Advent Calendar Projects

What is it about advent calendars that I love so much?  I have come across so many cute ideas this year for making my own.  Now if only I could narrow down which idea to use...I mean how many advent calendars can I have up around my house?  But really, I think one of the reasons I love these, is because it captures the very spirit I love so much about Christmas.  There is that anticipation and feeling of excitement you get as December 25th draws closer!  An advent calendar just adds to the fun as you open a little door or pocket or envelope each day and get one step closer to the BIG day!  I get so excited just writing about it!  So, I have collected some fun advent calendar ideas for you.  Choose one, try one, or share one.  I can't wait to start my own!

The first idea is one of my favorites, made with mini muffin tins.  You can purchase the muffin tin at Walmart for pretty cheap and then head to the craft store for matching scrapbook paper designs and any cute embellisments you wish to add.  I love the one shown on Somewhat Simple because she includes not toys or candy in hers but special and meaningful activities to do together as a family.  Like "put up Christmas decorations, do a Christmas craft, bake cookies," and the list goes on.  How much would your little one look forward to opening a door and finding some family activities to do tgether!  You've got to check it out!

Or what about using socks from the kiddos to make a hanging advent calendar!  This could be a great use for mismatched socks or go out and buy some seasonal and matching socks to make your own.  Add some number stickers for the countdown, some clothespin for hanging, and ribbon to tie it all together.  And your little one will love reaching into that baby sock and finding a special treat!  Then when finished, hang the sock back up, and your holiday decoration is as cute as ever!  Check out Martha Stewart's site for more detailed directions...just darling!

And how I love another use for a cookie sheet!  Here's a way to make a magnetic calendar.  You don't always have to have little treats and prizes.  Sometimes children just love the idea of counting down and getting closer to the most magical day of the year.  They can even add a number as each day passes.  So cute to hang on your wall also!  Check out Making Memories for the "how to" instructions on this advent calendar.  Maybe I do want to make more than one for my home!

And here is the cheap side of me...find a cute and affordable placemat as the base and purchase a set of 24 gift tags from the Dollar Store to use as the cutesie ornaments.  You can sew or glue the felt onto the placemat with a tree design and cute little pockets!  Don't forget to somehow add numbers to the pockets.  Each day your kiddo gets to pull a paper ornament out of the pocket and hang it on the tree!  Check out this blog dedicated to Dollar Store ideas and decorating and find the advent calendar directions.  So cute!  Now have fun making your own family advent calendar and enjoy this amazing and festive time of year.  Start your countdown now...
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Let the Christmas Decorating Begin!

It's the day after Thanksgiving and I am already in the mood (like many of you) to begin the Christmas decorating marathon!  So, I thought I would do a fun little post today filled with some ideas of easy and cute ways to freshen up your home for the holidays and maybe add some festive cheer to the rooms in your house!  Keep your eyes open at the stores this weekend for items you might be able to use for some of these creative touches.  You will find many of these photos and more at Southern Living.  Happy Christmas decorating!

Use items laying around the garage or garden area to decorate the front porch.  Choose a color theme like a bright holiday red color to tie it all together.  I love the cozy feel of this when you walk up to the front door!

Fill vases or glass containers with berries, fruit, and evergreen branches.  These are wonderful smelling and easy ways to add some festivity to many areas of your home.  Put them here and there for color and decoration!

Don't forget that you can add a holiday touch to any room in the house, even the kitchen!  I love to create holiday buffets for Christmas morning, Christmas dinner, and more.  So, if you decorate the counters or kitchen, it makes it even more fun!

Pillows are an easy way to decorate for the holidays.  Take away your everyday pillows and add some new ones with a splash of red, or gold, or green!  Choose a color scheme that already works for your home. If bright reds don't fit, decorate this holiday season with whites and creams or silver and golds!  One of my favorite touches is to add some big and comfy pillows on the floor. You can watch a holiday movie, listen to some Christmas carols or play a board game while cuddled with the family on the floor!

