Elf on the Shelf: Sword Fight

Our Elf on the Shelf is ready to battle the nutcrackers for Hershey Kisses!  The truth is, he'll leave them when he heads to the North Pole tonight, and the kids win the chocolate.
This can easily be done with any stuffed animals (you may need a rubber band or glue dot to make the sword picks stay), army men, etc. The sword picks can be found at many grocery and any party supply stores.

Check out all of my other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables, too!

As always, I encourage you to create some of the "super special" Elf surprises, and then trade them with your friends and neighbors so that the joy (and efforts) are shared!!!

By all means, share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but please link back to this post. 

Polar Express themed decor

Our 1st grade team does an annual Polar Express themed party, and they make an awesome train that goes down one side of the hallway. I really wanted to dress up the other side with what might be seen out of the train windows.  A town square with a huge 3D Christmas tree, a town hall, toy store, residential neighborhood, Santa and his reindeer flying through the night, a train station with a train schedule, ticket booth, and railroad crossing. 

Pro-tip: If you can get access to a die cut machine with a 1" circle press, it is the fastest way to make all of that snow.  I love my Cricut and Silhouette, but I use several layers of paper at a time with the die cutter.

Elf on the Shelf: Elf-sized Igloo

A clean milk carton, clear plastic cup, about 100 cotton balls, hot glue and a strand of Christmas lights made this Elf Igloo a huge hit in our house!!! Even my husband loves the igloo!
I cut the bottom 3-5" off the milk jug, removed the lid (because it wasn't clear), and created a "door" for the clear (bottom removed and cut/trimmed to fit) plastic cup to fit. I hot glued the cup to the jug, and then went to town with hot glue and cotton balls.  I doubled up with cotton balls in the depressions in the jug near the handle. I tucked a strand of lights inside, and our Elf is nestled inside.
The project took about 30 minutes to complete; just be careful with the hot glue!

Check out all of my other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables, too!

As always, I encourage you to create some of the "super special" Elf surprises, and then trade them with your friends and neighbors so that the joy (and efforts) are shared!!!

By all means, share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but please link back to this post.

The VERY Best Gluten Free Waffles Ever (recipe)

After our family went Gluten-Free, our kids really missed simple treats (that were still only very occasional for our family) like waffles.  My waffle recipe below is sweet enough that you really don't need syrup!  You could certainly cut the sugar if you *need* syrup, confectioner sugar, or whipped cream.  Personally, I love these gems with some fresh fruit.  They have the perfect crunchy exterior with the soft fluffy middle.  They do work better in waffle irons that are "thicker" (like Belgian), but I've made them in a super thin waffle iron (almost the thickness of a pancake) and had RAVE reviews and repeated requests for the recipe.  Truth be told, this recipe came about in a search for a great waffle for Chicken & Waffles.  So...here they are, the VERY Best Gluten Free Waffles Ever. 
(I often double this recipe and make some to freeze for lunches and snacks.)

Ingredients

• 2 cups Pamela's Artisan all-purpose flour (not an affiliate of LaIS)
• 3/4 cup (scant) granulated sugar (If you want a less sweet waffle that is able to "take" syrup, try 1/3-1/2 C sugar.)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 large eggs, whites and yolks separated
• 1  1/2 C milk
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted OR coconut oil (and I LOVE it if the coconut oil still has the coconut flavor for these waffles.)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons clear Mexican vanilla (I use Danncy's - not an affiliate of LaIS)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat waffle iron.
2. Place flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt into a large mixing bowl, stir to combine.
3. Place egg whites into a medium mixing bowl, whisk continuously until stiff peaks form.
4. Place milk, lemon juice, melted butter, Mexican vanilla and egg yolks into a large bowl, whisk to combine then slowly stir into dry ingredients. Once combined, fold in egg whites until just combined.
5. Scoop 1/2 cup of batter and place into center of waffle iron, close lid and let cook until steam subsides and waffle is golden and crisp. Remove hot waffles and place on cooling rack. Continue cooking waffles until all batter is used.
6. To serve, place waffles onto serving plates, top with fruit of choice and toppings.

Freaking amazing.  I made 2 batches tonight. 

Elf on the Shelf: Angry Birds - Angry Elf? - FREE Printable

Buddy Kringle isn't actually angry at all, but he took some inspiration from Angry Birds and used our Jenga game and a slingshot to create his own fun with marshmallows and some Gingerbread friends.
You can print my Green Elf Pig targets HERE.

Check out all of my other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables, too!

As always, I encourage you to create some of the "super special" Elf surprises, and then trade them with your friends and neighbors so that the joy (and efforts) are shared!!!

By all means, share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but please link back to this post. 

You can purchase all of my Elf on the Shelf printables in the store to the right for easy and immediate download.

Elf hat graphic courtesy of Creative Clips http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/krista-wallden.

Elf on the Shelf: Holiday Help Booth inspired by Charlie Brown - Free Printable

Our kids watched  Charlie Brown (Peanuts) movie special on TV over the weekend, and I thought a free printable was in order! You will need heavy cardstock, cardboard, toothpicks, or popsicle sticks to be sure the sign stays upright.  (I used toothpicks with plain typing paper, and it works.)
It is now also included in the Elf on the Shelf downloadable bundle in the store to the right!

By all means share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but link back to this page and not directly to the printable links.

 

Check out our other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables here!

Candy graphic courtesy of http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/krista-wallden.

