they just did not get made.  They are now on the list for next year.  This tree is a small       tree, that I got at Target a few years ago for under $20. If it looks like there is a piece missing on the bottom right, there is. I think that piece broke off during a cat climbing incident in 2010. (basically one of our bigger, heavier cats sat on a branch that was not made to hold a 15 pound cat) This tree sits in the our bedroom, where I can enjoy it every night before going to sleep.  

White Chocolate Party Mix - Feature of the Day

There are so many great links on this week's Dare to Share!  This one by Summer of Summer Scraps caught my eye today.  How delicious does this M & M White Chocolate Party Mix look?!  This mix would be great to bring to parties, to serve to your family. or even give out as gifts.  I am going to try and mix up a batch this week.  If you would like to see Summer's yummy recipe, check out her blog Summer Scraps here.

The Adventures of Buddy the Elf, Week 2

Buddy has been a pretty good elf this week. He did not get in too much trouble.  He also did not seem to mind the day that we were so busy, that he stayed in the same place longer than normal.  In this picture he is playing hide and seek in the poinesetta  His red suit blended in with the red flowers really well.  

Easy Chocolate Cluster Candy

Tonight we made a batch of our favorite homemade candy.   I thought it would be good to share during Woodland Christmas week, because the ingredients remind me of nature.  

Dare to Share #89

Can you believe that it is Friday night already?!   This week flew by for me. Maybe because Christmas is coming at warp speed!  

Christmas Sheep - Feature of the Day

How cute is the Fleece Navidad Christmas Sheep from The Pin Junkie?!  You do not normally think of sheep when you think of Christmas, but there are several things you can do with this sheep.   You can add a hook, and use it as an ornament, you can put it in a homemade nativity with the shepherds, or you can give it is as a fun little gift with a Fleece Navidad card like Bonnie did. To see how she made her sweet  little sheep, be sure to check out The Pin Junkie here.  Thanks so much for linking up your Christmas sheep to Dare to Share Bonnie! 

Snow Owl Ornaments

Today I am going to share my Snow Owl Ornaments.  I just love how they turned out!  They are going to look so pretty on my Woodland themed tree. 

Christmas Bell Craft - Feature of the Day

Today's Feature of the Day by Wesens-Art is a  perfect craft to make with kids, and it would make a great gift for family and friends.  These Christmas Bells are not difficult to make, and can easily be personalized. Be sure to see how to make these colorful Christmas Bells on Wesens-Art  here.   Thank you so much for linking up this great craft on Dare to Share! 

A Woodland Themed Christmas

It is Woodland Christmas week on the blog!  Woodland animals are definitely a trend right now.  Long time readers will know that we have been loving woodland animals for a few years now.  That sweet hedgehog in the picture, he is Kara's pet Silver. She got him for her birthday a few years ago after a year of begging.  That summer she chose  a Woodland Themed Birthday Party Even her Halloween costumes for the past three years have been woodland themed.  In 2011, she was a fox, the next year a raccoon, and this year a bunny.  (originally going to be a hedgehog, and then a squirrel, before settling on the bunny)  So having a woodland themed Christmas week on the blog was a pretty easy decision.   

When going through an old box of Christmas items  that I had not gone through in a very long time, I found a bag of partially finished mini bird nest wreaths.  I thought they would be perfect to turn into a woodland themed ornament.  They already had glittery nests, and a few random ornaments glued on.  I added a few more, and the glittery ribbon, so I could hang the wreaths.  I  still might add a little bit more of the glittery stems to the nest. ( I just remembered where I have them stored as I am typing this post.)  If you have a mini wreath, and a craft bird, this is a very easy ornament to make.  All you need is a glue gun, and some items to embellish the nest.   These birds will give my woodland themed Christmas tree, a real sense of nature since they look realistic.  

Here is a fun video of Silver enjoying a warm summer day. I know it is sideways, I have looked all over and can not find where I can rotate it. Enjoy!  

I will be linking up this craft on these wonderful linky parties here. Be sure to stop by and check them out.  Also be sure to follow by email, so you don't miss a post!

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans - Feature of the Day

Are you planning on doing some holiday baking?  Maybe you are hosting a party or going to one.   These cinnamon sugar pecans by Crafty Lumberjacks would be the perfect treat to make for just about anything you have planned. They would be great even if you are just sitting at home and want a sweet treat.  To see this amazing recipe by the Crafty Lumberjacks, be sure to stop by their blog here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share guys!  I will be trying this recipe as soon as I got back to the store. :) 

Make a LEGO Minifigure Family Holiday Card

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LEGO.  All opinions are 100% mine.

If you have kids, then you probably have a LEGO of some kind in your house.  You are possibly also very familar with the  minifigures, the cute little people where you can mix and match their heads and bodies.  A fun thing that LEGO is doing this holiday season, is an online experience where you can create your own LEGO Minifigure Family  Holiday Card.   

On the site you can add up to 13 family members, including pets and a baby carriage,  and customize them in numerous ways.  You can chose the traditional hair styles and outfits, or you can choose to dress your family in costumes, like a bumblebee, a robot, and even Santa Claus.   

I had a lot of fun working on the card of my family.  There are many clothing options to chose from, but I do wish they had a few more tradiational outfits for my two girls.  I found more than enough hair choices, that I was able to match our hairstyles and colors pretty close to the real thing.   When you are  ready to place your family in  a scene. there are twelve different  backgrounds you can chose from.  The North Pole scene that I used in my card  was my favorite.  Once you have your card exactly the way you want it, it is easy to share on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  You can also chose to link, download or email your card  to your family and friends.   It is free  to create and send  LEGO Minifigure Family Cards, so why not give it a try. 

