A Blog Called Wanda

Merry Christmas 2023! Wishing you a wonderful holiday!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2023!

FROM MY HOME TO YOURS!

WISHING YOU A WARM AND LOVELY CHRISTMAS!

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT YEAR OF CREATING TOGETHER!

 

 

Hi there my sweet friends! Hope you're having (or had) a wonderful and happy, joyful, peaceful Christmas!! I'm sending love and light your way today and I'm grateful for your love and support all year. I thought I would share some of my favorite photos from around my home this season.... The nativity scene above is a favorite piece of art that is front and center in our bookshelf in our family room. I keep a candle under it to gently light the scene. Truly the reason for the season!

Here's a little scene I created on our kitchen table. I mixed and matched some cloches and trees and twinkle lights... Fake snow and pretty things!! That big mason jar is an antique and it's one of my favorite things I've ever found at an antique fair. It has the original solid glass lid and metal ring. It weighs a ton and it's in perfect condition!! 

 

One of my favorite Christmas mugs filled with peppermint cocoa by the tree!! 

 

Lucky helping me put up the decorations!! He's so sweet and such a good kitty. He never messes with anything and likes to sit under the tree (like the present he is!!! Ha) Such a good boy!!

 

This sweet little tinsel tree I got at a vintage market this year! I really love Christmas lights and we have TONS at our house. My husband has decorated the front yard so much that now we have people driving by to look at it! I call it the "spectacular spectacular!" Also, my husband's nickname is Mark Griswold! We are a festive bunch. 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

 

A quick post with a refreshing Peppermint treat!

Hi friends! A very quick post today to share a fun Peppermint treat that we enjoy at our house! In Fall I am ALLLLL about the Pumpkin Spice Life.... But in Winter I am VERY much about the Peppermint Life! Ha! I love anything peppermint - candy, cake, coffee, and ice cream! (I sound like Buddy the Elf! Ha!) I am not really a sweets person most of the year, but of course at Christmas, I become a sweets person!! Have you ever had one of the Peppermint Chocolate Milkshakes at Chik-fil-a? If you haven't tried one, you need to! We love them. So, I have recreated that delectable treat at home using Peppermint Chocolate Ice Cream!! (we like the ice cream from Acme Valley) If you can't find Peppermint Chocolate ice cream, use Peppermint Ice Cream, and blend in some chocolate chips!! To make these you simply blend the ice cream and a little milk in the blender, and voila - a yummy milkshake! Top with some whipped cream (If you're lucky you can find Peppermint whipped cream at Target) and candy cane pieces, and add a cute straw - and enjoy! I made us shakes the other day, and decided to take some pretty pictures! Cheers! Enjoy your weekend! XO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Snowman Cross Stitch - Merry Christmas!

Hey there my dear crafty friends! Happy Friday! Happy Christmas weekend! The time is here and I am ready to celebrate Christmas, relax, and take a big exhale. The season is almost over so I need to enjoy all those Christmas lights and drink all the cocoa! Hahaha. Also, only a few more days to wear all my fun Christmas sweaters! (I have been collecting Christmas Sweaters and brooches for about 30 years now and I love to dress festive) Time for church and Christmas music and peace. This post will be my last crafting project for Christmas 2023! I can't believe I finished another cross stitch! It's a small one, but super cute and fun!! 

This came together quickly and is a small stitch. I did the Valentine one of this series a couple of years ago and it is also super cute. I added a tiny heart button to my snowman for just another little pop of red. I finished off with gingham ribbon from my stash, and a vintage button glued on with my hot glue gun. This was my first time cross stitching on Linen fabric! It was definitely harder because of my poor eyesight, but I really do like the results.

Pattern:  Holiday Hoopla Christmas, by Brenda Gervais, With Thy Needle and Thread

Fabric:   28 Count Linen 

Floss:     DMC Floss - My own color choices

Frame:   Four inch embroidery hoop 

 

 

 

In case you didn't already know....I love Snowmen!!! LOLZ. This guy is sweet and simple with his Santa hat and twig arms and carrot nose....

 

 

 

I made a bow from red/cream gingham ribbon and hot glued it to the top of the hoop, then added a button on top. 

 

 

 

 

Here's the back of my finished piece! I saw this technique on someone's Instagram and thought "GENIUS!" Gosh, this is so smart - and so easy. I had this pretty vintage looking gingham in black so I used that for the backing. To do this, sandwich the stitching and the fabric together, and put both in the hoop! That's it! I used my good fabric scissors to trim very close to the hoop. Done! And it hides your stitching and looks really clean. This will now be my go-to when I finish in a hoop.

