This time of year is one for cherishing precious time spent with your loved ones. As Thanksgiving approaches we reflect on the year that has passed while looking forward to the festivities ahead in the coming weeks. So before the turkey goes in the oven and the marshmallows top the candied yams we wanted to take a minute to Thank YOU.
We are so thankful to each and everyone of you. You have helped us pursue our passion which makes going to work each day so FUN!! To be able to help create wonderful memories for families makes it that much more special.
We also want to extend a Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving to those who will be away from their families serving in our military, protecting our freedom. We are so thankful to you and your families for making the sacrifices that you do everyday.
May the blessings of the season be with each and every one of you every day!
Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from all around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends. Thank you!!
Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!
Creating family traditions can be simple and effortless - don't get stressed trying to create an elaborate plan. Remember the point is to bring the family together for some quality time.
Here are some simple ideas to create your own family traditions that will be easy to continue year after year.
- Drive through area light displays together. Tune in some Christmas carols on the radio and you are ready to be fascinated by the twinkling displays.
- Make Dough Ornaments with the Family - Check out my EASY Dough Ornament Recipe!
- Movie night! Watch your favorite holiday flick together...whether it's Miracle on 34th Street or A Christmas Story it will be something to share with each generation.
- Hand print an item with every family member. Choose a cloth laundry or grocery bag or table cloth and have each person put there hand print on it. One can be made for each member of the family and added to as it expands.
- Family Pot Luck. You can choose an overall theme that everyone can bring an appropriate dish or have everyone bring a course. Have everyone email you the recipes in advance and you can put together a booklet for each guest attending.
- Have an annual ornament exchange. Each person can draw a name and get an ornament for that family member. You can incorporate themes or other ideas to spice it up from year to year.
These are just some ideas for you to share with your loved ones. Traditions that can be created so easily and can last a lifetime!
Happy crafting and I hope these ideas help! Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.
Connect with us for the latest inspired, creative ideas!
Making these cute bread dough ornaments with your kids can be a fun family tradition. I remember making these with my kids when they were young. Include extended family too so cousins can share those memories when they are older.
Here's a simple Dough Ornament Recipe for your new family tradition:
1 c. flour
1/4 c. salt
1/2 c. warm tap water
You can add colored tempera paint to your dough or you may paint them when baked.
Combine flour, salt and powder tempera (if desired). Add part of the water, stir and add the rest as needed to make a ball. Knead with flour till it is a soft ball that is not sticky but not too stiff. TIP: Since I make lots of ornament dough, I use a food processor, which is a great option but not necessary.
Now that you dough is complete, follow these simple steps to make your own personalized DIY ornaments!
Step 1 - Cutting process: Lightly flour surface of cutting board, roll dough out to about 1/4 inch. Take a cookie cutter and cut out. With your spatula move to cookie sheet. Continue cutting your ornaments till you have the desired number. Take a straw and cut hole in top of ornament for ribbon to hang or add a small wire hook.
Step 2 - Baking process: Bake at 225 degrees for 4 hours or until ornaments are hard.
Step 3 - Painting and finishing: If you have not colored your dough, I used the following acrylic colors to paint my ornaments:
- Mitten: Ceramcoat Cardinal Red
- Tree: Ceramcoat Christmas Green
- Star: Ceramcoat White
For mitten: After red has dried, use an unsharpened pencil dipped in white acrylic paint to apply polka dots. FYou will probably want to dip the pencil for each dot. Test it on a piece of paper before you start. Allow the mittens to dry completely and then seal with a clear polyurethane sealer. After the sealer has dried measure the white ric rack and glue onto top of mitten.
For Christmas tree: After the green has dried, embellish your tree with a package of stars and dots that you can pick up at any craft store. After these are dry you are ready to seal with a clear polyurethane sealer.
For star: After white has dried, this ornament is ready to seal with a clear polyurethane sealer. After the sealer dries, you can bling it up with glue and glitter.
Now you are ready to cut the printable tags attached and have your child sign their name. Just click on the image to the left and print!! Be sure and add the year and/or their age so you will have a special keepsake. Cut 8 inch pieces of red ribbon and tie the ribbon and tag on the ornament.
Your children will be so proud of these! They will make a great addition to your family tree or would make wonderful gifts for parents, grandparents, school classmates or special friends.
How to store bread dough ornaments:
- Store in a cool, dry place
- Do not store in damp basement or attic
- I store all my ornaments in Rubbermaid type containers on the main floor of my home.
Happy crafting and I hope these ideas help! Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.
Connect with us for the latest inspired,
creative ideas!
Personalized family Christmas ornaments are a great way to chronicle your family year by year as it changes. You can start the tradition anytime because it's never too late.
But you might want to start it sooner than later! You can look back over the years and fond memories will be sparked. You will see there are various options when it comes to customized family ornaments. In addition to styles a number of different themes exist.
Whether your preference is a specific Christmas character or a sports theme we cover the gamete. As family members are added over the years, you can adjust your ornament to accommodate it so they are included.
These also make great gifts. Whether it is for a friend or family member this customized gift shows you were thinking of them in a special way. You can also begin a collection for each family member as the years progress so they have the same mementos for their trees.
I hope these ideas help! Since my first craft show in 1981, customers here at home and from around the United States continue to add to their collections and to buy these personalized gifts for family and friends.
Connect with us for the latest inspired,
creative ideas!
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