Another easy way to add some holiday cheer to your house is by placing oranments in a vase or clear container.  If you find some on sale or even have some broken ones you don't want to add to the tree...place them in the vase for some sparkle!

Even your gifts and presents can fit into your home for the holidays!  Have fun with matching wrapping papers, ribbons and bows.  And don't forget to make your own cute gift tags to match!  How darling is that!

Hope you are a bit more inspired today to start your Christmas decorating!  If I have enough energy I might just get the boxes out and start my own Christmas decorating.  I'll light some yummy smelling candles, put on the Christmas music, and pop in a classic movie.  Life doesn't get any better, does it? 

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Just for Fun Holiday Wish List!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

     *Cricut Expression

     *Chi Flat Iron

     *New wardrobe (a girl can dream!)

     *A super clean house (better than diamonds)

     *Cozy slippers (really need some for the winter)

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

      *Hmmmm... a beautiful quilt for my baby's girl room.  It was absolutely gorgeous!

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

     *Great question...still pondering!

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

      *Easy bake oven.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
      *My kiddos are ages 2 1/2 and almost 1...so no wish lists yet.  But my little guy loves anything having to do with cars, trucks, or trains.  And my baby girl loves music!

6. What is your favorite holiday food?
      *I love a delicious spiral-cut ham on Christmas day!

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
      *I will be baking cookies for the neighbors and I hope to make gifts for friends.  I was thinking some personalized chalkboards!

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
      *I love to watch "The Family Stone" and "Elf."

9. Favorite holiday song?
     *Baby, It's Cold Outside!

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
     *Listening to Christmas music, driving around the neighborhood to see the beautiful lights, baking cookies, and watching movies with a warm blanket, hot chocolate, and a fire!
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The Day Before Thanksgiving...

One more day to go until we are able to spend the morning cooking, the afternoon eating, and the evening relaxing!  I love Thanksgiving because it seems like a much more calm and relaxed holiday than some of the others.  The day truly is spent with delicious food, wonderful friends and family, and lots of thankfulness for the year's blessings!  So, how have I spent Thanksgiving Eve?  Well, some last minute grocery shopping had to be done, the tables are now set, and by tonight even the kiddos activities will all be set up (placemat coloring, scarecrow creations, and a gingerbread house to decorate).  There's even time to put my feet up during naptime and rest a bit.  Tomorrow will be here soon enough!

This year I decided to do a warm and cozy feel on the dining table.  The colors are golds, oranges, and reds.  I mainly decorated with candles, berries, and a few pumpkins!  My craft project was making the "Giving Thanks" candles centerpiece.  It really was quite easy.  I picked out some cute scrapbook papers from Michaels to match my color scheme.  Then I chose the font and size I wanted to use on my computer.  I printed up the letters on a solid colored paper (8 1/2"x11") and mounted them on some cute decorated papers (12"x12").  The border shows on the top and bottom.  Cutting scrapbook paper in half is almost the size you need to roll around the pillar candles, maybe a bit more trimmmed...but really close!  Roll the paper around the candles and glue on the end with a glue gun.  The glue does not stick to a wax candle, so make sure you have enough extra to have the paper overlap and glue it together.  I rolled and then pushed and stuck it down nice and tight, right on my countertop!

Six candles on each side of the centerpiece worked perfectly.  Buy cheap candles because 12 candles can add up quickly and you're really only using them for a short period of time.  But the papers can come off and you might find another use for the cream colored candles!

For the centerpiece, I used a pumpkin with fall floral stems stuck in the middle.  I also hunted around my cabinets for a few things I have used in years prior...wrought iron pumpkins for each end of the table, berry place card holders, gold chargers, and fabric napkins with some fall ribbon (left over from another project).  The table came together easily and looks very festive!

You've got one more day to plan out your table and add some holiday touches.  Go as elaborate or simple as you like but make sure to do something special.  After all, Thanksgiving only comes around once a year!  Happy Thanksgiving a day early!

