Santa Sleds

Candy Santa Sleds

These are so easy to make!  I got fun size 3 Muskateer bars, mini candy canes, chocolates that look like presents, and chocolates that look like Santas.  Then I just hot glued everything together.  Simple!

I have a miniature Radio Flyer wagon that I used for the presentation of these.  They fit perfectly in the wagon!

So cute!

 Just another little treat you can add to your bag of tricks of easy things to make for a crowd.

Christmas Sled

Christmas Sled

I have been wanting to make a decorative sled for a long time now, but I was unable to get a sled for a reasonable price.  That is until I found one on Craig's List for $25!!!  Score!

The rest of my supplies came from the Dollar Tree.  This entire project cost me $33. 

I used 2 wreaths that I put on top of each and I used the wire that is in the branches to wire them to each other.  I used the garland as a substitute for the rope on the sled.

 

Run, don't walk, to your nearest Dollar Tree and pick up these magnolias!!!  They are on small clips and you can put them anywhere with no glue, no wire, nothing!!!  I used wire for the stars, snowflakes and large balls.  I used 2 rolls fo ribbons to make a bow. 

There is some wire in the edge of the ribbon, so you can curl is and it will hold it's shape.  

I think the wreath itself could be used alone.  I just love it!!

I think I will give the sled a spray of polyurethane once the season is over.  I want to preserve it as best I can.  I have simply wired the wreath and garland on it, so they can be removed and reattached after it is sprayed.

 

 

Stars in Your Wine!

Here is a really quick and easy, yet elegant, craft for a holiday party or even as a gift.

 

I picked up these wine glasses that have a gold rim on them at the Dollar Tree.  Then I picked up this gold leaf pen at Michael's.

 

I know I am going to do a trillion things with this baby! There is already an ornament that will be posted later.  

I cleaned the glasses with rubbing alcohol and then I just drew on the stars!!!  LOVE this one!!!  

Super easy as promised!  I hope you try it.  If you do, please let me know what you made, even send me a pic.

Tomato Basil Bisque

The first snowfall of the season (no matter how minimal) always calls for some homemade soup!  Here is what I made today:

Ingredients:

6 to 8 Plum tomatoes chopped in small chunks

½ Cup Celery finely diced

1 Cup Yellow Onion finely diced

2 Tablespoons Butter

2 Cups Chicken Broth made from bouillon

2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil chopped

1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped

1 teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

1 Cup Skim Milk

2 Tablespoons Corn Starch

Directions:

Melt butter in medium size stock pot.  Saute celery and onions for 10 minutes over medium high heat until translucent.  Add in chicken stock and tomatoes.  Cook for 10 minutes more.  Add in Basil, Pepper, Kosher Salt and Parsley.  Cook for 5 minutes.  In a large measuring cup, sift corn starch in to milk and whisk together.  Add milk and starch to pot and stir.  Cook for 5 minutes until soup thickens a bit.  Using a submergible blender, blend and crush tomatoes and all herbs until soup is smooth.  Serves 4 to 6.

Faux Beaded Table Runner

Here is a quick, easy and cheap way to get a faux beaded table runner!
 

I picked up a table runner at Dollar Tree along with some green glitter in a pack of three colors of glitter.  Then I just used my hot glue gun to make a snowflake design and some border "beads".  It may not be washable or look exactly like beads, but It's a cute alternative for the kids table and for $2 it doesn't have to be washed!  You can sponge it off if you want to save it or just toss it and make a new one next year!!

Super Lawyer!

This past summer, my husband was named among one of Philadelphia Magazine's "Super Lawyers".  We were really surprised and honored by this distinction! 

We have been holding on to the magazine and I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to preserve it and display it at the same time.  I knew I needed a shadow box, that was a given.  I also knew I had to wrap the magazine to make it sort of dust proof. 

I decided to use one of the heavy plastic storage bags that we use for extra large items.

This particular box came from the Dollar Tree, so very inexpensive.  I cut off the zipper part and I cut up each side of it.  Then I opened the magazine to the page where my husband's name is listed and folded it back.  I wrapped it like a present using packing tape to secure it.  Then I made a little banner for on top of the magazine once it was in the shadow box.  I tried to use the pins that came with the shadow box to secure the magazine in place using the plastic.  Yeah, that didn't work.  But I did use one of the pins for the banner. 

