Pinch my Cheeks ornaments

My husbands family have these cool animals that you pinch their cheeks and a Hershey kiss pops out. His mom showed me how to make them, and since then I've started making more customized ones. They are fairly simple, but do take some time.

Star Trek symbol

 Mario and Avengers

Yoshi

 Toad

Supplies needed: 

-Plastic Canvas

-Yarn (color of choice)

-Large, blunt needle 

-Yarn threader (the cheap metal ones work ok, but I suggest getting one with a plastic handle and thicker metal, or they seem to just break).

Cut out 3 matching squares out of the plastic canvas (they are made with tiny squares, so I usually do 10 squares x 10 squares).

Cut out a workable length of yarn. Thread needle with desired color, only single strand with a small strand hanging out the end to keep from coming out of needle. Remember these will be diamond shape. 

Start in a corner and pull thread through until about 1/2 inch is left. then thread through the next square across at an angle. Continue to thread this way, while wrapping the 1/2 inch inside the stitches on the back. Do the outside edges on 2 sides of 2 of the squares, leave the other square with no edges stitched. Change color as needed if doing a certain design. When you start running out of yarn, push the need through several stitches on the backside and clip off the yarn. Re-thread needle, and push the new strand through several stitches on back and pick up where you left off.

The two pieces with edges done are going to be the top and bottom. The third is for the back. Put the top and back piece together open edges touching. Sew over hand stitch all the way around the two edges. Put the bottom piece together with the back and do the same. This gets a little tricky because you have to bow the canvas to make it work. Then sew a loop on the top and you have a pinch my cheek. Pinch the sides to open the mouth and put a Hershey Kiss inside.

(More detailed photos to come later)

Thankful Turkey

Draw a turkey body on poster board.

Cut out feather shapes out of lots of colors.

Every day have each person write what they are grateful for on the feather.

Glue on turkey.

By thanksgiving you'll have a very full Turkey

Thankful Jar

I was too lazy to draw a turkey and cut out individual feathers this year. So I taped a pic of a turkey on a jar, and every time they are thankful for something they put a pom pom in the jar until it's full. Works well as a reminder to be thankful and really easy to do.

Lion Tail

My sons lion costume didn't come with a tail, so I made one. Here it is:

I used yarn, 6 strands of yellow, I braided it 2 by 2 by 2 about halfway down, tied a knot for the top of the tail, turned it upside down and used the braid for the middle string to make it thick. then I looped a bunch of brown strands together, tied it on the end, and cut the loops to make individual hairs.

Star Wars Snow Flakes

Go to this webpage:

http://www.anthonyherreradesigns.com/index.php/8-ahd-blog/8-star-wars-snowflakes-2013

Print off design wanted, and follow directions.

Needed: Exacto knife, printer, scissors, and cutting board

Christmas Light Advent Calendar

My sisters showed me this craft. I'm not sure who originally came up with it, but it was really cool. You make the string with the green caps for the lights. Then the lights are made separately, and you just stick them in the caps. Then you can stuff activity ideas in each light to help count down to Christmas.

 The whole thing is made from yarn, felt, and thread.

Sorry I don't have the pattern here.

Scripture Reading Advent Calendar

25 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

December 1-25, 2012

We had to leave our Precious Moments Advent Calendar in Rexburg, so I made my own advent calendar this year. Every day the boys find a puzzle piece with an activity for the day written on the back. When the puzzle is done it will be a picture I drew on poster board of Christ that says "Merry Christmas." I thought I would add the scripture book I made to go along with it. It has pictures, songs, and even a few of the Bible videos from www.lds.org/bible-videos to go with the scriptures every day. 

