Week 2 Advent 2012.
9: Sunday: Catch-up time
Reading: Luke 1: 26-56
Activity: Talk through the different names given to Jesus. Make a Christmas ball for our tree with the names of Jesus in it. Planned but not done.
Think about someone in our lives that serves us and make them a Christmas ball. (planned but not done)
Charades with lolly pops in our mouths Funny …as always. Made up 2 new categories. “Youtube” and “Theatre” Great fun.
Baked dinner…… potatoes!
10: Monday
Reading: Luke 1: 57-66
Activity: Talk through the passage. Eat a baked dinner together. Took advantage of a coolish day to add this one in. I like to have one in December if we can.
After much concentration the village is made.
Build a lego village together. Super fun. I lashed out and bought a fabulous Christmas set of lego for the family to enjoy each year. It lights up and makes the cutest village scene. The relevance was tenuous….. but was a nod to the community that Elizabeth and Zechariah were part of when John was born.
Half of our family enjoy written instructions.
Extra Joy: Making got intense….left to me and 14 year old. Tim tool the others for a late night scooter in their PJ’s
11: Tuesday didn’t happen…. too many comings and goings.
12: Wednesday (did Tuesdays)
Reading: Luke 1: 67-80
Activity: Christmas Ball snakes. We ate a jelly snake (representing sin) each. Talked about how sin often comes in very attractive packaging, and how once forgiven (eaten) we have a fresh start (empty glass ball)
Extra Joy: The girls all started inventing advent calendar ideas, including 24 walks, ‘jenga’ advent, 24 travel days…. and the list went on.
Extra Extra Joy: Lead by 6 year old each of the girls gave us a ‘Tell and Show’ (You must tell before you show) Lots of fun.
13: Thursday didn’t happen
Goodbye Mrs Sinclair.
14: Friday activities planned but spent the evenings farewelling special friends. Firstly Mrs Sinclair a kinder/Y1 teacher who three of my four girls had….9 year old for 2 years….. She is off to be the Principal at Tempe. Lucky you. Very sad.
Like one big family.
Then goodbye to our lovely friends Klint and Kirsty. Off back to Brisbane after being an enormous encouragement to us (and others I am sure) being some of the first Joshua Tree members. Sadly our involvement in The Joshua Tree has ended but many fabulous friendships remain. I’m sure we will see you again soon.
I love this photo. Looks like 6 year old is pushing us all over!
15: Saturday again we had activities planned but December got the better of us.
Room make-overing (more on this later), birthday party craft (this too) and Summer Hill Church’s Twilight Markets to raise money for tear.
I sat with the youth kids and wrapped presents (badly) for donations. They made about $40 and had a ball.
Hopefully this coming week we can show a bit more commitment to the cause of advent ….. although giving it up to love and serve our community and each other has great value I think.
How is your advent tracking?
Scallyoop Scoop!
November 26, 2012
Tuxedo Sam (other characters available) USB sticks.
Today I want to tell you all about a fantastic online store.
It’s owned by my fabulous little sister Hayley and a friend… so I am a little bias in my recommendation…. but after I have shown you a small selection of an enormous range of products, I am sure you will agree with me.
Firstly, I will show you some of the items we have enjoyed from Scallyoop and a few reasons why I like them…. and then give you my recommendations for Christmas….. and leave you with a special offer!
Tuxedo Sam (and Friends) USB stick. 14 year old has one and loves it! Once the kids get to high school the USB becomes their best friend. These little guys wont be lost like the boring generic kind…. and are easily recognisable. Even Dad’s and nephew’s would enjoy these.
Djeco Art Nouveau Workshop.
Djeco make fabulous product. They provide great structured art projects which are vital for building skills. Over the years we have enjoyed many of these craft boxes. They are beautiful indeed.
Covering crafts from colouring, collage, puppet making, folding and knitting these sets ….made for boys as well as girls are highly recommended.
Made by the same company (and often included in the kits) are these felt painting textas and oil pastels. Be warned however….once you buy a child these beautiful textas they will never want normal ones. They make truly beautiful marks and last and last. Well worth the investment.
