Embrace the Camera 12.29.11

Embrace the Camera!

I've been really slacking on this so here we go. Sharing our family Christmas photos today. Enjoy!

A belated Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Go link up with Emily here Anderson Family Blog

 

The importance of a Christmas tree

I finally got our Christmas tree decorated tonight and I just love it.

I'll be honest, I really hate fluffing the tree. You know- arranging all the branches

 so your fake tree looks nice and plump and filled out. It's pokey and annoying and tedious

and I grumble the whole time I do it.

This year, we used AJ's tree. It's about 6 feet and pre-lit. Easy peasy.

My tree is 8 feet and amazing. I got it for $5 at a garage sale. It's old and sheds a lot, but it's hugantic and that makes it fabulous.

Anywho. I didn't put all the ornaments on because this tree is smaller and the branches

are much more flimsy and had some trouble with the heavier

ornaments. I also haven't unearthed AJ's ornaments yet, but I have some of mine

from years past and all of our family ones and

Tate's 1st Christmas ones.

Growing up, my mom always got us each a special ornament- typically

having to do with an interest that year. I have little smore creatures caroling,

eeyore, big bird, dogs, and misc fun ones. I got to take these with me

when I moved out on my own and hanging them up is a little

reminder of Christmases growing up.

I also have random ornaments that I bought on sale over the last 2 years. They don't have

any special meaning, but I like them anyways.

I also have jingle bells and candy canes that I used as filler for my

gigantic tree since I started out with an 8 foot tree and only about

20-25 ornaments. I love the bells and candy canes.

They remind me of how far I've come over the past few years.

I love Christmas. The music, the tree, the ornaments, the lights, the decorations,

and the general spirit of giving and loving.

The time with family that you never forget. And the traditions.

Every year I get Tate an ornament just like my mommy did for me

and I know someday when they leave my tree, I'll be sad, but I'll have all these

memories to look back on.

I can't wait for Tate to start getting a little older and really begin to

understand what Christmas is all about. I was hoping

to do an advent wreath this year, but time got away from me. Next year.

And more ornaments, bigger tree, more lights, etc.

More Christmas spirit and more giving to others.

God bless you all this Christmas season.

May we all remember the real meaning behind CHRISTmas.

May you spend this time making memories with those you love.

Merry Christmas!

DIY calendar for $1

I just love Pinterest and all the ideas I've gotten from there! Here's my latest craft- a handmade calendar since I lost ours in the move.

We keep a family calendar on the fridge with doctor's appointments, therapy sessions, after hours work meetings, and traveling. Very helpful and I recommend for every family.

Supplies:

Large picture frame (mine's 11x13 I think)- $1 at Dollar Tree

paint cards- free at Lowe's

Scissors

 Cut small squares out of the paint cards- I just eyeballed one and used it to measure the others

 Lay them out in on the cardboard backing and then tape down with tape loopies

Note- I recommend painting or covering the cardboard with scrapbook paper, but I was lazy and didn't. I might go back and do that at some point. Or not.

 Ta da! Seriously, that was TOO easy!

 Then you can write on the glass with dry erase markers and make your calendar. The only thing I realized is missing is a place to put the month at the top. But, you should really know what month it is, so I'm just not going to worry about that. I guess you could make magnets or scrapbook paper strips with each month to put above the calendar. Hmm- might do that!

 It's also a great coloring place for your helpful toddler :)

Tate loved it! Might need his own to color on. 

Well, that's the cheapest, easiest craft I've ever done. Score! Craft away!

Oh, you can either hang this on the wall or put magnets on the back and stick to the fridge. Dollar Tree didn't have magnets, hence no magnets for me today.

Make your own coasters

Here's my 2nd pinterest craft- homemade coasters as Christmas gifts for my co-workers.

Originally from this blog post: beneathmyheart.net

Here's my own picture tutorial. Enjoy and be sure to let me know if you make your own!

Step 1- buy white tile coasters. They sell for $.35 at Lowe's.

I got mine for $.05/piece at a local surplus store- bargain!

You'll also need: scrapbook paper or cute napkins, glue gun, spray adhesive, Mod Podge, scissors, ribbon, sponge paintbrush and a pen/pencil. 

 Step 2- make a stencil/pattern that you can use to measure your scrapbook paper.

I tried cardboard and ended up just using paper.

