House Party {Shutterfly}

I feel so lucky to have been chosen by HouseParty.com to host the More Merry Shutterfly House party.   House party is a website where you can host parties for your favorite products.  I was so lucky to host a Shutterfly Party.  I have been working on my Daughters Baby Book and was going to have it printed for her for Christmas. This was a great opportunity to have it printed with a great company and a quality product.
I invited a bunch of my Friends and Neighbors to enjoy what Shutterfly has to offer.
It all started with my Party box that arrived a week before the party.  Filled with balloons, napkins, sample cards and free photo book coupons for all the attendees.

Using the Shutterfly design creator I was able to upload photos and drop them into the location I wanted, add text and embellish with stylish flowers, buttons and ribbons.

For Christmas this year my Little Miss is getting her baby book and our Christmas card are being printed with Shutterfly! Shutterfly has some great ideas for Personalized Christmas gifts.  Make someone happy in your life.  Give them Shutterfly.
Thank you Shutterfly and House Party for making my Christmas a little Bit Merrier!

*Opinions expressed here are my own. I did not receive payment for my blog post today.

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He is the reason... Printable

This week has been a crazy one. I had a major project fail. Then I figured a new way to do it.  Yeah! I will have it up soon.  So because my project didn't go as planned I am starting with a  printable this holiday season.

With the Christmas season is just around the corner. I though I would start mine off with a free Printable.  Since the Christmas season is celebrating our Savior's birth. "He is the Reason for the Season."

Once there was a Snowman......Kit!

Well I am back again for another day of Corn Week.  Today we are going to talk Snow.  That's right snow. You might think I'm crazy but you are going to love this easy project.  Even the kids can get involved.

Everyone loves a snowman right??? When I was in college I had a snowman. His name was Winston. We had fun dressing him up and having him as our mascot.  As an adult I enjoy going out on a snowy day and building snowmen with my kids.  So a few years ago I came up with a fun little snowman kit. Complete with a corn cob pipe and a button nose.  I used them as my neighbor gift to my neighbors with kids. The key to my kit is to start planning now. So here is your supply list.

5x54 inch fleece or old scarf

Dowel knobs and Dowel (Size or dowel knob opening) for eyes

Large Button - You could also buy a carrot for the nose.

Rocks painted black for mouth. You could also use these for your eyes.

Hat- I like to use the 99 cent beanie hats at walmart
Corn on the cob (This is why we start now)

Corn Cob Pipe

Start with you corn on the cob.  Make sure to enjoy every bite. Thr butter, the salt every last yummy taste of summer. Once you have enjoyed your yummy delicious corn, cut your cobs into halves or thirds.

1.Trim off any access corn and leave your cobs out to dry.  It may take a few days.  You can also put them on low heat in your oven for several hours.You want them dry enough to drill holes in them. You can even dry them out and put them in a ziploc bag until you area ready to make them for Christmas.
2. When they are dry you will drill a hole in them, the same size as your dowels.
3. With a hot glue gun add a bit of glue in the drilled hole.
4.  Add your dowel and let dry.
5. Opt. You can spray your dowels with sealer.  This will help them last longer in a wet winter.

Eyes and Mouth

For the eyes and mouth have your kids gather some rocks from your yard. Wash them and  paint them black. Or buy some dowel knobs and dowels. Paint them black.  Either way your kids will love to collect rocks give them a bath and paint a shiny coat of paint on them. You can also pic up a bag of rocks from the dollar store.  They oftern have decorative rocks in black.  They are perfect for a snowman.

Nose:

For your button nose you can buy a button or a carrot.  I am using a button that I am going to glue a dowel on the back so it stays in place on my snowman.

Scarf

You can either use an old scarf or a long pieces fleece. 

Whatever you fancy.  I used fleece and cut the edges.  I had my kids sit and tie the ends into knots.  

Hat

I like to use the cheap beanies from Walmart.  But you could also make one out of foam or felt. For instructions on how to construct a hat See this post.

