December 22nd, 2008
Are your kids wondering what Santa and the elves are doing? Well, I took a peek at Wired Santa today and they’re not wrapping gifts. Nope. Instead, they’re having a silly string war. Santa was a little upset at first when he walked in and saw the elves going crazy with the silly string instead of wrapping gifts, but he quickly joined in the fun and started singing along to the Christmas countdown song.
It’s a cute site and the kids will probably enjoy taking a look behind the scenes every day. I think I’ll try it out on the little guy and see what he has to say. (He’ll probably be too concerned that the elves are using silly string that should have gone into his stocking to worry about anything else…)
You can also send Santa a letter or check out free downloads.
Image by Lynne Lancaster/Stock Exchange
Tags: christmas countdown, send Santa a letter, silly christmas activities, wired santa
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By Katelyn Thomas -- 0 comments
December 22nd, 2008
I know. I know. You shouldn’t put things on a pedestal. But, if you decide to do it anyway, there’s not much cuter than a pedestal made from a tea cup. You can make it super simple by flipping a tea cup upside down and gluing a saucer right side up to the bottom of the tea cup. It’s the perfect instant cupcake stand for that special cupcake. (I gave mine away with a cute cupcake on it the other day and I can’t find the photo I took of it earlier in the year.)
My favorite pedestal is an upside down tea cup with an oval or round piece of wood glued on top. I start by sanding the wood and giving it a coat of paint. I usually adhere a piece of vintage sheet music to the bottom of the wood with gel medium to finish it off nicely. Then, I glue the wood to the tea cup. Next, I hot glue a piece of trim to the rim of the wood piece. After that, all I have to do is decide what to use it for. I was inspired by Inspire Company (completely unintentional pun.) to create a Christmas scene using my vintage Putz houses that weren’t anywhere near mint condition.
I coated the tops of the pedestals with glass glitter and added houses and trees. As you can see, I also did a bit of house rehab because the houses really need some sprucing up. The kids really wanted to help, but between the china tea cup and the glass glitter, this is one Christmas craft idea that is not really kid friendly!
Photos by me
Tags: christmas craft idea, recycled tea cup
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By Katelyn Thomas -- 0 comments
December 21st, 2008
Need a last minute Christmas gift idea that is useful and sure to be appreciated? How about a microwaveable heating pad? I whipped these up in about 5 minutes each. You simply need some flannel fabric, scissors, two to three cups of bird seed or rice, a teaspoonful of lavender (optional, but nice.) and a sewing machine.
Cut two rectangles from the flannel. I cut mine on the fold and only had to stitch up three sides. I’m thinking about making shapes, too. Maybe a set of hearts? Rectangles are really easy when you’re pressed for time, though. 6 by 8 inches seems to be a nice size.
Next, put the two pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing in and stitch up the sides, leaving a 2 inch opening on one side. My fabric was a bit wrinkled and I pressed it at this point. I should have pressed it before cutting and sewing, but I wasn’t worried about perfection because it was for my personal use. Turn the rectangle right side out and pour in the bird seed or rice and the lavender. Neatly stitch the opening shut and you’re all set.
Of course, you don’t have to stop there. You can do all sorts of creative things, like sewing a little ribbon loop into the top of the pack and attaching a set of instructions to it. (Here are the instructions I include: Place this heating pad in your microwave for one to two minutes and then apply it to your sore shoulder or neck. Tip - put a small cup of water in the microwave along with your heating pad to avoid a nasty scorched smell.) Or you can embroider the recipient’s monogram on the pad.
I’m trying to recreate a scarf with pockets that held microwaveable heating pads in it. The pads were supposed to be removable and replaceable but three of us couldn’t figure out how to do that without taking it completely apart! I want a scarf with pockets that allow the heating pads to be easily removed.
Photos by me
Tags: last minute christmas gift idea, microweavable heating pad
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By Katelyn Thomas -- 0 comments
December 21st, 2008
Christmas Kitten on the Stairs
Originally uploaded by StampingMad
I didn’t touch the garland, honest. It did that all by itself. Just unraveled from the banister and fell down beside me. I’m as shocked as you are. Really.
Seriously, I think I spend more time re-wrapping the banister, putting little birds back in centerpieces and re-bowing gifts than anything else. Kittens love Christmas.
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By Katelyn Thomas -- 0 comments
December 21st, 2008
When I saw this one, I started thinking about having an ugliest ornament ever contest. I’m pretty sure I’d win. It is probably from the 60s and is made of cardboard covered in glitter. The mane and tail are a silky raffia type material. All I can say is yikes.
Photo by me
Technorati Tags: ugly ornament,vintage ornaments,glitter ornament
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By Katelyn Thomas -- 0 comments
December 20th, 2008
Diamond has been spending an awful lot of time here lately. I can only assume that this is one kitten who thinks he has been very good this year and is on the lookout for a sleigh filled with catnip.
Tags: kitten christmas picture, waiting for Santa
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By Katelyn Thomas -- 0 comments
