Barbie's Christmas In July -Arriving at Cocktail Party

Barbie and Ken were invited to a ~very fancy~ Christmas In July cocktail party... Oooh la-la:@) Much like the holidays, the occasion gave folks a chance to get just a little dressed up for an (air conditioned) evening of wine tasting and appetizers. And since nobody likes to show up empty handed... Ken brought a classic summertime favorite, Jersey Shore boardwalk salt water taffy.

And Barbie took a drive to Cousin Rube's farm store for a treat to bring. Rube made sure Peace and Pancakes Farm was ready for Christmas in July fun (and hoped to sell a lot of marked down Christmas trees)... A local bakery provides pastries and candy for the sweets cart. I'm telling you folks, that elf is everywhere...

Barbie came home with...

A gingerbread lighthouse...

Perfect for summertime festivities:@)

Barbie's Cousin Rube is a self proclaimed old hippie, a passionate farmer, and master marketeer who greets every season with childlike enthusiasm. He genuinely hopes ~you~ always look for something to celebrate too:@) And um, stop in if you need a new tree...

Details: I found the $1 lighthouse ornament last year at the thrift store and immediately knew I'd use it for Christmas in July. My door scene is a cardboard foldout from Dollar Tree. There are several room scenes to choose from, they can be fun:@) The barn is from the Sweet Orchard Farm playset. Cousin Rube is a 12" Rubeus Hagrid doll from the Harry Potter series. How to make a Barbie necklace here. Big man doll overalls free pattern here.

Previous Barbie Christmas in July:

2020 -Double Sided Pillow

2021 -Stocking Cap from Sock

2022 -Disco Ball Light from $1 Ornaments

2023 -Resort Vacation-Frozen Hot Chocolate

🌴🦩🎅Happy Christmas in July!

Barbie Says It's Christmas Week! Recycled Grinch Mask for Dolls

Alternate Title: How Ken Stole Christmas:@) How about adding a little Grinch-y Christmas fun to Barbie play! I picked up a Hershey's How the Grinch Stole Kisses stocking stuffer because I immediately saw a fun mask for Ken (and I um, like chocolate...). I love these super easy, cute, recycling projects! And the size of this candy stopper is perfect for 1:6 scale dolls.

What I started with,

I saw them at Walmart and Target:

The stopper:

I cut it with a razor cutter ~adults only please~, kitchen snips would work too. Cut the bottom off, then straight down the back of the head. Open back up and slip over the doll's head, will fit Barbie, Ken and action figure dolls:

Now, this is ~your~ mask... You could paint the eyes, or cut them out of the mask. I'm gonna leave mine as is, I think it's great:@)

And Barbie says all of the holiday festivities (and antics) can be a little... stressful... She suggests making sure you take a little time for yourself, and practice a little self care...

Coffee helps:@)

I'm telling ya folks,

That elf is ~everywhere~...

Grande size coffee is a stocking stuffer lip balm.

Thought it was cute for doll play.

How to make turtleneck from sock here.

♻Let's recycle creatively this Christmas,

and Have a Happy Day🎅

Barbie Felt Ugly Christmas Sweater Dress DIY & Ken Vest Too

I saw some, um, ugly Christmas sweater dresses at Walmart and thought it might be fun to whip one up for Barbie:@) This is a super simple project that only requires a piece of felt and anything you have in the craft stash to decorate the tree. This can be quickly sewn, or a no-sew project by using some hot glue. Felt also makes this a no-hem project-gotta love that! The pattern fits both standard dolls, and our model today is Curvy Barbie. My suggestion: If you're planning this as a party or sleepover project, you might want to have the dresses made ahead of time, and just let the kids decorate them. 

This will fit Elf on the Shelf too.

You can shorten it a bit if desired.

Oh and, don't forget Ken...

He likes to get dressed up too! 

His felt ugly sweater vest pattern can be found here.

Antler headband here.

Again, great Elf couture...

Possible decorations: Pom-poms, glitter, garland, ribbon, sewing trims, buttons, mini Christmas decorations, beads, yarn, bows, sequins, rhinestones, diamond mesh ribbon, faux fur, stickers or cut shapes/ornaments from more felt. ~Anything goes folks!

The Pattern:

What I did:

1. Tip: Honestly, the best glue for felt seems to be hot glue.
2. Cut two from pattern.
3. Place right sides together, sew or glue up sides to arm hole (line on pattern).
4. Turn right side out.
5. Optional: I did cut the front neckline into a bit of a scoop.
6. There are options for securing the dress... I added a little velcro to the garland and back of one shoulder so it can be opened and closed for dressing. You could also glue a long piece of ribbon around each arm hole, leaving two long ends to tie into bows on top of the shoulders.
7. At this point the dress is done, glue on decorations as desired😎

My inspiration:

Rather make a Santa type outfit? I think you could easily create this look with the same idea/pattern:

Looks like Barbie and Ken are ready for the party😎

🎄Make something just for fun and have a happy day🎅

Reindeer Round-Up: Ornament from Bulbs, Cookies, Barbie Headband, and more...

