09 ways to Project a Happy New Year!


There are just a few days left to count down to the new year. Our family will be out of town for the big count down so I have been thinking up some fun things to do. 
We will be away from home. with 2 preschoolers. in a hotel room. Some of you may think that doesn't sound like much fun. But I am determined to have a blast. 
Since we are heading to 2009 I have worked up 9 things to look forward to doing together.

Feel free to join the fun! These are all quick and EASY little projects!

Here is the count down:

Project #9

Everyone likes to make a mess and get a surprise. This is how we plan to do both:
I started with this idea from BHG and added a festive wrapper by using a New Year's napkin (from the $1 at Target)

Each napkin yields two "Happy New Year" outsides. I'm using the rest for another project-see below. I filled them with curled ribbon, confetti, tinsel, treats, etc. We will break them open at mid-night (or more likely, when our preschoolers hit THEIR breaking point, around 8:00pm :)


Project #8 The Drinks

This is what we call "Fizzies" at our house. And it's one we can all agree on. We went to the "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" restaurant last week and these little umbrellas were a hit with our kiddos! 
Supplies: yummy drink, fun cups, straws, little umbrellas, and streamers to dress it all up.

Project #7 Time Machine

We are starting a tradition where we each make a prediction for the next year. Just put your predictions into this Time Capsule open it up next year and see what everyone added and how it turned out. Add some pictures and favorite things too, just to see how much has changed in a year.

Supplies: Jar, Covering papers/glue, Clock face, sequins


Project #6 Spelling The Food
My little guy loves to spell. I found these fun Wilton letters/numbers and couldn't resist. Here is a fun way to "spelled out" your party food:

Supplies: cheese, crackers, cutter-outers

Make these numbers by cutting up the Jelly-O's to candies to make the 2 and the 9. The 0's are easy :) They re-shape pretty easy.

Supplies: Jelly-O's, knife, cupcakes, frosting

Project #5 Make Noise!
For a home-made approach go with some paper plate and popcorn seed maracas. Fun to decorate and easy to make!

Just fold a paper plate in half and staple it shut as the popcorn seeds are added. Dry beans would work too. Note the choking hazard if you have little ones.

Obviously these aren't hand-made, but I love the dollar store for these quick and easy noise makers!


Project #4
We like to make our own hats!

Start with a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper. Round it into a cone to fit our head. Tape it. Trim it. Add some curling ribbon coming out the top. Add ribbons to the side to hold it on. Easy. Fun.  You could also draw original art on paper and use that instead.  Or let your friends sign their names and write a little note on the papers and then make them into a hat to remember.  Be sure to take a picture!


Project #3
Happy New Year Banner

I originally planned to use regular ribbon between these Happy New Year napkins to make this banner. But I found this garland for 50 cents that I could just add too. Since I have had Christmas and a birthday party to do as well in the past few days, I opted for just adding them to this one. Use your imagination though, and these little napkins are a lot of fun! 

I just cut them apart and taped a front and back to each side of this garland/banner. I figure it will spice things up in our bland hotel room :)


Project #2 Game Time
Our friends made the game of Farkle for us.
It's easy to play and lots of fun. For the official rules see this LINK
To make your own game all you need is: 6 dice, paper, pencil, the rules, and someone to play with. It's fun with 2 or more!

Project #1
Wands to munch as we wish our way to a Happy New Year! They add just a little magic :)

If we were at home for the holiday we would dip these in chocolate. But the on-the-road and kid-friendly chocolate frosting will have to do this time. I found the star marshmallows in the Kraft Christmas red/green bag. Sprinkles add just the right touch for a little magic wish too.
Supplies: pretzel sticks, frosting, sprinkles, marshmallows.

I hope you have a blast making and celebrating the new year! 
Don't forget to share your photos of your creations that are inspired by these Little Projects on our Flickr group
Have fun creating a Happy New Year!

