Bring a Smile to a Child this Christmas!

Help me lift a child’s spirit this Christmas! Every year I will be hosting a fundraiser with the Scentsy buddies, this year Scentsy gave me the opportunity to benefit 2 causes at one time!

Your $30.00 donation will benefit 2 great causes and help a child smile. 100% of net proceeds will go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities and then I will deliver all Sasha bears bought to the Western Baptist NICU, Paducah, KY and to the Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY. I will deliver all the bears close to Christmas. Every child in the hospital deserves to smile. For more details or to donate…Contact me today! Jcnutty@gmail.com…..I have a paypal account for anyone wanting to send donations using their credit or debit cards. Safe & Secure…I never see your information. If you use paypal just put “Charity Donation”.

Thank you for joining me in helping to bring joy to so many children and for helping to donate to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Each and every Scentsy buddy is high quality and will be treasured for a lifetime! Each Buddy has a zippered pocket and comes with a scent pak which will bring Sasha to life with scrumptious Scentsy fragrance.

If you would prefer to donate toward a different Scentsy buddy, please be aware that your donation will still be given to these wonderful children, however, the net proceeds will not go toward the Ronald McDonald House Charities. My net proceeds will, but I have no control of the net proceeds made by Scentsy. To view the full collection of buddies click HERE.

I will update this post in December with pics and let everyone know how many buddies have been donated!!! I hope there are so many that I have to rent a trailer to get them there!! Let’s get started!! Contact me today! Jcnutty@gmail.com …You can also find me on Facebook! Please share this with your friends and family!

Pookie the Polar Bear is part of our Limited Edition 2011 Holiday Collection. If you are looking for a great Christmas gift for your little one go to my web site to view the full collection of buddies available.

Mini-Me Apron Set

As I was surfing the net the other day I came across this really cute tutorial and just have to share. This would make a very cute set for a daughter/granddaughter or whomever…a wonderful item to make for Christmas. I know I am already thinking about next years gifts…are you?

Props to Living with Punks! Enjoy her work…very talented lady! Mini-Me Apron Set…Click Here!

Fabric Playhouse

With the cold permeating my very being, I have been trying to come up with ways to have more fun inside our home. I came across this idea for a fabric playhouse and just have to share. With only a table and some cloth (and a few minor things) you can make a charming playhouse for you little ones. There are a couple of ways I found to do this. Actually more than a couple..lol…but, I am going to share a few ideas…mainly the one I like the most, which is my own combination of different ideas. 🙂

1. This way will work for any shape table.

Measure the height of your table from the inside ledge to the floor. This will be the width of your fabric. Measure the length of  the inside ledge of your table. This will be the length of your fabric. (Two times the length around the table for fuller gathers looks good if you are using patterned fabric.)  Using different fabrics on every side is ok too. Get creative….if you have a boy and girl, one side could be in a princess fabric and the other with cars or trains.

Hem edges of fabric.  Sew the fabric into a blanket binding, then attach the soft part of the velcro to the binding. The prickly part of the velcro is stuck (This can be reinforced with a staple gun, screws or whatever your creative mind can come up with.) to the inside edge of the table all the time, and when you want to play clubhouse, you just velcro the skirt on.

If you are going with muslin (an inexpensive cotton cloth), I would recommend cutting the cloth only the length around the inside of your table. This way it hangs straight down. You can add windows, etc..as you choose. If using muslin, wash and dry the fabric to preshrink it. You can create a window by cutting out three sides of a square panel(draw this on..wherever you want your window) leave top attached. Add two adhesive-backed velcro dots to the outside of the tent just above the window. Roll up the window, and add the matching dots to the roll to hold the window in place. Make a roll-up door using the same technique.

You can make a changeable sign for your playhouse by attaching a clear pocket protector to the house’s side with Velcro dots. Slip in a paper sign and change out as you change play. Is it a pet shop today? Or maybe..a Firehouse or Castle? Oh….Santa’s Workshop! Your playhouse can be anything you want it to be. If using a plain fabric, you can decorate your tent easily with fabric markers. If you like to applique ..you could do wonders with that.

