Cowgirl Birthday Party = FUN!

Hi Friends,
First, my apologies for not posting very regularly.  My goal is weekly, but sometimes even that doesn't happen.  It is one of my resolutions for 2014 to be more consistent with blogging!

On another note, I threw my oldest a cowgirl birthday party this past weekend...and it was a blast!  I thought I'd share some pics of the fun.  (Thanks to Pinterest for some of the ideas!)

 

The birthday cowgirl!  Cannot believe she's already four years old!

We had a photo booth (made from a large box!). 
I made props...see below for a great shot of the birthday cowgirl and Grandma!

The General Store!  Every guest received a small packet of play money when they arrived,
and the got to 'shop' for goodies (including treats and tiny toys) - gotta love dollar stores!

Refreshments at the 'Watering Hole'...decorations included tiny straw bales, horses and cowboy hats, burlap and bandanas.  Pretty easy, really, once I had the idea!

The cake and party favors.  Yes - it's actually a doll inside that cake!  Tons of frosting, but really yummy! 
(I did not make this cake...it came from a great bakery in Appleton WI!)

Gold Mine = messy fun!  The kiddos dug for gold coins in a box of sawdust.  So simple, but turned out pretty fun.

 

I had loads of fun planning and preparing for this party.  Probably went a little overboard, but I think every kid deserves a great party to celebrate their birthday!

Thanks for reading!

Kristin at Fiddle & Frog

Our Advent Calendar

Hi Friends!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Ours was great!  So good to see lots of family and have some yummy food.

I can't believe it's already December...and since it is, it's time to begin our Advent Calendar.  I made ours from felt and a bunch of holiday fabric scraps.

 

Close-up of pockets

 

 Underneath each number is a pocket.  For the last couple of years, I filled each pocket with treats and small presents.  This year, I found this great felt nativity set at a craft store (for like $1!), so I'll be dividing up the pieces and the girls will add a part of the nativity scene each day.

 

 

What are some of your ideas for Advent Calendars?  I've seen so many cute ones on Pinterest and elsewhere...I'd like to do a new idea each year!

Have a crafty day!

~Kristin at Fiddle & Frog~

Happy Thanksgiving! (plus Tube Turkeys)

Hi Friends!

With Thanksgiving only one day away, and a crowd of people coming over to help us celebrate, we thought it'd be fun to share a super easy and really cute craft with you. 

 

Tube Turkeys HOW TO:  All you need to make your own little turkey is a cardboard tube (from toilet paper, etc.), assorted colors of construction paper, a glue stick, scissors and a crayon (for the eyes). 

 

1.  Cut out a number of multi-colored tail feathers (I did six, then my oldest decided she needed both pinks on hers...do any number you like.)  Also cut out two feet, a beak and a wattle.  Cut a brown piece of construction paper into a rectangle to fit around the tube, with a little overlap.

2.  Draw eyes on the brown rectangle, about one inch from the top, and centered from side to side.  (The eyes on the turkey on the right are there...they're pink, so they don't show up very well!)

3.  Glue one short end of the brown rectangle onto the cardboard tube, then roll the rest of the paper around the tube and secure with glue (trim if needed so you don't cover up your eyes!)   Glue the wattle onto the brown rectangle about one inch below the eyes.  Bend the back side of the beak and glue it on top of the wattle (so it sticks out).  Add the feet to the bottom of your tube and fold them out (in the picture, our feet have about 1/2" additional orange paper glued inside our tube). 

4.  Add the feathers!  Any arrangement is fine...just glue them on to the back of your turkey.

5.  Enjoy!  Maybe a cute centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table?  We also did come coloring work, so these will probably be displayed on the fridge tomorrow :)

 

 

We wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving...

please take the time to enjoy and appreciate one another!

 

~Your friends at Fiddle & Frog~

 

 

Why I Insist on Making Things More Challenging During the Holidays

Hi Friends!
Each year as the holiday season approaches, I think to myself "Maybe I'll just buy the Christmas gifts I need to give this year and save myself some time."  Save time making my own gifts, that is.  Save time brainstorming that 'perfect' gift for each person on my list and save time running around town looking for supplies.  (It adds up to a lot of time.)

But then I remember why I give handmade gifts:  it's like giving a little piece of myself.  I have spent hours (sometimes HOURS) on a gift, and that is time I can never get back.  I do it because it's my way of showing someone how much they mean to me.  I take great pride in my craftiness, and I love sharing what I've made.  I love giving gifts that my family and friends will remember from year to year, instead of the gift that goes directly into the closet after Christmas and is never seen (or thought of) again.  What better way to show someone you care than by coming up with an original project just for them?

So, although it takes me a lot of time and sometimes frustration during the already busy holiday season, I insist each year on making most or all (if possible) of my holiday gifts.  It's usually a challenge that I begin in late summer.  But to be honest...I love it!  I love coming up with new ideas each year, and figuring out how I can make what I've come up with.  It's a blessing to me to be able to use my always-active-creative mind for this purpose.

So this year, why not give handmade to your family and friends?  You don't have to go as crazy as I do, making things for everyone on your list, but maybe just start with one person.  I think you'll be glad you took the time to make something yourself.  Or, if you are totally not into being crafty yourself, maybe you can find a local crafty person that can help you out.  Here's hoping for a little more handmade going around the holiday season!

Have a crafty day!
~Kristin~ at Fiddle & Frog

Happy Halloween!

Hi Friends,
Happy (belated) Halloween!  While we aren't as into this holiday as some people, the girls do dress up each year.  The bonus is that they end up with a fun dress up costume for later in the year!  Here's a little peak at my two ladies for Halloween 2013.

Here's a couple of oldies, just because.  :)

Have a crafty day! 

Don't forget to visit us at the Mayo Employees Craft Show on November 16 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN, or online at www.etsy.com/shop/FiddleandFrog.