may photo journal ♥ day nine ♥ craft

 

craft ...

For Christmas, my mom and sister got me several different crafting kits of various kinds. One of my goals this year is to try out different types of crafting in hopes of seeing what fits and suits me...and what I enjoy most. So far, I am loving needlepoint. This kit is so much fun and it's safe to say I'm obsessed with this type of creative project.

What have you been crafting lately?

a cozy teatime ♥ a homey christmas & what delights me

A cheery good morning to you, dearies!

Oh, how delighted I am to be back this week with another cozy teatime...and this one is quite long, so consider this your invitation to pop the kettle on, pull out a festive mug and make something to warm you from the inside out. Get comfy and settle in...we're chatting about autumn's ending and the start of Christmas fun!

 

Today's teatime is a result of leftover Thanksgiving dessert...I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I think Thanksgiving is about many things, but three of them are the side dishes, desserts, and leftovers. But first, let me share what's in my cup today. This is one of my favorites that I first discovered a couple years back and I still adore the flavor. It has a happy flavor, if that doesn't sound too weird. But it just makes me smile as I take in the scent wafting off my cup and then the taste is gentle and lovely. I'm not too keen on strong flavors, so this is perfect. And again, how cute is this tea box?

For our Thanksgiving this year, it was my parents, sister and myself at home...on a grey, chilly, rainy day. Absolute perfection according to me! We had an apple herb-roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble on top, green bean casserole with almonds and crunchy onions, roasted asparagus, corn, cranberry sauce, olives and rolls. Everything was entirely made from scratch except for the cranberry sauce, olives and corn, which came from a can and the rolls were the kind you rise and bake yourself from frozen dough balls. With everything else we had in the oven, we didn't have space nor the time to allow dough to rise for hours. And everything was divine!

Pumpkin pie is perhaps the most popular dessert on Thanksgiving tables, but it just isn't our favorite. No matter how I make it, I just can't get on board that train. But combining pumpkin and cheesecake and seasonal spices along with a gingersnap crust...well, that's heaven in my opinion. So we most definitely enjoyed our Autumn Spiced Cheesecake. And it is also a no-bake recipe so it seriously saved space by not having to bake it in the oven. Just make it the night before, stick it in the fridge and forget about it. And it is my teatime treat for today...Thanksgiving leftovers. You just can't beat them! {{smiles}}

 You can find the recipe HERE which I shared a few years back. 

And finally, I pulled out my Christmas mugs early last week. I typically decorate my bedroom the week of Thanksgiving, while the rest of the house gets decorated the week after Thanksgiving. And my seasonal mugs were awaiting me to unpack them from their boxes. This one is a cute, colorful kitty mug, which if you know me, you know anything animal-related has my heart. And while I love the traditional colors of Christmas, it's also fun to have some things that have a different color scheme. This one feels super wintry to me.

Christmas preparations are finally underway in our home. Our Christmas tree is up and awaiting ornaments and garland and the bow on top this week. Christmas music is being played as I write these very words and I've already read two Christmas novels. And last night, we watched the remake of the Walton's Homecoming movie. It wasn't as bad or as cringy as most remakes these days, but I did feel it lacked the old-fashioned charm and spirit of the original show. But it was still good and fun to watch. You can say that it's feeling a lot like Christmas these days. And I've got Christmas crafts on my mind, too. 

Last year, I made a TON of stars, which we loved having hung up in our home all throughout Christmas and the entire winter season. They looked absolutely darling and had such an old-fashioned charm about them. We saved them at the end of winter last year and are bringing them back out this week. We were just discussing last night how we wanted to hang them all up. I shared a simple tutorial over on my YouTube channel if you'd like to make some of your own. I share three different styles, but you should be creative and try out whatever style you fancy. 

You can find the video HERE.

There are also a couple simple but sweet crafts that I hope to set to work on soon. I'll be sure to share them in a post once they are completed and on display.

You are never too old to believe in the magic of Christmas.

~ Jane Lee Logan ~

One of the topics for this week's teatime is pleasant pastimes. And it's funny because my mom, sister and I were having a chat about this very thing in the car over the weekend as we were going for a drive to see the Christmas decorations around town. We all agreed that we have many hobbies and interests, but it's setting aside the time to do them that we need to be better about. It can be easy to settle into a way of just watching TV in your free time or of thinking that there is something better to do with your time. But we all agreed that we want to change that in our lives...and make more time for the things which bring us delight. And while we do have some individual interests, most of our hobbies and interests, we have in common and therefore, like to do together.

