2012 in review

We all say it, don't we? How can time fly by so quickly? As another year draws to a close I thought I'd choose a highlight from each month.  It was tough to pick just one from each month, but here is a sampling of my year in 2012 in review.

January: Homemade Graham Crackers, Marshmallows and heart chocolate for Valentine Some-mores

February: Alexis' Princess Dress

March: Let the Fairy In You Fly

April: Alexis' Tricycle Basket/Bucket

May: Hunting for Treasures and Antique Pincushion Dolls

June: Celebrate Independence Card

July: What's Under the Cake Dome Sunday?  Angel Food Cake with Lemon Curd and Mascarpone Cream, topped with fresh berries.

August: Highlights of our trip to Cape Cod

September: Canning lots of fruits and vegetables

October:  Me, the Mister and my "girls".

November: Quilted Fabric Ornaments

December: Fairy Princess Tutu and Wand

Wishing you ALL a happy and healthy new year in 2013!

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

Fairy Princess Tutu and Wand for Christmas

The food has been eaten and the gifts are unwrapped.   Christmas day was filled with  lovely moments and memories that we'll enjoy in our minds for many years to come.

 

I must confess, I was especially excited to give the grandgirls their gifts that I made for them.  Oh the fun I had working with ribbons, lace, flowers, rhinestones and toule.  Yards and yards of pretty toule to make their fairy princess tutus and wands. 

 

For Lilly, I alternated teal, powder blue and white toule interspacing white grosgrain ribbon and satin rosebud flowers on the tutu.  The wand uses the same toule and more flowers, clear "diamond" rhinestones with the wand base (a dowel) wrapped in white satin ribbon.  I kept thinking of a line from the song "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music that says, "girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes."

For Alexis, her tutu had to be pink and purple.  Alexis loves everything pink and purple so I alternated pink, purple and white toule and interspaced it with pink satin ribbon and pink flowers.  Her wand is made with the matching toule and flowers with 1/8" satin purple ribbons and purple rhinestones to sparkle and cast her fairy dust from.  *smiles*

 

After a yummy Christmas turkey dinner it was time to open their presents.  Lilly is almost 15 months old and especially loved the wrappings and bags and running in her poofy tutu.

 

We got the biggest kick out of watching Lilly toddle around in her beautiful plaid dress with a tutu on top.  She seemed quite proud of her ensemble she was wearing.

 

Alexis will be 4 years old in a couple of months.  How have the years gone by so quickly since she was a wee one like her baby sister?  Miss Alexis is a multitalented girl who can go from wearing a helmet and knee pads to carrying a princess wand in a blink of an eye.

I had decided to make the tutus for the girls in the fall when I saw the tutorials on youtube and Pinterest.  They are so simple to make!  REALLY!  They are.  And, if you don't sew, no worries there.  They do not require sewing.  The supply list is short:

 

Elastic cut to the length of the child's waist measurement

Toule

Ribbon

Scissors

Hot glue gun

and then as many embellishments as you wish.

 

For the wands I had Grandpa Paul cut two dowls about 18 inches long.  Then I wrapped them with ribbon, added ribbons and flowers and gemstones and at the top created a toule poof from the scraps from the tutu. 

 

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful day that has left you with memories to enjoy throughout the new year to come.

 

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

Chalkboard Ornaments

 

For the past couple of years Chalkboards have become the "in" thing.  This chalkboard craze can be found in everything from home decor, signboards at the coffee shop, the beer and wine stores, on cards, decorations.....you name it.  Chalkboard art can be found everywhere.  So... why not chalkboard ornaments for the Christmas tree?

 

Probably 8 or 9 years ago my sister, a school teacher, sent me a box of crafting supplies that she had but didn't have a purpose for and thought maybe I could use them.  Amongst the items were about 10 little chalkboards.  They were 49 cents each according to the sticker still on the backs.  I was clueless what to do with such tiny chalkboards so they've been in a box in the closet ever since.  Recently I discovered them and immediately knew how I'd make use of them.

 

To make these took all of maybe 15 minutes.  The sentiments are from Papertrey Ink's sentiments set called Over Under Easy: Holiday Additions Stamp Set.  I used VERSAMARK to stamp the sentiments onto the chalkboards and then embossed the sentiment with White Detail embossing powder.  Once the sentiment was stamped I drilled tiny holes on each upper corner, strung rusty wire and a rusty bells to use as hangers and finished it off with a  bow of bakers twine.

 

These will be fun to use not only as ornaments, but also as gift tags or even affix a magnet to the back and use them as refrigerator greetings.

 

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

Shared at:

HOMEWORK

Rustic Christmas Angel Ornaments

"Look Daddy. Teacher says, everytime a bell rings an angel gets his wings."  Of course you remember this line spoken by Zuzu Bailey in the classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life."

