Time for Christmas Crafting!

I used the “Fa La La” Line from Making Memories and whipped up this little diddy.  It’s a 3×3 inch mini Christmas Advent Calender.

Specifically, it was this sheet of the “Fa La La” paper that inspired me:

I turned it into this:

Each day has it’s own numbered pocket with individual tags (I left the tags blank for personal sentiments).

I have to give a special shout out to my Mom for all her late night help getting things ready for my ESTY shop.  I sure appreciate all you do for me Mom!  Love you!

For those of you who want to see what my Mom and I have been working on Click HERE.

Welcome!  If you’re new, THANK YOU for visiting me during the SECRET IN THE SAUCE Blogathon!  I hope that all of my frequent visitors and those just stopping by on this special SITS day have a VERY Merry Christmas!

There’s lots of fabulous stuff going on over at the SITS sight!  Go check it out! Go on, click HERE.

I’m giving away this Christmas Clear Album during the Merry SITSmas Blogathon today:

Do you want your blog featured and receive hundreds of lovely comments AND receive a $200 gift card? I know I do!

Check out the SECRET IN THE SAUCE they’re having a mind blowing day full of giveaways tomorrow!

I’ll be giving away a little something special on the SITS site tomorrow too!  Be sure to come back tomorrow to check it out!

This is the second year in a row that my kids have made Chipboard Gingerbread Houses. It’s no secret that I have a thing for scrapbooking.  My children can often be found with their little fingers in my supplies.  This is one of the rare occasions they actually had permission.

My husband and I have a good behavior reward system for our children.  The Marble Jar.  It’s been done before…OK, I stole the idea from my daughter’s third grade teacher but it works!  My kids love the Marble Jar.  The kids choose something fun to do (in this case it was the Gingerbread Houses) and then work together to fill up the jar.  It usually takes a week of doing things like, remembering to put their dishes in the sink after a meal, keeping their rooms clean, being polite, respectful and helpful. You know, the good stuff.

Last year, Parker and Izabelle had so much fun creating their Gingerbread houses that it was an obvious choice for a Marble Jar Treat.

This year we just plain had a blast.  The Gingerbread houses have officially become a tradition.

Here’s a look at Parker’s House:

Here’s Izabelle’s House:

Parker and Izabelle are neighbors:

So sweet.  I’m liking this tradition.