Happy New Year

EtsyBABY wishes you and your family a happy and safe new year!

Make a Winter Snow Flake

Snowflake

4 Popsicle Sticks
Paint Brush
Glue
Glitter, White and Blue

Glue two Popsicle sticks together forming an X.

Do this to the remaining two Popsicle sticks and let them dry.

(Hint: Use a clip or clothes pin to hold the X while it drys)

Glue the two X's together forming a 8 pronged snowflake and let this dry together.

Take your paintbrush and paint glue all over the Popsicle stick and then shake glitter all over it to give it sparkle.

Hang them in a window for decoration or string them together to hand on the mantel.

Winter Questions

Is it safe to eat snow?

Snow forms when water vapor comes in contact with cold air. The vapor, gaseous water molecules, will often connect to a small particle, such as a tiny piece of dust. and form a snow crystal. Clusters of the snow crystals make snowflakes. However, eating snow in city areas are prone to all of the particles in the air, like pollutants.

Why does cooler weather make your face and nose red?

The body will divert blood to maintain the body's temperature. The first place it diverts blood to the inner part of the body, to keep that warm. But, progressively, as it gets colder, it also diverts blood to the extremities. It is a protective mechanism to keep warm and protect those exposed areas.

If you lick a pole will your tongue get stuck to it?

A cold metal pole and your warm, wet tongue can become a conductor and actually get stuck to a pole. It's not that your tongue becomes frozen, only the moisture from your tongue becomes frozen. But, do not pull your tongue from the pole, because if you do the skin from your tongue will likely stay with the pole. The best way to remove your tongue is to pour warm water, slowly over your tongue and the pole to loosen it.

What can I do to keep my hands from getting dry and cracked?

The cold, winter weather along with the washing of our hands can take it's toll. The most common answer would be to use lotion frequently. But, one of the best suggestion we have would be to lather your hands in a fair amount of Vaseline and wear socks over your hands . The heat from your body in the socks really allows the Vaseline to penetrate the skin. Do this at night while you sleep and in the morning you will have the softest hands.

Hats Off

Baby BLUES!

♥ The Blues Furry Earflap Hat by Citefuzz and sells for $28.00

♥ The Organic Cotton Lamb Hat by LuLus Woobies and sells for $18.00

♥ The Pixie Hat in Aqua and White by Baparsell and sells for $22.00

♥ The Bear With Me Ear Flap Hat by BuggyD and sells for $18.00

♥ The Crocheted Hat in a set of two by Karensia and sells for $27.00

♥ The Peace Hat by Tot Toppers and sells for $24.00

♥ The Ear Flap Hat by Crafting On The Court and sells for $20.00

♥ The Knit Scandinavian Hat by Babbidge Patch and sells for $15.00

♥ The Newborn Elf Hat by Hugga Beans and sells for $9.00

Merry Christmas

EtsyBABY
wishes you and your family a Merry Christmas!

Wreaths Across America

In 1992 Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreaths, donated 5,000 wreaths in which his company adorned the headstones of the soldiers in Arlington National Park. Every year Mr. Worcester donated these wreath in relatively quiet until one day someone captured a picture of the headstones on a snowy Christmas winter day, which was circulated around the internet.

The picture got so much notice that people began to request the donating of wreaths. Mr Worcester couldn't fill the requests and came up with the idea of Wreaths Across America, and a non-profit organization was born.

Unable to donate thousands of wreaths to each state, Mr. Worcester conceived the idea of sending 7 wreaths (one for each branch of the military as well as POW/MIA). In 2006 with the help of the CAP and other civic organizations, over 150 locations held wreath laying ceremonies simultaneously, which is held every December 13th simultaneously.

Mr. Worcester, we salute you for your kindness and giving heart. If you are interested in sponsoring a wreath you can read about it here.

Team EtsyBABY Welcomes...

Team EtsyBABY Welcomes...

The Pink Camellia has a nice collection of baby items for every baby's needs. Everything from bodysuits, to baby wipe cases to the perfect baby shower gift set.

Ornamentally Fun

Personalize your tree with these hand crafted ornaments!

♥ DIY - Four Pocket Dolls made by Mini Monster and sells for $8.50

♥ Letter Ornament made by Alphabulous and sells for $6.00

♥ Hand Painted Stocking Ornament made by Going GaGa and sells for $8.00

♥ Bright Matryoshka Doll - made by Kims Crafty Apple and sells for $12.00

Happy Decorating!

