12 DIY Christmas Stocking Projects

When I was growing up, my favorite part of Christmas morning was going through my stocking. Mostly because I love cute little trinkets, tasty treats and treasures, but also because my parents would let us snag our stockings and take them back to bed to dig through, where as “under the tree” was off-limits until they dragged themselves out to the living room. So the Christmas stocking has always held a place in my heart and these 12 DIY beauties get me even more excited about hanging a stocking by the fire in a few weeks. Up first we have a campy and on-trend Cactus Christmas Stocking Pattern by My Poppet that makes this Texas girl swoon. Here are 11 more DIY Christmas Stocking Patterns and Projects that you are sure to love…

Quilted Christmas Stocking with FREE Pattern!IMG_9036 Jersey and Wool Felt StockingIMG_3394_webb

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5 Cozy Winter Sewing Projects

How to Make Fabric Slippers Free PatternWhip up a pair of cozy slippers with our How to Make Fabric Slippers with Free Pattern tutorial.

Make yourself a cruelty free stole with our Fox Scarf with Free Pattern tutorial. Make up a few more as gifts!

Sew your very first (easy) quilt with our Introduction to Cheater Quilts tutorial. Introduction to Cheater Quilts Tutorial

Make this adorable Kimono Cardigan for a little one you love: How to Sew a Kimono Cardigan. Hew to Sew a Kimono Cardigan

Or sew yourself something cozy with our DIY Sweatshirt Dress Tutorial. DIY Sweatshirt Dress Tutorial

Happy sewing!

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25 Ugly Christmas Sweaters You Wish That You Owned

ugly christmas sweatersIf you have an Ugly Holiday Sweater party coming up, you can take the easy road and turn to off-the-rack options at Target or Amazon or you can grab that tree by its shiny balls and do it old school.We’re talking applique, puffy paint and garland. My friend Brad looked no further than his mother’s closet for this vintage beauty which he made his own with some daring, midriff-baring styling. Here are 25 inspiring photos that you can use to create an Ugly Christmas Sweater that will make you a legend among your friends and co-workers this holiday season.

He’s Watching You. The Christmas sock reindeer is known to attack at any moment.
| “Ribbit” Around The Christmas Tree. Looks like the frog prince turned into a Christmas tree instead this time.  Image source: Craftster | Get this sweater from Etsy

Jingle Bells. Here’s a tip for embellishing your ugly sweater, more is always better. | Garland Garment. This CANNOT be comfortable. Image source: Imgur | Image source: Imgur

Cat Man, yes please! How do you like meow? | Christmas Kisses. With a sweater like this, how can any girl resist? Image source: The Daily Green | Image source: The Daily Green

Hottie on Your Heart. Ho ho ho! | Pinkalicious. A nutcracking good time.Image source: My Ugly Christmas Sweater | Image source: The Daily Green

Fringe is in when feeling festive as the ol’ post office! | Madonna Makes an Appearance. It will be hard getting people to look at your face. Image source: Rock Your Ugly Christmas Sweater | Get sweaters like this from My Ugly Christmas Sweater

Speaking of Balls. Who Needs a Tree, When you have dear ol’ dad? | Take an “Elfie”. Looks like this one came straight from Santa’s workshop, and one of his elves escaped with the sweater.Image source: National Geographic | Get this sweater from Etsy

Last-Minute Sweater. When the stores are all sold out of ugly sweaters, just stick a tacky stocking on a sweater you already own. | Christmas Lifesaver. Looks more like a holiday inner tube than a wreath, but the festive lights make up for that. Get this sweater from Etsy | Get this sweater from Etsy

Turtleneck, Light-Up Surprise. You really look like you’re ready to party in this bad boy. | Coolest Candy Cane Family. Create memories your kids will never forget. And if they do forget, you will have photos to remind them. Image source: Rusty Zipper | Image source: Rock Your Ugly Christmas Sweater

Easiest DIY Christmas Sweater. Instead of hanging the wreath on the door, hang it on yourself. | Strange Placement. For the naughty one of the party. Image source: NY Mag | Image source: Beauty Riot

Grandma Gone Wild. Now that’s a Pink Lady. | Naughty Snowman. Yeah, we see what you did there. Image source: Beauty Riot | Get this sweater from Ebay

The Life of the Party. He’s got rows upon rows of Christmas cheer. | All the Sweaters. If you’re wearing an ugly sweater vest, make sure to wear the ugly sweater under it too. You know you’re finished when people stop noticing that you are holding a goat.  | Image source: Boredom Travels Findings | Image source: LCCC

Covered in Bows. The only way to complete this outfit is by adding about 10-15 bows to your hair too. | Fringe and Ornaments. The tree doesn’t need ornaments anyway. Image source: Royal Oaks | Image source: My Ugly Christmas Sweater

You know that you’ve reached Ugly Christmas Sweater legend status when your friends ask to borrow your sweater for years to come. Happy Christmas! Hope it’s Ugly!

