Bella Dia

Advent Day 15: Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree and paper stacking trees

Book: Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
by Robert Barry
Activity: Paper Stacking Trees

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree is one of the sweetest books around. It's the story of how one tree becomes the perfect tree for many people, and animals, as it keeps getting clipped shorter and shorter and passed down to someone else. Apparently it was made into a 30 minute TV special in 1995 - I wish it would be aired again because I would love to see it.

Activity: Paper Stacking Trees

Supplies:
•assorted papers: solids and patterns
•scissors
•glue
•pencil for tracing
•cardstock for printing out template

Sarah at The Small Object has a wonderful tutorial called Stacking Fabric Christmas Trees. The only thing I've done is use paper instead of fabric. If you'd like you can add a few more levels to the tree as I have and make it a perfect go-along with Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree. They are super easy to make so have fun and be sure to thank Sarah for such a wonderful tutorial!

Advent Day 14: The Gingerbread Man and gingerbread bean bags & games

Book: The Gingerbread Man
by Jim Aylesworth
Activity: Gingerbread Bean Bags

It just wouldn't be Christmas without this holiday classic, The Gingerbread Man. Go to Sur La Lune Fairy Tales (one of my favorite sites) and read an annotated version of the story and learn a bit of its history. Click here for a really fun on-line dress up game for your gingerbread person and Jenny at Allsorts has a wonderful on-line gingerbread house for you to decorate too.

Jan Brett's The Gingerbread Baby is another fun version. She also has a lot of great activities to go along with her
book on her site.

Activity: Gingerbread Bean Bags

Supplies:
•brown felt for gingerbread, red felt for fox
•puffy paint (dimensional paint)
in assorted colors
•beans
•embroidery floss to match felt
(brown & red)
•embroidery needle
•scissors
•pins
•template (sorry again for the quality, my scanner is still down)

Step 1: print out template and cut out the patterns

Step 2: using the patterns cut out 2 gingerbread man pieces from brown felt and 2 fox pieces from red felt

Step 3: using the puffy paint, decorate one side of your gingerbread person and fox as desired; let dry about 24 hours before proceeding

Step 4: match decorated front and plain back piece of gingerbread man, pin

Step 5: using two strands of floss, stitch about 1/8" from the edge with a running stitch - leave opening for stuffing unstitched

Step 6: fill gingerbread person with beans, not too full, then complete the stitching and knot off

Step 7: repeat steps 5 and 6 for the fox; now you're ready for the game!

♥

Game: Gingerbread and the Fox

Goal: keep the fox from eating the gingerbread
Number of players: 2
How to Play:
•one player uses the gingerbread bean bag and one player uses the fox bean bag
•the gingerbread player tosses his bean bag
•from the same spot, the fox player tries to toss his fox bean bag so it touches (eats) the gingerbread person
•if the fox touches the gingerbread then he wins, if not the gingerbread person wins!

∗∗∗

Activity: Gingerbread Cookie Beanbags

Supplies:
•same as above but no template
•find a good circle to trace and use that as a template - try a coffee cup, measuring cup, etc.

Step 1: cut out two circles for each cookie; for the following game you will need six cookies all together (12 circles)

Step 2: decorate 3 cookies with the same pattern, such as a Christmas tree, and the other 3 cookies with the same pattern such as a snowman; let dry for 24 hours

Step 3: match a decorated cookie front with a plain cookie back and pin

Step 4: using two strands of floss, stitch about 1/8" from the edge with a running stitch - leave opening for stuffing unstitched

Step 5: stuff cookie beanbag with beans - not too full

Step 6: finish stitching up the beanbag and knot off; do the same for the five other cookies and your ready for the game!

♥

Game: Gingerbread Cookie Tic Tac Toe

Goal: to get three beanbags in a row - horizontal, vertical, diagonal
Number of Players: 2
How to Play:
•mark a tic tac toe grid on the floor using masking tape
•players take turns throwing their bean bags on the tic tac toe board trying to make three in a row and at the same time keep their opponent from making three in a row
•if the beanbag toss doesn't make it on the grid or lands in an already occupied spot then the player loses his turn
•the first person to get three in a row wins!

∗∗∗

I hope you enjoy these games and your new beanbags! You could package them up with written game instructions and have a great handmade gift for a child on your gift list. Have fun!

Advent Day 13: Winter Lights and peace dove ornament

Book: Lights of Winter by Heather Conrad
Activity: Peace Dove Ornament

Lovely illustrations by deForest Walker are the perfect compliment to this well written story about winter traditions around the world. This book really leaves you with the sense of belonging to a world-wide community.

