A December Gift of Mindfulness

 

I follow Mind & Tangle on FB and IG and for the month of December she had a daily tangle project to do on Bijou tiles (2 inches).  While she demonstrated them she also told a story or fable to go along with them.  Unfortunately, while I can follow what she's doing with pen and paper, I don't understand Spanish so that part is lost to me.  I do know that the intent of this exercise was to do these tiles and to give them as RAK's as we went about our daily life.  Not getting out kept me from doing that, but that is not to say that they will not be distributed in the future.  

The 25 Doors of Christmas and My Helper

I will admit that I missed a couple of days.  I really thought I went back and made the days up, but apparently I did not.  In any case, on the 18th our son and his family came to celebrate Christmas with us.  We were originally going to have both our son and daughter's family together but GS2 was directly exposed to someone at daycare and had to be in quarantine.  (This is the third time since September that he has had to be out of school because of exposure.)  Of course they didn't want to put anyone in jeopardy so they stayed home.   Towards the end of the visit, I was showing GS1 my book of Christmas doors and he saw that I had the next day sketched and asked if he could color it.  I said "sure" and got out the colored pencils for him.  I let him pick what he wanted to color and the colors.

They had to get going before he finished and he handed me the metallic rose pencil and said to use that next.  So I colored the window.  I outlined the sketch lines and the only other things that I colored on this were the two horizontal candy canes, the siding, and the colored balls on the twigs (which he told his mother he liked when she showed him the picture of it finished that I had sent them).  He wanted me to draw him more doors to color and we talked about doing an art journal to go back and forth that I'll prepare in January.  Pretty good for a 5-1/2 year-old don't you think!

This door was inspired by the lighthouse that I received in the ornament exchange I did in November.  Wish I was able to fix that wonky tablecloth.

There is an antique store near the condo that this is based on. The real building has more to it on the left side with a porch, but I took my liberty with it.  The colors are those of the real house though.

I think I've been watching too many Hallmark Christmas movies.  There's always some kind of tree festival going on or Christmas bazaar.  This would be the Hall of Trees.

I have to say that this is one of my favorites.  Although I think she might need a hat.  I might elaborate on this and have some prints made of it next year.  

Okay. Yes.  I know.  The yellow is a bit loud but it wasn't in my head.  

This came to me just before I fell asleep the night before I drew it and I'm really surprised that I remembered it in the morning.  Who could that be trying on Christmas sweaters on Christmas Eve?  A lost elf perhaps.

And to end things up, since I had done my front door, I thought it only fitting that I should also add the back door.  That frame that I used to make the wreath is a bit more elaborate IRL but since the buffalo plaid ribbon was fussy enough to do, I decided the frame was good as is.

So there you have 22 of the 25 Doors of Christmas for 2021.  

Merry Christmas

I thought we'd be back to a more normal Christmas this year but that was not in the stars.  We're able to spend time with family but not all together.  Some we saw earlier, some we will see today, and some we won't be seeing in person.  Such is the way of the world today.  Christmas Eve was just HWNSNBP and myself for the second year in a row.  We had a little of the Christmas Eve traditional meal with our son, daughter-in-law, and GS1 last Saturday, and tonight I fried some fish again, but it wasn't the feast of tradition.  But I guess that traditions are meant to change.  It happens when your family grows older and children marry.  It happens when family members are no longer with us.  And now it happens when there is a pandemic.  Hopefully, we will again be able to celebrate together.  Until then we will make the best of what we can do.  Merry Christmas!  

The 25 Doors of Christmas 2021 - Days 4 through 14

Yes, even the chickens get to celebrate Christmas with their own Christmas tree.

Some little Santa gnomes and a chalet.  Are they escaping or breaking in?

Somewhere where the weather is a little warmer.

You've got to decorate the potting shed with a tree made of pots.

Even the reindeer get a wreath on the barn door.

Could be a cookie house as a table decoration.

