Elf on the Shelf

Our Elf on the Shelf, Buddy Kringle, did a self-depiction in marshmallows last night.  He used my Wilton Food Writers on 2 large marshmallows and a mini marshmallow.  He seemed to be requesting hot chocolate, so we obliged....

Laptop Lunch Giveaway!

With all of the talk about Laptop Lunches on Learning As I Sew lately, I thought I should SHARE one with one of our blog friends!  I bought a Laptop Lunch Salad set just to giveaway. 

(Actual colors of interior containers are different than pictured below.)

MANDATORY ENTRY - Leave a comment here that you 'liked' us
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2. Visit Laptop Lunch and tell us what is your "must-have"

3. Send us a picture of a lunch you made for yourself or your kids in a bento box.
dawn [at] ownfairygodmother [dot] com

3. Tweet this about this giveaway Enter to win a Laptop Lunch Salad Set #Giveaway from @fa1ry_godmother http://learningasisew.blogspot.com/

4. Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page, make sure to tag Learning As I Sew with a link to this page. http://learningasisew.blogspot.com/2011/11/laptop-lunch-salad-set-sale-coupon-code.html

5. Blog about this giveaway, make sure you link directly to this and leave the link in your comment.

6.  Grab my button for your  blog and leave your blog's link in your comment.

7.  Tell us your favorite Christmas lunch decor/design, your world-famous recipe, the best gift you've gotten, or anything Christmasy!

Giveaway is only open to U.S. residents and ends Sunday, December 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Winner will be chosen by Random.org, and announced on the blog and contacted by email. Winner will have 24 hours to respond otherwise an alternate will be chosen.

Marshmallow Snowmen

I made marshmallow snowmen using Wilton Food Writers for the kids' hot chocolate this morning. Welcome Christmas season!

Baby Bedding turned Teddy Bear

Here is an image of our oldest's bedroom nursery 6+ years ago in our last home.  You can't see the baby bedding very well, but I'm having a hard time finding a great picture of it "before."  Note to self for the next one...Take pictures before cutting it all up.  There was a red silk shantung bumper pad with antique cars.  The quilt was dark denim with a trim with ticking stripes and red satin ribbon.  The bedskirt has black and white plaid blocks, red silk shantung, and shimmery silver fabric.  He had a toddler chair that I had covered in the ticking strip fabric with a red silk shantung skirt.  Those pieces combined were plenty for more than one "project."

I cut it all up, and turned some of it into a bear for our son.  His full name is on the bear's right foot and his birthday on his left.  I hope to make 3 more for myself and his grandmothers.  I will do the same with the twins' nursery bedding when they get older.

Bento: Laptop Lunch

Yes, we love our Laptop Lunch system.  I even ordered a salad set for me last week (the sale was still valid when I checked this morning if you haven't grabbed one yet.) 
This morning, I didn't have a plan, theme, or even a real inspiration.  However, I know our 6 year old will eat everything in this box!  I still made the sections fun with just a few simple additions: a frog cupcake holder, 4 heart picks, and stealing a few of the SCRABBLE Cheezits to spell "E-A-T."  
The note at the top is "I'm Thankful for Healthy Foods!"  It's a free printable from Nourish Interactive.

• Julienned carrots and dressing
• A mini Rice Krispy treat (leftover from Halloween) & 4 yogurt covered pretzels
• Cheezits - E-A-T
• Frog shaped cupcake liner (from the clearance section of my grocery store) filled with dried cherries & potato bread with cheddar cheese and turkey cut in heart shapes with heart-shaped picks

Laptop Lunch Salad Set - Sale

Laptop Lunch salad sets, the lunch-packer's favorite, are priced at a steal this week! Fill the colorful containers with a balanced meal and pack them inside the exterior insulated sleeve to keep salads and sides fresh. This sleek design fits easily into your briefcase or backpack!! No need for an expensive salad bar. Save cash and eat well too!

Regularly: $31.18
Currently a steal at: $14.99 + a donation to local schools with coupon code "earleyfam"  (A portion of the proceeds will also be given to local schools with this particular code.)

I'm ordering mine today!  I've been eating more salads for lunch lately anyway, so this is PERFECT!

Updated Fall Mantle

I finally found 2 vases for the sticks and leaves!  JoAnn Fabric had these rafia-wrapped glass vases on sale for 50% off, and I had a coupon for an additional 25% off. They're perfect.