Friday Freebie! 15 page preschool Christmas Fun Pages from Mama's Learning Corner!

I am printing these off as we speak!  Great entertainment for the little ones so we can get some crafting for Christmas done!  Sure beats TV!

Find them HERE at Mama's Learning Corner!.

She has lots of great freebies so be sure to check them all out!

Felt Christmas Tree Advent Calendar & Kids Felt Play Tree in one!

I wanted to share this quick easy tutorial for a handmade felt Christmas tree advent calendar. It is similar to one I saw at Pottery Barn. No sewing machine needed.  I attached the simple pockets on the front with hand stitching while watching TV.  You can of course pull out the machine if you feel so inclined.  

 On the back side I made a play felt tree for the kids to decorate over and over.  I even had them cut out the shapes of the felt ornaments themselves using cookie cutters and chalk to trace.  You can of course do it yourself and make them much more elaborate.

I first saw this idea here at I can Teach My Child

.

You will need some green felt for the tree, and other colors for the decorations on the back, needle and thread, chalk, ruler, scissors, felt decorative stickers, and a sharpie.  I like to use a rotary cutter and cutting mat with ruler but you don't have to by any means.

The first step is to measure out your tree size.  Cut out a square that size and fold it in half. Now take your chalk and draw the outline of half a tree since your fabric is folded in half.  Cut along that line.  You should have something like the photo below.

Now  use your ruler to mark out your squares using chalk.  I marked in each square how many pockets fit on each row.

Once you measure those out, you can fold your fabric accordingly and cut the advent pockets with a rotary cutting tool and ruler.  If you don't have one you can just cut them out with scissors.

  Then simply attach the pockets to the tree with your needle and thread!

I then randomly added the felt stickers where ever I liked, and marked the date on each box with a sharpie.  You could use cool felt number stickers but I was in a hurry and couldn't find any locally.  I could not get the above photo to turn (though I turned it several times!) so sorry for it's sideways view.

 In each pocket I placed one of the tickets that will have the activity for that day. I simply write the activity on the back.

 I found that printable for the free Christmas "tickets" HERE from Miss Cutie pie goes 80s.  These make really cute gift tags too!

There is a great list of activities here at Baltimore Mommies or you can type in winter bucket list into a google search for a whole array of options.

And that is it!  You can EASILY whip this out in a few hours. 

Have fun and let me know how it turns out! 

my week

it's been 15 years since we've brought a puppy home

she's a lot like our first dog- so very sweet . . . but a tad more fearless

she didn't even cry her first night with us

the day before thanksgiving, we took her to the beach

she chased the waves and climbed the dunes

we named her Scout

the november rain has been relentless

but we caught a break at the beach

when the sun was setting, the sky looked like it was on fire

a young man pointed to the colorful display and remarked, "heaven's a million miles that away"

well said

i've amped up production this week

in preparation for the holiday market nov. 30 - dec. 1

whatever doesn't sell goes into my etsy shop on sunday

tomorrow's feat: designing a 2013 calendar

i think i can, i think i can

Limited-edition linocut giveaway

I nearly forgot that it is my Etsy shop's anniversary today!  I've been quite busy these past few weeks helping out with a church art project and spearheading the Holiday Market at my daughter's school. Oh, and did I mention we got a puppy?!  Pictures to come in the next post.



In all this craziness, I've managed to eek out some me-time at my art desk. . . sleep is over-rated, I say.  My latest creative output resulted in a batch of hand printed linocuts.  Printmaking was my focus in college, but it's been years since I've tackled a hand printing project.  My daughters watched me this time as I hand pulled the first lino print, and all the oohs and ahhs from the peanut gallery just added to the excitement. 



I used turquoise ink for the first few prints and then switched to a deeper blue (and oil-based) ink.  There are only three of the turquoise available, and I thought it would be fitting to give them away in celebration of my three year Etsy anniversary. 



If you'd like a chance to nab one of these limited-edition prints, just leave a comment below.  On Wednesday, November 28th, I'll randomly choose three winners and post the names here.  