 

Here's a photo of the finished piece in my hand, for size and scale. I think this would be soooooo pretty as a package tie on! Or as a Christmas ornament. It's the perfect size. Next year I think I might try to make a bunch of these. I just started too late this year. Really such a joyful project. 

That's it for me today!! And that's it for Christmas crafting 2023!! It's been a fun season sharing with you! Have a great Christmas weekend my friends! Lots of love from my home to yours!! XOXO

As always, if you're crafty shopping, I would be very grateful if you use my links to my favorite shops and help me out! Also, I've updated my gift ideas section in my Amazon Storefront, so you can check that out too!! Thank you! 

Puffy Stars Christmas Treat Boxes!

Hey hey hey! One week until Christmas! Happy Monday! How's it going?! I'm busy in the craft room trying to get all the things done before next week! It's pouring rain here in Sacramento today and I do really love a rainy day in the craft room. I put up Christmas lights in here this year and they're so pretty. I might just leave them up all year! It's very cozy and I'm getting a lot done. Here's wishing you a wonderful pre-Christmas week everyone! I think I might finish one more little cross stitch too! 

My project for today are these adorable puffy heart treat boxes! I used dies from The Stamp Market to make these cool boxes (Pillow Box Star) and also the snowflakes. They are super easy to put together too - a bonus! I used pretty pastel colors and a bit of silver watercolor paint for shimmer.... My supplies are listed at the bottom of my post - or here! 

 

I assembled each star box and then topped each one with a vellum scallop circle and a snowflake. I splattered silver paint on everything!! I added a big gem in the center of the snowflakes. Such a pretty color palette!

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a box in my hand so you can see the size and scale. Mine are filled with candies of course!

 

 

 

Here is the back of the box. There is one die and you cut it out twice and fold along the curved score lines. Then you simply match up two of them on top of each other and glue them together. You would leave one flap unglued so the recipient can get their treats out. TIP: I used my cordless hot glue gun to glue these together - SO FAST and simple... Much easier than trying to tape them or glue them with liquid glue.

 

 

 

I think these would be VERY cute for place setting gifts - either for Christmas, New Years or even the 4th of July! Your color choices can determine what the feeling and occasion would be!

Thanks for popping by today and spending some creative time with me! Hope you have an awesome week! Sending Christmas hugs from me to you!

I have a Destash page on Instagram and from time to time I will list gently used crafting items for sale. Right now, I just listed a big lot of stamps and dies from The Greetery! It's a very good deal! If you're interested, here's the link - and just email me or comment on the post! 

As always, if you're crafty shopping, I would be very grateful if you use my links to my favorite shops and help me out! Also, I've updated my gift ideas section in my Amazon Storefront, so you can check that out too!! Thank you! 

CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to see the supply list and links for today's project! (Affiliate Links Used)

Home for Christmas - Cozy Cross Stitch!

Hello crafty friends! Happy Saturday! Shockingly, I finished another Christmas cross stitch, so I thought I'd pop in and share it with you today! I have been staying up too late and enjoying every minute! Just a little bit longer to get things made for Christmas! We had a fun evening yesterday going out to dinner and then to the ice rink in the little town near us. It's so festive to sit outside and listen to the music and see the huge tree and all the lights. It makes me so happy and content. Today we're hanging out at home, my husband is putting up MORE lights outside, and my college is playing in a bowl game this evening.... Time to nest in for the holidays... How are you doing? Are you ready? Is everything done? Hope you're doing great! Sending warm wishes your way. 

Here's my cross stitch - simply framed with a frame from Michael's and some self added splatters to look like snow. The stitched area on 14 Aida is 6"x8" and it was a fun and quick stitch. I chose all my own colors - DMC floss. I wish we could meet up for some cocoa in this cozy little gingerbread house, don't you?! 

Pattern:  Home For Christmas, by Brenda Gervais, With Thy Needle and Thread

Fabric:   14 Aida Vintage Taupe

Floss:     DMC Floss - My own color choices

Frame:   Michael's 

 

 

 

 

I slightly modified the snowflakes on the pattern... The pattern has half of a snowflake on the left side, but I went ahead and stitched the entire big snowflake there because it was so pretty!! 

 

I love those pretty peppermints at the bottom of the pattern!!

