Dove Garland -- From Frugal Family Fun Blog

Here's another quick, last minute Christmas craft you and the kids can make to make your home more festive and ready for the holidays.  I personally love the idea of using something I have on hand to make an ornament, so this is right up my alley.  Visit the Frugal Family Fun Blog for more quick and easy and fun ideas.  While you are there, don't forget to say "Hi!" in the comments.

Emily and I made a pretty dove garland, and it was made using our new favorite art supply — coffee filters! These were so much fun to make!! If you have some coffee filters on hand, you can download our template, and print it out on card stock, to make a dove garland of your own!

Fold 2 or 3 coffee filters in half and line up the pattern so that the belly of the dove is on the crease of the fold. Invite your child over to trace the pattern!

Cut out your doves! Since the filters are thin, you can cut 2 or 3 at a time.

Separate your beautiful birds! They may want to give one another a kiss!

Attach your birds along some string with tape. Ours are in the kitchen, and every time there is a slight breeze, they look like they’re flying!!

Weeeee!!! Fly, doves, fly!!

We have another fun and frugal coffee filter craft coming soon (Clara LOVED it!), so get some coffee filters and craft along with us!

Have fun!!

Related articles

• Coffee Filter Wreath Tutorial (sorta) (courtneyoutloud.wordpress.com)
• Ring Around the Coffee Filter..... (courtneyoutloud.wordpress.com)
• Trimming the Tree, Frugally (momblognetwork.com)
• Holiday Activities for Kids (thehappyhousewife.com)
• Last-Minute, Stress-Free Holiday Decorating (wisebread.com)

Paper Fan Flower

 Here is a wonderful tutorial I found on Under the Table and Dreaming.  Since it is so close to Christmas now, I thought I'd post this here and suggest that this would make a really beautiful substitute for a bow on packages.  They could be kept and hung next year as ornaments, so you'd be giving two gifts in one.  Just a thought!  I know these are beautiful and easy so I hope you can make a few this year.  Maybe just make some to give to co-workers as Christmas presents?  Enjoy.  Please do visit both of these wonderful blogs, too and don't be shy.  Leave them comments!


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Hello all, this is Heather from WhipperBerry!

We were soooo excited when Stephanie Lynn asked us to be a part of her handmade ornament week. The problem for us…picking just one. We decided to offer two super simple ornaments that would be lovely on a tree, as décor or a beautiful gift for friends and neighbors.

We will begin with the Paper Fan Flower. We have used this little gem several different ways and thought it would also make a great ornament for a beautiful tree. Here is how to make one.

You will need’

• One sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper. I would use a rather light weight paper for this project.
• Paper cutter and scissors.
• A glue gun

Cut paper into three, 3x12 strips.

Start folding the first strip of paper like a paper fan with 1/2 inch folds.

Continue folding all three strips of paper.

Next, you need to glue all three strips of paper together with hot glue. Put a thin strip of glue on the end of the first strip and connect the second strip while keeping the folds consistent.

Then connect the third strip, making on long folded piece of paper.

You will then connect the ends.

Next, you will smoosh {real technical, I know} it down to create the flower.

The flower will need to be anchored in order to keep that shape.

I take a piece of scrap card stock and place a large glob of hot glue in the center of the card stock. Then place the center of the flower on top of the glue and push it together to tighten the flower.

You can embellish the center how ever you like. For this example I used a button but you can use anything really.

Related articles

• 30 Beautiful Do-It-Yourself Wreath Projects (onlinecertificateprograms.org)
• Go tree free without losing the sparkle (knoxnews.com)
• Create a Vintage Style Holiday Wreath (cathiefilian.blogspot.com)
• How to Make Paper Mache Ornaments (csahm.com)
• DIY: 35 Out of the Ordinary Ornaments to Make (frugalupstate.com)
• Projects " How-To's " Pleated Paper Flowers (cutoutandkeep.net)
• Tuesday Take out: Cards turned ornaments (hkpowerstudio.wordpress.com)

Here is a recipe that is simple and tastes great.

I found this recipe here

♥ Apple Pie Cake ♥

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 4 apples (your choice of variety) cored, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup whole wheat (or white if you prefer) flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• dash of salt

Combine sugar, eggs and almond extract in a large bowl. Mix well. Stir in the sliced apples to this mixture. Sprinkle the flour, baking powder and pinch of salt over the appley-good mixture. Mix Mix, Stir Stir...until well combined. Pour into a greased 8-10 inch pie or cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
YUM!!

It's crazy-simple, and SO SO good!

I am always looking for simple and easy recipes, especially now when time is so constrained and you feel you are being pulled in a million directions at once.  This cake is to die for and just the ticket for a cold, holiday evening.  I made it and served it with vanilla ice cream while it was warm.  UMMMMMM GOOD!
Please feel free to check out the blog I found this recipe on, if you have time.