I am also giving away these prints with every order in my Etsy shop.  You can check out the details here.



11/28: Congratulations to the three winners! David Thurston, Emmel Prutsemieke, and Emma-Lee

Gifts that bring joy and opportunity to the poor! View on the Web | Forward to a Friend
	Dear Kristy, This Black Friday, instead of running around town to find this year’s “it” gift, take a moment and choose a present that will save a life. Food For The Poor’s Christmas Gift Catalog makes gift giving easy, meaningful, and there are options to fit every budget. Your loved ones will be delighted to know that a practical, desperately-needed gift has been given to the poor in their honor.

Let your dollars do double duty!  Get your Christmas presents and feed the poor!

How To Have a Peaceful, Budget Friendly Christmas Season.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving up at my parents with all the kid-lets, my uncle, and some friends.  We ate a beautiful feast.  Of course I forgot my camera, which is my common response to a lot going on!  We ate our typical feast (all the recipes listed earlier on "My All Favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner Recipes year after year (made with whole foods)."  YUMMY!

When we are being thankful it is such a reminder of God's grace in our lives. All the little and big things we are thankful for are gifts from God.  Made me think that next year I would love to add a time of praise and worship to our traditional celebration.  A time of showing God our thankfulness and enjoying His presence.

Came home by 5:30 after stopping to look at Christmas lights on the way home, got everyone into jammies and watched a fun family movie.  By 7:30 we were all exhausted (pregnancy and sleep are not going that great for me at the moment) and in bed!  I was of course just "laying down with Cruz" my 2 year old, but at nine I woke up to find a quiet house, husband in bed and feeling refreshed :).  I love a quiet house to sew, blog or craft in!

The end of Thanksgiving signifies for my family the start of the Christmas season as well.  I love the weekend after Thanksgiving as it is so fun to put up the tree, decorate and get in the Christmas Spirit.  I don't however get into the whole Black Friday craze, and was sorry to see that so many stores started black Friday tonight.  The consumerism can really rob from the time of thankfulness and time with family.

I LOVE Christmas.  Everything about it... The lights, the craftiness of making decorations, presents, and what not, the music, the spirit of generosity.  It is the perfect way to celebrate the gift of Jesus.  Being generous with others as God was so generous with the gift of his Son Jesus the hope of salvation. I always explain it to my kids like this.."We give gifts to others, because God gave Jesus to us."  It blesses Gods heart to see generosity, so that is our gift to God.  We also keep it simple at our house. Setting a budget at the begining of the season helps too.  We have 5 kids (if you count the one due Christmas day), and a small budget so we make a lot of gifts, swap names between the adults and include thrifted gifts as well that we have scoped out at the local thrift store, on craigslist, or at garage sales.  This year I found a pink DS in great shape for my daughter at a garage sale for $1!!!  I also found her a kids sewing machine (something I had been wanting to get her), and a few board games that looked new.  She is by far the easiest to get gifts for!

Christmas can be simple, budget friendly, and peaceful.  I try to focus on the traditions and season of giving more than just the presents.   I wasn't raised with Santa and we choose not to do it at all at our house. I didn't want to confuse the reason for the season with Santa as it can be overshadowing but we do read stories about Saint Nick and other Christmas tales that inspire generosity and love.  We have started a few holiday traditions like wrapping 24 Christmas books under the tree, some we own, tons are from the library, etc.. and then the kids take turns every night of December till Christmas unwrapping one and that is what we read before bedtime.  We try to incorporate giving to the hungry or needy where ever we can.  We might sponsor a child, give gifts from World Vision so the profits go to feed the hungry, or buy a sheep through World Vision for a family across the globe in need etc.. in someones name on our gift list who doesn't want anything.  We also have an advent calender (tutorial coming soon) that we fill with activity ideas like making cookies, seeing the lights, giving a gift in secret to a friend, etc...  Christmas morning we will eat a big fun breakfast and read the Christmas story, and we always have our big meal Christmas Eve so mom's don't have to cook Christmas day!  Then we can snack on all the leftovers all day on Christmas.  I also have the kids find or make each other presents so they get to participate in the giving side of things.  They love it!