I thought it might be fun to gather some Rudolph the Reindeer theme'd posts as we're getting into the Christmas spirit... You'll notice they are all similar, but really cute:@) The best part, these are inexpensive crafts, and one pack of pipe cleaners, pom-poms and eyes will make several projects. You might even already have everything in your craft stash...

I love the idea of Recycling Old C9 or C7 Bulbs into Rudolph Ornaments. Perfect little time fillers for kids Christmas parties and sleepovers.

And if the kids are over for some crafting, they'll need a little snack. These Rudolph's Nose Cookies are really cute, and quite tasty:@) How about having a Rudolph Night. Maybe a little craft, a little snack, and watching the show or a movie...

Creating a gift bucket or basket this year? How about adding a Decorated Reindeer Bottle, it can be beer, soda, or juice. Comes together in no time and adds to the fun!

And we can't forget Barbie, she wants in on the reindeer games too... These Reindeer Headbands couldn't be easier, simply use a recycled bottle ring and one pipe cleaner-done. Of course a little red pom-pom nose adds to the fun:@) Side note: Looking for an Elf on the Shelf idea... Make some antlers for him too!

Five outfits from one pair of Dollar Store socks here.

I mentioned these Ferrero Rocher Reindeer a couple weeks ago, but wanted to add them to the round-up too...

 There you have it folks, some fun ideas, 

and several the kids can help make.

🎄Have a happy day:@)

How to Make a Christmas Tree Cheese Ball & Barbie Pictures with Santa

Need an appetizer for the party or game on Sunday? These Christmas Tree Cheese Balls look impressive, taste great, and will be remembered:@) I've added a recipe but you can use your favorite, the post is really about how to create the Christmas tree look. Have some fun with your food this holiday season!

Barbie took the kids to Peace and Pancakes Farm for pictures with Santa. It was an exciting day and the girls were very well behaved, making sure they stayed on the nice list:@) I was tickled to find both the Elf on the Shelf and Santa Stop Here ornament at the thrift store. It's a 2014 lights and sounds Hallmark ornament, it sings let's bake around the clock, and has lots of flashing lights... Light up tree in background from Dollar Tree.

Barbie took some quick cell phone pics for the family album...

The flurry of activity at the farm has been non-stop...

Cousin Rube thanks all of his holiday workers!

Obviously, good help was hard to find this year😉

PS-Our Elf's name is Cheeky.

We now have the full size elf,

Ornament elf wrapped in lights,

and the World's Smallest Elf of the Shelf...

I think we're all set for elf-y antics😎

Happy Christmastime everyone🎅

Inspirational Friday

 Don't forget this is the day The Elf returns...

Have a great Thanksgiving Weekend:@)

Saturday ReView: Barbie (or Elf) Holiday Aprons and Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

As we're getting closer to the holidays I wanted to share my Free Pattern for Easy No-Sew Barbie Aprons! This is a fun little craft that comes together in no time and only requires 6" of fabric, ribbon and some hot glue. It fits standard and Curvy Barbie, ~and~ just in time for his day after Thanksgiving arrival... It fits Elf on the Shelf too:@) And of course they could be made using any fabric, it doesn't have to be a holiday print. Much like me, Barbie says she's ready for some Christmas cookies!

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No fabric? The aprons can be made from felt or recycle an ~old~ shirt or pair of pants.

I love this type of project folks😉

Use the pattern as a guide, make it longer or shorter to suit your tastes. (I wanted mine long enough to show the silly turkeys.)

 My ribbon measurements are for if you want to close the apron with velcro. You'll need a lot more ribbon if you want to tie the apron on.

Supplies:
6" piece of fabric
22" ribbon or rick rack, you'll trim as needed after gluing onto apron.
5"  ribbon or rick rack for waist
1 1/2" ribbon or rick rack for top of apron, optional
hot glue (or Liquid Stitch works great, but that will take longer to dry)
button, glitter or sequin embellishments if desired

What I did:
Save pattern to computer. Use scroll wheel on mouse until line equals 1".
Print out or place paper on computer screen and gently trace pattern, cut of of paper.
Cut one apron from fabric of choice.

Fold fabric over 1/4" if not using ribbon/rick rack on the top of the apron. Glue hem. If using ribbon/rick rack (the green apron), glue the 1 1/2" piece to the top of the apron first.
Glue the 22" ribbon/rick rack starting at the center of the bottom of the apron. Continue gluing up sides of apron.

