Author: Clare at CatsEatDogs

How to make pom pom elves

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As you know, I love a pom pom or three. I am using pom poms as my advent calendar, making a pom pom a day and hanging it on. This idea soon turned into pom pom elves! This is how the elves are looking so far, with a few snowballs thrown in. Want to make your very own elf or pack of elves? They can adorn your tree or hang anywhere you want. I have been making the elves in different sizes and the hats turn out as big or long as the fabric allows and I decide. So, grab a pom pom maker (I use cut out circles for mine), some yarn, some felt, embroidery thread and a nice big needle and off we go. Make a nice pom pom using some fab yarn. Leave a nice long length for hanging your cute elf up. Cut out a triangle of felt with the bottom edge long enough to go around your pom pom, make it as tall or short as you want. With some …

Ten books on the 10th

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Yesterday was ten on the 10th, so I decided to photo ten books I like. The Sweeter Side of Amy’s Bread by Amy Scherber and Toy Lee Dupree The Family Dinner by Laurie David My Grandma’s recipe book. The daily diary I keep for the boys. Obsessive Consumption by Kate Bingaman-Burt The Stylish Dress Book by Yoshiko Tsukiori Instant Love by Jenifer Altman, Susannah Conway and Amanda Gillighan Perfect by Rachel Joyce Let’s Draw Cute Animals by Sachiko Umoto Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads by Stephanie Sersich I love books, don’t you?!

Weekly Photos

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32/365 While I was spraying a branch gold for my pom pom advent calendar, I also accidentally sprayed these leaves. They turned out quite pretty! 33/365 It is amazing to think that only a week ago, the temperatures were in the 60’s and 70’s. Now we have a layer of snow and icy sidewalks. I took advantage of the warm days and planted my garlic. 34/365 On Wednesday I was the mystery reader at school, the kids had to guess who was reading by listening to five clues. I read ‘Little Santa’ by Jon Agee. As I was waiting, I snapped this cute decoration. 35/365 Then we got snow! I did spot this little heart as I walked to the gym though. 36/365 Mr.Y’s birthday was today, so I made him an Army guy cake! 37/365 Christmas decorations are starting to emerge in our house. This little tree usually gets decorated by the boys and goes in their room. 38/365 Birthday boy wanted to go the the Transport Museum, so off we went in the …

Birthday cake

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I made an Army birthday cake for Mr.Y. I had the best time making it! I used a chocolate cake recipe I like, but you could use a bought plain cake and it would still work fine. I made the cakes in two 8inch round pans, let them cool and made a chocolate ganache for the ‘icing’ When the cakes had cooled, I broke them up and mixed them up with a couple of tablespoons of jam, then piled the whole lot on a big plate and arranged it into a cake hill. I did feel a bit decadent making perfectly nice cakes then tearing them up! The ganache got poured over the top and left to do it’s thing as it dripped and pooled on the cake pile. Hey, I think I just invented a new thing-‘cake pile’! I added toy soldiers, green sanding sugar, crushed Maltesters, Ripple bars and chocolate twigs (like Matchmakers in the UK). Slicing this cake might be a problem! Maybe best just to grab a handful. Do you make …

My Instagram shots as cards

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I have ordered teeny tiny cards and stickers from Prinstagram in the past,  so when they said they made proper cards for sending in the mail,  old school,  with a stamp and writing,   I needed some!  You can print a different Instagram picture (from your account) on each, so I decided to make a mix of regular cards and Christmas cards. You just choose from your Instagram stash,  which is a dilemma in itself.  Which to use?! I printed a few of Bodhi on his skateboard so that he has birthday thank-you cards.   Yes, I make my kids send out thank  you cards for presents received, and it helps if the card has one of your own photos on it I think. The cards arrived today and they are fab!  If you are expecting a Christmas or  a thank you card from me, you may need to prise it await from me, I like all of the cards so much! Do you send real cards made from paper with a stamp?  Or do you …

Project 365 photos 25-31

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Into the second month of Project 365 now and I haven’t missed a day yet. Let’s hope I can keep it up.  This week has seen my birthday, Thanksgiving and lots of sunshine!  As usual, these photos are a mix of iPhone 4 and Canon Rebel cameras,  and one from the Polaroid Construction Camera. 25/365 One of my new necklaces for CatsEatDogs, taken on the Canon. 26/365 A sign in a local antiques shop. Taken on the phone. 27/365 We made Christmas cake today and tradition states that everyone who stirs the batter gets to make a wish. Taken with Oggl on the phone. 28/365 Instant photo from one of my new (old) cameras.  This is me with some Thanksgiving veg! 29/365 Squashed seedpod on the bridge this morning.  Taken with the phone and no filters added. 30/365 Missouri Botanical Gardens all set up for the Garden Glow.  We haven’t seen the garden all lit up, but even in the daytime, it is pretty cool.  Taken with the Canon. 31/365 Oranges about to be made …

Advent calendar

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I remember when we first moved to the States ten years ago from the UK, we had to get chocolate Advent calendars sent over from home as they didn’t have them here.  They are still not very prolific, but now we usually grab one from Trader Joes and use our home made edition for little chocs and gifts.  That way both boys get a little something every day of December leading up to Christmas. This year I have left it all a little late, the end of November is nigh and I have just put up our ‘fill it yourself’ calendar, but I still don’t have a regular calendar (with chocolate of course). We have a chalk board wall which we draw a Christmassy thing on (snowman this year) and I pin the ‘calendar’ across it. Do you buy an Advent Calendar?  Or do you have one you use every year?  I think I will make a new one next year as this one is looking a little shabby.  All of the boxes are still …