Mallory's School Christmas Party and a Mandy Jane Plaid Christmas Bow

Today at school, Mallory's class had a fun Christmas party.  They made some cute crafts and ate tons of sugary cookies, cupcakes, and candy.  I can't believe half of the year is gone and Christmas break is here!  But, I am excited that Mallory will be home with me for the next two weeks!! 

She made a really cute Santa Claus!  Do you see the lei around her neck?  Fridays are known as Fabulous Fun Fridays in her classroom and the kids who have excellent behavior get to grab something from her teacher's treaure box!  The lei and matching wrist lei were what Mallory chose from the treasure box.

One of the moms took pictures of the kids earlier in the week so they could make these precious gingerbread men with their faces on them.  I didn't get a picture of all the food because I was helping the other moms pass it all out, but it would give you a sugar high just looking at it!  Candy, cookies, cupcakes, and all kinds of sweet treats were gobbled down.  Every child went home bouncing off the walls!  :-)

This evening I decided to make Mallory a brand new Christmas bow to match her Christmas dress.  I am very pleased with how it turned out. 

Mandy Jane bow orders are keeping me busy.  I finished a custom bow order this morning and will be shipping it out on Saturday morning.  I'll be posting pictures of custom bows orders on the Mandy Jane facebook page as I complete them.  So don't forget to "like" Mandy Jane on Facebook so you can see all the newest bows and be notified of Mandy Jane giveaways.

I hope you're all enjoying this wonderful time of the year!  In all the rush and busy-ness of the season, don't forget to slow down and take in all the sights and sounds.  Make some memories this year!  :-)

2nd Annual Christmas Candy Makin' Party

Tonight my mom had all the girls in my family over for our 2nd annual Christmas candy making party!  Last year, Mama made us all matching Christmas aprons.  This year, she gave each of us our own drink tumbler and straw.  SO CUTE!!!  We got to drink our Cokes while we sampled the candy!!  :-)  MMMmmm!!

Mallory was our official photographer, babysitter for Gavin, and chocolate chip pourer-inner!  She did a great job and had a blast!  Here are some snapshots from our evening...

Mallory in front of Nana's Christmas tree

Me and my sweet angel

Nana's fudge!  MMMMmmmmm!!

Oreo Truffles!!!!  SO GOOOOOOD!!!!

Tennille making fudge

Cousin Gavin and Mallory

Mallory pouring in the chocolate chips for Amy.

Mallory pouring in the chocloate chips for Kristin.

The Girls

Tennille, Amy, Kristin, Mallory, Mama, and me

Showing off our tumblers Mama gave us.

It was a FUN night!  We learned a lot and LAUGHED a lot!!  I just love this Christmas tradition with these special girls!

Custom Tassel

Several months ago I did this post about a tassel I had made.  Well, recently I received an order for a custom tassel for a Christmas gift.  Here's how it turned out...

I love the red and leopard combo!  And, isn't that cross on top gorgeous?!  Now I can't wait to make myself one!  :-) 

What do you think???

I'm linking to:
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Tools Are For Women, Too
The Girl Creative
Craftomaniac
Mad In Crafts
Keeping It Simple
Making The World Cuter
It's So Very Cheri
Texas Monkey
Baby Makin(g) Machine
Miss Crafty Pants
Sew Chatty
Simpsonized Crafts
Tip Junkie

Jack, Christmas Decorating, and Made-to-Match bows

Jack, my 2 year old little guy, has to be the most loving little boy I've ever seen.  He loves to hug me and will stop me sometimes and simply say, "Mommy, I unt (want) a hug."  And there's nothing to keep me from stopping whatever I'm doing and give it to him!  He's extremely loving to other children too, especially his younger cousins Macy, Scarlett, and Gavin.  He's so gentle with them and longs to give them hugs every time he sees them.  It's precious to watch.  There's just something about compassion for others that you cannot teach, so I am very thankful that he's displaying such affection and compassion and pray that he continues to always show kindness to others.  This morning when we got in the car to take Mallory to school, he looked over at her and said, "Deedle Dee, you look so cute!"  And, he really meant it!  So sweet!!!

Today my mom and I stopped at the Rose Garden Museum Gift Shop to shop a little bit.  They had some beautiful Christmas trees and decorations.  I got some cute little pictures of Jack and they show a little of his personality...

CHEEEEEEEEESE!

Me:  "Jack can you smile for me?"

Jack: "Sure, Mama"

Here's what came next.... 

Ok.... that just melts my heart!  :-)

Over the weekend we put up some of our Christmas decorations.  It was fun watching the kids interact with each other and see their faces light up at all the ornaments and lights.

Mallory and Jack working together to put all the red birds on Nanny's white ceramic tree.

Mallory hanging ornaments on the tree.

Jack TRYING to hang ornaments on the tree.

