Felt and Burlap Tree Skirt

With 6 days until Christmas, I am done with my burlap tree skirt.
I'm finding out with three kids under toe, accomplishments come in small steps.
{I say "Yay!" for finishing it, even though the presents that I'm about to wrap will just cover it up!!!}

Here's what I started with (along with scissors, my glue gun, and about 3 yards of white felt)...

I folded the felt in half and placed my current tree skirt over it to use as a pattern to cut my half circle.
It looked just like this....

Then came time to fire up the glue gun and unroll my burlap (I used two of the 15 foot rolls pictured above).

(Please note that I was not trying to have perfect ruffles. If I did try to get them perfect, I wouldn't have EVER finished this project. Burlap is imperfect so, let your ruffles be too!)

After hot gluing the start of the burlap roll to my cut felt tree skirt, it all went something like this....

Glue (can you see it there on the felt?):

 Place burlap on the glue:

Pinch a section:

Fold the pinched section back over the part you just glued:

Glue the top of the fold:

Run to your kitchen (after you have burned your finger 100 times) and get a wooden stick to press the burlap down until it sticks enough to stay where you want it:

 Continue the entire way around your tree skirt, flip it over and place it under your tree:

I added burlap bows around my tree.

To continue my burlap and white theme, I used small rolls of white mesh and layered burlap ribbon on top before adding it to my tree.

We usually don't use the typical star topper. This year I added twigs and assorted glittery, long twig stems. And although it was referred to as 'tree hair', I think it turned out quite nice, and not hair-like at all.

Wha-la!

A little trick I learned this year after reading blog after blog of professional tree decorators, different size light bulbs! Who knew??? So simple...  here's the difference:
(Left tree- with the pre-strung lights only; Right tree- after adding two strands of extra large bulb lights.)

 I love the dimension and extra light from the large bulbs! Thanks {Vintage Revivals} for the tip!

And my Christmas wreath that I was soooo excited about weeks ago? I'll have it made for next year.....

(Just keepin' it real!)

Oh, and throw away that wooden spoon. You'll likely never get the glue off. If you do, let me know how! 

Read More

It's Christmas! 2012

We made the decision to stay home for Christmas Day this year- something we haven't done in our 8 years of marriage! I was so excited to wake up on Christmas in our own house!

I imagined every gift under the tree to be for the kids. I imagined them running down the stairs at 6 am busting at the seems with excitement that it was FINALLY Christmas. I imagined a yummy, relaxing breakfast and then opening presents for hours.

My 2:30 am wake-up call with a sick little buddy changed all of that.
Graham and I slept in because were up so often that night. And apparently, the whole family needed extra sleep because no one woke up before 10 am!
Our breakfast turned into lunch and presents were opened that afternoon. Graham didn't act like himself but he managed to suffer through present time! :)

We started with our Tree Hunt before lunch.
I made a list of 'hints' for presents that were hiding IN the Christmas tree.
(I started doing this last year because their stockings were always over stuffed! And it keeps the kids busy while Mommy gets breakfast -or lunch- ready!)

The Elves made their annual exit Christmas morning, but not without leaving a special note and treat behind for the kids!

ALL of the presents under the tree were for the kids! And Mommy didn't put any names on them!!!
Reese was concerned until I told her the gifts with red bows were for her and the gifts with green bows were for Graham.

My sweet Christmas angels.....

I hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Even though our plans changed, and things didn't happen as I 'imagined', it was still such a fun and memorable day! You can't go wrong with spending time with the ones you love the most!

Read More

Elf Shenanigans 2012 (Part 2)

{If you missed our Elf Shenanigans 2012 (Part 1), view it HERE.}

-All Wrapped Up-

Cutie Bell sure does think something is funny....

Could it be Tree Stump wrapped up under the tree???

-Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman-
Tree Stump retaliates on Cutie Bell with the help of a Web-Slinging friend!

-Connect Four-
We love playing games!!! Apparently, so do our elves!

-Sharing Is Caring-
Even siblings share sometimes!!!!

-Read Me That Story Again-
Cutie Bell and Tree Stump love reading the 'Elf on the Shelf' book to all their stuffed friends!

Read More

Under Our Christmas Tree {2012}

Some nifty-gifty ideas that were found under our tree this Christmas:

In addition to Reese's school classroom gift exchange, each student was asked to bring a small stocking stuffer gift. 

Reese made these CUTE snowman candy bars for her friends at school.

(This was, of course, a Pinterest find! See my inspiration HERE.)

We bought packs of Hershey's Chocolate Candy bars. 

I cut and taped white card stock around each candy bar. 

Reese then added her artistic touches by drawing the faces before I hot glued on the ear muffs and buttons. We finished them with a Christmas ribbon scarf.

______________________________

This was the first year that I have ever given our mail person and the garbage company Christmas gifts.
I thought a plate of homemade cookies sounded just right!

I wrapped each plate in red cellophane and tied it with ribbon. I also found a free "Merry Christmas" printable. (There are MILLIONS of free printable tags out there!)

The mail truck and the garbage truck come around the same time every Friday. It just happened to be VERY windy and snowy that particular Friday. My plan to set a plate of cookies in a box for the garbage company was a no-go. It also didn't occur to me that my plate of cookies for the mail carrier was too big for our mailbox.
So, you can imagine the time I spent that day waiting and watching! As soon as I saw them drive up, I had to throw on my snow boots and coat and run out to catch them!
All in the name of homemade cookies!!!!!
(I'll think smaller next year!)