 

I've been having some fun making Rustic Christmas Angel Ornaments this year and each one has a rusty bell on its hanger just in case another angel is waiting to earn his wings.  *smiles* 

Each angel is made of osnaburg linen with calico trim.  Their halos are made from either raffia or spanish moss.  Each angel has a primitive and rustic hanger made of rusty wire and a rusty bell.

 

I made a few extra and have put them in MY ETSY SHOP, in case you'd like to have one or two of your own.

 

And speaking of the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life", I think it is a good evening to watch it again.

 

Until next time,

 

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

 

 

 

I'm sharing this post at the following link parties:

 

Common Ground - The Marketplace
Homework
Knick of Time
A Delightsome Life

Simple Blessings - UPDATE !

I've had a few inquiries if "Simple Blessings" would be sold in MY ETSY SHOP.   I'm happy to report that the flock has multiplied and I now have three pairs of sheep listed.

Each pair of lambs have unique facial expressions and distressing.  Made of Osnaburg Linen, coffee and cinnamon dyed and then hand painted and distressed, they'll make charming shelf sitters and/or bowl fillers for the holiday season and all of the year through.

Loving handmade my ME I've interpreted Stacey Meade of Raven's Haven pattern for Simple Blessings.  You can now find them HERE.

 

Cheers!

Jennifer

I'm linking to these parties:

Common Ground
At The Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Meet Noel: A Primitive, Folk Art Canada Goose

With sewing machine humming, paint brushes applying paint, distressing tools being used, I've been busy hatching a gaggle of Primitive - Rustic Canadian Geese shelf sitters, just in time for the holiday season.

Each Canada Goose has been lovingly made by ME in Osnaburg linen, coffee and cinnamon dyed and then hand painted and distress. The pattern is designed by Stacey Meade of Raven's Haven. These darling geese wear a rusty bell hung around their necks with twine.

 

 

 

These three geese are ready and waiting for a new winter home and are currently listed for sale in MY ETSY SHOP HERE.

 

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

Linking to:

HOMEWORK

Knick of Time

Common Ground

At The Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

 

Bird seed ornaments

The  Mister and I have begun decorating for Christmas, both indoors and outdoors.  This year, I wanted to decorate the trees in the yard with a few festive goodies for the wild birds that are looking for a snack.  What could be better than making simple birdseed ornaments?

 

These wild birdseed ornaments require very few ingredients from your kitchen, whatever cookie cutters you'd like to use, some string or ribbon and you've soon created something to share with nature.

I think these are such fun to make with young ones as well as the young at heart.  An advantage to this "recipe" is that they don't require peanut butter so they won't adversely affect those who have nut allergies.

Have you figured out what the shape of this one (above) is?  Yep!  It is a rooster.  I'm sending this one over to the lady from whom we buy our fresh eggs.  I think she'll get a giggle out of the rooster.
See how few and simple the ingredients are? 

Do you want to make some?  Here is the recipe and easy instructions:

 

 

Bird Seed Ornaments

 

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups of birdseed
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 packets of Knox gelatin
• cookie cutters or even a canning jar rim for a simple circle
• string or ribbon for the hanger
• parchment paper or waxed paper to work on and let the ornaments dry

 

Directions:

 

1. Mix the water and gelatin in a small saucepan and heat to dissolve.  STIR CONSTANTLY until all of the geletin has dissolved.  Then remove the pan from the heat and cool it for a minute or two.  Don't wait too long, though because the gelatin will begin to set.
2. Next, stir in the  1 1/2 cups of birdseed into the water/gelatin mixture.  If you see that it is still a little "syrupy" or water/gel at the bottom then add a little more birdseed to soak up the extra moisture.
3. Now the fun begins.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper.  This will be your work surface.  Press the birdseed into the cookie cutters but filling only to half full.  Cut a piece of string, bakers twine, ribbon (whatever you want to hang your ornaments on) and tie a knot in the end.
4. Lay the string in the middle of the ornament.  I spread my string out as much as possible in the center and pulled the top up to where it will be exposed giving a more sturdy hanger.  I was fearful that if the string is only at the top that it would pull out of the ornament too quickly before the birds have a chance to eat the whole thing.
5. Now press more birdseed on top of the string to cover it completely.  If you notice a tiny scrap of parchment paper at the top of the photo below, I used that bit of paper to help me press the birdseed in.  The mixture is sticky and will stick to your fingers, otherwise.  You'll want a nice, smooth surface.
6. Once you've filled your cookie cutters allow them to dry overnight.  Be sure to turn them over occasionally so they'll dry evenly all the way through and on both sides.
7. Once the ornaments are dry, carefully removed them from the cookies cutters by pressing them through the cutter.

This recipe made 4 ornaments.  My cookie cutters are large so you could, perhaps get one or two more if using smaller cutters.

Pressing the birdseed/water/gelatin mixture into the cookie cutters and layout out the string:

Voila!  A finished set of ornaments ready to be taken outside for the birds.

I'll be watching my ornaments to see if I can capture some photos of birds enjoying their treat.  Be sure you place your bird seed ornaments in a place where you can enjoy the birds feasting.  This is a fun idea I found on Pinterest HERE.

