December 14, 2006

Christmas Pretties



I've done it. I've switched to Beta...not that I have the foggiest notion of what that means, but if it'll let me post comments, I'm all for it. Guess it doesn't matter since they were doing away with the old Blogger anyway.

Queen Mother emailed me this morning/last night and asked that I post the directions for my tree's garland. I'll try to post a picture so you can see the finished product too. I got this from
Family Fun Magazine last year. Cate, you need this magazine. The GK's would love the projects. It's a felt and pompom Popcorn & Cranberry garland.


You take 2 inch circles of white felt (you may be able to buy them pre-cut, but I traced mine with a biscut cutter and cut them out myself), spread a thin layer of glue on one side of the felt (I used Tacky Glue), scrunch up the felt and secure it with a small rubberband (the tiny ones from little girls' hair accessories work well). Let the glue dry completely then remove the rubberbands. Use a needle (a heavy one...and you'll want a thimble) and thread (I think I'd use fishing twine next time) your "popcorn" and 1/2 inch red pompoms for the cranberries. They said 35 felt circles made about 3 feet of garland...that won't be near enough to dress a tree. I made more than 100, and need to at least triple it. Not something I had a chance to work on this year. But I do love the results!

The ornament is one Q.M. & Unkie Di gave me last year...or the year before, I'm not sure. I have 2 very pregnant ladies on my tree. This one and one that says "Diaper Queen."

Things went a little better around here last night. It was 60 degrees outside when we got home from school, so I kept everyone out side for about 40 minutes. Not a lot, but enough to run off some excess energy. Then after dinner I loaded everyone up and made the one mile trek to Uncle E. and Aunt C.'s to take the girls' Pirates of the Carribean movie back. We were there about an hour. Just long enough for the kids to run and play somewhere besides home. For some reason a small change of scene is enough to keep them happy.

Here are my vintage Hallmark pins. In case you don't know her, Q.M. is a Hallmark junkie. And I think it may be genetic. They don't make these pins any longer, but for years, I got one for every holiday except maybe Arbor day... There's one more on Baby Girl's church coat, but I forgot to get it off for the picture. Most of the ornaments on my tree are Hallmark...and I have a Hallmark stocking holder that was pretty valuable when we checked a few years back. If you're looking for an investment/collection for your kids or Grands, I'd suggest Hallmark ornaments. Especially the series. Each of my kids are working on a series. I'll try to post more pics between now and Christmas.

2 comments:

Nan said...

I was so excited when I saw that you collected Hallmark pins. I've got the little red bird, the jolly Christmas tree, the pink angel and the Gingerbread house. Now you've made me want to take a picture of mine, too. I've got some of the Halloween ones too.

Oh, and I already subscribe to Family Fun. I LOVE it! I don't know if I'd have the patience to scrunch, paste, and band all those pieces of felt, but maybe gdaughter and her friend would.

zann said...

How do I switch to the Beta????

Love the garland what a fun idea... but man the the thought of over 300 felt circles makes me tired just to think about. But I suppose it would last a good long while so it is probably a worthwhile investment.

I use to have the snowman holding the wreath pin. Had no idea it was from Hallmark. One of my favorite things to do is go wander around Hallmark stores. I really had aspirations to work for them, but they only hire local illustrators and I have no intentions of moving to Kansas.