snowflake garland

I'm hosting a big Christmas movie watching potluck on Sunday and was looking for ways to decorate without having to buy anything. I came across this idea on the internet and am really happy with how it turned out! I just cut out snowflakes from old magazines and junk mail and then sewed them all together with an embroidery needle and some red thread. It was a little time consuming, but the payoff is that I am now a freaking whiz at paper snowflakes. Seriously, I'm accepting challenges if any of you are takers!

books for travel

We just went out to DC (I had a conference), Philly (Chris had to work) and Boston (to visit family) for almost two weeks. I made these books to take on the planes, trains, and hotel rooms. They're all made from re-used one-sided paper from junk mail and old bread twist ties. We ususally have these sitting around at home, but taking them on the trip was really handy.

Tucker writes the greatest superhero books (wherein Spring Shotter gives Fart Girl her comeupance) and Brinda makes shopping lists (and then gets mad I won't go shopping). It's great media awareness; it helps Tucker understand that stories are made up by people who bring their own prejudices to the table, and if you don't like a character or event, you can just change it. That's at least slowed down his referencing Cars and The Lion King like a fundamentalist references the Bible.

You may need to be an immediate family member to enjoy the final products, but it takes up plane time, and I think my "Super Chicken Saves Weiner Dog" is bound for the canon.

Advent Calendar

So I know it's after Christmas. And I know we have one already. But I saw and liked the idea for this earlier in December, just didn't want to spend money on it then. By waiting until after Christmas, as well as using my scrapbooking stash, I think I spent less than $4 on this - cookie sheet from the Dollar Tree, magnets and little ornaments from Hobby Lobby. Ellie and I did it in about two hours. It was actually a good one for her to participate in, once I let go of the picture I had in my head. Not every day has numerals on it, as we didn't have enough. I think that will work though, because whoevers day it is will just get to pick.

Christmas cards

I don't know if you can call these a craft, technically. All I did was stamp and glue - almost all of the cutting was done for me. At any rate, I had forgotten how much I enjoy stamping. I need to make an effort to do that more often. And cards are pretty quick, once you have an idea in your head.