 

 

The little red berries are a new stitch to me - it's called a Smyrna Cross! I also added a yellow one at the top of the tree!

 

 

 

Look at those little birdies!!!!

 

And the smallest touch of pink on the door and the shutters!

Cheers to the weekend! Hope you're doing well and enjoying the season! Sending love your way from my craft room to yours! Talk to you soon! XOXO

 

Baking Spirits Bright - Gingerbread Christmas Card!

Hey there friends! Sending good wishes on this Thursday afternoon, just ten days away from Christmas! Hope you're doing great, and getting all the things done, and enjoying the season. I am desperately trying to get organized this week....in the craft room, in the kitchen, all the holiday decorations... It's not going that great. LOLZ!! I stayed up until 2am cross stitching last night because I'm weird like that. We have some fun plans this weekend, including my college in a bowl game, and some church things. Then, before we know it, Christmas will arrive! 

I got some time in the craft room today and made a cute card with brand new supplies from Taylored Expressions! I have had these stamps on my desk for a couple of weeks just waiting to be played with. I'm featuring the new Baking Spirits Bright stamps and dies along with some ink blending, hearts, and of course a touch of gingham.... 

My finished card is an A2 cream card base, layered with red, gingham, and a cream scalloped rectangle. The adorable gingerbread cookies are the stars of the show! I mean seriously SO CUTE! 

CLICK HERE FOR TODAY'S SUPPLY LIST!

Here's a side view of my card so you can see all the layers. I raised up the cream rectangle and the cookies with foam tape. 

 

To start my card, I die cut all the shapes out first. The matching die set has two sizes for each shape - genius! One die cuts out the stamped portion, and the second die makes an outline. You can use one or both as you desire. So...I die cut first and then used blender brushes and distress inks to shade with some brown inks. Then I splattered white and brown inks to look like cookies. After all the shading and splattering dried, I used white heat embossing to make the images. Looks just like icing!

 

CLICK HERE FOR TODAY'S SUPPLY LIST!

I used red, green and champagne colored pearls to add "candies" to the cookies. I love just that little bit of dimension. I die cut out some hearts to add more love and more red to the card. I stamped the sentiment in brown ink to match the rest of the card. 

 

Here's a close up of those cute cookies!

 

I used Sage Distress Ink and a blender brush to add green to just the top of the cream rectangle. 

 

CLICK HERE FOR TODAY'S SUPPLY LIST!

 

Don't those little pearls look like gumdrops!? Love it!

These are soooooo fun and cute!! I wish I had more time because I want to make MORE! I think next year I will put them onto tags and use them as tie ons for baked goods to give the neighbors and my friends. They are perfect for that!! Or just present tags, or more cards!! Happy I got to use them before Christmas came!! 

Take care and have an awesome weekend!! XOXO

As always, if you're crafty shopping, I would be very grateful if you use my links to my favorite shops and help me out! Also, I've updated my gift ideas section in my Amazon Storefront, so you can check that out too!! Thank you! 

CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to see the supplies used in today's project! (Affiliate Links Used)

 

The Greetery - Pretty Peppermints for Christmas!

Greetings of the season my creative and crafty friends! How is your week going so far? Are you ready for Christmas to arrive? I think we are ready here (As ready as we're going to be LOL)! Yesterday was my husband's birthday so we've done a little birthday celebrating too. When Christmas is this close, I like to nest in and forget the TO DO lists and spend time at church and visiting friends, and being cozy. My thought is if it's not done now, it probably won't get done, and that's okay. I really enjoy this season and being present is important to me. Cocoa and Christmas Lights, visits to the ice rink, Church concerts, Christmas movies and all that good stuff. Thank you for all the nice comments and words of encouragement on my last post. XOXO

Today I'm sharing a project on The Greetery blog, and of course here on my blog too! I made some pretty and festive peppermint treats filled with candies and love. I used the awesome Candy Pops Suite of products and gave them a vintage feeling by my color choices and embellishments. I made these for treats for my Bible Study group and they are filled with yummy M&M's! These would also be so nice on a Christmas table for place card gifts. These Candy Pops Peppermints really are the most fun project to make! I hope I'll inspire you to make some too!!

 

I made these peppermint treats using lots of products from the Candy Pops Collection. I used the Candy Pops Dies, the Candy Pops Sentiments, The 1/2" Bubbles, and the Peppermint Dies. I used cream cardstock with red, and some gingham to give a bit of a vintage flair to my peppermints. One trick I use a lot is to use cream cardstock instead of bright white, whenever I want a vintage look. 

