Sharing Their Creativity and Things I Worked on Before the Holidays

I completed another temperature spiral for 2023.  I originally bought larger beads to use on this but they were so irratic in size that I didn't feel comfortable using them although the colors were more intense.  There is size difference in these smaller seed beads but it isn't as noticeable as the larger ones.  2022's spiral colors were not differentiated enough so I revamped the color chart for 2023.  There are still some that are pretty close in color next to each other, but my choices were limited. For this one I attached the beads a little differently so that they would lay flat on their sides and I used the high temperature on the outer side of the line and the low on the inside.  The seasons are set off by the color of the base spiral - blue for winter, green for spring, pink for summer, and a light orange for fall.  Oh, and I did purchase a better cloth for the base this time.

I received some beautiful handmade cards this year.

This sparkling beauty from Lauren, one of the Jingle Belles.  

An sweet ice skating rabbit from Sabrina.

This vintage lovely from LeAnne.

Some gorgeous snowflakes and snowflowers from Sunshine.

This textural beauty from some friends in Maryland.

This stunner from Stephanie, our other Jingle Belle.

And this very special one came with a school photo from GS1.

Sabrina made me this beautiful ornament using glass microscope slides and a beautiful stamped bird motif.  I'll be keeping this out year-round.

My friend J made this cute little gnome in a toque who looked quite at home in the lemon tree with the little bell gnomes that I had made.

My cousing B sent me this darling little wooden matryoshka ornament, also happy in the lemon tree.

And J found another little gnome ornament to add to my collection.

I had some ideas about creating some trees with some of the things that I had lying around (and a few purchased additions).  

This first one is not done - only because 1) I ran out of tags, 2) I ran out of time, and 3) I couldn't figure out what to do with the top.  I'm thinking now that I might add some little greens and some jute to the top with a little wooden star to cover up that top.  What I had done was wrapped a styrofoam cone with brown paper and then used straight pins to attach the kraft colored tags in layers around it.  There are 100 tags on this now.  The cone was taller to start with, but early on I realized that it needed to be much shorter and sliced some of the bottom off.  

This one started with another styrofoam cone and I used the saved seams from old jeans I had cut up for a project a few years ago.  I did see something similar on Pinterest. Again, the top to this is not complete to my satisfaction, but may just need a little round piece of denim on top to finish it off.  The cones that had in my stash did not have pointed tops to start off with - something I didn't think about until I got almost there.

This one was a Dollar Tree idea I found on IG.  It started as a fuzzy white duster that I trimmed in a cone shape.  I took off the handle at the bottom and HWNSNBP supplied the birch base he had in his stash of scraps.  I just wrapped a set of battery-operated fairy lights around it.

  

I also came across a fun account on IG that had free felt patterns for advent and I printed off a couple of them.  The one that I did finish was this little European robin.  I actually did two of them and gifted one.  Check out @whatacurlylife for the free patterns - and she currently has a cute Valentine bear up for grabs now.

I've got some tangle projects that I'm working on this month and I'm debating whether to do another temperature spiral for 2024.  Oh, and I'll be showing off a little needle felting project that I finished soon.  Trying to catch up already.

Sharing Their Creativity

I got a couple of beautiful handmade gifts for my birthday that I wanted to share.  The first is from my blogging friend Sabrina.  She made me this beautiful framed cockatiel that reminds me so much of Kirby.  I told her that I'm keeping it very near to where he "lived" in our house, close to where I sit every day.  And the second picture will be of the card that she sent me.

My cousin sent me two darling little quilts she made.  The smaller one is made to be hung and has little beach scenes included.

She made this one with remnants she had left from a larger quilt that she made for a friend's wedding.  The colors are so cheerful.

I also received a lot of birthday RAK's from Splitcoast cardmakers and paintings from an art group I participate in.  Most, if not all of the cards come blank on the inside with a little note attached that allows you to reuse the card if needed.  

The paintings are based on classes that were offered through the group and it was purely coincidental that the three ladies all chose the same course as their RAK's.  It's fun to see the different interpretations.  I have yet to try this but hope to soon.

Sharing Their Creativity - Christmas 2022

I wanted to share the beautiful cards that I received from my cardmaking friends over the holidays.  This first one came from Sunshine in New Zealand.  I wish I could have captured the sparkle of that snow when I took the picture.  It is so dreamy.  And the snow adds so much texture.

Steph, one of our Jingle Belle hostesses sent me this lovely.  I think it was so creative how she used the tag on the front of the card.  

LeAnne of Wee Inklings created this beautiful wreath bedecked with a sparkly red bell. You can't go wrong with the red, green and white combination.  

Lauren, our other Jingle Belle hostess created this slimline vintage Santa card with her signature machine stitching.

