Tradition Tuesday - January 2010

For those of you who are new, you can find an explanation on Tradition Tuesdays HERE

New Year’s Fortune Cake:

Try baking a New Year’s Fortune Cake.  It doesn’t make any difference what kind of cake.  Once the cake has been baked, cut small slits and insert some New Year’s fortune charms (these can be found at any local bead or craft store). Look for charms that represent predictions for the coming year (i.e. a heart for love, coin for riches, suitcase for travel, three leaved clover for luck, etc.).  If they are really small you might want to attach a ribbon so they won’t be missed.  With each piece of cake you not only get a delicious treat, but also a fortune to start off the New Year. 

Note-able Memory Jar:

At the first of the year put out an empty jar with a note pad and pen by it.  Whenever something noteworthy happens write it down and put it in the jar.  On New Years Day go through and read your notable memories.  Put all the notes in an envelope and place them in a book with the year written on the outside.

Candle Light Ceremony:

New Years Eve is the best time to reflect on the past, as well as contemplate the future.  On New Years Eve (or New Years Day), set the table with a special candle for each person at your celebration, then lower the lights.  One by one each person at the table lights the candle of another and shares a special memory or major achievement that the other person has accomplish during the past year.  It is then the honored person’s turn to share their New Year’s resolutions with the rest of the group.  This tradition is a wonderful way to share in each others trials and triumphs from the past year, and to lend support for future dreams and goals.

Winter Camping:

Go camping.  Sit in front of the campfire and exchange stories about the last year and shares their resolutions for the year to come!

Little New Year:

On New Year’s Eve, each person in the family sets a plate out on the hearth for the new Little New Year to leave them a gift and a note.  The Little New Year gives each person 10 cents for each year of his or her life, a candy bar, and usually a small game, toy, or trinket.  The biggest treat, however, is the note each person receives.  It is always written in sloppy handwriting as if a baby had written it, and it tells each person how nice they have been the past year and how the Little New Year hopes each person will be just as nice in the year to come.  Whatever the New Year says and gives should be pertinent to what is going on in the lives of each individual.

As always, PLEASE feel free to leave a comment with some of YOUR favorite tradition ideas for us all to enjoy!

Let Earth Recieve Her King

I am so thankful for what this day means for me and you.

Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases filled
with the love, peace and hope that only He can give.

The Winner's Are...And Good News for The Rest of You

 

First of all, thanks for your wonderful comments!  I had forgotten about some of those movies.  It was also great to read about what you do to remember the True reason for the season.

The Winner's of the Mr. Krueger's Christmas DVD's are (drum roll please):

lajamison said...

I like the old Rudolph classic with Burl Ives. I watched it every year with my mother.

December 16, 2009 4:40 AM

 and

Asiyah said...

My favorite Christmas movie is "Charlie Brown's Christmas". It funny, poignant and simply told. My kids and I enjoyed it just last night.

December 16, 2009 7:46 AM

CONGRATS LADIES!  

Please shoot me an email with your addresses so I can get this to you A.S.A.P.

For the rest of you, I just found a way that you can get the movie for FREE.  Click HERE to get the details.  

Tradition Wednesday ;)- Christmas with Jimmy and a GIVEAWAY!

  Paulparker.com

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is spending a couple of nights with Jimmy Stewart.  He is my ALL TIME, FAVORITE actor.  I think a big part of the reason (besides his charming grin and famous droll) is because he was such a decent guy in real life.

Want some examples? How about the fact that he stayed married and faithful to his wife for more than 45 years (sadly, very rare for Hollywood stars) or the fact that he had twin girls (hey just like us!) and that he was known for being humble, kind, and professional and treating all women and men with respect.  You can read more about him and his WONDERFUL LIFE here.

