I am very happy to say for the 3rd year in a row, I have received the Food Network’s friendly free email called 12 Days of Cookies. For 12 days in a row beginning in December, you receive 12 fabulous new recipe ideas for cookies! I was also exited to learn that Betty Crocker has something similar called 24 Days of Cookies. It is just like Food Network…but twice as long. If you are a cookie baker, or have need to find some new holiday recipes…check out these fun free holiday options!! I plan to go through my emails and pin my favorites to Pinterest! Isn't Technology great????
Now onto my Christmas Craft...I am not sure exactly what made me think of this particular craft idea…I think it's a mash up of a few ideas I've seen around. But I want to share with everyone a fun new tradition I hope to start with my family each year.
Thankful Paper Chains
These aren’t just your average paper chains…no sir! In the middle of the chain you will find handwritten moments courtesy of me! Before putting these together I sat down and did some reflecting on 2011 and what I am thankful for this year. They were super easy and I'm so glad I took the time.
Step 1 Make your list of thankful/favorite moments from your year. I used our blog to jog my memory and also just let myself reflect on the months that went by.
Step 2 Cut strips of construction paper. I chose red, white and green, but you could use a rainbow of colors. I cut my strips into 1 1/2 inch strips. You could smaller or bigger! It's all up to you!
Step 3 Using an archive safe marker I jotted all my moments down (despite the fact that I HATE my own handwriting...I did it for memory keeping sake!) I included dates when applicable and anything else about the moment that was important or made it special! I could have gone on for days writing, but stopped for sake of time.
Step 4 Using a scrapbook stamp pad I inked the edges of my chain. It gave it the rustic look that matches all of our holiday decor.
Step 5 Have some little hands or your own help you assemble. I simply used a glue stick. It reminded me of elementary school!
Step 6 Hang on your Christmas tree or display with your holiday decorations. Ours is on our tree. I need to add some links so it will wrap the whole way, but I figure for the first year, it's a great start!!
I plan to cut the chain after Christmas and include it in my scrapbook with our pictures from the holidays :) Next year I'm hoping to do this the day after Thanksgiving when we normally begin putting up all of our holiday decorations and preparing for Christmas! I’m excited for Owen to be able to begin sharing with us and writing his own thankful thoughts on these chains and eventually Coop as well.
I hope everyone is knee deep in wrapping paper and cookie baking and celebrating the birth of Jesus in lots of special ways!! Happy Holidays!
These aren’t just your average paper chains…no sir! In the middle of the chain you will find handwritten moments courtesy of me! Before putting these together I sat down and did some reflecting on 2011 and what I am thankful for this year. They were super easy and I'm so glad I took the time.
Step 1 Make your list of thankful/favorite moments from your year. I used our blog to jog my memory and also just let myself reflect on the months that went by.
Step 2 Cut strips of construction paper. I chose red, white and green, but you could use a rainbow of colors. I cut my strips into 1 1/2 inch strips. You could smaller or bigger! It's all up to you!
Step 3 Using an archive safe marker I jotted all my moments down (despite the fact that I HATE my own handwriting...I did it for memory keeping sake!) I included dates when applicable and anything else about the moment that was important or made it special! I could have gone on for days writing, but stopped for sake of time. Step 4 Using a scrapbook stamp pad I inked the edges of my chain. It gave it the rustic look that matches all of our holiday decor.
Step 5 Have some little hands or your own help you assemble. I simply used a glue stick. It reminded me of elementary school!
Step 6 Hang on your Christmas tree or display with your holiday decorations. Ours is on our tree. I need to add some links so it will wrap the whole way, but I figure for the first year, it's a great start!!I plan to cut the chain after Christmas and include it in my scrapbook with our pictures from the holidays :) Next year I'm hoping to do this the day after Thanksgiving when we normally begin putting up all of our holiday decorations and preparing for Christmas! I’m excited for Owen to be able to begin sharing with us and writing his own thankful thoughts on these chains and eventually Coop as well.
I hope everyone is knee deep in wrapping paper and cookie baking and celebrating the birth of Jesus in lots of special ways!! Happy Holidays!
Enjoy some more pics of my helping hands :) While Momma wrote, he was making a foam snowman ornament. He was covered in stickers and marker at the end but we sure had fun!! Thanks O man for a wonderful afternoon together.
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