Holiday Holla #9 & #10

It's a Holiday Twofer!

First a quick holiday decorating project--then a little something funny I found in the Christmas box I unpacked today.

Holla #9 --  loving Scrap Fleece.

This bright, fun garland is made from fleece scraps, yarn and buttons.

It was just like stringing popcorn, and everyone got involved (for a few minutes anyway).

The same concept would be great with bits of used wrapping paper, foil, or foam shapes.  So pick up a needle and some string and make something fun!

Holla #10

Last year, my girls and I wrote "Super Fake'' Christmas Lists inspired by the song "Santa Baby". 
I stuck them into the Christmas box when packing everything up at the end of the season--and promptly forgot about them. 
It was fun to re-read them this year. 
(Please keep in mind these are ENTIRELY tongue in cheek!!) 
See if you can guess whose is whose. . . . .

We are going to make this a tradition--it should be fun to see how these lists change over time. . . I hope.

Holiday Holla #8

This holla combines some of my favorite things in life:  repurposing, diet coke, target and glitter.

and

I just cut leaf shaped pieces from fused Target bags and diet coke cartons, then hot glued them together and added a ton of glitter!!

Voila!! 

Holiday Holla #7

This holla is for my sister Jennifer Hatch, for giving me permission to share her words:

GI Joe at the Manger

By Jennifer N. Hatch



It was a momentous day when I bought my first “grown-up” nativity set. I had some “child-friendly” nativity sets I had painted or sewn in relief society with what little talent I had for painting and sewing…my attempts were valiant, yet my results less than satisfactory. My husband and I were struggling financially as we were raising a family, going to school and trying to survive in the less than family-friendly economics of Southern California. So after about ten years of marriage, I had scrimped and saved and sacrificed enough to buy a beautiful nativity set. I wanted my children to experience the sense of reverence and awe that I felt when I thought of the birth of the Savior, and I hoped that this would be a way for them to begin to understand what an important event this was. I so very carefully unpacked the crèche, and placed it in the center of our home, where my family would see it often. I loved to sit quietly in the evening when the children were in bed and look at the nativity and appreciate its beauty and its meaning.



A few days later, I passed by the crèche and had to stop and do a double take. There was something different. My eyes passed quickly over the figures and stopped – there was an interloper in the manger. For among the shepherds who had come to see the baby Jesus was a 12-inch GI Joe action figure in full camouflage and a rifle over his shoulder, looking down at the Christ child. Now, my first reaction was to pluck him up and remove him from my beautiful nativity – but some instinct stopped me and I decided to wait and see what would happen. After all, I wanted my family to think more about the birth of the Savior, and obviously, one of my sons had. I said nothing and observed the gathering that occurred in my home that Christmas at the manger. By the time Christmas had arrived, the wise men had been joined by a Star Wars figure with light saber guarding the baby Jesus as well as a Barbie joining in the heavenly chorus and Batman, spiderman and a host of Hot Wheels worshipping the newborn king. My beautiful nativity has never looked more beautiful than that season.



My children taught me a great lesson that Christmas. They reminded me that ALL are invited to the manger – not just those who we expect to be there. That our Father in Heaven did not just invite a chosen, special few to worship the Son of God, but that every person on this earth, regardless of level of faith or testimony or understanding is invited to worship at the feet of our Savior. ©2007 Jennifer N. Hatch

Holiday Holla #6

Holiday Holla #6 is a shout out to Free Holiday Music!! 

I especially liked the track from Sixpence None the Richer.

Check it out!

Holiday Holla #5

It's the weekend, so today's holla is very lighthearted and goes out to

JibJab!!

These are my very talented brothers, husband ,and brother-in-laws. 

Holiday Holla #4

What to do with an old sweater or moth eaten blanket?????

This cute nativity is made exclusively from repurposed wool sweaters, blankets, socks and scarves along with some yarn and wool roving to felt it all together!! 

Here's what it looks like in process. . . .

My whole house is a wool o-rama!  Now I put all the bits and pieces together with my needle felting tool!

The faceless masses. . . . and a tiny size.

A back view.

All dressed up and ready for the holidays!!!

Holiday Holla #3 (belated!)

Today's Holiday Holla goes out to Stuart McLean and The Vinyl Cafe.

If you are not familiar with The Vinyl Cafe, its a weekly radio show from CBC Radio in Canada and the holiday episodes are particulary fabulous!

A few years ago I purchased The Vinyl Cafe Christmas Collection and it is by far one of the best investments in family entertainment I have ever made.  Our family listens to them over and over during the holidays, and they never fail to make us laugh out loud.  My personal favorite is "Polly Anderson's Christmas Party", Scott's is "Dave Cooks the Turkey".

Subscribe to the podcast for year round laughs!!