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Best (and Easiest) Beef Jerky Recipe for Kids

The Best Beef Jerky Recipe for KidsWhilst I was whiling away a lovely weekend in Copenhagen, my husband introduced my (somewhat picky) daughter to the wonderful world of beef jerky. Imagine my surprise when I went in for a big sloppy welcome-home kiss, only to find the delicious scent of mystery meat-stick upon her breath. I decided it was in my best interest not to argue this point (hard to argue anything with your patient husband when you’ve been gallivanting about the world), and furthermore, beef jerky is protein, and protein is good, and my daughter needs more of it. But in my heart I knew I would feel better if she was eating a dried-meat of which I could both pronounce the ingredients and count them with my fingers. So I decided to make my own.
The Best (and Easiest) Beef Jerky Recipe for KidsAfter experimenting a bit, I’ve come up with a recipe for beef jerky that my little one loves; not spicy, not too sweet, and without nitrates or any sort of mystery ingredients.

Get my recipe for the Best (and easiest) Beef Jerky for Kids after the jump… (more…)

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10 Things Your Teacher Wants for the Classroom

91% of teachers spend their own money on making our children’s classrooms wonderful. According to this recent report teachers spend on average $500 out of their own pockets on classroom supplies. From being a room mom to my daughter’s wonderful classroom, I know her teacher spends more like $3000. In an effort to show we are grateful for the work our teachers do in educating our children, let’s consider donating some of these supplies. I asked my daughter’s teacher what would be valuable additions to her (2nd grade) classroom. Here are some things on her wishlist. Perhaps your teacher would appreciate some of these items.

Regardless of how you feel about Common Core, our public school teachers have to teach it, so let’s help them out with some useful classroom activities. Our teacher likes these two products and was grateful to have them as tools in her classroom: Regrouping Activity Chart, $39.99 at Lakeshore Learning | Tower of Math Game, $24.99 at Lakeshore Learning

Donating a fun game to the classroom can add richness to your child’s day that might otherwise be filled with worksheets or other less-interactive activities. Games are usually outside of the average classroom budget, and giving this gift allows you to sort of pick something you are passionate about your child learning to love (for me, that’s Geography). Here are a few games our teacher requested. Are you Ready for 3rd Grade? Game Show (This also comes in other grade levels), $29.99 at Lakeshore Learning | Geography Skills Match-Ups Complete Set, $39.99 at Lakeshore Learning | Magna-Tiles® Starter Set, $51.99 at Lakeshore Learning

Some basic supplies that teachers run through quickly are not covered by our school district, or they are covered, but not in sufficient quantities. So the next time you are at a big box store or doing your regular shopping, load up on these items and bring a big ‘ol delivery to your teacher. He or she will appreciate it. It’s ridiculous to me that my child’s educator should have to spend her own paycheck on tissues to wipe my little girl’s nose. Ridiculous! Hand sanitizer | Tissues | Baby wipes | Disinfecting wipes

And the thing that your teacher could really use? Your time.If you have even the smallest amount of time to give, it makes the biggest difference in your child’s education. When I was able, I gave one day a week in the classroom assisting during learning rotations. Now that my schedule precludes that, I donate my time as a room parent facilitating communication between the administration and parents, and planning events as needed. My husband works long hours at his day job, but twice a year he spends Saturday at school cleaning the facilities. Teachers need help with things as simple as stapling assignments or cutting out little turkey hands. Any amount of time you can give will be appreciated. Our time is the greatest gift we give our children, and the greatest gift we can give our teachers and schools.

Thank you to my daughter’s amazing teacher, and to all the Prudent readers who teach our children all year long!

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12 Cool Ways to Honor Veterans

If you are not lucky enough to have a veteran living right there in your own home demanding foot rubs and home cooked meals this week, you might be wondering how you can show your support for veterans on Veteran’s Day. Here are some quick and easy ways to support our vets, and some that require a bit more commitment.

