Apple Cinnamon Ornaments

Oh my goodness!!!  I can not even begin to tell you how amazing my home has smells as I write this post.  There is Christmas floating through the air...the scent of apples, cinnamon, and wild orange are intoxicating.

We decided to make these ornaments for my girls' teachers this year.  It just might become an obsession to my daughter Rose.  She enjoyed mixing and rolling out the dough so much. I think that she would have played with it all night if I had let her. Thankfully it was way past bedtime and as soon as they went into the oven my girls were ushered off to bed.

They really are extremely easy to make and appropriate for any child 3 years old or older to help with. 
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Cinnamon Ornaments

Photos: dōTERRA International, LLC

doTERRA has come up with a very simple craft to trim your Christmas tree...or your office, or your car, or your closet...whatever.

 

Cinnamon ornaments scented with dōTERRA essential oils! I can't wait to make these tonight with my daughters.  They love to bake and they love doing crafts...and they LOVE Christmas. We're going to have so much fun and my home is going to smell amazing!

 

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DYI Teacher, Co-worker or Just Plain Ole Friend Giftings

Every year I try to find some cute little gifts that I can make at home to share with my girls' teachers and our family friends. 

And every year I fail in getting everyone on our list covered. *boooo*  This year I am again making a valiant effort to accomplish one gift for everyone on my list.  *YAAAAY!*  Say a prayer for me because with my 8 month old son it's going to be quite a feat to accomplish this year.

Here are some of the wonderful homemade gifts that I have come across in my searching for the perfect gift...not to mention easy. I hope that this list inspires and perhaps takes care of your search at the same time.

Merry Christmas & Happy Gifting!

Thanksgiving Goodie Ideas ~ We All Need Them

Before I know it, Thanksgiving is going to be crashing through my door wanting to know where to land.  This is my way of being prepared and having plenty to occupy my kiddles as the holiday approaches.

In my search for all things Thanksgiving, I have come across some great blog sites.  Because I'm so nice, and I know that there are other mommies out there looking for activities and recipes too, I'm going to share them with you.  

Halloween Treats & Craft Ideas

My girls love to use any excuse to bake or create goodies...especially fun looking ones.  Here are some of the ideas we've come across while trying to decide what to do for Halloween parties at school and friends' houses.                                    

We've already hit one Trunk-or-Treat event and have a couple more planned on Halloween...PLUS Trick-or-Treating with some good friends. By that time my oldest daughter should have her Red Angry Bird costume. (we improvised and made her a Pop Star for this one)

With very little time on my hands now that I have a new baby demanding all of it, I am pulling on Pinterest like mad this week.  From sweet treats to crafts to drinks...these are the ones that caught my girls' eyes.  Which are your favorites?

To view other ideas, visit my Pinterest Board!

1. Personal Pumpkin Pizzas - TheChattyMom

   My girls absolutely LOVE building their own pizzas. This is just another fun way to enjoy a piece of pizza...err, a whole personal pizza.

2.  Crayon Melt Pumpkins  - BudgetSavvyDiva.com

 

    We will be making a couple of these pumpkins this year...just to be different from our neighbors.

Birthday Cookies & Candy Cane Reindeer

Yesterday I spent a hurried afternoon baking cookies for Grace's 1st grade class.  It's her birthday on the 24th...yes, on Christmas Eve!  She's one of the lucky ones that has to battle for attention during the month of December.  Actually she doesn't really have to battle...she starts announcing that her birthday is coming about 3 months ahead of time.

Anyway, rather than load the kiddles up on tons of sugar by bringing in cupcakes, we decided (yes, we) that baking some cookies would be perfect!  AND making some reindeer candy canes in celebration of her birthday being at Christmas time.  And you should have seen the wave that came at me when I walked through the door with these prized goodies!

I have to get used to my little girl growing up and being independent, and that's not an easy task for me. Throughout the reindeer process I had to keep letting go of the glue and letting her manage google eyes and pipe cleaners.

And she did rather well, I must say.

Well, another year has come and I am flipping through photo albums, both printed and filed in my computer, and doing so with a tissue in hand.  I miss that precious little baby face...and yet, I can still see it when I take the time to just gaze at my darling little girl.

I love my precious girl.

Crafty Christmas

Photo By Craftberry Bush

As a child I looked forward to Christmas time SO much.  The excitement was not just because of Santa & presents...it meant a barrage of crafts at home and school. Crafts...they can just suck me in and provide entertainment for hours.  There's just something about feeding the imagination and artistic drive that lies in a child.  And then it's magnified if that child is like I was and wants everything to be "perfect". 