For us, these things include Christmas baking at this time of year and putting together baskets to share with neighbors and friends, making crafts to decorate our home with, and having a cup of tea or something else warm and comforting in the evenings, among many other things, too.

Aside from reading, which I adore and do nearly every single day, at least for half an hour...though usually, longer because stories just enchant me and I can't put them down, and cooking, which I also do regularly, because we've got to eat and I love preparing meals, trying new recipes, experimenting with my own creations and so on, there are other pastimes that aren't something I necessarily do every single day. These are things that I want to make more time for and learn more about. I can knit very basic stitches but I'd love to learn more kinds of stitches and venture out and try making some new items. So far I've only made cowls, scarves and headbands. I'd also love to learn to crochet. Hand embroidery is something I discovered I loved early this year and want to continue on with the project I began in the spring. I keep a commonplace journal, which I add to quite frequently, at least once a week. But next year, I hope to begin a new kind of journal for me...kind of a mix of a domestic diary and seasonal journaling and other bits and bobs. And finally, I always love photography, and have kind of lost touch with it the last while and really miss it and how creative it inspires me to be. Those are just a few of the things that I've already ventured into and love but want to grow in this coming year.

What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,

everything is softer and more beautiful.

~ Norman Vincent Peale ~

As I rambled through our garden this weekend, I noticed that quite a lot had changed since the week before. Berries began to make their grand appearance on our holly bush and the bursts of red against the deep green is such a Christmasy sight. Along with that, I discovered other berries of deep purple on a tree and the monkey grass. I think that's a sure sign of wintertime coming. Our yard is absolutely, completely covered in leaves and I think it looks quite fairy-tale like. You can hardly see where the driveway is because there are just so many leaves, and that's after my dad mulched an entire yard covering at least twice so far this season. Our home is surrounded by many trees, and trees equal leaves. I may be alone in this thought, but I do think a yard and driveway covered in leaves is much more appealing in the late autumn than one that is completely cleared out of leaves. Of course, we will clear them again, more than once, probably many more times before springtime comes again.

I'm ready for winter...

falling snowflakes, scarves,

and mittens.

{{ yes, I am, indeed! }}

As I mentioned above, I have already read two Christmas novels this season...

I'm planning on coming back here later this week to share my list of beloved Christmas novels, 

but I want to know your favorites, too.

So, what are YOUR favorite Christmas novels and stories?

 Please do share with me either through a comment or by sending me a message via the form on the sidebar.

Last bits of color before winter's simple and quiet and bare beauty set in... 

Our picket fence...inviting us to step through and explore earth's seasonal goodness...

And, a reminder to us all to LOOK UP...there is beauty and wonder all around us...

Don't you just love when a mug has a sweet design on both sides...

Well, my friends, this concludes another cozy teatime. How I hope you enjoyed this week's musings!

May your week be filled with festive preparations and lots of cheer!

♥

Easy, Fail-Proof Homemade Yogurt (Stove-Top Method ~ No Special Gadgets Required!)

Try new recipes, learn from your mistakes,

be fearless, and above all,

have fun!...

The only real stumbling block is fear of failure.

In cooking, you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude.

-Julia Child-

The quote that I shared above from Julia Child pretty much sums up my philosophy of cooking, and certainly my journey to making yogurt from scratch at home. Today I am excited to share with you an easy, fail-proof method of making yogurt at home. And the best part, aside from the delicious results, is that you don't need any special gadgets or tools! No slow cooker, no pressure cooker, no yogurt maker. Just a pot on your stove, jars and a cooler, fresh milk and a bit of already-made yogurt.

Shall we begin?!?!

Easy, Fail-Proof Homemade Yogurt

1/2 gallon fresh *whole* milk

3 Tbsp. yogurt with live cultures (see note)

Pour milk in a pot on the stove over low-medium heat. Heat until the milk reaches 180*F, almost boiling, but not quite. Stir often. It is best to allow the milk to heat up slowly, so this process should take at the least 30 minutes. Heating it up too quickly will ruin the process.

Once the milk has reached 180*F, turn the heat off and allow the milk to cool slowly to 110*F. Again, allowing it to come down in temperature slowly is the key. The most important thing with making homemade yogurt is you do NOT want to rush the process. (A good lesson for life, too, eh?!)

Once the milk has cooled to the desired temperature, whisk in the yogurt with live cultures (see note). Pour the milk into jars and secure the lids very tightly. 