The oil pastels are also lovely to create art with. you will want to sit alongside your child and draw with them. I think they are better for older children ….. maybe 8+ as they can be a little messy (like oil pastels are)
Felt paint textas.
Oil Pastels.
Ni Hao Noodle Bowl. Now $19.95
The Ni Hao Noodle bowl is a fun way to introduce chopsticks to your children. The set comes with a noodle bowl, a patterned plate and a cute set of ‘kid friendly’ chopsticks. The little rubber man holds the chopsticks together making the pinching action that much easier! ….almost like holding a pencil and squeezing. A great gift for 6+ noodle lovers.
Roll-up chalk placemat.
We have enjoyed our chalk placement outside and inside. The girls use it to make signs on the cubby house and I sometimes use it to write a list of jobs for them to do…. It’s so much more fun to rub a job off with your hand after doing it!
Alice in Wonderland necklace or brooch.
What is not to love about this sweet Alice in Wonderland necklace (also available as a brooch)? Wood cut and light. Beautiful. You can also get other Alice in Wonderland characters.
Ride on Lady Bug.
The ride on bug.… yes, sadly we are past this, but have many fond memories of the girls zooming around on these. Stylistically so much more beautiful than the plastic ride on…and great for imaginary play.
Skwish classic.
Past this one too but loved it when the girls were very little. I loved the lightness of the elastic and wood….didn’t hurt when it inevitably hit them in the face! Skish Classic.
Throwing Game Klop.
I think my all time favourite gift from Scallyoop is Klop. A fantastic park game. It plays like a cross between bowls and boules with a twist or two.
Our family regularly take Klop to the park just with us or with friends and play across generations. The game is well weighted so adult or child can win….. but it’s not all luck. Brilliant!
Now….. my picks for this Christmas and beyond.
Ziggy Platter….. How groovy!
This one is for me! Yes there are gifts for adults too!
Balsam wood postcard…… can think of a few granddads who would like one of these.
Love this idea! …..and Balsam wood Plane Card just $7.95
Kokeshis Paper Dolls…. great holiday fun.
Another Djeco kit! Un-tricky origami Only $12.50
Beautiful wooden 3 layer puzzle.
How about this exquisite wooden puzzle? Lovely.
Make-a-do. Reusable connective pieces for creating straight from the recycling box.
I have loved these for a while. Such a great idea for the ‘construction kids’. Make-a-do kits.
There you have it!
Some of the best gifts you will find…. and you don’t need to go to the shops! Yay.
The site has soooo many more things to love….. and if you get in quick (before Dec 9) adding the code scallyoop10 will give you $10 off if you spend over $30 and put you into the draw for a $150 scallyoop shopping spree.
Why are you still here?
Half a GIANT list of fete and fair tutorials and printables.. (Part 1)
September 15, 2012
Often we are keen to help with school or church fetes but are not sure where to start.
So, I have put together a giant list of fete and fair tutorials from around the blogging world.
So many clever people out there!
For me…. what makes a great craft to make for a fete or fair, is one that is inexpensive to make and buy , fun, quick to make, fairly easy to put together, and something people would want to hand there money over for.
All the images below are by the original tutorial writers. If you want to try one… just click on the creators name and it will take you straight there.
Stay tuned for the next instalment.
Let me know what you think.
- Bunting Cards (tiny party invite) by The Pleated Poppy.
- Tissue Paper Pom Poms by diy Wedding
- DIY sugar body scrub by Craftiness is not an option.
- Waterproof shower caps by Smashed Peas and Carrots.
- Felt Tissue Pouches by My Growing Home
- Simple Shopping Bags by The Purl Bee
- House pillows by Craft and Creativity.
- Beaded Heart Wand by First Palette.
- 3D Owl printables by Craft and Creativity.
- Any colour chalk board paint by Salt Tree.
- Angel placecard by Allsorts.
- Covered Mouse pads by Coming Home To Roost.
- Fairies in a Jar by Organised Chaos.
- Paper Decoration Star by Craft and Creativity.