 

Let Heaven and Nature Sing!

 

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

Quilted Fabric Ornaments

Over the past couple of years when I've attended holiday craft fairs, I've seen many beautiful quilted fabric ornaments for sale on crafter's tables. These beautiful ornaments, that will run you a pretty penny to purchase, are actually very simple to create at home. The beauty is, THEY ARE NO SEW ORNAMENTS! Yep! You don't have to know anything at all about quilting or sewing to create them.

Each ornament is unique to your own style and color preferences and combinations. They require very little fabric and you can make them as elaborate in design as you'd like. I've created the basic three color/layer star design, but if you were so inclined you could add more layers.

The supply list is not extensive either and very inexpensive. To make these quilted ornaments you'll need:

• 3" styrofoam ball
• fabric
• lots and lots and lots of straight pins with a small flat head (also called sequin pins)
• hot glue
• ribbon
• embellishments of your choosing if you care to decorate further

I had planned to create a tutorial how I made my quilted fabric ornaments but there are so many very good ones already created that I encourage you to Google "Quilted Fabric Ornaments" and you'll find many, MANY sites with instructions. If you enjoy watching it done via a video, here is an excellent video on youtube   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB9S-rxIe6w.

These are the first ones I've made and I am pleased with how they turned out.  They take a bit of time and repetitous pinning and folding and pinning and folding.  This is a great project to work on whilst watching television or put a video in to watch.  Holiday movies are my first preference to keep me in the spirit of the project.  *smiles*

My tree will be filled with an eclectic variety of handmade ornaments but I'm having a great time trying out some old and new crafts.

Until next time,
Cheers!
Jennifer

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

Remember the cinnamon-applesauce ornaments you or your children made in preschool, girl/boy scouts or as a fun activity at home with the family?   I sure do and since I'm in the process of making handmade decorations for our Christmas tree, I wanted to give this age old technique for making ornaments another try.

The house (and my hands) smell cinnamon-y wonderful! This is probably the best recipe I've used to make these ornaments. And, depending upon the size of the cookie cutter or template you use, you can get anywhere from a dozen to a dozen and a half ornaments from one batch.

One thing to remember is, you can't be in a hurry with these. Of course they are very simple to mix and cut out, but then you must be very patient to let them dry COMPLETELY. You should carefully turn them over during the drying process to insure they are well dried on both sides. I also stuck them in a warm oven at 150 degrees for a couple of hours to speed drying and setting...just be sure to watch them carefully! You aren't baking them! You are merely drying them.

After they are completely dry you can decide if you want to decorate and/or paint them or leave them natural. I really like the brown color and grainy texture of them left plain, but did pull out a couple tubes of Liquid Pearls in red and white to decorate my gingerbread men and a jar of beads and some wire for the stars.

Really a very easy project! They smell wonderful and it is a fun project to involve the kids in...whether youngsters or young-at-heart.

Here is the recipe. I hope you'll give it a try.
 

Cinnamon-Applesauce Ornaments

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup of warm applesauce (I warmed the applesauce in the microwave for a few seconds. Be sure to drain excess water)
• 2 tablespoons of white "school glue".  Elmers works fine

Directions:

1. Warm up the applesauce in the microwave oven or on the stove top just until warm (not hot!)
2. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and knead to a stiff dough.  You can also put all of the ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer (I used my kitchenade with a dough hook).
3. If the "dough" appears too dry, add small amounts more of applesauce just a little at a time.  You don't want the dough to be sticky though.  It should just hold together enough to allow it to keep from falling apart.
4. Roll out the dough between sheets of foil or parchment paper.  By rolling between the layers of foil or paper you'll get a smooth piece of dough to work with.
5. Roll it out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.  Do NOT roll too thin.  The ornaments will be delicate and while the thinner you roll them will allow them to dry more quickly, they also will break much easier.
6. Be patient and allow your ornaments to dry completely.  It may take 24 to 48 hours but you'll be so happy you waited patiently.

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer
 

Simple Blessings

What can I give him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

if I were a wise man, I would do my part.

Yet what I can I give him--give my heart.

For the past couple of years I've been working on Christmas decorations for the home and tree that are handmade and meaningful.  I love primitive artwork in all mediums and have gotten very interested in primitive soft sculptures.  "Simple Blessings" is one of several different primitive soft sculptures that I've been sewing, stuffing, staining and painting.

Each lamb has a heat set message on one side and the opposite side I left blank.

I can dress them up with a scarf or bell or leave them plain.

I purchased the pattern to make these "Simple Blessings" from Stacey Meade of Raven's Haven.
 

I have several more primitive soft sculptures in the works and will be adding to this flock as well.

I'm honored to say that I was featured on Carolyn's website HOMEWORK:

and on Angie's website KNICK OF TIME

and on Jann's website SHARE YOUR CUP THURSDAY

 

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

Linking to:

HOMEWORK
Knick of Time
Share Your Cup Thursday
Home and Garden