For waist, glue 5" ribbon across apron under the square bib part.

Trim ribbon if needed and glue a small bit of velcro onto ends.

Dress doll and bake some cookies!

A version for the summer holidays:

Ken's bar back, short apron:

Honestly, it's a rectangle of fabric with ribbon glued to the top for a tie... 

Pretty self-explanatory:@)

Adding glittery bling to glasses HERE.

Another cute idea:

I have a half apron and chef hat tutorial made from a ruffle HERE.

You can find my Barbie Pinterest Board by clicking HERE.

As we're gathering recipes and ideas...

This Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce couldn't be easier and it was pretty darn tasty too!

If you've never tried making homemade cranberry sauce, this McCormick recipe is a great one to start with.

Barbie's Thanksgiving 2020: Barbie has the turkey in the oven and pie cooling on the counter... Little did she know there would be one extra person for Thanksgiving dinner this year:@) Joe came home from deployment early and wanted to surprise her, I'd say Kelly looks pretty excited too! Barbie hasn't noticed that he's there yet, I hope she gets the oven door closed before she jumps for joy!!! 

Have a great weekend:@)

Elf Deviled Eggs

Not that I want to give him any more reason to cause some more mischief but... My inspiration for these Elf Deviled Eggs was the Elf on the Shelf:@) I thought they turned out kinda cute! Once peeled and cut in half, I picked out the eggs that had the longest area of white up top and simply sliced the smallest piece off both sides to create the illusion of his hat. Fill with your favorite egg mixture, add eyes and mouth, wa~la. You have a little something silly that the kids are sure to get a kick out of! As to how to work it into your family's Elfy shenanigans... Well, I'll leave that up to you:@)

Two more ideas for embellishing Christmas deviled eggs Tree and Holly:

Elf Deviled Eggs

1. Hard boil eggs, peel, cut in half and pop out yolks.
2. Slice tiny piece off of each side of white so it looks a little pointy for his hat.
3. Dip tip of hat in food coloring for red and green. 5 drops, 1/2 tsp white vinegar. 1-2 tsp hot water.
4. Fill with your favorite deviled egg mixture but smooth it out almost to cover the whole sides of the white, so he has a big round face. 
5. Make eyes and mouth out of black or green olives. 
6. Add something, I used Wilton star cookie decorations, maybe a small circle of olives or pickles, to create the tip of his hat.

It's the holidays, make something just for fun and have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:
The Scoop
Made By You Monday
Wonderful Wednesday
Full Plate Thursday
Meal Plan Monday
Happiness is Homemade
Craftastic Monday

A Theme'd Link-Up for All Things Christmas

Handmade Monday

Philadelphia Eagles Tree 2018

It's finally here! The NFL football season officially starts tonight, fluff the couch pillows, get your munchies ready and chill... um... the beverage of your choice:@) We really don't know how to act here in Philly, this is our first time as returning Super Bowl Champions... But we'll do our best! Thought I'd share my Eagles Tree today, I used the little 24" tinsel tree this year. I have my celebration ornament as the topper and ~really~ want to add a sticky note over the i, changing my "win" ornament to "won"!

We've been on Wentz Watch but will have to wait a few more weeks before he plays.

Links to: 

Wentz Wagon embellished ornament, Underdogs ornament, Spoolie from newspaper ad ornament, 

NFL Elf on a Shelf and Embellished Jersey ornament.

During the playoffs last year, I did treat myself to this cute little guy sitting on an old Kelly Green helmet.

A fun $6  Ebay find from (I think) the early 1990's.

Note to the NFL: Kelly Green is very near and dear to our hearts... 

Let's use it for a throwback uniform soon please.

Happy Football Season Everyone... Let the Games Begin:@)

Valentine's Tree 2018 - I ♥ Philadelphia Eagles Superbowl Winners!

Since I didn't want to mess with the team's mojo this year I couldn't completely change out my tree for February... So instead, I added some fun glittered hearts and now have an I ♥ The Eagles Valentine's Tree. I likey:@) It was a fun game last night and Philly literally lit up the sky with the win-fireworks were everywhere! Horns were blowing and people were yelling and cheering outside, we do truly love our football!

My little elf topper brought lots of luck and created ~minimal~ mischief...

I found this fun ornament commemorating our last NFC East Championship at the thrift store... $2.

McNabb, Westbrook and TO.

An early sign of things to come??? Maybe:@)

Full shot with lights off...

Lights on.

Thank you Eagles for a very exciting year, We The Faithful do truly love you and enjoyed this journey!

Have a happy day:@)
Now to find a commemorative coffee mug for the office...