Every year we buy special ornaments for our Yule tree – one for us and one for each of our children. The intent is that when the kids are grown, they will have some holiday decorations to take with them. A few years ago, I realized that in a short span of time some years down the road, our tree would go from having a lot of these special ornaments to very few, as our children head out on their own. That was the year I began making ornaments.

This year (well, 2010), after participating in our local attachment parenting ornament swap, I thought it would be fun to do themed ornaments. Our family always has fun with Harry Potter themed ideas, so I thought I would begin there. It is my intent to make at least 12 Harry Potter themed ornaments throughout the year. When we signed up for the Harry Potter book and movie challenges, I decided to combine my ornament challenge with them.

So, January’s official ornament is a flying key. I found a free knitting pattern and decided to make it – modified, of course. I think a real skeleton key with added wings would be fabulous, if only I had a real skeleton key. Looking online, they have gotten to be quite expensive in their novelty instead of the numerous keys homes used to have lying about.



Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out how you can participate in the next Families, Create! Carnival.

Our February theme is “Heroes and Heroines” – what can your family create this month to celebrate the heroes and heroines in your lives?

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• What’s the perfect way to snuggle up on a cold winter night? Acacia at Fingerpaint & Superheroes knows the answer: make the perfect soup!

• Simply decorated jars by children bring warmth and light to cold Winter’s days at Living Peacefully with Children.

• The ArtsyMama teaches us how to create a no sew fleece throw inspired by your favorite snuggle time book.

• Movies made from books are often pretty poor representations, but this family-made movie from Dionna at Code Name: Mama is monster-ific!

• Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes created a cozy for her Kindle, to protect it from little hands that think they need to cuddle with it.

• What better way to cuddle and get cozy than in new jammies made by Mama G @ Z everyday things?

• Inspired by her family’s love of the Harry Potter series, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to make a series of ornaments based on the theme.

• Laura at Nestled Under Rainbows shared a reflection on and a celebration of snuggies, lovies, cuddlies and specials.

• Little Hedgehog got a wonderful idea when his red hat from Father Christmas didn’t fit, and Megan at Purple Dancing Dahlias got a wonderful idea to knit a sweet hedgehog!

• Monster-inspired artwork by a monster-clad kid. Despite the growling, he really is cuddly! Monster love courtesy of Dionna at Code Name: Mama.

• Arpita at Up, Down & Natural shares a quick tutorial on how to make your very own Pippalily inspire pouch sling, with zippered pocket & key ring, and a matching nursing cover to boot!

• Amy at Anktangle finally completed something cuddly and warm for her son Daniel: his very own afghan, crocheted with love by Momma.

• Who’d want to cuddle with a cuttlefish? Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes thinks you might want to cuddle up with this sweet plush cuttlefish!

• In an attempt to slow down and relax while watching her children, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to give knitting another chance.

Join us in February to create something with (or for) your own family. Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out more about February’s “Heroes and Heroines” theme.