Today I'm sharing a very simple and fun project for kids of any age to do. I got the original idea for this from Earning My Cape.
All you have to do is trace your child's hand onto a sheet of green construction paper, then cut it out. Use the handprint to trace 5 more hands, so you then have 6 total. Next, glue the handprints onto a separate piece of construction paper into the shape of a tree like in the picture below. You can add a trunk with marker, or by cutting out a rectangle shape out of brown paper. Have your kiddo add decorations such as stickers, pom-poms, small pieces of paper, foam shapes, etc. to the tree, then put a star on top. Very easy and kids ages 2-12 should have fun with this. Younger children will obviously need assistance with the glue and scissors.
Lily and I started making some new glittery bell ornaments last night, but she wasn't really into it, so we'll try again tonight or tomorrow, depending on how she's feeling. Here's a little sneak peek of how far we got before she had enough of the glitter glue:
Other than crafts and such, I've been busy making cookies to give as gifts, finishing last minute Christmas shopping, and getting the house ready for the little holiday party we're having Sunday. I've also been a bit under the weather- courtesy of Lily's sickness last week, most likely -but, I'm holding it down and drowning my yuckiness with vitamins, tea, hot soup, and healing herbs propolis and echinacea. I'm excited for the holidays and that's all I can really focus on at this time! I'll have something up for Sweet Saturday this week, so please come on back Friday! I won't be doing a Meatless Monday link-up Monday, but may share a Christmasy post just to wish you all happy holidays :)
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Meatless Monday: Christmas Cookies!
By now, you should know I love to bake cookies, I think...!
Well, today is an especially momentous cookie baking occasion because, you see, I FINALLY found a sugar cookie recipe that was just right, and the dough was perfect for making shapes with!!! I have had so much trouble in the past trying to make cute cookie cutter shapes from cookie dough; it was always too wet, too soft, didn't taste good, or the cookies didn't bake right and lost their form in the oven. But, FINALLY. Finally. I have found it! And I am so excited to share this marvelous lemon sugar cookie recipe with you! But, I must not take all the credit- this recipe is largely adapted from this little gem from myrecipes.com.
Lemony Sugar Cookies
(makes around 30 cookies depending on cutter(s) used)
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in bowl and set aside. In a larger bowl, beat together butter and sugar until well combined. Next, add in the egg, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, milk, and vanilla until nice and creamy. Bit by bit, beat in the flour mixture until dough is formed. Flatten dough into disc onto a plate like in the picture below, cover with plastic wrap, then cool in the refridgerator for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
When dough is ready, take half of it and roll out onto floured surface to about 3/8" thick. Cut out desired shapes then place onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet(s). Decorate with sprinkles if desired, then pop in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges. Allow to cool before enjoying!
I have not been able to stop eating these tasty treats since making them earlier this afternoon! Lily quite fancies them as well. I normally make a healthier version of sweet cookies like these by using whole wheat flour or less sugar or a sugar substitute, or however I am able to, but this time I kept it traditional and just make them like the recipe indicated. Afterall, it's Christmas time and I think enjoying something extra sweet is alright once in a while :)
These cookies will be made as gifts for friends and family this year, along with some other kind of cookie, probably my dark chocolate coconut and flax cookies; those will be the healthy option! Although, adding fresh lemon gives these cookies a boost of vitamin C, antioxidants, and can also aid in digestion.
Lily is feeling much better now, although she was quite the cranky kid this weekend! We did still manage to get some fun holiday crafts done, so check back on Wednesday for that, plus Sweet Saturday on Friday! Thanks so much for stopping by, now on to the link-up!
Now it's your turn to share your Meatless Monday dish below! Share your turkey-alternatives or other yummy Thanksgiving favorites. No rules, other than please only link-up meat-free recipes. No other un-related links or I will remove them. Sorry to sound so harsh, but let's keep it true to what it is, ok? Link up as much as you want, and feel free to spread the word with the button below. Thanks, and have a great week!
Have a great day!
Well, today is an especially momentous cookie baking occasion because, you see, I FINALLY found a sugar cookie recipe that was just right, and the dough was perfect for making shapes with!!! I have had so much trouble in the past trying to make cute cookie cutter shapes from cookie dough; it was always too wet, too soft, didn't taste good, or the cookies didn't bake right and lost their form in the oven. But, FINALLY. Finally. I have found it! And I am so excited to share this marvelous lemon sugar cookie recipe with you! But, I must not take all the credit- this recipe is largely adapted from this little gem from myrecipes.com.
