Check out New Year Prayer 2 Corinthians 5:17

New Year Prayer 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Billie C.



Click for weather forecast

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry. I have meant to write each day to both my blog and my Christmas group. My eyes have not been working right for almost two weeks and it's hard to read . a couple of days I couldn't even watch t.v. every thing was a blurr.  I will see a doctor soon as I get an appointment, Just waiting on a call.  Please trust I have not forgotten my blog or group, just can't see well enough to write in each day.

 

Billie C.

Chocolate Elf Mugs

 

http://www.rookno17.com/2012/12/chocolate-dipped-marshmallow-elf-mugs.html

 

 

 

Billie C.

"A Wintry Mile"

 

 "A Wintry Mile"

by Grace Noll Crowell

 IDEALS Christmas Magazine 1959

I know that my work is waiting,
I know how long it will take,
But I shall walk a wintry mile
For my own spirit's sake.

I shall lift my face to the blowing
Of the clean wind down the land,
I shall dig by a tangled tree root
With a quick exploring hand,
To find the new green mosses
Blanketed warm and bright.

I shall break the ice at the stream's edge
To see the emerald light
Of a three-leafed clover lying
Tender and green as spring;
My cheeks shall gather the roses
That wintry winds can bring.

Then I shall go back to my labor,
To the tasks so hard and long,
With my heart as light as a bubble,
And on my lips a song.

 

Billie C.

Check out The 12 Days of Christmas – A Celebration of the Nativity

The 12 Days of Christmas – A Celebration of the Nativity (FREE Printables!) | Happy Home Fairy

 

Billie C.

today I'm wo

I've been trying to update my craft notebook. I thought it would be filled or almost filled by now but I'm not even half way through the book yet.   So I'm not going to stress that I have so much room left in it, I'll just use it for two years instead of just one. 

 

Today, so far, I've

Cleaned the bedroom and made the beds (yes, two of them,  I hate the layout of this camper's bedroom but it can't be helped or changed)

Cleaned the bathroom

done the dishes

made banana bread

started a loaf of bread in the bread maker

washed up the messes from those two projects

taken the dogs out twice and about to take them out again in a few minutes

played a Christmas CD

Printed out several recipes to go in my, and my two grand daughters' recipe boxes, and put them in the boxes.

Still to go....

clear off the table

sweep the floor

take a walk

make dinner, Salad, Pork Chops, fried potatoes (for Hubby) Steamed brocclie with a bit of cheese on top (for me)

 

Billie C.

"Poem In the Snow"

"Poem In the Snow"

by Albert J. Taylor

IDEALS Christmas Magazine 1959

 

 

My child, did you but know it, you have left
There in the snow, where you have now just played,
A poem, in the tracks you've made; you've reft
My notice with that man of snow you've made.

Yet I must wonder if it's not so much
What you have done as what a longing does;

For, foolish though I be, I feel the touch
Of fancy when the dancing snowflakes goes.

The things that you do now, I've done them all --
I've run out shouting and a-flinging snow,
And with cold-bitten fingers rolled a ball
Of winter's white, and made my man of snow.

That's why, as I stand dreaming here, I see
The poem in the snow you've left for me.

Billie C.

Snowman Project plus some fall projects

I saw a really cute Snowman on Face book made with a battery operated tea light. No instructions with it. While straightening up I found one of those lights and thought. Hum, why not?

I had painted my fingernails the day before with Orange over white and still had the polish out. I used a thin coat of it to "paint" the light part orange so it would look more like a carrot. I then got out my black polish and Dabbed on two larger dots with just a bit of a line off to the side to make eyes with a toothpick, then using the same toothpick but less polish, dabbed on 5 or 6 smaller dots to make a face. I had to go to Wal-mart for the red ribbon because I could not find any here at the camper. I still need to make a hat but at least right now, I'm happy with how it turned out.

 

 

 

 

While I had the black polish out, I decided to make "faces" on my thumbnails.

 

 

I saw this idea on Pintrest if I remember. Only it called for real leaves. I found a couple of packs of leaves at the local Dollar store and picked them up,, this took less than one pack. I thought it would be too flimsy but it will hold a small amount of candy. Just use Modge Podge to glue leaves on a plastic wrapped bowl, allow to dry and then peal away the wrap.

I had out the spray paint and I painted a Nut can I had pealed the label off of pink.  Pink was just the one I had in my hand but I could have used any other color. using the left over leaves from the bowl, I used my Xyron to put glue on the back of them and then placed them around the can. It was a whim to see how it would look. Of course, I had to put a couple (3 really) On the lid.