Elf on the Shelf: Welcome Back Breakfast

We have an annual Elf on the Shelf Welcome Back Breakfast. Wrapping paper over the windows, sparkly tulle, ornaments from the dollar store, Gratitude Ornaments in glittery cupcake wrappers with my free printable, DIY flag banners, and Frappuccino bottles dressed up with glittery nail polish are all part of the scene.

By all means share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but link back to this page and not directly to the printable links.

 

Check out our other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables here!

Elf on the Shelf: DIY Gratitude Ornament and Free Printable #2

A couple of years ago, I posted about our annual gratitude ornaments. I needed a new printable for my gold and white themed Elf on the Shelf breakfast this year. 
So grab a clear acrylic ornament from your local craft store, some glitter, or other adornments that will fit through the opening,  and make a Christmas time capsule of gratitude.
By all means share this, pin it, print it, blog about it,  but link back to this page, and not directly to the printable links.
Check out our other Elf Ideas and printables here (or download them all in our store to the right.)

Elf on the Shelf: Night at the Movies - Movie Tickets and Marquee Printables

Whether you're creating an "indoor" or "drive-in" movie theater for your Elf on the Shelf (and his or her friends), you may want a few movie tickets and a sign with some of the movies that are "playing."  You can either leave the movie playing on YOUR tv screen, iPad, etc., or you can print out an image of your favorite scene from the movie you choose and secure it at an appropriate height for the movie "viewing."  
These cute little elf-sized tickets can easily be printed (cardstock is ideal, but not required) and given to each of your elves and toys.  The Marquee Sign is a suggestion of movie options, but feel free to print and let your Elf and friends be mischievous and tape over part of the sign with THEIR movie of choice!  Of course popcorn or popcorn remnants are always a plus.  Free PRINTABLE HERE (or in the bundle in the store to your right.)
Here is my original "Drive-In Movie" Elf on the Shelf post.  If you don't have doll cars, Tonka trucks, antique toy cars, or other elf-sized cars around, then check out Steak-N-Shake (not an affiliate) for their paper cars.  They had changed in size last time I was there, but I don't know if it was temporary or permanent.  Regardless, it's worth looking.  (I wish I had saved one of the big old ones to measure and figure out the needed dimensions!)

 

Check out all of my other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables, too!

As always, I encourage you to create some of the "super special" Elf surprises, and then trade them with your friends and neighbors so that the joy (and efforts) are shared!!!

By all means, share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but please link back to this post. 

You can purchase all of my Elf on the Shelf printables in the store to the right for easy and immediate download.

Elf on the Shelf: Elf-sized Playing Cards Printable

Our oldest son has come to really love solitaire, and I began to think of all of the fun games and silliness our Elf on the Shelf could have with his own set of Elf-sized Playing Cards.  I spent much more time than I care to admit creating these tiny little cards, but I already intend to use them for games of "Go Fish" (with goldfish crackers scattered about), 52 card pickup, solitaire, and "War" with other toys (and army men.)  Bridge, Poker (possibly playing for Hershey's kisses or chocolate coins), Rummy, Hearts (Peppermints? with peppermints scattered around the game), Spades (Trees?), Crazy 8's, or any other card game you can imagine can be done with these little cards.  You can purchase the set of printable cards for instant download in my store (to the right) for $1.  (If the store is unresponsive due to high volume, you can send $1 via PayPal to dawn (at) ownfairygodmother (dot) com and a note that I need to send you the file or link for download.) 

By all means share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but link back to this page and not directly to the printable links.

Check out our other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables here!

The elf shoes, elf hats, tree and candy graphics used on the playing cards are from Krista Wallden.

Elves Love Sports - Elf on the Shelf Jersey Template

For the most part, jerseys are pretty universal across many sports.  This FREE PRINTABLE template can be used for soccer, football, baseball, or whatever kind of jersey you wish for your Elf on the Shelf!  If you want to create a basketball jersey for your Elf, just omit the sleeves.  You can use the included Christmas Tree, Star, Collegiate numbers, or create your own logo or mascot for your elf.  (Jingle the Elf should probably have a jingle bell.)  I used felt so that it was a super quick project without having to finish any edges on the tiny little jersey.  

His chair is made of giant marshmallows and toothpicks.

Check out all of my other Elf on the Shelf ideas and printables, too!

As always, I encourage you to create some of the "super special" Elf surprises, and then trade them with your friends and neighbors so that the joy (and efforts) are shared!!!

By all means, share this, pin it, print it, blog about it, but please link back to this post. 

You can purchase all of my Elf on the Shelf printables in the store to the right for easy and immediate download.

 

 

DIY Princess Dress: Audrey Hepburn Costume

After purchasing the right sized lined crochet tutu top, I took rolls of 6" wide sparkle tulle and cut into lengths twice as long as I needed each to be.  I sewed 2 inch wide (by 7" lengths to allow for seams) ribbon along each end of the tulle strips.  (You *could* forego the ribbon along the ends, but I LOVE the result.) I carefully rolled each length of tulle lengthwise and then twisted it at the very middle of the length.  I threaded the twisted middle through each "hole" in the bottom of the crocheted top.  

 Once pulled through, I pulled the 2 dangling ends through the new loop.  Repeat this in the same exact direction until the entire bottom of the top has been finished.

I added ribbon straps to the top, and the dress was complete.  I sewed a small Tiffany's jewelry bag to the finger of one of her satin gloves, added a handmade necklace with a brooch, sunglasses and a tiara.  
Updated 11/1/2016 - She loved this costume so much that she wore it again this year!