Make Your Elf on the Shelf Bendy! A Quick and Easy Tutorial

Reese, has been practicing Yoga, while on his extended vacation. He has to be in tip-top shape, if he wants to pull off all of his tricks and adventures.  His favorite poses?  --> Quarter Dog, Open Triangle and Warrior

I've wanted to make Reese more flexible for a while, but only found tutorials involving a snip of the Elf's hands and feet, or an invasive needle and thread operation.  Well, guess what? I can't sew, in fact, I wouldn't be able to reattach a button to a shirt, if it came to it. 

When I took out Reese the other day, I inspected his seams and found an easy way to insert bendy wires into his limbs, without cutting or sewing him back together.   

Check out my other Elf posts for printables, calendars, and more ideas

-->  2015 Elf on the Shelf Calendar with Free Printables <--

--> Elf on the Shelf 2014 Calendar (25+ NEW Ideas!) <--

--> 50 Elf on the Shelf Ideas <--

Instructions:

1. Take floral wire (any gauge) and gently insert into your Elf's arm, between one of the seams - just poke around until you find a looser area; I had the best luck at the end of his hands.

2. Once you thread the wire through and hit the Elf's shoulder, pull it back out a bit.

3. Snip off the excess wire, and gently push it all the way in, using either your finger or scissor tips. Repeat these steps on the other remaining limbs.

Like how he resembles one of those arm flailing, inflatable tube men? Enjoy your more lifelike elf!

Now that your elf is ready for action, check out these cute elf clothes, pets and more!

How did your Elf turn out?

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Elf on the Shelf 2014 Calendar (25+ NEW Ideas!)

Thanksgiving is almost here! That means a few things in our household:
1. Delicious, delicious foods will be enjoyed
2. Browsing through Black Friday ads and the start of Christmas shopping
3. Reese, our Elf on the Shelf, is returning!!!

If this is your first time visiting, be sure to check out my other Elf posts where you'll find additional inspiration, calendars & printables for elf antics

--> 2015 Elf on the Shelf Calendar with Free Printables <--
--> Make Your Elf on the Shelf Bendy! {2-Minute No Sew Tutorial} <--
--> 50 Elf on the Shelf Ideas + a 2013 Calendar <-- 
 .  

For those of you who've had an elf for years, I don't know about you, but it's starting to get a little tricky, coming up with new ideas that the little ones haven't seen. I've been pinning ideas for several weeks on my Christmas with the Elf on the Shelf board, and finally managed to compile a final list for this year. All printables, including a new calendar are available at the bottom of this page. Here's a glimpse of the 2014 calendar! 

 

1. Elf has arrived, but hasn't finished enjoying his Thanksgiving meal - Check out Norene's Thanksgiving Buffet and Turkey Dinner tutorials for details! You can create a mini elf feast, using graham crackers, shaved almond slices, and few other food items you probably have in your pantry.

2. Surprise! You've been gifted an Elf Pets Reindeer! Each one comes with a book, and plush reindeer for your little one to *touch* and love on.

3. Laundry Day - our Elf got a new wardrobe this year, thanks to all of the amazing little outfits that are now available.  He is discovered in the laundry room, with his clothes hanging on a line to dry.

4. Elf brought an Advent Calendar!

5. Everyone knows an Elf's diet consists of sweets. Your Elf is found in front 
of a half-eaten bag of Oreos, with all of the filling (his favorite!) scraped off of the cookies.

6. It's a major award! The Elf brought you A Christmas Story Nightlight, and is found unpacking the "Fraa-gee-lay" lamp .

7. Elf is found in your freezer, hanging out on a frozen "pond", with his new ice skates and a scarf.

8. You like puzzles? The Elf brought you a Christmas Word Search (see bottom of post for printable)

9. You did such a great job on yesterday's puzzle, that the Elf thinks you're ready for an "expert" level jigsaw puzzle - fill a small bag with sawdust, shredded paper, or confetti (see bottom of post for printable).

10. Elf had too much coffee - big googly eyes, while enjoying a cup o' Joe.

11. It's snowing! Elf strung up multiple strands of fishing line and cotton balls.

12.We're low on sweets! The Elf created a sugar-filled grocery list for you. (see bottom of post for printable)

13. Let's play some mini golf! (cut out a putting green from paper, and use a mini candy cane as a golf club)

14. Elf left you some "snowball" (cotton candy) treats (see bottom of post for printable)

15. Thirsty? Elf is found up high, with multiple straws connected and looped, down to a cup of milk.

16. Your scout Elf thought he'd be of some help and strung up some Christmas lights (only he's kinda sloppy)

17. Elf made you some chocolate covered marshmallow snowmen! (stack three on a stick, dip in white chocolate, and decorate)

18. Oops! Elf was enjoying a drink and spilled "milk" (draw out a "spill" on parchment paper, using liquid glue.  Once it dries, gently scrape it off and it's ready to use).

19. The Elf baked you some North Pole Nibbles -- check out Nikki's "Boo Bites" recipe; use red & green sprinkles (see bottom of post for printable)

20. Elf made an igloo! - Cut out the bottom out of a plastic milk jug and make a hole for a "door", and then glue on packaging peanuts -- see Susan's photo, if you're a visual person.

21. Ready for some more sweets?! Elf made red, white and green swirl cookies -- see Amber's "Swirled Sugar Cookies" recipe, and use Christmas colors/sprinkles instead.

22. The Elf played dress-up with your mom's jewelry!

23. Who's ready for a vacation? --> this elf <-- He's found laying out on a "beach" (brown sugar or sand filled pan). Use your imagination for his beach props or activities :)

24. Elf made some angel wings for himself, out of paper.

25. Look out below! Elf is found climbing down from up high, using linked candy canes for a rope

26. Sweet! Elf made a birthday cake for Jesus -- stack together two Oreos, cover with frosting and decorate with sprinkles.

If you post Elf activities on social media, be sure to give me a shoutout - I'd love to see them! Follow me on Instagram and "Like" my Facebook page, if you'd like to be included on Reese's daily adventures, this holiday season. I will be posting daily pics!    

If you're looking for items mentioned throughout this post, or other Elf related accessories, check these out!




Get your 2014 Calendar and Printables here:


2014 Elf on the Shelf Calendar

Elf Grocery List

Elf Word Search 

Expert Puzzle Topper and North Pole Nibbles

Elf Snowballs (Cotton Candy)




 

What Elf antics are you most looking forward to, this year?

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Making Lunch Fun: Valentine's Day

How was your Valentine's Day? And your Thanksgiving? Christmas? New Year's Eve?  I took a little break, of sorts - no reason in particular.  I just wanted to enjoy the holidays with family, and then afterward I found myself a bit unmotivated.  

Wanna know something really spectacular that happened while I was away?  Domestic Femme blew past its 100,000th visit!!! I think I'm getting the hang of this SEO thing :)

I kinda like to do special lunches for the little guy, on certain days of the year (See: Easter, Birthday, 1st Day of School).  I did this last year, for Valentine's Day:

  

The containers were spotted within the Valentine's Day section of my local grocery store.  Cool, huh?

This year, I covered up his lunch in some wrapping paper, slapped on some fun stickers, and topped his drink with ribbon.

 

Voila!

What fun lunch ideas have you created?  Did you do anything for Valentine's Day?

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