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Crazy About Cookies (and Cookie Sheets)!

I am not the world's best baker...but I still love to bake!  And this time of year puts me in the baking mood.  There is nothing more relaxing than putting on some holiday music, lighting some candles, and baking in the kitchen!  So, what's better than a cookie exchange?  This year I am doing a couple of cookie exchanges and already had one with my mommy's group.  What a great idea to have it a bit earlier, so you can use the recipes you get and make more cookies for friends and neighbors.  Thanks Carly for hosting such a fun party!  The way ours worked is that each person chose their favorite holiday cookie to make.  You baked half a dozen for each person going to the party and packaged them up with the recipe included.  We also made sure to back a dozen cookies to sample at the party and vote for our favorite one...just for fun!  The assortment was gorgeous!  And of course the best part is that you only have to make one kind of cookie but you come home with such a variety of delicious and favorite cookies.  What could be easier?  This is a great event to plan with your girlfriends...cookies, drinks, and lots of laughs!

I chose to make the "Holiday Wreath" cookies because they look so festive and brighten up any platter of holiday cookies.  They are also super easy to make and fun for kiddos!  Follow this link for the delicious and easy recipe!  They are very yummy as well!  I can't wait for the next holiday cookie exchange and will choose another fun cookie to make...maybe I'll try a new recipe!

But don't forget that cookies aren't the only thing to make on cookie sheets this holiday season.  I came across this adorable "Christmas Countdown" calendar that is made with vinyl lettering from Studio JK Vinyl and a cookie sheet or pizza pan!  How adorable is that in the kitchen!

And a friend, Becky, sent me this idea as she has been inspired to get crafty at home!  Look at her DIY prayer boards made with cookie sheets, cute scrapbook paper, some magnets, and photos of friends and family members!  That is darling up on the wall and fun to see who to pray for during the week.  Visual reminders are always good!  Thanks for these great ideas and have fun baking or making things with cookie sheets this holiday season!

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Get Your Craft On!

Ever since we bought this house...I have had a vision for the little sitting room within our master bedroom.  I've always wanted to turn it into my very own craft room.  And for the first few years, it was just a sitting area with a sofa and a chair, a space that was never really used except for the occassional Sunday afternoon nap.  Later, it became a small baby nursery with a bassinett and a way to keep my newborns close at night and hear their every gurgle and squeak.  But now it was time...it was the perfect time to transform this essentially unused space into something much more meaningful and useful!  This past week it became my craft room!  And for around $100 I made it into a space I love!

I perused garage sales, browsed thrift stores, went "shopping" in my own home, and picked up a few odds and ends at craft stores to get the materials I needed to create this room.  I am someone who likes to complete a project quickly, cheaply, and easily.  This room was all of those things!

I found a large dining room table on craigslist for $20.  My brother picked it up for me and ended up taking the sofa out of the room, that I didn't want.  Since he took my sofa, he gave me the table at no cost...even-trade he said!  I thought I got the better end of the deal...he hauled away a sofa I didn't want anymore and brought me a table I did want...for free!  I'll take it!  I had another table that came from my kitchen nook, we weren't using it any longer and so I put that in the room also.  I painted them both white (leftover paint from the builder for our interior walls...free again)! 

At a garage sale, I came across the bakers rack for $5 and all it needed was a fresh coat of black paint.  I had that in the garage as well.  I also picked up a wicker shelf, antique-looking frame, some bins, and a few more odds and ends.  The total was less than $10.  With some spray paint, it fit right in to the style of the room! 

As you can see, I went with a black, white, and green color scheme to match the rest of the bedroom.  I love the relaxing feel and it just makes me smile!  The fun part came when I got to put the room together.  I started finding things here and there around the house that worked...a candle, a jar, a plant, and so on.  After some nailing on the walls, hanging up some items, and organizing a few baskets...it was complete!  I still have quite a few things to file, organize, and add...but the room is functional.  Most importantly, it is inspiring and it is mine.  I have a small corner of our home that is just for me, a place that I can be creative, work on projects I enjoy, and do something I love.  Now this room is meaningful...just as I had envisioned years ago when we first bought our home!


