small + friendly

DIY: New Year's Eve Crown

Don't worry you still have plenty of time to make this adorable crown.  Seriously, it takes about ten minutes max.  If were cool enough to be hosting a New Year's Eve party I would totally set up a "make your own crown" station - festive fun for kids and adults alike!

Alright, enough chatting, let's get to the tutorial before the clock strikes 2014!

You'll need:

- pipe cleaners, that's it!

Step one

Take four pipe cleaners, bend the top of each pipe cleaner into a number: 2 0 1 & 4 

Step two

Form a crown buy wrapping two or more pipe cleaners around each other to fit your head.

Step three

Attach the numbers by twisting the bottom section around your crown.

Step four

Optional:  add some extra flair with points or spirals, let your creativity run wild.

Step five

Ring in the new year with joy and great style!

Happy New Year from my home to yours!

*merry moments* Christmas Eve & Christmas

Please feel free to share your own *merry moments* with a link in the comments or on instagram with the hashtag #merrymoments     

 

 

Our Christmas was full of close family, good food, and many merry moments.  I hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!

*merry moments* Ice Skating

Please feel free to share your own *merry moments* with a link in the comments or on instagram with the hashtag #merrymoments     

 

Somebody had a blast ice skating for the first time!  And since prego mama skipped the sport that requires excellent balance, I got to sip hot cocoa and snap pictures while my to favorite men went round and round on the ice.  Charles Shultz is a big deal here in Sonoma County and The Snoopy Ice Arena is a really special place full of memories for me.  Watching these type of "firsts" is like living the joy of childhood all over again, it really makes this mama's heart burst.  At Christmas time they have the rink all dolled up with garlands and lights and even a huge tree on the ice.  At the end they even made it "snow" - pure magic for us mild weather Californians.

I hope your holidays are full of merry moments like these!

Mama's got a brand new gig

I mentioned it before, but I am very excited to announce that I am officially a Spoonful.com blogger!  This means I get to put my love gathering inspiration (ahem, aka, spending hours on Pinterest) to good use with lots of family-friendly round-ups.  I will also share simple crafts and recipes.  Don't worry, I'm not going to abandon my first love, small + friendly.  I'll still be here sharing all the sewing, kid crafts, recipes, and random musings you're accustomed to!  

Since this month has meant lots and lots going on, and not as many DIY's here, I thought I'd share what I've been up to over there, in case you'd like to whip up a few last minute holiday crafts or gifts!  I know I'm still in full-on elf mode myself how about you?  Still making and baking and wrapping?  Please tell me I'm not the only one! 

Christmas Light Star - This looks so cool at night and during the day it is very modern, understated, and chic.

Pomegrante Tangerine Punch - So simple, so yummy, and totally begging to be spiked!

Kid Art: Marbled Paper Gift Tags - Once you and your little one try this technique you are going to want to marble all the things!

Jumbo Snow Globe - Play with scale with this fun and funky over-sized snow globe.

Plus:

10 Artsy Gifts Kids Can Make

Handmade Fun! 10 DIY Toys for Kids

DIY Gifts for Him - A Handsome Handmade Holiday

Festive Holiday Drinks : 12 Delicious Recipes

5 Simple Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice

Handmade Winter - a winner and a preview!

Congrats to Cory of Lady Cordelia, she won a free copy of Handmade Winter.  

I know you're jealous, but don't fret you can still get your own copy for less than a pizza and you don't have to wait 45 minutes for it to be delivered.  

Need an awesome gift for a crafty friend, this would be perfect!  

Or maybe you could use a few last minute handmade gift ideas, this book is full of them!  My leather and chain jewerly tutorial takes less that half an hour and results in a piece that looks like you spent big bucks on etsy.

The best part?  This book is full of inspriration for a whole season of making and sharing.  There is plenty more winter to enjoy after the holidays and this book will inspire all kinds of making and entertaining right through until spring has sprung.  

Click here to purchase your copy today!

 

Loving the Little Things

I'm convinced that the good life is made up of a series of tiny pleasures.  Simple, often brief, moments of joy are yours for the taking.  In fact, for me it's often just a matter of paying attention.  Mindfulness is one of those things that should be easy.  It's simple and free, all you have to do is truly focus on the here and now.  And that's the rub.  It's hard to be fully present with the world pulling us in so many directions.  So much to do, so many people to connect with, so many different things vying for our attention.  In this world of more, focusing on less is one heck of a challenge.  

