More Ornaments...Cookie Cutter Frames

This is our final batch of homemade ornaments this year. We've been collecting Christmas themed cookie cutters when we see them on sale or find them at the dollar store.


First, we added glue to the dull side of the cutter. After testing several kinds of glue, we figured out that fast acting tacky craft glue works best.


Then we glued the cutters to all kinds of paper surfaces. We used scrapbook papers which we loved because many of them were two sided and gave the ornaments a more finished look. We also used old Christmas cards and photos.


After allowing them to dry, we used an Exacto pen to carefully cut around the frame and made a small hole in the top to add string. We made several batches of these for gifts this year, adding family photos to some and colors we know people like to others.

Girl's Christmas Lunch

We took a road trip to Birmingham yesterday to celebrate our annual Girl's Christmas Lunch with Jacqueline. We couldn't leave anyone out even if they had just delivered twins so we brought the party to her. It was a wonderful celebration as this year we have so many things to be thankful for.

I loved these gifts from my mom to all of us.
We each got a very appropriate charm attached to a beautiful ornament.


And Pam gave out earrings attached to Vintage Christmas post cards.
I just love the creativity in presentation and wrapping in our family. And Jenny, being the scarf queen received a record 4 scarves out of 5 gifts.


We dined on great salads and Grandpa's cookies, which we would all agree are our favorite part of any Christmas meal.



I brought the reindeer root beer which I found the idea for on Pinterest.


And yes, Pam and I showed up in the exact same Target lace shirt!


We are all so abundantly blessed to have eachother in our lives and thankful for these 4 generations of women we get to call family.

Feliz Navidad from Delaney and Ford

More Ornaments...Snowflakes!

I found this idea for Snowflake Pasta Ornaments . I thought I'd make them with my kids. Luckily I tried them out first and realized they are too advanced for them but I do love how they turned out. I'll file the idea away for later years. The instructions above are good and have helpful hints like turning the snowflakes frequently while they dry and not spraying the paint too heavily or the pasta will become wet.


I did let the kids help once I got to the glitter stage. Delaney wanted to use purple glitter. Although I prefer the simple white iridescent glitter, I never met sparkles I didn't like.

Bird Ornaments

I found these packages of white bird ornaments at Ikea this year. Four come to a pack for just under $4. It is a simple template if you want to make them yourselves out of cardstock or cardboard without the Ikea version of ready mades.


The kids colored them with permanent markers and we added glitter to the edges of the paper wings.


We are giving them as gifts and saving some for our own tree. I just love them.

Christmas Card Photo Session

The deadline for Christmas card printing is bearing down on me and I really wanted to get mine ordered before I leave town for my brother's wedding. So, despite the freezing temps and drizzling rain, I dressed up my kids and took them across the street to Delaney's favorite yellow wall. The best thing I did was put a hat on Delaney, therefore avoiding any hair fixing drama.


When I told my kids we were going out to take Christmas pictures they had this idea of Christmas greetings from Super Heroes so after the "pretty" pictures, I let them at it. I should probably just send out one of these this year. They represent them much better than the ones above!!

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

We are getting ready for Thanksgiving around here as I am sure all of you are. Today we made pilgrim hat cookies. They were so easy and turned out really cute and perfectly age appropriate for my kids. AND you only need 3 ingredients....Chocolate Wafer cookies, Orange icing, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Thanks Pinterest!


I haven't added the little buckle detail yet but thought I'd get this posted just in case anyone out there wants to make a few of these before tomorrow.

While on Pinterest looking for these cookies, Delaney saw this turkey craft without me even knowing it. She ran and got all the supplies and brought them to the table and told me all she needed was some googly eyes. She did a great job with it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!