{Merry Christmas to All!}



{Project Christmas} Cooooookies!!

I think mine (and my kiddos') favorite holiday tradition is baking and decorating cookies! Every year, we break out the Christmas cookie cutters, flour, rolling pin, sprinkles, and icing and make a huge mess in our kitchen! They have a blast and it's the only time you'll see a mess in my kitchen AND a smile on my face!

(Please excuse the muddy photos- it has been raining non stop here for the last three days, so the kitchen was dark and a bit dreary)



{Project Christmas} Decorative Trees

I tried my hand at these last year, but made a few improvements this year. You can use so many different materials for these trees, but here are a few examples to get the juices flowing!

 

For mine at home, I used red and gold ribbon and for another, twine.

Check out the tutorial HERE!

{Project Christmas} Christmas Framed

One of the cheapest Christmas decorations in our house is our framed Christmas cards. I hang onto a few of my favorite cards every year and the kids help me choose which ones get framed. I simply switch them out with my everyday photos! Cost- $0! Can't beat free!



{Project Christmas} Handmade Ornaments

I found this recipe online and thought it would be perfect for both my 4 year old and my 8 year old. It's called salt dough and it could not be easier to make!

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1/2 cup warm water

Mix together in a large bowl, then roll out as if you were going to make cutout cookies. I used a few of our Christmas cookie cutters and made a couple shapes that the boys could choose from. I poked a hole in the top of each with a chopstick for the ribbon to hang. They took about 3 days to completely dry out and harden.

After they were nice and dry, the boys used acrylic paint and glitter and went to town!

The final products hanging on our tree! I put their name and the year on the back with a Sharpie.

Super easy and the boys had a blast making their own personal ornament!



{Kaydence} | 4 months | Gwinnett County Baby Photographer

Little baby Kaydence, you were so cuddly and cute! I don't know what it is with these babies lately, but I am so jealous of the hair! My kids were bald till they were two!

Kaydence won our Halloween costume contest back in November. We waited just a few weeks until she hit that 4 month mark. I adore this age because their little personalities start to show and they can't run away from you yet!

We had a great time playing at the studio last week; they even brought along their dog for some fun! Thanks for coming to see me guys! 



{Project Christmas} Red Velvet Minis

So, this project I "created" on my own. I LOVE red velvet cake, so I figured, hey, how fun would little bite-size cakes be? And thus became my Red Velvet Minis!

I just used regular old store-bought red velvet cake mix and scooped it into a mini muffin pan. I baked them according to the instructions, but cut the bake time by half. And of course, what's a red velvet cake without cream cheese frosting? Again, store bought cause I'm lazy. I have been nommin' on these all day and they'll most likely be gone by tonight.

{Sweet Baby Avery} | Gwinnett County Newborn Photographer

This little newbie could not have been any sweeter- so quiet and calm and a good sleeper! And that hair? Love! I was so excited to use a few new props since it has been a little while since my last newborn shoot, and she was a willing model!

Avery, you are a lucky girl to be born into such a wonderful family! Thank you guys for allowing me to capture your beautiful new addition!

{Project Christmas} NOEL!

Turn any inspirational Christmas word into an artful decoration! I am actually wanting to do this one, but haven't had time to venture out to the craft store in awhile. Maybe this weekend...?

via Better Homes and Gardens

{Project Christmas} Cinnamon Candles

How cute are these? And so simple! I am a PartyLite chick, so I will be burning Cinnamon and Bayberry all season long. Mmmmmmmm!

Get all the info on making your own Cinnamon Candles HERE!

And please share any crafts you create on our Facebook Page!