Merry Christmas!!/ ¡¡Feliz Navidad!!

No-sew vintage Christmas stockings

I promise I found a video on the Martha Stewart site on how to make these stockings but now I can't find it anywhere on there! I tried to remember as best as I could what I saw on the how-to video to replicate these stockings. What caught my eye was the no 'sewing required'...since at the moment I don't have a sewing machine. They were super easy to put together.

Here are some of the materials I used:

• German Glass Glitter
• A red brocade material (or you can do any vintage type of material)
• Digital reprints of postcards from the early 1900's (even better if you can find some real ones at a flea market. I didn't have time.)
• Fabric Glue
• Buckram
• Pinking Shears (for the toes and tops)

I found that the German Glass Glitter gives it a more vintage look than just normal glitter glue. I had to get mind off ebay but I think it was worth the effort. It is actual crushed glass so it's not for kid's projects. I wrote each of our names and Merry Christmas on each stocking with a liquid stitch clear drying adhesive. Then I sprinkled the glitter over it and let it dry. I just love it when the light catches them now that I have them hanging from the mantel.

Christmas Lighting ceremony

Frosty the Cheese Ball

Here is a cute idea if you are going to any Christmas parties. I started getting the Family Fun magazine a while back and they always have such adorable ideas for kid's crafts and recipes.

• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 10 raisins for eyes, mouth, and buttons
• 1 piece of carrot for the nose
• 4 crackers for the hat (we used Ritz and Dare water crackers)

• 1 thyme sprig for the hat (optional)
• Strips of carrot for the scarf
• 2 broken pretzels for the arms
• 1 (1/2-inch) piece of a canned baby corn for the pipe
• Toothpick for the pipe

1. In a large bowl, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Stir in the garlic salt and the onion powder, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.

   Make the snowman by rolling two thirds of the cheese into a ball for his body and the other third into a ball for his head. Stack the balls, then add the facial features, clothing, arms, and pipe as shown. Serve with crackers or mini bagels.