This door is inspired by an actual door.  My cousin's 21-year-old grandson Charlie is finally in remission after his 3rd bout of cancer and spending the last 322 days in the hospital where he underwent numerous treatments with side effects that debilitated him.  He has continued to fight back to regain his health and stamina.  He finally got to go home and his whole town welcomed him with a parade.  He is a hockey player and those in his community had a campaign of "Sticks Out" to keep Charlie in their thoughts and prayers.  His story was covered on several New England news stations and local hockey teams were very supportive.  We are keeping him in our prayers in the hope that this remission will be long lasting.

There's another sneaky little Santa gnome again.

A little chapel in the woods with some woodland creatures keeping watch.

Someone turned a caboose into a tiny home and decorated it to the 9's.

Sitting at my dining room table and looking towards my front door this is a mash up of the view.  There are many more trees and little scenes to this view but for time's sake I've only included a few with the little white house village.

With part of the family coming for a visit this weekend I took a little break from the Christmas Doors for a few days.  Still looking for inspiration.  

 

 

Last of the Christmas Cards and the Round Up

I fell a few cards short in what we needed for this Christmas.  When this happens, I usually try to come up with a simple plan to make multiples.  I was doing errands with HWNSNBP last week and we stopped in Michael's for ribbon and of course I took a quick browse around the store.  They already have all their Christmas merchandise at 40% off and I was pleased to find these buffalo checked package of blank cards that sparked an idea.  I used a tree die for the tree obviously, and the deer are die cut also.  In fact the oval and the sentiment piece were die cut too.  The oval is cut from that roll of wall paper that I used on the previous card (Jingle Belle header card).  I found an SU sentiment which I embossed in white on the red, and then added highlights to the tree layers.  You can't tell from the picture, but I also added a line of glitter pen to the tree layers.  It looks much better IRL.

As HWNSNBP tagged it, Wednesday was "Selection Day".  I had all 40-something cards out and started putting my sticky notes on them as to who they go to.  I really could send any of them to anyone but there are some that more appropriate for those with children or without, and for those that are more serious in theme.  And then there are the ones that would only be "understood" by certain people (like the pigmass cards).  Part of this process also includes adding the picture to the Excel spreadsheet that I had started a few years back so I can make sure that I'm not repeating a stamp/theme with the same recipients.  I have to add here that I got a new laptop this summer and this past week I finally bought myself a wireless mouse to use with it and boy, what a difference it makes in moving things around on a spreadsheet and editing photos.  Merry Christmas me!

What I didn't do that I had said I would was add the sentiments and match up the cards with the envelopes as they were completed over the course of the year.  I will make a better effort with that this coming year because it does take a bit of time and there's always the chance that I won't have the right size envelope when I need it (although I do have quite an assortment).  There were a few envelopes that I had to add a strip of double-sided tape in some larger envelopes so those that were a little bigger than the quarter size I usually do wouldn't slide around in the envelope and hopefully not get bent up.  I also cut up some light cardboard food boxes for added stability in the envelopes with the cards that had embellishments that might go through the envelope on cancellation.  (I've gotten cards in the mail in the past like that.)

I have new goodies from this year that I still haven't used yet but they will be put to use soon after this holiday season comes to a close.  Of course I will be playing along with the Jingle Belles again.  There's something good about being able to not have to rush around in November or December making all the cards you need when you can be doing it all year long.  And having their inspiration to go with when you're not in the Christmas mode is a plus.  

The 25 Doors of Christmas - 2021

I was asked to participate in this challenge again by one of the other challengees who I'll tell you more about at a later date.  The challenge is an Instagram one that is hosted by Alexandra Sillos who you might remember was a contributor to and spouse of Michael McVean who used to do the Scribble Picnic challenges.  They have relocated several times in the couple of years since that time and have now settled in Kentucky near to her family.  They have recently opened a little gift and stationery store.  Alexandra still does her illustrative work and has continued to host the 25 Doors of Christmas.

I feel a little frustrated sometimes looking at the entries to this challenge as some of the contributors use technology to create their entries and always look so polished.  And there are some very accomplished watercolor artists who also add their wonderful work.  Since this time of year is typically full of other activities for me, I usually resort to watercolor pencils or my trusty Prismacolor pencils......... and the finished products look that way.  I'm actually trying to be a little more open with my drawing and not so precise as I've seen many other artists do, so my lines may look a little wobbly here and there, but that's okay with me for now.  

