Use Your Words: December 2014

Today’s post is a writing challenge created by Karen @ Baking in A Tornado. This is how it works: 11 participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once and all the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, but there's a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who received their words or in what direction the writer will take them. Until now.

At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featured in this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they were given and how they used them. 

My words are: 

Elf ~ massacre ~ tinsel ~ but ~ bloody

They were submitted by: Stacy@http://stacysewsandschools.blogspot.com/

Stacy was a participant in Tuesday's "Blog with Friends" Hop. She gave an adorable tutorial on how to make an Elf Hat and Shoes. Her project turned out so well, I decided to give it a try.

Stacy designed her elf patterns for her cute kids, but I made mine for, well, you know-who.

Now. Before you tell me what a bloody fool I am for dressing up my fur babies, you should know that I was preparing for pictures for Christmas Cards. (Oh, be grateful I didn't go with my first idea of dressing them as Christmas Trees, covered in tinsel.)

The elf costumes led to a conversation with my youngest about the story, "The Shoemaker's Elves." I explained how I sometimes wished the story were true; that elves would be able to complete all of the unfinished projects/jobs/chores we couldn't get to. 

"Would you want the elves to write your blog posts and sew your projects?" the youngest asked?
"Hmm. NO. I don't know. Maybe..." I answered.
"But what if that COULD happen?" he wondered aloud.
"Haha. Elves? In MY craft room? It already looks like a massacre took place in there. I think even mythical creatures would have to draw the line at the doorway of that hot mess. For safety's sake." I joked. "Unless the elves were working from their own homes... Yeah, that might work."

That idea led to this: We call it, "Outsourcing." 

I wonder if those elves know how to grocery shop and pay the electric bill...

Thanks for the words and the inspiration, Stacy :)

Happy Friday, my two and four-legged friends.
-Michele

Check out all the cool kids participating this week:

Baking in a Tornado                              

Spatulas on Parade                          

Follow Me Home                            

Battered Hope                                 

Stacy Sews and Schools                      

The Bergham's Life Chronicles                       

Evil Joy Speaks                        

Juicebox Confession                             

Eileen's Perpetually Busy                 

Confessions of a part-time working mom                         

Sparkly Poetic Weirdo                                 

Blog With Friends: December Edition!

Jolly Jinglers-UNITE!

Hello friends! Welcome to December's edition of "Blog With Friends!" We are 8 bloggers who've joined together to bring you some holiday love. There is something fun for everyone!

After my project, click on each blog post project title you'd like to visit. When you get to each blog, leave some comment love.  Everyone adores visitors. If you have a project you'd like to share, join in on our blog hop at the very end of the post. Happy Holidays, everyone!

First up, my Cloth Tree Tutorial:

An adorable teacher's aide taught me how to make these trees. They're easy enough for kids to make. Create them for gifts or holiday decor. (Thanks for the idea, Mary Lee!)

Materials:

• 1/8 yard of holiday cotton fabric (any color.) I used various fat quarters. Scraps are perfect for this craft.
• 6" square of fabric or brown craft paper for base
• Ruler to measure fabric strips
• Sticks or dowels for your tree. Any length you'd like. My sticks are about 10" long. The dowels are only 5".
• Scissors for cutting fabric. I used regular and pinking shears.
• Clay (for stabilizing tree.)

Optional:

• glue
• buttons
• thin wire
• string
• pipe cleaners 

Warnings: 

Scissors are sharp; don't run with them.

Sticks are sharp; Don't use them as swords.

Little ones should be careful not to put buttons in their mouths.

Be safe, people.

1. Grab fabric and cut tiny 1/2 inch slits along the top of it. (with the grain) You can cut along these slits with regular scissors or pinking shears. Another fun way to get the strips is to simply tear down the length of the fabric. Kids love this. My strips were about 6-8 inches long. Cut at least 5 strips per inch of tree.

Here are examples of what the strips will look like (left to right) if torn, cut or pinked.

2. Starting about 1/4 of the way up the tree, tie a strip into a knot. Pull both strips to one side. Repeat above that knot with another. Pull those in the opposite direction. Each time, turn your strips away from each other. After the first two, tie the next knots and twist them in the opposite direction. Think of looking down on the tree as a clock. the first two strip ties go at 9 and 3. The second two will face 12 and 6. Repeat over and over until you reach the top of the tree. You can use shorter strips near the top. I just trim if needed.