She also included this gorgeous card with a beautiful......

handmade crocheted ornament.  I just love those vibrant colors.  I wish I could link her IG post so you could see all the combinations of colors she used in the collection of ornaments she made.  

My blogging buddy Sabrina sent this card from Ireland.  I love the little scene she created with this cutie.  Sabrina is the Queen of Techniques in my book.  Just look at that aurora borealis sky!

This original watercolor came from Nanette who lives in the Netherlands.  Such a sweet little scene and so beautifully done.

Nanette also sent me another paper garland to add to my lemon tree.  This one is made of glitter paper Christmas trees in a rainbow of colors.  

I am so lucky to have these creative friends from all over the world and here in the states.  They give me the great gift of inspiration and support in my creative endeavors.  It's so wonderful to share and learn from each other.  

Sharing Their Creativity

I am always grateful for cards and gifts that I get, but I am especially touched when someone takes the time to share their creativity with me and I like to share what I get here.

My good friend J made these wonderful ornaments out of scrabble tiles and she used the popular black and white ribbon on them which was a special touch along with those buttons and bells.  She told me she hadn't done any crafts in a while and it felt good to get back to making things.  Thank you J!  I hope you continue to reacquaint yourself with your creative side!  The results are much appreciated.

Our Jingle Belle hostess Lauren, a fellow Jersey Girl, crocheted this sweet smores ornament - I think in honor of our mutual love of marshmallows!  Thanks so much Lauren - I love it!

 

Sabrina, my blogging buddy in Ireland, made this adorable felted penguin who is sitting in the decorative votive holder she also made.  She is an accomplished needleworker and is always pushing herself to try more things like needlefelting.  I am in love with this penguin and am honored to have it become part of my bird tree.  Thank you so much Sabrina.

I have a new friend from abroad - Nanette in the Netherlands.  We have become IG friends and when she posted a picture of the Christmas card she made and was sending this year I told her I loved it.  I was so surprised when she said she found an extra one and sent it to me because she had already sent me a package with an original artwork that I'll share in another post soon.  This little house with the star and the deer and trees all fold up flat.  They were wrapped in a belly band with a special wax seal to be mailed.  I love, love, love this idea!  Thanks so much Nanette!

This card was the first card I received this Christmas season and it came all the way from Sunshine in New Zealand.  Those pretty pastel snowflakes are so glittery IRL.  It's summer there so I imagine that if there were to be snow, it would be pastel.  I am angry at the USPS though because they have stopped delivering mail to New Zealand for the time being - something to do with lack of transportation or such nonsense.  So the card that I have for Sunshine is still here.  Thank you Sunshine - I do appreciate your thoughtfulness and I keep checking to see when they are going to lift that hold on mail so I can get mine to you.  

This card is from Sabrina.  I love how she layered that snowflake diecut over that gorgeous background.  And speaking of gorgeous - look at that poinsettia!  This is a WOW for sure.  Oh, and remember I said she was a skilled needleworker - those little bluebells were knitted by her!  Aren't they the sweetest!  I think I will pin them to the lapel of my winter coat.  Thank you so much Sabrina for sharing your creativity with me and for always being such an inspiration with your cards, your photos, your recipes, and so much more including your friendship.

This beautiful card came to me from another blogging buddy, LeAnne in PA.  The color in my picture didn't come through as pretty as this is IRL.  I love the mint green and red combination and was thrilled to get this card in the mail.  Thank you LeAnne for being so supportive and inspirational too!

Dorrie, my blogging friend in North Jersey created this beauty.  I had to smile when I saw that little deer looking at me!  I just love the way she layered the snowflakes, deer, and sentiment and how the deer pops with the color.  What a great design!  Don't be surprised if I CASE this one Dorrie!  Thank you so much!!!

We have two hostesses for the Jingle Belles challenges, Stephanie in Iowa and Lauren here in NJ.  This card is from Stephanie.  I hope you can see that wonderful embossed background behind the tree as well as the beautiful embossing on the tree itself.  That little dear is just the sweetest!  Thanks Steph for sharing your creativity with me and for all the inspiration with the JB challenges throughout the year.  And thank you for enabling me with all those wonderful stamping resources you share on your blog.

And this beauty comes from our other hostess, Lauren.  Lauren's cards are always over the top beautiful with many, many layers.  She has a magical way with color and embellishments that always leave me in awe.  I am so lucky to have found the Jingle Belles and such gifted hostesses.  Thank you so much Lauren for all the support and inspiration too.  Looking forward to a crafty play date in the future!

I have a special place that I keep these handmade cards from my friends and I look back at them often, not just for inspiration, but for the pure enjoyment of their beauty.  Thank you to all of you for being such a wonderful part of my creative journey by sharing your creativity with me.