Although I don't own this book, Christmas Around the World, it sounds like a fun interactive pop-up book that I can't wait to get my hands on. I'm sure the kids will like it too ;)

Activity: Peace Dove Ornament

Supplies:
•white or cream colored felt for dove
•shade of green colored felt for olive branch
•embroidery floss to match your felt
•embroidery needle
•poly-fil for stuffing
•3" length of ribbon
•scissors
•template (sorry for the quality of the template - my scanner is acting up and I had to work with a photo)

Step 1: print out template and cut it out

Step 2: using the template, cut out two pieces for the dove's body from white felt and one piece for the olive branch from the green felt

Step 3: fold ribbon in half and insert between the two felt pieces as marked on the pattern and pin in place - make sure it is perpendicular to the dove so it hangs straight

Step 4: start stitching the two dove pieces together using a running stitch, leave an opening at the bottom for stuffing

Step 5: lightly stuff with poly-fil beginning with the tip of the wing, the tail, and the head; finish stitching and knot it off

Step 6: stitch the middle of the olive branch to the tip of the dove's beak with your coordinating floss and you're all done

Advent Day 12: Frosty the Snowman and sock snowpeople

Book: Frosty the Snowman by Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson
Activity: Sock Snowpeople

Frosty the Snowman is actually a song first recorded in 1950 by Gene Autry. There are lots of book versions of it but my favorite is this Little Golden Book. Would you like to hear a few Frosty jokes?

What does Frosty have for breakfast? Snowflakes
Where does Frosty keep his money?
A snow bank
What did Frosty's girlfriend give him when she was mad at him?
The cold shoulder

Want more? Go here.

Activity: Sock Snowpeople

Supplies:
•small white sock - infant to toddler size
•polyfil stuffing
•string or strong thread
•black Sharpie or fabric markers
•felt, knit gloves, pompoms, buttons, beads, etc. for decorating
•two twigs per snowperson
•glue such as FabricTac (my favorite)
•scissors

Step 1: stuff the foot of the sock with polyfil; shape so it's fairly smooth

Step 2: cinch the sock together above the filling by tying with string or thread or even a rubber band

Step 3: cut off the ankle part of the sock about 3" above where you just cinched it together

Step 4: fold over the cut off part to form a little hat for your snowman

Step 5: tie a string, thread, etc. around the sock about where a neck would be to form the head

Step 6: use felt, pompoms, markers, etc. to bring your snowman to life; knit gloves are fun to cut up and popsicle sticks make great skis

Step 7: for the arms, make a small snip with the scissors on each side of the snowman and insert one end of your twig that has been thoroughly dipped in glue

Optional Step 8: if you'd like to use your snowpeople as ornaments then thread a loop of floss through the top

Advent Day 11: I Like Winter and gumdrop trees

Book: I Like Winter by Lois Lenski
Activity: Gumdrop Trees

I like winter, I like snow.
I like icy winds that blow.
I like snowflakes, oh so light.
Making all the ground so white.

I find Lois Lenski's illustrations irresistably cute and her simple rhyming text just adds to the charm. She was a prolific writer and artist with over 90 children's books to her name; check here for a listing of all of her books.

Today's activity is an oldie but goodie! We made a gumdrop tree last year for the first time and it was so quick and easy for such an adorable result. This year we made one from gumdrops (spicedrops) and one from Dots candy. Of course, you can use a styrofoam wreath or ball shape too.

Activity: Gumdrop Trees

Supplies:
•styrofoam tree
•pointy toothpicks
•lots of gumdrops

Step 1: break toothpicks in half

Step 2: put the broken end of the toothpick into the base of the gumdrop then, beginning at the bottom of the tree, poke pointy end of toothpick into the stryofoam

Step 3: continue putting gumdrops onto the tree - place tightly together; you can use a coin or cap to something to help push the gumdrops in without getting your fingers poked

Step 4: when the tree is covered you're all done!

Advent Day 10: Santa Mouse and miniature tree bunting

Book: Santa Mouse by Michael Brown
Activity: Miniature Tree Bunting

I include this book because it's one I remember from my childhood. Vintagey illustrations and cute rhyming text make this a fun read. A little mouse without a name gives a gift to Santa and makes a special friend.

Today we are making a miniature bunting to go on your miniature tinsel tree. There are several sizes on the template so you can make bunting to fit other trees too. For your tinsel tree, try adding beads on the branches for ornaments, so cute!

