Time to move!
I will be moving this blog to a different site that is easier for me to manage. Please visit me at www.totallyinspiring.tumblr.com.
If you have stored this blog in Google Reader, etc., Tumblr will work the same way.
I hope you’ll join me there!
New Year’s
Today I’m inspired by…New Year’s. Every year we visit my in-law’s for a fondue party. We fondue scallops, chicken, shrimp, steak and lobster in oil and then move to the dessert fondue: chocolate and caramel with yummy fruit, marshmallows, and angelfood cake. Delicious! Here are some fun New Year’s traditions and crafts to try with your family.
Idea from Martha Stewart
Instead of toasting with champagne at midnight, let the kids eat 12 grapes, a Spanish tradition, for good luck all year long. You could also put the grapes on a skewer as a garnish for the champagne drinkers.
Click here for other New Year’s traditions around the world
Idea from Martha Stewart
Create a breakfast to mark the special day- just place clean number magnets on the pancakes and dust with powdered sugar. You could also spell out a message for other special days.
Glorious Goblet Craft from Family Fun
Glitzy Glasses Craft from Family Fun
Have kids write a letter to themselves to open the following year. They can list some of their favorites or predictions for the next year. Keep it with the decorations so it will be easy to find.
Time Capsule Ornament from Family Fun
Revisit the last year and create a fun Christmas decoration!
Shimmering Streamers from Martha Stewart
New Year’s Garland How-to from The Purl Bee
Countdown Toast Idea from Martha Stewart (love these!)
Hibernating Animals
Today I’m inspired by…animals that hibernate. Kind of random but my son was talking about how bears go to sleep in their caves for a long time and then wake up in the spring. We looked up some other animals that hibernate and the list we found inspired me to play around on Etsy to see what I could find for each animal. The stuff I discovered was pretty neat!
Games
Today I’m inspired by…games. We received a lot of games for Christmas this year like Mad Gab, Hungry Hungry Hippos, and Chutes and Ladders. Our family plays a lotof games at home and with the extended family. Here is some inspiring game packaging. Enjoy!
Chair Game (These are my happy colors!)
Invisible Playing Cards (I love this color combination, too!)
Jenga (Again with the colors!)
Twelve Days of Christmas…Books
Today I’m inspired by…Christmas books. We went through our stash of holiday books and have been reading one each night before Christmas. I found a cute idea for a Book Advent Calendar on Babyccino. It’s so fun to read some classics like “The Night Before Christmas” and some new versions like “Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear.” The following books aren’t necessarily on our list (some I’ve never even read- so I’m not vouching for content!) but ones I found that had interesting book covers or art. If you would like more info or a larger picture of the book, click on the links below the pictures. Enjoy!
The Night Before Christmas (Golden Book)
Christmas in the Manger (I LOVE Felicia Bond’s artwork!)
Dream Snow (I LOVE Eric Carle’s stuff, too!)
A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Twelve Days of Christmas- Candy
Today I’m inspired by…candy. Mmm! My favorite Christmas treat is homemade caramels. Those little guys are addicting! I went in search of a recipe to make my own- though I’m not much of a cook. We’ll see how they turn out! Here are some fun candy images and ideas that will hopefully inspire you!
Citrus-Zest Lollipops- Martha Stewart
Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Sticks- Country Living
Candy Cane Reindeer- Martha Stewart (reindeer template, too!)
Mint Chocolate Bark- Family Fun
Twelve Days of Christmas- Gift Wrap
Today I’m inspired by…gift wrap. It’s so fun to go into stores and see all of the different kinds of gift wrap. Sometimes I buy some and feel guilty using it because it is so beautiful! Here are some ideas for how to wrap your gifts, most courtesy of Martha Stewart.
Button Parcel **Not from Martha** on Bugs and Fishes by Lupin
Twelve Days of Christmas- Gifts
Today I’m inspired by…homemade Christmas gifts. I wish I had the time to make gifts for everyone on my list but, alas, it is so much easier to buy! We used to do a gift exchange with my family where you had to make or recycle a gift. I made a “mommy necklace” for my cousin last year and the year before was a scrapbook collage for another cousin. Here are some amazing ideas for homemade gifts that I found on Martha Stewart’s website.
Beaded Flower Necklace- Martha Stewart
Butterfly Table Linens- Martha Stewart
Button Necklace- Martha Stewart
Silk Scarf Bag- Martha Stewart
Jade Beaded Necklace- Martha Stewart
No Sew Tote Bag- Martha Stewart
Zipper Flowers- Martha Stewart
Monogram Corkboard
Twelve Days of Christmas- Cookies
Today I’m inspired by…cookies. We will be going to my mom’s today to bake, bake, and bake some more. T is excited to make a “cookie house” like he saw at the grocery store. Here are some yummy and colorful cookies from different baking sites.
Poinsettia Cookies- Food Network
Giada’s Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookies- Food Network
Stained Glass Wreath Cookies- Food Network
Gingerbread Lantern- Family Fun
Holiday Icebox Cookies- Martha Stewart
Gingerbread Reindeer- Martha Stewart (how clever!)
White-Chocolate Cherry Shortbread- Better Homes and Gardens
Twelve Days of Christmas- Centerpieces
I love decorating the table for Christmas dinner. There are so many fun ways to “dress-up” the plain old card tables we use (well, unless you’re lucky enough to get to sit at the dining room table- but that’s usually taken). Here are some beautiful centerpieces from various websites.
Rose Hip Arrangement- Martha Stewart
Glitter Bird Centerpiece- Martha Stewart
Christmas Table with Chandelier- Martha Stewart
Candy Stripers- Martha Stewart
Bulb Balls- Better Homes and Gardens
Swirling Trees and Lollipops- Better Homes and Gardens
Cool Roses- Better Homes and Gardens
