How To Make Eco-Friendly Gift Bows

Eco-Friendly Gift Bows Out of Recycled Magazines

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love wrapping presents. I'm actually kind of a control freak, because every gift has to be wrapped perfectly which makes it difficult when Sidney wants to help, but we get through it. 

A neat idea I came across a couple of years ago was how to make your own eco-friendly gift bows using recycled magazines. What I really like about them is that you can choose your own image whether it's a funky cartoon, a beautiful garden or a serene blue sky and turn it into a one-of-a-kind bow! 

To make it:

1. Select a page from your old magazine, and cut it into nine strips. Three large, three medium, two small and one really small one. 

2. Turn the ends of the strip in to the center, so that it either makes a round, or pointed end. Dab a bit of glue in the middle to keep it in place. Do this to all eight of your strips, leaving out the smallest.

3. With the smallest peace, fold it into a cylinder. Glue it in place.

4. Once all your strips are turned in, layer them on top of one another like so, keeping the large pieces together, medium together and small together.

5. After you've layered them all on top of one another you can staple them in the center. My stapler is too big to staple the small, cylinder piece on top so I typically just glue it on afterwards. 

And there you have it! A unique gift bow! 

Thanks, 

Tuesday Treasury - Christmas Baking!

                                         

'Christmas Treats And Holiday Baking' by shemonster31                     

Only a week left until Christmas! That means it's time to get baking, so let's bake in style with hand-made and vintage holiday items!

Chevon Red GREASEPROOF ... SweetsTreatsBo... $3.75	Milk Glass Pedestal Cak... BarkingSandsVi... $95.00	Sprinkles Cupckake cake... ThePinkPepperc... $4.99	copper cookie cutters, ... trashtownvinta... $26.00
Vintage Wooden Rolling ... Tparty $12.90	Mini Cupcake/Pie/Browni... TreasureiTbyDo... $32.00	Recipe Box - Eat, Drink... exquisiteinks $65.00	Christmas Trivets, Hand... WexfordTreasur... $14.99
Retro 80's Betty Cr... ecofriendlyfre... $20.00	FREE Shipping CHRISTMAS... ClassyCookApro... $55.50	Vintage Santa's Mag... windhillantiqu... $8.95	Printable Holiday Bakin... VLHamlinDesign $1.00
Vintage Pyrex Mixing Bo... Hindsvik $12.00	Kitchen utensils made o... UnnaVintage $15.00	Vintage Hand Mixer / Eg... VancouverVinta... $10.00	Green Christmas Ornamen... madebyemily $22.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

The Magic of Santa

Sidney - Christmas Morning 2010

When I was a (younger) teenager, before Sidney was even conceived I thought that if I ever had children I wouldn't lie to them and teach them about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or any other sort of “magical” creature.

Now that I’m actually a parent I really do believe that children should believe in magic. Could you imagine a childhood where fairies didn't exist? That’s unicorns just aren't real and Santa isn't logical? How dull and boring that would be? 

I’ve heard a lot of people say that it’s teaching your children that lying is okay, that it’s deceiving and makes you lose credibility. 

However, 

I think that it helps strengthen her imagination, 

that it gives her hope, 

Is a part of childhood and growing up,

That it’s a nice tradition, one that’s been around for a long time.

Can’t you remember Christmas Eve? Trying to stay awake, lying silently in bed waiting to hear hooves on your rooftop? That excited feeling? Why wouldn't I want my daughter to have that experience? Being able to wake up early, race downstairs to admire all the gifts, to feel that special magic on Christmas morning that Santa, a kind and generous man, had brought to us on Christmas Eve.

There really is no harm in Santa Claus. I remember when I first realized he wasn't real. I overheard my friend’s parents talking about which presents to sign by Santa and which to sign Mom and Dad. I was a little upset, but I already had my speculations. And did it traumatize me? Did I look at my parents as evil, lying and deceiving human beings? No, I didn't  I still looked and thought of them as the same parents as before. Only now I would thank them for the presents instead of Santa. 

Children are only children for so long, and every decade, every year that seems to be getting shorter and shorter. People expect so much of their children these days. We put them in a ton of extracurricular activities, force them to do extra homework and force so much responsibilities on them that they don’t even get a moment to relax. Now we expect them to stop believing, to start thinking like adults, too? 

I’m not saying people can’t and shouldn't reveal the truth about Santa Clause to their children. Everyone has different parenting methods, and none of them is right or wrong. In fact I know an atheist couple who doesn't even celebrate Christmas or any winter Holiday and that’s their choice, not mine. 

All I’m saying is I personally like having my daughter believe in magic.

What are your opinions on Santa Clause?

Thanks, 

Photo Calendars - The Perfect Gift

When I worked at PhotoLab in 2009 I discovered the most amazing gift - personalized photo calendars! 

Since then I have been making one for my Grandma every Christmas. My mom and I used to buy her Elvis calendars every year, she thinks he's gorgeous (can you think of a woman at that age who doesn't?). But now I think she might enjoy looking at her family members pictures even more than hunky Elvis because every year that she gets a personalized photo calendar she has the biggest smile on her face. 

