Dear Santa, Some Merry Elves and Free Printables

We are getting ready for our "Elfy" to come so I thought I'd re-post this from last year.  It's already fun to look back at the girls' handwriting from a year ago.  The link last year wasn't exactly right but with Jeff's help, all of the glitches should be worked out.  Have fun and Merry Christmas!

It's that time....time for a special letter to go to the Jolly Old Saint and all of his Elves in the North Pole!  

This is the first year that the twins remember a bit of the magic from last year and are aware of the concept of Santa and his elves.  So far, so fun!  They loved "writing" a letter to Santa.

After their letters were done, we put them in an envelope and made sure to attach two Santa stamps (one stamp will only get the letter half way there, you know).

Soon this little guy will appear with a very important letter from Santa himself!  His job, to help Santa with his list of good boys and girls.  He is kind of a mix between the Elf on The Shelf and The Elf Magic Elves and my own imagination.  I have found so many great ideas of what to do with our Elf on Pinterest.

We know it's from Santa, it even has a "seal of excellence" on the back...and says, "Santa Express" on the front.  It must be pretty important!  Here's what the letter says:

And who are these three little elves going to?

The year the twins were born, three of my siblings had babies too...so there's a group of five (I call them the Fantastic Five) cousins all the same age. All of the cousins will meet their magic elves soon!

I had such a great time creating this for my family, I thought it would be fun to share it with you!  I'll list all of my sources and then all you will need to do is click on the pictures below to get a PDF version of all the printables.

• I found our elves HERE (the prices were awesome and I LOVE the dolls...they are a great size and have a vintage feel and wired bodies so you can pose them, etc. and I literally had them two days after I ordered them).
• The gold seals I found at Office Max...they were the perfect touch to make the letter from Santa look official.  They were over by the stationary...I'm assuming they were for awards, certificates, etc.
• I have created labels to and from Santa, official stamps from the North Pole, a blank letter head from Santa (in case you have something specific you'd like to write), the official letter from Santa about his special elf, and a guided letter to Santa. 

Just click on the pictures below to print your PDF's.   I hope you will enjoy!

Click on the Picture to print

MERRY  CHRISTMAS!!!

Easy Crocheted Elf Slippers and a Winner

I thought I'd re-post this slipper pattern from a couple of years ago.  I love this method because you really can make them any size from little baby to big burly man (who may or may not be willing to wear an elf slipper)! (If you are new to crocheting, there are so many great tutorials on youtube and pinterest).

They are so easy, I thought I'd share what I did with you:

I based it off of this pattern...but simplified it a bit.

This is basically a double crocheted rectangle, folded in half lengthwise, and then I just slip stitched it into a slipper:

Supplies: Hook size H (5.00 mm), yarn

Let’s get started:

Chain 22-25 (for toddlers) a little less for babies a little more for bigger kids, 30 – 35 for women’s, 38 for men or nearly as long as the foot/shoe of the person you are making them for.

Row 1: Double Crochet in the second chain from hook and then each chain across (go through both loops) chain two and turn.

Row 2: Now Double Crochet in each Double Crochet across, chaining two and turn.

Row’s 3 – 11 (of course this width can be adapted to individual foot size): Repeat what you did in row 2, end off.

So basically now you’ve made a rectangle.

Fold in half lengthwise and slip-stitch the toe and then around the back and about half way on the top leaving enough room for the foot to get in (remember it will stretch so it can be a bit snug at first).  Backstitch a bit to hold your stitches.

You can add a pom pom or even a cuff with a tie if you wanted.  They make up really quickly and are so fun and cozy!

Enjoy your slippers!

And now our WINNER:
RICHELLE

She said: I would have to say my mom! She has 7 kids and 26 grandkids and she gives and gives to each one of us....you feel like you are an only child, or the only one with kids. She knows how to make each of us feel so important!

Give-away, oh...Give away!

print available HERE


Today's "give-away" is inspired by a song I learned at church as a child:

 "Give," said the little stream, 

"Give, oh! give, give, oh! give." 

"Give," said the little stream,

As it hurried down the hill; 

"I'm small, I know, but wherever I go

The fields grow greener still."