I'm using another little sketch/scrapbook that measures about 3 1/2" square.  The paper is heavy weight but not watercolor paper so when I do add water with the watercolor pencils there is a little bit of warping.  But I chose to use the smaller profile to be able to do these in a timely manner.  (Thinking bigger takes longer, but sometimes the smaller details warrant more time....... well, it was a thought!)

Oh, and my inspiration, for the most part comes from pictures that I've found on Pinterest or FB that I have made a folder of for reference.  

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

So, if you come across a picture of or actually see something in your neighborhood or travels that you can take a picture of, send it to me as I'm always on the lookout for ideas.

If you're on IG you can check out #the25doorsofchristmas to see more.

Jingle Belles - Banner Holiday

It's the end of November and that means that the Jingle Belles have guided us through 2021 with a plethora of nifty challenges to be able to "Take Back December" and not have to scramble to make all those cards that we need to send for Christmas.  And yes, I did say need.  Even if I didn't make my own cards I would still send cards as a way to let the people I know and love that I am thinking of them around the holidays.  That they are handmade gives me a little pride that I can share the talent that I have with them.  I'm not saying that it's a bad thing if you don't send Christmas cards.  I understand that there are many reasons, good reasons why someone would choose not to, but I do and I enjoy it.

This challenge revolves around the blog banner for the Jingle Belles.  They always come up with something beautiful and this one is no exception.

I had several ideas ruminating about this one and then when i was purging my e-mails I came across an e-mail from Linda Dalke with a video tutorial on making these textured trees with SU's cotton paper.  I do not have SU's cotton paper but I thought that I could use something else in my somewhat neverending stash.  I thought I rememberd having some green tissue paper - the heavier kind that comes with floral bouquets or wrapped fruit, which in this case was the latter.  I have about five 10" circles of it and decided to give it a try.  Fortunately I have a few tree dies that I knew I could try.  I used Old Olive cs as a backing for my trees.  I really like the way the one on the right came out - that was cut with an open die.  The ones on the left were more of a die plate and flattened out the texture a little more but there are slits in the body of the tree which I was able to open up a little.

I used and SU snowflake die for the snowflakes adding white glitter pen to themto have them sparkle a little (which is not really evident in the picture).  The background was something I literally tripped over in my craft room. I was moving things out of the way in front of the storage closet so HWNSNBP can get to the Christmas decorations and there were several rolls of textured paper that someone had given me while I was still working.  This roll is almost full and so textural, I thought it would make a great background.  I did lightly "finger-paint" it with some green and teal ink which is barely noticeable in the picture but more obvious IRL.

And the last touch was the bow which I hemmed and hawed over but decided to go with.  Sorting through supplies the roll of this antique ribbon caught my eye so I used that instead of a sentiment.

This may be the last Jingle Belles challenge of 2021 but it's not my last Christmas card.  I did fall behind a little and need a few more cards, but had I not partaken of these wonderfully thought-out challenges I would be in not so great shape.  

Once the tree goes up this week (per HWNSNBP) I will sit down and get the sentiments inside these, put my little sticky notes on them as to who gets what, and make sure that I have envelopes that they will fit in.  I'll try to get those last one's I need done too before the weekend so that they all can go out in the mail.  

Please visit the Jingle Belles blog and see what beautiful inspiration cards both Lauren and Stephanie have made for this challenge for week one and week two.  They are wonderfully done!

Sunset, Leftovers, and Pierogis

We caught glimpses of the sunset on the way home Thanksgiving evening in the side view mirrors.  

Rachel found a tip on making leftovers into personalized tv dinners using disposable aluminum muffin tins.  I found a package of them stuck in a cabinet and brought them with us.  We were able to put the warm items in one and the cold items in another and it was perfect to just stick the tray in the oven to reheat at home.  

The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally our pierogi making day and even though there was just the two of us this time, we managed to get the job done in a manageable amount of time.  Had I added that second bag of flour to the original shopping list it would have taken less time, but a quick trip to the grocery store gave a much needed break.  