Candy Cane Toppers and Finger Puppets


It's been awhile since I posted any updates on projects around here. Tis the season for so much to do and so little time!

My friend Natalie had us over for a fun play date and we made these fun candy cane toppers that she had dreamed up. Aren't they fun? The best part is that after you use them to top off your candy canes they become FINGER Puppets! I sent some to my sister who has a long airplane ride home after the holidays.

I picked up some animal prints and went for a Christmas Safari with these Finger Puppets, the zebra and giraffe!


Inaddition to the candy cane toppers I have been busily creating cupcakes for a party


Musical Christmas ornaments for my piano students

And of course, I have been working on GIFTS! Sorry, I can't post those now-we don't want to give any secrets away! I have also been working on some fun advents so we will have some to do for next year:)

I must say that the projects that involve treats are so much fun! We have received a few plates of yummies from friends and my favorite thing to do is take a bite of each one. Luckily my hubby doesn't mind! The buffet of treats is to tasty to just go for one :) We are off to make something yummy now.

Wishing you a VERY Merry Christmas from This Little Project!

Snowflake Party!



My friend Andrea invited me and the kids over for a Snowflake Party yesterday. Since my little boy is still sharpening his scissor skills we did some practice snowflakes the day before. I found a bunch of great ideas to share about snowflakes and how to make some really fun designs. 

We made a great big mess (standard with any of our little projects) both at our house and at Andrea's.  Bonus: a snowflake party makes its own confetti too! Add some hot chocolate and you are in for quite the treat. It was so fun-thanks Andrea for the great idea and all the fun! Also, in all this snowflake making I made some fun SNOWBALLS! Look for a tutorial coming soon!

Have you wondered about how snowflakes are made?  Here are some fast facts.

This snowflake curtain makes a perfect backdrop for your winter wonderland! There are paper snowflakes for kids. And then there are paper snowflakes for adults. I've included links both so that everyone gets to have fun :)

These are the WOW! kind. Make one of these for a friend and their jaw will drop. There is a tutorial Here. For added inspiration check out the flickr "The Great Paper Snowflake Group"



We had fun creating colorful paper snowflakes by using double-sided scrapbook paper. It is a fun twist on the traditional white ones. Here are some patterns for the kids to get you started. And a VIDEO tutorial.

If you love crochet, you will love creating this kind of Winter Wonderland


Here is a fun way to do homemade snowflake window clings
.


If you want to add some 3D snowflakes do these with beads, pipe cleaners, and pom poms! The kids could help you make these snowflakes. Hang them from the ceiling for a fun affect.


This is a fun tutorial for a snowflake garland cut from newspapers!


Wouldn't you just love to have these snowflake soaps beauties in your soap dish!


We had a fun time creating a winter wonderland with This Little Project, hope you do too!  Look for the snowball tutorial soon!  

Googly Eyes White Elephant Gift Exchange!


We have a Christmas Sweater Party to go to tomorrow and we are taking a white elephant gift. One of my favorite places to shop is Borders. I LOVE the bargain books section. The other day I was not disappointed when I visited there. I found the best white elephant gift (for $2!)

This is a book of pictures of googly-eyed things, and a bag of googly eyes to make your own! These photos are good for a laugh so I included some.




I had to try some of my own of course, see below. Seriously, it would be so fun to do a contest of the best googly eyes. Start thinking of some good ideas and stay posted! There will be a prize involved!

I thought it was fun to see a "Before" and "After" they got googy-eyed!
Here is BEFORE:


Here is the AFTER:


And Here are her sisters!


You can googly eyes to photos for a fun look, but I don't thing we will try it for our Christmas card this year :)
BEFORE:


AFTER:



Messing with the Toy Box BEFORE:



AFTER:











Christmas Googlies! It's a Boy!



Don't play with your food!






Like Father, Like Son!


My Man Mozart!



We are going to have a rockn' White Elephant time! This may start a new tradition around here.....

Get your ideas flowing for the contest! Definitely a fun Little Project!

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