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To make an ornament like the one here, wrap one end of a 3-foot length of 18-gauge gold-colored craft wire around a pencil to form a hanging loop. With the loop at the top of a star cookie cutter, press the wire twice around the perimeter of the cookie cutter to form a star shape, twisting it around the hanging loop and using wire cutters (a parent's job) to snip off any excess. Remove the cutter.
Now your child can complete the ornament by wrapping the wire outline with lengths of 20-to 24-gauge colored lightweight wire, securing the ends in place by wrapping them around the cookie cutter outline.
Finally, tie a hanging ribbon to the loop, and your ornament is ready for display.
I really, really, really want to make this. Will I have time? Where does the time go?
OK, it's not really the Now Me. Rather a Retro Me. How much of me will turn retro over time?
Time is running out. There's always next year.
Fabric Snowman Wreath
This friendly snowman replaces a traditional evergreen wreath and will greet guests with a smiling face on your front door. For the face, sew together two circles of white fleece, stuffing polyester fiberfill in between. Cut the sleeves from an old flannel shirt, and sew them together, making a tube. Cut across an 18-inch straw wreath (where the bottom of the design is) and pull the sleeves gently onto the wreath, filling the empty spaces with fiberfill. Stuff knit gloves or mittens with fiberfill and attach at the bottom of the wreath. Pin the head to the top of the wreath and tack the scarf in place. Glue any desired greenery to sections of the wreath and hang on your front door.
Embellish your holiday displays with a textural snowman made from balls of twine or string. Stack three different-size balls of twine on top of each other and hot-glue together. Hot-glue antique buttons down the front of the snowman and use pinheads for eyes. Add a fabric or ribbon scarf around his neck. For the hat, hot-glue a spool of black thread to the top.
Cozy up Baby's little toes with a pair of slippers made from recycled sweaters. One-of-kind footwear in sizes for infants, kids, men, and women wards off winter's chill. Lambswool Slippers, $38.
Apparently I was so excited about this that I inadvertently sent without explanation. Hopefully you followed link. AND wait until you see the video! Who would have guessed that there is an entire industry some of us watching the video last night knew nothing about! Already looking for sweaters to shrink! Shhhhhh. Christmas is coming.
Needle-Felted Sweaters
Felt a vintage wool sweater and add whimsical designs and patterns for kids using our templates.
Recapture the magic of holidays past with these vintage-inspired ornaments. Dangling from your tree (or anywhere else the spirit guides), they are destined to become a new twinkling tradition. With 6” Red Ribbon.
Set of four Materials: Iron/Brass Planting Size: 6.25” x5” x1.75" Care: Wipe clean.
My friend was recently riding with her three-year-old granddaughter in a NYC taxi. This darling child likes to know all the driver’s names, so my friend inquired. Gabrielle, a large Jamaican man, assumed that he was being reported and brusquely pointed to his badge.
As she so often does, my friend’s grandchild began singing the following song.
Gabrielle, clearly touched, applauded when they reached their destination.
Having heard the story, I searched for the music and lyrics. OMGOSH. As I listened to the song, I totally lost it imagining the shift she so innocently created; and the joy she brought to a tiny part of our world and to me over 3,000 miles away. And now, perhaps, to you.
Thanks, Judi, I LOVE LOVE LOVED the story!!! I cannot get this tiny/tremendous tune out of my head. I wake up singing it. This is not a bad thing!
Chorus: There's a light in me, there's a light in you Whatever language you speak Whatever your point of view Whatever people may say Whatever people may do There's a light in you You must let the light shine through.
I am short, he is tall It doesn't matter if I'm small Whatever size I happen to be There's a light in me Please take the time to see.
Chorus
My eyes are brown, hers are blue We may not share the same point of view Whatever your hopes and wishes, and dreams There's a light that beams It’s closer than it seems.
Chorus
My friend Sam says she doesn't fit When she wants to play the kids want to sit Some times are hard, I must admit I hope she doesn't quit She's got to keep it lit.
Chorus (2x)
Yes, this could definitely be my top pick of the season.
Is there anything better than Pandora, the free Internet radio site? I think not. We’ve been enjoying a steady stream of magnificent holiday music for weeks.
In their own words:
“You start a Pandora station by entering an artist name or a song title that is similar to the kind of music you'd like to hear. Pandora compares your starting point to each song in Pandora's massive music collection, using the detailed musical analysis in the Music Genome Project. Then your new Pandora station starts playing songs from a related corner of the musical universe.
Each Pandora station is completely unique to you. What you hear on your stations will be different from what everyone else hears, even when starting from the same artist or song.”
You may know about Pandora but have you considered that Pandora One could be the perfect last-minute holiday gift?
Pandora One provides unlimited, ad-free listening, high quality audio and much more with a one year subscription to Pandora One – all for just $36.
Being replaced with something more suitable for the season. Sooooooooooooo simple to do.
From the Boys Choir of Harlem/so lovely. Enjoy.
As with our October little flying friends, you'll need:
ladder to reach ceiling light fixture/surround
fish line or wire
ornament hooks
ornaments/stars, snowflakes/whatever/to fit the scale of your room/same-style stars or ornaments per space/I started with a little entryway thirty years ago and the concept grew
Our ladder was too short so I used a pair of kitchen/BBQ? tongs to extend my reach. Is this making sense? Good. Do not electrocute yourself.
Install and then enjoy your very own winter wonderland!
Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 6:36PM 
"Dreading the holiday shopping madness? The lines, the crowds, the loud music... it's enough to turn anyone into a Grinch. 
