Saturday, December 29, 2012

American Girl Doll Room - Part 1

I am so excited to share with you my first video tutorial. In this one I am highlighting the techniques I used to create the walls. I want to share with you a few additional tips that are not included on the video. 

After I painted the walls, I applied inexpensive trim molding that I painted white. This created a much more realistic look to the room that you can't get from just painting it on. I used Gorilla Glue. Be careful with this as it does seep out as it expands as it is drying. You can't beat the hold it has however. 

You'll also notice that I used hinges on the boards to hold them together. This is such a nice feature for several reasons. First, it allows you to fold the boards shut for storage. Secondly it is a very sturdy way to hold the boards. I had seen someone who made this type of project using duct tape. My goal with this project was to have something that would last. Finally, it allows the girls to adjust the size of their rooms. 

I hope you enjoy this first video and I am looking forward to bringing you more later this week. 



Monday, December 24, 2012

American Girl Rooms

This Christmas I wanted to give my 9 & 12 year old daughters scenes for their AG dolls. So I built and designed two bedrooms, one is cottage style and the other is a Paris themed room. Over the next week or so I'll be uploading video's that explain exactly how each piece was made, but for now enjoy pictures of the rooms.












Friday, December 14, 2012

This week we read a new (to me) book that is now in my top two favorite books of all time. It is The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown. The other day, I cuddled my three little ones around me while I opened the pages to read. Throughout the story there are songs with the music that go with the story. Since my oldest is a pianist, I had her play the pieces as we sang them when came to each. It was magical I tell ya! It felt like that moment in A Charlie Brown Christmas when they are all singing, holding hands around the Christmas Tree. I instantly knew I was in love!

So what is YOUR favorite Christmas picture book?

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Menu Plan December

Please note that the items in red should be made ahead of time. Click on links for recipes. For a printable version, click here. Menu

I love Snowmen!

New listing in my etsy shop!  This is a fun group game for all ages!!!


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Memoria Press Lessons

This week for 1st grade includes...


Music - O Tannenbaum




Poetry - Winter by Christina Rossetti



Bread And Milk For Breakfast

 Bread and milk for breakfast, 
And woollen frocks to wear, 
And a crumb for robin redbreast 
On the cold days of the year.




Picture Study - The Annunciation by Sandro Botticelli



Art - Salt Dough Ornaments


Salt Dough Directions


Reading Lists

I am determined to get my younger daughters reading levels up this year so that by next school year I can give a bit more independent work during our homeschool time. I am on the search for good books for them to read and came across this post listing books to read from grades 1-8. So that I don't lose this resource and so that I can share it with you, I am posting it here on my blog. Enjoy!


Saturday, December 8, 2012

Crafting with FELT for Christmas

Sorry about the bad photos! I took the pictures in a very dark room and they didn't turn out as good as usual and since I already gave a bunch of these away, I couldn't retake the photos.


Birdie Keychain by Allison (age 18)


Felt Candy Cane Mice for my kids in co-op







Camera Key Chain by Michelle aka me




Oreo Cookie Keychain by Allison (age 18)


Penguin Softie by Meghan (age 12)


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Gearing up for a 30 day shred...

In January, I am going to be doing 30 days straight of diet & exercise. So, in anticipation of that, I am preparing by doing a few different workouts a week. Here are my videos for this week.



Would you like to join me? Stay tuned!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

An Old Christmas Greeting - Memoria Press Kindergarten Poetry Week 14


Christmas Greeting


Sing hey! Sing hey! 
For Christmas Day; 
Twine mistletoe and holly, 
For friendship glows 
In winter snows, 
And so let's all be jolly.




Winter - Memoria Press Poetry Week 12


Bread And Milk For Breakfast


                                                       Bread and milk for breakfast, 

And woollen frocks to wear, 
And a crumb for robin redbreast 
On the cold days of the year.

An Old Rat's Tale - Memoria Press Week 11


AN OLD RAT'S TALE


He was a rat, and she was a rat,
And down in one hole they did dwell.
And each was as black as your Sunday hat,
And they loved one another well.

He had a tail, and she had a tail,
Both long and curling and fine.
And each said, "My love's tail is the finest tail
In the world, excepting mine!"

He smelt the cheese, and she smelt the cheese,
And they both pronounced it good;
And both remarked it would greatly add
To the charm of their daily food.

So he ventured out and she ventured out;
And I saw them go with pain.
But what them befell I never can tell,
For they never came back again.
—LAURA E. RICHARDS.