Billie C.

Do you want snow at Christmas

 

 "Do you want snow at Christmas time?  Why, or why not?"

 

There are three snows I like each year. The first, because to me, there is magic in that first snowfall that just makes the world slow down and take a breath to just relax and let it happen. Then I love the Christmas Eve snow. Not the Christmas week snow but Christmas Eve snow.  It just covers every thing with white and again every thing seems to go quiet and time seems to slow down for just a little bit, but then the kids wake up and they want to go play in it and they just have soo much fun in it.. and the last snow of the year is my third favorite snowfall.  I have yet to miss calling the last snowfall of a year no matter where we have lived. I can feel a difference in it. It's like a final, gentle sigh that Nature gives just before the brightness and greening up of Spring and the awaking of all the critters (and bugs)

 

Billie C.

Advent Calanders

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

http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2008/11/20/embroidered-felt-advent-calendar.html

 

***********

http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/avent-calendar-tuesday.html

 

 

 

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

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/11/26/little-birdie-advent-calendar/

 

 

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

http://justsomethingimade.com/2010/11/spool-advent-calendar-kits/

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

http://www.pickles.no/snowing-presents-advent-cale/

 

**********

http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2010/11/count-down-calendar-2010.html

***********

 

Billie C.

Lets start to craft

 

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

http://www.themotherhuddle.com/how-to-make-candy-cane-candlesticks/

Candle Holders

Materials
⦁ One l2 inch red taper candle
⦁ 8 regular size candy canes (leave wrappers on) - all same size
⦁ hot glue gun
⦁ Ribbon of your choice- about l-l/2" wide (long enough to tie around candle holder and to make a bow)
Procedure
Remove plastic wrap from candle
Position a candy cane on one side of candle (leave plastic on candy cane) and y hot glue the long portion of the candy cane to the candle with the curve of the candy cane facing outwards on the bottom of the candle- leave about an inch extending below the bottom of the candle. These handles will form the base of the holder.
Glue another candy cane on the opposite side of the first one.
To help position the rest of the candy canes, rest the holder on a paper plate and position the 3rd and 4th as if the lst and 2nd ones were north and south on the candle, make 3 and 4 on the east and west. Hot glue these on one at a time.
Fill in the 4 remaining spaces with the 4 remaining candy canes (they will be pretty much touching each other).
Tie the ribbon around the whole thing, make a bow, and secure with a dab of hot glue.
Options
⦁ Use the straight candy canes around a fat candle and tie ribbon in a similar fashion.
⦁ Use cinnamon sticks around a fat candle and tie with a piece of jute.

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

Bright Snowman Can Cozy
By: DecoArt
http://www.favecrafts.com/Christmas-Crafts/Bright-Snowman-Can-Cozy-from-DecoArt
Keep your hands warm and your drink cold. Make yourself a bright snowman can cozy for the winter season. Foam paints and adhesives make this craft so cute and fun to make.

 

Materials:
⦁ DecoArt Products Required
⦁ Foam Paint
⦁ FP01 - White
⦁ FP03 - Orange
⦁ FP05 - Apple Green
⦁ FP09 - Black
⦁ Bright pink can hug, MSI/Creatology #363227
⦁ Large white star, Darice Foamies #1031-14
⦁ Black stick-it adhesive back felt, CPE
⦁ Lo-temp glue gun and glue sticks
⦁ Scissors
Steps:

 

Preparation: Remove all labels or tags from products before beginning. Cover work area with waxed paper.
Cut off one tip of star, cutting point approximately in half.
Refer to photo for placement and glue back of star to can hug.
Cut 1" x 3/4" rectangle from black felt. Refer to photo for shape and cut notch into each side of felt above rim width, then cut straight from top to form hat shape. Peel off felt backing and attach hat shape to can hug, with bottom rim edge against straight edge of short star point.
Use Apple Green to paint scarf.
Use Black to dot on eyes and coal buttons.
Use Orange to paint carrot nose; let dry.
Use White to paint snow http://www.favecrafts.com/Christmas-Crafts/Bright-Snowman-Can-Cozy-from-DecoArt dots on cup around star shape; let dry.

 

Helpful Tips:
Use as can hug or as treat bucket fill with small holiday goodies.

