Paper Snowflakes

I love making paper snowflakes with children, 

Seeing all the different shapes we can create. 

Visit Marcels Kid Crafts for the free templates

http://www.marcels-kid-crafts.com/snowflake-pattern.html

these are the finished snowflakes - beautiful!

Visit MMM Crafts for additional templates and how to's

http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/12/snowflakery.html

These are some templates you can download.

Just click on each template and then print.

Place the finished snowflake on an ironing board
cover with a thin cotton cloth and gently iron.
This will eliminate the paper creases and leave a crisp snowflake.

They come out intricate and very nice. 

Enjoy!

Thankful Jar

My oldest daughter, married now with children of her own, 

told me the other day she wants to start a family tradition this year. 

A Thankful or Gratitude Jar.   

I ran across this idea the other day.   

Heartland Paper has a great idea here: 

http://heartlandpaper.typepad.com/heartland_paper/2009/11/express-your-thanks-on-studio-5.html 

My daughter is going to do something a bit different.  

Each night at dinner, starting November 1st.

together as a family each person will write something

they are grateful for and put it in the jar (not telling anyone). 

Then on Thanksgiving they will read each slip of paper together

Make it into a paper chain and use it for a Christmas decoration on the 

Christmas tree or fireplace Mantel.  

Great way to remember to be GrateFul!

Silhouette Ornaments

I love this idea, making christmas ornaments out of my children's silhouettes. 

Very cute and what fun to see how they change over the years. 

Complete tutorial is here, at Roots and Wings:

http://rootsandwingsco.blogspot.com/2009/11/silhouette-ornaments.html

Owl Ornaments

Juicy Bits

has this cute idea of making felt owls to hang on the 

Christmas tree.   Very Fun!

Enlarging the pattern and making them into pillows would be awesome too!

http://juicy-bits.typepad.com/juicy_bits/2009/12/131-give-a-hoot-for-the-holidays.html

Felted Christmas Wreath Ornaments

Mini felted Christmas wreaths

Look so fun and simple to make 

Visit Bella Dia for the complete instructions

http://belladia.typepad.com/bella_dia/2007/12/advent-day-22-t.html