HodgePodge by Amanda

Happy Holidays

This may be the last post for the year... where did 2010 go?  My family and I have been very busy this year, selling our house, buying a new one, moving, having a baby, starting school...

Here are a few pics to share of the last few days... both Claire and Michael will look at this someday and wonder WHY MOM, why?

 
Michael said she looks like a doctor with that thing on her head.  She only wore it for a few minutes.  Daddy was less than thrilled.

 
This is much better, one of the new artists at Plum Pickens make these flowers, the possibilities are endless!

 
Let this be a lesson for all of you, when you make silly faces for the camera, pictures will be taken and shared!  The gingerbread houses were a cinch to make using Wilton's cookie icing in a bottle and graham cracker squares, add a bit of canned icing, some candy, and a bit of imagination and voila!

 
Cameron, Claire, and G-pa Willey.  Check out Claire's tights!  I love them. 

 
Claire opening her first Christmas presents.  She actually got the hang of tearing the paper.  Of course she was way more interested in the paper, ribbons, and boxes, then the actual gifts.

 
I received this book for Christmas.  OK, my mom and I were shopping, and she found it, and I turned into a 5 year old begging for just one more present!  She did make me wait until Christmas to open it. 

So I have been making these evil treats to take to a New Years party tomorrow night.  My DH requested a Lab puppy pop.  Ha, Ha, HA... Check it out...

 
I improvised quite a bit, and well... it's fun!  The tongue and collar are made from pink LaffyTaffy.  The ears are Tootsie Rolls covered in chocolate coating.   One thing is for sure, these taste way better than they look.  These will take some practice, getting the right mix, temp, etc. 

Happy New Year everyone!  May your hopes, wishes, and dreams all come true!

Giving thanks...

I know this is a bit late, but as they say better late than never...

A BIG Thank You to all those who came out to Plum Pickens Friday night.   Your generosity warms my heart.  We were able to raise $500 for Lydia House.  Again, Thank You.

 
This was my view from the front door.   I love it!

Here are a few peeks of glittery, folk-arty goodness..

 

 
"Noel" is pictured above.  I used a large vintage crepe paper bell for her skirt, hand colored her body, and accessorized her with bits of vintage bling.  Lots of fun to make!

A huge thanks to my MIL, she has been going way above and beyond helping us get our house turned into our home.

I am not the only one creating things in our home.  The kids were busy last week making these...

 
take a closer look at our Kitchen Gallery...

 
Michael (age 6) chose the cool color palette to create this work.  I love the way he signed his name. 

 
Cameron (age 4) chose the warm color palette. 

 
Claire (age 6 months) worked with what mama gave her.  This is just one of the things I miss about my kids not going to daycare, the artwork using hands and feet. 

We created these canvases by applying contact paper (cutout in the shape of a snowflake) and hole re-enforcers to a primed surface.  The artists were given a choice of warm or cool palettes.  I limited the colors on the palette to prevent the muddy look.  I also discovered that it is a good idea to stop the artists every now and then to dry their canvases so the colors don't completely mix together. 

Once dry, remove the contact paper and hole re-enforcers to see the almost finished piece.  Michael chose to outline his snowflake using a marker... you could also add other details if you wanted.

Claire's piece started off the same sans contact paper snowflake.  I used a foam brush to apply kids safe washable paint to the bottom of her foot (hands work too, but at this age it can be tricky getting them to open the hand for a clean print).  Carefully stamp the foot onto canvas and let dry.  Once dry begin adding details to create your snow-person. 

I adapted this project from another found on The Crafty Crow, one of my favorite sites for kids projects.

and one last picture to share...  Claire received an early Christmas present from Grandma (Grandpa helped...)

 
My dad took the old fixture down before I could get a picture.  Needless to say, this is a million times better.

Happy Holidays!