Snowflake Smiles

My daughters seem to have an innate talent for finding gifts I love.
This Christmas, my youngest gave me a wonderful pattern book!

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And to go with it – some delicious cotton yarn (Patons “Grace”).

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The book is chock full of amazing snowflake designs. I could hardly wait to get started . . .

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Believe it or not, I was actually making these during a snowstorm!

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Before long, I had a little pile but, as many of you know, crocheted items often come out a little wonky (wrinkly) at first and need to be blocked into shape.

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In addition to shaping them, I wanted the snowflakes to be stiff enough to hang on the Christmas tree next year. As soon as I gathered a few supplies, I was ready to begin work on that part of the process.

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After painting them with a thin coat of the Mod Podge, I gently pulled them into shape, and then pinned them in place to dry.

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I had planned to paint the second side (after the first side was totally dry) but eventually changed my mind. They seemed firm enough with just one coat.

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All finished!

Looking at them makes me smile – they were so much fun to make.

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Here in New England, it’s beginning to look like Spring, so I’m thinking that Mother Nature and I may be finished with snowflakes for a while . . .

But, I’ll be sure to make another little “blizzard” of them in time for next Christmas.

Hugs,

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I’d love to hear what’s up with you!

Click the envelope to leave a comment! 😀

Sparkling Snowflakes Wreath

Isn’t it funny how one thing often leads to another when browsing the web?

I can be searching for something as mundane as “how to remove a juice stain” and before I know it I’m clicking on a dinner recipe, or reading some interesting article, or gleefully wading through a gallery of craft ideas!

Don’t ask me how I bumped into the little project I will feature in this post.

I can tell you one thing, for sure. I was not looking for it. 😉

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If you’ve shopped the aisles of any of the craft super-stores, you know that the supplies for paper crafts are endless. They call out to me – especially when they’re on sale – and I’ve accumulated a nice little collection. I don’t use them very often, and that’s a shame because working with paper can be incredibly soothing. (Must be the kid in me that feels that way!)

Today, I have an ornament to show you. It caught my eye because it’s made with something I already have – a Martha Stewart snowflake stamp!

In fact I already had most of the supplies!

There was only one I had to buy . . .

I had never used Stickles before (Where have I been?), but are they ever fun! Who could resist glitter that rolls on easily and dries sparkly? I’m of the opinion that everything looks better with a hint of glitter. 😀

Isn’t this pretty? (This is the back side.) Nice for the Christmas tree and gorgeous for a package tie-on!

And here’s the front of the ornament. It has a very cool 3-d effect in person. I think this decoration is holiday-neutral enough to keep on display all winter long!!


If you, too, have an urge to play with paper, the directions can be found here.

Hugs,

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