Cookies In A Jar

A wonderful handmade Christmas gift.

Cookies In A Jar


Jar Ingredients:

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar

In a large bowl mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and place in the bottom of the jar.

Add the cup of cooking oats next into the jar.

Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Add the brown sugar.

Add the white sugar.

Secure the jar with the lid and place a piece of fabric on the top of the lid and tie with a ribbon, or something decorative to secure the fabric on the lid.

Label:

Add a label to the jar with the following ingredients.

1 Egg, Slightly Beaten
1/2 Cup Butter, Softened
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

350 Degrees for 8 - 10 minutes

Makes about 25 cookies.

Christmas Tree Handprint

O' Christmas Tree

White Paper
Tempura Paint:
Green, Brown, Red, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Orange

♥ Paint your child's hand with the green paint and place it on the white paper in the lower, right hand corner .

♥ Paint your child's hand again and place it right next to the first hand print and continue to build the tree upward using one less hand print on the third level of the tree. Remember to add more paint every time you print your child's hand.

♥ Wash off the green paint and take the index finger and the middle finger and paint them brown. Keeping your child's fingers together place them at the bottom of the tree creating a trunk.

♥ Wash your child's hand again and give them a Q-tip to dip in the remaining colors to dot the Christmas tree, creating a lighted effect.

Who Art Thou - Game Post #3

Have you ever wished you could be a beautiful model?

Or maybe you wished you could sing like a rock star?

In this game you might have the chance to be one of them!


Famous ~ Infamous


Name Tags
Black Marker
Master List of Famous & Infamous People/Couples

Object:
Be the first player or couple to guess their identity.

Directions:
This game can be played individually or in groups of two.

Playing the game as individuals:

Each player will receive a name tag with the name of an famous or infamous person placed on their back.

The person they are assigned can be living/dead, real/cartoon/TV Personality and or match/not match the sex as the player.

The player can ask any question of any of the other players about who they are, but the answers from the other players can only be in a yes or no answer.

Play the game as a Couple:

Each couple will receive a name tag with the name of a famous or infamous couple placed on their backs.

The couple they are assigned can be living/dead, real/cartoon/TV Personality and or match/not match the sex of the players.

The couple will stay together asking other couples questions about who they are, but the answers from the other couples can only be given in a yes or no answer.

*As with all the other games that have been posted I would certainly host this game with a gift for the winner or winners.

Sample List:

Famous / Infamous People

Bill Gates
Mahatma Ghandi
Mother Teresa
Wayne Gretzky
Nelson Madella
Molly Brown
Fidel Castro
Amelia Earhart
Mohammad Ali
Dian Fossey
Ann Frank
Madonna
Andy Warhol
Babe Ruth
Sandra Day O'Conner

Famous /Infamous Couples

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu
George and Martha Washington
Prince Charles and Princess Diana
John and Jackie Kennedy
Adam and Eve
Mickey and Minnie Mouse
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Dezi Arnaz and Lucille Ball
Ken and Barbie
Samson and Delilah
Romeo and Juliette
Prince Ranier and Grace Kelly
Mike and carol Brady
Sony and Cher

(Re)Gift It - Game Post #2

This may be the best game we have played in our family and as silly as they come, but it has become one of our favorites.

At one time or another we have all received a gift where we wondered what the giver was thinking when they gave it to us. We turned this idea into a game and a challenge.

(Re)Gift It

Purchase the worst gift you can find under $5.00
One good gift for the winner of the game

Object:
The person with the worst gift wins the game!

The rules to this game are easy and fun if you really put some searching effort into it.


Directions:
The gift has to be purchased.
(No re-gifting in this game, we don't want hurt feelings.)

The gift can cost no more than $5.

The worse the gift is the better your odds.

The gift must be wrapped without a tag.

Place the gifts in an area were they won't get mixed together with the real gifts.

When the game is ready to be played place all the gifts in the middle of the table.

Determine the starting person and go clockwise from the starting player.

The starting player chooses a gift from the pile and opens up the gift and shows it to all the other players and keeps the gift in front of them.

The second player can either steal the starting players gift or choose a gift from the pile. The second player will show their gift to all the other players and keep it in front of them during the game. If the second player steals the gift from the first player the first player then chooses another gift from the pile to replace it, but can not steal the gift from the second player.

The third and remaining players will repeat the same process as the other two players, but have more choices to steal from other players.