Place the jars in a cooler and pour very hot tap water in...about six cups or so. Fill the rest of the way with boiling water, so that the jars are just covered. Close the cooler and place in a safe place so it won't get dumped over.

Allow the yogurt to set for 8 hours.

After the appointed time has passed, remove the jars from the cooler and place in the fridge. Allow to cool completely.

At the point, you may wish to strain your yogurt if you prefer a thicker consistency. According to some information I read, thicker yogurt has less sugar, fewer carbs and more protein. All of which are good things!

To strain yogurt, simply place a colander over a large bowl. Line the colander with a few layers of cheesecloth and pour the yogurt into the colander. Place in the fridge for at least 6 hours, or overnight. Then spoon the yogurt on top of the cheesecloth back into your jars and enjoy! The whey which is in the bowl can be used for a variety of things including recipes and even feeding plants. Look up some cool ways to use it instead of letting it go to waste!

(Note: Yogurt with live cultures is simply yogurt that is already made. Store-bought yogurt should say this on the label..."with live cultures". You can also save a bit of your homemade yogurt from a previous batch to use as your starter in the future.)

There you have it, friends! I've done this once and it worked like a charm and this week, I'll be making another batch. We love to add a bit of maple syrup to our individual servings, homemade granola (here's our favorite recipe) and fresh fruit. It's delicious and the perfect snack!

Have a lovely day!

♥

*I found this method on Instagram from the account "thenourishingcup".*

Simple Girl's Diary ♥ Wintertime Favorites Collection 2021

Hello, readers! I am finally getting around to sharing my wintertime favorites collection. Spring is nearly here...just a few more days, so I thought I'd better get to it with my favorites from this past season. In this post, I will be sharing my favorites in a variety of categories including books, TV, movies, music, and homemaking arts. These are the things that have brought me delight and happiness and a bit of magic these last few months. 

Shall we begin?

~ BOOKS ~

Over the winter months, I read some rather lovely and delightful, and immensely whimsical, stories. These stories were such a comfort during the cold wintry nights and added to the coziness that season brings. I loved sitting in my comfy chair with a blanket, or laying in bed all tucked under multiple layers in my warmest jammies, enjoying these stories, often into the wee hours of the morning. I'm a nighttime reader...and these stories were the perfect reads for late at night...gentle, settling, calming, soothing and oh so splendid!

The Tale of Hill Top Farm

What Beatrix loved more than anything else were tiny cottages with crooked roofs, their stone-flogged floors brightened by rag rugs, their ceilings hung with braids of onions and fragrant herbs, the rooms furnished with old-fashioned oak sideboards and grandfather clocks and chairs with woven rush seats. Farmhouses with no pretensions to grandeur, with mullioned windows and thick walls and narrow passages turning and twisting every which way.

(taken from Chapter 5)

This is the first novel in a series of eight mysteries. Beatrix Potter serves as the main character in these stories and in this first book, she has just arrived at Hill Top Farm in order to settle the paperwork and make it officially hers. She befriends some of the village folk and has her animal friends in tow as usual. Over the course of the story, you get to know the village and its people and are immersed in all the cozy English charm that the Lake District holds. You are welcomed into a circle of friends, both human and otherwise...a village dog and a clan of cats as well as several woodland critters that join in along the way. Several mysteries are woven throughout the story and Beatrix and her animal friends work the puzzle until all is well and solved. This was not a gory, creepy mystery full of blood or nightmare-ish scenes. Rather, this was a cozy, gentle sort of mystery...with lots of other storylines woven wonderfully into the book. As I mentioned before, this is the first book in a series of eight, and I loved this one so very much that book two has since been ordered, received and is now awaiting me to pick it up to read. This one is highly recommended by me!

The Brambly Hedge stories

Creating the books is tremendous fun, but very hard work at the same time. This is because I like to get everything right. Each flower must have the correct number of petals and be growing in the right place, at the right time. Everything the mice make or do must be possible for them, living where they do. After all, Brambly Hedge is real, and I am simply here to record it.

(an excerpt from the Introduction by the author of Brambly Hedge, Jill Barklem)

After nearly five years of hearing about the Brambly Hedge series, I finally read these delightful tales this winter. Oh, how I loved them! They were so very whimsical and never before have I wished so much that I lived among the mice in Brambly Hedge. Their quaint little village and the kindness of their friendships and neighbors just makes you want to jump right into the story and make yourself at home. There are eight stories in total, the first four written for each season and the last four just random stories about the mice and their shenanigans. These tales are not just for children; I think they are delightful stories for everyone of all ages! I know just how much I enjoyed them and cannot recommend them enough. I think you, too, may find yourself wishing you lived in Brambly Hedge with some silly mice for your neighbors.