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

http://www.craftelf.com/Christmas_Cinnamon_Ornaments.htm

Cinnamon Ornaments
This dough is NOT edible.
Ingredients for dough:
* 1 Cup cinnamon
* 1/2 Tablespoon cloves
* 1 Tablespoon nutmeg
* 3/4 Cup Applesauce
* 2 Tablespoons (white glue) Elmer's glue

 

Other Materials:
* Drinking straw
* Ribbon and/or monofilament
* Acrylic paint
* Paintbrush
* Glitter glue in squeeze bottles
* Paint in squeeze bottles (fabric paint works well)
* Rolling pin
* Plastic wrap
* Cookie cutters
* Wire rack (cooling rack)
* Bowl & Spoon
Before you start, cover your work surface with plastic wrap.

 

To Make the Doe:

 

1. Combine the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in a medium size bowl.
2. Add applesauce and glue. Stir together.
3. Work mixture with your hands for 2 - 3 minutes until the dough is
smooth and all ingredients are mixed thoroughly.

 

To Make the Ornaments:

 

1. Divide dough in thirds. Roll out each portion to 1/4" thickness.
2. Use cookie cutters to cut desired shapes from the dough.
3. Use the end of a drinking straw to make a small hole in the top of
each ornament.
4. Place ornaments on a wire cooling rack to dry at room temperature
for several days.

 

Hint: Each time you roll out a piece of doe, knead it in your hands 4 or
5 times first. This helps keep it moist and prevents cracks.
Decorating Ideas:

 

* Once the ornaments have dried completely, you can start decorating
them.
* Outline the shapes using glitter glue or paint in squeeze bottles
* Paint the ornaments with acrylic paints.
* Once painted, add a coat of glitter glue if desired.
* For ornaments such as Teddy Bears, tie a ribbon around it's neck
or make a bow from ribbon and glue it on.
* Personalize using an ultrafine permanent marker.
Attach a piece of ribbon or monofilament for hanging by cutting a 10"
piece. Fold it in half and tie the loose ends together in an overhand
knot. Pass the loop end of the ribbon/monofilament through the hole at
the top of your ornament. Pass the knotted end through the looped end
and pull taught.

 

Monofilament is a thin clear fishing line often used in crafting for
such things as hanging ornaments.

 

Billie C.

EASY FRUITCAKE MUFFINS

 

EASY FRUITCAKE MUFFINS
Makes 12 muffins.

 

SOAK 3/4 cup dried fruit in brandy overnight, drain and chop. Mix 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup of the dried fruit, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup Splenda or sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp each cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Whisk 3/4 cup each lowfat milk and oil, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla, fold into flour mixture. Divide among 12 muffin cups, top with the remaining dried fruit and more pecans. Bake 25 min. then SERVE...

 

Billie C.
Smile, it makes people wonder what you have been up to.

post

Post fruit cake recipe to christmas group.

Billie C.

Aug 31

 

 

 

now this is a cute Christmas idea!
recipe: http://diycozyhome.com/cute-mini-santa-strawberry-treats/

 

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

 

Applesauce Cake (eggless)
2 C Sugar
2 1/2 c Applesauce
1 tsp Ground Cloves
3 tsp Baking Soda
1 C Butter
4 C Flour
1 tsp Cinnamon
2 C raisins

Add chopped nuts if desired. Bake at 350F  for 30 to 40 minutes.
Dated November 5, 1937, just 5 years after my mom was born.

 

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

Simple Decoration to make

Find some pine cones

soak in water long enough for them to close up.

spread Glue over Pine cone the sprinkle Glitter over the whole cone, allow to dry

Using Red or Green Ribbon Glue one end to pine cones, tie together in threes (for good luck) and cover knot with a large bow from the same ribbon. Hang from door knob or near the doorway.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billie C.

Every day, when I wake up, I give thanks that I have been given another day to enjoy my life.

Hello

Sorry about not posting in a while. The Wi-Fi at the campground went down and it's taken a long time to get fixed.

 

I use this time of the year to start thinking of just what I want to do this Christmas. Places I want to shop, Events I want to attend and gifts I want to send to my Grandkids.

 

I try to take full advantage with the back to school sales to help replenish their school supplies and I look for end of season clothing for them, as well.

 

I know it's hard to think of Cold weather when it's Hot outside but I have to do it. This year has been easier though with the weather here not being as hot as I'm use to. I'm not sure if this is normal for this area or not.  We have not had one day of over 100 and only a few in the low 90's. 

