I was blown away this Christmas at all the handmade goodies my family made for eachother as gifts. My cousin John by far out did us all. There is just an overwhelming feeling of love that comes along with a handmade gift. I am always amazed that someone would take the time and effort to make something just for me.

If you've been reading my blog for awhile you that my niece, Madelyn James, has completely stolen my heart. There is nothing I love more than spending some time running around, screaming, and being crazy with my little peanut! This Christmas my mom and sister made me one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever recieved. It was a framed picture made by cutting circles of Madelyn's first fingerpainting. Last Christmas I bought Maddie a set of fingerpaints. When we pulled them out and started painting Maddie was a little wary of the texture but eventually started having some fun with it. However I think she had more fun squeezing all the paint out of the bottles ranther than painting.

What a great way to save and display childrens artwork? They cut her painting into circles, then using those circles created a design on black cardstock. After they finished they matted and framed the artwork. I LOVE IT!!! It's already displayed proudly in my living room.

My sweet Maddie boo and her first finger painting project, December 2011.

I made this ribbon yo yo headband for Maya to go with her Candy Corn Onesie. There were some ribbon yo yo's left over so I attached them to her onesie for some added flare. These are so easy to make and look great on hairclips, bows, headbands, or ponytail elastics. Great way to make some cute handmade holiday hair accessories for your little ones.

Ribbon Yo Yo Headband

- Grosgrain Ribbon (4-6 inches)
- Needle & Thread (color matched to ribbon)
- Scissors
- Lighter

1. Cut your ribbon to your desired length, doesn't need to be very long.
2. Using the lighter quickly run along the ends of your ribbon. This will seal the ends and prevent them from fraying.
3. Thread your needle and knot the end.
4. Starting with the designed side of your ribbon weave the needle in and out of the ribbon along one side.
5. Scrunch the ribbon together tightly.
6. Turn your yo yo over, take your needle through the other end of the ribbon to attach both ends together, you should now have a circle.
7. Pull tight and knot off your thread.
8. Cut any extra thread off.

Now using hot glue you can attach this to a lined alligator clip, for instructions on lined clips see our tutorial here, or attach to a head band. For a double yo yo, create a second yo yo using a smaller width ribbon and the two yo yo's together.