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My Blog Makeover is Done!

This past week my blog has been "under construction" and that has finally come to an end!  I am in love with the makeover and some of the new features.  I hope you enjoy the new look as much as I do!  I've added a few goodies like:  Tip of the Week, Weekly Wisdom, Favorite Blogs, and much more.  I also have a navigation bar at the top which allows you to easily click on things like:  All About Me, Monthly Sweetheart Moments, Contact Me, and a way to search the blog!  And we can't forget some of the other cool features like my very own personalized button that others can add to their blog, a signature at the bottom of each post, and of course my new and beautiful header at the top...declaring to the world that you have found "Sweetheart Moments!"  So, take a look around the new and improved blog and I hope you enjoy everything!
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Under Construction!!

As you can see, my blog is under construction at the moment!!  It is undergoing a little face lift...and I am so excited to show off the finished product (work of Designed by Leslie)!!  Later this week, the finishing touches should be done and you will be able to enjoy the new look and a few new features.  I am adding on a navigation bar for your convenience, as well as a few new goodies like "Tip of the Week" and more!  So please excuse a bit of the disorganization and cluttered feel right now...I have some freshening up to do and soon you'll be able to enjoy "Sweetheart Moments" for organizing, decorating, recipes & family fun ideas!

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"Shopping" Around Your Home!

You might remember me writing in a past post about the idea of "shopping" in your own home.  Or if you know me, you might have heard me talk about doing this in my house.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  Let me refresh your memory on what I wrote...

"The best way to freshen things up is to rearrange the furniture and "shop" your own home for new and creative ways to use items you already own!"

It's true!  You don't need to spend money to freshen things up or to update a room, just go "shopping" around your home.  Sometimes I get in the mood to re-decorate a room and this very thing happened the other night as I walked around my kitchen.  I had added some cute fall touches to the countertops and corners.  But for some reason I just wasn't content and wanted the kitchen to look a bit more simplified, clean, and organized.  But I still need that cozy feeling.  I decided to have the kitchen be mainly yellow and white...happy, clean, a sunshine feeling!

So, I went out to my garage where I keep so many of my odds and ends for decorating.  Whenever I come across a good deal at a garage sale, I buy it and add it to my collection of "things I might use for some decorating fun!"  I also keep lots of seasonal items out here.  When I lived in the Midwest, these things were kept in the basement.  But out here in California, the garage is the only place that seems to work.  I can't believe I am going to show you a photo of my crazy decorating shelves in the garage...but here goes!  They are stacked with lots of decorative items, inspiration, and free stuff to "shop" with! 

I also walk around the inside of my house, deciding what to move, change, and rearrange.  Since I decided on yellow and white...that is what I was shopping for this evening for my kitchen.  I took EVERYTHING off the counters and shelves and island, and started from scratch.  Why I began this little project at 9:00 at night...I have no idea!  But I am a night owl and I was inspired!  So, the fun began!

After finding everything I needed, painting a few odds and ends with a pale yellow color (like a frame and candlestick), I was ready to start putting things back into the kitchen.  I just tried out different arrangements.  I put some things where they just made sense, like our coffee maker under the cabinet with the mugs.  And some things I experimented with.  I love the "rule of threes" when decorating.  When grouping and clustering, odd numbers work great and three is a number that works the best for me! 

So, here is my finished product!  Simplified, fresh, sunny, and perfect....until next week when I am inspired to "shop" again!  Just kidding...I will move on to another room in the house, I am sure!  I challenge you this week to look around at your own home and see if there is a room or area that needs a change.  Go "shopping" in other areas of the house and maybe pick up an item or two on a cleareance shelf, thrift store, or garage sale.  Don't spend a lot to change the look of your home!Pin It

So Much to Be Thankful For!

