Breaking Tradition... or so I thought.

Our trimming the tree tradition has been the same since my husband and I were married.  We love pulling out all the ornaments from previous years and retrogress to the "good ol' days". While dancing to Christmas music, we decorate the front half the tree and everyone takes a turn putting the star on. Then when everyone is asleep, I try to "fix" the tree, but always get caught and have to just put on a smile. Then each day for the rest of the season, the rest of the tree decorations get broken or taken down by little hands. 

 

For whatever reason, I decided this year we were going to have a "homemade" holiday.  I wanted all of our ornaments to be handmade, rustic and perfect.  Well, have I told you I have 6 children?  Yep, perfect will not happen.  Day 1: Me: Guess what? We get to make these beautiful ornaments. (clear bulbs filled with rolled sheet music).  Them: Grumble, grumble.  Why do we have to put those in them.... why can't we do it this way.  Oh, I want to fill it with bright pink paint.  Oh, how about Legos...... Me: Pause, Deep Breath.  Oh, ok, I guess that would be fun. (very proud of myself). 

 

 So needless to say, my idea of a pure homemade rustic Christmas will not happen. But, I will have some amazing ornaments to pull out and talk about next year when we go back to our old tradition. After all, I miss my memories and the chaos... I guess a  messy tree is Christmas to me.  (Don't worry... I'm still posting my visions.)

 

 

Christmas Etsy Creations

I am feeling very thankful and very full!  I love this time of year and am so excited to officially play Christmas music and decorate.  I played around a bit yesterday since the hubby was off shopping with the kids (yes, I have a wonderful husband) and here's what I listed on Etsy:

Snowflake Pie/Cookie Box

Tree Pie/Cookie Box



DIY Chapstick Purse Kit

Mini Pie Recipes

I'm not much of a baker (probably because I'd eat the goodies all  myself), but these mini pie recipes look easy and yummy and I promise I'll share. Which one should I make?  I'm thinking the Pecan Pie since I still consider myself a Georgia girl!  We used to have four 30 year old pecan trees in our yard in GA and I'm sure missing the free pecans. What's your favorite pie recipe?

Check out my Pinterest board for inspiration:

Pie Box Instructions

I still can't get over how cute the mini pie boxes turned out.  If you ordered them from Etsy or from the complete box, you can find the video {here}.  If you just have to have them, they can be found in or Etsy Shop {here}

So Thankful Digital Party

I'm so excited to share this month's Digital Party!  I tried to make it match the physical party and I'm pretty happy with it.  If you ordered the physical party, this will go perfectly with it.  In fact, if you don't want to use the chalkboard labels, you can download the labels below and use with the boxes or easels. Hope you have a blessed month!

Click {here} for link to download.

Last Minute Costume Party Idea

My kiddos absolutely LOVE Despicable Me.  My 5 year old wanted to be Edith for Halloween and wanted her little brother to be a Minion.  I began to scour the internet for ideas and found great crochet patterns on Etsy.  I don't crochet, but sent them to my mom (got to love those moms!).  But, these are easy costumes to replicate last minute.  What do you need?

Minion

Yellow Hooded Sweatshirt

Goggles or this Homemade Version

Overalls

Gru Icon

I have a Silhouette Cutting Machine, so of course I had to use it.  I printed the Gru Icon on Heat Transfer Paper and ironed it onto the overalls.  If you don't want this to be permanent, just cut the icon into a circle and pin it on the overalls. 

Edith

Pink Beanie Hat

Pink Shirt

Tutu or Purple Skirt

Pink Tights or Leggings

We could not find a striped sweater anywhere. (It's 85 here.)  So, after shopping all month, we decided to have her be Edith at ballet.  We already had the tutu, so her costume was basically nothing. YES!

Gru

Gray Sweater

Gray and Black Scarf

Would be perfect if you are bald.

My husband's really was last minute.  He never dresses up, but my 5 year old found the sweatshirt and scarf in our winter closet and well, my husband had no choice (thanks for being a good sport and sorry the scarf was purple). Anyways, really, if you are going in a group, most people will get that you belong to each other.  On Thursday I'm going to be The Box of Shame.... box, cut out strip to see, marker....  yep, it's that easy!

I think I have the cutest Edith, Gru and Minion! 