   

The Adventures of Buddy, Week One

Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? Ours is name Buddy, and he has been coming to our house for 3 years.  His first year here was pretty rough.  It was his job to keep an eye on two preteens, who were very ornery. At least the teen was very nice to him.   You can read about that year here.  Now that all of the kids are mostly out of their ornery stage, his visits have been more peaceful.  Here are some of the fun things he has done this year since arriving on November 30th.  

Dare to Share #88

It's Friday night, so you know what that means.. 
It is time for Dare to Share!  

How was your week?  

Glitter Trees - Feature of the Day

There are two things about these Glitter Trees by Robyn of Robyn's View that make them the perfect type of craft.  #1.  The supplies are from the Dollar Tree. (one of my favorite places to get craft supplies) and  #2 There is glitter involved.   Everything looks better with glitter.  They are super simple to make, and can be customized to your favorite colors.  To see how Robyn make these pretty glitter trees, but sure to stop by Robyn's View here. Thanks much linking up to Dare to Share Robyn! 

Candy Frame Ornament

We are decorating our  Christmas trees tonight, and while going through the ornaments  I came across one that my daughter made in 1st or 2nd grade.  I love this little ornament, and it would be  a fun one for kids to make. The white part of the ornament she made at school is made from poster board.   It would also be easy to use a heavy card stock, cardboard, or even a small paper plate.  The center of her ornament  is cut out using a circle cutter to turn it into a frame.  If you do not have a circle cutter, it would also work if the picture is attached to the front..  She colored the peppermint stripes with crayons, and then attached her school picture to the back with tape.  The peppermint frame is then wrapped in plastic wrap, and tied on both sides with curling ribbon.   

I liked her ornament so much that I had her make another one using a favorite picture of Santa.  I believe we made several of these, and gave them to the grandparents that year. 

Do you have favorite ornaments on the tree made by your kids? I would love to hear about them. 

Extra Special Wrapping - Feature of the Day

Melissa from Willamette Valley Wonder Woman shared a new way of wrapping presents,on this week's Dare to Share,  that I am sure you probably never thought to do. What she used, sure did gave an extra special touch to her presents.  If you would like to see how she made these beautiful bows, and see her special technique be sure to check out Willamette Valley Wonder Woman here.  Thanks so much for linking up this great idea on Dare to Share Melissa! 

Santa Heart Ornament

I know today's ornament is going up a bit late.  I had another one of those I wish my life was a little less crazy days.   I got up when the alarm went off, and woke up my son.  He said his leg hurt a bit, and so did his foot.  I told him to go ahead and get dressed, and come downstairs.  I go downstairs, and  find my youngest child being sick in the bathroom.  When she comes out,  she apologizes that the first time she got sick, it happened so fast that she didn't make it to the bathroom.  I look over to see a pile of paper towels covering up something near the couch. About this time my son came downstairs.  He mentioned his foot again. On and off he has been saying something about his foot, but then making it sound like no big deal when I asked more questions. He also did not bother to show  me his toe in a very long time.  Well today, he did.  When I saw it, I told him he was going to see the Dr. today.    When we saw the pediatrician  this afternoon, the Dr,  took one look at it, and said that he is sending us to the podiatrist. It seems my son has an infected toenail that is bad enough that the pediatrician  said it is out of his expertise. Now I know that when my son says something is not a big deal, I need to look at the not a big deal.  It seems this could be a very big deal.   We will find out more when we see the podiatrist in a few days.  At least my oldest was feeling 100% healthy today.   

We started decorating the tree tonight, and I found one of the Santa ornaments that we used to sell when we had a craft business back in the day. I love these ornaments, and they were a great seller at craft shows.  It is painted using the same technique that I used on my Santa Gift Box The only difference is I painted a little more of the hat, and added a pom. I also added a little bit of black to his mouth. Santa ornaments can be easily made with pre-cut wooden hearts  that can be found at your local craft store.  

I found some craft items mixed with the ornaments tonight. I am excited about the ornament I plan to share tomorrow.  

Snow Themed Ornaments, Three Different Ways

Today's ornament of the day is not really a craft tutorial, but it shows different  ways you can decorate a snow themed ornament.   Kara made the ornament in this picture.  She  recently saw some miniature presents at the craft store, and asked if she could have them.  She then filled a ball ornament about halfway full of snow and glitter  before adding the presents.   I love how the metallic wrapping shines in the light.  

Paint Swatch Advent Calendar - Feature of the Day

This original advent calendar made from paint swatches is a fun idea by Sarah of Nesting and Naps.  She shared how she made a colorful calendar of activities, that  she wants to do with her family this holiday season.  I think it is a great way to remember to spend quality time with those you love  during all the hustle and bustle of the month.  If you would like to see how she made her advent calendar, but sure to check out Nesting and Naps here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share  Sarah. 

Cyber Monday Deal Round Up

DIsclosure: This post contains affiliate links 

Have you done any cyber shopping yet?   My mailbox is overflowing with great deals.  I know it can be overwhelming at times, so I thought I would share the Cyber Monday deals here where it is much easier to find, and much less overwhelming.  

Painted Santa Gift Box

Disclosure: This post  contains  affiliate links. 

Have you ever seen one of those Paper Mache Heart Boxes

at the craft store, and wondered what to do with them?   Today I am going to show you how you can turn it into a Painted Santa Gift Box.  

Christmas Tree Ball Ornament

This weekend, Kara and I brought out the Christmas crafting supplies.  Each day until Christmas, I hope to share a homemade ornament, that can easily be made at home.  A few weeks ago, I picked up several of the clear plastic ball ornaments at Michales for 50% off. They are normally 99 cents each, so we picked them up for only 49 cents on sale.  I believe I also used my 25% off entire purchase coupon at the time,  making the cost 37 cents.  Today I am going to show you how easy it is to paint a Christmas tree.