 

 

 

 

These are truly so easy to make, and Betsy has an excellent video about the assembly (Click Here) so you really can make them so fast. I filled the bubbles with red M&M's to match the red cardstock. I die cut out all my pieces using cream, red, and white glitter cardstocks. I assembled the bubbles into the candy portion and then splashed on some silver watercolor paint for more shimmer. 

 

 

 

My finishing touches are black and cream gingham ribbon (1/4" from Hobby Lobby) and the gorgeous Holly Embellishments from The Greetery! I used the tear away circle on the back of the candy pops to make them easy to open and enjoy. This is such a happy theme and cheerful little treat to hand out. 

 

 

 

 

That's it for my project for today! I hope I've inspired you to make some candy treats! I'm wishing you a wonderful and creative day and I look forward to sharing with you again soon. In the meantime, happy crafting and Merry Christmas! XO Wanda

CLICK HERE TO SHOP AT THE GREETERY!

CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to see the full supply list for today's project! (Affiliate Links Used)

As always, if you're crafty shopping, I would be very grateful if you use my links to my favorite shops and help me out! Also, I've updated my gift ideas section in my Amazon Storefront, so you can check that out too!! Thank you! 

 

Cross Stitch - Frosty's Night Out!

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I am wishing you a great week ahead....and only three weeks until Christmas! Wow! I wish I could stop time for a couple weeks, and get everything done, and then resume the holiday season! Are you ready for the holidays yet? Our home is about 1/2 decorated both inside and out but it's looking festive. Heck, that may be all that happens this year... Yesterday we went to a wonderful outdoor craft fair and enjoyed the beautiful chilly weather and sunshine... And an old fashioned ice rink with carols.... It definitely feels holiday-y in my part of the world. I haven't posted here on my blog since Thanksgiving but I'm back today with a finished cross stitch project that I completed on Saturday!

This year has been super super hard for me and my hubs. It's been hard emotionally, physically, mentally, and financially....and here we are at the end of the year. You know what? We made it! We made it through everything that tried to break us this year. The good Lord made sure we were provided for every step of the way and for that I am VERY grateful. Spiritually I am very strong. However, I sit here feeling kind of numb and so so so tired. I haven't crafted a card in about two weeks or posted on Instagram for a long time. It's not like me, but I'm trying to give myself some time, space, and grace. I am a happy crafter - so I find it really hard to be creative when I'm not feeling my usual upbeat self. In case you're feeling down or discouraged, let me be the first to send a hug and some kind words....It's okay. The world is A LOT right now. Just do the best you can and take it one thing at a time. I love you guys and I hope you're doing great! Thank you for being here with me all year! 

My project for today is a fun Winter/Christmas themed cross stitch. I bought this pattern four years ago (!) when I was lucky enough to visit The Attic Needleworks in Mesa, Arizona in person! It is a wonderful shop full of inspiration and amazing cross stitch items!! I am really glad I got to go there. I bought a few patterns that day, and finally made this one! 

The pattern is called Frosty's Night Out and it's from Blackbird Designs. I used 14 Count Aida fabric - in blue, with a piece from my stash. I'm sorry that I can't remember the exact color or where I bought it. I used the called for Fancy Floss colors. I did a simple finish in a hoop and I will be giving him as a gift for a friend. I added a black and white gingham bow because it already feels kind of vintage!! For size reference - the hoop it's on is a seven inch hoop.

 

As we know, I love anything gingham!!

 

I love the variety of snowflakes that surround Mr. Frosty! They were fun to stitch!

 

 

 

Look at his pink cheeks and carrot nose. Quite handsome, don't you think?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the front of the pattern book! I love it when patterns come in this format - so much easier to read and follow! This pattern is readily available online now if you google the title. It was a pretty easy stitch with lots of pretty colors.

That's it for me today!! Good to be back with you here on the bloggy blog. I hope you have a great week and a great holiday season! I'm not sure what I'll post next.... I do have a fun Greetery project to show you next week, though. I'm trying not to put a ton of pressure on myself to create. I figure it will come when it comes.... I've been stamping/paper crafting for 30 years next year!! Honestly sometimes I can't believe I can keep making new stuff. LOLZ. Sending out hugs your way today. XOXO

As always, if you're crafty shopping, I would be very grateful if you use my links to my favorite shops and help me out! Also, I've updated my gift ideas section in my Amazon Storefront, so you can check that out too!! Thank you!