My little Rose LOVES doing crafts, or anything artistic for that matter.  She's the one that will introduce herself as "the artist" when people ask her what she likes to do. I just laugh and inside I'm clapping, jumping up & down and dancing about with glee. (yes, I dance with glee)

So, I decided to go on a hunt this morning for some of the best crafts for kids this Christmas season.  Look at all the great ones I've found!  My girls are going to be going nuts trying to decide which they want to tackle first.

Button Ornaments ~ Martha Stewart
How cute are these little ornaments?!  While this is not for the younger kiddles, it is definitely something that older ones (especially puzzle solvers) would enjoy creating.

Chenille Snowman and Rudolph ~ Kaboose

These are perfect for kids age 6 and up...that is if you can keep them from turning the whole project into swordplay.

Bead Candy Canes - All Kid Network
So simple and fun. (and cheap too!) 
 

 

Christmas Card Ornaments ~ Martha Stewart

This is a personal favorite!  I love decorating with Christmas cards...every year there are new art inspirations to utilize instead of just sending those beautiful cards into the trash.

Santa Belt Napkin Rings ~ Kaboose

What a great way to encourage little ones to help setting the table!  They will be so proud of their crafty contribution.

Pom Pom Christmas Tree ~ All Kids Network

So simple and kid friendly.

Reindeer Christmas Cards and Ornaments ~ Christmas Goodness

I love these!  A way to enjoy little hands. (I suggest making a new reindeer for each year your child grows) 

Gingerbread Man Ornaments ~ Craftberry Bush

These little goodies look good enough to eat...just don't try!



 

Santa Salt Dough Hand Ornament ~ Craftberry Bush

I have a feeling that we'll be making a lot of these. My girls won't want to stop with just one.

 

 

Candy Cane Prints ~ Leapfrog & Ladybugs

So cute...who can resist little fingerprints. Great when combined with paint, bad when all over your windows.

Felt Handprint Mittens - Happy Hooligans

These are just adorable.

 

 

  Reindeer Stick - Craft Ideas

Friendly little reindeer friend...great as a bookmark.  My girls prefer googley eyes though.

 

Gingerbread Man Garland - Craft Ideas

Gingerbread decorations are my favorites.  These little men can hang around my table any time.

Christmas Decor Inspiration

I'm feeling very inspired today...and let's just say that I really need that inspiration since I have done nothing more than hang some bells on my entry doorknob in regards to decorating for Christmas.  My poor girls have been wondering when Mommy is going to set-up their advent calendar. Yes, I am confessing right now, I am not doing very good and have missed the mark so far this Christmas.

Today is the day that I finally really get into the Christmas spirit and get my house in order. I have to...especially with a Christmas Eve baby in our home.  This is her month that she loves sharing with Jesus. How precious is that?!

So in the spirit of Christmas, and hopefully in aid to some others who need a little nudge this year, I am sharing some very beautiful and clever decorations from some very talented bloggers.  Enjoy & be inspired!

Click on each of the pictures for great Christmas decorating ideas.

Snowflake Wreath ~ At The Picket Fence

Marshmallow Wreath ~ Eclectically Vintage

Kisses Christmas Tree ~ The Painted Apron

Christmas Jewelry Candles ~ Life On Lakeshore Drive

Holly Pendant Lights ~ Cleverly Inspired

Bottle Cap Advent Calendar ~ Mellywood's Mansion

Ruffled Tree ~ Clean And Sensible

Sheet Music Ornaments ~ Happy At Home

I immediately thought of my friend Diana when I saw this ornament.



Mantel Centerpiece Ornament Tree ~ The Ivy Cottage Blog 

Music Sheet Letters ~ Daisy Mae Belle

Triple White Trees ~ Thistle Wood Farms

Scrapbooking Supplies!

JoAnn's is offering a pretty sweet savings on scrapbooking
supplies now through April 24, 2010.
There is always something that catches my eye at JoAnn's, but this savings really makes me want to grab all of those photos that I have of my little darling kiddles and get them properly stored. My bestfriend and I joke that when the kids are 18 we will brew some coffee, bake some croissants and sit down to get our scrapbooking done. (I'll let you know if that actually happens)...

View complete posting: Scrapbooking Savings!