Most of us know about one of his most famous movies "It's a Wonderful Life".  But many of you probably don't know that in his later years he starred in a short Christmas film called "Mr. Krueger's Christmas".  In this 20 minute film, he charmingly plays a humble widower who is alone on Christmas but whose goodness and vivid imagination bring him to wonderful places (even conducting the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) and help us all remember the "Reason for the Season". 

 

IT IS A TREASURE!  

For those of you who HAVE seen it and love it like we do, you might really enjoy this story written by the director Keith Merrill about Jimmy Stewart on the set of Mr. Krueger's Christmas from Meridian Magazine.

A few years ago my husband bought a bunch of copies to give to friends and co-workers and we ended up with a few extra copies. 

SO, I'M GIVING TWO COPIES OF "Mr. Krueger's Christmas" AWAY!

What you need to do:

1. Leave me a comment telling us what your favorite Christmas movie is and why.

2. For another chance to win, tell us how you remember the true meaning of Christmas.

THAT'S IT FOLKS!

Now enjoy some scenes from both movies:

It's a Wonderful Life "Paste it Daddy!" Zuzu's pedals

Mr. Krueger's Christmas - Imagining Carolers

It's a Wonderful Life

Clarissa (Kamee Lyons) Getting a Kiss Off Screen

Hee Haw! It's a Wonderful Life

 

Mr. Krueger conducting the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (One of his lifelong dreams)

Make Your Own Toddler Jeans EASY TUTORIAL

This project was born of frustration.  The girls are too skinny for 2T jeans but too long for 18-24 month jeans.  I wanted a pair of jeans that would fit them, be easy to pull up and down (because someday I hope they will be pulling them up and down to go potty!) and look cute.  I can say that these jeans have fit the bill and they were SO EASY to make!  If I can do this...YOU CAN!

What you will need:

Pair of old maternity jeans (you can use regular jeans and just add Lycra, knit or even elastic for the waist).

Thread 

Scissors

Tape Measure

Embroidery Floss (optional)

OK, on to the tutorial:

Find an old pair pants/jeans to use as your pattern.  If you don't have any jeans that fit, use old ones and just add on the inches where you want when you cut them out.  Fold your jeans in half so that the legs are lying on top of each other. Cut everywhere you see the white arrows.  

When you are done cutting your shape should look like this:

 Now lay your two pieces right sides together.  Sew just in the U-shaped area (I stitched twice for extra durability then serged my edges).  If you don't have a serger handy, just do a zig zag stich on the edge to reduce fraying. Like this:

Once that is done, you will open up your pants and again lay right-sides together in your pants shape like the picture under this, now sew the sides (and serge or zig zag to reduce fraying):

They will look like this:

Then do this (almost done people):

Now like I said before, I used maternity jeans (got 'em free).  You can use regular jeans and use any knit or Lycra fabric you have lying around, or just cut some more jean material and do an elastic casing.  

Maternity jeans are the easiest though (and pretty easy to find at your local thrift shop if you don't have a pair you are ready to part with).   Take your waist measurement to the elastic band on the top like this:

This is a blurry picture of me sewing the side of the cut elastic:

This is what it should look like after you have sewn the sides ( well you may want to actually cut it straight...how embarrassing for ME!)

 Bring your elastic up about an inch away from your edge then sew around as closely to the edge of your elastic as you can like this:

 Then cut off the excess and serge or zigzag around the entire seam to finish it off.  Flip it up and this is what they will look like:

 Unless you want to make some pockets. What I did is make myself a little pattern based on the pockets of their outgrown jeans (just added about an inch for seam allowance to all sides):

 Cut them out of the excess jean material you now have on hand.  Serge or zigzag the top of your pocket and then press everything down like so:

Now you are going to actually sew all around your pocket:

There, you have two little pockets:

Then if you want to get fancy (or crazy as my husband would say) you can do some hand embroidery.  I just did some simple stitches (great project to do while watching your favorite movie/show):

Then just pin them on, and sew on top of your previous stitches and they will look like this:

I also plan on stitching some fake pockets and zipper lines in the front when I get a minute. I love the idea of doing a little trompe l'oeil on the front. I'll update when I have finished that and hopefully get a photo of the front.

