Monday, November 28, 2011

Elf on our Shelf!


I love Christmas traditions! Ever since I saw the elf on a shelf I just knew I wanted to use that with Nolan. The dolls though are kind of expensive and since he doesn't yet understand I haven't been able to bring myself to spend the money. Instead, I decided to make my own elf last night. The picture is not the best but he's cute (well, at least less creepy than the manufactured one!).

When Nolan saw him sitting on our shelf this morning he said "Aww baby". Yep, I made him a baby doll. I thinking starting Dec. 1st we'll hide him somewhere very visible each day and have Nolan find him. Should be cute. Next year I'll start the fun ideas for elf mischief I've seen all over Pinterest!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Tool Time!!

I came across this blog post yesterday and immediately fell in love with her creative ideas. I'm in the process of starting a quiet book or felt book for Nolan and this is along the same line. Since I had some of the supplies already on hand, I started it immediately. I'm not one for following directions or patterns, so after seeing her great pics I just dove into mine.



I used the freezer paper technique to stencil on the word "tools." Since I don't have a cricut machine I simply used a stencil and a exacto knife to cut out the letters. Two coats of acrylic white paint and it looked great. For my tools so far I've made a wrench, hammer, and screw driver. I'll probably make a saw of some sort soon. I also made one screw and one nail. I stuffed my felt tools so they had a little substance to them and could be manipulated more realistic. For the skinny parts like the screwdriver shaft I placed a plastic straw inside. It gives it enough strength to be pressed and played with but is bendable and safe for in the car use. Once Nolan is up from nap we'll see if he likes it!!


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Photo Card

Okay Family skip the pic below! It shows our Christmas Card which will be arriving on your doorsteps soon.

Shutterfly has a great sale ending today (CARD40) for 40% off cards and free shipping (SHIP30). Plus for blogging this I got a gift certificate!! Love their stuff.

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Stop reading if I send you cards =)
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I mean it!!!!
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Merry Merry Christmas
Click here to browse our Christmas photo card designs.
View the entire collection of cards.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Shirts!!

After making Nolan's birthday shirt I decided it wasn't too hard and was a lot of fun. Since then, I've made a Halloween shirt to match his costume and today I made his Thanksgiving shirt. Our first attempt was a freezer paper acrylic paint shirt, the second was more of an applique style and today's is too.

We have a few Thanksgiving parties to go to so maybe we'll even make a second shirt later this week. My boy's gonna wear a goofy turkey shirt!


Love this Pinterest find.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Catching Up

I've been a bad blogger recently! Nolan's third Halloween has come and gone and my fifth wedding anniversary too. There's no fun anniversary pictures but Halloween was a blast.

We met up with our friends who have an adorable two and a half year old. She is so sweet with Nolan and I've even caught them kissing already!!




Nolan was a rattlesnake for Halloween. I made him a long tail complete with rattle inside a while ago. I tried to acclimate him to it but at to he is strong willed. During his nap on Halloween I decided I had better make a smaller one or he would likely be going without a costume. Daddy wore the big tail so Nolan wanted to match and wear the baby tail. I knit his little snake eyes hat too and appliqued a snake on his matching shirt.


Nolan as a pro trick or treating for the first time. AT the first house when the door opened he marched right in to the house and took off across the house in to their living room where the TV was running. I was so embarrassed but laughing so hard as I ran to grab him. Luckily we were at our friend's neighbor's house and they loves seeing the little kids! After that I kept a firm hand on his pants and he learned we were just visiting and not entering!! At each and every house the two little ones knocked until someone opened the door. There is no knocking and waiting when you're two!!



Nolan got quite the haul. I'm still polishing all the candy off!!