Little House in the Big Woods

At 26 years old, I am finally reading the Little House books. My mom read them for the first time last year, in her early sixties, and now I’m enjoying the stories. I finished book one over the weekend...what a delightful story it was! I loved the family centered-ness, the good old-fashioned values, the traditional crafts and homemaking arts and just the sweetness of everything. It definitely was a quick, easy read...perfect for when you don’t want to have to think too much as you read, if you know what I mean. It’s a very gentle sort of book, which I’m loving these days. One thing did stand out to me, and when my mom and I were talking about the books, she noticed the same thing. The parenting back in the day. Holy cannoli! It was strict, harsh, cold, and dare I say...horrible in many ways! Good grief! Gentle parenting, anyone? Needless to say, I seriously did NOT agree with the way that Pa and Ma Ingalls parented their daughters and I certainly wouldn’t look to these stories for any kind of parenting advice. But other than that, it was a sweet story and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

~ TV Shows & Movies ~

Boy, oh boy! I came across some absolutely winning shows this winter! That always makes me so excited! {{smiles}} The first two shows that I fell in love with are Korean dramas, which I have found to be some of my favorites over the last year or so. Especially these two! 

Flower of Evil is a mystery/crime drama/thriller sort of show. Yes, all of that packed into sixteen episodes. This was an exciting, intriguing, enthralling show and I loved every minute of it. There were twists and turns and moments where you didn't know what was going to happen and who was good and who was bad. You were taken on a ride from the first minute of episode one to the last minute of episode sixteen. It was exciting all the way through! This series is rated R, but honestly, I have no idea why. There is absolutely nothing in any of the episodes that gave any indication as to why it has that rating. I loved this show, would totally watch it again and highly recommend it!

Now, for something the total opposite of the above show...a hilarious and sweet and quirky romantic comedy series. Clean With Passion for Now has got to be one of the best K-dramas I've seen yet! Yes, it has a funny title and if you just read the one or two-sentence synopsis that is offered on the internet, you may not be interested. But, rest assured, if you give it a fair chance, you will fall in love just like I did. The characters, main and side, were so relatable and genuine. There was plenty of comedy...I laughed so hard at some parts, and lots of sweet, heartwarming, touching moments as well. The romance in this drama just maybe my favorite so far in a Korean show. I just loved everything about this one!

And finally, Home Fires. This is a British period drama set right as World War II was beginning. It is based on a book sharing real-life accounts of life during that time in England. Several of the actresses were familiar to me as I recognized them from Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife, and they were excellent in this series, too. Each one was more of a background or side character in the other shows, but in this drama, they each got to shine beautifully. There was so much packed into just two seasons, with a total of twelve episodes. Emotions, relationships, family drama, wartime troubles, worries and stress, community gathering together, men and women fighting the war together, each in their own spheres and ways. It was remarkable...the only thing is that it is only two seasons. And worse than that, season two ends with the biggest cliff hanger...more than one, to be exact. Several of the characters that you have come to love are faced with something HUGE and something BIG happens and then the series ends. Oh, I just hate that! Thankfully, thanks to some kind readers of my blog, I learned that there have been some novels written by the creator of the show that continues on with the story. I think it goes without saying that book one is currently on its way to me from England. And I am ever so excited to see what happens!

~ Music ~

The wonderfully talented JJ Heller released a new collection of well-loved, popular songs this winter. She had done so previously with lullabies and classic type songs. This one has some more modern hits that have been popular and they are just wonderful. I have a few favorites, one in particular because it reminds me of the movies and TV shows that I watched in the late 1990s and early 2000s...it's a song that was very commonly included in romantic scenes back in the day and it just feels so nostalgic to me. Plus I've always loved it anyways. You can listen to it here. But, really, you just need to listen to the entire new album entitled, I Dream of You, Volume 3.

~ Homemaking Arts ~

And for the final category, I have two homemaking arts that brought me delight this winter. The first is hand embroidery. Oh, I have longed to do this for probably six years now and just kept pushing it off. It seemed so daunting and overwhelming and complicated. But I just took the plunge and set to work on a kit that I received for Christmas a few years back. I fell in love with this handicraft immediately! I am nearly done with my first project and while it's not perfect (I am just a beginner, after all), I am very pleased with how it looks. The rhythm of making the different stitches and the peacefulness it brings is what I love most. The end result is a plus, too! I'll have to share pictures once it's all done!

