Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Trixie the elf has been busy keeping an eye on Sophie and Willow this holiday season. She's also been busy getting into all kinds of mischief around the house. Here are some of the things she's gotten into over the last few days.

Modeling Mom's jewellery.

Exploring the Christmas tree decorations.

Hanging from the light fixture.

Leaving Sophie a special message with Cheerios.

Eating candy from the gingerbread house.

Trying on the magnet shoes on the fridge.

Having breakfast with Little People.

We're having a blast with Trixie, our homemade version of the Elf on the Shelf. For more elf mischief ideas see my first post here.

Make It Monday: Mustache Mugs

Mustache's seem to be greeting me everywhere I go lately. Even post-Movember they are still out and about, but seem to be taking on different forms. I decided to jump on the bandwagon and create my own tribute to the mustache by creating some mugs depicting facial hair styles. Here's a written tutorial using two different ceramic paint types.

What you'll need:

Ceramic mug
Pencil
Ceramic paint pen or pots
Paintbrush (if using paint pots)


Step 1. Trace or draw a mustache onto your mug. Keep in mind you'll need to choose the correct side depending on if the beverage consumer is right or left handed.

Step 2. Paint over the sketched mustache. If you're using the paint pots and a paintbrush you'll need to do a couple of coats.

Step 3. Allow to dry according to the directions of your paint product. The paint pen I used required at least 4 hrs to dry and at most 8 hrs before heat curing in the oven. The paint pots I used required 4 days to dry before heat curing.

Step 4. Heat cure the mugs in an oven according to the paint product directions. Both products I used required placing the mugs in a cold oven, setting the correct oven temperature, baking for the allotted time once the oven reached the set temperature, turning the oven off, and opening the oven door slightly to allow the mugs to return to room temperature slowly.


Note: The heat cured finish for the mugs I made using ceramic paint pots was not dishwasher safe even though the directions say it should be. I didn't test the ceramic paint pen mugs in the dishwasher. I'd recommend hand washing your hand painted ceramics.

I created this set of "famous" mustache mugs to contribute to our work silent auction fundraiser for the United Way. It brought in a whopping $75. I used the paint pen to make this set.



 

I made this set, including a "his" and "hers" pair and 4 personality mustache mugs, as a secret Santa gift for a coworker. I used the ceramic paint pots and a fine point paintbrush to make this set.  

With these mugs anybody can sport a stache!


Happy Monday!

Santa's Elf - Our Christmas Tradition

I love Christmas and the holiday season in its entirety. Now that I have children the magic and the excitement of believing is overwhelming. At 3 years old Sophie is in awe of the beauty and miraculous happenings that come with the season.

I get a certain tingly feeling everytime Sophie's eyes light up in amazement. So for my own indulgent reasons I decided to begin a new Christmas tradition to ensure that those bright eyes would grace our home every single day without fail. I am an avid Pinterest pinner and have come across several pins about the Elf on the Shelf. One can purchase the whole kit and caboodle somewhere, but instead of spending money I decided to adopt the general idea and run with it.

I started by purchasing this little figurine from my local dollar store for $1.50. 

With the addition of some craft felt, hot glue, a couple of gems, and my handy sewing machine the little diva was transformed into Trixie, one of Santa's elves from the North Pole.

The Story

On the night of November 30th this sparkly gold package arrived on our front step.

Attached to it was a very important letter to Sophie from Santa Claus.

Dear Sophie,

It was very nice seeing you at the Zoo Lights on Monday and I’ll see if I can put a Spiderman under the tree for you this year. You’re getting so big. That’s why I’ve sent this special gift for you. In this box is someone very important and I would like you to take good care of her.

Her name is Trixie. She is one of my elves. She will need to stay with you until Christmas Day. I am counting on you to look after her. Trixie has a job to do while she’s staying with you too. When you go to bed each night she will come back to the North Pole and tell me how good you’ve been. When you wake up in the morning Trixie will be back at your house.

Trixie, like all elves, can be a bit mischievous. When you find her in the morning she might be doing something silly. I hope she doesn’t cause too much trouble for you.

Remember to be a good girl and take care of Trixie for me.

Love Santa 

As you can see, it was love at first sight. Unlike the original Elf on the Shelf, Trixie doesn't lose her magic when someone touches her so Sophie is free to play with our little visitor to her hearts content.

And without fail each and every morning Trixie is up to something silly and Sophie's eyes light up in amazement every time.

A snack with a new friend.

An early breakfast.

Kisses from the salt & pepper Claus's.

A pony ride.

Stocking acrobatics.

A drawing for Sophie.

Story time with the fairies.

I'll post more pictures of Trixie's antics as the days go by and Christmas approaches.

Make It Monday: Animal Figurine Ring Holder

 

Do you ever set your rings in random places in your kitchen while you're washing dishes or kneading dough? I do. And I often forget where I put them. This funny little elephant figurine has now become the new home for my rings when I'm working in the kitchen.

What you'll need:

Plastic figurine

Acrylic paint

Varnish gloss 

Paintbrush

Medium terracotta pot base

Spray paint

Felt

Scissors

Hot glue

Directions:

Step 1.  Spray paint the terracotta pot base with a high gloss black spray paint or your colour of choice. Re-coat as directed and allow to dry completely.

Step 2. Paint your plastic figurine as desired. Once it's dry apply two coats of a clear varnish gloss to seal the acrylic.

Step 3. Trace the bottom of the terracotta pot base onto felt and cut out. Hot glue the felt to the bottom of the terracotta base.

Step 4. Hot glue the feet of your figurine to the terracotta pot. Now it's ready to guard your jewellery while you slave away in the kitchen, hooray!

Happy Monday!