Advent (18- 25)

Day 18: Jewel

Day 18:

Stone: Blue Jewel.

Image from the Book Depository.

Activity: Read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.

We opened the stone and talked about how precious we are to God…. Not just pure but a beautiful jewel. Due to the change of terrain due to the move, we didn’t read the book, but will take it on holidays with us (if we can find it)

Day 19: Music note.

Day 19: Star.

Day 19: Praying.

Day 19:

Stone: Music, Star, Praying Eyes.

Bible Reading: Luke 1-2: 1-21

Activity: Play charades with lolly pops in our mouths.

Opened the stones and chatted about there meaning. This passage is a long one…. which I was really looking forward to, as it’s the passage we have read the last couple of years. We didn’t read it, but relied on our memories to place the stones images. Examples included Mary’s song, the star the shepherds saw and followed and Zachariah’s prayer.

Image from Games Paradise.

Day 20: House...or Stable.

Day 20:

Stone: House/Stable

Bible Reading: Matthew 7: 24

Activity: Use the stones to tell the story of the wise and foolish builders. Discuss.

Play Settlers of Catan. 

Yes, from here on we opened the stones and not much more. We will take Settler on holidays and have a few games, I am sure.

Day 21: Angel.

Day 21:

Stone: Angel

Bible Reading: Read Mark 4:1-20

Activity: Talk about how the shepherds listened to the angel who was bringing God’s message.

Unwrapped the stone only and remembered the angels role in the Christmas story.

 

Day 22: Heart.

Day 22:

Stone: Heart

Bible Readings: Isaiah 26:4, Isaiah 44:8, 1 Peter 2

Activity: Talk through the concepts in these passages using the rocks as visual help.

Unwrapped the stone, and talked about how the Christmas story is one of God’s amazing love for his world.

Day 23:………………………..

Day 24:…………………………

Day 25:…………………………… The girls annual Christmas angel was part of their stocking today.

Merry Christmas

The video is very ordinary…..close your eyes and just listen.

Beautiful.

Merry Christmas everyone….

Facebook Friday

Thanks Emma.

Yes, we are moving house!

The Scream by Edvard Munch.

Well …….. nothing like making a quick decision.

We became acutely aware of our need to move house and a possible option on the 11th of December, signed a lease on the 15th and the removal truck will be on our doorstep nice and early on the 30th.

Sounds do-able……

Add to that a number of commitments that we cannot say no to (or want to) and a holiday booked for the 2nd of January 2012….. things have started to feel very, very squishy!

I am so glad I got at least a little bit serious about getting rid of stuff though-out the year. We still have so much stuff though.

I am hoping that the sheer act of boxing things up and unpacking them at the other end will mean more junk goes! I am also hoping that the short time frame will mean I am more ruthless.

The move puts us in a more ‘normal’ housing situation, a house with less issues and a closer proximity to all three schools for next year. We will also be an easy walking distance from more people we love to hang out with.

What are your best moving house tips?

Please I need all the help I can get.

Advent (Day 7-17)

Day 8 : Kings Crown.

Day 8:

Stone: King’s crown.

Bible reading and memory verse. Deuteronomy 32:4

Activity: Draw, colour or construct memory verse.

I will proclaim the name of the LORD. 
   Oh, praise the greatness of our God! 
 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, 
   and all his ways are just. 

We didn’t end up drawing or colouring…but just learning it.

Day 9: ………………………

Day 10: Torch.

Day 10: World.

Day 10: Black stone.

Day 10: White Stone.

Day 10:

Stone: Torch, World, Black Rock, White Rock 

Bible reading: John 1: 1-34

There was no activity planned, but we used the rocks we have so far unwrapped to ‘illustrate’ the reading as Tim read.

 Day 11:……………….

Day 12: ………………….

Day 13:…………………….

Day 14: ……………….

Day 15: ………………..

Day 16: ………………..

Day 17: ………………..

* yep…this last week has been busy……and has just become even busier as we are going to be moving house between Christmas and New Year! Ahhhh….. Really glad we had low expectations for this years advent.

Facebook Friday

The best 5 toys of all time by Geek Dad.

You probably already have them…….. thanks Michael.

21 Handmade Wrapping and Decoration Ideas…. with tutorials.

Wrapping:

1. Button Cards by Martha Stewart.

2. Downloadable Gift Tags by hello, Good Gravy.

3. Paint Chip Wrapping by D sharp.

4. Pop Up Christmas Cards by Martha Stewart.

5. Nature Packaging by Justina Blakeney.

6. Stitched Wrapping Paper by Redefining Creativity.

7. Fabric Giftwrap by Chewing The Cud.

8. Recycled Fruity Packaging by Tokketok.

9. Threaded Christmas Cards by Bleach Black.

Decorations:

10. Paper Bauble Garland by Kidspot.

11. Filled Baubles by Country Living.

12. Felt Doves by Elsie Marley.

13. Photo blocks via Screen Print Blog.

14. Pomanders via Ohdeedoh.

15. "You mean the world to me" Ornaments by Maya Made.

16. Wire and Twine Star Garland by The Handmade Home.

17. Paper Christmas Tree Ornament by Elsie Marley.

18. Chalkboard Wineglass Tutorial by Just short of crazy.

19. The Gumdrop Garland by Martha Stewart.

20. Lego ornaments by Chris McVeigh via Ohdeedoh.

21. Christmas Tree Mobile by Not Martha.

Bliss bomb: Knit Knit

Knit Knit

Learn to Knit Tea Cosy by Knit Knit. $35 (without discount)

hd: Hi Anna, tell us a little about yourself….

