Another Pear and Partridge Layout and Card

Here is the layout and card I did for a recent CTMH gathering.  If you are interested in taking my January Pear & Partridge Layout class or ordering the kit, get more info here. For this layout and card, I used the stamp set Ornamental Cheer.

 A Closer Look

 My card using reverse embossing

Nickie Hoffer
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer
livescraplove@gmail.com
717-665-0544

Kindergarten Winter Party Ideas

We just had my son's Winter party in Kindergarten this week.  This is my first year as a room parent and thought it would be helpful to share some of the ideas I used for the party this year.  We had a group craft, 4 stations, and snacks.

The group craft was making styrofoam snowmen.  I quickly found that no glue actually works to attach the balls together except a gluegun.  I settled for a toothpick instead.  Twigs for arms, orange construction paper carrot noses, and mini black brads for eyes and they were done.

 Station 1 Jack Frost Says (Simon Says)

 Station 2 Winter Bingo made from this awesome free site. 

 Station 3 Making a snowflake ornament using CTMH Snowflake Stamp set and the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

Station 4 and my personal favorite Snowball Fight.  They read Jimmy Fallon's book Snowball Fight, then piled styrofaom balls on a parachute and flung them into the air.

My first try at peppermint pretzel bark.  It was a hit but not as pretty as the bark from the Pink Flour where I got the recipe.

Nickie Hoffer 

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 

www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 

livescraplove@gmail.com 

717-665-0544

Truth in the Tinsel Continued

So if you missed the first post and want more info about the Truth in the Tinsel, click here.  Here is another week on advent crafts.  Remember each day in December a simple craft is outlined for you as well as a scripture verse and some questions to get a conversation going with your little one.

Jesus shines like the sun and Mary's beautiful son

 Joseph's pillow, Jesus name is bigger than all names, and the census

Bethlehem and the Stable

Nickie Hoffer 

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 

www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 

livescraplove@gmail.com 

717-665-0544

Pinterest Snowball Wreath

I have had this on my pinterest DIY board for at least a year.  Here is the original post by Two Junk Chix.  It is also the first time I have ever used a glue gun, so I ended up with some wounds;).  I bought most of the styrofoam balls at the Dollar Tree and Michaels.  I got the snowflakes and other round Christmas ornaments from the Dollar Tree as well.  The jute balls were the trickiest because you couldn't just simply wrap them any old way or they would be gigantic and mishapen, so I had to start in the middle and glue each piece around.

The start

The finished product

Then I got out of hand and made this one for my Grandma with my sweet MOPS friends.  With their help, I got this one done in one evening.

In total I ended up making three.  That was enough.  There is a tip, if you are looking for a cheaper way to make the same wreath.  If you roll up newspaper and wrap that with yarn instead of styrofoam balls, that will save you some money.  I thought doing them that way made them look a little misshapen, so I stuck with styrofoam.  I am super proud of how that turned out and would love your comments. 

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Nickie Hoffer 

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 

www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 

livescraplove@gmail.com 

717-665-0544

Ningago Birthday Party Ideas

My sweet redhead turned 6 at the end of November.  He has recently started taking Karate at Fear Knot Martial Arts and is loving it.  He loves a sport where he can compete against himself and set his own pace.  I love that they focus so much on character and it is building his confidence.  So it was no surprise when he announced he wanted a Karate Ningago Party.  The party was amazing and Cohen would tell you the best part is that he got to cut his cake with a Samurai Sword.  Here's more info about Fear Knot for any locals and the party prices are very reasonable.

Check out the awesome cake made by Country Table Restaurant and my sweet friend Jacque Hess.  If you interested in getting a cake for your little ninja, check out their website here.

Party Favors....  Ningago is trademarked and they do not sell the rights for their items to be made into party favors or cakes for that matter.  This is when you must rely on the talents of others to get just what you are looking for.  I found these two items on ebay from the same seller "singmelodysing" and included them in favor bags.

 Ningago crayon figures

Tootsie Pop Ningago heads

Thanks to Fear Knot Martial Arts and all of our friends and family that made Cohen's day so great.  Here's a photo of the whole gang.

Nickie Hoffer 

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 

www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 

livescraplove@gmail.com 

717-665-0544

Christmas Craft Day

My boys have a Christmas Craft day each year at school where they get to choose a craft to make for someone in their family or keep for themselves. Because the crafts they chose were Christmas decorations, they gave them to be right away to display.  Here are my 2 lovely gifts.

This is obviously not my son, but it is a neighbor girl making the same beeswax candle that Rolan made me.  You simply cut the beeswax to the size you want and roll.

 The finished product

Cohen and his buddy making their boy and girl gnomes

 The finished product

Nickie Hoffer 

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 

www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 

livescraplove@gmail.com 

717-665-0544

Truth in the Tinsel Advent Activities

My MOPS group gave us some info about a great advent calender to do with young children to put the truth back in Christmas.  There is an ebook entitled "Truth in the Tinsel," get yours here. Each day there is a small craft to do, along with scripture to read.  Most of the supplies are things you just have laying around the house.  So we have been doing this daily since the first and I am only posting now.  But it would be great to keep in mind for next year.  Here are some of the crafts we made the first week.

Jesus is the Light

 Jesus is King

Gabriel

 Mary

 Mary & Elizabeth Pregnant

Nickie Hoffer 

Close To My Heart Independent Consultant 

www.ctmh.com/nickiehoffer 

livescraplove@gmail.com 

717-665-0544