 

I saw some wild Sumac on a drive we took last weekend and it looks so ripe. I've not done it but I heard that it make up into a great Jelly. I wonder though, why I only see it along fence lines and not out in the woods.

 

From reading my brothers' blog, I see he and his new wife found a wonder patch of blue berries and they harvested a couple of buckets worth. They looked so nice and were very large. Not at all like what you can find in any store. They would make a great syrup or just frozen whole and tossed into pancakes this winter for them.

 

 

**********

 

Dessert Borek

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Prep Time:
35 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
45 min

Level:
Difficult

Serves:
12 pieces

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for greasing the pan
1 cup walnut pieces, toasted
3/4 cup pistachios
1 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup honey
4 phyllo pastry sheets
5 teaspoons sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Brush a sheet pan with melted butter.

In a food processor, pulse the walnuts and pistachios until coarsely chopped. Transfer the nuts to a large bowl. Put the apricots in the processor and pulse them until coarsely chopped, add to the nut mixture and mix well with your hands to combine. Add 2 tablespoons of the honey and 1/4 cup of the melted butter; toss.

Unroll the phyllo dough and lay the sheets flat on a work surface. Keep the pastry covered with a damp, not wet, towel as you work to prevent drying out. Place 1 sheet of phyllo on the buttered pan and brush it with more melted butter and sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon of sugar. Repeat with the 3 remaining sheets of phyllo, stacking each on top of each other and sprinkling each with sugar.

Spread the nut filling in a thin layer on top of the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Fold in the long sides and roll up the pastry like a cigar. Brush the entire top with even more melted butter and sprinkle the pastry log with the remaining teaspoon of sugar. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Slice the borek into 1-inch pinwheels. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of honey before serving.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_24612_RECIPE-PRINT-FULL-PAGE-FORMATTER,00.html?oc=linkback

 

*********

Santa Saves: Six Back-to-School Bargains for Holiday Giving

By Cynthia Ewer, Author of
Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Organized

With summer winding down, school is on the way--and so are rock-bottom prices on back-to-school needs!

During late summer, office supply stores engage in penny price wars, while discount stores bring racks of school supplies front and center ... and cheap!

Back-to-school loss leaders--products sold below cost to attract sales--are hot and heavy in the supermarkets these days--and even the crafts stores offer a variety of binders, stickers and backpacks at sharply reduced prices.

Ready to save? Back-to-school sales aren't just for families with children! Smart Santas know that back-to-school sales offer great values on products used for holiday gifts, giving and decor. Even beyond traditional "stocking stuffers", back-to-school savings can jumpstart holiday preparation while it pares the budget.

Start shopping now to get a great deal on these six surprising back-to-school staples ... and save money on your organized Christmas:

Planner Power: Binders and Pocket Folders

Friends of Organized Christmas swear by a Christmas planner: a one-stop destination for holiday calendars, gift lists and planning pages.

The three-ring binder is the most popular format for creating your own Christmas planner, so if you're new to the concept, check out great binder bargains. Whether you'll opt for a standard binder, choose a clear-vue design (to show off photos or a pretty cover page), or select a sturdy zippered unit, get your binder today ... and save!

Some holiday planners swear by a Christmas pocket planner. A smaller, leaner version of a Christmas planner, this holiday organizing tool starts with a simple pocket folder. With companion Christmas pocket planner forms free for the download, they're a cute, crafty alternative for Christmas planning. Back-to-school sales offer pocket folders as low as 1-cent as a loss leader, so stock up now!

Gift Goodies: Glue Sticks and Composition Books

This year, multi-packs of glue sticks and composition books lead the list of loss leaders. Spotted for as low as 10-cents apiece, these two products have great holiday applications!

Cover a composition book with pretty scrapbooking papers, using generous application of glue stick to adhere the paper. A rubber-stamper's brayer or rolling pin helps bond the papers to the book cover. Trim and embellish for a pretty gift!

Give the embellished book as a companion journal for a Journal in a Jar. With versions for children and adults, it's a great gift to spark journaling.

Glue sticks are a great addition to the wrap and mail center. Working quickly and without mess, they create pretty, no-tape gift packages, adhere gift tags, and help attach ribbons or embellishments ... so add a handful to your list. The price is right!

Wrap and Mail Wonders: Tape and Mailing Supplies

While wandering the back-to-school sections, think "wrap and mail". Chances are, you'll spot great bargains on everything you'll need to wrap, package and mail holiday gifts.

Cellophane tape, bubble mailers and packaging tape can all be had for prices well below what you'll pay "in season"--so stock up now!