Lemony Sugar Cookies
(makes around 30 cookies depending on cutter(s) used)
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in bowl and set aside. In a larger bowl, beat together butter and sugar until well combined. Next, add in the egg, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, milk, and vanilla until nice and creamy. Bit by bit, beat in the flour mixture until dough is formed. Flatten dough into disc onto a plate like in the picture below, cover with plastic wrap, then cool in the refridgerator for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
When dough is ready, take half of it and roll out onto floured surface to about 3/8" thick. Cut out desired shapes then place onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet(s). Decorate with sprinkles if desired, then pop in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges. Allow to cool before enjoying!
I have not been able to stop eating these tasty treats since making them earlier this afternoon! Lily quite fancies them as well. I normally make a healthier version of sweet cookies like these by using whole wheat flour or less sugar or a sugar substitute, or however I am able to, but this time I kept it traditional and just make them like the recipe indicated. Afterall, it's Christmas time and I think enjoying something extra sweet is alright once in a while :)
These cookies will be made as gifts for friends and family this year, along with some other kind of cookie, probably my dark chocolate coconut and flax cookies; those will be the healthy option! Although, adding fresh lemon gives these cookies a boost of vitamin C, antioxidants, and can also aid in digestion.
Lily is feeling much better now, although she was quite the cranky kid this weekend! We did still manage to get some fun holiday crafts done, so check back on Wednesday for that, plus Sweet Saturday on Friday! Thanks so much for stopping by, now on to the link-up!
Now it's your turn to share your Meatless Monday dish below! Share your turkey-alternatives or other yummy Thanksgiving favorites. No rules, other than please only link-up meat-free recipes. No other un-related links or I will remove them. Sorry to sound so harsh, but let's keep it true to what it is, ok? Link up as much as you want, and feel free to spread the word with the button below. Thanks, and have a great week!
Have a great day!
Labels:
baking,
blog hop,
christmas,
cookies,
dessert,
lemon,
link party,
linky,
meatless mondays,
sweet saturday
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Sweet Saturday #31: Cottonball Snowmen Decorations
I meant to post these simple, kid-friendly projects on Wednesday, but my little sweetie has been sick this week, thus placing me into Mommy Overtime. She's on the mend now, though, and the other day we did have the time and energy to make these cute and easy snowmen using cottonballs, construction paper, glue, and a few other things...
Happy Cottonball Snowmen
Materials:
Cottonballs
Construction paper
Glue
Glitter glue
White paint
Q-tip
Step 1: Paint white dots with Q-TIP
Step 2: Glue on cottonballs
Step 3: Add stick arms and face with glitter glue
Step 4: Add some random splotches of silver glitter with an extra cottonball (Lily's addition)
Voilá! Cute little happy snowmen to hang up in your home. Due to my lacking craft skills, it looks as if my 2 1/2 year old did this one all by herself. Martha Stewart has nothing to worry about.
In continuation of our DIY decorations, Lily and I also made these cottonball snowmen ornaments-
For these babies you will need:
Cottonballs
Construction paper
Scissors
Googly eyes
Glue
Glitter glue
Pipe cleaners
Ornament hooks
Add-ons: yarn for a scarf, felt top hat, mini pom-poms for buttons, actual buttons (all things I did not have handy, but wish I had to make these snowmen look less like fluffy fat ducks)
The images above should clearly show you how to make them- and, yes, the "carrot nose" is a very small piece of orange pipe cleaner. I used red paper thinking it would create a nice shadowy effect on the snowmen, but in hindsight, I think white paper would've been better, just a tip. What do you think?
Our most-visited link last weekend were these sweet little trees from With A Blast. And they're edible! Thanks, Linda!
New linker, Mellywood's Mansion, shared this super cute bauble hair clip. Simple to make and the perfect adornment for the holiday season. Thanks, Mel!
I found Finely Ground via Full Hands, Full Hearts' Christmas Link-up and fell in love with this thrifty and original DIY wreath- I just had to invite her to the Sweet Saturday party! Thanks for joining, Marissa!
Thanks to all the new linkers! We had quite a turn-out last week, and I greatly apologize for not getting to visit everyone yet and personally thanking them, but I promise I will as soon as I can! I'm sure you all know where I'm coming from to at least some extent when I tell you I was busy with a sick toddler all week :(
Happy Cottonball Snowmen
Materials:
Cottonballs
Construction paper
Glue
Glitter glue
White paint
Q-tip
Step 1: Paint white dots with Q-TIP
Step 2: Glue on cottonballs
Step 3: Add stick arms and face with glitter glue
Step 4: Add some random splotches of silver glitter with an extra cottonball (Lily's addition)
![]() |
| The large piece of cotton came from the inside of a vitamin bottle |
Voilá! Cute little happy snowmen to hang up in your home. Due to my lacking craft skills, it looks as if my 2 1/2 year old did this one all by herself. Martha Stewart has nothing to worry about.
