My dear friend and fellow blogger Amelia over at You Can Always Start Now just published a post on twirling and pivoting and doing and enjoying crafts even if they are for kids. She loves to explore all the possibilities. Go over and read her post (linked above) to fully understand why I am sharing this with you. She always has the greatest ideas and today I found myself in the store that starts with $$ and ends with what rhymes with drama…and found the cutest little craft kit tucked in among the kids crafts. For a buck 25 how could I resist Continue reading Age Appropriate?? Crafts that is…
Tag: Crafts
The Christmas Challenge Post – 12 Things of Christmas 2020
My friend and fellow blogger Amelia P made a request in the Facebook group Sharing, Inspiring, Promoting Bloggers to collaborate with other bloggers to do a “Christmas Challenge” post.
How it works is we come up with 12 Things about Christmas, write a post on our own blog and insert links to our fellow bloggers. The second I read about it, I knew I was going to participate. Afterall, the name of the group is Sharing, Inspiring, Promoting Bloggers.
I’m thrilled to be collaborating with the following bloggers:
Amelia P @ YouCanAlwaysStartNow
Ellen Best @ https://ellenbest24.wordpress.com/
Courtney @ http://lifeapprovedsimply.com/
Esme @ https://esmesalon.com/
Brittany @ https://everydaypbj.com/
Here are my 12 Things “traditions” of Christmas:
- For the last 7 years (since the very beginning of my blog) I have been doing a 12 Days of Christmas Series. It is something I truly enjoy doing as it challenges me to dig deep and find easy, budget friendly, gift worthy things people might like to make, bake, decorate or create. I just wrapped up these posts on November 30, 2020 – I will put links to all of them at the end of the post.
- I will admit I have an infinity for Santa Claus and for Nutcrackers. I add to my collection every year and proudly display from November 12 to January 06. I also, rarely, if ever, purchase new items for my collection. If at all possible, I search and buy vintage. Here is a picture of the additions I made this year.
3. I like to make (and sometimes sell) Christmas tree decorations. This year I decided to make tree ornaments using wood slices. This one, I thought, was particularly fitting;
and this one went to my daughter in Texas.
4. I make my own Christmas Cards and try to ensure they are mailed out by December 10th. This one was one of my favorite cards I made this year.
5. I LOVE buying local and especially from local artisans (usually at Christmas Craft Fairs). I did not get to any in person craft shows this year but because there are so many creative beings out there, who were still making and creating their wares, I did purchase items through “on-line” stores so win/win!
6. I am from the East Coast of Canada and even though I now live on the West Coast of Canada, some traditions just never change. On Christmas Eve the evening meal is a feast of some form or seafood. For me this year it is going to be pan fried Digby Scallops. I’m already looking forward to that.
7. Watching Hallmark Christmas movies. I just love watching a good cheesy predictable Christmas movie :O) – I am not sure what the draw to watch these movies is; maybe it’s the music maybe it’s the happy ending, maybe it’s just the magic of Christmas.
8. Speaking of movies – without fail on Christmas Day I watch the movie “A Christmas Carol” – the black & white version starring Alastar Simms, right after the turkey feast, the dishes can wait!
9. On Boxing Day, it’s go to the Movie Theatre for an afternoon matinee, again, not sure what that will look like this year. We will have to wait and see.
10. Traditional Christmas baking for me includes whipped shortbread, sugar cookies, ginger sparkle cookies, gingerbread men, cherry balls, coconut balls and pork pies(not what you think – these are shortbread bottom tarts with date filling and almond icing).
11. We like to drive around and look at the Christmas lights (we walk around our own neighbourhood though). This year we are going to go to something called the Magic of Lights at the Castrol Raceway -it is sponsored by Canadian Tire and provides you and your guests an opportunity to celebrate the holidays #togetherapart; comfortably maintaining social distancing from the comfort of your own vehicle. We are really looking forward to this and who knows, this could become our “new” yearly tradition. All money raised from the entrance fee goes to the Edmonton Food Bank – a very worthy cause.
12. Making anonymous donations to local charities that are near and dear to my heart. The Salvation Army, the local food bank, and the angel tree being my top three.
Wow, I was worried I didn’t have 12 Christmas Traditions but I bet if you really think about it, you do too. Hope you enjoyed these and don’t forget to visit my few bloggers and see what they came up with for their 12 Things of Christmas Challenge.
As mentioned earlier in this post here are links to my 12 Days of Christmas Series 2020.
Day 1- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Papercraft Angel
Day 2- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Painted glass jar candle holder
Day 3 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Macrame Keychain
Day 4 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Holiday Straws
Day 5 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – No Bake Energy Balls
Day 6- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Christmas Bulb Napkin RIngs
Day 7 -12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Nutcracker Place Card Holders
Day 8 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Honey Lavender Sugar Scrub
Day 9 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Sweet & Salty Holiday Candy
Day 10 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – DIY Twig & Washi Tape Card
Day 11 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – JOY Vertical Sign
Day 12 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Coconut Lemon Loaf
You can follow me at all these lovely places:
Twitter @awandafulthing
https://www.facebook.com/awandafulthing
https://www.instagram.com/awandafulthing/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WTtrinketsandtreasures/
Thanks for stopping by….until next time.
Share this:
Day 4- A WandafulThing 12 Days of Christmas 2020
A WandafulThing 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Day 4
Thank you for joining me for my 12 Days of Christmas 2020.
If you missed Day 1, 2 &3- there will be a link at the end of this post.
This year I am going back to basics of why I started my blog and that was to inspire you to make, bake, create and decorate, all on a budget of course. Over the next four weeks I will share some simple, easy and budget friendly ideas just in time for the holidays.
