The Reason for the Season

 

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Fantabulous Friday 12/24

It's Christmas Eve! And if you are here to link up, thanks for spending time with me today! I am excited to see all your projects!  And wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Here are some favorites from last week:

Jonie @ Just Between Friends made this amazing Winter Wreath!

I also love this bell ornament from Katie's Nesting Spot

A Pumpkin and a Princess made this yummy Peppermint Bark.

This would be great even after the holidays if you are able to grab some cheap candy canes!

Now show me your latest projects!

A few little rules before we begin....

1. Enter a link to your specific blog post. It can be anything YOU created! Something you crafted, sewed, painted, re-purposed, baked, organized, or anything else you made that you want to share.

2. Please check out a few of the other links on the list and leave some comment love. This is what the party is all about! Making new friends and finding fun projects!

3. Grab the Fantabulous Friday! button below to add to your post to let others know you're participating.

4. No Etsy pages or business websites or giveaways please. And all posts need to be family friendly or they will be deleted!!!

<br /> <a href="http://www.mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Mommaskindacrafty"><br /> <img src="http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy186/mommaskindacrafty/th_Fantabulousfriday.jpg" border="0" alt="Fantabulous Friday!" /></a>

Merry Christmas to you all!

Remember my post about Shutterfly?  Well, I got my free cards and absolutely love them!

Just wanted to share with you and wish all my blogging friends and family a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

and Happy New Year!
 

I am officially on vacation from my blog till after New Years.  My Fantabulous Friday Link Party will still be open each week, (Thurs night thru Sun night!)  but just don't be expecting much as far as posting goes.  I will be back with more fun projects and even a new blog design for the New year!  I can't wait!

Sweet Stocking Christmas Card

For hundreds of Christmas card designs, click here.

View the entire collection of cards.

Are YOU Ready???!!!

I am happy to say my shopping is ALL done!  I have a little wrapping left to do and some handmade gifts to finish.  So I'd better get to sewing!  What are YOU trying to finish in time for Christmas?  Or are YOU all ready?

Hoo are you at Christmas time?

 I was so excited to see Leslie post a Hoo are you party this week!

(Click on button to link up)

Here are my answers!

1. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?


a. spending time with the family
b. giving and receiving gifts
c. sleeping
d. eating and drinking

a. Spending time with the family

2. What is your least favorite part of the holiday season?

a. spending time with the family
b. giving and receiving gifts
c. sleeping
d. eating and drinking

If I have to pick , I'd say C.  I am usually having too much fun with family to want to sleep!

3. Do you bake goodies during the holidays? If so do you eat them, give them away or both?
Yes.  I always make a few batches of fudge and a big batch of sugar cookies.  And whatever else I am in the mood for!  To giveaway and eat!

4. Are you already for Christmas?
Almost!  My shopping is done!  However I have a little wrapping left to do and some handmade gifts to finish.

5. What activities do you do on Christmas day?
Mostly spending time with family.  Playing games,  Eating.  Watching movies.

Last minute ideas for the MAN who has everything!

My husband is definitely the hardest for me to buy for.  He doesn't ask for anything. Has everything. And needs nothing.

Do you have a man like this in your life?  I have found a couple great solutions.  And they are super easy and even printable!

Check out Dating Divas for some super fun ideas!

Like this Gift Tag idea

This 12 Daytz of Christmas Calendar

 

And my personal favorite,  this amazing Homemade Coupon Book!

So make sure your printer is full of ink and have fun with some last minute treats for the hubs!

Handmade Christmas: Personalized Earring Holder

About 5 weeks ago, my 5 yr old asked to get her ears pierced. She had asked earlier in the year and we told her she could for her birthday. When her birthday rolled around, she said she wanted to wait until she was 6. Or maybe 7. Or maybe 10 would be good.

So since she asked, we decided to take her and see what happened. She did get a little scared but with a little help from Daddy, she got her ears pierced!  Thank goodness there were two ladies working, so she got both ears done at the same time.  She was very proud and had to call grandmas and cousins and let everyone know.

Christmas day will mark her 6 weeks, so she can change out her earrings.  New earrings are on top of her Christmas list. (right up there with a purple unicorn pillow pet!)

So of course I got her some, and then tried to come up with an idea for her to store them.  I didn't want them lost in the bottom of her jewelry box or all over the floor.

Here is what I came up with.

I painted a wooden frame and the letters.  Glued on the letters and a little star too.

Then I used my staple gun and stapled a piece of 10-count plastic canvas to the back of the frame.  Used some tulle for hanging.

I love the way it turned out and am so excited for her to unwrap on Christmas morning!

Christmas Tradition 2: Ornaments

The first year we were married, we thought it would be fun to start a Christmas tradition of our own. We decided that we would get a new ornament each year that would somehow represent that year.