2.This idea works great if you have a card table or something similar.

If you would rather not do any sewing, or very little….you can make a playhouse using muslin that covers your table and hangs off of the sides. Muslin comes in several widths up to 10′ wide.  If your table isn’t too big…you wouldn’t need to sew at all just measure your table width, depth and height. Cut out corners and lay over your table. Decorate as desired!

3. I would recommend a card table for this project as well.

If you like to work with felt…you can use the same, over the table concept to create you playhouse. (Although you will have to sew your pieces together…felt doesn’t come in that big of pieces. Then decorate with more felt! There are a lot of ideas to work with using felt. Check out felt table playhouses on Etsy for more ideas.

I hope this helps you to have a little more fun out of the weather. Let me know if  you need any help with making your own! Also, when not in use…a drawstring bag comes in handy to store it. These would also make wonderful Christmas gifts!

Inspirational Poem: The Night Before Christmas

“T’was the night before Christmas and all through the town
Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy with Christmas time chores
Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores.

No one sang “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed”.
Instead, they sang of Santa dressed-up in bright red.

Mama watched Martha Stewart, Papa drank beer from a tap.
As hour upon hour the presents they’d wrap
When what from the T.V.
did they suddenly hear?
‘Cept an ad.. which told of a big sale at Sears.

So away to the mall they all flew like a flash…
Buying things on credit…
and others with cash!

And, as they made their way home from their trip to the mall,
Did they think about Jesus? Oh, no… not at all.

Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things
No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King.

There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake.
How could they stop and remember who died for their sake?

To pray to the Savior…
they had no time to stop.
Because they needed more time to “Shop til they dropped!”

On Wal-mart! On K-mart!
On Target! On Penney’s!
On Hallmark! On Zales!
A quick lunch at Denny’s.
From the big stores downtown to the stores at the mall,
they would dash away, dash away, and visit them all!

And up on the roof, there arose such a clatter
As grandpa hung icicle lights up on his brand new step ladder.

He hung lights that would flash.
He hung lights that would twirl.
Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus…
Light of the World.

Christ’s eyes… how they twinkle!
Christ’s Spirit… how merry!
Christ’s love… how enormous!
All our burdens… He’ll carry!

So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight
Let’s put Christ back in Christmas and enjoy some good nights.”
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Bath & Body Works: Free Holiday Pocketbac with Any Purchase till 12/5/10

Bath and Body Works is offering a FREE Reindeer PocketBac with any purchase. So you could buy one and get one free! They retail for about $1.50.

You have until Sunday, December 5th to use this coupon.

10 Things: Keeping Christ in Christmas and in our Hearts

As we get caught up in all the hustle and bustle at Christmas time, it is sometimes hard to keep Christ at the forefront of out thoughts. Here are a few things that help me to remember my Savior, not only at Christmas time but throughout the year.

1. Study your scriptures! The best way to keep Christ in our thoughts is to learn of him. Go to the source. Study of the scriptures on a daily basis will bring Christ into your life.

2. Pray in the name of Christ! Praying is an act of humility, a necessary attribute to bring us closer to Christ. As we pray with sincerity we will open ourselves to God’s love and peace. Start by increasing how often you pray, at least once per day, and your thoughts will be more focused on Christ. If you’re new to prayer just start small with a simple prayer. Express your thoughts and feelings to God and He will hear you.

3. Decorate with Christ in mind. Decorate your home with pictures of Christ, from both His birth and life. You can put up decorations that feature the birth of Christ including a nativity scene and Christmas advent calendar. Be creative as you decorate for the holiday. If you can’t find Christ centered decorations you can make your own.

4. Listen to Christ centered music. Focus on the words as you listen. What do they say to you? Do you feel the spirit touch your heart? There are so many beautiful songs about Christ. Our Father in Heaven loves to hear us sing. D&C 25:12 says..”For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.”
We will be blessed with Christ in our lives as we sing those songs of praise and comfort.

