ELF MAGIC....

There's certainly been a whole lot of that around this house lately!!!

So what exactly have those naughty things been up to.... well....

They had a night of sleddimg down the stairs (the sled was actually the plastic containers we wash dishes in when we go camping).

They had family game night last night - they played Tic Tac Toe, and colored a picture. Boy Child did decide however that their coloring had improved since last year:-) Note the little Christmas tree - he also decided at Lowes yesterday, that they needed their own Christmas tree!!!

They decided to picinc on my chandelier ..... crumbs and all!!! When will they learn that heights like this are just too dangerous for little things like them!!!!

Like all good elves should, they had some tub time .... in my washing machine!!! I must say though, those mentor elves are pretty responsible - those babies were wrapped all nice a warm when we found them in the morning:-)

There has been some Christmas crafting going on here - I promise.

I've had a few last swap packages I've had to get out - pictures will follow. I also need to take pictures of the Advent Calendars ..... that will be todays chore:-)

DECEMBER 1ST...

And this day heralds the arrival of our 2 mischevious guests - Gabby and Bart. They arrived in suitcases (or lunchboxes as Boy Child explained to me), with their mentors (who are just as naughty, I might add),sometime during the night last night!!! One very excited child was awake at 5am this morning, to welcome them back .... the other child was slightly put out by the early wakeup call:-)
So we welcome back our 2 little elves..... let's see what havoc they can think up this year!!!

December 1st also marks the beginning of our nightly family Advent activities. As we have a guest staying with us at the moment, we kept tonight simple - hot chocolate and cookies just before bed!!!

The hot chocolate had all the trimmings - it was topped with whipped cream and sprinkles and a candy cane to stir it with. Notice the little plates - they are a Hobby Lobby find - oh so cute, and big enough to fit just one cookie on:-) A side note ... it is quite chilly here in Texas now, despite my shirtless child - he just hates sleeping with a shirt on!!!

I eventually got around to making the kids Advent Calendars this year - after changing my mind a hundred times on what I wanted to do. I will show them to you tomorrow.... they turned out to be very cute, and the kids liked them a lot!!!

Hope you're keeping warm wherever you are ..... oh, how I love this time of the year!!!!

STYROFOAM BALLS + PAPER CLAY =

This little guy!!!

Remember in my last post, I mentioned that I'd been playing around with paper clay - well this frosty snowman is the result. The paper clay was easy to work with and adhered really well to the styrofoam balls. It did take longer to dry than the label said, but once dry it is rock hard.I painted him, glittered him, varnished him (to stop the glitter falling off!!!), and finally I dressed him with a fluffy neck warmer, some bling, and a top hat:-)

I really like the way he turned out. Boy child asked if I'd make 4 (this one is a gift), so that we could each decorate one as one of our Advent activities this year - that way we could have a snow family!!! I like the idea, and will be getting to them soon.

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful - ours certainly was. Christmas crafting and gift making is in full swing now..... I need to get the kids Advent calendars done - 2 days left, and counting!!!

I HAVE BEEN BUSY....

I just haven't posted about it.
I bought a new camera with a giftcard I won, and until 10 minutes ago hadn't worked out how to download the pictures onto the computer ..... problem solved however, I've done it:-)


I made my deer ornaments for Novembers leg of our YOE Swap - I wont share those just yet though, as I haven't had confirmation that my partner has recieved her package yet. This year long swap wraps up next month - the time sure has flown!!! It's been a wonderful swap and I've "met" some great ladies. The cherry on the top - I have a whole lot of handmade, enchanted ornaments that will grace an enchanted tree - it's going to be beautiful!!!


Every enchanted tree needs an enchanted tree skirt - well that's my thought anyway. So here it is.... It came together as I worked on it, no definate plan in mind when I started it .......... I love it!!!

All of the images (besides the owl) I either drew or got from kids coloring books. The owl is an adaption of the scissor keep I've posted about before.



Next .... an apron for a friends birthday. I love this pattern - quick, easy and very cocktailish!!!
Her birthday also marks the beginning of Key Lime Bark making season for me - she loves it, so I always try to include some in her birthday gift. It gets included in every candy and cookie tin I give out over Christmas ........ so yummy!!!

I played with some styrofoam balls and paper clay today ..... that was so much fun!!! It's now drying, so hopefully within the next few days I can show you the results of that little adventure!!!

To all our American friends - Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

BIRTHDAY CAKE BONANZA

Boy Child, and his two closest friends (who happen to be twins) have birthdays that are two days apart. All three are passionate little soccer players, so this year they shared a combined soccer themed birthday party.

As the moms, it was one of the easiest (if not, the easiest) parties either of us have ever hosted. 17 boys on a soccer field playing soccer. 2 dads playing goal keepers (and referees!!!). Pizza delivery. Birthday cake.

The cakes were my responsibility..... and I was very happy with how they turned out:-)

Each of the boys got to choose the flavor cake they wanted - Red Velvet, Vanilla and Strawberry!!! Then I did the rest.

They ended the party with a marshmallow war!!! Their party favors were marshmallow guns (made using plumbing supplies), and a bag of mini marshmallows:-)

Happy Birthday Boys!!!

OH SO PRETTY ....

Ok, looks like we're back in action!!!

There is something about the cooler weather - we can't call it cold here in Texas yet, and by the way I am very jealous of those of you who have snow already ...... I so wish it was us:-) - that makes me want to curl up on the couch with some knitting needles and soft, chunky yarn!!! A yummy Cinnamon Dolche Latte steaming beside me, and we're pretty close to Utopia!!!
That's exactly what I did the other day, and this was the result...

A chunky, cabled scarflette. The pattern (The Breckenridge Cowl) is from French Press Knits (that girl is one VERY talented designer). It used size 15 needles and only 1 ball of super chunky yarn. It only took me a couple of hours to make. It is so snuggly and warm, and looks really cute when worn with a jacket. I love that you can use any big buttons you like - the possibilities are endless.

There will most definately be more of these under some Christmas trees this year:-}
Off to Friday morning movies with the girls now.

Happy Crafting...

THE COMPUTER IS SICK .... VERY SICK!!!

Hi everyone .....
The title says it all ...... ugghhh. As soon as I am able to download pictures onto hubby's computer, I'll be back in the land of blog:-)
I have some things of the yarnny, fabricy variety to share with you.
It really hasn't been our year for computers!!!

Until then - I hope your getting some Christmas crafting done.