Activity: Miniature Tree Bunting

Supplies:
•assorted paper such as wrapping paper or origami paper
•glue stick
•bakers twine or similar thin string
•scissors
•template
•optional cardstock for printing template

Step 1: print out the template, or make your own, on cardstock and cut out

Step 2: trace the flag template on the paper and cut out 12 flags (for the miniature tinsel tree use size 1 on the template)

Step 3: fold each flag in half to make a crease

Step 4: cut a piece of twine about 11" long and place flags evenly spaced apart along the twine

Step 5: place twine in the crease of the flag and glue flag halves together encasing the twine

Step 6: finish glueing all the flags; knot the ends of your twine

Step 7: decorate your little tree and ooooh and ahhhh at how cute it is!

Advent Day 9: Night Tree and wild bird treats

Book: Night Tree by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ted Rand
Activity: Wild Bird Treats

Night Tree is about a family that has a Christmas Eve tradition of going into the woods and decorating a living tree with food for wild animals. A wonderful combination of author and illustrator, this book is always a favorite in our house. If you'd like to make additional wild bird treats check here for some ideas.

Activity: Wild Bird Treats

Supplies:
•dried fruit such as apricots, apples, and cranberries
•peanuts in the shell
•fresh cranberries
•upholstery thread
•needle

Step 1: using a double strand of thread, string a peanut on first and tie a knot around it at the end - this will keep the other items from sliding off

Step 2: start adding the dried fruits, cranberries, and peanuts to your garland until you are about 5" from the end
Step 3: finish with another peanut and a knot
Step 4: hang in your trees or some place that birds will visit and enjoy

The Octonauts and The Sea of Shade

I am totally charmed by the illustrations and story line of this sequel to The Octonauts and The Only Lonely Monster. This book is titled The Octonauts and The Sea of Shade and I receieved a copy of it recently from the publisher to see what my thoughts were. Both are by Meomi and filled with adorable Japanese style cuties that have undersea adventures. For some reason the scenes remind me of the Teletubbies and the surreal fantasy world that they live in. The Octonauts and their adventures will be easily loved by little ones but I find the illustrations are very inspiring for an adult too.

Aren't they cute? I love the black contrast. If you fall in love with these little guys like I have check here for coloring pages and desktops to download. Of course both books would be perfect holiday gifts too :)

Advent Day 8: How The Grinch Stole Christmas and tinsel trees

Book: How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Activity: tinsel trees

For me, it just wouldn't be Christmas without seeing The Grinch and A Charlie Brown Christmas. My favorite part of The Grinch is when he makes a Santa suit for himself and dresses Max up as a reindeer. For some Grinch activities to print out click here. There are some interesting interviews and information for adults over at NPR here.

I am in love with this miniature tinsel tree tutorial over at the Puchi Collective. Make the trees now and in a few days we'll be making some miniature decorations to put on them! While your over at the Puchi Collective take a look at her tutorials of little stuffed animals to make too.

Activity: Miniature Tinsel Trees

Supplies:
•silver chenille stems
•wire cutters or old scissors
•optional: spool of thread

Great step-by-step directions and pattern here. Younger kids will have a harder time with this but they can help with stem cutting and opening the branches. I recommend to start cutting the longest lengths of chenille stems first and use some of the leftovers for the smaller branches.

Have fun!

Advent Day 7: Santa's Snow Cat and popsicle stick stars

Book:Santa's Snow Cat by Sue Stainton and illustrated by Anne Mortimer
Activity: Popsicle Stick Stars

This book is so beautiful - if you have any fondness at all for cats you will love this story. Did you know Santa has a cat? She's white as snow and has jade-green eyes and loves to snuggle down deep inside Santa's red velvet pockets. One Christmas Eve, she falls from the sleigh and has an adventure in New York City until she is reunited with her Santa. The illustrations of falling snow are mesmerizing and the kitty's expressions couldn't be captured more perfectly. Anne Mortimer also illustrated A Pussycat's Christmas that will appear a little later in the advent.

I love the perspective of this picture.

Activity: Popsicle Stick Stars

Supplies:
•3-4 popsicle sticks per star
•wood glue
•white glue
•acrylic paint: silver, gold, white or your preference
•glitter: fine glitter is the best but any will do; coordinate with your paint color
•paintbrush
•magnet or small spring clothespin

Step 1: Using a single dot of wood glue in the center of a popsicle stick, repeat glue dots and stacking of 3- 4 popsicle sticks.

Step 2: After glue has set (it sets quickly) paint the star silver or your color choice.

Step 3: After paint has dried, apply white glue where you want the glitter.

Step 4: Apply the glitter and tap off.

Step 5: After glitter has dried, glue the magnet or clothespin to the back of the star. You could also tie fishing line to one point (a little hot glue should hold it) and hang for an ornament or decoration. These would make great package add-ons too.

Optional Step 6: Experiment with smaller sticks and vary your color combinations.