Baking Bonanza: Food Storage Bags and Containers

Little lunch boxes need zipper food storage bags and reusable food containers for school-day lunches? Well, so do holiday bakers!

If you'll be baking and sharing holiday goodies this year, add extra food storage bags and containers to your shopping list now. Marked down for back-to-school, they'll do double duty holding homemade treats for holiday giving.

Decor Delights: Power Strips, Extension Cords and Wreath Hooks

School supplies aren't the only subject of back-to-school sales; dorm necessities also go on sale in late summer. For holiday decorators, it's time to check stocks of power strips and extension cords for holiday lighting and decorating. If you need them, buy them now, at the year's lowest prices.

Also marketed to dorm-bound students? 3M's Command-brand storage hooks! These special adhesive hooks and hangers do a great job attaching garlands, wreaths or decor items to walls--and the patented no-mess adhesive pulls free at season's end with no damage to walls or doors.

Use them to mount garlands around doorways, hang wreaths, or string ribbon for Christmas cards--and with sales like "Buy Two, Get One Free!", back-to-school is a great time to save on these holiday essentials.

Greetings Galore: Printer Paper and Mailing Labels

Last category of Santa's school-day savings? Holiday greetings!

If you'll send a holiday letter or create a custom Christmas card this year, look now for bargains on the supplies you'll need. Reams of printer paper. Address labels. Even printer ink cartridges can be found with special back-to-school pricing. Buy now to save on holiday cards and letters ... for an organized Christmas!

 

*********

 

 

 

 

Billie C.

Last weeks' storms took out the Wi-Fi

Last weeks' storms took out the Wi-Fi modum and Repeater here at the campground. I'm on a very limited source right now so I can't send out a whole lot of stuff.  I have been told that a new System will be installed soon. I have been hearing of a new system since we got here back in November so I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

Billie C.

This is what happened

This is what happened to my old laptop

I closed the top and a pen was near the hinge and it cracked my screen.  I have been trying to get all my files and pictures transferred to the new laptop we bought almost a month ago. I unpacked it and turned it on (finally) after I found my screen like this. I can still read what's on the computer by hooking it up to our tv.  I have lots of emails saved on the old one and need to read them save the ones I want to keep.   At least I haven't lost any of them, they are just harder to get to.

 

Billie C.

Instead of loving your enemies, try treating your friends a little better ~ Ed Howe

(no subject)

 

 

 

*******

http://domesticsimplicity.com/2011/11/14/merry-making-50-things-to-do-with-kids-in-December/

 

 

********

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/scandinavian-christmas-decorations#slide-3

 

Recycling Meets Rudolph

Create this playful reindeer project with a couple of corrugated cardboard boxes and our handy template .

• Print out templates on 11x17" paper.
  
• Trace the head twice, and the antlers once on corrugated cardboard (we purchased flat boxes from Staples).
  
• Cut out two head patterns. On the inside of each head pattern, score along the dotted line as shown on the pattern. To score, use an xActo knife to cut partially through the cardboard, which allows the cardboard to fold easily along that line.
  
• Place heads together so they are matching, making sure scored lines are on the inside.
  
• Glue nose section together, matching exactly, so the two heads are connected at the nose.
  
• Allow glue to dry.
  
• Open heads to form a slight V, and insert deer antlers in top grooves.
  
• Place rectangular brace in back.
  
• Add antler prongs in grooves.
  
• Glue red construction paper to either side of the nose (traced and cut out from template) .
  
• Use a black sharpie to draw circle for eye.
  
• Place reindeer head in wreath of your choice.

********

 

 

 

 

 

Billie C.

July 10

 

 

 

http://www.houseography.net/2010/12/holidayography-gingerbread-magic.html

 

 

 

 

http://lilluna.com/elf-on-the-shelf-poem-free-printable/

 

Who has an Elf on the Shelf?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://kellymoorebag.com/blog/?p=8923

 

There are a lot of pictures so go to the site to see the step by step instructions on how to make these.

 

 

 

http://blog.craftsnthings.com/?p=1353

Advent Tree

Posted on November 28, 2012 by lhoman

Crafts 'n things Craft of the Day

 

Count the days 'til Christmas with this bright and cheery Advent Tree. Simply move a light bulb onto the tree for each day, then add the star at the top on Christmas day to reveal a fully decorated tree!