I really do have so much to be thankful for!  I thought I would take a moment today to just stop and appreciate one of the most amazing blessings in my life...my two kiddos!  (I am so thankful for my best friend and husband also, but he'll get his own thankful post really soon!)  They are adorable, tiring, sweet, messy, silly, brilliant, kind, energetic, cuddly, and at times they test my patience.  But for all of that, I am so thankful!  They are answers to prayers for me, a dream come true, and the fufillment of many hopes and wishes.  I love them so much and I am thankful that they are healthy, joyful, and so much fun to spend my days with. 

What are you thankful for today?  What a wonderful time of year to really focus on the blessings in our lives and to share that appreciation with others.  Think of some fun and creative ways to show how thankful you are.  This week I am working on making a "Thankful Tree" for my family.  I plan to have dinners be a time for us to go around the table and share something we are thankful for, big and small, and write those thoughts on a leaf.  The leaves go up on our tree and by Thanksgiving I hope to have that tree full of leaves and ideas of thankfulness.  Share your own ideas with me today on how you celebrate this wonderful time of year!Pin It

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

You all know how I love a meal I can do ahead of time...especially the night before!  So, here's a yummy recipe that you can refrigerate and cook the next night for dinner.  Gotta love a casserole, especially if it's delicious and healthy!  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
9 ounces uncooked spaghetti
cooking spray
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 tablespoon low sodium worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided
3 cups chopped chicken (if frozen, thawed out)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Coat a skillet with cooking spray, place over medium-high heat until hot.  Add onion and garlic; saute 5 minutes.  Add tomatoes, worcestershire sauce, seasoning, and salt; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes.  Now stir in 1 cup cheese, cooked spaghetti, and chicken.  Spoon into a 3 quart casserole dish coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

*You can cover and refrigerate the casserole overnight, and sprinkle with cheese before baking.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, until bubbly.Pin It

Someone's Trash is Another Person's Treasure!

One of my favorite Saturday activities is cruising around and hitting a bunch of garage sales looking for junk that I can transform into something great!  I love a deal, I love to refinish or transform items, and I love being out and about on a beautiful morning.  This past weekend was fantastic because my husband was home and we got to cruise the garage sales as a family of four!  My little guy always makes out like a little bandit because of those big blue eyes and his adorable smile.  We need no money with him around!  But my best find this weekend was a new table for our kitchen nook!  Here it is right before we got to enjoy breakfast on it this morning!

Lately I have been thinking that a round table might fit better in this area but I didn't want to spend too much.  And because my husband has a crazy schedule (he's a firefighter) and we don't have a truck...it makes it hard to jump on a piece of furniture when I do find something.  So after garage saling, we got home and it hit me a couple of hours later that the table I saw would be perfect for the nook.  (It didn't hit me when we were there at the house...unfortunately my inspiration came around 5:00 that evening!)  I batted my eyes and asked so sweetly if my hubby would drive back to the neighborhood we had visited that morning, find that particular house, and knock on their door...to see if the table was still there!  And just my luck...it was!!  We offered them $30 and they agreed.  Not too bad if I do say so myself.

My husband took the table apart and within two trips back and forth to our house, the table was here and it was mine!  My son got in on the fun of putting the table back together on our family room floor...super cute as Daddy's helper.  And then we put it in the nook.  I soon realized that with it next to our white cabinets, it now appeared gray in color.

No problem!  I searched the garage high and low and tracked down a gallon of some white colored paint.  No need to to spend any extra money.  While the kiddos napped...I gave that table a couple of new coats of paint and freshened it up.  It turned out great!

So, here is my new kitchen nook table and I love the size, I love the round shape, I love the crisp white color, and I love that it only cost me $30!  I cannot wait for this next weekend and some more garage sale finds.  I challenge you to visit a local thrift store, Goodwill center, or garage sale in the next few weeks and see what you can find.  It can be a candlestick, a frame, some dishes (some of my favorites) and have vision when you see them.  Remember that some spray paint and a glue gun can do wonders for that junk!Pin It