Add all your pieces to a fun little draw string bag or bucket.  Add the tag and you are ready to make a snowman. I added a vinyl face to my bucket or you could use iron on vinyl for a bag. No cutter needed just hand cut and apply. I love getting my vinyl here.   You can get all kinds and colors.  A lot or a little you choose.

A fun little addition would be to add hot cocoa or cider to your bucket or bag.

Right click each one and save to your computer.
Please remember to follow the rules of free printables. 
For more information please see my free printables page.

It's a Wrap! Neighbor Gift

A few years ago, on Christmas Eve, a neighbor brought by a roll of wrapping paper, a roll of tape and a small plate of treats with a little typed tag attached. so I made up this cute little tag here to share, with a little improvement.

{Right click and save. Prints as a 4x6}

 I have been searching for this little tag for years and finally found it.

I loved the idea. And who doesn't need a little extra wrap and tape on Christmas eve.

{If you already have plans for this years neighbors gifts, Plan for next year and pick up your paper and tape at the after Christmas sales.  Your gift will be a hit next year}

Hope your Holidays are Merry and Bright this year!

PLEASE follow the following rules for Free Time Frolics printables:

• I would love for you to become a follower of Free Time Frolics. More Free Printables are comeing. You don't want to miss out.
• Free Time Frolics printables are for PERSONAL USE only. You may not re-sell, re-distribute, or claim them as your own.
• If posting on the internet, you MUST post a link back to the original post or this page.
• Freebie printables are offered "as is" unless otherwise noted.
• Pin, share, use in your home or as a gift. Enjoy.

Adrienne

Home Made for the Holidays: Day 11: Stockings and Wrapping

Stockings have been a tradition for decades. And there are lots of theories about why we do it. Whatever your reason it is a loved tradition.

Stockings are so hard sometimes. I like to have fun sensible things in my kiddos stockings. Some are traditions that I have had since Iwas a kid others are new things we have added as our family has grown.
Here is a list of things I like to use.

1. Pudding snack: I like to use this because if you open presents one at a time like I did as a kid you get really hungry. At one time for a few years there were 10 of us. We had a yours, mine and ours family. Christmas morning went on for hours. Pudding taste good and it give your your milk. LOL. I guess.





2. Orange or Raspberry chocolate sticks. By Sweets Candy. I love these things. They usually cost about $3 and fill the stocking. For as long as I can remember I have gotten these little beauties for Christmas. Now as a mom I do the same for my kids. They love them too. On a side note: If you live in Salt Lake City you can go on a tour of the Sweets candy factory located in West Valley. You can buy these yummy treats in Bulk and other treats. ie. Chocolate covered Cinnamon Bears. If you haven't had one, You must try. They are delightful.

3. Gift cards: My boys are hitting the age that they want a choice in the things they want. This year its the app store.



4. Dollar Store items: I like cheap easy toys, that I don't care if I throw them away a month later. Walmart has a selection of $1 toys and activities. That prove to be pretty goods and the kids enjoy them. 

5. Electric Tooth Brushes: I love to buy electric tooth brushes for Christmas. My kids love them but sometimes they can be a bit pricey. So for Christmas I splurge a little bit. My kids like getting them because they are electric and usually there favorite super hero or character and they get a new toothbrush that makes mom happy. All is good in the world.

6. Head phones: I like the idea of head phones. They are small. Can be inexpensive if you want. And when there video game of MP3 player is to loud. They have there very own pair of headphones to use.

7. Oranges. Every year for Christmas I woke up to an orange in the toe of my stocking. Another yummy treat to eat when opening gifts. These also go great as a gift to a neighbor or to kids given along with the book the Christmas Orange. It was written by a lady I knew as a child. A very sweet story.

Here are a few more links to other stocking options.  Lots of things to choose from.  I hope your holiday season is filled with family, friends, good food and lots of lovign memories!

