This was one of my favorite crafts and I still love to wear it every year! Check out the blog below on how to make your own Ugly Christmas Sweater….
DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater
— Read on leslielarch.wordpress.com/2017/12/11/diy-ugly-christmas-sweater/
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DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater
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DIY Advent Calendars Recap
Do you buy your kids advent calendars each year to count down the days to Christmas? If so, this is a fun and crafty way to make your own and surprise your kiddos with something each day.
When I was little, my parents would buy an advent calendar for me each year filled with a chocolate treat for each day once you opened the window. I loved counting down the days to Christmas! So, once I had my own family, I thought why not craft one of my own. I can buy the trinkets pretty cheap (Dollar Tree has got you covered) to fill each day and then craft whatever design for the box I want; to make it specific for each kiddo. It also makes it more of a surprise for the kids to open each day not knowing what trinket is in each container.
I’m in the process of starting to design the kids advent calendars for this year. Finally, pulled all of the trinkets together and finalized on what I am making the boxes look like this year. The Elves normally bring the kids their advent calendars on the 1st Day of Christmas (Dec. 1st). Here are a few examples of my year’s past.
If this is something you want to do for your family, it’s not too late and can be done with simple supplies. Click the link below and it goes more into detail of how to make your own.
https://leslielarch.wordpress.com/2017/12/03/diy-advent-calendar/
Happy Crafting! Hope you have a fabulous and blessed holiday season!
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DIY Advent Calendars
DIY Advent Calendars
— Read on leslielarch.wordpress.com/2018/12/01/2018-diy-advent-calendars/ -
Elf on the Shelf: 2020 Recap
It’s that time again. Here is a recap of our elves’ adventures.
Our family had the blessing of a beautiful little girl born in May 2020. That being said our elf, Bob, thought it would be a good idea to bring his sister, Sally, along last year to help out with the Christmas festivities and mischief.
Below is our gallery of what our elves were up to. They made sure to be fun, mischievous, and bring a bit of Christmas Science experiments for the kiddos to enjoy.
Here is a couple links to our Elf on the Shelf adventures of year’s previous:
https://leslielarch.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/just-a-few-elf-on-the-shelf-ideas/
https://leslielarch.wordpress.com/2018/10/11/elf-on-the-shelf-adventures/
If you want to see all of our elves adventures this year, you can follow me on Instagram, @leslielarch.
Do you have any fun elf on the shelf ideas? If so, please share in the comments. Hope everyone has a beautiful holiday season, full of love and laughter! Can’t wait for our elves adventures to begin in just a few days!
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Who’s Ready for the Elf?
Have you started your Elf Planning? It’s that time. The Elves begin to arrive next Friday. It is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Our elves bring so much joy to our three kiddos.
I start pinning and taking screenshots in January just to save and remember everything I want to do for the next year. Once November hits, it’s time to lay out the calendar, make my craft to-do list and prepare all supplies needed.
What is your strategy for Elf Planning? Do you have any fabulous ideas you would like to share? I will posting my elves’ adventures from last year shortly if you are needing ideas. Also, I have multiple posts with ideas from previous years. Hope you all have a beautiful and blessed holiday and elf season! Happy Planning!
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New Crime Noir Book Release
I am an avid reader. I enjoy all genres and topics for books. A new crime noir genre novel has just hit the market and I am so excited.
Mary Jane’s MagnifiCat just hit Amazon Kindle last week. Matthew Richards is a new and upcoming Author. This is his first work and he will be coming out with more novels and short stories in the near future.
In the story, the main characters are Sam and Bill. Both are struggling with what their lives have come to and in a way want to step out of their old ways. But their old habits and past catch up with them. After ripping off their old boss, a chain of events unfold. Will Sam & Bill survive, will they be able to get away with the prize, and are they able to change and start their lives anew?
I am so amazed by this author’s writing and accomplishments. It takes so much work to finish a novel.
Just a little about the author…
After a few years as a United States Marine and a very brief spell around the world as a photojournalist in places that can be very dangerous to humans, Matthew Richards decided to spend his time educating and raising his children, relaxing with friends, reading the works of his bettors before him, and writing the best possible product he could complete no matter where the journey took him. He has one-of-them newfangled interdisciplinary bachelor’s degrees in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Washington at Tacoma, but to be honest he’s not a fan of politics and prefers being alone in the quiet of nature to shaking hands and making deals. Matthew Richards is a great guy. You should buy all of his books but for the moment this is the only one you’ll find probably. Hopefully that changes soon!
You can follow and find out more on Matthew Richards’ novel Mary Jane’s MagnifiCat on the following social mediums:Facebook: Matthew Richards @matthewthescribe
Instagram: @matthewthescribe
Twitter: @MattthescribeThe novel is available for purchase on Amazon at:
Mary Jane’s MagnifiCat by Matthew Richards
Check it out! I would love to hear your feedback on what you think about his novel.
If you are an author or know of another great work or wonderful author, please let me know! I would be glad to help promote their work!
Hope everyone is having a fabulous day! Happy Reading!
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Worldwide Christmas Jingle 2020
Let’s spread joy and kindness out into the universe on Christmas Eve at 6pm! Sending love, kindness, hugs, and peace to all!
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Elf on the Shelf 2020: Week Three
We are onto week three with our elves, Bob and Sally, and the fun just never ends!
Coloring the M & Ms 
Elf Cornhole 
Let’s make Wookiee Cookies 
Our Wookiee Cookies 
Elf Yoga 
TP the Tree 
Gummy Bear Foosball 
Hanging Around til Christmas!
Elf on the Shelf 2020: Week Three For our Wookiee Cookie recipe, click link here!
Happy Elfing!
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Elf on the Shelf 2020: Week Two
Oh our elves are busy being mischievous and having fun this Christmas!
Rock Stars 
Working Out 
Spread the Love 
The Milk turned Bad! 
Indiana Jones Elves 
Elves at School 
Snowstorm Science Experiment 
Elf on the Shelf 2020: Week Two Snowstorm Science Experiment
You’ll Need:
Baby oil
Water
White Acrylic Paint
Glitter
Alka Seltzer Tabs
Mason Jar
Directions:
Fill the mason jar halfway full with Baby Oil. In a separate bowl, mix paint and water together. Sprinkle glitter on top of baby oil then add paint mixture. Drop in Alka Seltzer tablet and watch the Snowstorm appear in the jar.
Merry Christmas!
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Elf Mischief 2020: Week One
It’s been a fun-filled week so far. Bob showed up the day after Thanksgiving and brought his sister with him this year. The boys finally decided on her name. My oldest wanted to call her Sally and my second wanted to name her Hotdog. Neither would back down from their name choice so she became Sally Hotdog. The elves have been getting into all kinds of mischief so far. Here’s what they have been up to below. Stay tuned for more Bob and Sally Hotdog Adventures week by week this Holiday Season!
They arrived! 
Melted Snowman 
Marshmellow Houses 
Shark Rides 
Exploding Snowman Science Experiment 
1st Day of Christmas 
Making Snowflakes 
Spa Day
Happy Elfing! For the Science Experiment of Exploding Snowmen you’ll need:
1 ziploc bag
Markers
Baking Soda
Vinegar
***WARNING***
You probably want to do this experiment in the kitchen sink to avoid a mess.
Directions:
Let your kids draw a snowman on the front of a ziploc bag. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda in the bag. Then pour one cup of vinegar in the bag. Quickly zip up the bag. Place in the sink and wait….
The carbon dioxide gas will build up in the ziploc bag and eventually make it explode open.
Tada! Exploding Snowman! Gotta love science!