Once all the gifts are seen the entire group votes on the worst gift and the player that brought the worst gift wins the game, all the re-gifted gifts from the game and an actual gift.


** Just for the record... **
My $1.00 gift of a ceramic poodle, with a pom-pom hat, wire tail, lipstick on his mouth and roller skates on his paws did not win as the worst gift. There was actually something worse than mine!

Christmas Games - Game #1

As far back as I can remember my entire family have always played games after Christmas dinner. We were always encouraged to participate and play, including the children. We always played charades and it was our family's classic standard, but as we got older the kids wanted to play other games, which started a new family challenge to make the games more interesting, harder and more competitive.

For whatever reason, I seem to have become the family "Game Master". I spend a lot of time during the year thinking about new games I can introduce for the next year. In the next three days I am going to post a few of the games we have played which are fun and easy for all ages to participate in. If you are a game loving family, like mine is, you are going to love them. Have fun and good luck!

Sing It Baby

Pencils
Tape Recorder
2 copies - Words to "The Night Before Christmas"
1 copy for each player -
Words to "The Night Before Christmas" with space for answers

Object:

The object of this game is to have a recorded version of "The Night Before Christmas" with each players voice reading sections of the story having all of the players guessing who spoke each part.


Directions:
Type up the words from the book, "The Night Before Christmas", and evenly divide the speaking sections according to the amount of people who are playing the game. The more players the better the game will be.

Highlight the speaking sections with different markers or place lines between the sections, making it easier for each player to see their designates speaking parts. Fold the paper behind itself as you progress.

On the second copy of the story write the name of each player next to each of the speaking parts. This is your official answer sheet.

Choose a room where you can do the readings in a quiet space.

When it's time to call each player into the room individually be secretive about it in order to keep the order of the recordings a mystery. Encourage each player to change their voice to make it harder to guess who was speaking each part when you play the game.

Remember to use the pause button in between each section, so when the story is played back for the game it sounds more seamless. When all the speaking parts have been recorded be sure to listen to the tape in it's entirety to make sure you have a decent copy of the story.

When it's time to play the game give each player a copy of the story that has the space for the answers for the players to write down the names in the sections.

Play the story through once without stopping, so people can hear it in all it's glory. Rerun the story as many times as you need to complete the game.

The person with the most answers right wins the game.


** My family will donate wrapped gifts for the winners of the games. It's not mandatory, but it makes winning even more fun!

Christmas In America

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. I have so many reasons to love it. The colder weather, the cozy feeling of home, spending time with my family, church, Christmas morning, but what always has been a big part of my love for Christmas has been my mother's spirit and what she made life like for us during this time of the year.

When I was growing up my family didn't have a lot of money, especially at Christmas time, to spend on presents between six children. We never really noticed it because of my mother. Christmas was more about the things we did with each other than the gifts we received. Decorating the tree was an all day affair in which everyone took part. The outside of the house was no different. When we would pull into our driveway at night our house was always so beautiful to me. I would sit on the sofa and stare out of our big picture window and gaze at our Christmas lights. I would do it for hours. I still do it now. It brings me back to a time in my childhood and all the feelings that come along with it. I too, like my mother, will take days to decorate my home from top to bottom. I am exhausted when I'm done, but I love the end result.

Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills, California

One of the many things we did every year was go to Candy Cane Lane. It was an eight block area in California where every house on the block was decorated with lights and ornaments and every street had a theme. My mother would announce to the family when we were going to see the lights and the anticipation of all of us going was so thick you could cut with a knife. We would eat dinner, take our bath, slip into our pajamas with the feet (who didn't have these as a kid), grab our "blankies" and hop into the car.

Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills, California

If you've ever decorated your house with the simplest strands of lights or if you have over 20,000 lights on your house, I say thank you! Thank you, for being a memory for me, thank you for taking your precious time to decorate your home for others to enjoy and thank you for keeping a long time tradition in America alive to light our world at Christmas time!

Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills, California

Candy Cane Lane, Woodland Hills, California


Christmas In America

Dallas, Texas

Little Rock, Arkansas

Metairie, Louisiana

Hollywood, Florida

Parsonage, Washington, D.C.

