We made it! Our twelfth day of crafting!
Today, we’re sharing the rustic star we made for the top of our “Heaven & Nature Sings Tree,” but first here’s a look back at everything we did over the last two weeks, in one photo-burst!
What a crafting haul! I’m so thankful we took this on together as a family.
The charming collection of homemade ornaments and other festive favors are the least of what we are coming away from this experience with. We learned new skills, laughed, talked, challenged each other, complained, solved problems, gasped, tidied, sighed, and said “look what we made! Isn’t it lovely?” In the end, the true keepsakes from our 12 Days of Christmas Crafts together are what we made above the crafts.
What we’re coming away with:
1.) The kids’ hand skills and focus improved dramatically in mere days!
After day five, I asked my hubby, “Is it just me or are the kids more coordinated than they were a few days ago?” This was not something I anticipated. After the completion of the full twelve-day-challenge, I’m convinced. The Captain especially moved forward in his hand skills by leaps and bounds. Imagine where he would be if we took on an elaborate craft every week! Something to think about.
2.) Since taking this crafting challenge, the kids have been voluntarily starting their own craft projects!
The morning of day eight, I found the kids deeply engrossed in an impromptu snowflake-making party. It was precious. For me, this alone made all our crafting efforts worthwhile. The Captain helped Goldilocks for nearly an hour of sibling craft time. Then they swept up the bits for maybe another hour. 😆
In addition to snowflakes, the Captain has been coming up with his own original concepts for Christmas ornaments and blew me away by making these entirely on his own!
The first is a sled he made for the family as a surprise gift. My heart. The second is the bullet case from this year’s buck. The Captain used a paper clip to form a hook and hang his and Papa’s trophy memento on the tree!
3.) We discovered our family’s crafting style.
We’ve learned a lot about our likes and dislikes in the crafting process. We’ve also fleshed out more clearly what our style is. Simple, rustic, crunchy crafts… that’s our cup of tea. The literary stars, the Christmas card boxes, the Homesteaders’ Hand Cream… these are our family’s flavor. The Snow globes and bath bombs? Maybe not so much. Well… at least not Mama’s favorite flavor.
4.) We created a few new family traditions!
While we may not take on 12 consecutive days of crafts every Christmas, there are a few things we did that I know will become seasonal staples. I think we will definitely be making our own hand creams and ornaments for years to come. We also plan to make the I Spy Christmas is Nigh Challenge an annual family tradition.
For our twelfth day of crafting…
~HEAVEN & NATURE TREE STAR~
DIFFICULTY (aka Happiness Meter): Moderate (Papa’s hand skills came in handy)
MESS METER: minimal
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- branches/sticks
- pruning shears
- pocket knife or whittling knife
- hot glue gun & sticks
- twine of choice
- *optional moss
TIME NEEDED: 1/2 hour
KID RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars;) What a joy to make your own tree star and top off two weeks of Christmas crafts!
PARENT RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 stars;) I mean, the pictures say it all: rustic charm and simplicity! We will proudly display this star every year.
After fourteen years of marriage (yikes), we thought it was time to upgrade our Christmas star! 😆
1.) Collect or cut fresh sticks/branches.
2.) Arrange into a star shape, and measure desired arm lengths.
3.) Cut the sticks to the angles and whittle as needed to fit snugly together as a star.
4.) Gather remaining supplies.
5.) Hot glue the points together, one point at a time.
6.) Wrap twine around the junctions and points of your star and secure each on the back.
Wrap twine in any way you like. To secure, we tucked the end of the twine under the wrapped twine on the back and hot glued in place. For the points, we chose a horizontal pattern, tucked each end under on the back, and then made vertical accents. To secure, we tucked each end of the twine under the wrapped twine on the back and hot glued in place.
7.) Hang your star and gather around the Christmas tree.
Well, friends, I’m all crafted out 😆 and ready to cozy down for our Merry-Little-Christmas Week! My goal is to do a whole lot of not-very-much and just soak it all in this year. I hope and pray that each of you has a blessed Christmas holiday.
For those of you who celebrate Jesus’ birth this time of year, it is my prayer that everything we do this holiday will honor and glorify Him as our Lord and Savior! Merry Christmas, friends!
Much love, ~Candace Arden
Email me at: candacearden@our-holistic-homestead.com