5. Focus your entertainment on Christ. There are many good books and movies about our Savior. If we will focus more of our downtime on Christ we will find ourselves closer to him. The following book is an excellent Christ-centered resource:
21 Days Closer to Christ – With 21 chapters, 21 invitations and 21 journeys to embark upon, this book is a great place to start coming closer to Christ.

6. Memorize Scriptures. An excellent way to focus your thoughts upon Christ during the Christmas season is to repeat scriptures, quotes, and other sayings about Christ throughout the day. Jot down some Christmas scriptures or Christmas quotes in a mini notebook or on some index cards and then carry them with you wherever you go. During those moments when you’re not doing anything (standing in line, stopped in traffic, on break, etc.) pull out your notebook and read your affirmations about Christ and Christmas. Such a small act has great power to keep Christ in Christmas.

7. Keep a Spiritual Journal. Keep a journal and write your thoughts about Him in it. All you need is a little notebook and a pen/pencil to get you started. Write down what you’re thankful for, how you feel, and what hopes you have. Write about past experiences, including those at Christmas time, and how you’ve seen the hand of God in your life. Share those Christmas traditions that remind you of Christ. Putting your thoughts to paper is a powerful way to change the focus of your thoughts and keep Christ in Christmas.

8. Share your love of Christ with others. Share your testimony of your Savior with your family, friends, co-workers or even strangers as it is appropriate. Ask them how they feel about Christ. You can show respect for those who do not believe in him by simply sharing your faith in Christ and how you feel about Christmas and allow them to share how they feel as well. Everyone has the right to worship as they see fit.

9. Serve others with charity. Christ was our greatest example of service with charity. He never expected anything in return for what he gave. He loved unconditionally with pure love. Moroni 7:46-47 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
We can emulate the Savior by serving others and this will bring us closer to him.

10. Give a gift to Christ. Christmastime is so focused on rushing here and there to buy this and that. Giving, getting and receiving seem to be the main focus of the season. If our thoughts are centered on Christ, what would he have us do? All of the above mentioned things are wonderful ways to show our love. As you serve others, as you seek to know the Savior and serve him you will be blessed.

By giving ourselves fully to him we will have his spirit with us and will find that it is not hard to know the true meaning of Christmas and how to keep Christ in it. May you have a joyous holiday season with Christ as your center.

Christmas Cookies For Troops

I have spent the last week thinking about what our family would do for our Christmas service project this year. Christmas is about giving, not receiving and I want my children to remember that when they are grown and far away.  I have always thought how nice it would be to send care packages to our troops. So…this is what I want to do. I just need a little help. I need addresses of soldiers to send them to.

I will send cookies to any troops whose addresses are given to me. (At least as many as I can keep up with..or can afford. I have 3 little ones who are willing to help out!) Every box of cookies will contain a handwritten card which connects the troops to their community, I’ll say who gave me their address. I’ll jot a funny story and a encouraging quote. (If you have one that you would like included, please send me that as well.) I want the troops to know this isn’t some random woman with a cookie baking fetish sending out oodles of cookies.  This is the labors of their community. This is a extension of love from their friends and family. This is letting them know they are not forgotten. That they are on the forefront of the minds of those who know them personally–and even some who don’t know them.

I understand that the cutoff date to send Priority Mail is Dec. 10th to get it there by Christmas. I can send them after that, of course. We just can’t expect them to have them by Christmas. Although, I am pretty sure they wouldn’t care when they got them. Goodies are goodies! If you would like to send a donation to help with supplies or mailing, I would be happy to accept them. I can accept checks, money orders, or Paypal. If you can’t afford anything..but want to send out cookies anyway…send me those addresses. (Mailing alone will be 12.50 per large box to an APO/FPO address overseas.)

You can contact me by commenting here with information or you can send me an e-mail to jcnutty@gmail.com.  Please put “Cookies For Troops” in the subject line. I live in Kentucky, but like I said…I will send to anywhere, regardless of the area they are requested from. If you would like to volunteer to take any requests for addresses from your area/community that I may get..let me know! I would like to help out as many troops as possible. Hopefully this will turn out to be a huge success!!

If you would like to send some out yourself, but need recipe ideas for cookies that handle the shipping well, keep an eye out. I will be posting some soon.