December Alaska mama chat!

[happyblessedmama]

Three days into the new month and no thread yet...:-)

We just finished my 7 year old daughter's birthday party and are shut up inside letting the wind blow!

[Rik-E]

No wind here tonight, but it's been raining for hours.....   yay.

Is anyone making homemade holiday gifts? If so, what are you making?  Looking for more ideas.

I plan to make waldorf style doll bad/ cradles. Chalkboard toys - found a recipe for making your own chalkboard paint so anything can be a chalkboard!  Probably sewing a few things too. Oh, and if I can find the right wooden shapes at JoAnns I'll be trying wooden pin people & bowling sets in little personalised boxes.

[roadfamily6now]

that sounds like fun. I'm learning how to make those cute Knit/Crochet headbands.

[FBXMom]

I'm making a shelf/stocking hanger and would love to know this recipe for chalkboard paint. =) Here's the link to the shelf plans - http://ana-white.com/2011/11/plans/easiest-chalkboard-shelf-scraps

[Rik-E]

Cute shelf idea!  Thinking I may make some of those too.  :-)

Chalkboard paint --

1 cup acrylic paint (I'm using cheap walmart kind for now)

2 Tablespoons non-sanded group mix

blend together very well & paint!

   Last night I painted wood, pressed cardboard, and a plastic rubbermaid tub's lid to try our different surfaces. Need to find the chalk & try them out now!
 

Originally Posted by FBXMom 

I'm making a shelf/stocking hanger and would love to know this recipe for chalkboard paint. =) Here's the link to the shelf plans - http://ana-white.com/2011/11/plans/easiest-chalkboard-shelf-scraps

[BubblingBrooks]

Good news here! DH got work and he started today! Working for a construction company that is doing work on Ft. Rich.

I am making a few waldorf dolls for nieces and a little nephew. They will not cost anything, since I have everything here already.
Not sure what to do for the other siblings.

[roadfamily6now]

Hooray for Work!

[Rik-E]

Yay for work!!!!

The waldorf doll making class has been postponed a week so now the dolls may not be done my Christmas. Oh well, still making them!

[BubblingBrooks]

You teach making them?
I have been making them following online tutorials. The bodies give me fits!

Originally Posted by Rik-E 

Yay for work!!!!

The waldorf doll making class has been postponed a week so now the dolls may not be done my Christmas. Oh well, still making them!

[BubblingBrooks]

Is anyone aware of any Christmas Vespers services in Anchorage or the Valley this month?
I am referring more to a church "concert/service", but not a Mass or a commercial style concert.
Hope that makes sense.
I know we missed out on Handles Messiah on Sunday :(

[Rik-E]

No I don't teach the class, I am taking a class. I'm sure I could do it myself but I never make time. SO if I go to the class I kind of have to do it! LOL

Originally Posted by BubblingBrooks 

You teach making them?
I have been making them following online tutorials. The bodies give me fits!

[Rik-E]

I am hoping to find a used wooden kitchen for my girls. Would anyone in teh Anchorage / Matsu area happen to have one they can part with?

I've been searching craigslist daily. I have the local consignment shops ready to call if they get any in. The etsy seller in Anchorage who makes them is not taking orders, even if I had money for a new one. Check thrift stores regularly too.

[roadfamily6now]

Sorry, I don't have anything like that.

[BubblingBrooks]

Maybe this can help?
http://freshcutflours.blogspot.com/2011/02/labor-of-love.html
If you can find the basic guts, you should be able to make one quite easily.

Originally Posted by Rik-E 

I am hoping to find a used wooden kitchen for my girls. Would anyone in teh Anchorage / Matsu area happen to have one they can part with?

I've been searching craigslist daily. I have the local consignment shops ready to call if they get any in. The etsy seller in Anchorage who makes them is not taking orders, even if I had money for a new one. Check thrift stores regularly too.

[Rik-E]

I would love to do this & have been searching for a piece of furniture suitably sized since last pre-Christmas time. No luck finding the right size. :-(

Originally Posted by BubblingBrooks 

Maybe this can help?
http://freshcutflours.blogspot.com/2011/02/labor-of-love.html
If you can find the basic guts, you should be able to make one quite easily.

[BubblingBrooks]

I would get on freecycle and ask for both scrap wood ( ask for bigger sizes) and also for a piece of furniture that might work.

Originally Posted by Rik-E 

I would love to do this & have been searching for a piece of furniture suitably sized since last pre-Christmas time. No luck finding the right size. :-(

[Rik-E]

I used to be on Yahoo groups Wasilla freecycle, but it was not active & I never got replys for giving items away or ISO. Is there another group?

Originally Posted by BubblingBrooks 

I would get on freecycle and ask for both scrap wood ( ask for bigger sizes) and also for a piece of furniture that might work.

[BubblingBrooks]

Its pretty active right now. Give it a try! Seems like they have a new moderator. Browsing the free section of craigs list and also listing in the barter section works well too.
We have had good results with both sections.
I hope you find what you need.

Originally Posted by Rik-E 

I used to be on Yahoo groups Wasilla freecycle, but it was not active & I never got replys for giving items away or ISO. Is there another group?

[roadfamily6now]

Merry Christmas Everyone. :)