Materials

• Craft foam: brown, 1-1/2"x2"; blue, 11-1/2"x18", two; white, 11-1/2"x18"; green, 11-1/2" x 18"
• 24 pre-cut craft foam light bulb shapes

Tools

• Aleene's Adhesives: Spritz-On Reposition-It! Tacky Glue, Reposition-It! Tacky Glue, FunCraft Foam Glue
• Markers: black medium-tip; silver metallic

Basic Supplies

scissors, pencil, ruler or yardstick

Directions

Note

Use photo as guide for creating this project.

Advent Tree

1. Print and cut out patterns. Follow directions on patterns.

2. For calendar, use one blue sheet, black marker, and ruler or yardstick to draw four 2-1/4" wide vertical lines. Measure and draw a 3-1/2" wide horizontal line from top edge; measure and draw four 3" wide horizontal lines from first line. Use marker to write in numbers, 1-25. Follow manufacturer's instructions for foam glue to adhere other blue sheet to top 1/2" of calendar. Use marker to draw a wiggly outline along the side edges of banner.

3. For top, middle, and bottom of banner snowdrifts, cut from width of white foam sheet and cut strips so one long edge is straight and other is a random wave. For top snowdrift, cut foam to measure 2" on left side and 4" on right side. For middle snowdrift, cut waves to measure between 1-3/4" and 2-1/2". For bottom snowdrift, cut waves to measure between 2-3/4" and 3-1/4". With Figure 1 on pattern as guide, use black marker for the following: write "Advent Tree" on top snowdrift and draw snowflakes to each side of words; write family's name on middle snowdrift; write "Christmas Countdown" on bottom snowdrift; outline edges of each snowdrift and around "Christmas Countdown" as shown.

4. To assemble the banner, adhere top snowdrift to top of banner so straight edges are aligned. Adhere middle snowdrift to center of banner at overlap, and bottom snowdrift to bottom of banner so straight edges are aligned.

5. To assemble the tree, center and adhere trunk to top of middle snowdrift. Center and adhere tree pieces to banner, overlapping edges slightly: tree bottom to top of trunk; tree middle to top of tree bottom; tree top to top of tree middle. Adhere tree snow layers to overlapped edges of tree, beginning with first tree snow layer and ending with fourth tree snow layer.

6. Use silver marker to draw bulb threading, to highlight bulbs, and to color in star as shown. Let dry. Follow manufacturer's instructions to apply tacky reposition glue to back of bulbs and star. Press bulbs onto calendar squares and place star on the 25th. Follow manufacturer's instructions to apply pump-spray reposition glue to back of entire advent calendar. When dry, banner may be placed where desired without the use of tools or hardware, and removed quickly and easily when the season is over.

Tip

If you are unable to locate pre-cut Christmas light bulb shapes, cut your own from craft foam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/christmasornaments10/chenillepoinsettia.htm

 

 

Homemade Christmas Ornaments

"Classy Chenille Stick Poinsettia"

Submitted by Rebecca K. of Pensacola, FL

I had these fun-looking chenille pipe sticks and wanted to make flowers with them. I started to fold them and arrange them, and just kept adding fun things to make them into an ornament. I used them for gift toppers this year, hung them on the tree and attached them to Christmas Cards that I handed out. There is no better feeling than making something special to give, and these can be made in any color you can get beads and chenille sticks in (many colors). I love that this ornament is fluffy and colorful. It really pops on a Christmas tree (and really covers those bare spots if you have a bald branch!)

Materials Needed:

8 Chenille Bumpy Pipe Cleaners
10 inches of ribbon (for a hanger)
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Thread in a color to match Bumpy Pipe Cleaners
Beads to put in the center
Clear thread and beading needle
Small piece of felt

Directions:

Step 1: Fold pipe cleaners after the first and third fluffy parts, pinch each end a bit. Do this with all the pipe cleaners.

Step 2:

Step 3: Repeat Step 2 with 4 more pipe cleaners.

Step 4: Place one circle of pipe cleaners on top of the other and use thread again to hold them in place. Tie firmly in back.

Step 5: Bead a needle with clear thread, and sew some beads in the middle of the flower.

Step 6: Flip the flower to the back, and glue on the hanger with the glue gun. Hot glue a small circle of felt to cover the backing and the ribbon.

Make it your own by using other colors, adding glitter or using a button in the center. The options are endless!

The Chenille Pipe Sticks can be found in any craft store or on the web. I've noticed they have various names by brand. Sometimes they are called Bumpy Chenille Pipe Cleaners.

Billie C.