Christmas Ornaments

 Each year I make all of the kids personalized ornaments. This year I was unwell and did not have a chance to accomplish this tradition. Although it is sad, Zoe made ornaments for everyone. She spent so much time on them and they turned out wonderfully.
Shawna got a felt onesie with pink on one side and blue on the other. For Stephen she made a yarn beard with little pieces of dry food glued into it. She came up with it on her own and it is seriously so hilarious!
She also made Liam a wooden robot and Lydia a felt and glitter crown (not pictured).

 Grandpa Sam got a snowman. Grandma Sam got a lovely beaded bracelet. Aunt Laura got a bow for her hair. Aunt Buzz got some handmade earrings. Uncle Richard got an felt ornament in the shape of a gallon of milk, white on one side, chocolate on the other.

 I got a Santa hat with a little description about how I was like Santa. She said that it seems impossible that he can visit every house in one night and fly around the world. Then it went on to say that I did impossible things everyday: taking care of 4 kids, keeping the house clean and feeding everyone. It was the sweetest card EVER! Especially because I was feeling the opposite of what she described. What an angel!

Yarn mustache for Dad, who also got a nice card.

2011 Ornaments

I get the kids an ornament every year. I started making them a few years ago, because my favorite part of Christmas (the decor, at least) was getting out the little wood toys that my Dad would make us every year. Here are the ones I made for 2010.
Last year I packed up the ornaments I made before I could take pictures.
Zoe got an orange Converse shoe. She loves orange and Converse shoes.
Liam got a white dove to represent the year he was baptized.
Lydia started school this year so she got an apple.
Felix was obsessed with the alphabet last year, so got a chalkboard with the alphabet letters. He also started pre-school, so that counts for that, too.

Halloween Felt Circles Banner

Nothing like some felt circles to make any spot in the house festive and popping with color!

Spring felt blossoms branch

 I wanted a wreath for my front door, but most home decor stuff I do myself with stuff I have around. So I made these little blossoms with white felt and glued them onto a branch. Some green leaves and a little "spring" banner and hung it on the door. I like the finished project.

Felt Advent Calendar

I made this Pottery Barn knock off Advent calendar probably 7 years ago. I am always so happy to hang it up each year.

Christmas felt circles banner

This is just not cute in this lighting. I made two of these felt circles banner. I love how they give a pop of holiday color wherever you put them. They really are super bright and fun.
Saw this on Pinterest, but have seen it on several blogs.

Felt circles banner

 I had seen this somewhere and thought if was really cute, and very simple.

 I had some of Zoe's favorite colors (and the colors of her room) of felt and decided this would make a fun accent in her room.

It turned out really fun and whimsical. The color in this picture is not true. It is orange, hot pink, and light pink. Her walls are Spring Green.

Birthday Banner (girl version)

Since Zoe's birthday was coming up, I decided I needed to make a girl version of this boy birthday banner that we have enjoyed having up around the boy's birthdays. It makes the house feel festive and fun. Not the greatest picture, but you get the idea.

Design your own stuffed monster

Before the Clevelands left I had the kids draw a little "monster". I had seen (maybe Family Fun?) this little article on turning a drawing into a stuffed animal. My sister had done it once with her kids, too.
I made the monsters with fleece and felt. The claws are ribbons. Some of the pieces are sewed on, some glued. They were super fast to make.
I think the kids were really pleased with them. My two girls have not shown any interest yet.

More hair flowers

Layers of denim, sewn together with a button in the center

 more denim

 Zipper flower. I made two of these. I thought this one looked horrible while making it, but it turned out! Yes, you can see a lot of hot glue, but it is still wearable, I think.

 This is made from the same skirt I cut up to make a dress for Lydia. It is small but very feminine.

I made a bunch of these. They look really cute being worn. Made of felt. I don't know, synthetic felt always seems a little tacky to me...maybe it is the colors.

I LOVE these!

I am DYING to make these. They are so gorgeous and look relatively straightforward. I need some peacock blue wool felt for the background and am having troubles finding some.

Ornaments

I make or get an ornament for the kids each year. I don't thing that this tradition is a unique one but it is really fun. The kids LOVE getting out their ornaments at Christmastime.
Here are the ones I made for this year.
A chicken for Zoe. She has been obsessed with chickens this year.

Liam has started writing books, so I made him a little book that he can write a story in.

Lydia's room has a lot of butterflies and she likes butterflies.

Felix is besotted with Veggietales at the moment. There was no other choice for him, except Larry.

Pointer

My friend was an elementary teacher years ago and had this pointer that was so desireable for the kids. Since we are doing a preschool, I decided to do make this. It was a total hit!

Felt Butterfly Mobile

Lydia has been having nightmares for awhile. Travis thoughtfully brought home a (nasty) dreamcatcher that grosses me out every time I see it. I had seen this mobile and loved it so much. I thought it fit really well in her newly acquired room. It is also reminiscent this fun piece of art that hangs in her room.

Felt Headbands

I have been seeing these flower headbands all over the craft sites I frequent. Zoe and I were making crafts one day and she wanted to make one. We started with the gray one. I cut out the flowers and she sewed all of the little purple beads on it. I made the other two the next day. Looking at the pictures I don't really love them, but they are a start to figuring out how to make some I love.

Thanksgiving Banner

I found this idea in a Pottery Barn and was indignant that it cost so much. So I made it. They are wool felt squares with ribbon, felt, embroidery, beads, buttons, jute, etc. forming the letters.

Here is a close up of a few letters.