Let It SNOW-Flakes!

Hey everyone!  The AZ desert is finally starting to actually feel like Christmas with a few days here of freezing and below and highs in the 50's!  Am I happy?  You betcha!  Sweaters, fleece-lined boots, mittens and scarves -- oh yeah, I'm HAPPY and totally enjoying the Christmas season!  

I don't typically do Christmas themes, but I have found that this year there is an underlying theme running throughout my home -- snow!  Pretty odd here in the desert and probably just wishful thinking, but I seem to have snowflakes or snowmen or snow-related items everywhere in my decor.  Case-in-point, some ornies I made.  If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I always make ornaments for our grandchildren each year.  

I made these last year.  See, I told you......snow on the brain even last year!

This year, while snooping around Pinterest, I found THIS idea that Jill came up with.

I got this Model Magic at Michael's (coupon, of course).  Let me just say, if you have young children, this is a wonderful product to work with.  It is much nicer than playdough, plus your art or theirs will dry to a permanent keepsake that is VERY lightweight and non-breakable!  It would be so cute for those hand or foot molds.

I used this cookie cutter, rolled out the Model Magic (super easy) with a rolling pin, & started cutting out snowflakes.  I made quite a few more than I needed just because they were so cute.  I used a straw to make the hole for hanging.

I forgot to take pics of what I did next, but it was so simple.  I took a texturizing rubber stamp that I had and pressed that all over each snowflake.  Then I painted each one (front & back) with Mod Podge and sprinkled the fronts with crystal glitter.

After they were dry, I took a permanent pen and wrote the name & date for each "Grand."  Just a simple ribbon tie finishes them off.

Like I said, I made quite a few extras.  Here, I simply pushed a tiny light through the hole that was originally for hanging.

It made this little vignette on my bookshelves come to life!

I took a few more and made a garland for this lamp.

The rest I used in my craft room and just hung from a shelf.  I'll show more of this 

room in another post.

Well, I guess snowflakes "rule" around here, and I'm loving it!

Now for just a little "nosh" temptation -- 

I made these Brownie Bites for a party I attended this week.  I used my mini-muffin pan, then swirled on some white almond bark after the brownies were cool, dipped the tops in crushed candy canes and topped each one off with a mini-candy cane.  What could be better than rich chocolate and peppermint?

That's a wrap for today.  Hope you enjoyed seeing all the snowflakes around here.  Keep on enjoying your Christmas preparations and have a great weekend!

I love to party with these fine bloggers:
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday
Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow
Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Angela at Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets
Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been
Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 
Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading