SNOW GLOBE CARDS + MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas! We are getting pretty excited for Christmas around here. Counting down the days, wrapping gifts and eating far too many Christmas cookies. Before we sign off for a few days, we wanted to share this little printable. We kind of are the worst at sending out Christmas cards. I don't think Preston and I have done it once since we've been married! But this year, Elliott wanted to make some for his little favorite people so we came up with these! Aren't they fun? Since it's a little late to send out Christmas cards, these would be great just as a little coloring activity for the kids around the tree. You can see more and download your own over here on Handmade Charlotte. We wish you a very merry Christmas, friends! 

MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS

There are just a few days left until Christmas! I can't believe it. In case you are in need of some fun DIY gifts for the littles, here is a little roundup of our favorites from AWP this year! Forget the lines and crowds at the mall. Get out your supplies and make some gifts the littles will really love! The best part about these gifts? No batteries! Ok so maybe that's not the best part, but it's a definite bonus. Happy crafting and merry Christmas!

Hobby horse / Lumps of coal surprise balls / Head tags / Shapelys memory game / Slingshot + felt ball ammo /

SLINGSHOT WITH FELT BALL AMMO

When I was a kid, I was a total tomboy. Like really. One year I got a slingshot for Christmas and I absolutely loved it! Mine came with these little BBs that I shot at trees and targets and maybe my little brother. Maybe. To avoid shot out eyes and lawsuits , I thought of my good friend Aubry who sells these colorful and soft (keyword) felt balls. The perfect ammunition! If you don't feel like creating your own template, you can borrow ours! You can download it here. This project is a little more hands on than most, but I promise the outcome is so much fun it's totally worth it. I can't wait for Elliott to see this Christmas morning!

If you have some scrap hardwood lying around, great! If not, your local lumber yard should have some that will work nicely. Cut and trace the template onto the wood.

Grab your saw and go to work! We used some clamps to keep it in place, but that's not totally necessary.

Once you are done sawing, it's time to sand it down. We don't want little hands getting any splinters! 

Next, we need to cut some slits for the rubber bands to go in. Just a handsaw will work great.

For the pouch, I used some scrap suede I had and it worked great. Cut and trace the template onto the leather then cut. Don't forget the holes! 

This next step is totally optional. I wanted to add a pop of color so I painted the sides with some paint. 

Now tie the rubber bands to the pouch and slide the bands into the slits. You're done! Not too bad, right?

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT PAPER SNOWFLAKES

Is there really such a thing as a perfect snowflake? If there is, we are going to show you how! I literally just learned the art of paper snowflake making. I have always assumed I couldn't do it because, well my mind doesn't work that way sometimes. But Preston is a snowflake genius, so he showed me how and now I'm kind of addicted. So if you are wondering how on earth people make such fun paper snowflakes, now you can join in on the fun! 

First, fold your piece of paper so that it makes a square. Take one corner and match it up with the opposite side.

Then keep folding it the same way over and over. The more times you fold it in half, the more intricate your designs will be!

Now before you start cutting out your fun shapes, you will want to trim the top so it is rounded. Or if you want a square snowflake, cut it straight across!

Now you can cut wherever you like and however you like! Cut out triangles, semi-circles, anything your heart desires.

Once you have sufficiently cut up your paper, unfold it to reveal your gorgeous new one of a kind snowflake! Told you it was easy. 

FAVORITE STOCKING STUFFERS FOR LITTLES

Who doesn't love some stocking stuffers? The stockings are one of my favorite parts of Christmas. I think I like the challenge of finding things small enough to fit into the stocking that are fun and affordable. Though I often have to take a gift or two out and wrap it for being too big or the stocking being too full. Here are some fun stocking stuffers we are loving this year! Check them out and happy stuffing!

1. Mini Colored Pencils - We have these and love them. They are the perfect size for the stocking!  2. Jumping Grasshopper - Elliott is getting this in his stocking (shh) and I may or may not have played with it for a good 20 minutes the other day.   3. Sweet Gloves  - some gender neutral gloves are always a win in the stocking   4. Temporary Tattoos - We are obsessed with temporary tattoos! Tattly has some pretty awesome ones.   5. Plastic Balloon Unicorn! - I am sure you remember this little guy. They are the perfect size for the stocking.   6. Puzzle Blocks - Admittedly, these would most likely be too big for the stocking. But look at them! How can you resist?   7. Lip Balm - This is a new favorite of ours. Elliott loves the shape and I love what it does for his chap little lips.