Hi guys! Happy Monday! Happy Christmas week! So, I had big plans to make allllllll the things for Christmas and I had stacks of pretty things in my craft room on the counter..... And it started giving me stress. The holidays totally got away from me this year and to be honest, I'm really exhausted and burned out. I was putting so much pressure on myself to make more cards and make cookies and make presents. I literally shut down. When I get anxious like that, nothing creative will come out. I've tried. LOLZ. So this might be the last Christmas project for 2022... I will write all my ideas down and try again next year. I just needed to relieve the self induced pressure. So on Friday I cleaned my craft room and put all the Christmas crafty bins away (five of them full!), vaccumed, cleaned all the surfaces and hung up some twinkly lights. I called it and decided to focus the rest of the year on the reason for the season, and gratitude, and church and cocoa and looking at lights and all that good stuff. The past few years have been so hard and I'm struggling as we come to the end of the year. I will renew myself and set my goals for 2023. I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with your friends and families. You guys are like family to me and I am so thankful for you and your support! Sending blessings your way as we come into Christmas week.
And so, my Doodlebug loving friends... I'm here today to share my final Doodlebug project for the year! My project features the super fun Candy Cane Lane Collection! My shadow box I am sharing today is up on the shelf in my craft room to bring some Christmas joy and cheer. But, it would also be great in the entry way or any room that needs fun and joy! And would also make a great gift!! I used the new Candy Cane Lane Shadow Box Kit and the brown frame to put this together. If you haven't made a Doodlebug Shadow Box yet, I really recommend it! I guarantee you will have some fun crafting! I've made five so far and I love changing it out for the season!! Now they make one for every new collection!!
Here is my finished shadow box. I splattered on some white paint to make it look snowy and artsy! I used some stickers and embellishments to add a bit of extra interest to the bottom of the frame. I always like to add some matching decorations to my frame! It's hard to see, but I backed the vellum panel with blue snowflake 12x12 paper from the Candy Cane Lane Collection.
I just adore all the little houses in this kit!! I want to live in a pretty Christmas house! You can see that I also splattered white paint onto my finished panel. I used Diamond Stickles to add glittery accents to the rooftops and other areas.
So many pretty, sparkly gems in this kit - it makes it come alive and shimmer!
The color palette in this kit is just so cheery and sweet. I do love a pop of pink or aqua in with my Christmas colors! No one does it better than Doodlebug.
Here is my insert before I put it in the frame. The kit comes with a sheet of thick vellum and you place the vellum over a pattern and put the stickers and gems, etc down onto the vellum. It's genius and really fun. Some of the elements are popped up with foam squares and some are flat.
Thank you for spending a little time with me today!! I hope you will make one of these shadow boxes!! My next Doodlebug project will be for New Years Week!! They have a brand new collection for planning and for calendars and I can't wait to show you. I'm waiting for mine to be delivered and I'm so excited! Have a great week! Love you! XOXO
Self happiness and preservation comes first. To tell the truth, I’m done too - no more inspiration and back to crafting everyday things when time allows. I enjoy seeing what others have done for Christmas and all the lights, and of course - Jesus - the reason for the season. Merry Christmas to you and your husband. Your FB friend from Lincoln, - Maureen
Posted by: Maureen Sala | 12/20/2022 at 10:03 AM
Merry Christmas! Your framed Christmas village is so adorable. If you could just jump in there...all is calm, all is bright! Enjoy that peace and quiet. Thanks for all the lovely inspiration this year and I look so forward to the New Year 2023!
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | 12/20/2022 at 07:47 AM
Yesterday I put away all my Christmas crafts, and swept up all the tiny paper bits of paper. It looked like a ticker tape parade took place in there. Hopefully, next year I’ll get an earlier start on Christmas crafting so there’s less stress. Now it time to enjoy the days leading up to Jesus’ birthday with my Grandgirlies, family and friends. May your days be merry and bright. Thank you for all of your wonderful inspiration and Merry CHRISTmas!
Posted by: Jan Francis | 12/20/2022 at 05:42 AM
This IS SO SWEET, Wanda! It looks like Santa's Village! ;) I LOVE what you've done to the frame as well, with the little trees! Do NOT WORRY about all those projects! A person can only do so much, Friend! I was doing the same thing.... I did get my tags done, (I even had to make more for an unexpected gift,but you have to know your limits. Don't over-load! LOL It is SO EASY TO DO! I HOPE you ARE enjoying your lights & decor & just focusing on the Reason For The Season now! HUGS DEAR FRIEND!!! AND enjoy some Hot Cocoa! ;)<3
Posted by: Becky Green | 12/20/2022 at 05:15 AM
Wanda.....you have summed up exactly how I have been feeling!! I am so glad I am not the only one! Everything you wrote is me to a T! soooo it was so nice to see what you have created today! I am going to try and make one of these with your direction! I just love it!!!!!
Posted by: Christine Dol | 12/20/2022 at 04:28 AM
Fabulous, love it. Just wanted to say I have a post on my blog where I have mentioned you, credit where credit is due. Merry Christmas love Jane x
Posted by: Jane | 12/19/2022 at 05:20 AM