In continuation of our DIY decorations, Lily and I also made these cottonball snowmen ornaments-
![]() |
| She could not be bothered to stop doodling in her doodle pad while sticking on the cottonballs |
For these babies you will need:
Cottonballs
Construction paper
Scissors
Googly eyes
Glue
Glitter glue
Pipe cleaners
Ornament hooks
Add-ons: yarn for a scarf, felt top hat, mini pom-poms for buttons, actual buttons (all things I did not have handy, but wish I had to make these snowmen look less like fluffy fat ducks)
The images above should clearly show you how to make them- and, yes, the "carrot nose" is a very small piece of orange pipe cleaner. I used red paper thinking it would create a nice shadowy effect on the snowmen, but in hindsight, I think white paper would've been better, just a tip. What do you think?
Now for last weekend's most-clicked holiday features!
New linker, Mellywood's Mansion, shared this super cute bauble hair clip. Simple to make and the perfect adornment for the holiday season. Thanks, Mel!
I found Finely Ground via Full Hands, Full Hearts' Christmas Link-up and fell in love with this thrifty and original DIY wreath- I just had to invite her to the Sweet Saturday party! Thanks for joining, Marissa!
Thanks to all the new linkers! We had quite a turn-out last week, and I greatly apologize for not getting to visit everyone yet and personally thanking them, but I promise I will as soon as I can! I'm sure you all know where I'm coming from to at least some extent when I tell you I was busy with a sick toddler all week :(
Grab a button if you were featured!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Paper Ornaments for Kids
I have decided that for the month of December I am going to do at least one holiday-related project with Lily (and then blog about it). This week we made ornaments! It took me a bit to think up a way for a 2 1/2 year old to make her own ornaments, but this is what I came up with, and she did do quite a bit of the work all by herself!
Paper Ornaments
Materials:
Green construction paper
Red washable paint
1-2 Q-tips
Scissors
Cotton balls
Stapler
Twine or other string
First, get a smock on that kid if you want less mess to clean up. Give them the paper, paint, and a Q-tip and instruct them to make little red dots on the paper- these dots will represent ornaments on a tree, or berries on a wreath. (Lily insisted I make one, too. You can see the side-by-side of our dot work in the top right corner of image below). Allow paint to dry, then using something to create the desired shape, such as a stencil (I used a wooden shape), trace a Christmas tree or wreath onto the polka-dotted paper. Or, if you have some artistic talent, draw it free hand- the shapes just have to match up exactly so that they can be stapled together.
Next, place a couple of pieces of cotton between 2 of the cut-out shapes, then staple closed, as if you are making a little paper pillow. Staple a looped piece of string to the top so it can be hung from a tree branch. Add glitter glue, sequins, or other adornments if desired.
Lily added some glitter glue drops, and she really had fun with that- so much so, that she decided to decorate the packaging from said glitter glue.
I made one shaped like a wreath, but as stuffing I thought it would be clever and less wasteful to use crumpled up scrap paper, and it turned out just as well. So feel free to stuff your ornaments using either method.
This is a fun and easy project for kids 2 years or older. Have fun!
Paper Ornaments
Materials:
Green construction paper
Red washable paint
1-2 Q-tips
Scissors
Cotton balls
Stapler
Twine or other string
First, get a smock on that kid if you want less mess to clean up. Give them the paper, paint, and a Q-tip and instruct them to make little red dots on the paper- these dots will represent ornaments on a tree, or berries on a wreath. (Lily insisted I make one, too. You can see the side-by-side of our dot work in the top right corner of image below). Allow paint to dry, then using something to create the desired shape, such as a stencil (I used a wooden shape), trace a Christmas tree or wreath onto the polka-dotted paper. Or, if you have some artistic talent, draw it free hand- the shapes just have to match up exactly so that they can be stapled together.
Next, place a couple of pieces of cotton between 2 of the cut-out shapes, then staple closed, as if you are making a little paper pillow. Staple a looped piece of string to the top so it can be hung from a tree branch. Add glitter glue, sequins, or other adornments if desired.
Lily added some glitter glue drops, and she really had fun with that- so much so, that she decided to decorate the packaging from said glitter glue.
![]() |
| Decorating her ornament |
![]() |
| Decorating her piece of trash |
I made one shaped like a wreath, but as stuffing I thought it would be clever and less wasteful to use crumpled up scrap paper, and it turned out just as well. So feel free to stuff your ornaments using either method.
This is a fun and easy project for kids 2 years or older. Have fun!
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