$4 Homemade Wall Art

   


     So when you first walk into my house there is a wall straight ahead that has an electrical panel on it. Why they couldn't move it a few feet into the closet...I will never understand. Anyway, I wanted some kind of art to hang there to cover it...without spending a lot of money. The problem was that in order to cover the panel and have the art centered on the space, it would need to be at least 24x36 and fit into our style and color theme!

     I saw a really cute Holiday idea for a mantle that used wooden blocks and thought it would be great if I could alter the idea to make wall art instead of tabletop decor. So I went to the dollar store for inspiration and thats when I found everything I needed.

Paper plates (I used black square plates) - $1
Red decorative filling - $1
Ribbon - $1
Bows (they were actually christmas ornaments) - $1

Total cost = $4

     It turned out really cute and fits the space and our decor perfectly. The best part was the overall price of only $4 and how easy it was to make. The kids loved watching me make it that they wanted to make one of their own. So I went today to pick up different colored plates plates, colored beads and different colored ribbon ofr my daughter and son to make one of their own for each of their bedrooms. I'll update later to let you know how that goes!

Start a Tradition

     When I came across this idea and I knew that I had to do it! This Christmas book Advent Calendar not only counts down to the exciting day but it also creates a family memory every night for 24 nights! Choose 24 Christmas/Holiday themed books, they can be ones you already own or ones you buy new, if you reuse them each year it pays for itself, and wrap each book in Holiday paper. Then use gift tags to number them from 1-24. You can use store bought gift tags or make your own. You can place it across a buffet table, a window seat or like myself you can place it on top of our fireplace mantle.

This is our calendar this year: 

1. Bear Noel By: Olivier Dunrea
2. Christmas Mice! By: Bethany Roberts
3. Things I See at Christmas By: Julie Stiegemeyer 
4. Down Through the Chimney By: Twin Sisters Productions Staff 
5. The Littlest Christmas Tree By: R.A Herman
6. Little Engine That Could Snowy, Blowy Christmas By: Watty Piper 
7. The Littlest Christmas Star By: Brandi Dougherty 
8. Donald’s Christmas Gift By: Sheila Sweeny Higginson 
9. D. W.’s Perfect Present By: Marc Brown 
10. The Christmas Cookie Case By: Scholastic, Inc. Staff 
11. Funny Hunny Christmas By: Random House Disney Staff 
12. The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving By: Jan Berenstain 
13. The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet By: Deborah Hautzig 
14. The Christmas Star By: Elizabeth Raum 
15. Willow At Christmas By: Camilla Ashforth 
16. Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas By: Gemstone Publishing, Inc
17. The Little Christmas Tree By: Mercer Mayer 
18. Clifford’s First Christmas By: Norman Bridwell 
19. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: A Holly Jolly Christmas!
20. Frosty the Snowman: A Musical Book By: Jack Rollins
21. Duck & Goose It’s Time for Christmas By: Tad Hills 
22. Merry Christmas, Stinky Face By: Lisa Mccourt 
23. Snowmen at Christmas By: Caralyn Buehner
24. The Night Before Christmas By: Clement C. Moore

     Each year you can also change the order of the books, leaving your child wondering when their favorite will be read…of course always leaving the best book for last! You can also take out the books your children outgrow and replace them as your children get older. The point is that during a time that stress can be overwhelming and time can get away from you, this will make you stop and enjoy a few minutes with your family every night until Christmas! A tradition your children will remember for the rest of their lives.

Life is full of B's

Anjali is turning 4 years old this December. That gives me only one more year to stay home with her than its off to pre-school for one year, then Kindergarten! I’ve created a lesson plan to help improve her basic knowledge and writing skills. Each week is a new letter and everything I do revolves around that letter. This week we have been focusing on the letter “B“.

Foods we have been eating are: Blueberry pancakes, Biscuits, Banana Bread, Bagels, Bologna, Peanut Butter Balls, and chocolate B’s. 

Peanut Butter Balls & Chocolate B's

Our big project was making Peanut Butter Balls, and I piped the letter “B” on each one. Then with our leftover chocolate I helped her pipe the letter “B” onto wax paper so she could have a yummy chocolate treat to bring to her Brother Baseball team or share with her Ballet class.

On her “scavenger hunt” she found: Bus Book, Bear, Bumble Bee, Balls, Babies, Bottles, Sponge Bob, and a Boat.

Letter "B" scavenger hunt

She traced the letter “B” on Blue paper with glue then applied the cheerios to it (only because I was completely out of beans!) 

I also laminate (clear tape on each side) a cut-out of the letter we are doing. We take that letter everywhere with us. Each time she sees an object that starts with the her letter she pulls it out to show me. At ShopRite she found a Balloon and at the farm a Butterfly, Birds, and lots of Bees! She also loves to play hide in seek with the cut-out. I hide the letter (near an object that starts with it) and she has to find it.

Letter "B" hide & seek

Of course we have our worksheets and other basic skills we learn each week also, but this is my favorite part of teaching. She has fun doing it and so do I, and that’s what makes it work so well. Next week we move onto the letter…”L”.

Peanut Butter Balls

Mix 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter, 1/3 cup homey, and 1 cup powered milk in bowl. Roll into 1" balls. Melt 6oz chocolate and dip balls into the chocolate. Place onto wax paper in the refridgerator until hardened.