Handmade with Love

I have a couple of handmade things to share today. I thought I would make a cardinal ornament using the same pattern from my cardinal card. The flowers are sizzix and I freehand cut the leaves. There's a little white glittered flower in the center with the rhinestone on top but it doesn't show in the photo. I always think things look so much better in person than they do in a photo. During this next year I'm going to make some of these ornaments in my free time so I'll have lots to put on my tree next Christmas. I just made two and they are hanging proudly at the top of my tree, out of Rocco's reach! I would of loved to add a few red feathers to the birds but the more I would of added, the more yummy they would of looked to the cats so I decided to keep them "cat friendly". (At least I hope they are!)


I made some icicles a few years ago as gifts and a good friend of mine recently asked me about them as she wants to make some so I thought I would post a few. I loved the icicles at the stores but didn't want to pay the prices so I decided make my own. I used floral wire, beads, jump rings and a good pair of plyers. I used beaded garland for the larger beads (the same garland you find in the Christmas section) and just cut the strings and off came all the beads and I put them in plastic containers. I cut the wires in the length of icicle I wanted, then crimped the bottom (leave enough room to add a jump ring if you want to add a dangling bead)then added the beads at the other end until I got the look I wanted, then crimped it off at the top, leaving enough room for a hook. I got lots of different garlands so I would have lots of large beads to chose from, mostly when they were on sale too. I got the smaller beads in the bead section at local craft stores. I made some gold and burgandy icicles in sets of 12 for my boyfriend's mom and sister-in-law for Christmas a few years ago and they really liked them. Making someone else happy is the best part about giving a gift!

Maybe I'll make some red ones for my tree next year, I think they would go great with my cardinal theme!



It is cold and windy today and I've got a big pot of homemade split pea soup slow cooking on the stove and I just made a batch of Magic Cookie Bars. We had those growing up and I always love making them at Christmas time, you know, that time of year when it's okay to splurge!

Have a wonderful week!
Annette