The Weather Outside IS Frightful

This may be a common site where you are, but for us in the Southwest, it's rare. There is just something so pretty about snow on berry bushes! And I can appreciate it so much more now that it is such a rare occurrence! :)

2009 - The Year of the Washcloth

Sisters, mom, sister in law, friends and a new mom got these for gifts this year. It was "The Year of the Washcloth". I love gifts that are pretty and useful!

Now I have to decide my theme for 2010...

Holiday Knitting

These little Wrap Me Up Puppies from Susan B. Anderson's Itty Bitty Toys were a kick to make and so hard to put in the mail! But I knew my nieces would love them so off they went to be adopted by 3 of the sweetest little girls I know! I've been told that these puppies are VERY loved and are constantly wrapped up, carried around and snuggled with. Yea!!

And this fun little pouf top hat was an order from the Cortez Craft Fair. I had a hat there for sale, but not the right size. So this one went in the mail and made it there in plenty of time for Christmas. So sweet.

The Last Ones of the Year

Some of these were for my kids' teachers and some of them were orders that went out this week.

Name signs will be available again after Christmas in my bumblebina ETSY shop.

Newest Teacher Name Sign

These signs all went out last week. Teacher Name Signs are always available in my bumblebina ETSY shop.

And Then I Made 3 More...

Because one was cute, but 4 together is ADORABLE!!

The Stocking Was Hung...

I have sign orders to make, knitting projects to complete, baking to do--you know how it is. But instead, I spent the afternoon making this fun stocking. I came across this fantastic tutorial and knew I had to make one!

I made only a couple of changes. I did sew mine on my machine. I like the idea of gluing it but I didn't want to have to wait for the glue to dry. (That's how patient I am!) :) I traced an existing stocking and used that as my "pattern". I also just used fabric I had on hand--as usual, my goal/challenge is to try to use only what I have on hand. So the stocking and one flower are made of burlap and the other two flowers are a pretty tan gingham.

Text Block Tutorial - Christmas Blocks

I put this together a few years ago for an online magazine article but realized I've never actually put it here on my blog. Here is a quick tutorial for how to make my Text Blocks (Jingle Blocks in particular).

Supplies:
Scrap wood
Scrap printed paper
Paper cutter
Acrylic paint
Mod Podge (I use Matte)
Foam Brushes
Sandpaper or belt sander

Step One: Choose your wood. The pieces I’m using are 2.75" x 3" MDF which is the exact amount left over at the end of a board after I cut out my 3" x 8" name signs. (This is how this project came about. I was determined to find a use for all the little end pieces I have lying around.)

Step Two: Choose your paper. Scrap paper is fine since the largest piece just has to be 2.5" x 2.75". I like to use several layers of somewhat related scrapbook paper. For these I used mostly vintage looking papers with Christmas themes.

Step Three: Cut the paper. For these I cut the polka dot paper to be 2.5" x 2.75" so just a bit of the wood will show on every side. The snowflake paper is cut around 1.75" x 1.5", the brocade about 1.5" x 1.25" and the letters about 1" x 1". It all just depends on your letters or words and the size of wood you are using. A paper cutter comes in handy here, but you could do it by hand.

Step Four: Paint the wood. Paint front and back and all four sides. I use acrylic craft paint because it flows well, is cheap, and dries fast.

Step Five: With a foam brush, Mod Podge the front of the block and the back of the largest paper (for these it’s the polka dot paper). Put the paper on the block and smooth down really well with your finger or a brayer or credit card. Let dry.

Step Six: With a foam brush, Mod Podge the front of the block again and the back of the next paper (for these the snowflake). Put the paper on the block and smooth down really well. Let dry.

Step Seven: With a foam brush, Mod Podge the front of the block again and the back of the next paper (for these the brocade). Put the paper on the block and smooth down really well. Let dry.

Step Eight: With a foam brush, Mod Podge the front of the block again (is this deja vu or what?) and the back of the paper with the letters on it. Put the paper on the block and smooth downreally well. Let dry.

Step Nine: With a foam brush, Mod Podge the front of the block one last time. Let dry. By Mod Podgeing every layer you’re sealing down the last layer and making the top really durable and smooth and a little shiny with the matte Mod Podge and I’d guess really shiny with the shiny Mod Podge if you use that.

Step Ten: Sand the edges if you want to. I use a belt sander, but you can do it by hand. This gives the blocks a nice distressed look.

Voila! You’re done.

If you decide to make these, send me a link so I can see!

New Name Signs on their Way

These two went in the mail this week. Teacher Name Signs and Child Name Signs are always available in my bumblebina ETSY shop.

IF - Crunchy

Green Pear on Wood, 5" x 6", Mixed media and acrylics on 1.25" thick MDF (AVAILABLE)

Pears are often described as crunchy, sweet and delicious. I even came across a recipe for a Crunchy Pear Crumble that looks divine!

Recent Knitting Projects

As every knitter or crafter knows, you have to think ahead. Christmas knitting? Start in September AT THE LATEST. You hear news that someone is expecting. I NEED to know the sex of the baby as soon as you do! :) (Gotta know if I should use pink or blue yarn.)

My Santa and Christmas Countdown signs have been in the works since Halloween. It's the way it goes.

So...here are some somewhat recent knitting projects that have gone to the recipients and can now be posted.

These little boy hats are so sweet. Both are newborn size. One was for a friend from church one is for my new nephew. For this I sort of just made them up as I went using a photo of another hat as a guide. If you're interested in the pattern, let me know.

This little punkin was just for fun and is a really fun pattern from Permission to Unwind. I only got one in before Halloween but I'm sure next year I'll be making more.

My cousin's daughter fell in love with this little gal. So she lives there now. For the snowman, I used this pattern only half-ing everything to make it small (about 5" tall). I made up the hat pattern cause I wanted her to have a kicky beret.

And this is a project I've had on my list forever. This Gathered Scarf is GORGEOUS if I do say so myself. It's a fantastic pattern from Bag 'n' Trash! I made one for me and one for my Mother-in-Law for her birthday. I changed the pattern a bit to make it a little more bulky (less lacey). If you'd like details, let me know.

And this little guy is from a pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits. (I LOVE everything she designs!) Not sure where he's headed. I already have the cupcake pincushion but I may not be able to part with him. He makes me smile! Doesn't he look so serious about the job of holding pins?

That's it for now. There's more, but they haven't reached their new homes yet. So I'll post them later...I've always got at least one knitting project going.

What's on your needles?????

Inspire Me Thursday - Handmade Holiday

Handmade Holiday is what Christmas is about! This fun sign is available in my bumblebina ETSY shop along with several other styles.

*SOLD*

New in the shop - bumblebina ETSY

More chalkboard stuff! This time gift tags (several sizes and quantities available) and a crazy fun tic tac toe board that I am totally in love with.

Available in my bumblebina ETSY shop.

Note: Tic Tac Toe Board has SOLD

New Signs

Some of these are orders from the Cortez Craft Fair, one is an ETSY order and one is for my brand new nephew!!

Teacher and Child Name Signs are always available in my bumblebina ETSY shop. There are also several countdown to Christmas signs in the shop too!