Wine Cork Christmas Tree

Isn't this just the sweetest little thing?? I love these used corks and all the fun crafts I can include them in. :-) I was inspired to do this by Craftown.

Here are some other options for those leftover corks:

 Cork Bath Mat

Wine Cork Tree Craft with Kiddo's

Cork Wreath 

(This one doesn't come with a tutorial...but, we can do this can't we!! No problem.)

Mouse Family

 Or, if your feeling really inspired you can try something along the lines of Gabriel Wiese:

That's a whole lotta wine to drink folks. :-)

I shared this post at these fantabulous linky parties:

Three Or More Tuesdays

Works For Me Wednesday

Wooden Animal Toddler Gift

I am in love with these little animals. Isn't it funny how *proud* of yourself you can feel for something so simple to make?? I love the look of these....that watercolor wash that still lets you see the grains, the simplicity of the patterns. What I love most of all is that these toys encourage imagination without all the bells and whistles of modern toys. I've tried my best to fill my house with toys that are simple and inspiring, rather than overwhelming with all the technology. 

 These toddler toys were made for my nephew for Christmas (sorry for the preview Sis!!). It only took an evening to finish it all!! So easy. I found the pattern/tutorial for the bird HERE. The rest of animals were made in the same way, but based on sketches I found online and blended with my own drawings. They've got a great folk art feel to them. 

Someone is in love with Kangaroos right now. :-)

 I used watercolor paints to color them and a coating of beeswax to seal them. 

Of course, I picked my Nephew's favorite animals....minus a cow, which split in two during the scroll saw step. Well, everyone else turned out fine. Phew!!

I shared this post at these fabulous Linky Parties:

Frugalicious Friday

Three Or More Tuesday

Works For Me Wednesdays

Blue Sky Scrubs

When I spent a few days in the hospital (years ago) for an attack of appendicits, I got a chance to get look at the health industry and what makes it tick. My doctors were great, but fairly unavailable. The people who helped me the most were the Nurses and CNA's. They made me so comfortable and they were all so friendly and helpful. It really made me ponder on the work that they do and how they are truly the "heart" of the hospital. I was so thankful that I had them during my stay. The same goes for my visit to the hospital when our child was born....they weathered every thing I handed out to them (and believe me, I did my share) and afterward, they were so understanding and so knowledgeable. Every time I saw a pair of nursing scrubs coming through the door, I let out a sigh of relief because I knew they could help me answer any questions I might have. I couldn't thank them enough. 

To work as Nurse or CNA you've got to be dressed the right way. There is a great site called Blue Sky Scrubs that provides great scrubs for anyone in the field of medicine. Nursing uniforms, lab coats, and even surgical hats can all be found at this great site. Scrubs for men or womens scrubs...they've got it all!! 

 They have got some really great patterns for surgical hats too!! Here's one I found that would be perfect for this time of year. It's called Kris Kringle:

Isn't that lovely?? I'd like a yard of that fabric!!

This post was brought to you by your friends at Blue Sky Scrubs!! All opinions in it are my own. 

Using My Quilting Skills for Christmas Ornaments

Guest post written by Esther Norman

My mother taught me how to quilt way back when and I think that ever since then I've constantly been working on one quilting project or another. But right now the project that I'm working on is making some quilted Christmas ornaments to give to my family and friends as Christmas gifts.

I was trying to get some ideas for a new quilting holidays project by looking at a lot of arts and crafts blogs with our Clear tv bundle. I wanted to do something that was a smaller project because I've been doing all kinds of other holiday projects and things like that, so taking on an entire quilt wasn't what I wanted to do.

I found the quilted ornament idea and knew that that was exactly what I had in mind to do. I'm working on a couple of different ones and it really isn't taking hardly any time to do each of them. I'm giving them as something a little extra in the gifts that I was already going to give.

Legacy Family Tree Review and Giveaway

This Giveaway Has Ended!!


Update: We have a WINNER!!! It's Deb who said:

"$19.95 isn't bad at all. I'd love this for my sister. She's the genealogy historian in our family. :)"



Have you ever thought about charting your family's history? Over the past three years, I have researched my family tree to the point where I've got my family back to the 1500's!! This is the perfect time of year to think about genealogy....as your family gathers for holiday parties. A known history of your family is the best gift of all. 

With all the genealogy research I've done, I've accumulated a LOT of information!! Believe me, you need a place to organize it all. I've tried a few different programs online, but they are all pretty quirky....and take quite a bit getting used to. I was recently offered the opportunity to review the Legacy Family Tree Delux Edition and I can tell you I've been really pleased with it. Not only is it excellent for records management, it also has 98 features that the standard edition doesn't contain!! Here are a few of my favorite special features:

*New Relationship Calculator: Now you can figure out how any two random people in your chart are actually related!! Who's your 2nd Great Grandfather one removed?? Find out!!

*Mapping: Use Microsoft Virtual Earth to plot and pinpoint your ancestors stomping grounds!!

*Attach Documents: Now attach any document, video, audio, pictures, etc. to any individual or marriage. I find this extra handy, since in your searches you may find a plethora of really fascinating documents about relatives and now you can easily attach them. 

*Interview Reports: over 1,200 interviews and memory triggers to capture your families memories.

These are only a few of the great benefits this program can offer you!! You have got to check it OUT!!!!

So, now that I've captured your interest, I'd love to give one away for free!! :-)

This Giveaway Will end on December 19th at Midnight EST. 

To enter for a chance to win you must leave a comment for EACH type of entry:

1. (mandatory) Go to Legacy Family Tree and tell me what the holiday sale price is.

2. Follow Legacy on FACEBOOK.

3. Follow Legacy on TWITTER.

4. Follow Marvelously Messy on Facebook.

Good Luck!!

Pajama City Adult Footed PJ's Giveaway!!

This Giveaway Has Ended!! Thanks for Joining The Fun!!
The Winner of the giveaway is  Mintaburst who said, "GFC follower."
 Congrats!!
These Dino PJ's are SO AWESOME. I got these for the Hubby as an early Christmas present. IN this family, we *love* all in one clothing. As a parent I can tell you that there have been so many times that I've been folding the footed pj's of my munchkin and longed for the time when I used to wear them. Never fear, PajamaCity is here!! 

PajamaCity makes footed pj's for adults. Soft fleece ones, flannel ones, tall, and extra wides....you name it they've got it!! What is the most hilarious is the prints they have on them. Here are some of my favorite styles:

Cupcake Print 

 Outer Space and Robots

Green Frogs

My two favorite features of the pajamas are:

1. The dropseat for bathroom convenience:

2. The friction dot soles to keep you from sliding all over the house:

Overall, these are just the awesomest things since sliced bread. :-) You know you want some. 

Wanna win a pair? :-)

This contest will end on Friday, the 17th of December at Midnight.

It is open to residents of the United States and Canada. 

To enter, you must do a least one of the options below and fill out one comment for each type of entry:

1. Go to PajamaCity and tell me what kind of footed pj's you'd like to have.

2. Like PajamaCity on FACEBOOK

3. Follow Marvelously Messy on Google Friend Connect.

4. Like Marvelously Messy on Facebook.

That's it!! Good luck!!