Baby Jesus, What do you see?

Alivia, my 2yr old was being super cute the other day while I was sorting thru Christmas cards.  She picked one up with a manger scene and started telling a story that resembled her favorite books.  It inspired me to use the cards to make her a book telling the story she's been reciting.  Hope you enjoy it.  What stories can you use your Christmas cards to tell?

For more of my ideas for up-cycling Chrismas cards, click here.

Oh, Christmas Cards!

A small part of my card collection!

     If you are like me, you've got piles of Christmas cards that you've been collecting over the years.  I love getting Christmas cards; I love hearing from friends and family far and near, and looking at all the beautiful artwork on the fronts of those cards.  My favorites are the cards that include personal notes or pictures of the senders and their families.  I have boxes of these cards stacked in my basement, and now I've got a plan for them!   I'm going to share my 3 favorite ideas for using those cards---up-cycling, I think they call it!

1: Magnets and Ornaments
Here's what you need:
various cards cut into shapes (I used circles, but I think stars, hearts and triangles would work too).    
Ribbon or yarn
glue

glitter (optional)
magnets

Start by cutting shapes from the cards.  

Glue the ribbon onto the back of your shapes as hangers.  Use glitter to decorate around the edges.   For magnets, just glue the magnet to the back of your shapes.   You'll have beautiful ornaments for your home and tree in no time!

Magnets

My homemade Christmas-card ornaments

2:  Frame them
What you'll need:
Cards
Frames in sizes of choice

In larger frames, make an eye catching collage of interesting cards, or frame individual cards and group the frames together.  You'll have your home looking Christmas-y in no time!

A collage of framed Christmas cards

3:  Tell a Story
     What you'll need:
      Cards to tell your story
      Contruction paper
      yarn and tapestry  needle

Cut out the pictures to fit your pages and glue.  Write the words for your story, Use the yarn to hold your page together,  and Presto!, your toddler will love telling the Story over and over and over.  (For the younger set, try just gluing interesting cards into a book, without the story.  Your little one will love looking at all those cards over and over and over).  To read the whole story, click here.

A story inspired by my 2 yr old
yarn/tapestry needle

How do you upcycle your Christmas cards?  I'd love to hear about it!

Christmas Scents

I love citrus season!  I mean, what's not to love about Clementines from Spain, or Californian Mandarins, or those giant sized Indian River Grapefruit from Florida?  I got to thinking...seems like such a waste to throw away those deliciously fragrant peels.  Surely there has to be a way to recycle them into something.  Those of you who know me well, know that my sense of smell is both my best friend and worst enemy.  I love the sweet smell of vanilla or the minty-ness of peppermint or the spicy scent of cinnamon.  Any of those than put my brain in a happy place.     So I decided to use those orange peels (and apple peels) with some fragrant spices and make a lovely simmering  potpourri that will make my home smell yummy and inviting.   

To try this for yourself, here's what you need:

Peel of 1 orange

1/2 tsp cinnamon

dash nutmeg

6 whole cloves

(if you've got a peel from and apple...throw that in too)

Throw the above in a saucepan filled half-full of water.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer to make your house smell wonderful!  (You might want to set a timer to remind yourself to check on the simmering pot so you don't boil all the water out).  

What other Holiday recycling ideas do you have?  Have you tried making a potpourri from any other common items in your kitchen?