diy snowglobes

My sister had the sweetest favors at her little girl's first birthday- snowman snowglobes. They were made using polymer clay, glitter, water and baby food jars. There is a simple tutorial to follow at crafts-for-all-seasons.
They make great favors, decorations or an afternoon art project for older children. The end result is awfully cute....

oh deer

via Martin Isaac

Now that I'm back in town for good, Lorelei and I are committing to making holiday gifts together. This year we made these lovelies and we are already thinking about next year. More to the point - I'm procrastinating by thinking about next year. Not to spoil the surprise of what her creativity and my grunt work will create, but I hope it will involve some sort of image of a deer because that's all I've been researching lately. (Is it too late for a resolution to get a grip on my serious procrastination skills?). Here, for your pleasure, is the end result of me avoiding work - a round-up of deer images! (And, yes, I've already done a round-up of deer pictures - I know this about myself and I embrace it.)

 

Frida Kahlo via Time is Art 

 

via vintage printable

 

 via Daydream Lily

 Bambi via Indianapolis Museum of Art

 

via julia.

by Joanna Salta

Edward Gordon's Winter

"Winter Oak"

Artist Edward Gordon paints glimpses of interiors and snapshots of the landscape in such a precise manner that the result is nearly hyper realistic. His attention to detail is incredible, his technique impressive, but it his ability to perfectly convey a sense of time, space and season that is his major accomplishment.
His wintertime works capture the cold, stark, yet serene stillness of the chilly months. Amazingly, he is able to paint characterizing moments of all the seasons....but these days I am in a snowy state of mind and these pieces are too.

 

"March"

 "Stillness"

"December"

 Images: gordongallery

fair isle forever

To a lot of folks, it may just look too 80's preppy, but I can not get enough Fair Isle ( n. (Clothing & Fashion) an intricate multicoloured pattern knitted with Shetland wool into various garments, such as sweaters [named after one of the Shetland Islands where the pattern originated]- thefreedictionary).

From the simplest pattern to the craziest arrangement- it makes the perfect piece of winter garb. I love the bold color combos and the soft, cozy muted ones all the same....

 Images: knittinglemonade,llbean, valetmag, knittingdaily, thewoolshack, tumblr., cottonandcloud

hot chocolate bar

 

I am very much on board with the new trend in winter parties....the hot chocolate bar. I love that it can be appropriate at everything from a child's birthday party to a fancy wedding reception- just depends on how you present it.

Chef Giada De Laurentiis has pointers on what to have on hand for your own hot chocolate bar, but certainly there are so many ways to make the unique and delicious!

 Images: luv4chocolate, andersruf, babble, lipstickandruffles,theartofweddings

Waiting for Winter

Sebastian Meschenmoser's Waiting for Winter is just the type of warm, silly fun that is perfect for this cold, sometimes stark season. The hasty, frenzied looking pencil sketched squirrel, hedgehog and bear look just as you would imagine animals avoiding hibernation would and their quest for the first snowflake of winter provides lots of laughs (especially for young readers well aware that the droopy white sock discovered is definitely not snow!).

These lively, curious creatures provide not only fun, but are part of the cozy, satisfying ending- taking in their first snowfall ever. Meschenmoser's tale is short on text , but full of expression and emotion through his quirky and impressive illustration. A wonderful addition to fireside bedtime stories...

 Images: barnesandnoble, theworld, blaine, kate'sbookery

snowglobe cards

Over the past couple of days we have been working on snowglobe cards. I cut the globe forms and circles out from cardstock or construction paper and the kids grabbed white paint and markers to create the wintry scenes. Years ago I saw these on a teacher's bulletin board and I always remember them when the first snow falls.
We are using our snowglobe cards as holiday greetings and Christmas thank yous- they are versatile little suckers!

The Tomten

In 1961, Astrid Lindgren, widely recognized as the author of Pippi Longstocking, wrote one of best winter picture books to ever be published- The Tomten.
The tale, based on a Swedish poem, manages to be both cozy and mysterious, telling the story of a troll-like creature who lives on and watches over a remote farm, but only at night and without being seen does he care for this home. His presence is reassuring and magical.
It has to be said that a large part of the success of this story is because of the impressive illustration of Harald Wiberg. He captures the personality of night that is at once still and filled with life, eerie and comforting, and filled with the chill of winter and the warmth of love. A perfect bedtime story for those cold nights ahead....

 Images: inhabitingbooks, pbcstyle, themarlowebookshelf

shamrock shake

Although I have seen it advertised for years, I have never tried a McDonald's Shamrock Shake- their vanilla mint seasonal concoction. I am fairly sure it is as high in calories as it is delicious....so maybe a homemade version could be ever so slightly better for you :).
I figured I would make some of these silly, festive green shakes for my kids and found a recipe on cafemom (courtesy of Epicurious).

Shamrock Shake

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 1 1/4 cups 2% low-fat milk
• 1/4 teaspoon mint extract
• 8 drops green food coloring (optional)

Blend ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into two cups.

**For the non-dairy folks...never fear-just substitute in soy ice cream and vanilla soy milk!**

Image courtesy of browneyedbaker

winter wedding wonder

Images courtesy of flyawaybride, elizabethannedesigns, pinterest, elegala, atouchoflovely, and brilliantbridalaz

winter hats for little heads

Image courtesy of Aliexpress via google

There are so many adorable and functional options out there for tots' winter head wear. Not only are hats necessary in these bone-chilling temperatures, but they always make for great gifts. After checking out the selections, I am convinced I need to expand the chapeau collection of my little ones!

This sweet gnome hat just makes me smile.

Snuggly pixie hat courtesy of BigLittle via etsy

The "hoo hat" looks like one of those pieces that gets passed down through a family- it has the heirloom look about it.

Hoo Hat- Upcycled Felted Wool Owl Hat- Blue, Orange and Green- Sz. Large courtesy of hoohats via etsy

Something to brighten even the greyest of winter days....

Teal Blue Hat with hot green flower courtesy of onajeans via etsy

On the Running with Scissors blog, Jessica talks about making this monster hat from an old McCalls pattern....I was immediately jealous and also regretted, for the bazillionth time, that I never learned to sew.

Monster Snow Hat courtesy of Running With Scissors

Another fleecy, stylish choice that would a giant hit with my little guy.

The Robot Hat courtesy of katiesegel via etsy
A knit aviator hat for those mighty tiny winter wanderers.

Aviator Hat courtesy of MaryYarns via etsy

Two teddy bear caps warm and cozy enough to bring on hibernation- I love the soft look of the cashmere in the first and the gorgeous blend of autumn tones in the second.

Cashmere newborn baby animal ears hat- chocolate mocha courtesy of thejunebride via etsy


Bear With Me Ear Flap Baby and Toddler Hat (Fall Colors with Stripe)-Ready to ship - courtesy of BuggyD via etsy