R-E-A-C-H!!!!!  :-)

I've been busy making hair bows, too.  Tennille, if you're reading this, STOP!  I'm about to share one of Scarlett's Christmas presents!!  :-)

I got this precious little jogging suit for Scarlett and just had to make a bow to match it....

The front of it says "Sweet" and has little silver hearts on the jacket and pants.  Look at those precious little ruffles!!  SO GIRLY!!!

The back...  has a huge double heart... isn't that CUTE!

The matching bow.  I can't wait to see little Scarlett toddling around in this!

Another friend made a sweatshirt jacket for her granddaughter and ordered a Mandy Jane bow to match.  I think it turned out so cute!

My mom has made Mallory several little sweatshirt jackets and they have all been precious!  I think I'm going to have to give it a try.  This one turned out so cute!

I forgot to take a picture of the bow by itself, but you get the idea. ;-)

It's been a busy time lately, but it's been fun.  I'm in the middle of finishing Jack's stocking that I started 3 months after he was born!  Yes, I'm a little behind!  It's one of those HAND STITCHED, HAND BEADED, felt stocking kits and it is a booger!!!  I started one for Mallory when she was born and didn't finish it until she was 3!  I'm hoping to finish Jack's THIS YEAR!  :-)  I'll post pictures when it's finished.  Wish me luck!

Christmas Outfit

This time last year, I had already made SEVERAL Christmas outfits for Mallory.  Last week I suddenly realized that it was a few days before December 1st and I hadn't made ANYTHING!  Well, I'd made a ton of bows for other people, but I hadn't made anything for my Mallory.  I had bought some really cute Christmas fabric at Hobby Lobby back in October, so I had the materials on hand and ready.  It was just a matter of finding the time to sit down and sew. 

One night around 7:00pm, I decided to sew!  I made Mallory this Christmas pillowcase top.  She wore it with some pants my mom had made her earlier in the year.  And, of course I topped it off with a matching Mandy Jane bow!  :-)

She wore the outfit on our trip to the Gaylord Texan and had it on when she met Jack Frost!  :-)

Now to find some more time to make a few more fun outfits!!!  I'm hoping this week brings me several good opportunities!  We'll see! 

I'm linking this post at The Girl Creative and at each of these...   Check them out for many more fun ideas!!

Time of Refreshing

Pooped... do you feel that way?  In all the hustle and bustle of this season, we ladies can get so overwhelmed and worn out with all we have to do.  Shopping for just the right gifts for those special people in our lives, cooking that perfect meal, keeping up with our housework, taking care of our children, and continuing to work whether it be at home or in the world.  There's so much to be done and sometimes our attitudes become less than Christ-like.

Tonight as I finished up a project and met a deadline, I sat back to reflect on all I had accomplished and all that still  needed to be done.  In no time at all, God brought a scripture to my mind.... "Be still and know that I am God."  Be still.  How?  When?  There's so much to do!  But without quiet moments with Him, it doesn't matter what I accomplish, my attitude and demeanor will not be reflective of Christ.  I won't find joy in the things I do, they will all just be mundane tasks to complete and roles to fill.

Amazingly, God sent a devotional my way tonight via an email from "Our Daily Bread".  I am reposting it for you to read.  I needed to read this tonight and remember to take time to be refreshed during this busy time of the year.  What about you? 

Repent . . . , so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. —Acts 3:19

What do you find most refreshing? A cold drink on a hot day? An afternoon nap? Listening to praise and worship music?

The biblical theme of refreshing has a variety of physical and spiritual meanings. In Scripture we read of refreshment by resting on the Sabbath (Ex. 23:12), with cool water after physical activity (Judg. 15:18-19), by soothing music (1 Sam. 16:23), and with encouraging fellowship (2 Tim. 1:16).

The apostle Peter describes a time of spiritual refreshment that took place on the Day of Pentecost. He exhorted his listeners to repent and respond to the gospel “that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). The apostle’s statement was especially meaningful to the Jewish audience with its reference to the millennium when Messiah would rule. But the good news of spiritual life would also be extended to the Gentiles (Acts 10).

Even now as believers we can experience a time of refreshing by quieting our hearts in a devotional time of prayer and Bible reading. When we spend time alone with the Lord, we can experience His peace and joy which renew us in spirit. Aren’t you thankful for these daily times of spiritual refreshment? —Dennis Fisher

A Prayer: Lord, I need my spirit refreshed and

renewed today. Speak to me through Your Word that I

might hear Your heart, and help me to share my heart

with You in prayer. Amen.

When we draw near to God, our minds are refreshed and our strength is renewed.

Thank you, Lord, for this timely reminder!

Blessings and refreshing to each of you,

Mandy

And the winners are....

Raven in a Blue Room won the EZ Sox Giveaway

and

Keisha's Giveaway's and Things won the Cards Direct Giveaway!!!!!

Congratulations!!