I noticed that recently I haven't been listening, I mean really listening, to my little one as often as I should.  Here's the thing, when your baby first speaks you hang on every word, but when said baby becomes a precocious pre-schooler who fills every moment with noise it is difficult to focus.  But I've discovered something magical: between the exploding noises, movie clip narrations, and near constant negotiations, there are so many little things to love.

"You are such a nice mommy." 

"I need this tiny ax in case there is a tiny dead tree that needs chopping."

"Here, you can sleep with my bunny because you don't have any stuffed animals."

From funny to sweet, creative to kind, when I take the time to truly listen I hear so many wonderful things.  These little moments bring me great joy.  And experiencing them helps me tackle naptime negotiations with a little more grace.  They help me smirk at epic fake burps instead of roll my eyes.  Mindfulness, when I can manage it, helps me connect with my son.  And it helps me enjoy motherhood.

So I encourage you to give it a try.  When you need a little boost: focus, look, listen.  Gather your own moments of joy.

Here's to loving the little things.

 

The Best Part is an online community that’s dedicated to brightening your day—every day. How? By spreading optimism, one share at a time. The Best Part posts inspirational stories, encouraging quotes, good news and other upbeat items on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—and encourages fans and followers to share that optimism with their friends. Because when optimism is shared, it grows, making an even more positive impact on our world. Check out what others are sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Merry Moments

Where is December going?  Am I the only one that feels a bit frazzled this year?  It might be because I started a new job (more on that later) or because I haven't been very good at taking my own advice.  Or perhaps the uptake of energy this time of year is part of the fun, yeah that's it!  Well, whatever it is, I am going to do my best to savor this wonderful season.  

I plan on stopping in regularly with merry moments and I hope you will join me.  The idea is to share a few (or many) photos (words optional) of your own merry making.  It is a way to share with online friends without the extra pressure of more elaborate blog posts.  If you would like to share your merry moments feel free to leave a link in the comments of this or any other upcoming merry moment post.  You can also share on instagram with the hashtag #merrymoments.  

Here is our first installment, a post turkey day trip to the bowling alley.    

Pst - There is still time to enter the Handmade Winter Giveaway and don't wait to grab your copy, the winner can receive a refund if they have already purchased!

Top Toys for 3-4 Year Olds

Since Jude's birthday is right after Christmas I love doing a gift guide with the things he's loved most in the past year.  This year's installment is Jude and I's recommendations for the Top Toys for 3-4 year olds (AKA preschoolers).  You won't find anything that makes obnoxious noise or breaks easily (my requirements) or that is boring or only briefly cool (Jude's requirements).  You can find our other guides here: Top Toys for 1-2 and Top Toys for 2-3.  Most of the items on those older lists are still very much loved and played with regularly, now that's what I call value!  Read on to see this year's additions to the playtime line up.

Please note, this post contains affiliate links to Amazon, but as always I encourage you to check out your local, independent toy store.

 1.  Scooter.  For me (and my sanity), an active toy is a must.  Jude loves to scoot, he also loves his big wheel.  Don't forget a helmet!

2.  Tangrams.  If your little one loves puzzles, tangrams are sure to delight.  This is one of those awesomely educational toys that is also super fun.

3.  Train Set.  We have had a train set for quite a while, I think I have as much fun building track and surrounding block buildings as Jude does.  I will say that this got a lot more play when we made the train table.  

4.  Playmobil.  I know some little ones adore dollhouses, Jude has a fire station one that gets some play. However, the playmobil figures set up sans house are really the big hit.  

5.  Instruments.  Jude loves his "little guitar".  I think musical instruments make a great addition to play time.  Other hits include bongos and a harmonica.

6.  Games.  Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders are often played around these parts.  Cards and matching games are great choices as well.

Since I wanted to stick with toys there are a few great gifts that didn't make the list but are very much worth mentioning.  Jude loves a magazine subscription: our top two are Crafting Connections and Ranger Rick Jr..  Books are always great gifts.  Oh, and last year I mentioned art supplies, this year I would add more "grown up" supplies such as clay and oil pastels.

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links, if you had a little Amazon shopping to do anyway I greatly appreciate your support.