These two are getting harder and harder to capture!

 The Ends

Tutorial TEASER

That's right ladies!  We'll be making JEANS the fast and EASY way (cheerio not included). Stay Tuned!

Tradition Tuesday - Share A Tradition, Win a Pair of Clippies and ANOTHER Giveaway Announcement!

 

Today over at my sister's blog, there is a giveaway going on!  All you have to do is leave a comment telling about your favorite Christmas Tradition/Memory.  

You could win two pairs of any of the clippies she has available in her shop!  So head on over!

Also! There is a Giveaway going on today at Steph's Blog Somewhat Simple as part of her 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways.  You could win TWO of my PDF Patterns!  So head on over there as well!

Camille, The Beehive Bazaar and a Christmas Song just for YOU

 For those of you in or around the Provo, Utah area, there is a little somthin' somthin' happening RIGHT NOW through tomorrow night.  I am giddy to get there and see all of it for myself.

My very talented sister (in law but more in heart) Camille (founder of Beal's School):

Jonathan Canlas took this

 

is sharing a booth with another friend Ashley Mackay (who happens to be a very talented graphic artist, if you order any patterns after January you'll see what I mean).   You can check out their introduction page here .

They will have all kinds of goodies. Including Tiger Fire's (Camille and my brother Micah) latest Christmas album.  This is them looking all cool (they were literally freezing cool up in Park City posing for this:

Jonathan Canlas took this one too

Would you like a taste?  Here's your little gift of MUSIC (if you likey, likey you can thank them here and here).

Tradition Tuesday - It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!

The World Wide Web is FULL of ideas for what to do around the Holidays.  I have compiled some of my favorites.  I unfortunately don't have any for those of you who celebrate Hanukkah.  I'd love to hear some of your ideas.  So please enjoy these ideas and share a few of your own favorites!

 

Handmade Christmas:    

Cut out a small piece of paper and write the name of each family member.  Put these in a bowl or hat and have each member draw a name.  The name that is drawn is the person for whom a gift will be handmade.  (It is best to do this early so that everyone has enough time to create their special handmade gift).

Reindeer Mix:

Make a special “Reindeer Mix” for Santa’s reindeer.  A good recipe is oats with gold and silver glitter.  On Christmas Eve, tell your children to leave the mix on the driveway, front lawn, or any other spot where the reindeer might want to rest and enjoy a snack.  After the kids have gone to bed, clear most of the mix away, leaving just a few oats as evidence that the reindeer have made their visit.

Santa’s Little Helpers:

This is a great time for children to learn to give.  Set aside a box that can be filled with toys that your children choose to give.  Help them clean the toys and put them in a special box labeled “For Santa”.  Have them write a note to Santa explaining how they loved each toy or what their favorite memory was with each toy.  Then help them explain that they would like them to be given to another girl or boy. They will be so excited to see the box empty Christmas morning with a special thank you note and treat form Santa.  Save their letters and enjoy them years later.

Christmas Music Program:

Have a musical program in your home for elderly or single people living around you.  Have refreshments and send each guest home with a little gift (i.e. bread, jam, cookies, etc.) or take a little program to cheer those confined in a hospital or rest home.

Four Gifts:

It’s easy to get carried away with gift giving.  Help to keep the true spirit of Christmas by limiting your family to four gifts: Something to play with, eat, read and wear. 

A Gift for Christ:

Have a special stocking or box that can be used for your gift to Christ.  Give Jesus a gift of a goal for the coming year.  Each person writes down their goal or gift to Christ and puts it in the stocking/box.  Next Christmas each person evaluates their progress on their goal. (You can also do this at the beginning of December and evaluate progress on Christmas Day.)

What are some of YOUR favorite December Traditions?