Christmas Book Advent Calendar and More

Tomorrow the month of December begins, along with one of my favorite holiday traditions: the advent calendar. Although the advent calendar that I remember as a child from an awesome teacher in elementary school will always remain my ideal; I have incorporated various ways to help my little one count down to Christmas. My newest way was inspired by a wonderful and talented blogger Allison from Oopsey Daisy. I met her here in Phoenix this year at Creative Estates. I read books to Madison every night before bed so the idea of reading a different Christmas story every night to count down the days to Christmas was right up my alley!

I wrapped each Christmas book and attached a numbered tag on for the days. Allison also incorporated an activity to do each day related with the daily book but I'm not that prepared this year. Maybe next year~a girl can have a dream right?

I don't own 24 Christmas books so I went out today to used book stores and thrift stores to buy more. I also went to the library to borrow Christmas books too . The library books aren't due back until December 20th so that works. We will read the library books first. Of course, I will read Twas The Night Before Christmas on December 24th!

Another way I count down the days is with our Kurt S. Adler Snoman Advent calendar. Madison is old enough now to understand this tradition and can put the ornaments on the tree each day. I also will put a small treat inside the box to make it extra special.

Lastly, we have the Eric Carle's Dream Snow Pop Up Calendar. This is new this year too so I'm looking forward to Madison opening up a window each day to add a new decoration to this wonderful pop up scene.

I think I have enough ways to help with the question ~is it Christmas yet? What do you do to count down the days until Christmas?

Ornament Glasses

These ornament glasses that my talented friend Susan from Poca Cosa made by using plastic ornaments she found at Michael's are amazing! I love them so much that I can't wait to recreate for my annual Christmas ornament and cookie exchange party! Thanks Susan for sharing!!
This is the busiest time of year for most and ridiculously busy time of the year for Maddycakes. I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving ~ mine was so wonderful. I spent quality time with my family and I'm so looking forward to all the joy that this time of year brings.

Happy Thanksgiving

I have really missed you my peeps but have had some circumstances beyond my control which has prevented me from blogging. I am now going to spend some quality time with my family over the Thanksgiving holiday. I pray that you all have a safe and wonderful holiday and I will be back posting on Sunday, November 27th. However, you know I'll still be sending updates on Facebook!!

Many blessings

Kid's Thanksgiving Table~ Turkey Cups

I got these autumnal feathers from JoAnn's for $1.99. I really wanted to use them somehow for a turkey. Well, I have tons of google eyes left from Madison's Halloween monster party so I came up with these turkey cups.
Just glued the feathers on the outside back of cup, added the eyes and felt mouth. Easy! I think it's cute! Gobble, Gobble...today is the 3rd day of our kiddo Thanksgiving table. I have a few more ideas up my sleeve so see you tomorrow. I will start assembling the table as well.

Kid's Thanksgiving Table~ Turkey Placemats

I am right smack in the middle of renovations on my home....who does that the week before Thanksgiving? My house is completely torn up. Not to mention I am having a baby shower for my sweet assistant Sarah on Saturday. Crazy I know but that's how I normally roll. Any who, I was on Lowe's Creative Ideas to get some house decor muses when I spotted this "muse". You can get inspiration from anywhere! Turkey place mats to add to our kiddos Thanksgiving table.

You need cork contact paper~I got mine at Walmart (a big roll only a few dollars)

Turkey Placemat download here I should have traced on the back of cork contact paper so you wouldn't see any marker. I will for my next 4. It does roll up a lot but remember when it's time to use you can peel and stick right in place.

I'm off to finish my other 4. I will be back tomorrow for another daily DIY project for the Kid's Thanksgiving table.

Kid's Thanksgiving Table~ Chalkboard Place Cards/Treat Holder

This week I'm posting a project a day to complete a tablescape for a kid's Thanksgiving table. I am so excited to have so many of my family members coming in for Thanksgiving. I don't have enough room at the dining room table for all of the kids so want to make their table really decorative and fun!! I created this dual purpose place card and crayon holder. This would be great for the younger set to keep them occupied for a while. I bought small terra cotta pots from Dollar Tree (3 for a dollar). I painted them with chalkboard paint, wrote names with chalk and filled with crayons. Easy Peasy!!

If you have older kids that are past the crayon stage then fill with a treat. All kids love treats no matter what age! Do a project a day with me this week and by this weekend you will have a completed Thanksgiving kid's table.

Bread Cornucopia Centerpiece

Need a unique centerpiece for this Thanksgiving? How about making a bread cornucopia? I made one years ago and I'm going to revisit it again this year. It is really easy to make with refrigerated dough cut into strips. Taste of Home has the 411 here. (you could also use tin foil shaped like a cone instead of a disposable pizza pan) It can be made a few days ahead and it is edible! I will keep you posted on mine this year.
Starting tomorrow I will add a project a day or two for a kid's Thanksgiving table. By the end of the week we will have completed a whole kiddo Thanksgiving tablescape that they will gobble up!

DIY Caramel Apple Kit

I'm in love with this DIY caramel apple kit from Oh Happy Day. What a great favor idea for any Fall party or wedding!

With only a few ingredients and a gable box with small butter knife you can create this really sweet favor treat!

I'm sitting here trying to think of a party or reason I can do these! If you want to also, click here for instructions.

Kids Thanksgiving Table Ideas

This Thanksgiving we will have a house full! I am so excited and I'm in full swing getting house projects completed and making plans for the big day. Since all of my company is from out of town, I really want to make it super special. I am working on the kids table and looking for some cute ideas. I hated when I was little and had to sit at the kids table. It never had any decorations and we had to use paper plates not the fancy china like the adults. I want the kids table to be special to the little ones!Here are a few ideas that I found from my fellow party girls. Print this free Thanksgiving printable from Paper Glitter. This kit is full of great goodies to include customizable food labels!

I like this Tree of Thanks centerpiece from Frog Prince Paperie Etsy shop which comes in a complete printable package for only $10. Everything you need to make an adorable kids table!

How cute is this turkey as a centerpiece from One Charming Party? It has a yummy surprise inside the paper bags! (it's popcorn) Too cute! I have so many things to do on the home front plus Maddycakes is completely booked until 2012! God is so good and I am thankful for you for visiting my blog. Many of you have become my friends and I've never even met you. Many blessings my friends.

Always Think Outside The Box!

Maddycakes party tonight was an autumnal themed event. I love using various unexpected things in my centerpieces and decor. What did I use in the glass vase? Can you guess??
Red colored mulch...yes mulch and it was gorgeous! It was the perfect color and totally unexpected. Plus very economical to use. Always think outside the box and try something new. To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.

Champagne Bar

Instead of serving wine or beer at your next soiree how about having a champagne bar or bubbly bar as in this first birthday party designed by party planner Christina Wright of Simply Modern Weddings.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

You can view a gallery of gorgeous photos from this adorable and sweet bluebird themed birthday party at On to Baby.

Tuesday Transformation~ Scrabble Wall Art

Seriously how can it be November already? I am in hyperdrive to get my house ready for my visiting Thanksgiving out of town family. I have parties the first 2 weeks of November but then taking last couple weeks to dedicate time for family. I have been looking in blogland for decor ideas for my home and came across this Scrabble wall art. My mother loved Scrabble so this really brought good memories. Unfortunately, Madison's playroom walls are FULL but could work in other rooms with different words. (maybe a laundry room??) If you would love to recreate here is the tutorial by Attempting Aloha. She used drop cloth to make....genius!