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Another Giving Christmas

My friend Karly from Paisley Roots has a series called A Giving Christmas in which I participated last year.  I was really excited to hear she was doing it again this year and quickly jumped on board.  This is a good time of year to remind our kids (and ourselves) about the spirit of giving.

Since Bean is three and a half and still into animals, I thought we’d tackle another easy bird feeder.  Last year’s was a big hit and she really seemed to get that we were doing something kind for the birds.  There’s a lot of talk about being kind this year (it’s tough being three years old) so I thought it’d be a great way to emphasize the point.  She has teachers this year so I thought it’d also be a gift that she could make to give to her teachers.  We used most of the recipe found here from Salt Water Kids.  **Spoiler Alert**

It did not end well for the birds, hehe.  After letting the bird feeders dry overnight they just sort of crumbled when we took them out of the molds.  I cannot blame the original recipe at all…

…because of course I switched up some of the ingredients and I’m certain that was the issue.  I didn’t use flour or corn syrup and used peanut butter instead.  Looking back I think the flour and corn syrup must act like a glue.  I was hoping the peanut butter and gelatin would be enough to hold them together, but alas.

Now, I could have just posted a few cute pics of Bean making these ornaments and then pretended everything went off without a hitch, but that would probably be the opposite of what this series is intended to be, hehe.

This was the first time I’ve let Bean make something where she got to put in all the ingredients and stir and do it all herself.  I am a bit of a control freak about our kitchen, but we did these outside in our not-quite-finished-but-completely-sealed-in-so-a-couple-of-space-heaters-do-the-trick-new sunroom so I let her take control.

And she LOVED it.  She did a great job with all of the steps and was really careful about keeping each ingredient in the bowl.

It’s easy to miss these moments when we’re rushing through life and don’t take the time to stand back and watch.

It’s easier for me to just do things quickly myself rather than have Bean help out, but I can see it’s important to her that I let her participate sometimes.

In the coming year I’m sure I’ll need reminders to stop, slow down, and let her help but for sure this was a teaching moment for me.  Just watching how excited she was (mixed with a sort of disbelief) that I was letting her do it all was really fun.

Even though we’ll have to regroup and try a different approach to the bird feeder recipe (cause again, it’s more fun to try to make up your own recipe), this wasn’t really a fail at all.  I gave Bean the reigns and she gave me a bit of perspective.  So in the spirit of giving we sort of hit the mark, right?  Do you guys have traditions at your house that help keep you grounded this time of year?  I’d love to hear them!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jaime Johnson

    December 8, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    I am the same way – I try to let them help but it's a lesson I need reminding of often. She's adorable and fails are good lessons too. You just gotta keep trying. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. J W

    December 8, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    yep the corn syrup must be much stronger than peanut butter could ever be. she looks so excited!!

    Reply
  3. Donna Wucherer

    December 8, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Savor these moments, Ajaire. You will never get them back. A little mess once in a while will pay big dividends in the future. Looks like she had a great time!

    Reply

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Today’s the day! The Morgana Zip-Up/Cover-Up is Today’s the day!  The Morgana Zip-Up/Cover-Up is live as a part of the Project Under the Sea collaboration released this morning over @projectrunandplay 💕💕

This zip-up has views for a cropped and oversized hoodie as well as four other cover-up style looks.  Designed for minimal stretch fabrics, it works great with French terry, sweatshirting, and of course the beloved new Cloud Cuddle© from @shannonfabrics (shown in the cover looks.)
You can find the pattern (sized newborn to 16 years) on sale exclusively through Project Run & Play for a month. Check out all the views in the listing. 💕💕

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This big sister turns 12 today! 💕💕 This big sister turns 12 today! 💕💕
The new Cloud Cuddle© from @shannonfabrics is inc The new Cloud Cuddle© from @shannonfabrics is incredibly soft on both sides, which made it perfect for a new layering piece. 💕💕
It has just enough stretch for the Chromium Cropped Sweatshirt, but I needed to cut the neckband on the bias to make sure it would stretch over her head. 🙌🏻🙌🏻
She wouldn’t stop petting her arms and talking about just how soft it is. 😍😍

#designsbycallajaire #dbcachromium #shannonfabrics #shannoncuddle #cloudcuddle #shannonfabricscloudcuddle
It was a fun class day @sewspecialinc as we were a It was a fun class day @sewspecialinc as we were able to finish up some Larry the Lion stuffies leftover from a class this past winter. I’m so glad these ladies were able to come out to join me and complete their projects 😍😍

Fabrics are cuddle by @shannonfabrics and the pattern is @funkyfriendsfactory
Well, it’s been awhile, but Designs by Call Ajai Well, it’s been awhile, but Designs by Call Ajaire has a new pattern that’s ready for testing!! 
Meet the Morgana Zip-Up/Cover-Up in sizes nb-16 years.  This is the perfect beach/pool cover up and was designed for minimal stretch knits, so french terry, cuddle minky, sweatshirting are all great options here.  Other knits could be used, but YMMV.

Testing will begin Wednesday the 26th and end May 6th.  This is a relatively short turn-around, but the block has been used in the past and I’m not anticipating much in the way of fit changes.  If you’d like to test, just fill out this google form (in profile). Thanks!!
https://forms.gle/N8fkAGRXho6YsZbH9
fabrics here are cloud cuddle from @shannonfabrics 

#designsbycallajaire #dbcamorgana
Well, it's been awhile, but Designs by Call Ajaire Well, it's been awhile, but Designs by Call Ajaire has a new pattern that's ready for testing!! 
Meet the Morgana Zip-Up/Cover-Up in sizes nb-16 years.  This is the perfect beach/pool cover up and was designed for minimal stretch knits, so french terry, cuddle minky, sweatshirting are all great options here.  Other knits could be used, but YMMV.

Testing will begin Wednesday the 26th and end May 6th.  This is a relatively short turn-around, but the block has been used in the past and I'm not anticipating much in the way of fit changes.  If you'd like to test, just fill out this google form (in profile). Thanks!!
https://forms.gle/N8fkAGRXho6YsZbH9
I love it when the insides are pretty 💕💕🌵 I love it when the insides are pretty 💕💕🌵🌵
#designsbycallajaire #dbcacapechinos
When you’re working on a pair of pants and you r When you’re working on a pair of pants and you realize that the inside pocket material is the same as your ironing board cover 😆😆💕💕

@wolfandrabbitfabrics for the win! 💪🏻💪🏻💕💕
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I've always loved making. At an early age I started cross stitching and sewing and I taught myself to knit and crochet during college. When our seven year old daughter Bean was born I was filled with all sorts of inspiration, so now I find ways to manage my crafty time and treasure those moments. Though sewing is what I'm most passionate about these days, there's something about the portability of yarn crafts and embroidery that keeps drawing me back in. Read More…

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