Well, if you live near a PhotoLab/Zehrs you're in luck because right now they are on sale! Instead of paying $24, it's only $16.80! Just go on over to their website www.photolab.ca, upload your favourite pictures and customize a calendar! While you're browsing over there, why not take the time to look at all the other great gifts they offer, since a lot of them are on sale this time of year? 

The website says that you have until December 12 to place your order if you want to receive it before December 23. So get to it!

Thanks, 

20 Stocking Stuffers! For The Entire Family

styleathome.com

Everyone comes up with different ideas for stocking stuffers. When I was a kid this usually involved small, inexpensive things. These days I hear about people getting ipods and other gadgets. However, I prefer to keep our stocking stuffers simple, and useful.

For our little girl (some good ideas for boys, too!):

1. toothbrush (or toothbrush head)
2. dental floss
3. hair accessories (clips, elastics, headbands)
4. bubble bath, bath paints
5. Lip Smackers lip balm
6. nail polish in girly colours
7. small colouring book
8. candy and gum
9. crayons and markers
10. fun socks
11. cute underwear
12. funky bandaids
13. small dolls
14. mittens
15. stickers
16. temporary tattoos
17. paint brushes
18. flower and vegetable seeds for springtime gardening
19. adorable gardening gloves
20. pretty plastic jewelry

For my hubby:

1. comb
2. lighters
3. lottery scratch tickets
4. candy, gum and mints
5. socks
6. batteries
7. car air freshener
8. Burt's Bees lip balm
9. deodarant
10. body spray/cologne
11. Tim Hortons gift card
12. key chain
13. nail clippers and tweezers
14. pens and pencils
15. beer cozy
16. razors
17. USB stick/flash drive
18. deck of cards
19. boot laces
20. Dr. Scholl's Odor-X foot powder for his stinky work boots

For the mommy:

1. toothbrush head
2. make-up (eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow)
3. lip balms
4. nail polish
5. hair elastics
6. manicure or pedicure kit
7. jewelry
8. perfume or body spray
9. SD card for camera
10. fridge magnets
11. journal or notebook
12. pens and pencils
13. teabags, coffee or hot chocolate packets
14. pocket mirror
15. chocolate
16. Dr. Scholl's gel soles 
17. bath salts, body lotions and candles
18. measuring cups/spoons
19. loofah sponge
20. pocket knife (I could really use one *hint hint Santa!*)

What are some of your favourite stocking stuffers?

Thanks,

Tuesday Treasuries - Peanuts Gang

As you might already know, I'm a seller on Etsy. I'm also a buyer on Etsy, because Etsy has a lot of great things for sale! Every Tuesday I post a Treasury list of items that I love on my Little Shop of Treasures blog. I'm also going to start posting them on this one, too! This week's theme is:

'Nothing Beats a Peanuts Christmas!' by shemonster31

In our house, we simply cannot celebrate Christmas without the Peanuts gang! Just take one look at our tree! And around our living room, and on the book shelf, and in my daughter's toy box.... We love The Peanuts gang!

snoopy joe cool pat... patchclub $4.00	Snoopy Strolls With... ALLTHINGSSNOOP... $5.50	Vintage Hallmark Ke... Lemondae $9.50	Caroling Peanuts Ga... bagsbybrenda $30.00
Vintage Peanuts Gan... GoGreenVintage... $30.00	SALE-Snoopy, Woodst... GirlyStuffByDe... $29.00	Peanuts and the Gan... ApronAddict $24.99	Peanuts Gang Holida... ChunkyMonkeySh... $2.00
Peanuts Snoopy Char... GingerPots $20.00	Vintage Snoopy & Wo... HighlandHeart $65.00	Vintage Snoopy Stay... DaisVintageTre... $16.00	Vintage Peanuts Orn... midmodncool $115.00
RARE Vintage Snoopy... ChinaGalore $185.00	Christmas Signature... itsintheattic $33.59	Peanuts Christmas 1... MisplacedTalen... $7.00	linus and snoopy st... peaceocake $25.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Christmas Parade

Christmas Parade 2009

Tonight is the Christmas parade, and I'm not there. I can't help but feel guilty about it (I actually cried for a little bit), but what can I do? 

Some how I've managed to get strep throat and my whole body is feeling it. My throat hurts, my muscles hurt, I have a headache and I feel slightly disoriented when standing for too long. 

It came about last night. My mom and I were out shopping with the Sidney and her cousin Faith, when I started to feel really awful. By 10 p.m. last night I knew I was sick. This morning I realized I had strep throat, but the muscle aches and headaches were gone so I showered and dressed and went out with my mom and the kids again for some more Christmas shopping. Well, that was a bad idea because now I feel awful again and I have to miss the parade. 

To be honest, Christmas parades really aren't that fun. It's cold outside, we never get a good view, they last forever and by the end of it the kids are tired and cranky, but I still hate missing out on it. I love seeing how excited Sidney is throughout the parade, especially when Santa and Mrs. Claus go by. 

I'm just glad her Daddy took her along with her Aunt and cousin. At least she's not missing out. And even though I feel bad for not going, I know Sidney doesn't mind. I was going to try and go, but I was too irritable and my grumpiness would have ruined it. I'm also a little bit sad about not being able to get pictures... Another blank spot in my family albums lol.

Is it just me who feels guilty over simple things? Or is it a mom thing? 

Thanks,