The other homemaking art that I learned was yoghurt making from scratch. I mentioned this last week in my Friday Femininity Gathering post, but I am still blown away that it actually worked! I'll be sharing the method I used soon here on the blog. Now I just need to make some more granola to enjoy with it and some yummy fresh fruit.

Well, friends, there you have it. All of my wintertime favorites! This was a delightful bunch of treasures, if I may say so. The books and music and shows and crafts all made my winter that much more cozy, fun and magical. I hope that maybe you learned about something new in this post that you want to add to your spring days. And as always, I'd love to hear what your favorites were from the wintertime, so do share below!

Have a lovely weekend! Stay cozy!

♥

Settling in for a Cozy Winter at Home

Winter is nearly here...just about another ten days and the season of coziness and gathering in and of home and hearth will be upon us. Candles flicker and their soft, gentle glow fills the room. The fireplace provides warmth and coziness. Mugs of warm drinks are held in cold hands bringing warmth back to the body while the drink warms us from the inside out. Comforting soups and homemade breads are in the kitchen ready to fill hungry bellies. The home is the central place for life's happenings in wintertime. And that's just how it should be because winter is the time for home.

This year, perhaps more than other years in recent history, the home will be the spotlight for our winter season. While everyone should be seeking to stay home as much as possible except for those very necessary outings such as grocery shopping or work and those delightful trips to the park or walking trail or nearby river for an afternoon in nature, this is the time to really savour the home. As I was pondering the beginning of winter and how home should be our focus this year due to the current worldwide pandemic (but really, always), I thought it would be most suitable for us all to share some of the lovely things that can fill our days and nights at home. Please realize that I am saying these things above and beyond the daily tasks and work that need to be done...these ideas are for all that extra time that so many are not accustomed to having to spend at home.

For starters, I have compiled a HUGE list of all my favorites...books (fiction and non), TV shows and movies. These are the things that bring delight and calm to our evenings as a family and I know they can do the same for you as well. I plan on updating this list as often as I find new favorites...which I hope to be very frequently. {{smiles}} You can find the list HERE. And as always, I love hearing your favorites so please, please do share them below. I have found so many new loves thanks to your kind and wonderful recommendations.

Another recommendation I have is, if you haven't already, do check out my Cozy Series that I posted in October. There are 31 posts all centered around the topic of coziness and home and hearth and gentle living. I share many thoughts and ramblings there on topics such as comforting soup and bread recipes, gentle homemaking rhythms, practicing teatime, the art of living slowly and softly, gently tending to your home, ways to bring beauty about as the days are shorter, mindfully tending to your heart, body and soul as well as reawakening your creativity and curating a cozy wardrobe...plus LOTS more. You can find all of the posts HERE.

 

One of the best ways to spend winter evenings, in my opinion, is to set to work on some handcrafts or learn a new skill. There's just something about that chilly air that sets something afire in me to get out my knitting needles and yarn. I love making cowls and have just started making earwarmer headbands this last month. Now I am addicted! They are so fun and easy to knit and make the perfect evening project. Perhaps you'd like to make some paper stars to bring beauty to your home this winter. We have quite a number of them throughout our home and we just love it! They are so cozy and have an old-fashioned charm about them you just can't get from something storebought. I shared a video tutorial HERE. And with the current worldwide pandemic, perhaps making a few masks would come in handy. Here's my super easy tutorial for sewing masks...find it HERE.

Enjoying tons of family time is a beautiful blessing this time of year. I'm a big-time believer in families spending as much time together as possible...there's no such thing as too much togetherness! Game nights are a great way to do this. And goodness knows that there are tons of games out there for us to enjoy...board games, card games, imaginative games. Heck, even games you make up yourself! Also spending time at the dinner table after the meal is finished and just chatting. It amazes me how many families do not eat together anymore or even have daily conversations beyond "how are you" or "what's the weather like today". Honestly, I find it absurd and heartbreaking and ridiculous all at the same time. It doesn't have to be that way...make this winter the change.

The kitchen calls in a special sort of way this time of year. Whether it's baking cookies or homemade bread to go alongside your dinner or chopping and sauteing veggies for a soup or stirfry, I love spending time in the kitchen the most during this time of year. We love our old family favorites but also have way too much fun trying new recipes. Sometimes we'll do a cooking challenge and only cook out of one cookbook for an entire week. Or we might want to go vegan for a  set amount of time. Or we sometimes enjoy Friday night pizza parties while watching a favorite show. Other nights a dinner of finger foods is fun and different. We also love our Soup and Bread Sundays, which can't be beaten. Tea parties are a favorite in our home, whether it's just my mom, sister and me or if we invite a few friends over (not this year, though!). Sometimes we go all out and other times we keep it quite simple. No matter what, though, it's always heaps of fun in both the preparations and the feasting. Check out all my tea party posts and recipes HERE.

