A year ago we were having a quarantine Christmas and I was hanging out with my quarantine crew. Fast forward a year and it feels pretty similar. I am happy that my 2020 crew is also my 2021 crew for part 2.
Eleventh day – Christmas Crafting 2021
family
Fifth day – Christmas Crafting 2021
When I first started making as a pre-teen cross stitch was my craft. I made & sold lots of ornaments. I also have many cross stitch ornaments on the tree that were made for me by my mom. So when I saw these wooden cross stitch blanks I was inspired.
Each year I make an ornament for my kids in the hopes that when they have their own trees they will bring a little of our traditions into their homes. This year building on my childhood they are getting these cross stitch ornaments.
Fourth Day – Christmas Crafting 2021
I remember the first time we went and made clay pieces as a family. Our youngest was about 5 which was the minimum age and for a good reason. It was hard building clay creations and helping the kids with every step. I look back and remember it being a stressful outing. But totally worth it as I watch the kids proudly take their clay trees out and display them each year.
Each year we have made family clay crafts it gets a little easier. Maybe it’s because we are all a little older, or maybe it’s because we are all getting a bit better. This year required very little parental involvement which I think is good for all of us.
At Christmas our home is decorated with all of our handmade decorations and ornaments. We are Making A Life and making memories one stressful clay making session at a time.
Twelve days of Christmas – Day Eleven
Today I dug our a few supplies to make wine cork trees. I sat on the living room floor and it was like I was magnetic. One kid came in and asked to make a tree, then the next one asked if he could make one.
I love that the boys want to craft with me. I’m so impressed with their making ability. I bet you can’t tell which trees they made.
Materials:
- Wine corks
- Washi tape
- Glue gun
- Scissors
Instructions
Tape the ends of the cork with washi tape and trim off excess. Arrange and hot glue together. Cut a cork in half and glue to bottom for the trunk.
Twelve days of Christmas – Day Ten
I was crafting with the kids today. We made gingerbread houses. We usually make one together but I decided this year to get them each one.
I was super excited when we opened the kits and the houses were already assembled and just needed to be decorated. Score!
I’m impressed with my older sons creativity and steady hand. My younger son used his leadership skills to tell me how to decorate his house 🤣.
Twelve days of Christmas – Day Six
For the last few years we have done one family ceramic Christmas craft. Each year gets a little less chaotic as the kids get a little more independent working with clay.
This year we made gingerbread ornaments which were a piece of cake after making mugs and Christmas trees.
They are a little heavy to hang on a live Christmas tree. I might have to wire them on 😉.
Twelve days of Christmas – Day Five
I saw this idea when I was shopping last Christmas. I took a picture with every intention of making them last year. Here we are a year later and I can finally delete the photo reminder.
These are made from a tree branch from our yard. My husband cut these up into disks years ago after drying the branch for months. My son and I drew snowflakes on the wood discs and I drilled many, many holes. We sewed the snowflakes with red twine (from the dollar store) using a large needle. Then screwed hooks and added twine to hang them on the tree.
Twelve days of Christmas – Day Four
I make my kids at least one ornament each year with the goal of creating a tree full of decorations by the time they have their own trees. This year I made them knit stars. If you want to make your own the pattern is here.
On the Tenth day of Christmas
On the Tenth day of Christmas my true love made me….
Christmas Popcorn
Today was the first day of Christmas vacation for our family. We spent it watching Christmas movies and eating Christmas Popcorn. Tomorrow will be more of the same.
I made air popped popcorn with butter and salt, melted chocolate chips and butter in the microwave. I spread the popcorn on a cookie sheet, mixed in pretzels, plain and peanut M&M’s and drizzled on the melted chocolate.
Keep crafting!
Sarah
Cold blooded
Hi! It’s been a while. I started a new job in January and then another new job in June. My days have been blurring together meeting new people and learning my roles within both organizations. But I have been crafting too.
I’m married and share a bed with my husband. My husband sweats in the middle of winter sleeping in his underwear, and I wear a toque, gloves, wool socks and long underwear and am still cold. This poses a little issue for us. How do we share a blanket?
I knit this 10 stitch blanket to solve my problem. It’s a blanket only for me which is a wool blend and goes only on my side. 
Making A Life 