It's Christmas Eve

We let the boys each choose 1 present to open tonight. Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Play

I was asking to help figure out costumes for this years church Christmas play. I had a ton of fun and the best part is that I had some amazing help putting them today. Let me know say that delegating is delightful! The kids did such a a great job working on their parts, which makes it so much more worth the work. I feel so blessed to be a part of a church that not only preaches Gods word, but loves it and lives it. Can't imaging raising my boys in any other church!

Ginger Bread Houses

I've been wanting to try this for some time now. Not sure who enjoyed it more; Me or the boys!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Handmade Christmas

If you're like me, you're always looking for ways to save money - even when it come to gifts. I hate having to be cheap, because most of the time I really like the recipient of the gift. (It would be different if I didn't like the recipient - don't you agree?) So, I decided to make some things by hand this year to help the budget a little. I think it shows people that I love them, because I'm willing to spend time and effort on their gift even if I don't spend a lot.

I got one of my favorite ideas from my Mother-in-law: REAL VANILLA!! You need 1 bottle of Myer's Dark Rum and 4-6 vanilla beans. Place the bean in the rum; store in the dark for about 6 months and voilà, you have real vanilla. Here comes the handmade part: I knit a cover for the bottle that is both festive and function, because it has to be stored in the dark. Don't forget to add a tag with directions!

I know this is a little late for this year, but there are plenty of occasions for gift giving, not just Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Jacob and I have had a very lonely Christmas this year. We couldn't get enough time off work to make traveling for the Holidays worth while. Nevertheless, we have had a lot of fun just the two us of. We've been cooking a lot, watching movies till our brains rot and playing chess - I knew I shouldn't have gotten that for him for Christmas...

Jacob got me a replacement black pearl wedding ring, which I have to admit, made me cry. I lost my original the first summer we were married and just never thought I deserved another. I think it's pretty close:

I got Jacob brand new guitar strap from Souldier Straps. It is made out of an old seat belt - recycled and handmade! I picked it up at Renegade. Thanks for the suggestion Johnny and Katie!!! He loves it!

Recycled Ornament Contest

Amy of Things We Make and Amy of Mod Podge Rocks recently sponsored a handmade and recycled ornament contest. I immediately loved the premise of this challenge, so I entered my mini terrarium ornaments, made with Gerber baby food jars, some moss, buttons and wire:

I really thought nothing of it, as I knew there would be plenty of creative entries. But was pleasantly surprised when I found out that I tied for runner up. I was very exciting!! The second runner up was Becca and her paper mache bulbs:


The first place went to Candy and her amazing mod house ornaments:


Check out more entries on Amy's blog. I'm getting some great ideas for next year! Thanks so much Amy and Amy!!

Christmas finally came to the Wolfgangs

It snowed A LOT on Tuesday night. So much, that we were forced to stay home on Wednesday. We ate all day and watched at least 6 movies, including 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' and 'Inglourious Basterds'.
I generally don't like snow. It's pretty when it's falling, but otherwise it's wet and cold and turns into slush and makes any commute more difficult than it should be. Snow, in my opinion, belongs in the mountains where you can actually do cool things with it; not Des Moines, where's a driving hazard and just lies around waiting to melt.
Needless to say, I think the snow finally got me into Christmas mode and I spent evening making my paper tree and wrapping presents. (Thanks for the great Scandinavian wrapping paper, Ikea!)

It's CHRISTMAS!!

Here is our tree - it's a little pathetic, because it's plastic. I like to think of it as being green. Notice the blueprint wrapping paper - also a green effort.



My darling husband, Jacob, and I woke up early today to open presents and then made Christmas dinner together. It looks fancy, but I have to admit that we didn't stuff the Cornish Game Hens ourselves-they came that way from the store. It was delicious! And look at the tiny wishbones!











Jacob is so kind to support my love for crafts/art and got me a block printing press and an adjustable dress form - I can't wait to sew my own clothes. Or at least attempt to...

Bavaria Inspired Ornaments

I'm almost ready for Christmas and really want to post some of the Christmas presents I've been working on, but am not going to risk spoiling it for any of my friends. So instead, here are the ornaments I made for a craft/art show last month. Christmas tree pics are coming soon!!


Wood Ornament (out of toe-kick) with block printed motifs