Christmas time is my favorite time

Well Christmas is almost here. Although it's a hectic time, it's also one of my most favorite times of the year. While I enjoy the music, the abundance of yummy dinners and the excitement on my children's faces, it's the two months of creating that I enjoy the most. Every year for Christmas I make most of the gifts for my family and friends and I like the chance to make new things to give. Christmas is my permission to bake, craft and decorate to my hearts content. What more can a girl ask for?

Here are a few photos of some of the projects the family and I worked on.

Mini cupcake bath fizzies Homemade baclava

Winnie the Pooh gingerbread house

Paper Mache Max and the Grinch

Bouche de Noel

What were you creating this Christmas?

Origami Christmas Ornaments

A while back, one Christmas saw my husband and I with a large fresh tree and not very many ornaments to decorate it with. I wasn't able to buy a whole bunch of ornaments so I decided to make them instead. I'm known as a pack rat and I had accumulated years worth of used wrapping paper that I either liked the print or color of. ( I almost like getting nice wrapping paper more than the actual gift) So I set out to create a whole slew of origami ornaments to decorate my tree. I researched and taught myself some rather basic folding patterns and was able to create a glittery and festive tree at no cost other than my time.

Over the years I have kept those ornaments and created more. Each one is gently folded down and put away for the next year, those that are showing wear are thrown away . My daughter has learned to make some too and makes like a kitten with a new found ball every time we create a "water-bomb".

Below are photos of the designs I have made for my tree. I've linked each one with a site that gives directions on making the ornament. I used to thread string into each one to hang on the tree but I find them so light that I just place them into the tree instead. So if you're looking for something a little different and low cost to hang on the tree, save that wrapping paper and re-use it for next years tree trimming.

Clockwise: Peace Crane, Waterbomb, Elf Boots, Fan