So now, instead of a magazine with a swimsuit model on the front, we have his accomplishment on full display! 

Fireman Sam Birthday Party

My grandson will be turning 3 this month.  He is absolutely obsessed with "Fireman Sam"!!!  If you are reading this post, you most likely know who Fireman Sam is, but I will explain for those who may not.  Fireman Sam is a Welsh cartoon about a fireman.  Yes, Welsh.  This makes it very difficult to come by the items to have a Fireman Sam party.

My grandson also wanted to be Fireman Sam for Halloween.  Getting a costume was costly, difficult and they were of low quality.  Enter Grammy and her sewing skills.  My daughter and I went to the fabric store to look for a pattern that might work.  We found a pattern for a costume for a chef's jacket.

The pattern is from Simplicity number 3650.  I used a bright blue poly cotton fabric and some "shiny silver buttons".  Then I got some silver ribbon for the trim on the bottom and the sleeves.  I made a belt out of black blanket binding and big buckle.  My daughter got yellow pants, some rubber rain boots and yellow fireman's hat.

Here we are when he came trick or treating at my house.  Note the plastic fire axe tucked in to his belt.  Yeah, he "chopped down" my front door with it.  We also added a yellow fire badge that came with the axe.  Very official.

Now for some birthday party ideas to go with your little fireman's gear.

 

Check out this great cake!  It really looks pretty easy to do.  The bottom looks like a ribbon.  The big truck and the flames on top look like fondant and modeling chocolate.  The number 2 is probably a candle.  Easy peasy and your little fireman will love it!

Now, for the party supplies, you will have to order them from the UK.  No two ways about it, to get Fireman Sam items, they must be ordered well in advance and from the UK.  I have tracked down the ultimate source for all things Fireman Sam in party supplies.  They have every single thing you will ever need or want; cups, plates, table cloths, you name it.  So here we go:

http://www.partypieces.co.uk/fireman-sam-party.html

 

They have party packages for various numbers of guests that include everything even the balloons!  

Here's Jupiter the fire truck!  Radar the firehouse dog is in the truck.  Yep it's a pinata.  

You can start with official party invitations. 

They even have banners.  

So, if you want to have an official "Fireman Sam" birthday party, just make sure you plan it early and order from the UK.  Also, if you want an official looking Fireman Sam jacket, you will have to make it yourself using a chef jacket costume pattern.

Christmas FREEBIES!!!

I like things that are FREE don't you?  I like to say, "If it's FREE it's for ME!"  Well, can you guess how excited I was when I got an email from one of my favorite websites with tons of FREEBIES? 

Oriental Trading sent me all of these great FREEBIES and I am sharing them with you!!!  Oh I can't wait for you to see what I have for you!!!

First, the every popular "Letters From Santa".  Just click this link and you will have your choice of 8 different designs to download and print!  For FREE!  How cool is that?  Here is my favorite one:

I think they are really cute.  I know one little boy who will definitely be getting one of these! 

Some great ideas on making Wreaths!  I mean some really new things.  An Advent wreath?  Oh yeah, that's just one of them!  Click the link highlighted in blue for complete instructions.  Here is my favorite one:

Absolutely adorable!!!  I think this one looks easy enough to do with the kids. 

Something to keep the kids busy at Christmas dinner or even at Thanksgiving dinner, Coloring Pages.  Click the link for 28, yes 28, different coloring pages!!!  That means no fighting!!!  Every kids can have their own page!  Here is are my favorite 2 of those because with 28 I couldn't pick just 1!!

Really cute!!!  I think the kids will love these!  I know some adults who would love them too!!!

Here are some cute handmade Gift Ideas.  Some are great for gifts and some are just cute crafts to do with the kids.  The Paper Advent Wreath is cute to make with them.  Here are my 2 picks for gifts:

I love the microwave popcorn with the gloves!  Too cute!!!  And who doesn't need a sugar scrub in the winter?  With peppermint extract to scent it?  Delightful!!!

So, there you have it!  TONS of FREEBIES!!!!  Easy things to make.  Ways to get the kids excited for Santa's visit.  Ways to decorate your home or things to make for a gift in the wreaths.  Something to keep the kids occupied during dinner.  And some crafts or gifts to give.  That should help you out with your budget.  Happy crafting!