NO CANDY FOR YOU stocking stuffers

Fill their stockings with a bunch of little things, hours of fun and surprises to keep them out from under the tree!      

• Adults and children alike would enjoy a magazine or a coloring book.
  
  I will add more to this list as I think of them! If nothing else even a few of these will help stuff your stockings full of fun!
• Everyone uses chap stick
• Herb packets
• Travel size lotions
• Matchbox cars
• Deck of cards
• Manicure kit
• Nail polish
• Homemade bath scrubs
• Play dough
• Mini boxes of their favorite cereal
• Sewing kit
• Coupon book
• Mini liquor bottles
• Socks
• Bookmarks
• Jewelry 
• Coupon books
• Stickers
• Unique pens
• Crayons
• Aspirin
• Hand towels
• Stress balls
• $5 gift certificates to their favorite fast food place, lunch is on you one busy day.
• 　

Wonderful Winter Wreath

I'm sure you've all been wondering where the wreath is. Well here it is, once again handmade. Every year since I was 7 (wow that was a long time ago) I make the wreath for the front door. More often then not it’s made from the broken pieces of last years decorations. Someone usually calls dibs on it the second I put it up, and it’s theirs after the season is over. His grandma called dibs already but grandpa is arguing saying she has enough ‘junk’. If she loses the argument I think I’ll give it away to one of you!

Or you can make your own! Take a plain dollar store wreath base, a couple sprigs, and some leftover checkered ribbon. Turn it all into this with a hot glue gun!

feathered flowered fun

Have you figured out yet that all the sprigs were on sale for some really good prices? I had seen this feather and just had to have it, although I had no idea what I would use it for. I happened to have a couple poinsettias left over from the garland. So I just threw those and the feathers into a vase. I tucked my vase into a loomed ’basket’ that our oldest made. It looks kind of festive there doesn’t it?

Canvased Creations

I wanted to make something to hang on the wall, this is what I came up with. It was actually quite simple. I made a border using a stamp of leaves and acorns that I had, painted it green with a little brown (I skipped some acorns) . I then sliced an apple in half and dipped it red paint, placing where seen. I used my metallic sharpie to write happy holidays and it was done! All the women who’ve seen it have asked for ones for Christmas. I will post them as they are finished.

Bass on the wall-
 My man re-stringed his bass and I hated to see such a fine wire go to waste. I was sure that I could find a use for it. I tried to make old fashioned looking Christmas ornaments. I don’t think they came out very well but maybe your creation will look better!

Ornaments galore

Due to circumstances beyond our control cough cough evil exs' cough cough I ended up making almost all of our ornaments and decorations this year. My total budget to do up the whole house with Christmas style was a grand total of $55! I did make over 150 ornaments in the course of a week. This was done almost entirely during the munchkins nap times so I'm sure you can make them quicker!　



These cute little ones clip right onto the tree and add a country style touch.

Just go ahead and paint a bag of clothespins white, hot glue strings of fake ornaments onto them(found these in the scrapbook aisles) and clip them right onto your tree!

Floral arrangement sprigs make super quick ornaments when snipped with a pair of wire cutters and bent into hooks.

Another unexpected touch with a bit of that country flair. 



 I used up the leftover wire from the sprigs and a box of hair beads I ran across in the local goodwill. (I just knew I would find a craft for them!) Simply bend the end of the wire to form a platform, place bead, bend wire, continuing until the desired length is reached. Be sure to leave enough room at the top to bend the wire into a hook!

Styrofoam balls are a Christmas staple. With random craft odds and ends attached, and a hook pushed into the top you can make just about anything! It’s a great way to use up those leftover odds and ends!

There's a lot of ones that I didn't show close ups of, if you see a specific one on the tree that you want details of just let me know by leaving a comment!

Give your walls a gift for christmas

Love the textured look!

I’m letting you know now that I tend to use whatever’s on hand to create what’s in my mind. It could be because I don’t have the resources to say “oh hmm I’m going to go to the craft store today.’ ’. “And I think that I’m going to go buy X,Y,& Z to make A.”. It's actually because thats just not how it works for me sweetie! In my world it’s more like lets dig around in the craft bin and see what I can find! Today I found some scrapbook paper, tape, and these things my daughter uses for her loom.

I decided to make presents for the walls, seeing as I was short on time. Actually it’s more like the kids have a short attention span. 

To make them  simply lay out your scrapbook paper with matching loom thingys, ribbon, or whatever you have. Tie your bows and cut two ribbons to match. Tape them to the back of the scrap book paper. When it looks just perfect (with maybe just a little tweaking), give your gift to the walls with the double sided tape attached in the center of the back.

and it all begins....

Thanks for stopping by Thrifty Butterfly and welcome to my page. Here you will find freedom from your wallet and an elated sense of joy. Ok, you might find just a little bit of sarcasm too.

My names Mommy, wait it’s really Holly but sometimes I forget, seeing as we have a houseful of kids. You can call me the Thrifty Butterfly, or crazy, whatever you want. My man tends to call me cheap; frugal if he’s in a good mood.

Regardless of all that I’m a crafty domestic goddess type whose muse never seems to take a vacation. I’m grateful for that because that allows me to achieve my dreams and share my ideas with all of you. I hope that you stop by soon and see what new things I‘ve come up with!!!