These fun things keep the focus on togetherness, generosity and love the real reason of the Season.  If I don't get it all crafted I am not too worried.  I am not looking to focus on getting everyone the perfect gift (although I would love it if they were thrilled!), but on really enjoying each other and God's goodness the whole season through.  I do not want consumerism, long lists of "I want", in fact we don't let the kids make lists or get them into the habit of thinking they need to tell us exactly what they want for this very reason.  It should all be a pleasant surprise not a demand or expectation.  They know that thrifted presents are part of it and in fact they look forward to finding things for their brothers and sisters at the thrift store too!  It just sets them up to appreciate whatever comes their way and allows us to get them something they would really like even though it is not in a new wrapper.
Here are some of the fun DIY ideas I am using for my kids this year!

 I am making her and my younger daughter these owl  pillows from Button Bird Designs but in fun fabrics (in fact I started those a while ago and am almost done).

These amazingly cute wool cape's for the girls are next on the sewing list!  The pattern is made like a simple circle skirt so as cute as they are they shouldn't take long.  I LOVE them and once I get the hang of how to make them I plan on making one for myself!
I think with all the things I have to sew for her, and all the gifts I have found over time that I need to be done for her.  They get gifts from grandmas, and grandpas, and aunts so we try not to go overboard. I do not want to set the expectation at this stage in life that Christmas is an over top budget blower.  My youngest is really starting to get into imaginative play so I am making her a DIY doctor kit.  I have found some really fun ideas for it and have so many of the supplies on hand around the house.  She will love it!  I will post a tutorial on that once it is done.

My oldest son who is 8 will be getting a really cool fort kid that I found a tutorial for here at Saltwater-kids. I can't wait to get started on this!  He will love it!  What a great birthday presents for his friends as well.  I am sure I will have to sew a few more up in the near future!  Just so you know I really don't get to sew that often.  We homeschool and being pregnant, having a 2 yr old, 3 yr old, 5 yr old and 8 yr old they keep me busy getting water, doing school, cleaning, cooking etc... So most of the projects I picked for this year are really simple ones!
 
Like this cape for my youngest son.  I followed the cutting tutorial to get the right shape from the picture above at Moms Rising, but used black knit so there was no sewing involved with that part.  I did however create the CUTEST felt logo with a lightning bolt and his initial out of felt that I sewed on the back!  I love it! I added some cuffs from this tutorial at The Train To Crazy, and made two cute super hero masks with lightning bolts that I will have to show you when I make my DIY super hero outfit tutorial.  I hope he loves it.  It is too cute and we can't let the girls have all the fun with their princess dress ups!

I plan to make these sock monkeys for Cruz my youngest and our newest baby boy for when he is born.  They are so cute!! Not sure how hard they are.  We will see.  I have lots of stuff to make all the kids on my list but this last one for Cruz is so cute I had to share in case you have a little "cowboy" on your list as well!

I adore these stick horse, hobby horse or whatever you want to call them!  The tutorial is Here at Light Blue Grey.  So like I said I have way more ideas of what I want to make for all kinds of people on my list and if you want to see the tutorials and gift ideas I am pinning at pinterest be sure to  and check out my Christmas gift ideas board and my Christmas and fall holidays board.  There are tons of fun ideas that I plan on adding to as well. I figure if I don't make it all this Christmas there are plenty of holidays that I will be looking for gift ideas for!  I also posted some money saving ideas on these older posts Here and Here.

