Monarch Post

elves and more elves

 
The elves have been making elves here. How cute are these guys? I found the pinecone elves project in Martha Stewart's December magazine. Decided they would be just the perfect kid-made Christmas gift to send our Ohio grandparents. Marthas' elves are of course, pinecone perfection, but hey; we have character over here;)

The sled was something I picked up at the craft store a couple years ago, it was just waiting to be painted red and filled with elves:) Looking at the photo now, doesn't it kinda feel like that? Happy, excited, the guys on the left are looking slightly terrified... barreling along, picking up speed, every day flying by faster... Are we going to make it there for Christmas? Hope I don't sled right past!!

Do elf slippers keep shopping feet from getting so tired? I need a pair tonight. But only one or two last minute things to find, and the shopping will be finished. Yippee!

 
School finishes here on Friday for winter break. All the more time for fun. xoxoKelly 

a very nice fixer-upper opportunity

 

Here's a fun project Sophey and I made last spring. I posted about it then, but since my blog was brand new, I'm sure only about two people read that post ;) I thought I'd re-share it for PINK SATURDAY.

We found this house-shaped basket while thrift store hunting. It was seriously tacky when we bought it. But we knew it also had tons of fixer-upper potential. We removed all the wooden bric-a-brac from it. And Sophey (of course) chose to spray paint it pink.

When we lived in Suffolk England I fell in love with Suffolk cottages. Suffolk cottages are the most charming shade of pink with brown thatched roofs, and most have beautiful English cottage flower gardens.

So that's where the rest of the inspiration came from for our house-basket. I cut strips of various shades of felted wool and made a thatched roof. Added a chimney on one side. Sophey painted the shutters lavender and rummaged around a box of old silk flowers; gluing on her favorites.

All in all, lots of fun for about three or four dollars. And the perfect home for the thrift store bunny we found that day too. (Miss Pinkys' ears make the roof pitch).

 

We made Miss Pinky some clothes after we finished her cottage.

 

A very happy home for a very sweet bunny, I'd say... Although it might be hard to find a house-basket like this one, a basket shaped in a similiar way could still make a very nice bunny (dog, cat, etc.) cottage of your own.  (We know with school ending soon, we're all going to be looking for things to keep kids busy). Happy crafting to you!

Love,

xoxo Kelly

Rudolphs' antlers

       Tuesday evening we made Rudolphs' Antlers.  It's the traditional Christmas goodie at our house.  I think we've been making them for about twenty years now.  I found the recipe when Ainsley was a preschooler, so yes, twenty years is about right, I think.  Wow. Time flies. 

Part of the appeal of these cookies is they are so kid friendly and fun to make.  They're also quick and no bake.  Works for me. I melt the chocolate and chow mein noodles and form them into a V-shape and the kids make the faces.  And every Rudolph seems to wind up with his very own personality.  Their little reindeer expressions range from sweet and surprised, to grumpy and annoyed.   

    I think this guy wins Mr. Congeniality.  He looks so perfectly Rudolph pleasant.

Here's the recipe for you:

RUDOLPHS' ANTLERS:

• 1 large package chow mein noodles.
• 1 package milk chocolate chocolate chips.

• 1 package peanut butter chips.

• 1 small jar marschino cherries, each cherry cut in half.

• raisins

• white ready made frosting in a tube.

• wax paper

********************

In a medium size saucepan on medium heat, melt the chocolate and peanut butter chips together on stovetop.  When the chips are completely melted, gradually stir in the package of chow mein noodles.

Using a tablespoon, form the noodle mixture into a V-shape on wax paper.  One tablespoon for each antler.  Add the marschino cherry half noses.  Pipe white frosting "eyes" and add raisin "pupils" on top of white frosting.

Chill the cookies in refrigerator for about a half hour until firm.  I've never tried, but I think these cookies would feeze well.  Makes about two dozen reindeers.

If you really want the full experience of our cookie making tradition, sing the "Batman smells" version of jingle bells while you make the Rudolphs.  We did.  Oh, ya.

It's only one week till Christmas, isn't it?  Yikes.

Keep calm and carry on my friends!!

