Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Life-Saver Men Craft

Looking for some fun gift ideas for your kids to make and give to their friends?  One of the most popular crafts I've had on my blog was the life-saver men tree ornaments.  It's been five years since I posted it, so here it is again:




1) To make each set of arms and legs, wind about 20 lengths of red or green yarn length-wise around a six-inch ruler.  
2) Slide the yarn off the ruler, tie shorter pieces of yarn around each bunch near each end, and cut the ends so that all of the yarn ends are loose.  
3) Cut one long piece of yarn for each life-saver man and tie one end of it around the middle of the leg piece, forming two legs.
4) Thread the long piece of yarn on a long needle and push it through the center of the life-saver candy roll.  We used the large life-saver candy rolls, so we actually had to tie the yarn around a crochet hook or knitting needle to get it all the way through.
5) Tie the long piece of yarn around the middle of the arm piece, forming two arms.
6) Thread the long piece of yarn on a long needle again and push it through the center of the styrofoam ball for the head.  For this one, we used a plastic kiddie-needle for plastic canvas.  It was long enough to go all the way through and had enough of a point to go through the styrofoam.
7) Keep the long piece of yarn on the needle and push it through the center of a small shape cut from cardstock or felt for the hat.
8) Tie a loop for hanging in the top of the long piece of yarn.
9) Use markers to draw a happy face on your life-saver man!


Happy Crafting and Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 7, 2015

Kindle Freebies

A few minutes ago I posted some digital scrapbook freebies.  Here are some Kindle freebies, for those who prefer reading over scrapbooking!



Happy Reading and Merry Christmas!

Share the Memories Freebies!

I just love Christmas freebies!

Here are two new freebies from My Memories.  Click on the images to be taken to the downloads:



USE THIS CODE: STMMMS79285

to get $10 off the NEW My Memories Suite 7 Software! (in the US and Canada)

Merry Christmas and Happy Scrapping!

Pearl Harbor Attack

Seventy-four years ago today, the unthinkable happened.  The U.S. was bombed on her own soil by the Japanese.  This changed the world for that generation in a way that my generation could not understand until it happened to us on 9/11/2001.

The next day, December 8, 1941, the United States entered World War II.  

Also on December 8, 1941, my dad was born.  My grandmother always claimed that the stress of that news and the country entering the war caused her to go into labor early.  My daughter, born shortly after 9/11, shares that distinction with her granddad.  

See the Actual Telegram That First Spread the Word About Pearl Harbor

Click on image to see the article.


We teach our children our history in the hopes we will not repeat it, and so that if we do, they may draw strength and wisdom from the way their ancestors handled situations; 
or sometimes, to learn not to do what their ancestors did.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Christmas Photo 2015

The annual Christmas card photo got a little out of hand this year. . .


Merry Christmas!!!

Monday, November 30, 2015

Flyby Review: Chris Tomlin Adore CD


I was so excited to add Chris Tomlin's new Christmas album to my Christmas music collection!  This all live album contains a mix of traditional Christmas classics and original Christmas songs.  It is unique in that it is all arranged as worship music.  This song list is great to listen to on your own or as part of a worship service.  

As I've been running my errands the last few days, I've noticed that more and more radio stations and stores are playing only secular Christmas songs for the public.  While I couldn't get through December without a good rendition of "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer," I also really miss the religious songs as I prepare for the season.  There really is no reason to have Christmas at all if Jesus is not the focus.  (A big shout-out to our local Wal-mart, which has been playing a mix of religious and secular favorites in the Christmas section, and which proclaims "Merry Christmas" on many ads and decorations!)  Through our music, our actions and traditions (we DO have a "Sparkle Box"; we did NOT go shopping on Black Friday), our talk, and activities such as The Christmas Experience (more about that in a future post), we are trying to live the true meaning of the Season of Christmas for ourselves and our children.  This is why an album like this is so important.  Everything we do during Christmas should be Worship.  This album turns every song into a worship anthem as only Chris Tomlin can.

This new Christmas album released on October 23, 2015.  It features classic Christmas songs with a mix of original Christmas songs.  There are special guest performances from Lauren Daigle, All Sons & Daughters, Crowder, and more on this album.  
Songs:1. He Shall Reign Forevermore
2. Adore
3. Midnight Clear (Love Song)
4. Noel featuring Lauren Daigle 5. Hymn Of Joy
6. Silent Night featuring Kristyn Getty 7. What Child Is This? featuring Sons & Daughters 8. It's Christmas
9. A King Like This
10. Bethlehem
11. A Christmas Alleluia featuring Lauren Daigle & Leslie Jordan of All Sons & Daughters 

Chris Tomlin is an American contemporary Christian music artist, worship leader, and songwriter who has sold nearly 30 million records.  Some of his most well-known songs are "How Great Is Our God", "Jesus Messiah", "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)", "Our God", and "Whom Shall I Fear".  His 2013 album Burning Lights debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, only the fourth Christian album ever to open at No.1.  Throughout his career, Chris has been nominated for 32 Dove Awards (6 of them collaborative efforts) and he has won 19 of them.  

SOCIAL • CORNER 






ITUNES  - Link to purchase digital download of the album.


Would you like to win a copy of this CD?  Tell me your favorite Christmas tradition, here or on my Facebook page!

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Merry Christmas!!!


Cyber Monday Deals on Kindle!


And stock up on some holiday favorites!


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Merry Christmas!