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Hair Candy

♥ Right Side:
Candy Cane Bow

This bow is sure to finish off any holiday outfit! A double layered mini Red and White Dot bow topped off with a candy cane in the middle is almost good enough to eat.
You can find this bow at To Sweet Pea From Me for $4.99

Holiday Bow Set
The holiday trio bow set is perfect for the holidays. With three choices you are sure to be able to use each piece several times. Set on an alligator clip with the option to add the non-slip grip to keep each bow securely to your tots hair.
You can find this sweet set at Polka Tods for $6.00

The Perky Poinsettia Hair Clip

Complete the holiday cheer with the Perky Poinsettia hair clip. Completely hand stitched on 100% wool felt it can be placed on a snap clip or french barrette, which ever your preference.
You can purchase this little beauty at Pammy Dawn for $8.00

♥ Left Side:
Peppermint Woven Ribbon Headband

This headband is as pretty as it's name. Made from grosgrain ribbon and woven onto a plastic unbreakable headband, this piece is just perfect for that special holiday outfit.
This headband can be purchased at Carolina Girl Bowtique for $4.59

Red and White Candy Cane Snowflake Bow

Absolutely gorgeous, this 5 inch wide Bailey boutique bow is layered with red, white and candy cane stripes. A pretty snowflake in the middle makes it extra special. Four different heat sealed ribbons adorn this beauty attached to an alligator clip with a non-slip grip.

You can purchase this clip at Hazel Moonfly Hair Bows for $7.50

Winter Tradition Headband

A red ribbon featuring white snowflakes and a ouch-less elastic hairband for a comfortable fit and just the right amount of give to fit your little girls head. This headband is made to fit your child's head.

You can find this headband at Munchkins and Monsters for $4.50

Alicia's Felt Flower
This adorable beaded felt flower measures around 2.5" and is attached to a partially lined alligator clip with non slip grip. A lot of fin detail has gone into sewing this precious little clip that any girl would appreciate.
This can be purchased at Emmalees Boutique for $3.50

Happy Holidays!

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah

from Team EtsyBABY!

Stocking Stuffers

♥ Top Row:

Bookmarks are a fabulous and quick gift for everyone! What a better way to encourage reading or saving your place in your favorite book that with a beautiful and bright bookmark. With several fabrics to choose from to suit your gifted loved ones preference then personalize it with an embroidered initial.
You can purchase this at Alphabulous and it sells for $6.00

These fun Red, Orange, Yellow and Green Crayon embellished hair clips are ready to accessorize your little girl. All of the clips are lined with grosgrain ribbon on a 1 3/4" double prong alligator clip. The ends have been heat sealed to prevent fraying.

This set is available at Sweet Sara Designs and they sell for $6.00

Colorful beads and tiny iridescent glass beads threaded through a clear stretchy cord will compliment any holiday outfit for your little girl. The bracelet measures 5" and fits most any little girls wrist.
You can find this treasure at Booger and Tash for $3.00

♥ Second Row:

The Baby Cuff is one of the coolest items we found for the stocking stuffer list! Handcrafted with a decorative stylish fabric and pearl snap fastener backed with a corduroy fabric will keep this cuff snug and comfortable on your tots arm.
You can find any of these cuffs at Joey and Aleethea for $12.00

♥ Third Row:

Hot pink leg warmers are just the answer to keep your baby's legs warm during winter. Protect your baby's sweet little knees from getting those dreaded rug burns while learning to crawl while keeping her in the height of fashion. The warmers come in sizes birth to 10.
You can find these leg warmers and others at TadPole Creations for $8.00

Protect your baby's neck with a pair of Wrap N Snap Car Seat Belt Covers. These can be used in on the straps of a car seat, seat belt, stroller or carrier. Made from 100% cotton Premium Designer fabrics, an all-natural batting for extra cushion, snap closures to ensure a secure fit and so many designs to choose from you'll fit everyone's tastes.
You can purchase a set at Amy Rose Designs for $8.50

These sweet lambswool felted striped mittens are a great stocking stuffer for the winter. Trimmed in cashmere keeps the mittens snug on your little ones hands giving the mittens a touch of class. They look like candy and we are sure your tot will think they do too!

You can find these at Katiecl for $10.00

♥ Fourth Row:

This adorable apron is the perfect remedy for the creative child who likes to work on crafts or cooking. The appliqued Russian Matroyoshka Nesting Doll Apron comes in a variety of bold and colorful colors for you to choose from. Hurry before it is too late... the purple apron is already sold out!
You can find this apron for your little one at Kims Crafty Apple for $8.00

The Paint It Yourself Princess T-Shirts is one of our favorite picks for the stocking stuffer list. This Tee features "Penelope" the Princess. Penelope is screen printed using a black water-based, non-toxic ink which has been added to an American Apparel Tee. The set comes as 1 Tee, 4 colors of fabric paint, with your choice of color combination's, and a paint brush.
You can find this PIY Princess Tee at Daisy Creek Designs and it sells for $18.00

Merry Christmas!