Day 4: DIY – Holiday Straws
These straws are eye-catching and delightful, and they couldn’t be easier to DIY. They will add a little extra oomph to any holiday drink.
Simply attach small die-cut holly leaves and berries to a red-and-white paper straw with a dab of hot glue or glue dots.
Supplies needed:
- red and white paper straws
- red and green cardstock
- glue gun or glue dots
- paper punch, die cuts or Cricut or other die cutting machine
I used my Cricut die cutting machine and a free svg file of holly leaves and berries. I cut mine at 3/4 inch. If you have a paper punch or a die cut of holly berries, simply cut equal amounts of holly and berries and attach with either glue dots or hot glue.
I used glue dots to attach the leaves to the straw, as well as the small cluster of red berries.
Simple, easy, inexpensive DIY Holiday Straws make a great addition to any holiday drink. It’s AWandafulThing!
Day 1- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Papercraft Angel
Day 2- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Painted glass jar candle holder
Day 3 – 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Macrame Keychain
You can follow me at all these lovely places:
Twitter @awandafulthing
https://www.facebook.com/awandafulthing
https://www.pinterest.com/awandafulthing/
https://www.instagram.com/awandafulthing/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WTtrinketsandtreasures/
Thanks for stopping by….until next time.
Share this:
Day 3- A WandafulThing 12 Days of Christmas 2020
A WandafulThing 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Day 3
Thank you for joining me for my 12 Days of Christmas 2020.
If you missed Day 1 &2- there will be a link at the end of this post.
I’m so excited that my 12 Days of Christmas has begun. This year I am going back to basics of why I started my blog and that was to inspire you to make, bake, create and decorate. Over the next four weeks I will share some simple, easy and budget friendly ideas just in time for the holidays.
Day 3: DIY Tassel Macrame Keychain
This DIY Macrame Keychain uses simple knots and a basic tassel. It might seem like a lot of steps but once you get the hang of making these knots you will be able to make one of these diy tassel macrame keychains in well under 30 minutes.
Supplies needed:
- 3mm macrame cording
- one jump ring per keychain
- cross stitch floss, yarn or twine
For the keychain shown above I chose to use the square knot.
Cut 2 pieces of cording about 40 inches each in length. Loop each piece through the keyring with a larks head knot, making the outside strands about 2/3 the length of the cord.
Now make 10 or so square knots.
Right-facing square knot
A right-facing knot (RFSK) has a vertical bump on the knot that appears to the right. A left-facing knot (LFSK) is tied the same way as a right-facing but mirrored. Follow the instructions for a right-facing, but replace cord A with B, left with right and vice versa.
Step 1. Move cord B to the left across the white filler cords, forming a loop, and behind cord A.
Step 2. Move cord A behind the filler cords, and pass it up through the loop from behind. Pull cord A gently to the right, and B gently to the left, while holding the filler cords straight.
Step 3. Move cord B to the right across the filler cords, forming a loop, and behind cord A. Move cord A behind the filler cords, and pass it up through the loop created by cord B, from behind.
Step 4. Tighten the knot by pulling cords A and B while holding the filler cords straight.
To finish off, wrap embroidery floss at the bottom for about 1/2 an inch. Cut and secure. To make the tassel cut to desired length and fray the ends.
Simple, easy, inexpensive handmade macrame keychains make great gifts for the holidays. It’s AWandafulThing!
Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any upcoming make, bake, create or decorating ideas!
Recap:
Day 1- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Papercraft Angel
Day 2- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Painted glass jar candle holder
You can follow me at all these lovely places:
Twitter @awandafulthing
https://www.facebook.com/awandafulthing
https://www.pinterest.com/awandafulthing/
https://www.instagram.com/awandafulthing/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WTtrinketsandtreasures/
Thanks for stopping by….until next time.
Share this:
Day 2- A WandafulThing 12 Days of Christmas 2020
A WandafulThing 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Day 2
Thank you for joining me for my 12 Days of Christmas 2020.
If you missed Day 1- there will be a link to at the end of this post.
I’m so excited that my 12 Days of Christmas has begun. I usually try to stick to a theme each year, but this year I am going back to the basics of why I started my blog and that was to inspire you to make, bake, create and decorate. Over the next four weeks I will share some simple, easy and budget friendly ideas just in time for the holidays.
Day 2: Painted glass jar votive holder
For these cute little jars you will need:
- two clean clear jars (lids optional)
- acrylic paint (I used red and green)
- vinyl stickers – you can make your own if you have a Cricut die cutting machine or purchase them from the $$ store. It doesn’t matter what color they are as you will remove them after you paint the jars
- apply the stickers to the front of the jars and then apply two or three coats of paint over the outside of the jar including the sticker. Let dry completely and then remove the stickers from the jar.
- Apply a coat of mod podge over the jars and let this dry completely. If you decide to use the lids of the jars you can also apply a coat of mod podge on the top of the jar and cover with a sprinkling of epsom salt. Let dry completely and your votive holders will be ready to use.
See below for visual instructions:
Simple, easy, inexpensive decorations for the holidays. It’s AWandafulThing!
Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any upcoming make, bake, create or decorating ideas!
Recap:
Day 1- 12 Days of Christmas 2020 – Papercraft Angel
You can follow me at all these lovely places:
Twitter @awandafulthing
https://www.facebook.com/awandafulthing
https://www.pinterest.com/awandafulthing/
https://www.instagram.com/awandafulthing/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WTtrinketsandtreasures/
Thanks for stopping by….until next time.
A Wandaful Thing 