Love xoxox

Kelly

 

happy birthday to ewe and me ;-)

   Thanks for all the get well wishes... I'm starting to feel a little bit better today.  I'd better be, I've got some partying to do tonight because it's my birthday!  Yippee!!  Yep, 29 again...  In fact it's the 15th anniversary of my 29th birthday.  Yes, I'm making you do the math today-- (ha,Ha)

So, in celebration of my birthday and my lovely new blog friends this year, I'm hosting my very first giveaway.  That's right, free stuff folks... Now I've got your attention...  But before I show you the goods, I have to show our cute little kids' ornament crafts we made last weekend.

      We made a dozen chic sheep with houndstooth check bows, homemade pompoms and scrap wool goodness.

      I glued on the eyes. Somehow, my crafty animals always look like they've been on a bender... partied till the cows came home I guess!

        And for no particular good reason, we also made bead and button tree elves... just because they were cute and kid doo- able.

 

      And also for absolutely no particular reason whatsoever, a half-dozen clay ladybugs...

          Okay, now  taking a momentary ornament break, I have to sneak in what I bought myself for my birthday this week...

     Is this not the cutest poster, ever?!  It's by one of my favorite artists, Karen Dupre', and I can't wait to get it framed and hang it in my family room!

      Even a Winston

      and Greta dog... now getting back to those kid ornaments here..

     Good ol' popsicle sticks and vintage button fun.  The colors the kids picked reminded me of our 2006 Bahama trip, so I'm putting those vacation photos in our "frames".  I think I'm dreamin' of a white sand Christmas...

   And because I'm one of those Moms obsessed about fairness,

    I'll have to show one of each family member...

 

 

      Well that should cover all of us... but since I'm on a roll here today, I've gotta show you this new piece of kid art by Miss Sophey.

       Isn't it the sweetest?

Well now that we've killed about an hour.... DRUMROLL, PLEASE...

     Crafty giveaway NO.1 ! One deluxe new copy of hard to find Where Women Create,  two fabulous kid made ornaments, one wooly strawberry pincushion I made last summer, and one happy Bead for Life bracelet... also made by yours truly.  Flowers and a partridge in a pear tree not included. Offer void if you don't leave a comment. Okay, now seriously, just leave a little comment right here and Monday evening I'll draw a name and let you know who won on Tuesday!  I'll send it right out once I've got your address!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great weekend.

Love xoxox,

Kelly

 

EDIT-- giveaway is still open today until 10:00 pm Mountain Standard Time.  Sign up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little birdie told me... cheap, cheap

             Well, HELLO there everyone-- long time no talk, but a little birdie just told me to tell you; mohawks look good on terriers...

       Winston's mohawk profile. Photo credit goes to Jesse, while Sophey holds dog's head in place.

       A little styling wax can do wonders for a tired old terrier hairdo.  Photo styling by Sophia.   My children are cheaply and easily entertained... just like their mama.   Please excuse lovely photo of bins in bathroom, still remodelling our bath.

Here's the rest of our cheap weekend fun...

                Elaborate blanket tent making and sleepovers with dogs, after mohawk makeovers.

           Christmas ornament making at night.  The good old fashioned way-- popsicle sticks, yarn, clay, and wool scraps.   We need to finish them off, and then we'll show and tell.  Popcorn eating and Fred Claus movie watching slowed down the ornament assembly line a little bit... 

                                                                    And the last bit of cheap weekend fun.  Meltable beads.  The  beads are arranged on forms, and parchment paper is placed over the beads.  A warm iron melts the beads together.  Come to think of it, these could make fun ornaments, too.

     I was so busy making sure Thanksgiving happened this year; I completely forgot to take any photos.  More important things on my mind at the time-- like hoping the stuffing would be edible.  It turned out fine, for my first attempt.  And so did everything else. It was good to be together as a family. And good to have a weekend "off" after.  Frankly, I was feeling exhausted all weekend.

The Thanksgiving table flowers are still blooming away, and now they're making nice little mini arrangements around the house :-) 

And I need to start working on all those "Christmas arrangements".  Like today. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Lots of love to you!!!

Kelly