Twelve Days of Christmas

Welcome to day five of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's Twelve Days of Christmas Blog Hop!  I'm excited to be the featured blogger for day five.  There have been some beautiful projects and inspiration on all of the blogs so far!  If you're just joining us now, I encourage you to hop on over to the SNR blog to find your way to the blogs of the staffers from the past four days because you won't want to miss them!

Things are tight during these tough economic times and the holidays are no exception.  There are a lot of things to cut back on and re-prioritize.  With so many families struggling right now, there's such a strong sense of urgency to lend a hand, whether it be through service or donation.  We feel blessed to have our basic needs met right now and be able to provide for our children, but so many people right in our own communities can not. 

The holidays are the perfect time to teach our children about compassion and community teamwork.  It's important to point out that there are a lot of "extras" that we can cut back on, things we don't necessarily need and help out where we can instead.  I'm pleased with the results of my efforts thus far with my daughter.  It may only be little things here or there, but these little things add up to great big life lessons.  A few months ago, when we'd head out the door to the grocery store, she'd be sure to pack an extra quarter or two to ride the carousel outside the store or hit the gumball machines.  As we were getting out of the car at the store this morning, you could imagine how proud I was to discover that she was filling her pocket with quarters to place into the Salvation Army pot instead of the carousel ride today.  She's getting the message and I'm so thankful for that.

We can't teach our children anything that we aren't modeling ourselves, in fact, that's the best way for them to learn.  Keeping the dialogue open about your own efforts will have a great impact on your children.  It can be little things in our daily lives that can teach them so much if we explain ourselves properly. 

While decorating for the holidays this year, I'm discovering that some of our decorations are a bit tired or outdated with the rest of the house.  Instead of running out to the store to buy new decor, I'm trying to employ a bit of creativity to bring them back to life.  My mother-in-law had given me this wall hanging.  It was old and had become drab.  I knew I could come up with something to jazz it up if I dipped into my paper crafting supplies! 

A little bit of paint, patterned paper from Making Memories and Webster's Pages, lots of glitter, Stickles, May Arts ribbon, a Doodlebug gem, some pearl stickers, Teresa Collins cardstock crown, Melissa Frances sticker, Maya Road bird, Making Memories mistletoe, and a few treasures from a pine sprig from the craft store and it was good as new!  Of course, I do like most things to have a certain shabbyness to them even if they're new, so some sanding and Ranger distress inks did the trick.

 

A few more inexpensive holiday decorating ideas:

Spruce up an old frame with your paper crafting supplies

Create handmade ornaments for the tree

Add some handmade embellishments to hanging pine garland or a wreath

Take a look around, see what you can do with recycled items and a few of your favorite crafting supplies.  I'll be posting more throughout the month, so be sure to check back!

Thanks for hopping along with us!  I'm so glad you came by.  Be sure to check out the Scrapbook News and Review forum this weekend for a special Manufacturer Spotlight on Jenni Bowlin Studios- FREE classes and lots of inspiration!  The feature goes live at 4pm EST.  Say hello and let us know you're visiting!

Comments

[Naomi]

Great idea, I have a few things that I didn't put out this year because they need work as well. I hope to do it in the next couple of months as I didn't have time this year. This turned out really great!

[Kira]

OOOOO I like that! Happy new year!!

[Siobhan]

This is such a neat project Jennifer! I love it! Have a Merry Christmas!

[CathyRose]

What a great holiday project!

[Mary Beth]

What a wonderful project- as usual. May you and your family have a blessed holiday, Jennifer.

[Jenn Embry]

Great idea. I love it when something can be recycled or repurposed.

[Gale]

Beautiful project. What a great idea too.

[Darren Blair]

Part time! Christmas is a time when we exchange presents, moments of happiness and party with friends and relatives .

[Pam]

Great job revamping some well loved decor! YAY!! to your little girl for being compassionate and caring for others as well!

[scrappinmominky]

Great way to perk up your Christmas decoration. It is so sweet that your little girl is thinking of others.

[Tami B.]

I'm especially loving the sheet music on this. Such a wonderful idea to spiff up the old decor that needs a bit of love.

[MargieH]

Great job, Jennifer!
I LOVE revamping something from old to new = GO GREEN! LOL!!
Reminds me to revamp our Christmas wreath...had ours for at least 17 years!
Excited to see the next 12 Days' project! xo