Creating an Advent Calendar the Doesn't Suck

inspired, of course, by a Pinterest find.

Supplies:

24x30 canvas (but you could use any kind of backing you wanted)

wrapping paper (to cover the canvas - I had just enough of this paper from Paper Source, so I used it.)

Hot glue (for adhering the pockets to the backing)

library card pockets

3x5 cards

scrapbook paper and embellishments (or paint, if you're so inclined)

any graphic your heart desires (I cannot for the life of me remember where I printed mine from...anyone?)

A fun font. (I used this one.)

A list of advent activities (I used this one from the original post, slightly altered to better fit our current family)

Also helpful, a friend who's a rockin' paper crafter with a bunch of old paper she's willing to trade for pockets, canvas, and cards. 

Happy Adventing!

Have I told you about Oohmoon?

I feel like I have. In case I haven't...GO THERE NOW.

Katie Moon is creating some of my favorite art - and for the first 24 hours of its online existence, it's free. Every week there's a new series, and I love every series more than the previous one.

When I've saved enough pennies (and feel like the time is right) we're going to commission a family portrait. Maybe a series.

Happy Arting!

in which I post a rather long list

In case you're reading in a reader and missed the two new buttons on my blog, I've teamed up with the Natural Parents Network to help bring the Good News of Crunchy Love to people all over this fine planet.

Today, we're having a link-up, and all of the rest of the lovely parents have shared their favorite post with you.

• Joella at Fine and Fair discusses her unique perspective of a controversial toy in An Unusual Gripe with Bebe Gloton.
• Amy at Innate Wholeness offers simple tips to be present with family whether you're having fun and want to soak it up like a sponge or would rather run and hide in a cave.
• Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama shares sound bites from her miscarriage journey of forgiveness and gratitude.
• Shannon from Pineapples and Artichokes writes about how she is trying to raise her daughter to be accepting of everyone.
• Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama discusses the overuse of the word "no" and offers some aid in finding creative ways to avoid "no."
• Melissa from The New Mommy Files: Memories, Milestones and Missteps makes a compelling case for instinctual mothering.
• Amanda at Let's Take the Metro shares a comprehensive list of all the food she keeps on hand.
• Suchada at Mama Eve writes a heartfelt letter chronicling her journey with a difficult transition in Sleep, Crying, and Balancing Closeness with Boundaries.
• Shannon of The ArtsyMama shares her top ten list of things she wishes she had known more about before the birth of her son, Little Man.
• Kristin at Intrepid Murmurings has some helpful insights, tips, and tricks to share for babywearing with twins.
• Julia at A Little Bit of All of It tells the story of how motherhood came to her and how a miscarriage shaped her feelings and perceptions surrounding the birth of her first daughter.
• Emily from Embrita Blogging shares a collection of photos depicting things that make her happy.
  
• Lauren at Hobo Mama openly discusses an often-sensitive topic: Postpartum sex vs. sex before kids.
• As part of an ongoing series about balance, Amy at Anktangle writes about a daily ritual she has adopted to help her maintain balance in her life.
• Cynthia at The Hippie Housewife is reminded that while the days may sometimes be long, the years are short, and after a rough day the best thing to do is give thanks for the best parts and try again tomorrow.
• Dionna at Code Name: Mama offers 7 Alternatives to Good Job: "Good job'ing" kids can be a mindless habit to fall into. Instead of using a generic "good job," try one of these ideas to really connect with and nurture your child.
• Darcel at The Mahogany Way has the ultimate boredom busting activity for children of all ages.
• Alicia at Lactation Narration discusses the long journey of child-led weaning, during which she thought several times that her child was weaned before she really was.
• Mandy at Living Peacefully With Children: Letting go of the illusion of control opens up a an entirely new world.
• Luschka at Diary of a First Child talks about the battle between breastfeeding and formula feeding mothers and the industry that stokes the flames of a war on mothers.
• Mary Michael at The Accidental Natural Mama recounts her journey to Mama-hood.
• Sheryl at Little Snowflakes talks about the benefits of nursing a child to sleep.
• Rachael at The Variegated Life meditates on the moment when she first saw herself fully embodying her life as a mother.
• Momma Jorje shares some good news and important information about Lindane and Lice.

Babyproofing, step one

Behold: 

the cocktail table. A solid block of wood on legs. It's sturdy, pretty, and it weighs 800 tons.

Also behold: the 90 degree angles that are certain to put an eye out:

(ignore the bleeding stain, please.)

My solution?

CHALK CLOTH.

Because I am a genius of style and whimsy.

I picked up 2" thick bits of foam, secured it around the table with duct tape, and set up my sewing machine....only to have it revolt.

So I called up my friend Amy, a fellow DIY enthusiast, and she called upon some even more knowledgeable ladies, and a few days later....voila!

(this is pretty much always the state of things: ever so slightly disheveled)

I added the mat from Costco and stuck in the spot made available by the re-arranging done when my parents were here (after which everyone in the house said "WHY didn't we do this sooner????") and now there is cushion on both sides for when Bunny pulls up, falls down, scoots over, etc etc.

(I may still bubble wrap the legs...I hear it comes in *colors*)

And the best part? It's chalk cloth, so you can write on it. When it's not covered in life's detritus, that is.

I even made a box in which to keep the chalk.

(tray: target a million years ago. Coasters: cotton/hemp breast pads. They've been washed. They may get tie-dyed if I get up the gumption. Chalk: Target. Box kit and paper: Paper Source.)

If you own an x-box...

you need this game:




Scrabble + Tetris + Bees = addicting. In a good way.

(and my friend Rick made it!)