The Best of 2012

As the current year closes, I always take some time to reflect back on what all has happened in the year. I decided to do this on the blog with a Top 10 posts of 2012. These posts are a combination of my favorites and yours.

1. Pretty Purple Punch

2. Year End Teacher Gifts

3. Mamarazzi Defined

4. Tender Moments

5. Baby Onesies

6. Yarn Wrapped Vase and Votive Holder

7. Chevron Flag

8. JOY Prom

9. Glittery Candles

10. Clemson Quilt 

Weekend Wonders: New Years Ideas

Are you doing anything fun for the New Year's Eve? The Clemson bowl game is also on New Year's Eve so needless to say, we'll be staying in so my boys can cheer on their Tigers. I was looking for some easy ideas though because even though there is a big game I want to celebrate the passing of this year and welcome in the new one.......

Below are a few ideas I found. 

Glitter Candles

You know how much I love glittery things so these fun candles at the Celebrations Blog caught my eye instantly. 

3 D Printable Numbers

Head over to the Basic Grey Blog to download these templates, print on cardstock, then assemble, and you have cute decorations. 

Printable New Year's Eve Hats

Eileen shares these cute printable New Year's Eve hats. 

New Year's Eve Kit

Inchmark shares how to make this cute little New Year's Eve kit that would make a perfect party favor or treat for the kids. 

DIY Balloon Drop

Been There, Pinned That shares how to make this fun DIY balloon drop. This would be so fun for kids!

New Year's Subway Art Printable

Download this cute New Year's themed subway art printable from the gals at Eighteen 25. 

Giant Numbers

If you are having a New year's Eve party these giant numbers from Tatertots and Jello are a must! They'd make a cute photo prop for guests or look great on a wall. 

What are YOU doing for New Year's Eve?

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours....... 

I hope you had a great Christmas day spent with people you love! 

And for those of you who were without people you love this year, my heart reaches out to you. 

Hugs all! 

Peppermint Pretzel Kisses

Awhile back, I saw a recipe similar to this somewhere online (but can't remember where) and recently remembered it and decided to make a few changes to it to make it Christmas-y as a treat to include in the gifts for Noah's teachers.

These were simple to make, are delicious, and look SO festive!

You'll need:

Pretzels

Hershey's Peppermint Kisses (you could also use Hershey Hugs)

M&Ms

1. Lay the pretzels out on a pan making sure that they are not touching.

2. Place a peppermint kisses on top of each pretzel. 

3. Put the pan in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes. Watch them closely and pull them out once the kisses have melted a little bit.

4. Before they have time to set, put an M&M on top of each melted kiss.

5. Let them set. I popped my pan in the freezer for a few minutes to speed up the process. 

6. Nestle them in a box for gift giving! 

(Linking to the parties listed in my sidebar)

Noah's Orange Tree

If you've been reading this blog for long, you know that my Noah loves Clemson and has a cute little orange tree that we put up every Christmas. Our family rule is no Christmas decorations are allowed to go up until Thanksgiving night. We got Noah's tree and ornaments down from the attic on Thanksgiving night but didn't actually get his tree up until the day after. 

This year, I decided to put the tree ON his bedside table. He enjoys sitting/laying on his bed watching movies after his bath so I thought he could see the tree better if it was on the table instead of on the floor beside the table. I think this was a good move. 

He's really enjoyed his orange tree this year! 

Snowman Gift Box

Need a cute little gift box to hold a small gift or a gift card? This little snowman gift box is perfect, in fact, he's a gift himself! 

To make this cute snowman, I started off with a plain wooden gift box from Michael's. It was only a dollar. 

I painted the box white using spray paint. Then I made him a little black hat out of black cardstock, adding some red and white polka dot ribbon to the brim of his hat. Then I added button eyes and drew on an orange "carrot" nose with an orange sharpie. I punched out some black cardstock circles using a hole punched and mod podged those on with sparkle Mod Podge then I gave the whole box a coat of sparkle Mod Podge. 

Isn't he cute? He's the perfect size to hold a small gift, a gift card, or even a bunch of candy canes! 

Linking up to the parties listed in my sidebar
and 

JOY Letters Framed

This was pretty simple to make but I love the impact it has!

I started off with some J, O, and Y chipboard letters from Hobby Lobby. I decopauged Christmas themed scrapbooking paper to the J and Y and solid green on the O. I embellished them with ribbon.

Then I used thin white ribbon to attach the letters to a red frame I already had. I glued the ribbon on the back of each letter and let it dry then I just stapled the ribbon into the back of the frame and hung it up.

It hangs above my mantel. Love it!

(Linking to the parties in my sidebar)

Quote of the Week: Christmas

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind."

- Calvin Coolidge

Weekend Wonders: Christmas Cards

Originally I had decided that I was going to do something different this year and send out homemade Christmas cards. I quickly realized that was going to be a huge task that would stress me out but I had turned to different blogs looking for inspiration for handmade cards and found some great ideas that I thought I'd share for this week's Weekend Wonders. 

Button Tree Card

This button tree card from Simply Stamped is adorable. 

Circle Wreath Card 

This circle wreath card from Scrapbooks Etc. is made from different sized circle punches and is a great way to use up some scraps!

Typewriter Card

I love the vintage feeling type writers on these cards from Bethapalooza. 

Snowflake Wreath

While this is actually a thank you card, this card featuring a wreath made out of snowflakes from Stamping up North with Laurie would make a cute Christmas card. 

Ribbon Tree Card

The ribbon tree on this simple card at JENerally Speaking is so cute and great way to use up those scraps of ribbon.

Rubber Stamped Ornaments

I used to be really into rubber stamping and then I took a long break from it. But recently, I've been stamping again and am reminded how much I enjoy it. I decided to make some ornaments from a few of my rubber stamps. They were actually pretty easy to make but I love how they have turned out. 

I started out with assorted rubber stamps, some chipboard coasters from Michael's, scrapbook paper, ink, embossing powder, a heat gun, glue stick, ribbon, and assorted embellishments, all of which I had in my stash. 

I then simply stamped in whatever color of ink I wanted, embossed the image, and cut it out. I adhered scrapbook paper to the coaster and then attached my stamped image to the middle. I glued on some button embellishments, punched a hole in the top with my crop-o-dile, threaded ribbon through for hanging, and that was it! I love how they turned out! 

They would make excellent gifts for friends, gift tags, or ornaments just to hang on your own tree! 

(Linking to the parties listed in my sidebar)

Check out my crafty items for sell. 

Crafty Items for Sell

Every year I usually do a craft show in December however I found out (kind of at the last minute) that we did not get into this year's craft show so now I have things made with no where to sell them so I thought I'd list some of them here on the blog. These items make great stocking stuffers or little gifts for friends or co-workers. Just email me if you see something you are interested in! I have multiples of everything listed unless other wise noted. 

Santatizers
(small bottle of hand sanatizer)
$2.00 each

Pencil Packs
(Contains three Christmas pencils and one eraser. Great classroom treat and alternative to candy!)
$1.00 each or 6 for $5.00

Santa Mug with Cocoa
(Comes packaged in a cello bag and contains one packet of hot chocolate mix.)
$1.25 each

Snow Bars

(contains one 1.55 oz Hershey's chocolate bar)

$2.50

Teacher Themed Acrylic Post It Note Holder

(only have this one)

$5.00

Rubber Stamped Ornaments

$3.50 each (only have the three styles shown)

Paper Pieced Owl Ornament

$3.50 each