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My last Christmas Post (I hope)

I hope if you are reading this you had a wonderful holiday – whatever you may celebrate in your home.

I get a little crazy over Christmas myself, so I’m going to try and wrap up all of my Christmas posts into one long one. One of my goals this year was to make as many homemade presents as I could. I wanted to make more than I did, but I did make more than I ever have in my life! I posted previously about a pillow and a cushion I was making for my aunt and uncle in-laws, I made my mom a pillow as well with the same fabric that I used for that pillow. I made this pillow for my mother-in-law:

 

 

 

 

 

 

This bib for my husband’s coworker:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this pillow for a friend of the family:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also made new tree skirts out of blankets for our Christmas Trees. Tree Skirts cost too much, and ours really needed replacing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, this about sums up my post right now. I think Santa dropped off the Grinch because my kids are at each other’s throats and making me crazy. I am going to say the “Serenity Prayer” (or at least the tiny bit I know of it) over and over in my head right now.

I sincerely hope both your holiday and winter break are going much better than mine!

 

 

 

 

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Preparing for Guests

Edit: I’d like to do a quick update to see how much of my list I actually got done. The following week and a half has been ridiculously insane and hectic in my house so I am just now sitting down at my computer! I actually did better than I thought.

I’m not sure how other people are when they prepare for guests, but I go a little insane. Some may even say a lot insane, but I don’t really know what normal is.

I’ve already got the guest bedroom ready with fresh sheets, so it looks as nice as it can. Their bathroom is clean too. They are coming to stay and watch my children while I am gone for the weekend, so I am extra appreciative and trying to make up for the fact that I won’t be around to host them.

So, here are my To-Dos for today:

  • Make Dining Room Table
  • Make Kitchen Table
  • Clean up Office
  • Vacuum Daughter #1 Room
  • Clean out Car/Vacuum
  • Get Oil Change
  • Make Tree Skirts
  • Wrap Presents
  • Wrap Pictures
  • Make Christmas Crack
  • Pack
  • Shower
  • Decorate Outside Tree
  • Finish Outside Lights
  • Clean my bathroom – did not get to finish this
  • Wash my Sheets
  • Wash Daughter 1 Sheets
  • Make Banana Bread
  • Clean out fridge
  • Give dog a bath
  • Work on Website
  • Straighten Daughter #2 and #3 Drawers
  • Run to store
  • Pick up kids from school

As I write this post, I’m waiting for my car to finish the oil change, so at least I’m wrapping that up. I almost never get one of these lists completed, but I do try my best.

What does your guest prep list look like? Also, what am I forgetting to do???

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Elf on the Shelf “Car”

I mentioned that in my journey to “find myself,” I want to be a better overall person. For me, this includes (now) that on Saturday morning, while your husband is out golfing, when your seven year old wants to make your Elf on a Shelf a Car – that you will help and I mean really help. Not just point her to the hand me down Barbie car that we already own! I’m still learning how to craft, so it’s not the best, but all things considered, I think we did an ok job. The most important part is we had a good time doing it.

Here are our supplies:

Our spray painted pieces:

The finished product:

Rosy the Elf using the car! She seemed to like it at least, and it was nice bonding time with my seven year old.

Have you made anything cool for your elf?

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Homemade Christmas Presents

So, one of the many things I’m trying to do in my quest to find myself is to try new things. I have never been one to make anything myself and have always opted to buy things or give gift cards. I’m all about the easy way out over here. Or at least I was!

Once I started sewing, it kind of opened my eyes to this whole new crafting world that I had always shunned and dismissed. I just started really looking at Pinterest about six weeks ago! Anyway, I can ramble on forever if I don’t get to the point – homemade Christmas presents are a goal of mine and I just finished my first one.

My aunt and uncle in-laws are coming to town next weekend and my goal is to sew each of them a gift for Christmas. I always struggle with what to give them besides pictures of the kids anyway – so I’m hoping this will be more heartfelt. I just finished making her a Christmas themed throw pillow and I’m going to make him his favorite NFL team covered stadium cushion.

Here’s a pic of the throw pillow:

It’s got a zipper at the bottom, so my goal is to make her other pillow cases for other holidays so that she can reuse the pillow and just switch out the pillow case.

Do you have any homemade gift ideas?