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ak: I am a quiet country girl come city slicker who loves knitting, sewing and baking. I’m obsessed with learning how to do new things, and usually hate to make the same thing twice!

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hd: I know what you mean. What did you think you would be doing when you were in school?

ak: To be honest, I had no idea what I would be doing! I knew I wanted to make things and do something creative, but I didn’t have any clear idea of what kind of job I could do. I chose to study Fashion and Textile design so maybe I was hoping to head towards being the next Akira Isogawa…

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hd: As far as I know Akira doesn’t knit…. so….how did you get to this point?

ak: I worked a little in fashion, then a little in textiles and graphics, then started to feel like I really wanted to be creating my own product, rather than working on someone else’s. I have always been a keen knitter, and realised that a lot of my friends were keen to knit too, but had never learnt. Or they’d tried and failed. So I set out to somehow make knitting accessible to young people who are that way inclined.

Learn to knit Christmas Stocking by Knit Knit $30 (without discount).

hd: Great idea. It’s not really something that gets passed from generation to generation like it was in the past, which is a pity.  Tell us how you have made knitting accessible again.

ak: I create ‘learn to knit’ kits for kids and adults that have an emphasis on great quality natural yarn and needles, and really simple, easy to follow instructions. The kits are a perfect starting point for a non-knitter to explore the world of knitting (or for a rusty knitter to get back on the horse). The kits are designed to appeal to young people and kiddies, and are a great way to introduce them to the world of knitting.

Colour choices.....

Kids Kits....

Smaller Kits...

 

hd: Have you always loved knitting? What is it about it that captured your attention and started you making things?

ak: Yes I started out knitting scarves for my Barbie dolls quite a while ago! I got hooked and loved making something that no one else was wearing. I also love that you can create a fabric out of a bit of string, and that you only need to know a couple of stitches and you can knit amazing things.

Learn to Knit Kids Hooded Scarf by Knit Knit $35 (without discount).

Adult Learn to Knit Hooded Scarf by Knit Knit $85 (without discount)

……… hd: It’s also super portable….. which makes it a great craft to learn.What did that first sale feel like?

ak: A great relief! I had put a lot of effort into kicking off the brand and was so glad when someone wanted to buy a kit. I think each sale still feels a little like that!

.

hd: Thanks Anna for helping us to get to know you a little more. What would you like to offer the  ’Friends of harrysdesk’?

ak: I would love to offer everyone a discount to help you do your Christmas shopping. Just pop over to my etsy store  and enter the discount code FRIENDSOFHARRYSDESK to receive 20% off everything in store.

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hd: That’s brilliant Anna. Thanks. I gave my 10 and 11 year old nieces sets last year and they loved the big needles and that everything they needed was right there, ready to go. ….. also 2 of my girls (at ages 6 and 11) completed kits. I love these!

Facebook Friday

My friend and photographer has been helping out with a fabulous project.

Take a look.

Volunteer photographers capture families for Christmas.

Advent (Day 1-7)

Advent 2011. Stones wrapped in squares of fabric like bon-bons.

Day1: Tree

Day 1:

Stone: Tree

Bible discussion: What is it? What bible stories can you remember that have a tree in them?

 Answers ranged from Zacheus through to creation and palm Sunday. (No White tree of Gondor….which was my concern)

Activity: Put up the Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree up. House and tree decorated.

Day 2: Water.

Day 2 :

Stone: Water

 Activity: 8 year old and 5 year old had race night for swimming ….so this was the activity.

All the family went along to encourage them along.

There are plans for water to reappear later in the calendar.

Gratuitous cuteness photo of 8 year old and 5 year old at 'Club Night'. This was 5 year olds first time racing . Very excited.

Day 3 : …………

Day 4: Ladder.

Day 4: Shepherd's Staff.

Day 4: Wheat Sheath.

Day 4: Hammer.

Day 4: Man.

Day 4: Woman.

Day 4: Menorah.

Day 4: Cross.

…………………………………..Day 4:

Stones: Shepherd’s Staff, Ladder, Wheat sheath, Menorah, Man, Woman, Hammer, Cross.

 Bible discussion:  Read Matthew 1: 1-25.

Talk through generations.

Demonstrate each generation with a plain stone (putting in the Jacob, Ruth and Tribes stones).

Activity: Write to the oldest member of the family. My grandma (95).

We all wrote to her and some drew pictures. For some background music we listened to Sara Groves Generations (Thanks Susan for introducing me to her music)

As I mentioned in the original post, advent activities and reading does not always run smoothly .We had one  family member melt down on this one. Issue: very disappointed that we didn’t have a separate activity for each stone……) but eventually came back to the table to write her letter.

What our activity looked like. The 14 generations from Abraham to the Exile and from the exile to David and from David to Christ..... yes we added in extra stones.

Day 5: …………..

Day 6: Sin.

Day 6: Spirit.

Day 6: Message.

Day 6:

Stones: Sin (Forbidden Fruit), Spirit (Dove), Message.

Bible Reading: Mark 1: 1-9

Activity: Watch the Jesus film up until Jesus is Baptised by John the Baptist.

One girl was missing for this one. She was having a birthday dinner with a friend, but we decided to push on without her.

Day 7: …………………

Decorations up and Advent Calendar under way.....

How is yours tracking?

More next week.