I also came up with an alternative to the two spoon filling method and got out a pastry bag to pipe the filling onto the dough saving a lot of time.  You see the filling in the sections below.  A second sheet of dough goes over the top of this one and when you run the rolling pin over the whole thing it perforates the dough into the individual crescent shapes.  Then they get pinched on the edges to make sure there are no breakers when they're boiled until they float.

Making sure to poke some holes in them with a toothpick to keep them flat.

And cooling in the hallway this time.  We usually take them outside onto the picnic table to cool, but the picnic table is gone now and it was way too windy to try another set up outside so HWNSNBP improvised in the hallway with the door open for cooling before packaging.

We made 7 dozen potato/cheese and 5.5 dozen farmer's cheese.  They will be frozen and a good portion used for our Christmas Eve dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

These Penney Black sleeping critters fit perfectly into the wreath cards I made using the Rustic Wreath stamp and dies from The Greetery.  The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set.

Lunar Eclipse and Frosty Morning

I knew the full moon was coming and I heard that there was a good chance that the lunar eclipse would be viewable in our area if the weather permitted it.  Initially I wasn't prepared to get up between 3 and 4 in the morning to try to see it, but the night before, when nature called (as she usually does in the middle of the night) and I shuffled into the bathroom I realized that it was shortly after 3 I realized that it might be opportune to leave my camera in the bathroom just in case and also because the view of the moon was perfect through the bathroom window.  Well, since I brought the camera up, I figured it would't hurt to set my alarm which I did, and I did mention to HWNSNBP that I was.  Of course when it went off I got the usual "what the hell is that?" from him before I was able to shut it off.  

The screen on the bathroom window is on the inside of the window and I knew that I'd have to take it down in order to get a shot through the window and if there was too much reflection on the glass I figured I'd open the window even though it was in the mid 40's.  That would have worked the night before when the moon was lower in the sky at that time.  This night it was higher making the angle a little more difficult as our windows crank out and only so far.  So I wedged the camera as low as I could on the inside window sill and tried not to breath or move while taking these pictures because, of course, I did not have my tripod in the bathroom.  This was the best of about 30 or so pictures that I attempted.  I can't tell you what the settings were because I was trying everything to make this early morning endeavor a success.  Thankfully, after about 45 minutes of viewing and picture taking I was able to go back to bed for a few more hours.

We were out early one morning and there was still frost on the ground and I grabbed some pictures from behind where the car was parked.

The moss is on a log and this is some kind of mushroom/fungus that's growing on it.

 

More Christmas Creatures and Ornaments

I missed posting my cards for the last Jingle Belle Challenge which was to add an ornament element to our cards.  As you can see, this little bird is decorating his/her branch with some Christmas ornaments to make it a little more festive.

The bird on the branch stamp and die is from Your Next Stamp.  I glued it on a die cut oval and added that to the card base that I used my new Tartan Builder stencils from The Greetery on.  You can see I had a few of these cut and colored.

I also had this "creature" on the work table for the previous Christmas creature challenge.  This stamp "Pablo the Penguin"  comes from Crafty Individuals stamps, a European based stamp company that has a US distributor thankfully.  I fussy cut this guy and accidentally colored the top of his head red on the first card, but I was hoping that it would pass for a hat instead of a headband as I didn't want to discard it after all that coloring and cutting.  What do you think?

Here it is colored correctly.

I have a few more Christmas creatures you may see this year and there's a set of creatures that I used for Thanksgiving greetings you'll see later this week once they're received in the mail.  

HWNSNBP shared his "allergies" - translate that to "cold" - with me 2 weeks ago and of course he recovered from it within a couple of days, but mine developed into bronchitis and a sinus infection and has really taken the wind out of my sails putting me farther behind than I intended to be at this time of the year.  I finished one round of antibiotics and will start another one today and I'm hoping that there will be significant improvement so I can get our Thanksgiving preparations underway.   I'm still about 8-10 cards short for Christmas but I'm not worried about that.  We've started the shopping and need a few more ideas to get that done.  But there are some hand-made projects that I wanted to get to and the house will need a good cleaning before the Christmas decorations come out.  I know it will get done - it always does - I just don't want to be stressed about it and be able to enjoy it.  Hard to do when you're not feeling up to it.  Wish me luck.