Getting in the spirit and knitting Christmas gifts

Hello Friends,

I am so happy today because I am finally finished the semester at University. I finished my last exam today and I am so thrilled I will be able to post here again I really missed blogging and visiting your blogs! Here's what I have been up to for the holidays...

Santa waving hello in the Christmas parade

Decorated our Christmas tree! 

Distillery District Toronto Tree at the Christmas Market

Milo says "meowy Christmas!"

Rupert wants to say Merry Christmas!

 I have started knitting my sister a scarf as a Christmas gift. I will be also working on knitting some socks for my mom.

Thanks for dropping by!

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Small Knitted Christmas Santa Hat Ornament

Hello again friends! 

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: 34 DAYS!!
Today I was working on knitting some miniature Christmas Santa hats to hang on the Christmas tree.  I made up my own little pattern for the project.  It's very simple to follow and such a quick knit.
The pattern is posted below the photos.  Hope you enjoy making your own Santa hat ornaments!

 

MATERIALS:

red yarn
white yarn
6 mm circular needles
yarn threading needle


PATTERN:

Cast on 12 stitches using size 6 mm  needles
divide stitches equally (6 stitches) onto the two needles of the circular needles
knit for 5 rows using white wool
switch colors to red wool and knit for  9  rows
start decreasing by 2 stitches (1 decrease for each needle) each row for 4 rows after until you have 4 stitches left
switch to the white yarn again to make your pompom and knit for 4 rows then run the yarn through the stitches with your threading needle and tie a knot.
Use your threading needle to weave all strands into the inside of the hat.
tie a piece of yarn (any color) on the back of your hat to make the ornament to hang onto the tree.

I hope you enjoyed this pattern ! Have a nice night :)

10 wrapping paper alternatives for Christmas

Hello Friends!

Below are 10 wrapping paper ideas that I found on different websites and blogs for you to enjoy.   The ideas are all amazing alternatives to buying wrapping paper for gifts this holiday season.  I hope you see an idea you love and want to try out for yourself! I know I do!

An idea of using small cardboard boxes and adding a winter detail on the lid.  Then you can give the gift of jewelery in a festive box. Found on Pinterest, made by Espieglerie.

 This brown paper bag with a festive photo attached is a great way to dress up a present without buying wrapping paper.  The idea was found on Fox on the Run’s Tumblr account.

  Wrapping gifts in fabric is a fun way to play around with patterns and colors by le papier studio.

I love this idea from DIY network to buy old vintage cookie tins and use them for gifting.  I like the added touch of the red ribbon to give it a more festive touch.

   Putting gifts in a jar and topping it off with a bow and tag is a lovely way to display a gift for a loved one.  Design Sponge showed us a sweet way to give the gift of a traditional hot chocolate.  

The Berry had a neat idea to wrap your gift in brown paper and then stamp the gift receiver’s name directly onto the package.  It is such a nice idea, and no fuss with tags!

 Fadedplains showed us that using a burlap sack is another great alternative to wrapping gifts. It can look beautiful with a ribbon and a flower tied on top.

Decorating a wooden basket like Santas red suit and adding a belt is a very fun and festive way to deliver your gifts.  Idea by KindredLive.

Wrapping a gift in a map for any travel lovers on your list by Design Sponge 

What about wrapping your gift in newspaper and topping it off with a big festive ornament? Looks amazing! Found on Pinterest.

I bought two Christmas cookie tins and a cardboard box from Value Village tonight for $4.  I’m going to work on the vintage cookie tin idea for my own Christmas gifts.  I’ll post an entry when I’m done adding the ribbons.   I will definitely be trying out a bunch of these ideas! My family will be impressed this year by the variety!

 

Christmas parade & things to be made...

Hello Friends, 

This morning I went to the local Santa Clause Parade in my town with my sister.  It has become a tradition to go and check out what our community has in store for us each Christmas.   I took a lot of photos.  I wanted to share some of them with you...

Dashing through the snow, on a one-horse open sleigh....

and you cannot forget the Christmas lights..

an owl? cute and giving all the children hugs xo

A dog with a passenger, too cute!

adorable pony



The Grinch and Mary Lou Who, her hair was done up just like the character.



Me, by the town Christmas tree :)



The big man in red, Santa Clause :)

 I also went into some shops in town and one of them was Anthropologie which is one of my favorite stores for just browsing because the displays are usually so impressive and make you feel happy just by looking at them.  The prices are high but the quality looks to match them. 

I took some photos while I was there because I was inspired by some of the art and some things that I could make myself.  I spotted some jars with wintery displays inside and then spotted some paper decor.  I was thinking it could be a good future couple of DIYs J.

Clever idea

so simple

 

The scarf is almost done, my sister wore it today at the parade but I have not added the buttons yet.  I cannot wait to finally share the pictures with you.  My sister has kindly agreed to model them for an entry soon J

 Have a good night and may tomorrow bring even more happiness.

 

 

DIY: White Yarn Christmas Wreath

Hello friends,

I’m sorry I haven’t posted for a couple days now.  I have been busy with my placement and course work.  I have a DIY for you though..... J  It is a fun and quick holiday craft.  A Christmas wreath! I found the craft on the Better Homes and Gardens website.  I fell in love with this wreath and had to try it out for myself.  I made a tutorial as well and documented making it along the way.  I hope you have as much fun making it as I did!

 You will need:

-         Stryofoam wreath or straw wreath with the plastic still on.

-          White yarn

-          Felt, three pieces in red and olive color

-          Hot glue gun and glue sticks

       -          Six faux pearls (I didn't use them in my demonstration)

-          Florist’s pick with red and green berries.

 

 

 

Step 1:  glue the beginning of the wool you will use to wrap your wreath so it doesn’t unravel. 

  

Step 2:  Begin to wrap the white yarn all the way around your wreath until it looks like this!  (watch out for overlapping, make sure none of the green is showing through)  Then glue the last of the yarn when your yarn finally meets the starting point.

Step 3: glue on the berries on the side of the wreath.

Step 4: cut out 5” by 5” squares and then cut into circles.  Then on the back of the circle draw a spiral.  Cut the spiral out.  Then fold it into flowers by rolling the spiral from the center out.

Step 5: then you end up with these! (pretty aren’t they?)

Step 6: glue the six flowers below the berries stem, there should be four bigger flowers and 2 smaller flowers.

Step 7: cut two leaves out of the olive felt.  Then glue them on also.

Step 8:  Ta-da! You have your Christmas wreath to put on your front door or in your home to be all ready to celebrate the holiday season.

 Enjoy!

 

Have a good night and enjoy your day tomorrow!