holiday Archives - Linda Nelson

HOW BAZAAR

November 29, 2018

Well, Thanksgiving came and went, as did Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. But, what was up with Sunday? Oh let me guess – Take A Breather Sunday? I doubt it. Air Travel Sunday, perhaps.

Seriously, though, I do hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving spent in the company of your loved ones. I made this apple pie for my family, my first time making an all-butter crust. It was yummy, but next year I’ll just stick to my usual shortening crust; it’s much flakier and preferred by my “critics”. I’ve yet to make a butter/shortening combo crust. Perhaps I should give that a try.

©Linda Nelson 2018

Anyway, the next few weekends are sure to be filled with holiday bazaars in every town, and I do hope you’ll take the time to attend a few. They’re fun, child friendly and often help support local organizations. Be sure to visit the local art galleries and museums too! They’re a fabulous pick for finding beautiful gifts. And, while you’re there, take some time to view the current exhibit. Seriously. Stare at some art even if you don’t get what da heck the artist was alluding to. If for nothing, you’ll be gifted a few moments of calm and an opportunity to entertain your inner Picasso.

I’ll be setting up shop at local fairs for the following two Saturdays and plan to attend a few as a browser/shopper this Sunday. Here’s a peak at what I’ve been making in preparation for the two events I’ll be participating in –

©Linda Nelson 2018

And, yes, I agree – the photo quality is less than stellar. Sorry about that. 🙁

Now, go browse, support and shop creative… in your home town, of course.

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SANDY SPARKLY ORNAMENTS

November 19, 2018

It may not be the season for sandy toes, however…… sandy ornaments are a different story. Today I’m sharing this simple tutorial with you. It just might, after all, get you on the beach!

Gather your materials and supplies –

some scoopfuls of beach sand (Woe is you who do not live near the shore; however, packaged sand will work just fine.)
fine mesh strainer
fairy dust glitter (white or pearlescent)
tacky craft glue
scrap wood trim cut to ornament-sized pieces
your favorite go-to paints
sandpaper
embellishments to complete your design

Drop a handful of beach sand into a strainer and sieve the finer particles into a small bowl. Perhaps you can omit this step if you purchased packaged sand from the craft store; that kind is generally already a fine grit. Add enough glitter to suit your sparkly taste and mix thoroughly.

Sand and paint your trim piece. If you prefer, sand it again to expose some of the raw wood.

Draw your subject on to the wood with a pencil – simple designs work best. Apply a thick line of glue to the outline and fill the shape in with more glue. Spoon your sand/glitter mix onto the glue, then shake off the excess. Let the glue partially dry (about 45 minutes) then repeat the glue and sand step again. Yes, distribute the glue right over the design, and sprinkle more sand/glitter onto the glue. Set aside to dry overnight, or at least until the glue has dried completely.

Embellish as your crafty little heart desires. Attach some twine to the top and……..

©Linda Nelson 2018

Voila! You’ve just made a sandy sparkly ornament.

Now, go make some more.

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MY CAMERA WENT KAPUT

December 13, 2017

I have been using a “little girl” “dummy” camera since I started my blog four years ago. It was also four years ago that I purchased a “big girl” camera cashing in my credit card rewards points, and did nothing more with it other than open the box, take a look and pack it back in the box. That’s earned me an L+ in Lame and Lazy studies.

Well, just last month my trusty little dummy went kaput, and I’ve been so anxious and ornery about sitting myself down and reading the manual for how to operate my new camera. It’s a learning curve that I’ve avoided like the plague, but the time is at hand; otherwise, I’ll be publishing nothing more than wordy posts about visual subject matter. And, that wouldn’t be very visually pleasing, now would it?

Ughhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, please do pardon my photographic fumbles while I get the hang of operating this device and dub it my “big-girl smarty”.

I made these snowman buddies using quilt batting, felted wool roving and sweater remnants, some twigs and an old sock.

©Linda Nelson 2017

This assemble-it-yourself boho deer head was a fun find from a little art gallery in Montepulciano, Italy.

©Linda Nelson 2017

Good wishes to all during this Festive and Merry Holiday Season! Let’s keep the celebration of life, love, family, peace and crafting(of course!) going for as long as eternity!

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HANDMADE HUMBLE HOSPITALITY

November 17, 2017

Oh, it’s getting quite chilly where I live, and my gardening work season is drawing to a close. Cozy, crafty activities are on my mind, and I look forward to having the wintertime to enjoy it wholeheartedly. I seized the opportunity to stay indoors and whet my crafty appetite one recent rainy day, and I’m thrilled to share with you what I made.

Do you have a humble little stash of scrap fabric? I’m sure you do. I came across a 10″ square piece of green and pink floral patterned fabric while rummaging through one of my fabric bins. It’s been in my possession for many, many years, but I was never moved to do anything with it….. until the other day.

I present to you some humble little holiday coasters.

Wait! There’s more………

A humble little ornament.

Humble little place cards…….

And, finally….. some humble little gift tags.

That’s quite a bit of creative mileage out of one little scrap, don’t you think?

Now, you go get scrappy and crafty.

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