Warm hands, warm heart

This Fall and winter season is so unusually cold for our warm state. I constantly need something warm over my shoulders and a cup of hot tea. The weather is still very pleasant, just the right temperature for warm and cozy things.

The warm and cozy mittens for those, who have real winters are already in our socksandmittens shop. 

We choose mostly traditional Christmas red, white and green shades to make these but we also have some other pretty colors. 

 

Please visit our shop to see if there is something you'd like to purchase for yourself or give as a gift for your loved ones.

 

As always, we have some warm and practical fingerless gloves for men and women. Stay warm this winter!

Glamour Christmas balls

A Christmas tree covered in handmade ornaments is always so darling. Each and every little ornament is made with so much love and care.

I was thinking of some new ideas to decorate our tree this year and found so many of them online. I'd like to share one of these, the Glamour Christmas balls* made mostly with recycled materials. The idea came from Yulia ( bysiki shop on Etsy) who was making these for years for her holiday tree. Julia lives and works in Moscow, Russia and her shop is full of great products for a baby.

 

So to make these you will need:

a plastic grocery store bag for each ball (a great way to give them a second life!)

1" wide lace ribbon or lace fabric, cut into 1" wide stripes

sequins and beads

thread

fabric glue

needle

 

Form an even shaped ball from the plastic bag and secure it with the threads. Add some glue to the surface to make sure it will stay in place. Let it dry.

Wrap the lace ribbon around your ball. Now it's time to decorate! Sew the sequins and beads on top of your ball, while securing your lace from unwrapping with coordinating threads. Use your imagination to get the best result!

 

Make a loop for hanging and here it is! Your new glamorous Christmas ball is ready!

*Published with permission from Yulia bysiki

Snowflake cross stitch mini wall decor

Winter holidays are all about home, family, friends and a great time spent together. The house is becoming brighter with Christmas lights and warmer with the cheerful spirit.

The shops are full of Christmas decorations but your handmade creations are always so special. I don't have too much time in December so I am always trying to make something quick and easy, just in time for the Holidays. 

I stitched this little snowflake ornament this year and thought you might like to make it, too.

You will need:

a round ornament frame, 2 1/2" in diameter (I purchased mine at Jo-Ann)

Aida fabric, 28 count, Sand

DMC threads, #3842 and # 3841

14" long silk ribbon, blue or preferred color of your choice

First of all, make your stitching (a free pattern below) and trim to fit the frame.

If you are happy with the color of your frame, leave it like it is. If you would like to make it a bit different then paint your frame to your liking. I made mine copper and add some patina as a special touch.

 Frame your stitching, add the ribbon and you are done! 

 Free cross stitch chart:

Enjoy your Holidays!