Test Tubes

My children are completely obsessed with the test tubes I bought for the Harry Potter Fan Birthday Gift.   They have been filling them with everything from pebbles to gak to candy.  I decided to take a look at what else you could do with test tubes and I'm amazed at the ideas.  LOVE the test tube soup shooters and the memory test tubes.  Take a look at this Pinterest Board for inspiration.  And if you're in the market to buy them, I found mine here.  (These are small, so they fit candies like nerds or pixie sticks). If you're a prime member, they'll for sure be here before the Halloween Parties!  And our labels with be perfect for them!

Harry Potter Fan Gift Idea

I have 6 children, so there is always a party going on.  My 13 year old daughter was invited to a friends party this past weekend. I must inspire my daughter because the normal lotion/ make-up present was just not going to cut it.  Her friend loves Harry Potter so we scoured Pinterest for the perfect gift. My daughter took several of the birthday party ideas we found and evolved them in to the perfect Harry Potter fan gift.  Most of the work was done by her (she wanted me to make sure I gave her the credit). 

Here's our her final work:

She purchased a chest at Hobby Lobby.

We created a Gryffindor stencil using the Silhouette cutting machine

and an svg from their online store. We used black paint to paint the stencil and allowed it to dry before pulling up.  (in the future I would paint with a clear paint first so that the paint does not bleed on the raw wood)

My daughter bought several types of candies. We were in luck that it's Halloween because we found all the "gross" candies as well.  Aren't these Red Hots cute in a Tic-Tac like container?

We used printables from Over the Big Moon to adhere and attach to the candy.

{use the above link for the free printables}

Chocolate Twizzlers for Chocolate Wands

Pixie Sticks and Nerds fit perfectly into the test tubes.

 Super Cute

And it all "magically" fit!

We also printed a 5x7 of this printable found at Simply Fresh Designs.

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light." Professor Dubledore



{check out my supply store for tubes and other Harry Potter party ideas}



Sunday Sentiments

sen·ti·ment

noun

1. a view of or attitude toward a situation or event; an opinion

2. a feeling or emotion.

 

I'm going with definition 2 today.  I LOVE Fall!  I love waking up to the brisk cold. I love having to put on slippers or socks to walk on my wood floors. I love that my children love "ice skating" on my wooden floors with their socks on.  I love having the sun shine and the wind blow through the windows (because my ac is off). I love hearing my children play outside all day because it's not too hot.  I love pulling out my Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations and seeing my children's art projects which are still hanging on from 10 years ago.  I LOVE all the Halloween parties. I love chocolate. 

 

I found this from Secrets of a Modern Mama and the colors reminded me of how I feel. 

{click on the photo to download from her site}

 

 

 

November's Pinterest Inspiration

I've been working on November's Party and I am super excited to share it. I'm not quite ready, but until then, browse my November's Pinterest Board. 

Favorite Designers

Hope you enjoyed your digital party download?  If you missed it, find it here.

 

I am amazed at all the talented digital designers out there.  A few of my favorites are:

 

 

 

 

Complete Digital Party for Free!

Halloween is quickly approaching.  To help you out with all the partying you will be doing, we are offering our digital party as a free download.  Hope you enjoy!

{Click on the photo to download}

Blogging Tutorials

I've been on a tutorial rampage.  I've been trying to learn as much as I can about websites, blogging, twitter.  Yes, I'm a little behind.  My mind is spinning in circles, but I'm loving all that I've learned. There are some major talented bloggers.  My favorite blogging tutorials are from:

 

 

and

 

 

 

 

FREEBIE!!!

Who loves goodie bags?  We do!  Download our Spooky Goodie Bag Topper/ Food Tent for Free.  Don't be spooked....go on.

The complete party can be found at www.LittleMissGoodieBags.com.



PIRATE GRUB

 I know, I know, I had a breakfast buffet for the 4th of July party, but you know what.... I LOVE breakfast foods.  I don't eat them in the morning, but for a treat, I think they are right up there with chocolate.  So, when I was drooling over the Long Johns at our local donut shop, it clicked.... perfect!

 

Blue Beard's Blueberry Muffins

(SDS2001003)

Long John's

Golden Nugget Donut Holes

Ruby Melons

Other Ideas:

Golden Ring Glazed Donuts

Black Beard's Blackberries

Black Pearl Chocolate Donut Holes

Orange Spiced Rum (Orange Juice)