Day 1 Isaiah Prophecies of Christ Birth

Isaiah 9:6 (2 Nephi 19:6)

Song: Handel's Messiah “For unto us a child is born”  

Activity: Buy Christmas Tree and Decorations

Day 2 600 Year Prophecy

1 Nephi 10:42 & Nephi 25:19

Song: Picture a Christmas p. 50

Activity: Christmas Devotional

Day 3 Virgin Mother of Jesus

1 Nephi 11:18 & Alma 7:10

Song: Mary's Lullaby p. 44

Video: Mary, the Mother of Jesus 

Activity: Decorate the Tree

 Day 4 Prophecy of Mary (Immanuel)

2 Nephi 17:14 (Isaiah 7:14)

Song: Angels We Have Heard on High p. 203

Activity: Cottonball Snowmen

Day 5 Signs

2 Nephi 26:3

Song: Oh, Come All Ye Faithful p. 202

Activity: Holiday Cartoons

Day 6 Samuel the Lamanite

Helaman 14:3-9, 12

Song: Samuel tells of the Baby Jesus p. 36

Activity: Decorating the House

Day 7 Gabriel tells Mary

Luke 1: 26-38

Song: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day p. 214

Video: An Angel Foretells Christ's Birth to Mary

Activity: Christmas Stories

Day 8 Mary visits Elisabeth

Luke 1: 39-45

Song: Away in a Manger p. 42

Video: Mary and Elisabeth Rejoice Together

Activity: Snowflakes

Day 9 Mary Praises God

Luke 1:46-56

Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing p. 209

Activity: Hannukah Games (http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/hanukah.htm)

Day 10 Gabriel tells Joseph

Matthew 1:19-25

Song: The First Noel p. 213

Activity: Pin the Nose on Christmas (reindeer, or snowman, or tree, etc.)

Day 11 Tax

Luke 2:1-3

Song: When Joseph went to Bethlehem p. 38

Object: Money 

Activity: Christmas Songs

Day 12 Bethlehem

Luke 2:4-5

Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem p. 208

Video: Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem 

Activity: Holiday Cartoons

Day 13 Born in a Manger

Luke 2:6-7

Song: Away in a Manger p. 206

Activity: Make an Ornament (We're doing Melty Beads) 

Day 14 Sign of Christ Birth in the America's

3 Nephi 1:8-21

Song: Once Within a Lowly Stable p. 41 

Activity: Snowman (out of snow, or with confetti paper)

 Day 15 Seed of David

Romans 1:3 & Matthew 1:1-17

Song: Shepherds Carol p. 40

Activity: Make Christmas Cookies

Day 16 Angels tell the Shepherds

Luke 2:8-14

Song: Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains p. 212

Video: Shepherds Learn of the Birth of Christ 

Activity: Make Christmas Cookies

Day 17 Shepherds see Jesus

Luke 2: 15-20

Song: Stars were Gleaming p. 37

Activity: Caroling 

Day 18 Wise Men visit Herod

Matthew 2:1-8

Song: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear p. 207 

Activity: Paint Wood Ornaments

Day 19 Wise Men Bring Gifts

Matthew 2:9-12

Song: We three kings of Orient Are

Video: The Wise Men Seek Jesus 

Activity: Coloring Pages (picture below works well for that or http://dailycoloringpages.com/christmas-coloring-pages/christmas-nativity-scenes-coloring-pages/the-three-wise-men-christmas-coloring-pages/)

Day 20 Flight to Egypt

Matthew 2:13-15

Song: The Nativity Song p. 52 

Activity: Yule Log (we have a candle train we're using that only has 5 days)

Day 21 Herods' Baby Decree

Matthew 2:16-18

Song: Christmas Bells p. 54 

Activity: Christmas Songs

Day 22 Baby named Jesus

Luke 2: 21-22, 24

Song: 12 Days of Christmas

Activity: Holiday Cartoons 

Day 23 Simeon

Luke 2:27-34

Song: Have a Very Merry Christmas p. 51

Video: The Christ Child is Presented at the Temple 

Activity: Make Snowglobes (use a picture and a baby food jar)

Day 24 Anna

Luke 2:36-38

Song: Silent Night p. 204 

Activity: Make Family Picture Ornaments

Day 25 Plan of Salvation/Meridian of Time

Moses 6:57-62

Song: Joy to the World p. 201 

Activity: Presents and Songs

 Merry Christmas! May we always remember the reason for the season. Feel free to use this in your own families if you so desire. I love and miss you all! I know Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God and that He lives!