Bead It Up!

Here are a few ways you can use everyday beads to accessorize your little one:

1. Pacifier clip: make a loop in one end to attach to the pacifier and attach the other beaded end to a clip to latch on to baby's clothes. You can also make personalized clip holders with your favorite ribbon and a little Velcro. For pacifiers with loop holders, simply loop the beads or ribbon through the loop. Or, buy a simple attachment for pacifiers without holders.

2. Stretch bracelets: use stretchy bead wire to make a bracelet for your little one. This way you don't have to be as exact on sizing, and it is easy to get on and off flapping arms.

3. Clasp bracelets: measure your baby's wrist by making a circle with your thumb and forefinger. Adjust wire size appropriately and make allowance for the clasp.

*Always use very sturdy string or wire - if the beads break they could cause a choking hazard.

Natural Teethers

Here's a naturally delicious way to soothe your baby's teething crave ...

. Give baby sturdy fruits and vegetables to hold and suck on, like carrots, bell-peppers and apples.

Keep a close eye on your child to make sure a piece does not accidentally break off and cause a choking hazard.

My kids prefer fruits and vegetables to plastic teething toys. Plus, sucking on food rather than commercial teethers may stimulate taste-buds and help your child be more adventurous with food in the future.

Other suggestions:

1. Ashton & Parsons infants' powder, 'For Teething with a Smile." Wow! Does this stuff work and it is totally natural. The draw-back? It is difficult to find ... I bought mine in the London Heathrow airport ... here is a website that says they're in stock: boots.com

2. This is a great contraption built off of the al'natural idea. Plus, it eliminates the choking hazard and you can freeze the food - so your little ones gums will be even more relieved!

Wipe with Style

Turn your ordinary baby wet-wipes container into a diaper bag statement piece.
You'll need: a hot glue-gun, batting, fabric, ribbon and embelishments.
1. Hot glue batting to both sides of container - cut so batting barely reaches sides.
2. Hot glue fabric on top of batting, trip around edges. It is ok if there is not a perfect edge, since the finishing ribbon will cover uneven sides.
3. Hot glue decorative thick ribbon across one third of container.
4. Hot glue thin ribbon around sides of both top and bottom.
5. Add embelishments (gems, flowers, buttons) to top thick decorative ribbon.

What to do with those left over Christmas Cards

Make a photo album of left over family pictures. Children love to look at faces and recognize family and friends. Plus, no guilt if the pictures get ruined, since you would have probably thrown them away.

Other ideas:

1. make a bulletin board of pictures

2. string cards as drapes above windows

3. display cards on closed mini-blinds