Social Media – since you’re already on Facebook, give a like or a share to a business that’s supporting veterans. It’s literally the easiest way to let companies know that their efforts to support our vets have not gone unnoticed. Here is a list of freebies and deals for vets from companies that are offering everything from free meals, to free haircuts, to a free cup of coffee. Don’t forget the companies that support veterans every day with discounts and deals on everything from cars to clothes to home supplies.

Gift Matching – Search out and support promotions that gift a donation to veteran support groups with every purchase. Starbucks is currently donating $5 to the USO for every Veteran’s Day gift card and e-card activated.

Send a Card – Create handmade cards or drawings with the kids and deliver them to the local VA hospital. Cute drawings, happy notes, and well wishes are typically appreciated over “Thank You for Your Service” type messages which can be troubling to struggling veterans, especially many who were drafted in the Vietnam war, a VA doctor recommends.

Greenlight A Vet – This campaign was created to establish visible national support for our veterans by changing one light to green. Change one light to green in a visible location-on your porch, in your home, or at your office-and keep it glowing every day as a symbol of appreciation and support for our veterans. Then, share your support by taking a picture of your green light and posting it using the hashtag #greenlightavet

Spend Veteran’s Day at a Parade – If the kids have a holiday bring them to a local parade. Here’s a nation-wide list of Veteran’s Day parades 2015.

Visit a National Park – Here are the National Parks which commemorate our military history. This is the perfect time to see one of the lesser known national parks or revisit a favorite with a focus on it’s military contribution. This sounds like the perfect way to spend Veteran’s Day with a vet that you love.

Care Packages for Homeless Vets – Jaime’s thoughtful post on Helping the Homeless with Car Car Packages, is a practical way to help homeless veterans.

Share the Outdoors – IRISH WATER DOGS WARRIORS is a monthly program for Veterans and First Responders, focused on kayaking, kayak fishing, hiking and camping and outdoor photography. Their goal is to bring calm and peace to our service personnel, by offering a a low impact adaptive sport with both mental and physical benefits.

Play Chauffeur –  Volunteering to drive a vet ensures that even those living remotely from VA hospitals can make their appointments and never go without the treatment they need. Learn how to apply for this important roll at DAV.org.

Volunteer Locally  – Volunteer opportunities to assist vets are offered through both Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, and the Local Veterans Assistance Program. Learn more about volunteering with vets on at DAV.org.

Join the DAV Commander’s Action Network – Take some time here and learn how DAV is working with lawmakers on Veterans behalf. Read more and discover how you, too, can stand with our heroes and make sure their voice is heard in Washington.

Hire Veterans – If you have hiring power at your company, work to create job opportunities for veterans and military spouses. Starbucks, for example, is halfway to their goal of hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses by 2018, which is so awesome. Here is a list of companies with a focus on hiring veterans and their family members.

 

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Roasted Vegetable Pie

Roasted Vegetable Pie RecipeThe best way to eat vegetables is to roast them, in my humble opinion. Well, maybe grilling them is better, but it’s winter, so roasting is the thing to do. I love roasted veggies with their sweet carmelized goodness, and I find my kid tends to like them better roasted as well. I’m not going to lie and say my kid will eat this roasted vegetable pie, but the rest of your friends and family will gobble it up.

Here’s the deal: Roast up a ton of vegetables, then make them into a pie. It’s pretty simple. With or without a crust, it’s delicious. I usually make two at a time, then let one cool, cut it into pieces, then wrap each individually and freeze them for easy single-serve lunches for myself packed with veggie goodness. Make this in a beautiful pie plate to serve at your Thanksgiving meal, as it’s also quite pretty. Roasted Vegetable Pie Recipe

My recipe is a guideline you can use to customize your own vegetable pie based on what you have in your fridge. It’s especially great if you have a pile of veggies that you didn’t get around to cooking that are about to spoil – just toss them in the oven and throw one of these together. Roasted Vegetable Pie Recipe 4

Get my recipe for Roasted Vegetable pie after the jump… (more…)

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A Festive Thanksgiving Countdown Calendar

thanksgivingrecipes
Feel annoyed that Christmas is pushing out Thanksgiving? According to my highly-scientific study of reading my Facebook feed, most people do. Since it’s exactly 3 weeks until Turkey day, or Tofurkey day or Turducken day (whatever you’re into) here are 21 ways to celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s like an advent calendar of love and appreciation all rolled up in a pumpkin-spice acorn pile, it’s a Festive Thanksgiving Countdown Calendar!. (more…)

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