Anyway, I got a little sidetracked showing you all the fun DIY ideas out there for presents but my point was that Christmas is about God's Love and should remain the focus of the season!  I may not get all my ideas crafted, or get around to Christmas cards (so please don't be offended if you don't get one), or get my house perfectly decked out, or get around to throwing that great holiday party, but that is ok.  I don't want anything to take the place of focusing on God's great gift and opportunities to be generous and be a blessing. I really want to take the time to enjoy my family which is His second greatest gift to me.  If any to-do item is robbing me of my joy and stressing me out than it isn't that important!   What do you do to keep the spirit in the season and avoid the craziness that can rob your joy during the holidays?

My All Time Favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner Recipes Year After Year (Made With Whole Foods)

I love to try new recipes and I love thanksgiving.  Certain recipes though I have found that I really can't improve on year after year I go back to them even if I am mixing in a few new ones to try.  From a BBQ brined turkey to pies and everything in-between these are my favorites!  They are created using whole foods, and stay away from prepacked ingredients like cool whip and gravy mix.  If the recipe calls for it I just substitute the real thing.

The Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey 

(Brined and smoked in a BBQ)

This recipe is perfect we have used it since 2007 and LOVE it! It is our tradition to have my husband do the turkey out on the grill.  You don't need special equipment like a smoker, and it is pretty easy. Find the recipe HERE at Barbecue University.

Maple Red Eye Gravy

Photo Courtesy of simply Recipes

We love this delicious recipe and have been making it along with the turkey all these years.  It has some unique ingredients and really has a great flavor.  You can find it HERE at Barbecue University as well.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

We love garlic mashed potatoes.  Roasting the garlic takes the bite out and adds a sweet richness.  Recipe HERE at All Recipes.com

Turkey Sausage and Mushroom Stuffing

We love this recipe!  It is from cooking light so it reduces the fat and calories but is still FULL of flavor. Find the full recipe HERE from cooking Light.

Spinach Salad with Oranges, Dried Cherries 

and Candied Pecans

Photo courtesy of Yummly

This is the perfect salad.  A decadent flavor filled salad that can hold it's own at a Thanksgiving table full of other tempting foods.  I promise you will have seconds!  Find it HERE from Vegetarian Times Magazine. 

Orange Cranberry Sauce

Photo courtesy of  Yummly

I love this recipe, and have been using it since I discovered it in 2001.  It is incredibly simple but I have never had a cranberry sauce I liked more!  There is something magical about the combination of oranges and cranberries.  I love it in muffins, cookies, cream cheese and of course in cranberry sauce.  It comes out so beautiful too!  I have been making this exact same recipe year after year from an old cook book I have called Fat-Free Holiday Recipes by Sandra Woodruff.
Just to clarify I am not a promoter of the fat free or reduced fat diet.  I believe in whole foods and healthy fats as a part of a clean, real foods diet.  This was from my phase in the 90's as a fat free follower.  Curiously I might add that while I have always been petite my years eating the fat free low fat way were not my thinnest years.  The packaged foods, and added sugar and commercial chemicals ended up keeping on any pounds I had wanted to loose!  So this Thanksgiving eat real butter, use coconut oil while you are cooking and try at all costs to avoid packaged foods and your body will thank you as well as your mouth!
Here is the recipe..

Orange Cranberry Sauce Recipe

1 cup orange juice

1/2 tbsp fresh grated orange peel

1/2 cup light brown sugar ( I use 1/4 cup of a sugar stevia blend sold in grocery stores)

12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries.

1) Combine the orange juice the orange peel and sugar in a pot and bring it to a boil for 5 min with the lid off.  

2) Add in the cranberries over medium heat with lid ajar for 7-10 minutes until the cranberry skins pop.  Stir occasionally

3) Let it cool down then cover and chill before serving. Yields 12 servings (but not 12 if you eat larger portions like at my house!)

Tender Steamed Green Beans

photo courtesy of Yummly

As far as green beans go we usually skip any type of casserole or mayo laden dish and serve fresh steamed green beans.  My kids as well as the rest of the family actually much prefer it and of course it is much much healthier.  If cooked right they are tender but crisp and sweet.  A little butter and sea salt is all they need, but if you are feeling festive garlic is a nice addition as well.

