Indoor Snowball Fight!

Early in the year a friend of mine called and asked for some advice on what to do with her mother's yarn stash. Her mother recently had a series of strokes and was no longer able to crochet. 

EIGHT large storage boxes later, we sorted and returned a huge portion of her nearly untouched stash. The miscellaneous balls and half used skeins, she generously left with me. It was mostly baby yarn - I didn't have a CLUE what to do with all of it. 

Fast-forward 10 months. 

Two of my kiddos bring notes home explaining they need 20 stocking stuffers each for their class Christmas parties.  

 "Kids! Grab all the white yarn! I'll get the scissors and pom-pom maker!"

We used the largest of the Clover Pom-Pom Makers. Because I had mismatched yarn, I wrapped two strands of completely different yarn at a time. For example a chunky white and a flecked white. It helped make them each unique and slightly more uniform. Because most of the yarn I used was baby weight yarn I wrapped the pom-pom maker extra thick. I also made sure to wrap and tie each center 2-3 times to secure. (TIP: some people put a dab of hot glue in the center as they tie up their poms.)

You can find the Clover Pom-Pom Maker HERE (affiliate link)

Once we had all our Poms trimmed, we stuffed and bagged each individually. You can find the cello bags HERE (affiliate link). 

I created a little tag to finish it off. The kiddos are BESIDE themselves excited that the possibility that a "snowball" fight might erupt in the classroom (sorry teachers!). Y'all, we live in Texas, this is the closest thing to snow my kids will likely see this year.

If you'd like to make your own, copy and save the printables below. 

Be sure to share your creations on Instagram! Use #AGNsnowballs 

 

Are you wondering what we did with the leftover Snowballs? In total we made about 78 pom-poms. 

So. Many. Pom-Poms.

The rest found a nice resting place where they're sure to spark a little indoor fun!

Emergency Card Kit

A few years ago, a co-worker of mine dropped of a little sealed packet on my desk. I don't remember if it was for any reason or holiday in particular, but she was thoughtful like that.

This fun little packet was an "Emergency Greeting Card Kit." It contained a birthday card, sympathy card, congratulations card, thank you card, and a few blank cards.

What a great idea! This little "kit" came in so handy. She had purchased this set, but wouldn't it be so much more fun to make your own?

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This also would make an easy last-minute neighbor or friend gift.

In Case of Greeting Card Emergency:
1. Untie card pouch.
2. Open card.
3. Sign name.
4. Seal and send.

I've taken some craft paper and cardstock, cut it slightly larger than a standard greeting card with the back piece long enough to fold over the top to create a flap. I punched a few holes around the edges and threaded a ribbon through. It's as simple as that!

Although I filled mine with cards I had purchased, this would be great filled up with your own handmade cards.

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Yet another craft where I've used those round Avery Labels I've got so many of.

This little pouch is made up from the scraps of the Emergency Card Kit. It's the perfect size to tuck a candy cane or some other treat into.

Thumbprint Family Tree

Every year I'm confronted with the same dilemma - what do I get parents/grandparents for Christmas? Its hard to come up with something new every year, especially for people who have everything.

I happened to stumble upon this darling thumbprint family tree printout:

Its perfect! I printed it out on card-stock. Actually, I printed out extras since I was depending on my Munchkins for their little fingerprints.

Then I helped the little kiddos press their inked fingers onto the paper. The little red berries are compliments of The New Guy. He's only 1 month old and MAJORLY uncooperative when it comes to stamping his finger.


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I love how sweet their little fingerprints look. We made one for both sets of grandparents. This one is for my side of the family. There is a thumbprint for my parents, their children, and each of their grandchildren. Whew! I was afraid there wouldn't be enough leaves.

If you'd like to make one yourself, you can find the printout HERE.

Pinecone Garland

I've always liked the warm, homey look of pinecones. Lucky for me we've got a TON of pinecones in our neighborhood.

My little munchkins seek out pinecones like they're on a treasure hunt. It's pretty cute to see a 20-month-old, pinecone in-hand, yelling "A CONE, A CONE!"

I've been saving the nicest shaped cones to make a garland for the front of my patio.


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Some eyelet screws and jute twine and I had a nice {and heavy} garland.


It looks a little bare up against that ugly cinder-block patio wall. I think for Christmas, I'll dress it up a bit with some greenery and berries. Assuming I can find some freedom during daylight hours to do that!

Monogram Gift Labels

I'll admit it. I have a slight obsession with monograms.

I love them.

And, Pinterest has only added to that obsession. A girl could get lost pinning on that site.

Growing up in a rather large family {10 kids} Christmas was always a magical holiday. Presents were stacked to the ceiling. By Christmas morning, our living room looked like Santa brought his entire workshop of toys and left them for us.

As kids, when we weren't trying to figure out what was in each box, we were busy counting each present with our name on it.

My mom was smart. She knew the kid mantra "quantity over quality" when it comes to kid gifts - she wrapped EVERYTHING individually.

Christmas morning was mayhem.

What does this have to do with monograms, you say?

My kiddos are little. Monograms are perfect for little munchkins learning letters. Ask a kid their favorite letter, I guarantee it will be the first letter of their name!

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After discovering this stack of round Avery labels taking up space in one of my craft drawers I couldn't resist turning them into monograms.

I pulled out my supply of Christmas wrapping paper and found this darling green paper with dots.

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I attached my monogram label to the big dots, and cut out the rest. I glued all the dots to card-stock and cut them out again. Then finished with a hole punched through the top.

My little munchkins have been arranging and re-arranging the packages under the tree. They LOVE seeing their "letter" and knowing which package belongs to them.