Halloween Photo Tree

I am not a crafty person. But I love crafty things. My motto is: If it requires any sewing, Modge Podge, or a glue gun, forget it!

This craft project is so simple that even I can do it. Plus, it's the perfect centerpiece for your Halloween (or birthday) party. {I actually made our Halloween Photo Tree for our girls' birthday party a few weeks ago.}

The beauty of this photo tree is that:

(1) You can display some of those lovely pictures of your kiddos hidden away in the photo album;

(2) You can create a display of pictures for ANY holiday, birthday, or special event, not just Halloween; and

(3) It's very cheap, quick, and easy to do {Did I mention how un-crafty I am?}.

I used pictures from the past three years of trick-or-treating, pumpkin patches, and other fall activities.

And each year I can dig out more pictures to add to our Halloween Photo Tree.

I think it will be a fun way to reminisce, laugh about how much we've all grown up, and just smile at the memories.





So, how do you make your own Halloween Photo Tree?

What you'll need:

• Pictures
• Construction paper or card stock 
• Laminator & laminating pouches {I like this laminator.}
• Glue or tape, hole punch, scissors, & yarn
• Sticks or branches 
• Vase or container 

Instructions

1. Gather up your pictures. {Don't be like me and have 5 photos of one kid and only 2 of another.} 
2. Glue or tape your pictures to card stock or construction paper. For Halloween, I used orange and black paper. Use whatever fits your holiday or theme or what matches your home decor.
3. Cut out around your pictures and insert them in the laminating pouches.
4. Laminate.
5. Cut out around your laminated pictures.
6. Punch holes in top of pictures.
7. Arrange branches into vase or container.
8. Using yarn, raffia, or whatever you have {All I had was kitchen twine. Did I mention I'm not crafty?}, tie the pictures onto your branches, arranging the pictures so that each one is clearly visible.
9. Display your photo tree for all to see!

I was really proud of my Halloween Photo Tree, and even weeks after making it, the girls still love to look at the pictures hanging on it and talk about them.

What kind of crafty things do you do to display your pictures?

Praying God's richest blessings on you,

Keri

Linking to The Better Mom, A Mama's Story, Growing Home, Raising Homemakers, Lessons from Ivy

October Family Fun: Birthdays, the Beach, & Fall Festivities

Wow! October is almost over!

I feel like it has been an eternity since I last posted. First, my laptop died. Then, I got a really nice new one only to have the hard drive crash three weeks in. After waiting over a week for HP to mail me a new hard drive, the laptop STILL did not work. So, I finally came to the {brilliant} decision to return the computer and get something else.

Enter my beautiful Mac. Love it but don't know how to use it.

Still, I am happy.

And when my three girls and I left Best Buy, I could no longer contain my gratitude, not only for a new computer, but for these last few weeks without one.


Here's what we've been doing lately...


Growing up...

5 months old

My big 2 year old!

Almost 4! Tomorrow's the big day!! 

 And not growing up...

My dorky husband

And I really can't talk, can I?

Beach Beauties

Our little gal loved playing in the waves

Baby Annabeth's first trip to the beach

She repeatedly tried to take on the ocean but lost time & again

Fall Fun Times

Meet Fancy Nancy, Tinker Bell, & Lil' Punkin

Love this little pumpkin



Fun at Walden Farm, one of our favorite local pumpkin patches

That's what our clan has been doing in October. Now, with the cool weather and changing colors, we are eagerly anticipating the upcoming holidays. 

Blessings to you,

Keri

September Goals Update + October New Goal

I've been on a bit of a hiatus lately. We spent Fall Break at the beach last week and celebrated my middle little girl's birthday. This weekend we're having a birthday party for my two October girls, so we're busy busy busy. Plus, I started back at my freelance gig writing for Butt Seriously, the blog for Stop Colon Cancer Now! 

I have just sat down and realized we're into the second week of October and I've yet to post an update to my goals for September. 

September Goals: How I Did & What's Next

(1) Finish Couch to 5K and run entire 3.1 miles in 30 minutes. 

Well, I did finish the C25K program and eventually ran an entire 5K. However, running 3.1 miles in 30 minutes did NOT happen. Let's just say, "Mama's a slow runner." Still, aside from last week's vacation when I ran only two days, I have been running at least 3 miles 3-4 days a week. I feel great, too! 

My goal for October is to continue running 3-4 days per week and work on improving my time. I really want to run a 5K race next Spring, but right now, I just feel soooo slow. I'm going to keep my goal of running 3.1 miles in 30 minutes. It's a lofty goal (for me), but I think I can do it.

(2) Read for 1 hour each day.

Okay, so I got sucked into a rather long thriller in September and didn't make it through my lovely list of books I had intended to read. Here's what I read though.

• Revelation by C.J. Sansom (part of a mystery series set in Tudor England)

• Beyond Bath Time: Embracing Motherhood as a Sacred Role by Erin Davis

In October, I plan to read the following books:

•  Your People Shall Be My People: How Israel, the Jews, & the Christian Church Will Come Together in the Last Days by Don Finto (This is a book I'm reading in my Bible study, so it's an ongoing read.) 

• The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons

•  Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

• Dissolution by C.J. Sansom

• The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

 
(3) Write for 30 minutes daily.

I feel pretty good about my achievements in this goal. I've been researching and writing regular blog posts for Butt Seriously. I've also been doing some personal writing in my journal. However, I do need to buckle down and write more on my own blog :)

(4) One-on-one time with each child, 10 minutes per day.

While this should be an easy goal, finding 10 minutes alone with each child every day is tricky. We've recently decided to let our oldest stay up later at night, so I am going to take advantage of that time to talk and spend time with her. And I consider the middle-of-the-night feedings with our baby as QT even though I'm pretty much unconscious. It's the middle child that gets left out, and right now, she's the one who really needs Mommy Time. I definitely need to work on finding time for her.

(5) Send one card per week to encourage someone.   

I started out the month doing pretty good at writing notes each week, but in the last two weeks, I've totally slacked. I have the note cards, but, honestly, my struggle is with who to send them to. Idea: Start sending cards to people I'm currently praying for. 
 
A New Goal for October

With the holiday season just around the corner, I'm feeling motivated to start planning. I've even started a few Pinterest boards in preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas including crafts, recipes, wrapping ideas, and other fun holiday activities. My goal is to get a head start on Christmas gifts before the madness of November & December hits! Plus, I want to get our family in the right frame of mind this holiday season.
 
What about you? Have you made any goals for October? 
Other links of interest:
Personal Goals for July
July Goals Update 
August Goals Update + New Goal for September

Blessings to you!
Keri

For comments or questions, contact me at: growinginhisglory@gmail.com

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