What a week! I feel like I was a SAHM this week because I got so much stuff done. Ok, having 4 days off helped immensely. With it being the holidays I really kicked it into gear and Yulized the house. The holidays are my favorite time of year and not because of the gift giving or receiving, but it puts me in a cheerful mood decorating the house and putting up the tree.
BTW- We call it Yule in our house instead of Christmas. Yule is more traditional from the ancient days and actually pre-dates the Christian holiday of Christmas. It symbolizes celebrating the winter solstice, the earth, the seasons. I could go on and on about why we celebrate Yule but I have fun things to share with you instead.
I have tons of photos to share today, including the projects I made from Kayla Aimee's DIY Holiday class.
With the success of the gingerbread cookies Joey and I made the other week I decided it was time to do sugar cookies. Joey didn't enjoy the gingerbread cookies too much but he sure did love the star and tree sugar cookies. He's becoming quite the baker.
Joey is quite the carpenter. We picked up this wooden train you can paint and put together. He loves doing this kind of work. We think he's going to be an engineer someday because he loves seeing how things work.
I had a 30% off coupon to Beverly's craft store so I picked up some supplies for one of my projects I made today. See further down for what I made with these!
Thank goodness for Trader Joe's .99 advent calendars filled with chocolate. Joey loves these. he paraded around the house all day today with the "countdown calendar" in tote. I told him he could open it up on garbage day, which he knows is Tuesday. I think the anticipation is killing him. LOL
I love Trader Joe's, not only for their wonderful food selection but also their flower section. I picked up winter berry and tulips to beautify the home. As of this last spring I made myself a commitment to have fresh flowers in the house at all times. Thank you Trader Joe's for your unique flower assortment!
Since December 1st is right around the corner I had to make sure I took pictures of the kids today so I can get started on our Yule cards. Joey's idea of smiling for the camera is having his mouth wide open. Crazy kid! I think I'll use the other one, but Miss Akela wishes I would wrap her up in Yule lights with Joey holding on to the lights instead... good idea, but maybe next year.
The hubby and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary (almost 11 years together) at Joe's Crab Shack. It was awesome! We both had a bucket of crab legs, about one pound each, to our heads. We already want to go back asap.
My friend and I went to go see New Moon for the 2nd time, which was so much better than the first time! I'm planning on seeing it a few more times in the theaters. Crazy, I know.
Now on to the good stuff! I have thoroughly been enjoying Kayla Aimee's DIY Holiday class. There are so many projects I have yet to make, but I do especially like what I've made thus far.
The reason why I signed up for her class was not only to make cute holiday projects (and you know me, I am ALL about projects- call me Martha) but the reason I really took the class was in hopes of making this curled tree. I absolutely love how it turned out. Instead of a star on top I opted for this cute glittered bird that I got from Michaels. I'm thinking I'm going to have to make another one real quick. And yes, these are pages from a book.
That says it all. It wasn't a book I was fond of anyways. LOL
The brown tree is a creation of my own. In the next few days I will post a tutorial on how to make this cute tree. yes, those are pins holding folded pieces of ribbon on the tree. I am quite pleased with how this turned out.
The glittered tree is another DIY Holiday project using more book pages. I got really messy with glitter on this, but it was worth it.
The frame is yet another DIY Holiday project and probably my fave after the curled tree. You can use pins to hold up your pics. I'm keeping this one for myself but will make more as gifts.
Last, but not least, our Yule decorations. We got our Yule tree today and it's bright and pine smelling in our house. I love it!!
Well, it's late and I must get to bed. I hope you enjoy the pictures and crafts and had a fantastic Thanksgiving.
Peace.
I think your 'book' tree is gorgeous. Don't feel bad, I ripped pages out of a book just the other day to make a flower for a LO. LOL I blogged about it too. :)
I too have went and saw New Moon twice. And I would love to go again, but no one will go with me and I do not want to go by myself. It has got me in the Twilight mood though. I started reading the books again and while I was working on Christmas cards yesterday, I watched Twilight.... twice. lol
Anyway, your decorations are really great and the pics or your kids are gorgeous! Beautiful family! :)
Have a great week!
Hollie
Posted by: Momiji | 11/30/2009 at 04:26 AM
What better way to desecrate a book than to bring cheer at this time of year. I love how you call it Yule, and thanks for the bit of background. It's my favorite time of year too because the lights and decorations make up for it being cold and dark so early! I'm hoping to enjoy every minute of it, no stressing this year!!!!!
Posted by: Caryl P | 11/30/2009 at 03:38 PM