- Button Thumbtacks by FellowFellow
- Reindeer Gift Tag Printable by Eatdrinkchic.
- Knitted Mini Stockings by Little Cotton Rabbits.
- Edible Teabag Cookie (Gluten Dairy and Sugar free) by Whatever’s left
- Wooden Fork Dolls by Craft and Creativity.
- Spray Painted Animals on lids by Pysselbolaget
- Fabric Covered Lights by Rebeccasdiy.
- Time for tea Soap by Cumbersome.
- Owl iphone case by handmade.
- Tea bag gift Tag by the studio of Mae
- Monogram bags by zszywka
- Plush Monsters by Blueberry Moon.
- Plush Penguin by Purl Bee.
- Felt ball garland by The SoHo
- Lavender Satchels by Purl Bee
- Chalk Paint Cheese Tray by Wit & Whistle
Idea of the Day: Sparkles.
January 20, 2012
Mind Jar....for calming a child down by Chasing the Firefly.
Idea of the Day: Folded Goldfish.
January 11, 2012
Print and fold fish by Canon Creative Park.
Gotta love origami as a quite non-messy craft.
Idea of the Day: Upcycled Rooms
January 2, 2012
Use those Christmas packaging boxes from the recycling to make one of these by reciclando en la escuela
19 Handmade Gifts for Women and Older Girls…. with Tutorials.
November 14, 2011
1. Chalkboard Necklaces by Henry Happened.
2. Felt Ball Necklace by Purl Bee
3. Twig Necklace by henry Happened.
4. Sewing Kit in a Jar by Martha Stewart.
5. Paper Clip Earrings by Evie-S.
6. Recycled Woven Rug by Craft Passion.
7. Fold-over bag by Noodlehead.
8. Little Letter needle Book by Emaykayee.
9. Silhouette Jewellery by Less than Perfect Bliss.
10. Feather Hair-clips by Henry Happened.
11. Clay Necklace by Henry Happened.
12. Embellished Resin Rings by Tatertots and jello.
13. Beach Towel Tote by Redefining Creativity.
14. Swatch Portraits by Purl bee.
15. Vintage hankie Pillow Cover by Noodle Head.
16. Fabric Beaded Jewellery by Make It and Love It.
17. Dip Died Scarf by Henry Happened.
18. Love letter Corsage by Less Than Perfect Life Of Bliss.
19. Confetti Earrings by Evie-S.
Orientating a 5 year old….and a very simple water bottle tutorial.
November 12, 2011
Friday was the first of 3 orientation mornings for 5 year old.
On Thursday we made a special water bottle to take and use into the coming year.
It is such a simple little project…and will make great Christmas presents for some of my many nieces and nephews.
I thought I would make up a little tutorial (although I am sure you could work it out for yourself:))
1. What you will need.
You will need:
- a plain drinking flask
- letter stickers
- a sheet of stickers the child will like. (Waterproof if you can get them)
- diamonties …..maybe not for boys…..
2. Using the letter stickers and the base of the flask as a guide..... stick on the name. Add diamonties if appropriate.
3a. Ta Da. Give the flask and the sheet of stickers to the real designers!
3b. Horsey stickers ....very inner city!
4. Enjoy watching them (you may need to be an extra set of hands) design their flask.
...and stick...
5. Admire the artistry....and use. Can you see she added some extra bedazzling between the horses?
This was a 10-15 minute craft.
- No mess (Yay!)
- Useful (Yay!)
- Something I want to keep. (Bonus!)
11 year old loved it and asked could I make her a more grown -up one.
I'm thinking I might make myself one too! And no...she doesn't read Patricia Cornell and PD James. That is my stash from the fete last week....... thought it made a nice background.
Let me know if you try it.
Holiday fun!
September 24, 2011
My holiday Venn Diagram.
This holidays I’m going to repost some of my crafty things and activities I have found over the last two years of blogging.
If you are stuck for an idea to keep yourself and your kids amused you may find one here…..
Starting Tuesday
4 year olds gets creative
November 26, 2010
…. here are her presents for the grandparents.
Angels by 4 year old.