 Step 3- Trace your pattern onto the back of your scrapbook paper and cut out.

This was pretty time consuming. Note to self- purchase a paper cutter!

 Step 4- Once ALL your papers are cut out, break out your Mod Podge.

This was my first time using Mod Podge, but it's super easy.

Use a sponge brush (like the one pictured) and spread mod podge all over your tile.

 Step 5- Quickly place your scrapbook cut out on the tile, pressing down around the edges.

I found that I had to go back and press the edges down once more after it dried for about 30 seconds.

 Step 6- time for the backing. You can use felt, corkboard, or pre-cut circle thingies (which I couldn't find). I bought a huge roll of really thin corkboard for $15 and have tons left over for future craftiness. Cut out your corkboard or felt to be slightly smaller than your tiles.

 Step 7- love me some hot glue! Use your glue gun to hot glue your backing to your coaster.

I put hot glue near the edges of each tile and quickly pressed on the corkboard.

 Ta da! This one is not centered since I was trying to take pics while doing!

 Step 8- Apply another layer of mod podge over the whole tile- I found it best to use a THIN layer.

Step 9- Once they dry, apply spray adhesive (in a well ventilated area) to the tiles to make them waterproof. What good's a coaster that can't get wet?!

 And now just enjoy all my various tiles!

 Finally- Stack 2 or 4 together and tie with a bow. Give as gifts and you're DONE! I ran out of ribbon so mine aren't tied up all pretty yet. You can just enjoy the original blogger's pretty finished product.

My First Pinterest Craft!!!

Alrighty folks, here is my very first craft created from the wonderful world of Pinterest.

This is a pretty big deal for me. I am not especially creative or crafty. But, we moved 6 months ago to a larger house and it needs a lot decoration. We don't have the funds to purchase expensive decor (hello, we just bought a house) so I'm figuring out how to make our own decorativeness.

I have several more ideas to implement ASAP including Christmas gifts for my coworkers. That one will appear this weekend with a tutorial.

So, without further ado... here goes

Start with $1 frames from the dollar store.

You can spell out anything with this craft so just buy as many frames as you have letters.

I chose to do our last name.

The original pin had "autumn" in fall colors. 

 Buy fun scrapbook paper and cut to fit each frame.

Here's pics of the patterns I chose.



 Note all the different colors/styles of the frames.

You can choose anything you want since you'll paint them all the same color.

 Choose different fonts and sizes for each letter and print.

Cut out carefully.

I used black sharpie to touch up any spots that were hard to cut out.

I had to do mine kinda out of order cause it was raining the first day.

I would spray paint your frames first so they can dry while you do everything else.  

Anywho, spray paint your frames a fabulous color of your choosing.

Sidenote- this was my first time spray painting. Ever.

Put it all together (after the paint dries) and voila!

I'm planning to hang in our dining room later.

You could leave off the glass to avoid the glare but I wanted the paper protected from my

 destructive creative and helpful 1 year old. :)

Happy Crafting!!!

A Rough Week

Gracious it's been quite a week. Tate got sick on Thanksgiving day- ran a fever, cough, snot, felt yucky. That lasted until Sunday when he started getting better and I started getting worse. He's a good sharer. Sent him to daycare Monday and took a long nap. Got a call to pick him up from daycare- darn fever reappeared. Luckily AJ was home Tues and Wed so Tate and Daddy played while Mommy worked and then Tate and I napped together twice a day.

Tate was able to go back to daycare today and I finally felt like a human again. Granted I sound like a man. But, felt somewhat better. So, why not sprain my ankle? Sounds fun, right? Thank God it's not fractured. Today was also AJ's first day at his new job so I got to drive myself home from daycare, to and from Urgent Care, and to and from daycare again all with a sprained RIGHT ankle. Lovely! Did I mention we live in a split level house with LOTS of stairs. So fun to be me today.

But things could be way worse, so I'm dealing with it. One of the most important things I've learned since becoming a mom is the ability to suck it up and keep going. The world doesn't stop just because you're sick or tired or injured. Work, childcare, laundry, housework, cooking, pet care, etc all keep on trucking and you're still responsible for all of it. Good lesson to learn just wish it was a tad easier to learn. :(

I promise my next post will be more cheery, but sometimes you just need a place to let it all out.

These pics pretty much sum up the last 7 days of our lives...