 Singing, singing all the day, 

"Give away, oh! give away." 

Singing, singing all the day, 

"Give, oh! give away."

-Fanny J. Crosby

Do you know anyone in your life who seems to be perpetually giving, even outside of the holiday season?  For me, it is my parents.  Such giving people are constantly flowing with goodness and likewise are continuously enriching other's lives.  

Now, I am going to practice giving with...

Today's "Give-Away!!!"

All I need you to do is leave a comment about someone in your life who reminds you of the little stream.  You could win a CUSTOM PRINT-IT-YOURSELF PAPER DOLL PACKAGE!!!  (And guess what, you can choose to keep it, or give it away!)  Stay posted this week for the winner!

November Outfit of the Month and Some News

I can't believe our "Year of Gowns" for the Outfit of the Month club is soon ending.  

Have you enjoyed it as much as I have? 

Here's November's.  I just finished drawing December's and I think you'll like it.

The poem with this month's outfit is as follows: 

 For the homes that with purest affection are blest,

For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,

For our country extending from sea unto sea;

The land that is known as the "Land of the Free"

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving!

-Unknown

I really liked that one.  I am thankful to live in a free land.  I felt so overwhelmed with gratitude as I walked into the polling site yesterday.  My candidate didn't win and I feel very sad about that but I am thankful for my right and for this beautiful, free country that I get to live in and raise my family in. I will continue to pray for America and our President.

OK, on to other news.  Christmas is around the corner!  So I just want to let you know about some changes and deals going on this month:

1. Groopdealz will be featuring our PDF package with some great extras on their site for the next 3 days.  It is a GREAT deal so if you are thinking about gifts and don't mind printing everything yourself, this is the time!

2. After lot of late night thinking and actually a lot of tears, I have decided to discontinue all printed packages.  I know so many love this option but I feel that it is the best for the stage we are at right now.  SO, if you want a printed package, now is the time to get one.  We have supplies for about 60 packages left and once they are gone, they are gone.  When you buy either a Standard or Ultimate package, you will get a free extra outfit line of your choice and a free membership to the Outfit of the Month club!

3.  Paper Doll coloring books are still available both in PDF and print and would make great gifts!  They are on sale in the shop.

Have a wonderful day and THANK YOU for all of your support and kindness!

The Halloween Report 2012 and a Winner

 Oh wow, did they love trick-or-treating this year!

 We started out at one of our favorite family's here in Idaho.  The Crane family. 

Julianne Crane teaches the twins (we used to be team teachers) in church Primary Sunday School.  They, plus Norah absolutely adore her.  They worship the ground she walks on.  When Sunday Sacrament meeting gets too crazy, we've been instructed by Julianne to send the girls to sit by them.  And we do.  They are always welcomed with happy smiles and arms outstretched.  It has been such a blessing to me because I know there is no judgement.  Just pure love for my girls and my family.  I hope someday to be able to give the same blessing to someone and I hope my kids are as sweet and kind as the Crane kids are.

More of the Cranes.  Jenna and Jessica are our favorite babysitters.

 Us.  Almost everyone looking. Jeff and I dressed as exhausted parents who desperately need hair cuts. ;)

 Cute little Witch.

 Maisy walked around the house for at least an hour practicing her ghoulish howl. Woooooohhooowoooo.

 Norah was in heaven.  Her dream of being a kitty, finally realized. :)

 This guy was a toothless jack-o-lantern. Literally.  More on the "toothless" part later.

 Most of their spoils.  Our neighborhood was AWESOME this year.  So much activity and just magic for the kids. I (maybe for the first time in my adult life) was really sad that Halloween was over last night!  It really was just so fun seeing their excitement and joy.

OK, now on to our WINNER!  It is:

Jenny 

How does she celebrate this Spooky time of year?

"My sisters and our families meet at my house...along with our dad for dinner and some serious street walking! The weather is forecasted to be terrible this year, but so be it! It has never stopped us before...we leave a big pot of candy on our front porch for visitors while we are gone! Happy Halloween to you!"   Please email lily&thistle2@gmail.com to redeem your prize!