Chipotle Sweet Potatoes 

photo courtesy of stock food

My husband cannot get enough of this recipe and he is not by nature a healthy eater!  He even mentioned it to my mom today to make sure she was making it!  There are only three ingredients but it is rich, spicy and flavorful.  It is simply made of cream, chipotle peppers (you get them canned at walmart or other grocery stores), and sweet potatoes.  It will shock you how good this simple recipe is!  You can get it HERE from the food network.  A much more satisfying alternative to that over sweet marshmallow concoction usually served.

Whole Grain Dinner Rolls

In all honesty this is not the exact recipe we use, as my mom usually makes the bread, but it has the same ingredients.  Whole wheat, real butter, honey and this one has a nice tutorial and looks very easy to follow if you are new to bread making.  Heck, I am not new to bread making but I always struggle with yeast bread!  So give this recipe a try like I plan on doing! Find it HERE at An Oregon Cottage.

Now onto the decadent desserts!  I usually bring an apple pie and pumpkin pie of some sort and occasionally a pumpkin cheesecake.  This is usually my department and I love it!  Over the years I have tried lots of different recipes but these are the ones I use most often.Pictured above are my last years addition to our Thanksgiving feast.  That year I brought (from top down) Grandma Opal's Apple Pie, a pumpkin Cheese cake. and a maple struessal pumpkin pie.  They were SO delicious! 

This is my photo of  Grandam Opals Apple Pie from All Recipes

This is one of their most popular apple pie recipes for good reason!  We do of course cut the sugar down but that is what usually happens when I get near a recipe.  What is unique about this recipe is that you basically make a carmel from the butter and sugar and then pour it over your delicious apples!

The Pumpkin cheesecake from Cooking light (above) is easier than it looks and so yummy!  I just use my own crust and use fresh pumpkin puree from our freezer.  Get the recipe HERE.

For my maple streusel pumpkin pie I use THIS RECIPE from Cooking light  for the maple pumpkin pie and added a streusel topping from this Cooking Light recipe.  Keep in mind where it calls for tons of sugar I usually reduce it a bit and try to use unrefined sugars like honey and maple syrup where possible, and any margarine references get replaced with coconut oil or butter.  I do not use store bought crust and use this crust recipe from cooking light.  

Cooking Light Pastry Crust 

SOURCE: Cooking Light YEAR: 1998 ISSUE: November PAGE: 108

1 cup all-purpose flour, divided

3 tablespoons ice water
1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon powdered sugar (I use evaporated cane juice which is the same as organic powdered sugar)1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable shortening ( I use coconut oil or butter)

INSTRUCTIONS:
A slurry is a mixture of flour and liquid (water and vinegar in this recipe). It's the key to this tender low-fat crust. Pie weights can be ordered by mail or found in gourmet kitchen shops. You can also use uncooked dried beans, but save them to reuse as weights. They'll be too hard for cooking.1. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 1/4 cup flour, ice water, and vinegar, stirring with a whisk until well-blended. 
2. Combine 3/4 cup flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl; cut in shortening  ( I suse coconut or butter here) with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add slurry; toss with a fork until flour mixture is moist. Gently press mixture into a 4-inch circle on heavy-duty plastic wrap; cover with additional plastic wrap. Roll dough, still covered, into a 12-inch circle; freeze 10 minutes. Remove 1 sheet of plastic wrap; let stand 1 minute or until pliable. Fit dough, plastic-wrap side up, into a 9-inch pie plate or a 9-inch round removable-bottom tart pan. Remove plastic wrap. Press the dough
against bottom and sides of pan. Fold edges under or flute decoratively. Line bottom of dough with a piece of foil; arrange pieweights on foil. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until edge is lightly browned. .Yields 1 (9-inch) crust.

I hope this has been helpful!  Have a favorite must share recipe or tip?  Put it in the comments!  I love hearing from everybody!
Speaking of Thanksgiving don't miss all these Thanksgiving related posts with crafts, etc...