When I saw these muffin tin advents here at Sumo's Sweet Stuff and here at Somewhat Simple I just HAD to make one of my own!

And it was actually quite a quick and easy project!

Because my kids get PLENTY of sweets and candy, I decided to do activities in each day written on paper (I hurry and trade them before the kids pick if it is something that just won't work for the day)...

Need some ideas for activites? You can see my list right here...

This was definitely a fun and easy project that added to my Christmas Decor and that the kids LOVE!

Great Gift Idea: Crayon Roll

What a fun gift idea for your little ones? My daughter LOVES her crayon roll and it isn't even hard to make! (If I can do it with my limited sewing skills, you can do it!)

I followed the tutorial on Skip to My Lou (but cut out the ric rac trim because of my limited sewing knowledge, although I LOVE the trim!)

I had intended this to be for my daughter to take to church, but she uses it constantly and my son even likes it! They love that they can see all the colors in front of them...

And I love that we can fold it up and put it all away!

Fun Baby Stuff!

I've had baby stuff on the brain and here's a bunch of fun stuff to make and do!

Cute baby bibs from Martha Stewart's Website

Little Onesies that have tutus attached! Too Cute!

How to make a baby sling and here's some other instructions to make the same style of baby sling here

How to make a nursing cover

A BUNCH of diaper cake pictures and instructions

Baby leg warmers! This makes me want to have a girl!!!

WAY cute changing pads and pacifier clips from Oh Sew Cute Designs!

Some fun washcloth lollipops!

Notebook Entry 3/20

Definitely want to make this cute crayon roll!

Fun bubble magnets I want to make! I've even bought the bubbles already!

I LOVE this privilage chart and actually started to make one before my design software died! I think this could be a huge help in my family!

I have talked to my friend, Alisha, a lot about making my own baby food when the time comes. Here's a post that explains how she does it...

I LOVE this pattern for throw pillows. Must make me some!

One day I would love to try to make this mudroom storage bench...

I have always hated writing but have tried to be better at it... maybe these journaling prompts would help...

I really need to organize my filing cabinet at always wonder how long you should keep your records...

How cute are these tote bags for the kids? I have been wanting to get them their own bags to take with them to church...

How cute are these pretzel shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day?

This Princess Birthday Hat is so cute! How fun to make these for the girls!

My crafty mommy friend is awesome with her kids and made Leprechaun beards and ears this year for St. Patricks Day! How fun!

Don't know if I'll ever have a fancy dinner party... but this would teach me how to fold the napkins!

A smorgasbord of fun ideas!

• Marshmallow Lollipops! Awesome for all sorts of holidays! http://www.graceviolet.com/2009/02/how-to-make-marshmallow-lollipops.html We tried this one for St. Patrick's Day and it was a big hit! We will definitely be doing it again!
• St. Patty's Craft! http://www.abc4.com/content/about_4/gtu/featured_on/story/Lucky-Leprechaun-Hats/S6iSvor0n0m7P1CK8Cjaew.cspx
• What a fun Birthday Cake! http://pshelovesyou.blogspot.com/2009/02/birthday-party-highlights.html
• Some awesome valentine ideas (gum & chocolate) that you really could adapt to any holiday! http://ppbits.blogspot.com/2009/02/procrastination.html
• How much fun would this be for a Girl's Night Out? http://jolenegeorge.blogspot.com/2009/02/ugly-dress-party.html
• Andre's been losing his teeth left and right! I really should make him one of these! http://missyballance.typepad.com/crafty_carnival/2007/01/easy_tooth_fair.html
• These would look cute on clips for the hair! http://bugsandfishes.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-butterfly-brooches.html
• I have a TON of scrap paper that would work great for this project!!! http://scrapmatters.com/wordpress/2009/03/12/new-monthly-hybrid-challenge-project-renewit/
• Anyone for some Green Eggs & Ham cupcakes? http://shabbymissjenn.typepad.com/shabby_miss_jenn/2009/03/too-many-things-to-blog-about.html

Notebook Entry for Friday the 13th

Wow! I haven't posted over here for awhile and my favorites tabs are overflowing so I figure I'll try posting a few ideas here every day or two until I get caught up!