3. After the strips are on the tree, use a ball of clay to keep it from falling over. The picture is just to show you how to stand it up. Save this step until after the strips are tied on.

4. Trace and cut out a circle larger than the base of your tree onto fabric or brown paper. 

5. Wrap around the base of your tree and tie with a string. You're done!!

 If you'd like, you can add a star to your tree using pipe cleaners or buttons. I strung mine with light weight wire and wrapped it around the top of my tree. 

 Also, you could glue assorted buttons to the fabric.

Here are a few examples of different trees I made.

A. Made on a paper towel roll. Glued buttons. Ornament star.

B. 5" dowel, sequined string base. Pinked Fabric. Angel button top.

C. Branch base, pipe cleaner star.

D. 4" dowel, star charm

If you make your own holiday tree, I'd love to see it! Any questions? You know what to do. Hit me up in the comment section WAAAAAAAY down at the end of this post :)

Don't forget to stop by the other "Jolly Jinglers" participating this month:

Lydia, of Cluttered Genius shows us how to make beautiful Twisted Paper Angels

Karen, from Baking in a Tornado has a recipe for her Incredible Edible Christmas Trees

Stacy, from Stacy Sews and Schools has created an adorable tutorial for Elf hats and shoes!

Melissa, from Home on Deranged shows us her High Tech Version of Affordable Stocking Stuffers.

Robin, from Someone Else's Genius has created a tutorial for her Simply Festive Wreath

Sarah, from The Momisodes has some Christmas Book Goodness to share!

Christy, from Uplifting Families shows us her Handprint Christmas Wreaths.

Link up your own holiday post idea below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Tuesday, Friends!

Blog With Friends: November 2014

Gobble Group 2014!!

Hello friends! Welcome to November's edition of "Blog With Friends!" We are 7 bloggers who've joined together to bring you some Turkey Day-love.

Some projects are tasty, some are crafty and some are techie; all are a lot of fun. After my project, click on each blog post project title you'd like to visit. When you get to each blog, say, "Gobble Gobble!"or "hello!' Just let them know you're there. Everyone loves visitors.

My November project: Make a Thankful tree.

"Thankful Tree" Tutorial

Materials:

• Large Branch
• Clear Vase (large enough to hold the branch)
• Vase filler: acorns, small pumpkins, rocks, etc.  I used glass and paper acorns.
• Leaves: I used glitter leaves from Michael's and die cut leaves from my friend. (Thanks, Char!) You can use real leaves (short term) or cut out your own paper ones.
• Clips for hanging leaves. I used IKEA clips, but any kind will do.
• Thread (for hanging smaller leaves)/ hole punch
• Sharpies
• Scissors

Add ons:

• Bulbs
• Twine

Warnings:

• You're using a branch. Don't poke your eye out.
• Sharpies can bleed through the leaves. Use paper underneath to protect your surfaces.

1. Grab a branch. Or pick a branch and have your son some one cut it down for you.

2. Find enough filler items for the vase to hold up the branch.

3. Make sure the vase won't tip.

4. Using a Sharpie, have your family fill out things they are thankful for. I used clips on the bottom of the large leaves, and thread for the lighter leaves.

 When you ask the man to help out, he will write that he's thankful for the dogs and for the Internet.

5. Hang them on your "tree".

6. I had fall-colored bulbs on hand. On each one, we wrote the name of family/friends that have passed away. It was a good time to reflect on how grateful we were to have had them in our lives. We tied the "remember ties" with twine, then hung them on the tree.

Here's a close-up of a bulb dedicated to my grandma.

7. Keep a basket near of extra leaves, clips, bulbs and sharpies. Family and guests can add to the tree whenever they want. Enjoy!

***

Be sure to check out the other cool-kids participating today:

Karen@ Baking in a Tornado has whipped up a Fried Walnut-Crusted Spice Cake with Caramel Sauce. This is a special holiday dessert taken to a whole new level.

Stacy@ Stacy Sews and Schools shows us how to make a Fun and Reversible Holiday Centerpiece Decor for your holiday table!

