Christmas Decorations are Up!

Decorating the tree this year was extremely fun this year, but hectic at the same time.  Before I had kids I was very particular about how the ornaments on the tree looked.  Our tree had to look like a department store tree.  I always made it a point to only ornaments that matched our blue and silver color scheme.   I would plan out the placing of the ornaments so they are equally yet randomly distributed through the tree to give it an effortless look. Now with Avery and Lex our tree has become a mod podge of different ornaments the bulk of which placed at the bottom part of the tree (where the kids can place them).   Our tree has ornaments made by Avery as well as ones she picked out from the store.  Macaroni frames, cotton ball snowmen, glittered salt dough ornaments now adorn the tree.  I have to admit I like out tree better now.  I loved pulling out each of these "custom made" ornaments (that now have memories tied to them) out of the box.  

I created a timelapse video below to show you our decoration process.  It was so great having Avery decorate the tree and now worrying that it wasn't "perfect."  Lex was still too young for the process and just wanted to eat all the ornaments on the tree (not just the macaroni ornament).  Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C6NwLSmZns or below.  

Citi Tuesdays

This post brought to you by Walmart. All opinions are 100% mine.
The holiday season is officially here.  If you love the holidays, but want to still be mindful of your pocket book here is a great promotion.  Use your Citi® credit card on Citi Tuesdays on an eligible purchase of $100 or more while shopping on Walmart.com this holiday season, and receive a free $10 Walmart eGift Card.  This is online only, remember to make your purchases online.  I know I do most of my holiday shopping online nowadays.  It's so much nicer to be in the comforts of your own home and not have to deal with the crowds and the parking.
Citi® consumers that spend $100 or more on an eligible purchase on Walmart.com will receive a Walmart eGift card emailed to them weekly. The gift card will be emailed within 10 days after a qualifying Citi® credit card purchase occurs.
Who doesn't want an additional 10 dollars to shop with?
I shared on my instagram a cool knitting machine that I would love to buy for someone (possibly for myself). There were lots of really cool toys for crafty kids at Walmart.  The knitting machine was just one of many toys that I saw.  I love their selection of crafty toys for kids and the crafty adult. What are some things that you would spend the extra 10 dollars on?
The Nitty Gritty:
Terms and conditions:
To qualify for this offer, you must make a single-receipt purchase on Walmart.com of $100 or more (excluding taxes and shipping charges), by 11:59PM PT on Tuesdays, between 11/5/13 and 12/17/13, and pay for your purchase using an eligible Citi® credit card. Purchase may not include gift cards, Pharmacy, tires, Photo, customized or personalized items, Vudu, or Walmart To Go. Not valid on prior purchases or cancelled orders, and offer may not be combined with other offers or promotions. Applies to online purchases only. All Citi Branded consumer credit Cards, excluding business credit and professional cards, are eligible for the promotion; business credit cards and professional cards are not eligible. Limit one gift card per Citi® credit card, per Tuesday, per purchase of $100 or more. If a qualifying purchase is made, a Walmart eGift Card in the amount of $10.00 will be emailed within ten days of the qualifying purchase to the email address provided. A valid email address must be supplied at time of purchase to obtain a Walmart eGift Card. Use of the Walmart eGift Card is subject to the Walmart Gift Card Terms and Conditions, available on Walmart.com (at http://help.walmart.com/app/an…. Offer valid in the 50 United States only. Offer valid until 12/17/13. However, this offer is subject to modification or termination without notice

Rainbow Loom Bow (One loom)

Here is another original Rainbow Loom pattern.   It uses the quadruple single for each side of the bow.  I have been making lots of bows lately because my daughter is very into Minnie Mouse.  On the Mickey Mouse Club House they have a special small segment called "Minnie's Bowtique."  It's super girly and probably why Avery loves it so much.  I knew that if I made this bracelet she would love it.

To make the bracelet you make two separate quadruple single sides using five pegs.  Attach the two in the middle.  I created a video tutorial below so you can see how it's done.  It's not a beginners tutorial, but fairly simple.   To attach the bow to a bracelet I loop the horizontal rubber band ends to a inverted fishtail bracelet. This all makes more sense in the video tutorial here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPP9pZQeTVw)

The black and pink bracelet is a fishtail bracelet that I made with no loom.  The bow is attached to an inverted fishtail bracelet.

These would make really cute hair bands or if you made a long one a head band.