For Wrapping those beautiful gifts head on over to:
My Sister's Suitcase
for some fantastic ideas and a giveaway.
Don't forget our other giveaways.  Here is the List.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for our Family tradions link party.  We have a fantastic prize to one lucky winner.  A  gift pack from Pick Your Plum. A suprise box your going to love!
Be sure to come back and bring a few friends with you!

100 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

I found this on Pinterest.  But it didn't have a link to a blog or anything. So I am not sure who made this list.  Ita pretty good.  So for those who don't have pinterest or want to link it back to somewhere. 

CHRISTMAS STOCKING IDEAS.............

1) gift cards (Starbucks, Borders, Cold Stones, etc)…

.2) A favorite candy (M&M;’s or mini candy bars)…

.3) CD of favorite music….

4) A favorite magazine…

.5) Nail Polish….

6) Paperback by an author they love….

7) Hand Lotions….

8) Tic Tacs or breath mints….

9) Nice pens….

10) Chapstick….

11) Pocket knife….

12) Socks….

13) Mini Flashlight….

14) Gloves….

15) YoYo….

16) Small photo frame w/ picture….

17) Votive Candle….

18) Personalized Key Ring….

19) Golf balls…

20) Golf Tees….

21) Mini Perfumes….

22) Travel Clock….

23) Letter Opener….

24) Fun, Colored Office Clips….

25) Cool White-Out Tape….

26) Uno/Phase 10 Card Game….

27) Colored Pencils….

28) Ruler….

29) Small Measuring Tape….

30) Rubber Band Ball….

31) Lipstick….

32) Eye Shadow….

33) Makeup Remover….

34) Nail Polish Removal….

35) Measuring Spoons….

36) Wooden Spoons….

37) Bendy Straws….

38) Tide-To-Go….

39) Batteries….

40) Fingernail File….

41) Small Makeup Bag….

42) Fishing Lures….

43) Movie Tickets….

44) Pocket Calculator….

45) Matchbox Cars….

46) TechDeck Finger Skateboard….

47) Bouncy Ball….

48) Shoe Strings (Fashion Color)….

49) Brainteaser Mini Wire Puzzle….

50) Stopwatch….

51) Pedometer….

52) Vitamins….

53) Kitchen Timer….

54) Cookie Cutters….

55) Ice Cream Scoop….

56) Nice Razor….

57) Stress Ball….

58) Magnifying Glass….

59) USB Flash Drive….

60) Cuff Links….

61) iPod Ear Buds…

.62) iTunes Gift Card….

63)Toothbrush….

64) Lifesavers….

65) Mini Kleenex Packets….

66) Handkerchief….

67) Tire Pressure Gauge….

68) Eye Glasses Cleaner and Cloth….

69) Address Pre-inked Stamp….

70) Earrings….

71) Hair Clip….

72) Comb/Brush….

73) Eyelash Curler….

74) Bobble Head….

75) Reusable Shopping Bag….

76) Shopping List Pad….

77) Travel Book….

78) Travel Electrical Adaptors….

79) Sleep Mask….

80) Mini Book Light….

81) Luggage Tags….

82) Purse Hanger (To keep off of floor)….

83) Luggage Scale….

84) Compass….

85) Portable Mini Speakers….

86) Zhu Zhu Pet….

87) Cool, Decorated Erasers….

88) Pencil Sharpeners….

89) Personalized Pencils….

90) Digital Golf Scorecard….

91) Money Clip….

92) Mini Bubble Bath….

93) Scented Soaps….

94) BBQ Tank Gauge….

95) Fingernail Clippers….

96) Back Scratcher….

97) Recipe Cards….

98) Chopsticks….

99) Mirror Compact….

100) Personalized Christmas Ornament

Here are a few more I came up with:
Letter and number magnets for the fridge
Glow sticks (my kiddos love these things)
Puzzel books (crossword, soduku)
Pudding cups
Mini boxes of cereal
Spray cheese and a sleeve of crackers
(My boys get there own can once a year)
Fuzzy socks