There are Beads in these Christmas Stickers!

Christmas Gift Tags with Pop-Up Santa Stickers

Although I have far too many Christmas bits and bobs - well, too many for their space as there could never really be too many, could there? - I just couldn't resist these adorable Pop-Up Christmas Stickers I saw the other day.  Lovely vibrant colours and sweet graphics, the piece de resistance is that the puffly little stickers contain tiny shiny beads.

Multi-Dangle Christmas Earring in Red, White and Green

Christmas Present Earrings in Red, White and Green

Well, I must say, I tried to be nothing but festive while working on these multi-dangle earrings but quite a few swear words were uttered. Under my breath, and to myself, but nontheless, some frustration.  I don't remember it being quite so difficult when I made my first attempt with some Halloween earrings, but I am still new to the multi-dangle style and to working with jump rings.

My First Ornament - Santa '68

I am surprised that I haven't shared this treasure of an ornament before now. He is well on his way to antique status as possibly the first Christmas Tree ornament I ever made. Certainly the first craft with any kind of longevity as he will be this year ... 45 years old!

Good King Wenceslas and Old World Santa

I painted these large ceramic ornaments for Mum and Dad many years ago. They are similar in size and sit together at opposite ends of the dining room buffet. They were painted several years apart so it was interesting to see them together as an example of one with 'antiquing' effect and one without.

Old World Santa Cross Stitch #2

Wow, it's been almost a year since my first post which was my first cross-stitch and tiny seed beads Old World Santa series ornament kit - and here finally showing you is the second one that I made last year. I finished it JUST in time to give to Mum & Dad, and though I snapped a photo I never got around to posting it.

Cross-Stitch gets a whole new dimension with the addition of seed beads

Glitter Balls with Santa Hats

This is my latest little 'upcycling' project with a Dollar Store ornament. I love poking around the aisles this time of year for things that can be turned into something else.

Santa's turn today

Jolly little Santa's were next on the agenda while all the card making gear is out. I must say, I have memories of Mr. Dress-Up as I open the lid on my 'tickle trunk' of 'Christmas bits' and ponder one by one what to do with the various treasures inside.

The Evolution of the Beaded Coasters

About a week ago I started the Beaded Coaster Experiment. Since then, the verdict has moved from 'maybe' to a definite 'YES!'.


I've been playing around with some holiday versions using a santa design. And yes, more beads from the Dollar Store to inspire! Isn't he cute, all bubbly and festive?

Here are the first two versions with the beading complete but before finishing the edging. I like the striping of the background but I feel you lose the snowflakes, so I think it's one or the other. A few tweakings here and there, and I think this pattern is getting close.

And here they are - first two finished off - all ready for .... ages from now ;)


And because I can almost always find a way to create a spreadsheet, I've been revising the chart throughout these test pieces and this will be the next evolution ...

Christmas Cross Stitch Ornaments

What an adorable face this cute snowman has!

These cross-stitch Christmas ornaments are stitched on a perforated paper using two strands of floss. I like to finish them off with a backing of either adhesive metallic card stock or adhesive felt.

Cross Stitch & Beaded Ornaments: Old World Santa 1

My first go with the seed beads and cross-stitch

My friend Lynn bought me an early Christmas present of Santa Ornament kits that use a combination of cross-stitch and beading. They're absolutely gorgeous.