I just purchased our 16th ornament to add to our tree this year!  And I am proud that we have been able to keep this tradition alive.

We just moved this summer.

These are the first ornaments to go on the tree.  We start with the first one and go one by one and talk about each year.  Here are a few others.

Our First Christmas Together 1995

 4 different Baby's First Christmas

Our first home purchase!

I love having traditions!  Something to look forward to and bring the spirit of the holidays into our homes!

I would love to hear your favorite traditions!

Scrappy Ornaments and my Tree revealed!

I promised to show you my ornaments that I made with my scraps from my tree skirt.  Here they are!

 

These are just styrofoam balls that I covered with fabric scraps.  I used mod podge to adhere the fabric and hot glued a bow on top for hanging!

  Super easy and fun!

I have to admit we were really late in putting up our tree this year.  We had planned all along to get a real tree, like we usually do.  But when we actually found the time, the pickings were really slim.  So the hubs caved and bought a pre-lit tree.

For the most part, we let the kids do the decorating.  Then daddy does the star, mommy the bows, and tree skirt.

 

I just love to look at the tree all lit up in the dark room.  It somehow relaxes me.

I also let the kids pick which side of the tree skirt they wanted to see.

They chose to match the ornaments rather than the stockings.  And now my wrapped gifts have a home!

Fantabulous Friday Link up! 12/17

Sorry to be so late with the party!  I know I usually get it going Thursday evenings, but with Christmas, I have just been a little extra busy.  I am sure you can relate!

And since I totally missed (blonde moment) the party last week, there aren't any features today.

But I did get a fun email this week from Katie at Katie's Nesting Spot.  She used my tutorial  for Little Girl Leggings for Fall 

And made these adorable Holiday Leg Warmers

I love when I inspire others!  I'd love to see what you've made from any of my tutorials or ideas!

Let's get on with the party!


A few little rules before we begin....

1. Enter a link to your specific blog post. It can be anything YOU created! Something you crafted, sewed, painted, re-purposed, baked, organized, or anything else you made that you want to share.

2. Please check out a few of the other links on the list and leave a comment. This is what the party is all about! Making new friends and finding fun projects!

3. Grab the Fantabulous Friday! button below to add to your post to let others know you're participating.

4. No Etsy pages or business websites please. And all posts need to be family friendly or they will be deleted!!!

<br /> <a href="http://www.mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Mommaskindacrafty"><br /> <img src="http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy186/mommaskindacrafty/th_Fantabulousfriday.jpg" border="0" alt="Fantabulous Friday!" /></a>

Reversible Tree Skirt!

Yesterday I showed you my Jumbo sized Quilted Stockings  and today I want to show you my matching tree skirt!


I had bought all the fabric to make it and after making my stockings, I had the clever idea to make it double sided!  So now its reversible.

I can match it with our stockings....

Or turn it over for a more festive, colorful look....

And like my stockings, I just made up the pattern as I went.  Here's a close up of the trim.....

Of course, I had leftover material that I just had to make something with....I'll show you that project tomorrow!

Quilted Stockings!

I thought I would show you our Christmas stockings!  I made these a couple years ago.  I wanted BIGGER stockings and just couldn't find any that I liked.  So I drew up a pattern and bought red, white, and green, quilted fabric.  I made 6 of them and each one is different.   I think this year I might attempt to embroider names on them!

Here is one more picture so you can see a little more details....I just zig-zagged the heel and toe pieces on!  Very easy and fun to make!

If you like these, you'll LOVE my Tree skirt!  It matches and is reversible and I will share it tomorrow!

12 Days of Giveaways My Winner announced!!!

I have finally gotten around to choosing a winner for my 12 days of giveaways winner!

Lucky #50 is Jackee who said:

I'm a follower. My number one wish is for my children to always be healthy and happy.

Congratulations to Jackee and thanks to all who entered!

12 Days of Giveaways: Day 12

Today is our last of our 12 days of Giveaways!  We have had a great time with these giveaways and hope you all enjoyed them too!

Head on over to Craft Rookie for our 12th and final Giveaway!

I will be choosing and announcing my winner from Day 6 tomorrow afternoon.

And I am sorry for overlooking Fantabulous Friday this week.  I was out of town and just didn't get it together.  But I will get my act together and get the party ready for this week.  I can't wait to see what you are working on for the Holidays!

12 Days of Giveaways: Day 11

WOW! We have had some awesome giveaways! And as we are nearing the end of our 12 days, you won't be disappointed in todays giveaway!

Sew a Straight Line

is giving away this cute wristlet full of all kinds of fun stuff!

Hurry and don't miss out!  Tomorrow will be our last Giveaway so back so I can tell you all about it!