Pottery Barn Kids Alphabet Ornament Project

I was checking out Pottery Barn Kids and clicked on their Style House link. They have a cute project for ornaments.

Alphabet Ornaments

1. Print out our downloadable letters to use as patterns. You might choose to make ornaments of the entire alphabet, your childrens' initials – or consider spelling holiday words, like "joy", "peace" or "merry."

2. Cut out the letters and use the patterns to trace shapes onto red and green card stock.

3. Brush clear-drying craft glue onto the letters, using a paintbrush, a sponge brush or a sponge. (If the glue is too thick to spread, you can dilute it with a little water.)

4. Dust glitter across the letters so they are well–coated. If there is excess glitter that does not stick to the letter, simply tilt the letter over a piece of paper or a garbage can. For an even thicker glittery effect, you can also use a paintbrush to paint the letters with glitter glue.

5. Once the glue is dry, punch a hole towards the top of the letter.

6. Thread thin wire or matching ribbon through the hole so you can hang the alphabet ornaments on the tree.

Letter Pattern Link opens as PDF

Catalog Request

Little Boy Blue

I want to make a holiday outfit for Connor.

The pattern above reminds me of Edmond's clothes in the Narnia movie. I love the vest and 'short pants'. I can't wait to show his prom date pictures of him in short pants!!!

I like views B & D. How cute is that little jacket? Where is he going with that suitcase? Maybe a Thomas the Tank Engine convention!!!

I like the British prep school feel these patterns have. I must admit boys clothes can have a sloppy look. I don't want him to become a t-shirt junkie. Don't be afraid sweetheart those are just called buttons!!!

French General

I was looking through the links over at The Draper House, which led me to cottage bethy.

Cottage bethy has beautiful photographs. Now I want to rearrange my house!!!

One of her links goes to a website called French General. They have allsorts of lovely products.

I like her 1900 postcard kit & her book 'The French-Inspired Home' by Kaari Meng. They also offer 15 different paint colors in glass sample jars and one gallon cans.

You can purchase her book from the French General website, but it's also available from Amazon. It hardcover with 128 pages!! Whenever possible I try to buy directly from the small business owner. However, sometimes budget and other obligations require me to look for the best price.

I just found it at the Home Style Book Club. New members can get 5 books for $2.00.

SWAPS!!!!

Swaps are everywhere! I've joined my first swaps. Some are exchanging letters, recipes & aprons!

Swap-bot has tons of swaps for people to join. You can even start one of your own. I want to start one for classic childrens book characters or a little golden books swap. Anyway, to the left are 3 that I've joined.

The first one is a letter swap, I have 5 penpals to write to and I will receive 5 letters from others as well.

Then I joined a handmade apron swap, I already have the apron cut out for my person!!! I can't wait to see what my apron looks like!!

I also joined a Winter Wonderland swap, I make a Christmas music cd and send it to 3 other people. There are so many different styles of Christmas music, it will be interesting to hear the cd's I receive.

And finally at swap-bot I also joined a Let's Bake Cookies swap and a Thanksgiving Recipes swap.

I tried to balance swaps that require time and materials like the apron swap with ones that are less costly or time intensive like the recipe swaps. I also kept in mind that I have to pay for shipping when I decided on a swap. Also check out the day it has to be sent out by. Make sure you have enough time & money to get it out on time.

The one I'm most excited about is A Vintage Christmas at Vintage Swaps. Two of my favorite things, vintage and Christmas together!!!

Chicken Enchiladas

3 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans chicken broth
16 oz. sour cream
2 onions, sauteed
2 bell peppers, chopped & sauteed
cilantro
cumin
garlic salt
12 flour tortillas
4 cups Mexican blend cheese
Foil 9x9 pan

Combine soup, 1 1/2 cans chicken broth, and sour cream. Set aside 2 cups of this mixture. To the remaining mixture, add chicken, onion, pepper, and spices to taste. Add 2 cups of the cheese. Place 2-3 T. of mixture onto each tortilla, roll up, and place 6 tortillas in each of 2- 9x9 pans (use 1 foil pan for the ones you will be freezing). Add the remaining Chicken broth to the reserved soup mixture and pour over enchiladas in each pan. Sprinkle remaining cheese over enchiladas. Cover foil pan tightly with foil or plastic wrap and freeze. Cook other pan of enchiladas at 350° until bubbly.

Fall & Winter Wardrobe

Here are some patterns I have for the girls. They are all from Burda.

I like views A & B above. I think it's the cutest little girls dress EVER! Simple, beautiful, & not too long to run and play in.
When I look at this coat I think of the original version of 'A Miracle on 34th Street' & Shirley Temple (She wasn't in that movie, but she was really cute). I've never made a coat before, so why not try it out on the kids first!!
I also picked out this skirt pattern. I thought it would look cute in fabric with some funky patterns.

Dress #9667

Coat #9727

Skirt #9665

I bought my Burda patterns here: sewingpatterns.com

Simply Charlotte Mason

Today I came across a new (at least new to me!) homeschooling website, Simply Charlotte Mason.

I really like the planning section. It has a early years guide for the 3-5 age group and a curriculum guide for grades 1-12. The timesavers section has information and ideas for scripture memorization, book of centuries, narration, copywork, and a list of handicrafts and life skills.

Grab a cup of tea and enjoy!

Another great book resource: Yesterday's Classics

On the nightstand: Wuthering Heights

I went to Barnes and Noble the other day to let the kids pick out a book and got a little present for myself.

I came across their line of Collector's Library books. These little books are about 4"x 6", perfect size to keep tucked away on a little table or in a purse or diaper bag. They are hardback with a cloth cover and dust jacket. The series includes many classic writers and poets. And for only around $6.00 try something new.

I chose 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte. I wanted something I was familiar with but had not read or seen a movie version.

I'm going to start reading tonight. I would like to read for at least 15 minutes each day.

Chessy Hashbrown Potatoes

26-oz. pkg. frozen hashbrown potatoes
2 cup shredded Colby cheese
1/4 cup onion, minced
1 cup half-and half or milk
1/2 cup beef broth
2 Tbs. butter, melted
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
Garnish: crisply cooked & crumbled bacon

Combine potatoes, cheese and onion in a large bowl; set aside. Mix remaining ingredients except bacon in a seperate bowl; stir into potato mixture until well blended. Spoon into a greased 13"x9" baking dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes. Garnish with bacon.

Serves 8 to 10.

from Gooseberry Patch catalog

Pumpkin & Apple Butter Recipe

15 oz. can pumpkin
1 cup applesauce
3/4 cup apple juice
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Chill; keep refrigerated.

Makes 2 pints.

from Gooseberry Patch catalog

Autumn

These just remind me of Autumn.

Celebrating Christmas Magazine

Celebrating Christmas has their 2005 magazine available for free download, HERE

The magzine has 90 pages and is in full color, it downloads as a PDF file. It has some really nice recipes and the pictures are great for decorating ideas.

They also have an e-book of 20 Christmas cake recipes, HERE.

The Children's Room is this weeks project at Holiday Grand Plan.