_________________________

I love including my kids in gift giving.
Everything from picking out the gift, to wrapping the gift. I love how excited they get!
These print and color gift tags were the PERFECT way to add the child's touch to gifts this year!

All I had to do was print the tags onto card stock and cut them out. The kids colored them how they wanted and then they were gift-ready!
So cute and easy!
{Print yours HERE!}

Read More

Merry Christmas!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Ours was filled with family, food and celebrating the 

Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year!

Love, 

Joel, Lindsey Reese and Graham

Read More

Teen Christmas Banquet

Joel and I have had the privilege of helping out with the teens in our Church for years now. We love all of them and we love spending time with them!

Especially during special nights like the 

Teen Christmas Banquet

We reserved a room at a nice restaurant and each teen got to pick what meal they wanted ahead of time from a menu specifically made for us.
(I made name tags to help the servers....)

And, I was in charge of the games! (My favorite part!)

The first game was "Can You Guess The Christmas Song?"
I printed off the sheet shown on the left and gave the teens 2 minutes to guess as many of the songs as they could.

(Found HERE.)


These next pictures capture the teens doing game #2- drawing a Christmas scene on their plates... on their heads!

Here are the rules:

1. Draw a line for a floor.
2. Draw a Christmas Tree.  Add decorations if you feel so inclined.
3. Draw a star on top of your tree.
4. Draw a fireplace with a mantel next to the tree.
5. Draw a stocking hanging from the mantel of your fireplace.
6. Draw a present below the tree.

Players then count up how many points they received by following this:

1. 2 points if the tree touches the floor.
2. 2 points if your stocking is touching your mantel.
3. 1 point if your star touches your tree.
4. 1 point if your star is above your tree.
5. 1 point for every Christmas ornament ball that is ON your tree, etc.
6. 1 point if your fireplace doesn’t touch the tree (it’s a fire hazard!).
7. 1 point if you actually drew something decorative on your stocking (or something cute, like a tiny kitten peeking out).
8. 2 points if your present is under your tree.

(This plate game was found HERE.)


And finally, we always do a 'White Elephant Gift Exchange' at the end of the night.
I spiced it up a little by passing out numbers (1-20) and saying this poem...

1.  Lucky you, you're # 1

You get to start all the fun.

So grab a gift and grab it quick.

Cause you're the one who gets first pick.

2. Number 2 you're on the way.

It's time for you to have your say.

Get your gift and when you're done,

Swap it off with number 1.

3. Number 3 its plain to see.

It's your turn to pick which gift `twill be.

And when your choosing job is through,

Swap with 1 and then with 2.

4. Number 4 must use your head.

So grab a gift that has some red.

If it doesn't suit you to a `T',

You may swap with 2 or 3.

5. Jump to it 5, don't drag your feet.

Take your gift back to your seat.

Wonder of wonders, it's yours for a spell.

But what comes next, you can never tell.

6. Number 6 it's your time to go.

Grab a gift and don't be slow.

Now put on a smile so they won't be sore,

Cause you must swap with #4.

7.  7 is a lucky number it seems,

You choose a gift that has some green.

Poke it, and shake it until you get back.

Now trade with someone wearing black.

  

8. Number 8 its up to you.

To get a gift that has some blue.

Now go quietly to your place.

Or trade with someone with a smiling face.

9. Nine, we haven't forgotten you.

So choose your gift and don't be blue.

Consider well and when all is said.

Trade with someone wearing red.

10. Number 10 come to the front.

For yours you shouldn't have to hunt.

Now hurry back and look alive.

For you get to swap with #5.

11. Your turn 11 is finally here.

Pick a gift and hold it near.

Back at your seat look both ways.

If your choice was right then it may stay.

12. Number 12 jump to it sir/girl.

Make your choice, and with a whirl

Glance around to see who's where.

Swap with whomever's got the darkest hair.

13. Well, now, what do you know.

It's finally 13's turn to go.

There you go, you're doing fine.

Now swap with 3 or 6 or 9.

14. Number 14 it's your turn to shine.

So find a gift and don't you pine.

Somewhere you really have a friend.

You get to trade with number 10.

  

15. Number 15 how do you do?

There should be a fit up there for you.

So pick one out without delay.

Now trade with someone wearing gray.

16. Number 16 your patience is great.

Go get a gift and don't be late.

When your return, spin around.

And switch with someone wearing brown.

17. 17 your choice is here.

Find a box and hold it near.

When you return and look behind.

Swap with 11 if you don't mind.

18. Number 18 boogie to the tree.

Choose the largest gift you see.

Admire it well, then turn with a wink.

And swap with someone wearing pink.

19. Now #19, do as you're told.

Find a gift which has some gold.

When you've chosen we must be fair,

Trade with whoever has the blondest hair.

20. Number 20 how patiently you've waited.

Go get a gift before it's outdated.

However, one last swap is due.

With the gal who's sitting left of you.

The originally poem goes up to 50 people. We only had 20 so I changed # 20's last two lines to end the game.

I found this neat idea HERE. 

(My gift)


And there's always a hilarious one.....

The whole group!

(So glad we get to spend time with these teens!)

And you have to be a little crazy to work with the crazies, right?!?!!?!

Read More