Christmas Sewing Projects

This blog seems an appropriate place to list my Christmas projects for this year (and this will explain why I never contribute to this blog--I'm rarely bored! :) ). Sewing is a terrific hobby if you have young children because you can stop and start easily and even put a project on the shelf for 6 months (unlike cooking or gardening or other more time-sensitive pursuits). It's also quiet--even if your machine is noisy, you can always cut and iron fabric during naptime and get all the prep work out of the way.

Here's what I made for Christmas this year (as I type this, I'm keenly aware that I should be working on the remaining projects... ahem... items with asterisks (*) still need to be completed....).

6 women's aprons (* 1 left)

1 man's apron*

3 toddler superhero capes*

2 tote bags

1 table runner (that, alas, has been rejected due to recipient moving into a new house!)

On the docket for January (items for upcoming birthdays and/or requests from the peanut gallery)

1 t-shirt quilt

3 tote bags (plus 1 for me if I can squeeze it in)

3 laptop sleeves

1 apron

1 preschooler's dress :)

1 purse

Someday, when I have time, I'll post some pictures of my projects. They're getting better, so it's been rewarding to see what all the practice has done for my skill level.

Spring Time=Nature Time

Found a great new book. My son is super excited. It is a nature journal. Granted at his age I will have to copy most of his thoughts down, but still cool. You can draw (and it prompts you on ideas), journal, make snacks, collect leaves, records trips you take, etc. It is not evolutionists in any way (big factor for me!) Check it out. We found it at Bass Pro, but you can also find it on Amazon.

Advent coloring book

These are printable coloring pages, one for each day of December, telling the story of Jesus' birth. It's a free activity, and not to late to start (my son is doing two at a time to catch up.)

DLTK's Advent Coloring Pages

As a side...this website has lots of free printables, craft ideas and more. I have used it a lot.

Eric Carle's From Head to Toe

This book is full of activity and boredom busting potential! Like all Eric Carle books, this one is full of his energetic, signature art. This one shows different animals moving and invites children to mimic, saying, "I can do it!" There are quite a few extension activities if you are homeschooling a young child or simply need to entertain young children. Click here for a great list!

Too Cute Penguin!

This was a craft idea with my son's school curriculum. Oh it is too cute! You get a black balloon. Out of poster board cut feet (together), flippers, beak and a white belly. I had my kids paint the feet and beak orange and flippers black, but you could just buy those colors. Use googly eyes or cut eyes out of poster board too. Make a slit in the feet halfway through. Slide the knotted end of the balloon through. Tape or glue on the rest of the penguin.

Disclaimer: Our balloons did pop when the kids pulled on the flippers that were taped on, little disappointing for the 2 year old.

Busytime for Preschoolers!

If you have a toddler that is about to run you out of the house screaming...check out Activity Bags . It is a book of several "kits" you can make and store in a ziploc bag to keep your preschooler busy. Better yet, you can arrange with other moms to do a swap...each make several of one activity and swap with others. I know moms that use this and rave about it. We are about to use it to occupy our son.

Sun Hand Craft

Ok...I don't have a picture, but I got the idea off of www.enchantedlearning.com. It is a sun using your child's handprint. I always love these things...you can look back later and see how much they have grown. Takes a little of mom prep, cutting out the hands, unless your child is old enough.

Supplies needed: Paper plate, yellow paint, 7 hand prints on yellow/orange paper.

Directions: Paint the paper plate yellow on the BACK side. Trace and cut about 7-10 handprints of your child on yellow or alternating yellow/orange paper. (The smaller the child, the more hands needed to go around sun.) Staple or glue the hand prints to the edges of your sun. Feel free to add a face or Bible verse (i.e. Jesus is light of the world.)