bell jar ornaments

We were inspired by these awesome ornaments and decided to make our own. Check the link for great photos and a tutorial on how to make your own using plastic wineglasses from the dollar store!

I used the paper doll illustration from Claudine and made little Shrinky Dink Alfredos. We made about a dozen of these and could easily make more.

 

Alfredo made most of the scenes himself and then we used a bit of Snow Tex on the base. It was a quick and easy project and the results are dazzling.  

Alfredo made this one for my niece who was married this year.

christmas gifts and preparations...

I'm thinking about the Sandy Hook families and their great grief. I'm praying for peace for them this Christmas. It seems so out of place to continue about the business of Christmas preparations and share them here. Still, I have my dear little one, his eyes full of wonder, counting down the days. I can't let him down. And I know you are trying to do the same for your loved ones. I hope you won't find it too indelicate to go on.

Let me show you the very simple nativity we made together...

I found these larger pegs here when I was buying tiles for the nativity puzzle. I had the idea that they might make a sweet touchable nativity for Alfredo. I'd also thought it would make a good gift but we ran out of time to make more.

Alfredo is still working on his. He messed up a little and had to repaint Mary and Joseph's faces. Plus we still need to make their head wraps. But, my goodness, The Baby Jesus's unibrow is so adorable! Can you get over it?

 

I have lots more to show you. I'll take breaks in between the wrapping and the cleaning to share more with you.

so sad

 

Last night, I held my little angel a little closer, feeling the warmth of his plump cheek on my lips and sending up a prayer for all those families who would do anything to do the same with their sweet babies. It's so incredibly heart-wrenching, the nightmare of Sandy Hook. I wish we could go back in time and somehow save all those sweet little children and heroic adults.

 

I had lots of fun things to show you, gifts we've made, decorations, and pictures, but it just doesn't seem right to go about that happy business in the wake of that tragedy. It's just so sad.