Toilet Paper Menorah

8 Toilet Paper Rolls
1 Paper Towel Roll
Paint, Blue and White
Yellow Tissue Paper
Paint Brush
Glue or Stapler
Glitter, stickers or personal messages *

Make sure all of the rolls are clean of toilet paper or paper towels residue.

Paint the toilet paper rolls blue and set aside dry

Paint the paper towel roll white and set aside to dry.

Once the rolls are dry you can either glue them together or staple them together, leaving the white roll to be the center of the menorah.

Cut the tissue paper in squares of 5" x 5".

Take the tissue and place them inside each of the rolls at the top making them look like flames.
You can secure the tissue with glue or by just placing them in the rolls.


*Add glitter, stickers or your own personal message to finish the look to your menorah.

Happy Hanukkah!

Christmas Treasures

♥ Embroidered Wool Felt hair Clip by Neskat

♥ Appliqued Boys Christmas Shortall by Seams So Sweet

♥ Plush Red Scottie by leahkl

♥ Red Snapsuit Christmas Snowflake by Bellflower Textiles

♥ Little Frosty Hair Clip by To Sweet Pea from Me

♥ Santa Baby Bodysuit by Baby Bees boutique

♥ Sassy Pants Diaper Cover by Sherbert Baby

♥ Christmas Burp Cloth Set by Claire and Janae

♥ Sweet Baby Evie Shoes by Jolie Berry

♥ Baby Leather Santa Moks by Scandeez

♥ Baby's First Prima Ballerina Tutu by Tutu Cute and Moore

♥ Cliff -Natural Plush Bunny by Palomino Morgan

It's A Wonderful Life

Every holiday season there is that one token movie you always make sure you watch. It just doesn't feel like the holiday season until you've seen the movie, that movie, your movie. I have several movies I feel that way about, but there is that one movie I have to see every year that makes the difference.

It's A Wonderful Life

What would the holidays be like if I didn't see it at least once? Sure, I could play the DVD, but it's about the anticipation of knowing it's going to be on TV and waiting for it to come on TV makes it so much more fun. I love It's A Wonderful Life. It's the basic story of the George Bailey we all know or the Mary we happen to be ourselves, or the children that come along with the marriage and the normal pursuits and pressures of life that makes us relate to this story.

If we had the chance to see what our lives would have been like, like George did, would we still choose the life we know now all over again? Yeah, I think we would.

Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Karolyn Grimes, who played ZuZu, Georges' youngest daughter, in It's A Wonderful Life. She had the iconic line in the movie, "Look Daddy, teachers says every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings." Karolyn's list of movies as a young actor had her acting along side some of the biggest players in Hollywood at the time. From 1945 to 1952 she made over 16 films acting along side the likes of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Betty Grable, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Glen Ford, Maureen O'Hara, John Wayne and, of course, Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, to name just a few.

My family has a long history of being in the movie business so, I don't get too excited about seeing a movie star, but because this movie means a lot to me and reminds me of my childhood and my mother during the holidays, it meant a lot to me to meet her today.

Though I was not able to take pictures of her, (the venue would not allow photographs) I was glad I got to spend ten uninterrupted minutes talking with her. I did take home a token of our visit, an ornament with her signature, which now hangs on my Christmas tree, and a memory that means a lot to me.

It truly is a wonderful life!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to Stephanie of Artopiary
Saturday, December 19th

Holiday Time Management

De-stress the holidays with these tips!

♥ Make lists
A. A list of thing that need to get done at home
B. A list of all of your personal errands
C. A holiday shopping list
D. A list of things you will need if you are traveling

♥ Map out your drive to do your errands so you aren’t back tracking and wasting time.

♥ Do your shopping and cleaning at your highest energy time.

♥ Keep all your holiday receipts in one place at home or in an envelope in your purse.

♥ Call the store ahead of time to see if they have the item in stock.

♥ Consider giving the older kids gift certificates.

♥ Shop online

♥ Have the entire family decorate the house all at once or decorate one room at a time.

♥ Wrap gifts as you go.

♥ Buy already made pies, rolls, vegetable platters, cookies

♥ Make short cuts and prepare things the night before.

♥ Have large trash bags to the side for the collection of all the wrapping after gift opening.