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Christmas Fingerprint Art

Here at Toys In The Dryer we love fingerprint art.  We've done basic fingerprint art and Halloween fingerprint art.  Today we bring you Christmas fingerprint art! A Christmas cardinal for those cold winter nights. A decorated and festive Christmas tree for the season Holly to adorn your Christmas cards This snowman is so cold he is blue I love the look of this other style of Christmas tree What other type of fingerprint art can you think of for Christmas? … [Read more...]

Popsicle Stick Nativity Ornament–Pinned it, Did it!

As I said earlier this week, the girls and I have been making popsicle stick ornaments.  The Nativity ornament is one that I pinned a while ago because I thought it was cute and it emphasizes what we believe is the true reason for Christmas. The original post has exact directions on how to make it but we think it's pretty easy to figure out from the photo. Nutty needed a little help with cutting the sticks but other than that, she did it all on her own!  She was so excited with the finished product! What have you made from popsicle sticks? … [Read more...]

Popsicle Stick Snowflake Ornaments

Christmas is closer than you think.  In fact, Lindsi has already started decorating her house!  I personally believe in waiting until after Thanksgiving, but Lindsi is a little more zealous than I am.  The girls and I did, however, start getting into the Christmas spirit last week by making some ornaments for our tree.  The first of many I will be sharing with you is the popsicle stick snowflake ornament. To be honest, we made a few ornaments and I took pictures in the process of making most of them except this one.  Nutty made it so fast, I didn't get a chance! To make your own, you'll need: 4 wooden craft sticks (popsicle sticks) wood glue (Elmer's glue will work fine too) blue paint glitter jewels fishing line or ribbon 1)  Start by gluing two popsicle sticks in the middle, 90 degrees apart. 2)  Repeat with two more popsicle sticks. 3)  Glue the two sets together so that they line up with "spokes" 45 degrees apart. 4)  When dry, paint and decorate … [Read more...]

Dollar Store Advent Ideas

For $24 you can create your own Advent Calendar. I have done something similar each year with my kids. Last year we purchased 24 books and wrapped them all and let them unwrap one each night. It was so much fun. This year we decided to hit up our local Dollar Store. Here are 24 ideas for creating a Dollar Store Advent. 1. Rainbow Loom bracelets are all the rage right now. Dollar stores across the country have the rubber bands! 2. Flash Cards- just because they're on vacation doesn't mean the learning has to stop! 3. Foam balls are a huge hit in our house. 4. You can never go wrong with bubbles! If it's cold enough try making some frozen bubbles. 5. Jump Rope- seriously classic toys are still the best! 6. Another classic, paddle boards. 7. Add a little sunshine to a gloomy December day! Bendable flower pens! 8. Coloring and activity books are always a hot commodity in our house. 9. Every year they come out with new Holiday and Christmas books...for a dollar a … [Read more...]

What to do with last years Christmas cards

If you are anything like me you have a bit of guilt when it comes time to take, toss, or store the Christmas cards you received last year. I personally feel a huge sense of responsibility to save them....no, I'm not a hoarder! I just figure people took the time, effort and money to send me a card and I can't just toss them. This past January I got to thinking about it and came up with a neat way to save those cards without investing a lot of money or space into it! So gather up those cards and grab a paper hole punch while you are at it.I sorted my cards first by size...it just made it a little bit easier to punch holes in them. Get your kids involved and have them help you sort by size.I took three or four cards at a time and punched two holes into each of the cards.  If your kids are old enough (and strong enough) have them help you with this too.I then printed out 2011 Christmas Cards on a pretty Christmas patterned piece of paper. You can get crafty with this and make it as fancy … [Read more...]

Our Elf on the Shelf is boring and that’s ok!

Meet Tommy Teal, our Elf on the Shelf.  He first visited our house last November 26th.  Tommy isn't as crazy as some elves you see out there.  He's actually quite boring.  That's ok and I'll tell you why! Yes, I do admit that I get a bit jealous of some of the ideas people come up with for their Elf on the Shelf.  I've seen some cute ones, some mischievous ones, and some just plain wrong ones.  However, not everyone is that creative nor do they have time to make those little scenes.  If you are anything like me, you have to set an alarm to even remember to move your elf each night! Plus, I thought the point of the Elf on the Shelf was to help your kids be good during the holiday season.  Your elf is suppose to sit somewhere in your house all day and watch your childrens' behavior.  Each night he goes back to the North Pole and reports to Santa how they have been.  This is where I have an issue with some of the ideas I've seen and why I think our boring Tommy is just fine. 1)  … [Read more...]