Crafts:

• Here's another fantastic tutu tutorial! I may try this SOON! http://vermillionrules.blogspot.com/2008/12/extremely-detailed-tutu-tutorial.html
• A fabulous cover for a crate! Another project I plan on trying very, very SOON! http://lauragunn.typepad.com/paintinmyhair/2008/09/post-1.html
• This SO makes me want to go to DI and find some furniture to paint! http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/shelving-storage/before-and-after-revamped-storage-078400
• How freakin' cute would these be with a matching table runner? And how easy!!! http://blairpeter.typepad.com/weblog/2009/03/the-daily-placemats.html
• I think this looks like a great project! Don't think I'd ever use them... but it could be a fun project! lol http://craftstylish.com/item/42331/how-to-make-a-woven-button-coaster
• This diaper case might come in handy shortly! http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/dipecase.html
• Okay... how fun are these homemade Christmas ornaments? http://handpickeddaisy.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-ornament.html

Family:

• I have always LOVED the idea of shades to make it DARK in the bedrooms! http://justusgibsons.blogspot.com/2009/03/whether-springing-forward-or-falling.html

Kids:

• My friend had a little fun with her kids and some pudding! http://scottandcrystal.blogspot.com/2009/02/chocolate-pudding.html We tried it and the kids LOVED it! Thanks Crystal!

Recipes:

• I wouldn't make the crosses but I'm definitely thinking about making maybe my own chocolate bunnies... it actually might be a fun project with the kiddos! http://www.centsablemomma.com/2009/03/easter-make-your-own-chocolate-cross.html
• I wonder if these cupcakes are any good... http://allthatnaz.blogspot.com/2009/03/wfmw-doctoring-box-cake-mixes.html
• When I first got my bread machine many, many, MANY years ago I tried making pretzels (I'm a HUGE fan of PretzelMaker! yum!) but they did NOT work out. Nasty! Maybe I'll have to try again... http://artfulparent.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/making-the-best-ever-soft-pretzels/

Cover for my cricut

I found a pattern for a cover for my cricut... http://www.scrapbook.com/gallery/?m=image&id=662089&type=searchwords&s=cricut+cover&page=1&vote=0

A few links...

Another Christmas ornament wreath I found... http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2008/12/no-wire-hangers-well-maybe-just-one.html

LOVE this tutu tutorial! http://www.designmom.com/2008/12/tulle-tutorial.html

Fun & easy ornaments to make! http://littlepaintedpiggies.typepad.com/the_hybrid_kid/2008/12/next.html

More Christmas Ideas...

• Have you ever had the MONSTER APPLE at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory? It's delish! Which makes me think... these might be pretty dang good! http://deannasstuff.blogspot.com/2008/12/teachers-gifts-and-some-class-goodie.html
• I've been wanting to make a magnetic calendar using these but what a great idea for a teacher gift! http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/marblemagnets/
• A cute homemade ballerina tutu! http://www.designmom.com/2008/12/homemade-sibling-gifts-2008.html
• Need to tie a bow for your package? She shows us how! http://smallnotebook.org/2008/12/17/tie-a-trouble-free-gift-bow/

Awesome Christmas Crafts & Ideas

I found some awesome ideas for Christmas...

• I LOVE the idea of having either a nativity/village for the advent calendar and letting the kids add to it each day with Baby Jesus being added on Christmas eve... http://saltandchocolate.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-advent-village-is-coming-along.html
• How fun and easy would these be to do? They are beautiful and the kids would LOVE it! http://littlemommaandcompany.blogspot.com/2008/12/painted-holiday.html
• I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this wreath and will be hitting the after Christmas sales to pick me up some of these ornaments! http://tidymomof2.blogspot.com/2008/12/glass-ball-ornament-wreath.html
• I've been wanting to do one of these calendars for a LONG time and even bought the pans (over a year ago) but just couldn't come up with a simple idea... Here's one... http://www.remodelingthislife.com/2008/12/03/magnetic-advent-calendar
• Need a neighbor gift? I LOVE the idea of cookie dough logs (you could even put a note on it that said "Here's some dough for the Christmas holiday!" Here's a link to my cousin, Gina's site: http://ginahappenings.blogspot.com/2008/12/november-happenings.html and here is one I found on the internet: http://www.makeandtakes.com/cookie-dough-log-rolls

Apron Tutorial

I found an awesome apron tutorial! I've been wanting to make me an apron for years so I think as soon as the holidays are over, I'll make Jaiden & I matching aprons! Woohoo!

http://jonag.typepad.com/stop_staring_and_start_se/2008/12/your-christmas-gift-from-mean-apron-in-an-hour.html I finished this one with a little tweaking and it turned out wonderful! You can see it here...