Melissa@Home on Deranged has some Tech Tips for Turkey Day. Her tips will show us how to let technology helping have a festive Thanksgiving!

Robin@ Someone Else's Genius gives us a tutorial for making her adorable Autumn Wreath.

Christy from Uplifting Families shows us how to create DIY Thanksgiving Textured Leaf Cards!

Lydia from Cluttered Genius has created a "Kid Friendly and Fancy Thanksgiving". These are Kid-friendly (and created) ideas for decorating your 'fancy' Thanksgiving table. 

Looking for these projects and more? Check out:

An InLinkz Link-up

Gobble 'til you wobble, friends,
-Michele

Blog With Friends- Boo Crew in Effect!

Hello friends! Welcome to the Boo Crew! We are 6 bloggers who've joined together to bring you some scary-good ideas for Halloween.

Some are tasty, some are crafty; all are a lot of fun. Click on each link under the blog post you'd like to visit. When you get to each blog, say, "Trick-or-Treat!"or "hello!' Just let them know you're there. Everyone loves visitors.

 First up: My Mini Halloween Gates.

These are cute to set on a mantle, hang on your door, or stick out in a planter. Make as many as you'd like. They're a lot of fun to make with kids.

Materials: 

• A pack of paint stirrers or shims. I bought a set of 24 (15") shims at Lowe's. $5.00
• Various acrylic paints (Halloween colors work best)
• Scraps of ANYTHING (felt, fabric,googly eyes, string, sharpies, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, sparkles, glitter, etc.) I know most people won't have all of this, that's okay. Use what you have. I was an early childhood teacher. It's embarrassing what I actually have on hand.
• Brads or small nails to nail the posts and fence.
• Hot glue (the brads don't always work, but look great)
• letters (foam, wood, or, you can paint them on)
• paintbrushes, sponges
• newspaper or a drop cloth. Things can get messy.
• craft glue/ q-tips (children can use this to attach details on to their sticks)
• Snacks. Trust me.

Warnings:

• The shims can give splinters. Sand them beforehand, or warn the little ones to be careful. Adults may want to paint the wood ahead of time.
• Hot glue. Not for kids. An adult will need to help with this.
• Attach brads with a hammer. Watch out for little fingers.
• Wear old clothes. Acrylics are hard to remove from fabric.

1. Decide how many characters you'd like on your fence. 4-6 work well. Aside, hold 2 extra shims to use as the 2 horizontal fence pieces.

2. Using acrylics, paint each shim the color of desired characters. I painted 3/4 of the way down. The rest will be black for the "gate" base. When the paint has dried, you can begin to bling your characters out. This is a photo of my oldest getting ready to hot glue some googly eyes onto her mummy.

3. Use markers, fabric, glitter, or anything you can find to create your stick characters. Here is Dracula, Frankenstein and a ghost.

Here is the base of a pumpkin, a glitter Frankenstein, a masking-tape mummy and a...., well, I'm not sure. :)

4. Let dry. Arrange in the order you'd like.

5. Paint bases of each piece black.

6. Lay two pieces horizontally across the character sticks. Attach with brads or small nails. Due to the unevenness of the shims, we also hot glued the pieces into place. Finish by painting the complete fence base. We used a glitter paint to go over the black acrylic.

7. Paint any letters you'd like to create for your fence post saying. Glue on. You can also paint your sayings, or use foam letters.

 8. Clean up that mess!

9. Set them up and show them off :)

Happy Halloween!

Don't forget to check out the other bloggers participating in this month's Boo Crew! Click on the project below each photo to travel to the goodness :)

Happy Halloween, friends :)

Karen from Baking in a Tornado, gives us directions on how to make her "Bloody Buddies"; a fun, edible Halloween treat.

Stacy from Stacy Sews and Schools, teaches us how to make the lovely "Anna's Cape" from the movie "Frozen!"

Lydia from Cluttered Genius, shows us how to decorate on the cheap for a "Spooky Kooky Halloween"

Robin from Someone Else's Genius, shows how to create her "Nevermore Wreath"; a project based on Edgar Allen Poe's, "The Raven".

Melissa from Home on Deranged, gives us "Spooktacular Halloween Ideas" (not too scary!) for little ones.