12 Days Of Christmas Crafts!

It is time once again for my 12 Days of Homemade Christmas gifts/crafts.  I have been MIA lately with my posts, but I had so much fun creating the gifts last year, that I wanted to try it again!  So, here it is: 

On The First Day of Christmas - Felt Fishing Set

My sister had posted this felt fishing set as a Christmas idea for my oldest niece Eva.  I looked into it, and the Etsy shop no longer had the set available for sale.  I also thought it was something that I could try to make myself.  So, I did!

 I started by finding different fish shapes online and created stencils using plain card stock.  Then I chose colored fabrics and cut out 11 fish shapes.

Next I cut small numbers 0-10 out of white felt and used embroidery thread to hand sew them onto the middle of a piece of colored felt. Then I placed the fabric on top of two pieces of the coordinating felt with the number facing on the outside.   

I sewed around the outline of the fish.  I made sure to leave enough space to insert a round magnet in between the fabric and felt, before completely closing it up.  Then I secured the magnet towards the mouth of the fish by sewing an outline around it.  

I had Mike help me with the fishing pole.  He cut a piece of dowel and drilled a hole towards the top of it and through a round magnet.  Then tied them together using some kite string.  I would have loved to have included a cute little fabric worm on the end, but I was worried that the magnets would not be strong to "catch" the fish.  

On the 3rd Day of Christmas

my true love made for me a handprint Christmas ornament.

I thought that while Eva Marie was visiting it would be fun to do some salt dough ornaments with her and Braden.  There are so many different recipes and ideas on Pinterest one, and two .  

Materials:

Salt

Flour

Water

Mixing bowls

Measuring Cups

Oven

Paints or Sharpie Markers 

Tutorial:

First I had Braden help me measure out the ingredients and mix up the dough.  The recipe I used was for 1/2 c of salt, 1/2 c of flour and 1/4 c (or so) of water.  He helped me stir things up and then once dough started to form I kneaded it until it was one ball.

Let's get started!

Braden measuring ingredients

  

Braden really enjoyed playing with the ball and dropping it back into the bowl.  He did not enjoy the taste though.

Braden Kneading the dough

Next I formed the ball into three flat circular shapes large enough for each of their handprints (and one for the Sage's paw).  Then I put them on a cookie sheet on the floor and Eva, Braden and Sage each took a turn making their prints.

Eva & Mommy making a handprint

The final step for making the ornaments was to create a hole (for ribbon to be added later for hanging) and then bake them in the oven @ 200 degrees for 3 hours.  Be sure to place it correctly (ours will be hanging upside down - OOPS)!  

The next day we worked on decorating the ornaments with paint and/or markers to create Christmas shapes.  The possibilities are endless: stars, snowmen, Santa Claus, Christmas tree, gingerbread men, candy cane, etc.  We went with Santa Claus & I did a reindeer with Sage's paw.

Eva & Mommy Painting

Braden paints Santa's beard

And then his Hat

Cheese!

Cheese!

Finished Painting

Children's Discovery Museum - Augusta

Eva & Braden

This year we decided to buy a pass to the Children's museum as an (early) Christmas gift for Braden.  We thought it would be a great place to go during the winter months - as a nice change of scenery.  We went with the Passport option, so we could try museums in different locations (Bangor, Dover, Acton, Boston, etc).  

It had been a while since we had spent time with auntie Ashlea & cousin Eva, so we decided to meet them in Augusta to try the Children's Discovery Museum.  Mimi was able to join us as well!

Playing the Piano with Mimi

Little Musicians

It was a very small museum, but Eva & Braden were able to entertain themselves for about 2 hours before it was time to break for lunch!  

"Ball!"

Loved Pushing the Carts Around

Interested in the Touch Tank

Love the Face Eva!

Climbing in the Playhouse

Eva Loved Playing Dress Up!

Nice Face Auntie Ashlea 

Braden Did Not Enjoy Dress Up!

Vacation Update

     April vacation was very low key and relaxing.  It started off with a dinner date with Sarah and Cam and then Mike headed to NY to visit Kelly for the weekend.  On Monday, I headed north to spend some time in Hampden with Mom, Ashlea and Eva.  Then I had a few lunch dates through out the week and ended vacation celebrating Easter with family!  The week went by way too fast - and I am sure the rest of the school year will go by just as quickly!

Eva & Sage Meet

Decorating Easter Eggs

The Easter Egg Hunt

Visiting the Bourdon's

Well, it has been WAY too long, almost two whole months without any blogging!  So, let me back up to November.  Sarah, Jon and I flew out to Kansas to visit Ashlea, Nick and to meet little Eva.  We arrived pretty late on Friday night, Ashlea picked us up and we drove the 2 hours from Kansas City to Junction City and went straight to the hotel.  I don't remember much of the drive, because it was dark and I kept falling asleep.  

      We spent most of the time hanging out at the apartment catching up with Ashlea, playing a few games with Nick and taking turns holding Eva.  We did venture out a few times to see the base, tried some Cracker Barrell, and on Sunday we went to the zoo.  

 Auntie & Eva

Eva in the dress that Ashlea wore home from the hospital.

Uncle Jon & Eva

Eva, Sarah & Sharon

Sarah rocking Eva in her room.

The baby monkey at the zoo.

Time for a family picture!

 All smiles!

     It was a very quick trip, but a lot of fun.  We couldn't get enough of cute little Eva, so hopefully she'll be coming to Maine soon!  I love Eva's face in this picture!