Getting fresh air is important anytime, but especially in the winter when we are spending more time inside. We love sitting around our firepit in the evenings and chatting or listening to Irish trad music. Afternoon drives through the country are another top favorite, especially if we pack snacks and drinks to enjoy along the way. We have several small parks nearby that are never too busy so we can easily walk around there and I especially love taking my camera along, too. Even just a simple ramble through our own garden is hugely beneficial for both physical, mental and emotional health. Being outdoors this time of year can be tons of fun, we just make sure to bundle up and keep warm with hats, gloves and a scarf along with a thick coat. Breathing in that crisp winter air is so invigorating and makes you feel so alive. There's nothing like it!

There are tons more ideas for ways to enjoy home this winter; these are just a few of my top favorites. As we all settle in for a cozy winter at home, may we remember the goodness of home and the haven that it is as we are choosing to center ourselves at home in order to protect ourselves, our families and others. It's just the right thing to do. And it doesn't have to be a negative or depressing thing. You have the power to make it a magical, beautiful, most wonderful time at home...the best winter ever. Just be creative, grateful and allow your imagination and childlike heart to come alive. Oh, the fun we will have!

What are your favorite things to do as you settle in for a cozy winter at home? Do share below!

Stay home and savour the goodness of your cozy haven. Stay safe and be grateful for the ability to do so in order to protect yourself and others. Wear a mask and make wise, thoughtful decisions when it comes to socializing. Most of all, keep calm and carry on. Better days are on their way if we do our part in allowing them to get here. 

Pause and breathe in that fresh, wintry air...allow it to fill your lungs. Look up at the sky and remember how big and grand and wonderful this world is.  Run your hands along the bare branches of a tree and remind yourself that everything has its season and all is made beautiful in its own perfect time. Listen to the quiet stillness that winter brings and be filled with that peace allowing it to exude through and from you. Slowly sip your hot tea or coffee and be grateful that you can be warmed from the inside out with such a delicious drink. Close your eyes and feel the magic of winter...imagine the snow fairies dancing around you and the Jack Frost waving his wand over the land to create a shimmery icy morning. It's there, friends...the magic and wonder. Don't let it get past you. Savour. Slow. Notice.

Old-Fashioned Handcrafts ♥ Making Paper Stars || A Vlog!

Hello, dear friends!

How are you on this lovely November morning? We are slowly beginning our Christmas preparations. Our autumn decorations have been taken down and placed in their boxes which will make their way to the attic this week, upon which the Christmas boxes will make their way down for the season. It's quite lovely going out and about lately because all of the local businesses and towns are already decorated with twinkly lights and Christmas trees and candy canes and snowflakes. It makes the towns sparkle with an extra special touch this time of year and surely makes everything more beautiful!

Last week, I got bit by the crafting bug and was quite busy all week with one project after another. It all started with a set of pompoms which I made for Christmastime. That inspired me to make a set for winter. Then, that led me to knit my mom a cowl in a wonderful dusty coral color. It was my first cowl of the season, but rest assured, I've got a bag full of yarn just waiting to be made into cowls. Plus, I've found another little project that I want to knit up very soon. Finally, my week ended with two nights of paper star making. I ended up making about 24 stars, so yes, our home will be full of hanging paper stars this Christmas and upcoming winter season. I, for one, couldn't be happier! I think they are the cutest things and I adore their old-fashioned charm!

On the second night of my crafting, I decided to film a tutorial. It ended up being a little longer than I originally anticipated because I wanted to show a few different patterns for cutting the stars. You can, of course, do any sort of pattern you want. These are just my favorites...so far!  

This couldn't be an easier craft, but the results are stunning, if I do say so myself. I was ecstatic with how lovely the stars turned out and I feel that they add a whimsical, magical touch to any room, especially when there are twinkly fairy lights hung as well. The supplies are so simple; they're probably already in your cupboards. I think that you'll find, as I did, that these are quite addictive to make and you just may find yourself with a house full of hanging paper stars as well...I really don't think that's a bad thing, though. {{winks}}

You can watch my new vlog HERE.

Happy crafting, friends! 

Do let me know what you're making at home this season!!!

♥